Operation World:
Bangladesh – The Bengali, or Shaikh, people (240 million globally) remain the largest unreached people group in the world. Even 200 years after William Carey came as a missionary to the Bengali they still honour his memory, but a breakthrough for the gospel has not come. Most have never heard the true gospel. (Reported in – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/03-03/ 3rd Mar 2025 – Operation World)
Austria – Austria is a country of beautiful culture, music, art, and scenery, but it mostly feels spiritually empty. Many believe in God (84%, which is high for Europe), but few know Jesus personally. Large numbers leave the Catholic Church every year, despite the longstanding Catholic culture. Sex scandals among the clergy and the church tax (1% of taxable income) both contribute to this. People do not tend to seek God outside the Catholic Church.
(Reported in – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/02-25/ 25th Feb 2024– Operation World)
Asia – The three largest non–Christian religions in the world are rooted in Asia; they are also the most challenging for Christians. In Asia alone, there are 1.3 billion Muslims, 1.2 billion Hindus and 470–920 million Buddhists (the higher figure if the Chinese, Japanese and other intermingled ethnic religions are included). (Reported in – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/01-31/ 31st Jan 2025 – Operation World)
Central China (Henan, Hubei, Hunan, 1 Municipality, Chongqing):
We pray for the 250 million people of Central China. Around 10% are Christians. Henan is the powerhouse of church growth in China! Some refer to Fangcheng county as the “Jesus Nest”. The state declared Henan an “Atheistic Zone” in the 1960s. Revival began during the Cultural Revolution with mass conversions, miracles, and vision for evangelizing China. Henan now has the largest TSPM and house-church populations. Outreach from Henan is one of the great stories of the expansion of Christianity! Church-planting teams (often young women) went out from Henan, followed by Bible teachers. We praise God for this massive, nation–changing growth.
(Reported in – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/04-17/ 17th Apr 2024 – Operation World)
Northwest China: Gansu, Qinghai, 2 Autonomous Regions (Ningxia Hui and Xinjiang):
Over 40 million people live in this region. Around 5% are Christian. Qinghai Province is a unique region where the Tibetan, Han, Mongol, Hui, and Turkic worlds meet. Qinghai has the highest ethnic-minority population of any full province in China. In the 1940s, only a few hundred Christians lived here. Growth has been significant mostly among the Han Chinese. Many thousands of prisoners endure great hardship in the labour and prison camps in this province. We pray for the believers who suffer in prison, that their faith in God might grow and bless those around them.
(Reported in – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/04-15/ 15th Apr 2024 – Operation World)
Asian/Middle East Prayer News:
Iran navigating sanctions and geopolitical shifts – Pressure on Iran from without and within may lead to a new balance of powers between nations. Indeed, “Iran is at the cross–junction of deciding whether they want to continue their relationship with the West or become closer to Russia and China,” says Mike Ansari with Heart4Iran. He says Iran’s financial situation today is dire. “There are still embargoes, and we anticipate that under President Trump’s administration there will be more pressure on Iran and the Iranian government.” Yet, “the challenge that potentially may take place is the discontent within the Iranian communities and society may reach a [climax] again, which may lead to some kind of uprising among its citizens,” Ansari says.
“[The] Iranian government is going to deal with an iron fist if that happens, because that’s exactly what they did during the last uprising. Countless number[s] of people were executed. There was no accountability [from the international community].” But whenever a community is in crisis and faced with hopelessness, Ansari says, there is an innate desire in people to seek hope. Iranians are finding it in the gospel. Yet in a closed country like Iran it’s hard to know how much the church is growing.
Instead of leaning toward the mainstream media's view of Iran, we pray for full of compassion and hope for what God can do in Iran. As Christians in Iran are under persecution & Christians who leave Iran are refugees, we pray for God to bring about maturity and strengthening in Christ wherever these brothers and sisters live. (Reported by Katie O'Malley – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/iran-navigating-sanctions-and-geopolitical-shifts/ 27th Mar 2025 – Mission News Network)
The impact of anti–conversion laws in India – While many Christians may express concerns about the world becoming more secular, in a recent conversation with Voice of the Martyrs Canada Director of HITHA (Hyderabad Institute of Theology and Apologetics) Reverend Sudhakar Mondithoka is praying for India to embrace secularism in the face of anti-conversion laws. Indeed, according to Reverend Sudhakar, anti-conversion laws were originally intended in the 1930s–60s by princely states in India to protect their Hindu culture and religion. However, after India became Independent in 1947, anti-conversion laws were ultimately rejected from being included in the country’s constitution. In 2015, it was decided the power to regulate anti-conversion legislation would belong to state legislature. In 1967, Odisha became the first Indian state to pass anti–conversion laws. Currently, Rajasthan is set to become the 12th Indian state to have an anti–conversion law.
