MAY/JUNE 2021 To Help You Pray for the Persecuted Church - barnabasaid.org - Barnabas Fund
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Church
barnabasprayer
To Help You Pray
MAY/JUNE 2021
BARNABAS AID - AN AGENCY FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
for the Persecuted
barnabasaid.org
BRINGING HOPE TO SUFFERING CHRISTIANS
May/June 2021 1
Thank you for your prayers for our in heaven. Thank You for their courage
persecuted brothers and sisters in and faith, as they made their decision
Christ, which make such a difference to to follow Your Son knowing that it was
them. We sometimes have to change or likely to bring down persecution on
omit their names for security reasons, them from the authorities, whether local
and we have only limited space to share or national. May they be encouraged
their stories. But the Lord knows the and strengthened to stand firm by
people and places we are praying about. knowing that He Himself was hated and
Please do not feel limited by the specific persecuted by the authorities of His day.
prayer requests, but pray as you feel led. We ask it in Jesus’ mighty Name.
On each Sunday we have provided a set
prayer; please feel free to use these in MONDAY 3 Thousands of Christian
their current form, to adapt them as you villagers fled military bombardment
prefer, or to use the information they in Karen state, Myanmar (Burma),
contain to frame your own prayers. on February 1, the same day that the
country’s leader, Aung San Suu Kyi,
was ousted in a military coup. This
May incident followed many similar ones
from December 2020 onward, as the
SATURDAY 1 Today new laws come army tried to clear land for new roads
into effect in China to establish a and military installations. Pray for our
May/June 2021 2
database listing all those authorized brothers and sisters, trying to survive
by the communist state to engage in in the mountainous jungle after the
religious activities, whether leading army shelled their homes in Papun and
worship, teaching or studying religion. Nyaunglebin districts, that they will
The law, which applies to all religions, not be downcast or disturbed but will
states that religious organizations put their hope in God their Savior and
must conduct formal assessments praise Him (Psalm 42:11).
of their leaders and apply “rewards
and punishments,” which will also TUESDAY 4 The military government
be recorded in the database. The ruling Myanmar (Burma) from
authorities can insist that a religious 1962 to 2011 frequently attacked the
organization cancel the religious villages of ethnic minorities, including
qualifications of an individual, thus the mainly Christian Chin and Kachin
depriving that person of the right to as well as the Karen. Those who did
engage in religious activities. Pray that not escape were killed or captured. At
Chinese Christians will have wisdom least 100,000 displaced Kachin still
from above as they learn to live with live in camps. Even during Myanmar’s
these new regulations and that the ten years of “democracy”, the military
message of the gospel will continue to retained 25% of parliamentary seats
be proclaimed. and some key government positions.
Their ruthless and deadly response to
SUNDAY 2 Heavenly Father, we praise popular protests after the February
You for the growing church in China and coup suggests that anti-Christian
rejoice to know that we have so many violence (which never completely
new brothers and sisters, even though stopped under Aung San Suu Ki)
we may never meet them until we are will probably rise again. Ask King
Jesus, who came gentle and riding
on a donkey, to proclaim peace to
Myanmar (Zechariah 9:9-10).
WEDNESDAY 5 On Sunday, March 7,
the OLF Shene, a fringe group of the
Oromo Liberation Front, attacked a
church service in Horo Guduru Welega
zone, western Ethiopia. Armed men
surrounded the church building,
gathered the worshipers together and
removed their mobile phones so they Barnabas sent funds for food, water,
could not call the authorities for help. bedding, medicine and trauma counseling
They killed two church ministers on for displaced Christians in Tigray.
the spot, then took the 22 members
of the congregation to a nearby forest FRIDAY 7 Praise God! Seventy
and killed them. “Christians are living Christians (43 men and 27 women)
in utter fear day in and day out,” said were released from three prisons
a Barnabas Aid contact. Pray that the in Eritrea in late January and early
God of all comfort will console and February. Some had been in prison
strengthen the grieving loved ones of a few months, others for up to 12
May/June 2021 3
these martyrs. years. Several hundred more believers
remain in prison, mostly without
THURSDAY 6 Since November 2020, trial or sentencing. Pray to the Lord
hundreds of Christian civilians Jesus, sent to proclaim freedom to
have been killed in Tigray region, the prisoners, that those released will
northern Ethiopia, by troops from recover from their ordeal and those
the massive army of Marxist Eritrea, still held will be released at the time He
a country with a long track record chooses (Luke 4:18-21).
of persecuting Christians. “Torture,
killing, atrocities and overall SATURDAY 8 A Christian couple with
deteriorating situation in Tigray their newborn baby and two other
region became day-to-day events,” Christian women (one from Ethiopia)
emailed a church leader from Tigray were arrested in Somaliland on
to Barnabas Aid, after four months suspicion of “spreading Christianity”.
of the Eritrean violence. “Forced The arrests came four months after
removals and displacements, rape, another Christian couple were
human rights violations and abuses arrested in Somaliland for being
are another face of the situation.” “apostates and evangelists spreading
According to Amnesty International, Christianity”; they were later released
it could amount to a crime against and deported. Local Christians
humanity. The survivors of the requested prayers for those arrested
slaughter and scorched-earth policy that they will experience God’s
were in desperate need of food. Pray closeness and strength and will soon
for an end to the terrible violence be released; for the whole of the tiny
and for practical aid to reach all Christian community in Somaliland,
those in need. who are feeling very vulnerable; and
for the church leadership to have emanating from a secular government,
wisdom to know how to respond. will result in blessing for the Rwandan
church as its leaders become better
SUNDAY 9 O Lord Jesus, we pray for equipped for their spiritual tasks.
