PRAYER DIARY | March/April 2021 - Open Doors
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PRAYER DIARY | March/April 2021 “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” JOHN 10:10
Thursday 4 March – India she says, “but the seminars treatment, so many wait til
MARCH Lalita* was so badly beaten by and Open Doors partners their health deteriorates. Pray
her husband when he found encouraged me a lot.” for strength and protection for
her praying that she had to medical staff working under
Persecuted have five stitches in her head. Monday 8 March - great strain in hospitals that
Women Pray for her healing, that
she will stay strong in her
International Women’s Day
As part of the See. Change.
lack medical supplies, and
ask God in His mercy to help
faith, and that her husband campaign, Open Doors is the Iraqi government to bring
Monday 1 March - Syria will come to know Jesus and asking the UK Government to the infection under control.
When Sozan and her sister repent of his behaviour. recognise faith as a specific
left Islam to follow Jesus, vulnerability in gender-based Friday 12 March – Iraq
they faced such opposition Friday 5 March – Kyrgyzstan violence, and to respond Most schools remain closed
from men in their community Pray for Ayna*, whose with effective policy. Pray due to the spread of Covid-19.
that they had to flee their husband Rasul* beats her and that many MPs will be moved For the second year, Iraq
town. “They said we had a bad is threatening to divorce her to hold the government to still can’t find a way to
reputation and that we should because of her faith in Jesus. account on this issue and provide online teaching and
be killed. Our father should Her son Musa* (9) wants to work together to address the electronic devices for children
take care that this shame protect his mother but doesn’t persecution of women for in poorer, rural areas.
would be washed away,” she know how. Ask God to protect their faith. Ask the Lord to intervene
says. Give thanks that Sozan Ayna and her children, and to so that Iraq’s children
and her family received
food and shelter through a
soften Rasul’s heart so that he
turns to Jesus.
Hope for the are not robbed of their
education and their future.
Centre of Hope. Pray for her Middle East
continued protection and for Saturday 6 March- Arabian Saturday 13 March –
strength as she serves the Peninsula Palestinian Territories
children in her new church Pray for a sister who has Tuesday 9 March – Iraq Although Covid restrictions
(see Magazine p.9). faced severe abuse from her January’s bomb attacks in are preventing believers from
family-in-law since accepting Baghdad left at least 32 dead meeting in person, church
Tuesday 2 March - Syria Christ. Ask God to strengthen and over 100 wounded. Pray services and home groups
Many women have become her faith and pray that her for God’s comfort and healing continue online. Give thanks
the breadwinners for their husband will stop the abuse. for the injured and bereaved, that this has enabled secret
families after their husbands and pray that so-called believers, who normally can’t
were killed or went missing Islamic State will not regain a attend church services or
in the war. Some struggle foothold in the country. meet with other believers, to
with depression as well as join church groups and find
making ends meet. Pray for Wednesday 10 March – Iraq fellowship online.
Open Doors church partners Last year, Iraqi Christian
providing practical and spiritual activists started a campaign Sunday 14 March – Lebanon
support for these women. called ‘Know your rights and Last year’s explosion in the
speak up’, to raise awareness port of Beirut, coupled with
Wednesday 3 March Sunday 7 March – Kenya of the challenges facing the growing Covid-19 crisis,
There have been sharp rises Praise God that Peninah Christians in Iraq. Pray that are having a devastating
in domestic violence and (pictured), whose husband the campaign will grab the impact on Lebanon. Ask God
‘honour’ killings during the was killed by al-Shabaab attention of the authorities, and to strengthen His people
pandemic, exacerbated by militants, is recovering from lead to a reduction in violations to be salt and light at this
lockdowns and economic trauma and is now equipped against religious freedom. challenging time. “We believe
hardship. Ask God to protect to provide for her son Steve that only Jesus can change the
vulnerable Christian women (2), after receiving trauma Thursday 11 March – Iraq situation in this country,” says
facing persecution in their care and dressmaking The high costs of Covid-19 one believer. “It’s gone from
own homes, and pray for Open training though Open Doors tests and medical treatment bad to worse, but we know
Doors partners trying to make (see Magazine p.14). “My deter many people from that Jesus is here with us!”
