Join us November 5 for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
As we prepare for Sunday's International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, let's remember Christians facing extreme violence, persecution and hunger in 99.6% Muslim Somali, ranked #2 on Open Doors' World Watchlist of most dangerous countries in the world for Christians to live.
"Christians from Muslim backgrounds are regarded as high-value targets and may be killed on the spot if discovered," writes Open Doors. "Society expects all Somalis to be Muslim. Imams in mosques and madrassas state publicly that there is no room for Christianity, Christians or churches. The violent insurgent group al-Shabaab has repeatedly expressed its desire to eradicate Christians from the country.
"Christians also face serious persecution from their family and community. Leaving Islam is regarded as a betrayal of the family and clan, and family members and clan leaders will harass, intimidate and even kill Somali converts. Anyone even suspected of being a Christian convert is closely monitored by the elders in the community, and even by their own family members. 'Church life' is simply not possible, so the few believers must meet in secret. Islamic militants have intensified their hunt for people who are Christian and in a position of leadership.
"Young female converts to Christianity are particularly vulnerable. They are oppressed and exploited both on grounds of their faith and their gender. Young Christian girls are forced into marriages, in which they face sexual harassment, physical violence and pressure to adhere to conservative Muslim practices in an attempt to 'rehabilitate' them."
"When I got home, the men in my family were waiting for me. They beat me and took my mobile phone and they locked me up in a room. They said, 'We have heard that you are corrupted,' but they have never once used the word 'Christian.'"
Nala, a Somali believer forced to flee the country (Open Doors)
In addition to such terrible persecution, last year parts of Somalia reached famine status. Those suffering from acute hunger surpassed the numbers from 2011's famine, in which more than 260,000 people died.
Lord, please have mercy. Bring an end to the violence and drought. Heal, protect and provide for the needs of those facing malnutrition or starvation, especially the children. Open the doors wide for Christians to come in bringing stores of food along with a clear message of Your love and salvation. Multiply Somali Christians' provisions so abundantly they will have more than enough to share with their neighbors, along with such over-abounding love, the lost will see You as You truly are and know You are the One they've been longing for. Don't let even one more person in Somalia die without the chance to know You. Meet them in their dreams. Appear to them in visions. Bring Christians into their path who will boldly share Your Good News. For every Christian martyred, bring 10,000 more to faith. Make the hidden churches bulge with converts, multiplying by the thousands all across the land. Make this violent, hungry time in Somalia's history an open door for Your love to overtake every heart. Lift the darkness, Lord, and pierce the lost with Your light, breaking chains that bind terrorists and child soldiers to Satan's plans. Let them see Your angels guarding Christians, so they tremble in fear and fall to their knees before You. Let them hear Christians speaking out forgiveness and truth, and choose to believe in You. Surround believers and their families as their mighty, impenetrable Shield. Psalm 91. Hide them beneath Your wings and don't let the enemy's weapons come near them. Make a way for Christians to safely communicate and meet together. Guard and fill those gatherings with Your mighty angels and presence. If ever someone finds out where a church meets, cut them to the core with Your truth and overwhelm them with Your love and grace immediately, so they repent and choose to walk in the Light. Awaken all the peoples of Somalia to You, Lord. Give them a hunger so deep, they will seek You with all their heart and find You. Jeremiah 29:13.
Don't let your prayers for the persecuted stop today.
Stay plugged in to what's going on around the world here at the Prayer Wall, where we are praying daily for persecuted Christians, whole nations lost without Christ, our own families and communities and more. To get the daily prayer guides in time for your morning quiet times with God, enter your email address in the space below:
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Join with other believers all across the world to pray for our nations and the whole world at the Prayer Wall,
https://prayerwallforthenationandtheworld.wordpress.com. Let's push back the darkness together as one, and pray forth God's purposes in these trying times. "For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:1 rsv
About the author: Mikaela Vincent and her husband have served the Lord for many years in a dark area of the world where Christians are persecuted and few have heard the good news about Christ. They are missionaries who live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through giving a donation, shopping at Mikaela's online bookstore, praying for them or inviting them to speak at your church, retreat or other event, click the buttons below:
For a 30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening, Dare to Be a Mighty Warrior, Out You Go, Fear! and other books on praying for Christ's victory among the nations and within our own minds and hearts, visit MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com
Dare to Be a Mighty Warrior - deep devotional Bible study for overcoming the enemy and tearing down the barriers to oneness with Christ and others 
Out You Go, Fear! – a Pure-As-Gold Seal children's book for ages 4-8 with a fun story and steps to freedom from fear and night terrors.
When you click on the above links to books I have authored, all proceeds I receive as the author go to shining Christ's light to the nations.
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