PRAYER DIARY | March/April 2020 - Open Doors
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PRAYER DIARY | March/April 2020
“Surely God is my
helper; the Lord
is the one who
sustains me.”
PSALM 54:4
supporters (see Magazine she cares for these women’s
MARCH p8). “You are the ones who Persecuted practical and spiritual needs.
brought hope and healing
back to me,” she says. “If not Women Thursday 12 March – India
Nigeria for the loan I received, I don’t Pray for Sunita*, a widow with
know what I would have done.” Sunday 8 March – four children who has been
Sunday 1 March International Women’s Day rejected by her family because
The spread of extremist Islam Thursday 5 March Open Doors research has of her faith in Jesus. Ask
is threatening the existence of Keep praying for abducted revealed that many Christian God to comfort and provide
the church in northern Nigeria schoolgirl Leah Sharibu, women are persecuted for for Sunita and her family.
– 2,983 Christians were killed being held by Boko Haram both their faith and gender.
in 2019. Pray for extraordinary because she refused to deny Yet their suffering often goes Friday 13 March – Nepal
grace to deal with the her faith in Jesus. There unseen. Pray that Open Doors’ Pray for Christian women in
constant threat of violence, are unconfirmed rumours See. Change. campaign will Nepal who face persecution
and strength to withstand that she has been forcibly draw attention to this issue from their family. Many are
pressure to deny Jesus. married to a Boko Haram and enable these women to be beaten, rejected and not
commander and had a baby. seen, valued and empowered. allowed to go to church. Ask
Monday 2 March Ask the Lord to protect her God to strengthen these
Women who have been faith and secure her release. Monday 9 March – Uganda women in their faith, and
widowed or displaced by Aisha’s husband divorced her use them to bring their
extremists are particularly Friday 6 March when she became a Christian. families to know Jesus.
vulnerable, and often face Thousands of women remain Her stepson conspired with
social exclusion that leads in Boko Haram captivity. Muslim leaders to chase her Saturday 14 March – China
to poverty. Pray for Open Pray for their liberation, from her home and business, In June we asked you to pray
Doors partners supporting and pray for those who have and assaulted her children. for Joyce, a believer from a
widows with trauma care been freed or managed to Ask God to provide for Aisha Muslim background who was
and economic empowerment escape to receive proper and her children, and pray prevented from returning
programmes to help them physical and emotional care. for healing from high blood to her home and family
provide for their families. pressure brought on by stress. after being released from
Saturday 7 March a re-education camp. Give
Tuesday 3 March Revd Marcos (below) pastors Tuesday 10 March - Ivory Coast thanks that, after two years of
Mariayamu’s husband a Christian community that When Mariam (42) converted isolation, she has been given
was killed by Boko Haram has suffered devastating to Christ, her husband permission to move back to
militants, leaving her to attacks by Boko Haram which divorced her and her daughter her city! Pray for spiritual
provide for her children left many dead and several (8) was forcibly removed by and emotional healing as she
alone (see Magazine p8). “I churches destroyed. Pray relatives. She was chased is reunited with her family.
have lost everything,” she for Open Doors partners from her home, leaving her
says, “including my husband helping Revd Marcos to build destitute. Pray for the local Sunday 15 March – Vietnam
who has been my helper.” a new church for his growing church supporting her and Pray for Sister Qui who
Pray that the microloan and congregation, and supporting ask God to give her hope was violently beaten by her
trauma care she has received the community with trauma despite her circumstances. husband and kicked out of
through Open Doors will care and microloans. their house. When her pastor
restore her dignity and hope. Wednesday 11 March raised this with the local
– East Africa authorities, they replied that
Wednesday 4 March Amina* is a believer from since she trusts in a ‘foreign
Give thanks that Rikiya, a a Muslim background who Western religion’, it’s ‘just
widow whose home was feels called to share the right’ for her husband to beat
destroyed when Boko Haram gospel with other women her. Pray for justice for Qui
attacked her village, is in her community and to and ask God to change her
now able to provide for her disciple new believers. Ask husband’s heart towards her.