We pray for India as truth sets to prevail &the laws to protect the rights of individual citizens to be upheld. We pray against the spirit of corruption and of discrimination. We also pray for India to be an example in maintaining the spirit of secularism and religious equality. (Reported by Payton Lechner – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/the-impact-of-anti-conversion-laws-in-india/ 24th Mar 2025 – Mission News Network)
Pakistani judge’s resignation sparks calls for blasphemy law reform – A Pakistani judge has resigned after being allegedly linked to a “blasphemy business gang” that trapped Christians and other minorities with false blasphemy charges. Justice Chaudhry Abdul Aziz of the Lahore High Court stepped down on March 6 citing “personal reasons.” But reports suggest his resignation came after an investigative report broke about his ties to the criminal ring that tricked people into blasphemy accusations. Truly, Floyd Brobbel with The Voice of the Martyrs Canada explains, “It was quite unethical that the way they were trying to trap people into some sort of blasphemy against Islam or against Muhammad or against the Quran, and then making sure that those charges would go through.” We pray for truth and justice to prevail & aak God to raise up wise and godly leaders in Pakistan. We pray encouragement for persecuted Pakistani believers facing blasphemy charges & for people across Pakistan to embrace the Gospel! (Reported by Lyndsey Koh – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/pakistani-judges-resignation-sparks-calls-for-blasphemy-law-reform/ 21st Mar 2025 – Mission News Network)
Turkish government expelling foreign Christians without pushback – Todd Nettleton shares there has been more than 140 Christians who have been impacted by the arrests of foreign Christians in the past five years, including 50 in December 2024 alone. Some have been told to leave on a very short timeline. Others have been denied re-entry to Türkiye after travelling internationally. Indeed, “the Turkish Government kind of went to school on that [Brunson] case,” says Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs, USA. “They got a lot of negative publicity for arresting a foreign Christian. So since 2019, they have just begun kicking foreign Christians out.” “This is clearly sort of not an aberration. This is now a strategy that’s being used by the Turkish government to decrease the Christian influence and decrease Christian ministry in Turkey,” he says. As such, the current administration in Türkiye has taken the nation in a more Islamic direction.
We pray for the families and individuals no longer able to live in Türkiye as there’ve “a lot of trauma and stress that these families have had to go through. Pray for the children who have had been uprooted in this process.” We pray for the churches losing Christian leaders, who “need God’s blessing. They need His empowerment. They need His protection” and for God’s peace to upon the foreign Christians still living in Türkiye as they “represent Jesus Christ as lighthouses whether in a police station or in a courtroom.” (Reported by Katey Hearth – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/lebanons-new-government-forges-ahead-after-vote-of-confidence/ 18th Mar 2025 – Mission News Network)
Syrian Christians remain in limbo – Syrian President Ahmed al–Shara is condemning violence that erupted in his country over the weekend, claiming that no one responsible for the mass killings of Assad supporters and minority groups will be above the law. “Today, as we stand at this critical moment, we find ourselves facing a new danger – attempts by remnants of the former regime and their foreign backers to incite new strife and drag our country into a civil war, aiming to divide it and destroy its unity and stability,” he said Sunday in a televised speech. Yet the events of this weekend give credence to the idea that peace in Syria may yet be illusory, and the president himself may be undermining it. Mr. al-Shara’s intentions, while verbally sound, have yet to be backed by widespread action. We pray for the children of God in Syria, for the families affected by recent violence, as well as for those in authority – for Syrian government officials – that they would promote peace and wellbeing for all their citizens, and that they would come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
(Reported by Abigail Hofland – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/syrian-christians-remain-in-limbo/ 11th Mar 2025 – Mission News Network)
Israel, Hamas resume ceasefire talks in Doha – Ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas commenced yesterday in Doha, Qatar. United States Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to join the discussions later this week. The international community is watching closely, hoping for a breakthrough in the longstanding conflict. The negotiations are set against a backdrop of heightened tensions. Israel recently stopped supplying electricity to Gaza in an effort to put pressure on Hamas. The Israeli delegation hopes to secure the release of the 59 hostages still left in Gaza.