contact with and support them. faith would have collapsed,” being tested early and getting *Names changed for security reasons
2 3
Give thanks for Amazingly, Susan’s faith has recently shared with Open
not diminished over time, but Doors that Susan is doing
ANSWERED PRAYER has grown stronger and more
resilient.
well, despite the challenges of
the pandemic. She had been
going to school until Covid-19
“I cannot leave Jesus,” she struck and now she is waiting
says. “I decided not to leave for schools to reopen. Her
Him because He has given me doctor says that they need
eternal life and even if I died to wait until she is 23 years
there [in that room], I was sure old, when her bones have
that I would go to Him. I thank stopped growing, before they
God very much that I am still conduct any further surgery.
alive. He protected my life.” Susan experiences on and off
pain; however, she is strong
“I thank God very enough to even help around
much that I am still the house.
alive. He protected
Her carer says, “I thank God
my life.” for Open Doors, for the love
and support you have always
Open Doors partners visited given to Susan. I also thank
her and reported: “Susan you for your prayers for her
remains ever-ambitious quick recovery.”
and says she still wants to
become a doctor because she PRAY
“Thank you for the love and wants to help other people…
She told us, ‘I forgive my • For Susan’s continued
support you have always given” father because he did not
know what he was doing.’
physical recovery
SUSAN ITHUNGU CONTINUES ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY • That she will be able to
“When asked how we can pray pursue her studies and
for her, Susan replied, ‘Please realise her dream of
A decade after her father survived because her younger pray for my healing. I want becoming a doctor
imprisoned her in her own brother secretly gave her food to walk without the crutches.
house for choosing to follow and water. I am also thankful for the • That her faith will continue
Jesus, Susan Ithungu from support from Open Doors.’” to grow and that she will
Uganda is growing stronger “When they opened the door, I be rooted in God’s love.
physically and spiritually felt peace and I knew that God Thanks to your prayers and
every day, thanks to your had sent me help,” Susan says. support, Open Doors has been below Susan is able to pursue
long-term prayers and walking alongside Susan for her dream of being a doctor
support. She was critically over 10 years. Her caregiver thanks to your continued prayers
malnourished and severely
Susan became a Christian injured when she was
when she was 10 years old. admitted into a rural Ugandan
When her father, a practising hospital. What followed was
Muslim witchdoctor, found out, an excruciatingly painful
he locked Susan in an airless, road to recovery. Thanks to
filthy room without food or you, Open Doors has stood
water. In October 2010, after with Susan as she has gone
three months, neighbours from hospital to hospital for
alerted the authorities and operations, physiotherapy
she was rescued. Susan only and trauma counselling.
4
Syria Friday 19 March we are unsure of the extent God’s protection and provision.
Give thanks that Open Doors and the form it will take as of
Monday 15 March was able to distribute 26,000 yet.” Ask the Lord to intervene Sunday 28 March – Sri Lanka
It’s 10 years since the start of children’s Bibles to children to protect the freedoms the Many pastors and church
Syria’s devastating civil war, all over Syria through local church has gained over the workers have faced great
which has killed half a million churches and Centres of last decade. difficulties during the
people and displaced over Hope. Pray that God’s Word pandemic, as they were
12 million. Ask the God who will strengthen His children Wednesday 24 March unable to hold services and
‘breaks the bow and shatters with hope for the future. Ask the Holy Spirit to give collect offerings to support
the spear’ to bring this terrible church leaders wisdom and their work. Pray for God’s
war to an end so that His name Saturday 20 March courage as they pastor their provision and presence in
is exalted in Syria and across The government has yet to members through the crisis. their lives as they continue
the earth (Psalm 46:9-10). take serious action to address “The churches are praying,” to serve the Lord amidst
the spread of Covid-19. says one pastor. “We are calm, financial difficulties.
Tuesday 16 March Pray for God’s miraculous but scared at the same time.”