children thanks to microloans the Holy Spirit to guide and
being provided by Open Doors’ protect her, and equip her as *Names changed for security reasons
2 3
Give thanks for (with persecution), and walking building was confiscated
with God, not only for my by the court. Our church
ANSWERED PRAYER family, but for many Christian
churches in our country.
is now gathering inside a
40-ton container. We pray
These challenges have taught now for a new building for
us to unite more and to trust our church. We also ask
the Lord in difficulties. you to participate in prayer
and support us in this. The
“During my imprisonment, Lord said, ‘Call me and I will
many Christians from all over answer you’ (Jeremiah 33:3).
the world were in solidarity
with us. That is evidenced “Your support for us is God’s
by the letters received with help and we accept this, with a
your words of comfort and grateful heart, from the Lord.
prayerful support. Many For you, to participate in this
Christians prayed for me good cause may be a service to
and for my family. the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew
25:34-40). God bless you all!!!”
“God has shown Himself
through many brothers and Thank you for your continued
sisters and also through and faithful prayers for
you. My family and I are Pastor Bahrom and his family
very happy for the prayer (pictured below). Please keep
support and physical care praying for him as he adjusts
you have provided. to life outside of prison,
and for his church, that God
“Early last year, my church would provide them a new
was attacked and the church church building to meet in.
Tajikistan
PASTOR BAHROM IS FREE!
We are delighted to report – just in time to spend
that Pastor Bahrom Holmatov Christmas with his family!
from Tajikistan has been
released early from prison! Pastor Bahrom and his wife
Gulnora (pictured above)
He was arrested and have written a thank you
imprisoned in April 2017 letter to all those who have
for three years on false been praying for him and
accusations of ‘singing supporting him during
extremist songs in church and his ordeal. He writes:
so inciting religious hatred’.
Open Doors supporters have “Dear brothers and
been faithfully praying for sisters in Christ Jesus,
him and his family all this
time, and on 18 December “2017-2019 for us have been
2019 he was released years of testing of our faith
4 5
family and for the church to escape and find refuge The pressure is affecting her
Africa which Mr Lanli led. with his pastor. Ask God to health. Pray for healing for
strengthen Asman’s faith and Madina and for safety for her
Monday 16 March Friday 20 March – Chad to change his mother’s heart and her children.
– Burkina Faso Last year, we asked you to to respect his faith in Jesus.
Burkina Faso has seen the pray for Moussa, whose wife Saturday 28 March
greatest rise in Christian Mariam and two children Tuesday 24 March – Uganda When Khan* came to faith in
persecution in the world, were forcibly removed when Robert (17) started going to Jesus, his Muslim relatives
due to the rapid spread of he became a Christian. Since church after the Lord spoke beat him, burned down his
Islamic extremist ideology. then, Moussa started earning to him through dreams. When barn, killed his livestock and
Pray for Open Doors partners an income with the help of his parents found out, they threatened to expel his family
supporting displaced believers Open Doors, which enabled pressured him to recant, from the community. Despite
with relief aid and trauma care him to reunite with his wife. refusing to pray his school this, Khan says: “I decided
(see Magazine p20). But they had to relocate when fees and rent. “I live at church that I have to forgive them as
Mariam’s family tried again and have learnt to work with Jesus Christ forgave my sins.”
Tuesday 17 March – Burkina to take her away. Pray for my own hands,” he says. “God Pray for safety for Khan, his
Faso protection and for wisdom in is alive. I am well rested in wife and son. Pray for their
Pastor Sawadogo’s church is dealing with Mariam’s family. this assurance.” Give thanks relatives to meet Jesus.
caring for Christians who fled for Robert’s faith. Ask God to
attacks in the north. “Please Saturday 21 March – Ethiopia provide for his needs. Sunday 29 March - Uzbekistan
pray that the peace of God Galgalo* (35) suffered head Give thanks that the ministry
will reign in the country, and injuries and a broken arm to deaf people is growing and
our people will be able to go when a group of Muslim Central Asia many are coming to Jesus.
back to their villages,” he says. youths broke into his church Pray for Amina (14), Madina
“Pray also for our pastors who and disrupted a prayer Wednesday 25 March (16) and Zarif* (19), children
have been displaced, that God meeting. Pray for his healing Pray for a group of BMBs of deaf parents, who were
will put His words of hope on and for courage for the church arrested by police after beaten by their uncle after
their lips as they minister to in the face of such hostility. someone informed security accepting Jesus. Pray for
their congregations.” services about their meetings. their healing and safety.