Christians in Somalia, one of the most
dangerous places in the world to follow WEDNESDAY 12 At this writing, the
You. Give courage and endurance to Commonwealth Heads of Government
Somali Christians, who face the real Meeting (CHOGM) is scheduled to take
possibility of being murdered for their place in the Rwandan capital, Kigali,
decision to commit their lives to You. in the week beginning June 21. The
Help them to live by faith, not by sight, biennial meeting should have been in
as they fix their eyes on the eternal. Keep June 2020 but was postponed due to
them from fear and fill them with Your the pandemic, so it is three years since
peace and with an unwavering faith and the last CHOGM. The theme will be
hope. Remind them that although they “Delivering a Common Future.” Please
will have trouble in this world, You have pray that Barnabas Aid’s campaign to
already overcome the world (John 16:33; end the killing of Christians in northern
2 Corinthians 4:17-18; 5:7). Nigeria will gain attention at CHOGM
and action to bring the slaughter to an
MONDAY 10 Many Muslims ran for end, for unless things change, they have
election to be mayors or members no future at all.
May/June 2021 4
of parliament at Uganda’s elections
earlier this year. Although Muslims THURSDAY 13 Praise God for answered
are only about 15% of the population, prayer and the safe release of Pastor
they won five of the 10 constituencies Bulus Yakuru, who had been abducted
in the capital, Kampala, as well as by Boko Haram militants from
Lord Mayor of Kampala and three of a Christian village in Nigeria on
the five Division Mayors of Kampala. Christmas Eve 2020. Pastor Bulus was
They did not do so well, however, in freed on March 3, the day on which
other cities, even though there were Boko Haram had said they would
many Muslim candidates running. kill him if their demands were not
Pray that Uganda’s Christian majority met. Pray for the protection of many
will be active and alert in governing Christians and other innocent civilians
their country and will guide it still held by Boko Haram; the Lord
according to biblical principles. knows each by name, though we do not.
TUESDAY 11 The Rwandan government
has ordered that every religious leader
in the country must have a bachelor’s
degree in theology. This applies not
only to pastors of local congregations
but also to leaders of faith-based
organizations. At present, many
Christian leaders in Rwanda do not
have theological qualifications. Many
church leaders have now started to Leah Sharibu is now 18 and still held
study for degrees. Pray that this rule, captive by Boko Haram.
FRIDAY 14 Today is the 18th birthday that convert churches will be given legal
of Leah Sharibu, who has been held status and that individual converts will no
captive by Boko Haram militants in longer be stigmatized and rejected. We
Nigeria since he was kidnapped at the pray this in Jesus’ Name.
age of 14. Many other girls at her school
in Dapchi were seized in the same raid MONDAY 17 A 43-year-old Algerian
but have been released. It is believed Christian, father of four young
that Leah’s ordeal continues because children, was sentenced in January
she refuses to convert to Islam. Leah to five years in prison for sharing a
has had two babies, after being forcibly caricature of Muhammad on social
married to a Boko Haram commander. media. It was the maximum sentence
Pray that she will continue strong in the possible for blasphemy under Algerian
Lord and be comforted by the love of law. Not long before that, two other
her children. Pray also for many other Algerian Christians were convicted of
Christians and innocent civilians held blasphemy but received shorter prison
by Boko Haram; the Lord knows each sentences. All are appealing against
by name, though we do not. the verdicts. Pray that their appeals
will be successful and that the Lord
SATURDAY 15 Nigerian pastor Michael Jesus will bless them with peace, joy
Samson was beaten unconscious by a and hope, for however long He wills
group of around 20 youths who burst that they remain in jail.
May/June 2021 5
into his home in Kogi state on March 1
as he was sleeping. Earlier that day he TUESDAY 18 Three Middle Eastern
had refused to allow them to use his Patriarchs and the Middle East Council
church building to hold a traditional of Churches have sent a joint letter to
Nigerian animist ceremony called U.S. President Joe Biden urging him to
a “Masquerade.” The “Masquerade” lift America’s economic sanctions on
rituals can include sexual acts and Syria, so as to avoid a humanitarian
animal sacrifice or even human catastrophe. The letter, dated January
sacrifice. Pray for the full recovery of 21 (the day after President Biden’s
Pastor Michael; at this writing he is in a inauguration), pointed out that 10 years
hospital in critical condition. ago Syria had been “a breadbasket of
the region” but now half the Syrian
SUNDAY 16 Heavenly Father, we pray for population was in a situation of hunger.
