Please pray for Pastor Nadarkhani and the Iranian people

September 3 | Iran – Give thanks to God for the openness of many (young) people for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Please pray that this new generation will find real hope and perspective in their lives.

Wikipedia has an extensive entry on Iran (click here) and describes the religious demographics as follows:

Religion in Iran is dominated by the Twelver Shia branch of Islam, which is the official state religion and to which about 90% to 95%[230][231][232] of Iranians belong. About 4% to 8% of Iranians belong to the Sunni branch of Islam, mainly Kurds and Iran’s Balochi Sunni. The remaining 2% are non-Muslim religious minorities, including Bahá’ís, Mandeans, Hindus, Yezidis, Yarsanis, Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians.[21]

The latter three minority religions are officially recognized and protected, and have reserved seats in the Majlis (Parliament). However the Bahá’í Faith, Iran’s largest religious minority,[233] is not officially recognized, and has been persecuted during its existence in Iran. Since the 1979 revolution the persecution of Bahá’ís has increased with executions, the denial of civil rights and liberties, and the denial of access to higher education and employment.[234][235]

Hinduism in Iran has a history stretching back to the Middle Ages. Presently, Hindus are known to travel to Iran, but the vast majority consist of migrant workers from India. Out of Iran’s population of 68,017,860, there are 68,017 recorded Hindus, making them 0.1% of the total population.[236] Some of the poetry of Sohrab Sepehri shows Buddhist influence, and another major contemporary poet, Ahmad Shamlou, translated a book of Japanese haiku poetry into Persian.

Open Doors explains the plight of Iran’s 450,000 Christians click here.

UPDATE: Pastor Nadarkhani – click here – please pray for Pastor Nadarkhani and his family… and all believers who are imprisoned in Iran. For more on Pastor Nadarkhani – click here.

We loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. (1 Thes. 2:8)

Please pray for Libyan believers

September 1-2 | Libya – Thank the Lord for new believers. Pray for them, as they are under a lot of pressure right away. Also pray for the seasoned believers, that they will stay strong in the Lord and will be shepherds for the new believers.

At least 30,000 Libyans died in he civil war which ousted Muammar Gaddafi and sectarian violence continues today – click here.

Wikipedia gives an overview of religion in Libya – click here.

Other than the majority of Sunni Muslims, there are also small foreign communities of Christians. Coptic Orthodox Christianity, which is the Christian Church of Egypt, is the largest and most historical Christian denomination in Libya. There are over 60,000 Egyptian Copts in Libya, as they comprise over 1% of the population.[208] There are an estimated 40,000 Roman Catholics in Libya who are served by two Bishops, one in Tripoli (serving the Italian community) and one in Benghazi (serving the Maltese community). There is also a small Anglican community, made up mostly of African immigrant workers in Tripoli; it is part of the Anglican Diocese of Egypt.

Open Doors describes the current plight of Christians in Libya here –

Under Gaddafi’s despotic rule, the situation for Christians was already extremely harsh. The secret police restricted church activities and evangelism was criminalised. But after the civil war that led to Gaddafi’s death, the future could be even worse for the church. Because of the unrest, 75 per cent of expat Christians left the country and it is not clear how many remain. The National Transitional Council is expected to implement Sharia and make Libya an even more Islamic state than before. Under their supervision the Saint George’s Church was ransacked when they took control of Tripoli.

Christians in Libya face a dangerous and uncertain future – click here for more detailed prayer concerns.

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to
reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Tim. 2:2)

Pray for Tunisian people

August 31 | Tunisia – Reem (not her real name) and her sister have both met Jesus in a vision. This encounter gave them a deep desire to learn more about Him. They have just received a Bible.

Pray that the precious words of Jesus will come alive to them and that they will surrender their lives to Him, being the firstfruits of an even greater harvest in their family.

Wikipedia describes life for the 23,5000 Christians in Tunisia –

“Since the revolution of 2011, religious violence has increased in Tunisia, primarily consisting of Muslim attacks on Christians and members of other non-Muslim groups. Tunisian journalists and human rights activists were harassed and faced surveillance and imprisonment under harsh conditions. Others were dismissed from their jobs or denied their right to communicate and move freely. The authorities had also prevented the emergence of an independent judiciary, further compounding the problem. Islamist groups have also violently repressed artistic expression that is viewed to be hostile to Islam.”

Tunisia (population 10.6 million) is the smallest country in North Africa with a fascinating history. The self-immolation of a frusrtated Tunisian street vendor was the catalyst that ushered in the “Arab Spring.” For more information, click here.

Open Doors describes expands on the prayer needs of believers in Tunisia – click here.

“I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4)

Pray for the Vietnam Church

May 3 | Vietnam

The majority of the Vietnamese believers belong to the 55 ethnic groups who are living in the central and
northern provinces. Access to biblical resources and training is limited for them.

Sending Open Doors’ teachers to their villages is risky and can easily draw suspicion from neighbors and local
authorities.

Please pray for the protection of our local partners and workers as they carry out our programs in these areas.

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10.14-15 NIV

Pray for the Nepal Church

May 2 | Nepal

Although Christians live in relative freedom, they do not escape discrimination and occasional harassment in the villages. From time to time, there are assaults against churches.

Please do not cease praying for the church in Nepal; pray for pastors and believers to be watchful and discerning of the times.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Col. 4:2)