Around 84 per cent of Syrians protection for doctors, nurses Monday 29 March –
live below the poverty line
and the price of basic goods
and other medical staff
treating Covid patients with
Covid Crisis - Philippines
Covid-19 restrictions have
continues to skyrocket. Pray very limited resources. Asia made it extremely difficult
that soaring inflation rates will and expensive to move around
fall, international restrictions Sunday 21 March Thursday 25 March – India the country, or even between
will be lifted and the Pray for good health for India’s economy has been badly islands. This makes Open
government will have wisdom our local partners and hit by the pandemic. Millions of Doors’ ministry to believers
to stabilise the economy, so their families. Several are people have lost their jobs, and from Muslim backgrounds
people can afford basics like struggling with Covid-19 and many, including Christians, are even more challenging. Pray
food and shelter. others have family members struggling to survive. Ask God that the pandemic will be
with the virus. Pray for to protect Open Doors local brought under control so
Wednesday 17 March healing and protection so they partners delivering relief aid to the government can ease
Open Doors partners have can continue the good work. those in need. restrictions.
started several new income-
generating projects this year, Friday 26 March – Nepal Tuesday 30 March - Vietnam
to help struggling Christians Myanmar At the time of writing, Covid Give thanks that Open Doors
to support themselves and cases are increasing in Nepal. partners have been able to
their families. Pray that these Monday 22 March Pray for wisdom for Nepal’s reach 1,208 Christian families
projects will restore people’s February’s coup by the leaders as they try to get in Vietnam with relief aid,
dignity and hope, and enable military put an end to a decade the pandemic under control. thanks to your prayers and
them to stay in the country. of civilian rule. Pray for a Pray for Open Doors partners support. Church leader Thao*
return to stable, democratic providing aid to those in most says, “On behalf of all the
Thursday 18 March government, and that the rights need, and ask God to use His Christians here, I would like to
Many younger people have of all Myanmar’s people – church to reach out with love thank all the supporters. We
fled the country, leaving the especially ethnic and religious and hope during the crisis. are so grateful for the help.”
elderly without caregivers. minorities - will be respected.
Pray for 20 elderly people Saturday 27 March – Bhutan Wednesday 31 March – Laos
being looked after by the Tuesday 23 March Christians are not allowed Laos is one of the poorest
local Orthodox church in “The military government to gather for any occasion countries in Asia. Covid-19
Marmarita. With your support of the past has always been because of the pandemic, and has left many jobless and
they are now receiving three protective of their Buddhist vigilante groups are patrolling struggling to provide for their
good meals a day. Pray that culture and tradition,” says villages and towns to enforce own needs. Churches and
this will bring them comfort Open Doors partner, Brother restrictions. Pray that pastors are greatly affected
and strength, and let them Lwin*. “We are expecting Christians will be wise and by this. Pray for God’s
know they are not forgotten. restrictions on the church to careful in their actions in these provision and peace.
happen once again, though difficult times, and pray for *Names changed for security reasons
6 7PERSECUTED WOMEN SEE. CHANGE.
left, above Thank you for
providing a home for Hiwot and
her children
her aid. With help from her
church, they secured land
and bought all the building
On the margins, materials to build a house. In
less than three weeks, Hiwot
but not abandoned and her children had a new
home!
Doors was able to assist
YOUR PRAYERS AND GIFTS ARE COMFORTING Hiwot and her children with “Blessed be the name of the
food aid and clothing. Lord,” she says. “I also thank
WIDOWS LIKE HIWOT
all of you that have helped
“I also thank all of you me…. I am calling a blessing
Hiwot* from Ethiopia afterwards, her husband that have helped me” on you all. Open Doors stood
(pictured above) has died after becoming very ill. by my side and through the
suffered through many Her marriage had not been Thankfully, Hiwot has since Lord, you have been there for
trials in her life, including easy; her husband drank and recovered, but her community me.”
a difficult marriage and smoked all the time and didn’t are no closer to accepting
debilitating ill-health. On work. But despite this, Hiwot her. Last year, people from PRAY
top of these things, she has prayed that he would accept her village burnt down her
been pushed to the margins Jesus – and he did. “I told him house while the whole family • Praise God that He has
of her community because we should be together in the was inside. She suspects her been faithful to Hiwot as
of her Christian faith, house of the Lord. And then conversion and baptism were she has remained faithful
receiving no support during on his death bed he received the reason for the attack: to Him
the hard times. But thanks Jesus,” she says happily. “This is because of my faith.
