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Heavenly Father, we lift up before You our brothers and sisters who face the daily threat of anti-Christian violence at the hands of terrorists. We pray for their protection against those who seek to instil fear. We particularly remember our brothers and sisters in northern Nigeria, the Sahel, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Please enable Your children to trust that You will strengthen, help and uphold them with Your righteous right hand. We ask in the Name of the One who triumphed over terror and evil, our Lord Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 41:10)
Renewed prayers are needed for kidnapped Nigerian pastor Paul Musa after he was shown being held at gunpoint in a new video posted online by his captors, the Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram. Pastor Paul, 59, and his wife Ruth, 50, were abducted in March 2023 from their home in northern Borno State. The terrorists have threatened to kill both Paul and Ruth, but at the time of writing this threat has not been carried out. Pray that Pastor Paul and Ruth will be released. Ask that, in any circumstances, they will continue to put their trust in the Lord for their strength and salvation (Exodus 15:2), and that their steadfast faith will be a powerful witness to the men of violence of the enduring love of God.
Prayers were answered as two Nigerian church ministers abducted by armed militants at opposite ends of the country in June were released. Mikah Suleiman in the north-western Zamfara State was kidnapped when gunmen stormed his home in the city of Gusau at on 22 June. His release was announced on Sunday 7 July. Christian Ike was abducted, along with another believer, Mazi Ogbonnaya Aneke, on Sunday 16 June after a church service in Ajalli, Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria. Both were released on 13 July. Give thanks for the release of Mikah, Christian and Mazi, and pray that each will make a full recovery from his ordeal.
“This assistance will go a long way in helping our widows who don’t have anybody to look after them,” said a Nigerian pastor. He was thanking Barnabas for providing food and aid to 182 women whose husbands – the family breadwinners – were among more than 600 people killed in a wave of Islamist attacks spanning Christmas Eve, 24 December 2023, on 25 Christian-majority villages in Plateau State. The beans and maize given to the women will ensure their families do not go hungry, added the pastor. Ask God to meet the future needs of these women, and the many other Nigerian Christians widowed because of persistent anti-Christian violence.
The West African nation of Burkina Faso has been in a state of almost persistent conflict for the past five years. Extremist groups – among them the Islamic State Sahel Province – control between 40% and 50% of the country’s territory. In May 2024 Burkina Faso’s military government extended its own stay in power for another five years in an attempt to deal with the problem. Pray that there will be peace in Burkina Faso for all people. Remember especially Burkina Faso’s Christians, who are around 30% of the population.
A presidential election is scheduled in Algeria for tomorrow. Pray that Algerians will exercise discernment in making their choice. Incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has announced his decision to run for a second term. Pray for the peaceful conduct of the election, and that whoever is elected or re-elected will discharge their responsibilities with wisdom, justice and equity. Pray that conditions for Christians and other minorities will improve during this term, and that more than 40 church buildings sealed since 2017 will be reopened.
Christian converts from Islam in Muslim-majority Tunisia often face threats and violence from neighbours, family and former friends because of their new faith in Christ. Some are rejected and ostracised by family members. Others feel compelled to keep their faith secret because of the consequences of making it known. Pray that our brothers and sisters will be comforted in the knowledge that, for all they have lost, they have gained the Lord Jesus Christ, who is precious to all those who believe (1 Peter 2:7).
Lord God, we pray for the success of Christian schools throughout the world, and especially in lands of great suffering and anti-Christian persecution. We ask You to fill those entrusted with leadership with Divine wisdom in governance and management so that values that reflect the Gospel are maintained. Please raise up and bless the work of godly teachers to train up children in the way they should go, to produce lasting fruit all their lives. Protect and renew pupils’ minds and hearts to receive all the benefits of a Christian education through instruction, practical experience and healthy social interaction and grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whose Name we pray. (Proverbs 22:6)
“I am thankful to God for Barnabas Aid who made education possible for needy children like me,” said eight-year-old Awais. He is among more than 9,000 Christian children in Pakistan who study at one of 109 Christian schools funded by Barnabas through our Living Streams sponsorship initiative. These schools help to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy that trapped previous generations, giving children like Awais the hope of getting a decent job. Pray for the pupils, teachers and parents of these schools, and ask that the schools will be springs of faith, strength and truth for poor Christian communities.
An elderly Pakistani Christian man died in hospital on 3 June, nine days after being beaten and stoned by a mob of Muslim extremists in Sargodha, Punjab province. The attack on Nazir Masih, who was in his 70s, followed unsubstantiated allegations that he had desecrated a Quran. The mob set fire to his house and to a shoe shop owned by Nazir’s family, and damaged other Christians’ homes in Sargodha city’s Mujahid Colony. Pray that Nazir’s family will be comforted following his death and that their needs will be met. Ask the Lord to bring peace and security to the Christian community whose homes were damaged by this act of violence.