“People are hearing the national TV, the news, and everything — and they are frustrated,” says Kahasi. “They are full of fear…. When we are trying to solve the problem of this country, laying on politicians and different kinds of secular personalities, we couldn’t find hope. We couldn’t find peace. “But we are preaching the Gospel of Christ, and we are preaching this Gospel in our church. So we say to the congregation every time that the hope of this nation is Yeshua.” We pray for Israeli leaders to have godly wisdom, and for the Lord to bring Christ's peace to the region; and for Israelis to put their trust in Jesus. (Reported by Lyndsey Koh – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/israel-hamas-resume-ceasefire-talks-in-doha/ 11th Mar 2025 – Mission News Network)
Fulani increasingly target Nigerian Christians:
Nearly 50 Christians have been killed over three weeks in Nigeria. Fulani militants were behind most of the latest attacks, while Boko Haram was to blame for one pastor’s death. Joshua Irondi with Trans World Radio says, “We have heard stories of people killed in their farmlands, and then many people have run away and stopped farming for fear of being murdered or molested.” Fulani Islamists increasingly target Christian farmers because the Fulani want more land for their livestock. The Nigerian government does nothing to oppose the violent campaign. Instead, believers driven out of their homes are pushed aside. Despair comes quickly in a displacement camp. Believers have lost their homes and livelihoods and have no easy answer to the question, “What’s next?” This is where TWR comes in. “Ours is to minister hope to the people, hope in Christ Jesus. We have groups that go to IDP camps with our media content,” Irondi says. “People keep hearing the Word of God, and we have [received] testimonies. People are giving their life to Christ.”
We praise the Lord for sending messengers with His hope to people in despair. We pray for Nigeria’s government to take action against the extremists; and that the Fulani Islamists to encounter the Gospel truth, and for Holy Spirit to soften their hearts to receive Christ as Saviour. (Reported by Katey Hearth – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/lebanons-new-government-forges-ahead-after-vote-of-confidence/ 7th Mar 2025 – Mission News Network)
Lebanon’s new government forges ahead after vote of confidence:
On February 26, Lebanon’s new government won a vote of confidence from parliament. The nation has a new president as of January, Joseph Aoun, and now a new prime minister, Nawaf Salam. This has brought new hope after Lebanon’s years of economic crisis and devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. A few days after the vote, President Aoun traveled to Saudi Arabia for the first time since his appointment to office to strengthen diplomatic ties.
Lebanon’s two greatest challenges within are these, says Melki: First, many of Lebanon’s young people, the next generation of leaders, have left the country. Second, there is divisiveness within Lebanon’s diverse people groups. This has an impact on the church. We pray for the church, that it stays involved, stay above par, stay away from all this divisiveness that we talk about. We pray for Christians involved in ministry & for them to stay focused on God’s given mission and how to stay healthy emotionally, physically, and spiritually; for the Heart for Lebanon team responds to every circumstance with the goal of honoring and glorifying God.
(Reported by Katie O'Malley – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/lebanons-new-government-forges-ahead-after-vote-of-confidence/ 4th Mar 2025 – Mission News Network)
How Ramadan opens the door for Christ to enter in Iran:
Ramadan is a time of seeking answers, but the truth may come from the very Door that Islam often seeks to close. Indeed, today marks the first day of Islamic fasting, Ramadan — a significant time for Muslims to reflect on their relationship with Allah. Lana Silk from Transform Iran explains, “There will be an increased amount of interest in Iranians and all Muslims for spiritual things, for truth, for discussions on subjects like: How do we talk to God? How do we know He heard us? What does a healthy prayer life look like?”
Many Muslims explore these questions through the lens of Islam, yet often find themselves unsatisfied. The Qu’ranic Allah rewards actions – good or bad, but His mercy remains vague. This creates an opportunity to engage with Muslims on these topics and share the certainty of Christ’s promise. However, prejudice against Muslims can act as a barrier in reaching them. Lana Silk says: “I would love for people to understand the genuineness of most Muslims’ pursuit of God and truth. And in that process, may there be empathy and a vision tied to the Great Commission to reach them.” We pray for many to earnestly seek the Truth and find Him, through visions, dreams, being His disciples. We pray for the apologetics ministry to handle the increased questions and interactions with seekers in Iran & for Muslims from the end of February to the end of March, when they are deeply engaged in seeking God.