Sunday 22 March – Kenya The police tried to get
Wednesday 18 March – The Deliverance Church information from them by Monday 30 March - Kyrgyzstan
Cameroon near Malindi was attacked beating them. They have since Pray for Janara, the lawyer
Abdul, a believer from a following a land dispute been released. Ask God to heal for Eldos, a young Christian
Muslim background (BMB), with a local Muslim in which them and give them courage. from a Muslim background
had to leave his home when the court ruled in favour of who was severely beaten
pressure to deny his faith the church. Ask the Lord Thursday 26 March for his faith in 2018. Since
began to affect his health. to provide a place for the One of those arrested was then, she has faced constant
Open Doors helped him start a congregation to meet while Hadija*, a Christian mother of threats from the relatives
business and he now teaches the building is being repaired, four who held secret church of Eldos’ attackers and the
other BMBs the trade and and pray that this attack will meetings in her home. Despite Muslim community. Pray for
disciples them in their faith. not rob them of their hope and continued pressure she hasn’t safety and emotional healing.
Ask God to bless his business trust in Jesus. renounced Jesus or given
and strengthen the faith of away information about other Tuesday 31 March – UK&I
those he apprentices. Monday 23 March – Uganda believers. Ask God to protect Please pray for more
Pray for Asman (16), whose Hadija and her family and give speaking opportunities at
Thursday 19 March – Niger mother tried to force him to them peace. churches and church groups
Pray for the widow and four become a Muslim after she for Open Doors’ staff and
children of Mr Lanli, a pastor married a prominent Muslim Friday 27 March volunteer speakers. Ask God
from Makalondi who was leader and converted from Pray for Madina*, a Uyghur to speak through them as they
abducted and shot dead Christianity to Islam. She BMB whose family have share stories of the courage
in January. Pray for God’s enrolled him into a Muslim threatened and abused her of our persecuted family.
comfort and healing for his school, but he managed for her choice to follow Jesus. *Names changed for security reasons
6 7
PERSECUTED WOMEN SEE. CHANGE. “Honestly, I want to thank May God continue to use
God,” she said. “I can’t even you to heal others and touch
express how happy I am. I their lives. Thank you so
“She is free of her burden” want to say a big thank you
to my brothers and sisters
much for helping us.”
THE WOMEN SEEING CHANGE who took the time to write to
me. I am so grateful. Thank
PRAY
you. Thank you. May God • Give thanks for God’s
help you and continue to healing in Aisha’s life
prosper everything you do.”
• That God will continue
Aisha’s husband, Dauda, to work through Open
also shared how much of a Doors partners to restore
change he has seen in his hope and dignity to more
wife. “Immediately after women persecuted for
she came back home from their faith and gender.
the trauma healing session,
I saw that, through that > You can watch a video
seminar, God had really of Aisha receiving her
healed her from the wounds cards in the latest edition
that were inflicted upon her of Prayer News. Order
because of what happened. the DVD, or watch online
at www.opendoorsuk.
“Before the trauma care, she org/prayernews
was very shy. She was always
Persecuted women are being Open Doors worker Hanna* alone. But right now, she is *Name changed for security reasons
seen, heard and empowered recently visited Aisha with outgoing and happy. She is
to reach their God-given hundreds of letters from free of her burden. Even when (below) Your letters and
potential, thanks to your supporters. As she and her she ponders about what has prayers have brought
overwhelming prayers and children began opening happened to her, she is able to encouragement to Aisha,
support for Open Doors’ the large envelopes of smile and say, ‘It has passed.’ Dauda and their children
See. Change. campaign. letters, Aisha burst out
into a spontaneous song “I want to express my
It’s now a year since Open of thanksgiving to God. gratitude to Open Doors.
Doors launched the See.