to your prayers and support, It could be my neighbours. I • For God’s continued
Hiwot has experienced the Not long after his death, had trouble before, and I still protection and blessing on
love and care of Christians Hiwot became ill and could have trouble today with them Hiwot and her family
from around the world who no longer provide for her because of my faith.”
have strengthened her eight children. “I begged God, • For Open Doors partners
and provided for her in her ‘Please give us something to Hiwot and her children were in Ethiopia as they
struggles. eat.’ I had nothing to give my suddenly homeless. But continue to provide aid to
children,” she says. Praise thanks to your prayers and Hiwot and other believers
Hiwot became a Christian God, He answered her prayer! support, Open Doors was like her.
later in life. Sometime Through local partners, Open once again able to come to *Name changed for security reasons
8 9persecution, famine, danger implementing these initiatives raise awareness and lead
APRIL or sword can separate us to bring about real change. to the adoption of laws that
from the love of Christ. protect women’s rights.
Thursday 8 April - Ethiopia
Easter Give thanks that widow and
Persecuted mother of four Manayesh, Ramadan
Thursday 1 April – Maundy whose neighbours vandalised
Thursday Women her house and took her oxen Monday 12 April
As the church worldwide when she accepted Jesus, For many Muslims, Ramadan
prepares to celebrate Easter, Monday 5 April has been able to start a small is a time of heightened
pray for believers who cannot The vision of Open Doors’ but successful sheep farm spiritual awareness. As
meet in person, either due to See. Change. campaign is that with a loan from Open Doors many spend more time in
Covid restrictions or because every woman persecuted for partners. “Because of the prayer and meditation, ask
it is dangerous or illegal to her faith and gender is seen, support, I have been changed the Holy Spirit to reveal to
worship together in public. valued and empowered to and have found value,” she them that Jesus is the way,
Pray for creative ways to reach her God-given potential. says. Pray with her that her the truth and the life.
connect with one another Pray for Open Doors partners community will accept her.
safely, and pray that they will across the world working to “With God, they can change,” Tuesday 13 April
know the peace and presence restore hope and dignity to she says. Pray for wisdom and boldness
of the risen Christ. our sisters through relief aid, for Christians in Muslim-
trauma care, livelihood skills Friday 9 April – Tanzania majority areas looking for
Friday 2 April – Good Friday and biblical training. Aisha* (18) secretly converted ways to share the love of
“When I am lifted up, I will to Christianity after Christ with their Muslim
draw all people to myself” Tuesday 6 April – Bangladesh graduating from high school. neighbours during Ramadan.
(John 12:32). As we take time Pray for women attending She was selected to attend a Pray that many Muslims will
today to worship our crucified women’s discipleship classes, college, but when her family begin their journey towards
Saviour, pray that His name supported by Open Doors. learnt of her conversion, they Jesus as a result of their
will be lifted high around the Many people have come to rejected her and stopped witness.
world and that many will be the Lord and been baptised paying her college fees. Pray
drawn to His saving love. through these classes. for the Lord’s encouragement, Wednesday 14 April
Pray that the students will and His provision so she can Ramadan is a lonely time
Saturday 3 April be able to apply what they continue her studies. for many believers from
Pray for safety for learn in their churches and Muslim backgrounds (BMBs),
Christians taking part in communities. Saturday 10 April – Libya especially those who must
Easter celebrations this Emna* is being threatened keep their faith secret. Many
weekend. Remember Wednesday 7 April – by her husband because of feel intimidated because they
also those bereaved or Maldives her faith in Jesus. Pray for are not fasting. Pray that
injured in the Easter bomb The Maldives government has protection over her life, and isolated believers will know
attacks in Sri Lanka in 2019 reiterated its commitment to pray that her husband will the Lord’s comfort and be
and in Pakistan in 2016. empowering girls and women become curious about what strengthened in their faith.