(Reported by Joanne Khmel, – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/how-ramadan-opens-the-door-for-christ-to-enter/ 28th Feb 2025 – Mission News Network)
Sudan Gospel workers see continuing violence, bloodshed:
Political analysts say the end of Sudan’s war is near as the army retakes rebel-held territory in the capital city. John*, a Gospel worker who oversees efforts in Sudan, isn’t so sure. Then, tensions erupted between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, resulting in violent clashes. Today, more than 30 million people need humanitarian aid and protection. We pray for courage and perseverance. We pray for the salvation and transformation of individuals and families who hear the Gospel and turn to Jesus. We pray for the people of Sudan, for a spiritual awakening, and for the removal of spiritual strongholds.
(Reported by Katey Hearth, – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/sudan-gospel-workers-see-continuing-violence-bloodshed/ 21st Feb 2025 – Mission News Network)
What can the pros and cons of Lebanon’s diversity teach Christians?
Lebanon is a country of minorities, a plurality that translates to religious freedom unparalleled in the region. But Pierre Houssney with Horizons International says ethno–religious diversity is a double–edged sword. With it comes potential for polarization, a danger reaching further than Lebanon. In the United States too, tensions can suck up believers, leading to bitterness and even hatred of other groups. Houssney urges believers to filter world events through a Biblical lens and engage with people from a Christ–honoring standpoint, living first and foremost as Kingdom citizens. We pray for believers to raise the banner of the Gospel in having dialogue with others. We pray for God to send harvesters to the field, where so many people are waiting to hear His good news; for the believers to cling to the truth of the Gospel – not swaying towards worldly power narratives. (Reported by Abigail Hofland, – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/what-can-the-pros-and-cons-of-lebanons-diversity-teach-christians/17th Feb 2025 – Mission News Network)
New government, new ministry goals in Lebanon:
As of last weekend; Lebanon has a new government for the first time in over two years. But at the same time it is different than what it’s been for decades, explains Nuna* with Triumphant Mercy Lebanon. “I think it’s been 30 years where Hezbollah has been the upper hand in the [government], where they can veto whatever the government is deciding, because they were in control of one third of the government,” she says. That level of control is no longer there today. Another factor bringing change to Lebanon comes from neighboring Syria. The recent ouster of the al–Assad regime means ministry to refugees is changing too.
We ask God to give believers in Lebanon wisdom in navigating new changes of ministry goals and policies & for the gospel to advance through this! We also ask God to bring revival to Lebanon and the Middle East. (Reported by Katey Hearth – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/new-government-new-ministry-goals-in-lebanon/ 14th Feb 2025 – Mission News Network)
Politicians exploit food crisis while Heart for Lebanon offers hope:
Nearly a third of Lebanon’s population is facing acute food insecurity, the United Nations warns, with 400,000 new people in crisis since Israeli and Hezbollah clashes intensified last year. “In September 2024, we had this mass exodus out of southern Lebanon; 1/4 of the population moved in less than 48 hours,” Heart for Lebanon’s Camille Melki says.
People lost their jobs due to the departure, and savings quickly evaporated, creating a new demand for food aid. “Then, you have people who spend so much money trying to relocate,” Melki says, describing another factor driving food insecurity. We pray for protection, wisdom, and perseverance for Heart for Lebanon’s team as they continue their ministry during this crisis. (Reported by Katey Hearth – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/politicians-exploit-food-crisis-while-heart-for-lebanon-offers-hope/ 10th Feb 2025 – Mission News Network)
Somali Christians using media to reach and disciple fellow Somalis:
Somalia is considered one of the hardest places to follow Christ in the world, second only to North Korea. That’s why stories like this one are so significant and worth celebrating. Shania came to faith in Jesus out of a Muslim background. Her husband, Shino, accepted Christ a few years later after much prayer. When they first began sharing their faith with fellow Somalis online, they kept their identities secret. They were met with distrust and suspicion. There were questions about whether they were Westerners pretending to be Somalis.
Eventually, Shino and Shania decided to go public. They shared their real names and faces and even their contact information. “That,” Shania said in a recent conversation with The Voice of the Martyrs USA, “shook [the] whole Somali nation.” Their story was covered by major news outlets. “All the imams, they sat down, and they said, ‘What [can we] do?’” Shania explained. “They give us (Shino and Shania) a fatwa. They said, ‘Anyone who see them, either kill them or find where they are from.’”