Change. campaign to restore “Look at this beautiful work!”
the hope, dignity and identity she said to her boys, who
of Christian women targeted were clearly captivated by
for both their gender and the bright pictures. “Who
their faith – women like wants this one? Nathan, hold
Aisha from Nigeria, who has this one and keep it. Oh, see
been receiving trauma care another beautiful one! It has
through Open Doors partners a prayer on it. These people
after she was attacked in took their time to design
her own home by Fulani and send them to us.”
militants. Last year, we asked
supporters to pray, give After putting up many of
and write letters of support the cards around her living
to Aisha and other women room, Aisha explained
like her, to let them know just how much she has
that they are seen by their been encouraged by your
Christian family worldwide. prayers and support.
8 9
be baptised at the end of last year’s Easter bombings Saturday 11 April – China
APRIL 2019. Most had travelled (see Magazine p17). Pray for Pray for China’s Christians
three or four hours just for Rebekah, who is recovering as they celebrate Easter
the baptism. Please pray from third degree burns. this year under a cloud of
Persecuted that Jesus will strengthen She is scheduled for further ever-increasing surveillance
these sisters and dwell in treatment later this year. Pray and restrictions. Pray that
Women their hearts through faith. for renewed strength, and for the Easter message gives
her family as they support her. them renewed hope, and
Wednesday 1 April Sunday 5 April – Tunisia boldness to share the gospel.
Many Christian women around Pray for a group of female Thursday 9 April – Sri Lanka
the world are persecuted both believers in northern Tunisia Pray for the family of Peter, Sunday 12 April –
because they are Christian who are struggling to stand a young boy killed in the Easter Sunday
and because they are firm in their faith. They want Easter bombings (pictured “Thanks be to God, who gives
women. Pray for Open Doors to meet more together to below). “We were in great us the victory through our
partners restoring dignity encourage one another. distress with pain after Lord Jesus Christ!” Pray that
and hope to these vulnerable Ask God to make a way for losing our beloved son,” all our brothers and sisters
women through trauma them to meet in safety. they wrote to Open Doors. who suffer for following
care, literacy and livelihood “Since then, you were there Him would ‘stand firm and
skills, and biblical training. Monday 6 April – Tunisia with us to hold, to comfort, gives themselves fully to the
Pray for new believer Amira*. to heal. We express our Lord’s work, knowing that
Thursday 2 April – India When her father found out heart-felt gratitude to you all their labour is not in vain’
Laxmi* and her son were she had become a Christian and pray unto Jesus to bless (1 Corinthians 15:57-58).
beaten up by people from he began pressuring her to you all in your ministries.”
their village because they return to Islam. He wants Ask God to continue to Monday 13 April – Asia
didn’t take part in Hindu her to leave university comfort them and all those Believers from Muslim
ceremonies. They face verbal and return to live with the mourning loved ones. backgrounds in Muslim-
abuse and social boycotting family again. Pray for God’s majority countries like
on a daily basis. Pray for their wisdom and perseverance. Bangladesh and Indonesia
protection, and ask God to are especially at risk during
change the hearts of those Tuesday 7 April – Indonesia Christian festivals such as
who are persecuting them Pray for the first marriage Easter. Pray that they will
and draw them to Himself. seminar being held in Aceh. not give in to fear, and that,
The goal of the seminar is for like the first disciples, they
Friday 3 April – Nepal God to restore the marriages will experience the risen
Pray for Lalita* who was of Christian couples. Ask for Jesus standing among
persecuted by her husband God’s wisdom for the trainers, them, saying “Peace be
because of her faith. She as gathering the husbands to with you” (John 20:19).
now has to provide for her attend this training has been
children on her own, working quite challenging. Pray that Tuesday 14 April – Nigeria
as a labourer on daily wages. the couples will deepen in Remember the parents of the
Pray for God’s provision and their love and understanding over 100 girls who remain
pray that her husband will of one another, so that they missing six years after being
also come to faith in Jesus. can build strong families that Friday 10 April – Good Friday kidnapped from Chibok high
will bless their communities. Many churches in India school. Keep praying for
Saturday 4 April – will lead processions in the girls’ release and pray
North Korea the streets on Good Friday, that they and their parents
Thank you for praying for the Easter remembering the crucifixion will know that nothing can
secret Bible study groups of Jesus. Pray for the separate them from the love
for North Korean women Wednesday 8 April safety of Christians taking of God in Christ Jesus.
in China. Six more North – Sri Lanka part in these events and
Korean refugee women As Easter approaches, that people will be able to *Name changed for security reasons
had a precious chance to remember the victims of celebrate Easter peacefully.