Please pray for a vulnerable Christian woman arrested in Pakistan for alleged “blasphemy” against Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, following an accusation made by a shopkeeper in Lahore, Punjab province, on 4 June. Jamila Jacob, who has mental health problems, was charged under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, which carries a mandatory death sentence. Eyewitnesses dispute the accusation that she made derogatory remarks against Islam. Pray that justice will prevail and that the authorities will dismiss the allegations against Jamila as baseless. Ask that the Lord will protect her, her family and other Christians from any mob reprisals.
Pakistani Christian and father of four Marshall, 28, was shot dead after at least four attackers broke into his home in Lahore. The attack stemmed from a complaint Marshall raised with police about his neighbour and others firing weapons into the air at night near Marshall’s house. At the time of writing, police have made four arrests. Marshall leaves a wife, Mehdi, three daughters and a son. Ask the Lord to comfort them in their grief, as well as the wider family and the Christian community. Pray for protection of Christians in Pakistan from further violence, and that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government subjected 63 people to public flogging for various crimes on 4 June. The floggings underline Afghanistan’s return to hard-line Islamist rule in the three years since the Taliban returned to power. Only the Lord knows how many Christians remain in Afghanistan, but if they are discovered by the authorities then they will face death as apostates from Islam. Ask the Lord to deliver His people from those who plan evil against them (Psalm 59:2).
Barnabas Aid New Zealand was overjoyed to welcome Christians seeking refuge from lands of persecution. One family (a mother and two children) have arrived from Afghanistan – God willing, the children will now have opportunity to attend school for the first time since the family fled from the Taliban. A Christian husband and wife have also arrived from Iran. Under New Zealand’s Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship scheme, Barnabas has partnered with churches to provide the refugees with housing support, assistance in navigating education and healthcare, and help to find jobs. Give thanks for the safe arrival of our brothers and sisters, and pray that He will bless them with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3).
Our Father, we lift up to You our brothers and sisters in Saudi Arabia, where no non-Muslim worship is permitted and where Christian converts from Islam face violence and even death for the Name of Christ. We can only guess how many of Your people are in Saudi Arabia, but each one is known individually and personally to You. Please turn and be gracious to these lonely and afflicted believers, guarding them from harm as they take refuge in You, for we ask in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (Psalm 25:16,20)
Christian communities in the Middle East are among those at risk as regional tensions escalate and the possibility of conflict spreading increases. Believers are a despised and persecuted minority in many Middle Eastern contexts, and often among the poorest and most vulnerable of people. Pray that the Lord will be a shelter and a place of safety for our brothers and sisters (Psalm 27:5).
Thousands of believers are among the worst affected by Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis. High unemployment and severe inflation (running at more than 200% in the second half of 2023, and at the time of writing around 50%) has led to shortages of food and medicine. Christians are also among more than 90,000 people who have fled from southern Lebanon because of ongoing conflict. Pray that the turmoil and poverty in Lebanon can be addressed, for the sake of all people and especially our Christian family.
At least two Christians were among more than 20 people killed in terrorist attacks in the Russian Republic of Dagestan. Nikolai Kotelnikov, the minister of a church in the city of Derbent, died after his throat was slit by the attackers. A guard at the same church was shot dead. Ask that the bereaved congregation and the families of these two men will be comforted with the knowledge that our Saviour Jesus Christ has “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10, ESV).
“We thank you so much because from the beginning of the war, you have been close to us, and you did not let us down. We are now left only with Barnabas’ help, and we are so thankful because you stay close to us…” These are the words of a Ukrainian believer who is one of the recipients of food.gives aid that has been sent to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine throughout the war. A recent aid shipment from the UK provided 274,640 servings of food. Give thanks that we have been able to help our brothers and sisters in their time of need. Pray that the war in Ukraine will end and Christians who are affected will find peace.
It is now a year since almost the entire population of Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian Christian region within Azerbaijan, fled to Armenia to escape an Azerbaijani invasion of their homeland. An estimated 120,000 became refugees within just 48 hours. A year later, most are struggling to find jobs and living in poverty. Ask the Lord, who promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19), will provide for the Christians of Nagorno-Karabakh. Ask that He will comfort them as they bear the sorrow of knowing that they will probably never be able to return to their earthly homes.