Though Shino and Shania have had to move frequently for safety, they are still sharing the gospel through Somali Christian TV. The fruit of their ministry has been profound, but so has the opposition, Shania says. “Millions of Somalis have seen what the Lord is doing. Many of them come to faith, but many of them are threatening us, and they are after us.” Even so, this couple celebrates how God is changing peoples’ hearts and lives across Somalia and across the Somali diaspora. We pray for the gospel to spread and deepen among Somalis. We pray for those who are already believers in Somalia that the Lord’s Spirit [will] equip them and make them bold.” We pray for much fruit as Shino and Shania reach and disciple Somalians for Christ, and for God to g round the faith of believers firmer in view of the lack of access to Scripture, biblical teaching or fellowship that makes growing in faith a slow process for believers in Somalis; for God is moving and building His Church! (Reported by Katey Hearth, – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/somali-christians-using-media-to-reach-and-disciple-fellow-somalis/, 6th Feb 2025)
Burkina Faso exits regional bloc to form new alliance:
Burkina Faso is leaving the West African regional bloc ECOWAS to join counterterrorism forces with Niger and Mali. The junta leaders of those countries criticized sanctions imposed by ECOWAS and are pledging to address regional unrest through an independent confederation: the Alliance of Sahel States.
What prompted the move?
Jihadist activity continues to rise in West Africa. Burkina Faso, plagued with violence for the last decade, is seeing a surge of such activity at its northern border. Jihadists based in Mali are increasingly taking ground. “They are pushing further and further south into Burkina Faso, and that is resulting in violent attacks against Christians,” says Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs USA. Regular attacks on villages sometimes claim dozens of lives – other times hundreds. Mali-based al Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) is the primary group terrorizing the region. Burkina Faso has seen three coups in the last two years, an internal struggle compounding external jihadist threats.
How is the church responding?
One of the challenges for the church in Burkina Faso is to address the needs of Christians who have been displaced along the northern border, where violence is thickest. “There are tens of thousands of Christians living in displaced person camps or living wherever they can find a roof over their head,” Nettleton says. These are only a fraction of the 2.5 million people displaced in the Sahel region – 3500 of whom were displaced in the last six months, according to the United Nations refugee agency. Nettleton says the upheaval comes with questions for believers.
We pray for both the Muslim and Christian communities in West Africa and for Muslims to come to Christ; for Christians would persevere in hope. For all displaced people, we pray for God’s provision and protection & for the ushering in of a stable government that would allow this nation to protect its own citizens. We pray for protection and perseverance of the church in Burkina & that the new military efforts to combat terrorism will be effective, and for the lost people would come to Christ by the power of God's Word and the faithful witness of believers.
(Reported by Abigail Hofland, – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/burkina-faso-exits-regional-bloc-to-form-new-alliance/ 3rd Feb 2025 – Mission News Network)
Jordan reaffirms support for Syrian:
Foreign relations between Syria and Jordan have been on the upswing since the December fall of Assad’s regime. The countries opened a border–crossing this week in the hopes of boosting trade and shipping traffic in either direction. Samuel from Redemptive Stories says jubilance in Jordan is tempered by uncertainty. “Often times, when we talk about a new normal, we’re not really sure what that new normal is going to look like.” The same is true for many Christians living in Syria. Among that group, there is widespread concern over the new administration’s history of ties to ISIS and Al Qaeda. Many fear persecution and discrimination at the hands of leader Ahmed Al – Sharaa. Samuel says contrasting this reality is evidence that the administration might be more tolerant than originally expected.
Regardless of direction, Samuel says he and his ministry partners will take spiritual opportunities at every bend in the road. Redemptive Stories is currently focused on working with youth: training, developing and empowering them, Samuel says. Fostering reconciliation is another ministry goal.
We pray for the ministry of Redemptive Stories: that young people especially would respond to the Gospel message being shared. We pray that there would be true reconciliation among groups that have been at war, and that Christians would not passively wait for reconciliation but, in the words of Samuel, “would be peacemakers: agents of change and reconciliation within their community.” (Reported by Abigail Hofland, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/jordan-reaffirms-support-for-syria-as-countries-seek-to-strengthen-relationship/ – 31st January 2025 – Mission News Network)
Ghana: an awakening missionary force in Africa – On January 7, Ghana inaugurated its new president, John Mahama. The leading candidate who ran against him was then Vice–President Mahamudu Bawumia, who is a Muslim. It made [the election] very unique, because the party in power was trying to push for Ghana’s first Muslim president,” Ray Mensah with OneWay Ministries notes. Mahama, a Christian, gained a decisive victory – 56.5% of the votes compared to 41% for Bawumia. Yet the election points to a growing influence of Islam in Ghana. Mensah explains that like many parts of Africa, Ghana has a Christian south and a Muslim north. Missionaries entered the country from the southern coast, while Islam came down from the north.