10 11
Images used for illustrative purposes
of the house, saying, “You though it is underground. Of
are a shame for the family course, they can arrest us,
and relatives.” Fortunately, they can beat us and frighten
other Christians rallied us – and they do. But they can’t
around her and helped her take away the love and hope.”
to find a house and a job. *Name changed for security reasons
“God saved my life A passion for women’s
ministry arose in Halida,
with His love” and today she works with
women suffering from
PRAY FOR THE MUSLIM
WORLD THIS RAMADAN:
FINDING JESUS mental health problems,
as well as being a secret
24 April – 23 May
DURING RAMADAN home group leader. “I
know that the persecution
Millions of Muslims
around the world will
I experienced was not in be seeking God in
vain,” she says. “I learned fasting and prayer this
Halida* from Central Asia in Him could she find the what my purpose is, my Ramadan. The 30 Days
was desperate to find God. solutions to her problems. ministry in Him. I am of Prayer for the Muslim
Her friend invited her to a going to serve women World resource can help
She grew up in a Muslim Christian home group, but who experience violence you pray that many more
family and was a committed fear held Halida back. and persecution in their Muslims will discover
Muslim. But she suffered with families… God saved and the love of Jesus. Order
mental health problems for After several weeks, her changed my life with His your FREE copy today at
years. She was experiencing desperation to be healed love. Now I want to share www.opendoorsuk.org
deep depression and was overcame her fear. She was it with other people.” or call our Inspire team
earnestly seeking healing touched by what she heard on 01993 460015.
during Ramadan. She says, “I at the meetings, and after Halida and other believers
thought, ‘If God won’t answer a few weeks, she accepted like her are facing growing
me in this pure, holy Ramadan Jesus into her heart. At last, persecution. But it is not
month, I will die.’ I had no her mind was at peace. diminishing her desire to
strength to resist any more.” serve Jesus. She says, “It is
That’s when the persecution strange – with the growth of
During the first week of started. When Halida’s family persecution, we can see, at
Ramadan, a friend came to discovered that she had the same time, the growing
see Halida and told her about become a Christian, they need for the gospel and for
Jesus, explaining that only beat her and threw her out growing the ministry, even
12
volunteers delivering aid. Ask God to continue to provide to the needs of BMBs,” says an
Hope for the for these organisations so Open Doors expert. “Some are
Sunday 19 April – Lebanon that their work can continue. suffering deep psychological
Middle East After months of anti- challenges: having lost
government protests, Thursday 23 April loved ones, being beaten,
Wednesday 15 April – Iraq many Lebanese people are Please pray for income rejected.” Pray that churches
Iraq named a new prime disillusioned with politics generation projects and will be places where BMBs
minister in February after four and distrustful of the vocational training projects are warmly welcomed and
months of anti-government country’s leaders. Pray that being run in different parts of enjoy spiritual and emotional
protests in which hundreds the churches in Lebanon India by Open Doors partners. care during Ramadan.
of protesters died. Pray will be strong and attractive Pray that God will use these
that Mr Allawi and his new communities that bring projects to give our brothers Tuesday 28 April – Indonesia
government will lead the the good news of Jesus to and sisters the dignity Pray for believers from
Iraqi people with wisdom and those who are losing hope. of being able to support Muslim backgrounds as
righteousness and restore themselves and their families. they share their faith during
peace and stability in Iraq. Ramadan. “Ramadan is
India actually the perfect time to
Thursday 16 April – Iraq Ramadan preach the gospel,” says Lina*.