Today marks the 25th annual International Day of Peace, also known as World Peace Day. Our world is arguably less peaceful than at any time in the last 80 years. International experts report that 92 countries are currently involved in conflicts beyond their borders, the highest number since the Second World War. Civil wars and terrorist attacks are also claiming tens of thousands of lives. Give thanks for the promise that one day peace will be realised when the Lord Jesus Christ returns and “nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4). Until that day, pray for those working to resolve conflicts and meet the needs of communities affected by war.
Heavenly Father, we cry out for those who are suffering through food shortages around the world. We ask You to provide for millions of people facing food insecurity and malnutrition. We pray that You will provide rain in season to enable crops to grow and meet the needs of the hungry. Please direct governments and aid agencies to supply needy communities wisely and protect those entrusted with transporting scarce resources, especially to Your Church that is suffering from persecution, hardship or the ravages of conflict. We ask for Your Divine provision in the wonderful Name of Jesus. (Isaiah 58:7)
Give thanks for the opening of a new food.gives warehouse in Northern Ireland. Since early 2022 our supporters in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have sent more than 32 tonnes of donations to the food.gives warehouse in Swindon. Their generosity led to the need for the new 2,500 square foot warehouse opening in County Down. Our team hopes to ship containers from this warehouse each month to suffering Christians around the world. Praise the Lord for the generosity of our supporters in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Pray that this new warehouse will inspire more growth of the food.gives ministry there.
"Your kindness has made a significant difference in our lives, and I can’t thank you enough for what you have provided for us. God bless you for your generosity and care.” These are the words of Shobna, a Christian woman from Fiji. Her family is among 1,008 Fijian Christian families who received aid from food.gives in 2024. Fiji is experiencing profound economic hardship, and the 16 tonnes of food aid sent by food.gives has helped provide for our brothers and sisters so that they can allocate the little money they have to other basic necessities. Pray for Christians in Fiji, that their hardship will be alleviated. Give thanks that food.gives has been able to help suffering believers in Fiji, and pray that its work there will continue as long as is necessary.
Cuba is experiencing a “food scarcity and nutrition crisis” according to humanitarian experts, who are calling for urgent assistance for those suffering desperate hunger. Many of those afflicted are our brothers and sisters. Give thanks that Barnabas is sending food aid to Cuba through our food.gives project. Please pray for an end to this food scarcity crisis.
Davy Lloyd, 23, and his wife Natalie, 21, a missionary couple from the US, were killed in a gang ambush in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, on 23 May. The couple were shot dead alongside Jude Montis, a Haitian national who worked for the same missionary organisation. Ask the Lord to bring comfort and peace to the families of Davy, Natalie and Jude. Pray that Jesus draws close to those affected by such attacks in Haiti, and that the violence there will cease. Give thanks for missionary organisations serving communities in this desperately poor and troubled nation and pray that their faithfulness and courage will bear lasting fruit for the Kingdom.
Nearly half the population of Haiti are struggling to feed themselves owing to ongoing violence. Criminal gangs have taken over most of the capital Port-au-Prince and many surrounding agricultural areas. More than half a million people have been forced from their homes, and on average one person is killed or injured every hour. Pray for all Haitians suffering from food shortages and the threat of violence. Ask particularly that the Lord will sustain our brothers and sisters, and that they will bear witness to His goodness through these desperately difficult circumstances.
“May God bless you mightily,” said an elderly Christian in Brazil in thanks to Barnabas supporters for sending aid to believers following record flooding in southern Brazil in early 2024. More than 170 were killed and 580,000 displaced in the disaster. “The scene is like one of war,” said Pastor Daniel as he described the destruction. Barnabas helped to fund the restoration of Pastor Daniel’s flood-ravaged church and provided food and practical aid for around 300 afflicted families. Give thanks that, by God’s grace, our church partners were able to distribute aid to our brothers and sisters in need. Ask that they will lean on the Lord as they restore their homes and communities following these disastrous floods.
Sovereign Lord, we pray for Your people who have been made homeless by extreme weather events. We pray for that You, the God of all comfort, will comfort Christians suffering the effects of floods in Brazil, Kenya and Uganda, for those in Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia and other parts of southern Africa affected by prolonged drought, and others whose lives have been devastated by Cyclone Remal in Bangladesh. We pray that You will sustain those most in need and enable Christians to rebuild their lives, for we ask in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Canon John Bowers, who died on 24 May 2024, only weeks short of his 92nd birthday, was a tireless champion of suffering Christians around the world. Following his retirement from full-time ministry at the age of 70 in 2002, Canon John, from West Kirby, UK, embarked on 21 annual cycling pilgrimages, raising more than £278,000 to help believers in need through the work of Barnabas Aid. Praise God for Canon John’s faithful service to our Saviour Jesus Christ, and to His persecuted Church. Pray that Canon John’s dedication will be an encouragement and an example to others.