Yet even as mosques are spreading in its towns and villages, Ghana is a majority Christian nation (71 percent according to a 2021 census). It plays a key role in spreading the gospel in Africa, but more believers need to be mobilized to do so. We pray for God to reveal Himself to Muslims across Ghana and Africa as God loves them. We pray for the church in Ghana to be strong in discipleship + for those who know Christ to be transformed in every area of life to obey God. (Reported by Katie O'Malley, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/ghana-an-awakening-missionary-force-in-africa/ – 27th JAN 2025 – Mission News Network)
New media outreach targets Russian speakers in Israel:
A new year sparks a new two-pronged media outreach targeting Russian speakers in the Middle East. “After the fall of the Soviet Union, more than 1,200,000 people moved to Israel, back to their homeland – I’m speaking about Jewish people – and they all speak Russian,” says Pavel Shifman, who heads up TWR’s work in Israel. He says Jews have moved from the former Soviet Union to Israel in several waves, adding that they seem more open to the Gospel. “Fifty percent of the evangelical church or the Messianic church in Israel today consists of Russian-speaking Jews. This is the most responsive group of people in Israel,” Shifman says.
The Nehemiah Project, named after the Old Testament leader who traveled from Persia to Jerusalem and rallied the Jews to rebuild the city walls and study God’s Word, will develop in four phases. The first will be a 24/7 internet stream intended to build community among secular listeners. Not pervasively spiritual in content, the programming is produced by believers and features music, cultural news and discussion of life issues. Christian perspectives will make up a smaller though significant portion of the programming.
Second, listeners who want to learn more will eventually have the opportunity to check out a YouTube channel featuring videos of Russian Jews sharing their testimonies. Phase 3 will incorporate other social media to enable believers and interested audience members to interact, asking and answering questions. Ultimately, interested participants will be invited to meet in person with believers from follow –up teams or to visit local churches. In the second prong of this outreach, believers will contextualize TWR Women of Hope radio scripts and then record new Russian episodes for streaming. We pray for Gospel workers receive the wisdom and resources needed to successfully launch this project. We pray for TWR’s new project to connect believers with people desperate for truth. (Reported by Katey Hearth, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/us-poland-call-for-increased-nato-defense-spending/ – 17th JAN 2025 – Mission News Network)
Why hope remains for Lebanon?
The new–year rolled in with new hope for Lebanon, as the beleaguered nation filled its president and prime minister vacancies. “The old group of people who were ruling Lebanon is now going slowly and moving aside, and we have a new rulership,” Nuna with Triumphant Mercy Lebanon says. “The people coming into position are good people [who] have no blood on their hands, no corruption.”
Decades of mismanagement, a staggering refugee crisis, financial collapse in 2019, and the Beirut port blast in 2020 have left Lebanon in ruins. The number of people living below the poverty line tripled over a decade. We pray for the positive changes in leadership to help people see Jesus as the only source of lasting hope. (Reported by Katey Hearth, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/why-hope-remains-for-lebanon/– 21st January 2025 – Mission News Network)
Mixed messages this week about Israel–Hamas ceasefire deal:
Many celebrated the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal on Wednesday, but by Thursday morning doubts emerged. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed a cabinet vote to approve it, blaming Hamas for attempting last-minute changes. Internal dissent within the Israeli government also played a role. We pray for more Palestinians and Israelis to find true peace with God and with each other & for hostages are released and that peace will come to Gaza and Israel.
(Reported by Katey Hearth, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/mixed-messages-this-week-about-israel-hamas-ceasefire-deal/– 17th January 2025 – Mission News Network)
North Korea no longer tops global persecution:
Nigeria replaces North Korea as the world’s worst persecutor of Christians, according to a new report from Global Christian Relief. The ministry’s Red List highlights the top five countries where killings, displacement, arrests, attacks, and abductions are most severe. The events-based list aggregates data drawn from the Violent Incidents Database – an index documenting physical and non-physical religiously motivated violent incidents from November 2022 to November 2024.