Pray for God’s continued and combatting gender-based she has found in this ‘Jesus’, so
comfort and healing. violence. The Child and Family that he may find new life too. Thursday 15 April
Protection Service has also “There are strong spiritual
Sunday 4 April – Easter Day stated it is endeavouring to Sunday 11 April - Iraq forces that fight against BMBs
“Christ Jesus who died – more inspire higher self-esteem Violence against women has to make them suffer and bring
than that, who was raised to and value in girls, develop increased during lockdown. them back to Islam,” says an
life – is at the right hand of every woman as a capable Pray for Iraqi human rights Open Doors expert. Pray for
God and is also interceding individual, and increase and women’s activists who spiritual protection for BMBs
for us.” (Romans 8:34) women’s inclusion in senior have launched a social media so they will not be tempted to
Join with our persecuted posts. Praise God for this and activism campaign to stop deny their faith in Jesus.
family in giving thanks that huge step forward in women’s the violations against women.
neither trouble, hardship, rights and pray for those Pray that this will successfully *Name changed for security reasons
10 11then, my life has completely anyway and invited her
changed,” she says. Muslim neighbour Galia*. They
celebrated Ramadan and
For several years after spoke about Jesus together.
becoming a Christian, Naida Praise God for Naida’s
didn’t celebrate Ramadan – a courage!
festival which used to mean
so much to her. This made her PRAY
relatives angry, and Naida
became concerned. While she • That God would
felt that Christians couldn’t keep using Naida to
follow Muslim traditions, courageously share the
it was important for her to gospel with her friends
reach her Muslim sisters and and relatives
brothers, cousins and other
Old traditions, relatives with God’s love. • That God would encourage
and protect secret
new opportunities After a lot of prayer, study
and advice from her pastor,
believers during the
month of Ramadan
Naida decided to celebrate
Ramadan again, but this time • For Open Doors partners
in a completely new way. Now, in Central Asia as they
HOW NAIDA FROM CENTRAL ASIA IS REACHING HER during the festival, Naida strengthen more believers
MUSLIM FRIENDS AND FAMILY THROUGH RAMADAN cooks different traditional like Naida.
dishes and invites her Muslim
For many Christians from persecution for my children,” sisters, brothers, cousins and *Names changed for security
Muslim backgrounds, she says. “I tried to stop them neighbours. In this way, she reasons.
choosing to follow Jesus visiting church and forced shows them her respect
means leaving behind the them to stay at home. I threw for their religious
practices of Islam – often away their Christian books traditions and values,
at the risk of exclusion and and Bibles, talked to them and at the same time
discrimination from relatives with a lot with threats and she is able to share the
and friends. But Naida*, a even beatings… I didn’t know gospel.
believer from Central Asia, that God protected them; now
knew that Muslim festivals I feel so sorry about that. I Due to Covid-19
like Ramadan were her only can see that Jesus came to restrictions, Naida
chance to share Jesus with save our family through my couldn’t celebrate
her family and friends. The children and I am so grateful.” Ramadan in the same
question was, how? way in 2020, but she
“I can see that Jesus prepared the table
Naida, now in her 70s, first came to save our family
heard about Jesus through her through my children
children. She was angry and
and I am so grateful”
upset, thinking that they had
fallen in with a sect. But she
also feared for her children’s Eventually, Naida came to
safety – she knew they could know the Lord herself when Please pray for
be beaten or even killed by He healed her after a period believers to be
their Muslim relatives. of ill-health. Her children bold like Naida this
prayed with her, and that’s Ramadan (images
“Because of my fear, I when she chose to invite are illustrative)
became the main source of Jesus into her life. “Since
12 13Ramadan Tuesday 20 April – Indonesia Sometimes I sneak food into Tuesday 27
Slamet was rejected by his my schoolbag and munch April
Friday 16 April – Africa family when he became a on snacks when no one Pray for plans
“We see increased fear believer, but he still plans is watching. Pray that the to extend the
among Christians during to visit them this Ramadan Muslims in my country will be Children’s Joy and laughter at
Ramadan,” says a church because he wants them to more considerate to non- Centre and the Children’s Centre
leader in Kenya. “People know about Jesus. Pray for Muslims on the restrictions increase
have started staying home, courage and protection as he during Ramadan. Pray that its capacity to take in young
no longer moving around as shares the good news and our ministers will take this people at risk from guerrilla
freely as before. This is also ask the Holy Spirit to prepare matter into consideration.” groups and drug cartels.
affecting church attendance the hearts of his children and Ask the Lord to provide new
as many stay away for fear relatives to receive the seed Saturday 24 April – Maldives teachers and tutors with
of attacks.” Pray for physical of the gospel. Ramadan is one of the most the right skills and spiritual
protection for Christians and sacred times of the year maturity to care for these
churches during Ramadan. Wednesday 21 April – here. Eating or drinking vulnerable young people.