One of the demands of some Monday 20 April “It is easy to engage Muslims
Iraqi protesters has been Pray for 15 Christian families Friday 24 April during this time and tell them
to change the constitution, who are fighting a court Pray for the hundreds of about God’s salvation.”
which they consider to be case over their land – they millions of Muslims across the
unfair to minority groups are being prevented from world observing Ramadan. Wednesday 29 April – Gulf
such as Christians. A group farming their land because Ask God to reveal Himself to In some parts of the Gulf,
of Iraqi Christian activists are of their Christian faith. many Muslims as they pray Christians, if seen drinking
speaking up for equality and Please pray for a favourable and fast, and pray that many water or accidentally
coexistence. Pray that the outcome for these families. will discover the love of Jesus. consuming foods, can be
voice of justice will be heard. taken in by the authorities and
Tuesday 21 April Saturday 25 April have their heads shaved as a
Friday 17 April – Syria Pray for a pastor who was Ramadan is a lonely time for public punishment for eating
The Syrian authorities recently forced to flee his village after many believers from Muslim during Ramadan. “Please
began to reject permission extremists threatened him backgrounds (BMBs). Pray pray for us,” says a local Open
for training activities run with death because he has that they will know the Lord’s Doors partner. “We feel the
by our local partner. Three been bringing many people presence and comfort, and stress and the extra scrutiny
trainings were cancelled to Christ. He wants to go pray for spiritual protection during Ramadan. Pray for
and at least six rescheduled. back to continue pastoring so they will not be pressured strength, patience and
Ask God to intervene and to the Christian families there. to return to Islam at this time. tenderness in our attitude.”
guide the team to alternative Pray for his protection and
ways to provide training. that he will soon be able to Sunday 26 April – Thursday 30 April – Malaysia
return to strengthen these Sub-Saharan Africa During Ramadan, secret
Saturday 18 April – Syria families in their faith. When Muslims come to faith believers face increased
Praise God for the relief in Christ, they often face scrutiny and find it difficult
aid that was distributed to Wednesday 22 April physical danger. Attacks on to hide their faith in Christ.
vulnerable families over Many Christian ministries Christian communities in One shared, “My family
the winter, thanks to your and organisations across this region during Ramadan would always ask if I have
support. “Thankfully it is India are losing their FCRA are not uncommon. Pray already fasted and prayed.
saving many families from registration, which is for physical protection for I lied, though I know it was
the cold,” says Nazira, who needed in order to receive Christians this Ramadan. wrong. I have no choice; if
is responsible for displaced donations from abroad. Some not, I will be exposed.” Pray
families in Hassaka. Pray believe the hidden agenda Monday 27 April – for wisdom and boldness
for stamina and protection of the government is to stop Sub-Saharan Africa to do what is right.
for Nazira and other Christian ministry in India. “Pray for the church to wake up *Name changed for security reasons
14 15
WORLD WATCH LIST
#32 Nepal
Clinging to the Rock
“‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and
what no human mind has conceived’ - the things God
has prepared for those who love him”
1 CORINTHIANS 2:9
How do you persevere in that He must have a greater
your faith when the future plan in mind.
is uncertain? Reema* from
Nepal has experienced more Thanks to your prayers and
hardships in her 22 years support, Reema and her family
than many people do in a have since left the hostel
lifetime. And yet she is able and she has begun to study
to say with confidence, “I theology. She says, “I never
know God has prepared the felt like renouncing my faith,
best for those who love Him, even when I was going through
and we should always hold on the tough times in the hostel…
to God and trust in Him.” God has never left me alone
and has answered my prayers
Reema and her family were through people like you.”
isolated and rejected by their
Buddhist community after Heavenly Father, thank You
choosing to follow Jesus. Her that You have promised never
father then left the family, to leave me or forsake me.
abandoning them. Help me to cling to You always,
and guide me through the dark
Reema’s mother took them times. Amen.
to the city for work. But the *Name changed for security reasons
owners of the hostel where
they stayed beat and abused Order your FREE
Reema and her siblings. copy of the World
Watch List Top 50
Reema grew so desperate guide and map for
that she tried to take her own more inspirational
life. But God intervened and, stories and prayer requests
surprised and amazed that from the persecuted church.
she survived, she realised Go to www.opendoorsuk.org
Open Doors, PO Box 6, Witney, FIND US ON:
OX29 6WG www.opendoorsuk.org
T 01993 460015
E inspire@opendoorsuk.org
Open Doors UK & I is a registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1125684,
Scotland No. SC043710, Republic of Ireland No. 20140984 © Open Doors 2020
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