“The two years of reporting from Red List truly reveals where Christian communities face the gravest threats and help us direct life-saving support where it’s needed most,” Brian Orme, acting chief executive of Global Christian Relief, said in a press release. The persecution of Christians has grown across the globe since 2014, driven by the rising influence of Islamic extremism, growing Hindu nationalism, resurgent authoritarian regimes, government corruption, and the misuse of more sophisticated technology. India saw the most destruction of Christian property between 2022 and 2024, while China topped the Red List for arrests and sentencing. Over 9,800 believers died in Nigeria during the reporting period. Indeed, “Nigeria has been on our radar for almost 20 years,” Unknown Nations’ Greg Kelley says & “more people are killed for their faith in Christ in Nigeria than the rest of the world combined.”
We pray for an end to the violence in Nigeria and for the Lord to strengthen and sustain Gospel workers. We pray for the leaders and missionaries working in northern Nigeria, that they would be refreshed and energized in their efforts to share the Gospel and also for the resources and tools, such as solar-powered audio Bibles, to be provided to support the Christian communities in northern Nigeria. (Reported by Katey Hearth, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/north-korea-no-longer-tops-global-persecution/ – 14th January 2025 – Mission News Network)
Potential new law in Kyrgyzstan poised to restrict local churches even further:
A new religion law looms over Christians in Kyrgyzstan. The constitution of the Central Asia nation guarantees freedom of religion. But years of increasing restrictions send another message. This latest draft law has been in the making for over a year. An earlier version was struck down in parliament in June 2024, but now it’s back and passed its first reading in December. If it passes into full law, it would require all places of worship to register with the government, among other impacts. “Imposing these new laws are creating greater restrictions [than those] that are already in place – for example, [laws that are already] forbidding evangelism and distributing religious literature publicly,” says Floyd Brobbel with Voice of the Martyrs Canada. “Churches need to register, and they’re increasing the restrictions on how churches can register. Previously, you had to have about 200 adult members, and now they’re looking to increase it to about 500 adult members in order for the church to gain legal status.”
We pray that Kyrgyzstan’s parliament strikes down this bill just like they did the earlier draft last summer. We also pray for the Lord intervene in this situation and give His church strength + wisdom in any future challenges. (Reported by Katie O'Malley, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/potential-new-law-in-kyrgyzstan-poised-to-restrict-local-churches-even-further/ – 10th January 2025 – Mission News Network)
Refugee exchange continues as groups return to and flee from Syria:
Amidst ongoing unrest in Syria, refugees from that country find themselves in limbo. A desire to return to their home country is paired with an understanding that Syria’s future remains unclear. On the other hand, the downfall of the Assad regime has meant new displacement for approximately 1 million people in places like Aleppo, Hama, and Homs. Pierre Houssney with Horizons International says Lebanon is not seeing a significant Syrian refugee wave, but it is experiencing a refugee exchange. We pray for local churches and gospel based organizations in Lebanon,; and or political stability in Syria, Lebanon and the surrounding region. We pray for Christians witness to their refugee neighbors & for safety and provision for those displaced by the regime change in Syria.
(Reported by Abigail Hofland, – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/refugee-exchange-continues-as-groups-return-to-and-flee-from-syria/ 9th Jan 2025 – Mission News Network)
Questioning of Americans points to evangelism barriers in Malaysia:
The questioning of two Americans in Malaysia this week is shedding light on the complexity of evangelism in that country. The tourists were allegedly handing out religious pamphlets when they were detained by the police. Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs USA says this incident points to a broader issue in Malaysia: religious freedom being dependent on ethnicity. While ethnically Chinese or Indian citizens, for example, have freedom to exercise certain religious rights, the Malay people are a different story.
In Malaysia, it’s not just the Malay people who are facing pressure. Hannah Yeoh is a member of Malaysia’s cabinet. Despite being ethnically Chinese, she’s taking flack for a book she authored which mentions her involvement with a Christian discipleship group in college. She is one of few Christians who hold positions of authority in Malaysia. “The fact that so many people seem to be so threatened by that is a very interesting insight into the country and into the pressure that our brothers and sisters there are facing,” Nettleton says.