Bangladesh in public, even if you are a
Saturday 17 April – Africa Many BMBs still live among tourist, is frowned upon, Wednesday 28 April
Ask the Holy Spirit to be at their Muslim relatives. Pray and most restaurants are The Covid-19 pandemic is
work among Islamic extremist for the children of believers closed during the daytime. presenting new challenges
groups like Boko Haram who may feel envious seeing Marketplaces are packed as to the staff and students at
in Nigeria, al-Shabaab in their Muslim family members people prepare for breaking the Children’s Centre. Pray
Somalia and ex-Seleka in and friends breaking their of fast meals. Pray that as for wisdom in implementing
Central African Republic. Pray fast together with joy. Pray families fast and have meals measures around social
that Jesus will be revealed to for wisdom for parents to be together, they will sincerely distancing and self-isolation,
them in dreams and visions able to explain the reason why seek God and find Jesus. and pray that staff will
during Ramadan, and that they no longer take part in find ways to provide online
their hearts will be changed the fast and go to the mosque learning for those unable
by His love. together. Colombia to return to the centre after
holidays.
Sunday 18 April – Africa Thursday 22 April – Malaysia Sunday 25 April
There is an urgent need for Believers from Muslim Church leaders who actively Thursday 29 April
Christians who can stand backgrounds often visit their share the gospel and speak Fredy works among the
by believers from Muslim families during Ramadan, but out against corruption and Wounan indigenous people of
backgrounds (BMBs), to these visits can be incredibly violence are often targeted by San Juan River, Chocó, and is
disciple them and model the difficult, as not every family guerrillas and other criminal translating biblical resources
Christian life to them. Pray member supports their groups. Pray for protection for children into the language of
that churches will be places decision to follow Christ. Pray for those facing threats of the Wounan tribe. Ask the Lord
where BMBs are warmly for wisdom for these believers violence and for courage to to bless his work and to provide
welcomed and receive the and ask God to use them continue sharing Jesus, no the resources needed to print
love and care they need – to open the hearts of their matter the cost. and distribute the materials to
especially during Ramadan. families to the love of Jesus. the Wounan people.
Monday 26 April
Monday 19 April – Africa Friday 23 April – Brunei Pastor Perea leads ten Friday 30 April
Open Doors provides training Ramadan is observed congregations along the The Open Doors Colombia
for church leaders in caring strictly among Muslims Atrato River in Chocó, a region team has recently relocated
for BMBs. Pray that these and non-Muslims in Brunei. where many paramilitary its office. Pray for the swift
courses will bear fruit and Non-Muslims can only eat groups are active. Ask God to completion of the new office,
that new believers will be in secret. “We can’t eat or protect and strengthen Perea, and in particular for a good
given the practical care and drink whenever we want,” his family and his church internet provider and service.
discipleship support they shares one young Christian. community as they follow Pray that these changes will
need to grow in their faith. “We must wait for break Jesus in this challenging not interfere with the work of
time or after we reach home. environment. serving the persecuted church.
14 15Pray your way
around the world!
HELP CHILDREN TO PRAY FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
WITH OUR WORLD WATCH LIST 2021 RESOURCES
While physical travel might website, where you can find
be on hold due to Covid-19 lots of other all-age resources
restrictions, children can pray to inspire you in your faith
their way around the top 50 and to help you pray for your
countries on the World Watch persecuted church family.
List using their very own
Prayer Passport and map! Go to opendoorsuk.org/wwl
or phone our Inspire team on
The Passport contains plenty 01993 460015 to order a copy.
of activities, prayer points,
Bible verses, stickers and
flags to colour in. It also
comes with a full-colour map,
so that each week children can
place a sticker on the country
they are praying for. See how
many countries you can travel
to this year!
The Prayer Passport and map
are free to order from our
Open Doors, PO Box 6, Witney, FIND US ON:
OX29 6WG 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 2021You can also read