He says we need to be praying that Malaysian believers would grow in and share their faith. We pray for Malaysian believers to be bold and patient in their evangelism efforts + for missionaries to have opportunity to plant seeds and grow relationships; and for the governing authorities to come to Christ;
(Reported by Abigail Hofland, – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/questioning-of-americans-points-to-evangelism-barriers-in-malaysia / 9th Jan 2025 – Mission News Network)
Watch and wait as Syria and other nations take first steps into its future - Syria’s de–facto leader, Ahmed al–Sharaa, may be making the right promises, yet the world is still watching closely. Some nations are taking first steps into an unknown future. Officials from the US, Saudi Arabia, and other countries met with al-Sharaa this December. Indeed, “[Syria] is impacting our work, because we need to be sensitive to the needs of the Christian leaders and the different ministries in the Middle East, and now the needs are different,” says Sharaiha. He says future courses they offer might focus on how to rebuild economies and ministries. We pray for the events in Syria to lead to the advancing of God’s Kingdom –seeing how God is at work in the midst of it all. (Reported by Katie O’Malley– https://www.mnnonline.org/news/watch-and-wait-as-syria-and-other-nations-take-first-steps-into-its-future/ – 31st DEC 2024 – Mission News Network)
Voice acting opportunities lead children to Christ in the Middle East – In hard–to–reach areas and oral cultures, Keys for Kids ministry regularly distributes solar-powered MP3 devices equipped with an audio Bible and nearly 30 hours of devotions. A practical bonus: they also come with a flashlight, headphones, and USB charging cable. Storytellers are currently available in seven languages, with four more in development. The Pashto project is currently in the recording stage. Final content will be loaded onto 5,000 storytellers, which will then be distributed regionally by local pastors.
Greg Yoder is the executive director of Keys for Kids. His colleagues estimate that each storyteller will be heard by about 150 people. Local children have been tapped as Pashto voice actors for the initiative. One 11-year-old participant is the son of a terrorist suicide bomber. Yoder says he had already memorized the entire Koran when he was approached to be a voice actor with Keys for Kids. Other testimonies include new believers growing in their faith through the audio players and pastors being strengthened by the opportunity to share their faith in a different way. Since open evangelization in this region is extremely dangerous, one pastor in Northern Pakistan plans a unique strategy for distributing the storytellers.
We pray that the storytellers would be completed without technical issues and that the distribution could begin promptly. We pray for the delivery to be smooth and impact that would be significant. We pray for those who have already come to faith through the storytelling project: that they would be able to grow in their understanding of Jesus and His Word. We also pray for the local Christians involved. Amidst threats to their lives, committed believers are taking great risk to share their faith. We too pray for funds to be raised for more storytellers to be ordered. We pray for those who have already come to faith through the storytelling project that they would be able to grow in their understanding of Jesus and His Word & for the safety of local Christians involved in the project. (Reported by Abigail Hofland, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/voice-acting-opportunities-lead-children-to-christ-in-the-middle-east/ – 27th December 2024 – Mission News Network)
International World Mission News:
Refugee Family Trained for Evangelism Through Spanish Ministry:
Jad* ran a successful business in North Africa. From the outside, his family was content and secure. But after he married his wife, Leila, Jad became a believer and, because his wife and her family were strict Muslims, he was afraid to share his new faith with them. Instead, he read the Bible in secret on his tablet, deepening his faith through Scripture and other Christian resources he found online.
But one day, Leila discovered his secret.
When he came home that day, he found her holding the tablet and crying. “Why are you crying?” he asked, though he suspected he knew the answer, and he waited for her to condemn him.
(Reported by Unknown Author, – https://www.christianaid.org/missions-insider/2025-refugee-family-trained-for-evangelism-through-spanish-ministry, 13th Mar 2025 – Christian Aid Mission Insider)
US, Poland call for increased NATO defense spending:
Newly–inaugurated United States President Donald Trump is calling for allied NATO countries to increase their defense spending to at least 5% of their national GDPs. Poland’s President Andrzej Duda came out in support of the standard, affirming the need to “keep Russia aggression at bay.” Poland already spends more than any other NATO nation on its national defense – over 4% of its GDP.
Eric Mock with Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) says, “America has financially borne the burden of much of the defense effort, especially with the war in Ukraine. I’m not arguing one way or the other; just stating a reality and then recognizing with Donald Trump being our president, there’s going to be a requirement for these countries to respond with a greater commitment to their own security.” It is believed that the stakes are high for Poland, in particular, which shares a border with Russia and Ukraine.
“Poland recognizes that Russia is basically on its doorstep,” says Mock. “They don’t know what’s going to happen in Ukraine, but if all of a sudden something tragic happens in Ukraine, and Ukraine tends to fall, then you’ve got a situation where they’re definitely on Poland’s doorstep. If peace comes, and we pray that peace comes, Poland still has to look out for its own security over time and take responsibility for that.” We pray for Christ's peace in the region + ask the Lord to use Polish churches to provide stability and hope. (Reported by Lyndsey Koh, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/us-poland-call-for-increased-nato-defense-spending/ – 24th JAN 2025 – Mission News Network)