Tunisia, a country in turmoil as its people Pray that this Christian intervention
protest that the Arab Spring, which on behalf of the whole population of
began in their country 10 years ago, a desperately suffering country will
has not brought the good governance result in change for good. Pray also
they hoped for. We lift to you the small that Christians will be recognized as
and vulnerable Christian community, bringers of peace, health and wholeness
remembering especially expatriates in this fragile and fractured region.
from African countries and indigenous
Tunisian converts from Islam. As WEDNESDAY 19 Iraqi Christians and
Tunisian Muslims call for more justice Iraqi Muslims are working together to
and freedom for society in general, we rebuild two churches and a mosque
ask that Your children also may be given in Mosul, the city occupied by Islamic
greater rights to follow Your Son freely, State (IS) militants from 2014-2017,parts of which still lie in ruins. Their interest in “A” and allow him to live
time in power was a reign of terror out his Christian faith without further
for Christians, who fled their homes harassment. Praise God there has been
and mostly have not dared to return no attempt to have him executed for
because of the anti-Christian hostility apostasy, which is possible as sharia
IS created among local Mosul Muslims. (Islamic law) is the primary source of
Pray that this project will help rebuild law in Saudi Arabia.
the relationship between Muslims and
Christians in Mosul at the same time SATURDAY 22 A church building in
as the places of worship are rebuilt. Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab
Emirates (UAE), used to be shared by
THURSDAY 20 Grand Ayatollah Ali 67 different Christian congregations, as
al-Sistani, the foremost leader of Shia migrant workers from many countries
Islam in Iraq, issued a statement in worshiped the Lord Jesus in their own
March, affirming that Christians languages and their own ways. Then
should “live like all Iraqis, in security the UAE authorities introduced a rule
and peace and with full constitutional that leaders must have appropriate
rights”. The statement also referred to theological qualifications. The result
the “role that the religious authority was that 63 of the congregations are
plays in protecting them, and others no longer able to meet. Pray that these
who have also suffered injustice and Christian migrant workers, most of
May/June 2021 6
harm in the events of past years”. Pray them very poor and vulnerable, living
that Iraqi Christians will be treated as and working in terrible conditions, will
equals with the Muslim majority in be sustained spiritually.
Iraq, and not relegated to the status of
what Islamic law calls dhimmi – that is, SUNDAY 23 O God, we thank You for
protected but subjugated. giving us Your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of
truth, to guide us into all truth, to be
FRIDAY 21 Pray for “A”, an Arab convert our Counselor and Comforter, making
from Islam to Christianity who has us strong, steadfast and bold. Help us
lived all his life in Saudi Arabia. to hear His voice and respond to His
At this writing he was facing court promptings. We ask this for ourselves
hearings on two charges: (1) trying and for our persecuted brothers and
to convert Muslims, and (2) alleged sisters, especially those who may have
financial misconduct. The first related no access to Christian teaching or even
to a conversation in a restaurant when to Your Word, or who may face enemies
he allegedly talked about his own deliberately trying to destroy their faith
conversion. The second related to in your Son. May Your Spirit give them all
help he gave his sister, also a convert that they need. We pray in the Name of
from Islam to Christianity, to enable Christ (John 15:26; 16:13).
her and her children to leave Saudi
Arabia. He has already spent time in MONDAY 24 Nurgas is one of 400
prison and suffered flogging. If he is Pakistani Christian widows whom
imprisoned again, his wife and son will Barnabas Aid assists with monthly
be vulnerable to attack by his sister’s food parcels. She works as a sweeper,
husband, who has threatened them. a despised and low-paid job, and used
Pray that the Saudi authorities will lose to worry greatly how she could payfor the family’s basic needs. Then she from such a respected person will
heard the Bible verse “Cast all your change the attitudes of many Muslims
anxiety on him because he cares in Pakistan so that they view Christians
for you” (1 Peter 5:7) and stopped as equals instead of despising them.
worrying. Once, while cleaning the WEDNESDAY 26 A Muslim has
road, she stepped on a nail. Nurgas complained to the police in Lahore,
has diabetes and the wound failed to Pakistan, that two Christians
heal – until her pastor prayed. “I am approached him and some Muslim
thankful to God for this miracle in friends of his in a park, gave them a
my life,” says Nurgas. Praise God for Christian booklet called “Water of
the shining faith of Nurgas despite Life” and talked to them about the
so many afflictions. Pray that all Christian faith. He claimed that the
the widows in the feeding program Christians made derogatory remarks
will be filled with the peace of God about the Quran and Muhammad,
that transcends understanding which are offenses under Section 295
(Philippians 4:7). of the Pakistan Penal Code, punishable
respectively with life in prison and
death by hanging. Pray for the accused
Christians, Haroon Ayub Masih and
Salamat Mansha Masih, that no charges
will be pressed against them and no
May/June 2021 7
violence inflicted on them.
THURSDAY 27 Praise God that
Pakistani Muslims spoke out in
defense of Tabitha Nazir Gill, a
Christian nurse who was accused
Nurgas and her daughter Arooj (9). of “blasphemy” and assaulted at the
Nurgas hopes that Arooj will not have maternity hospital where she has
to be a sweeper like her mother but worked for nine years. Tabitha, who
become a doctor. is also a gospel singer, was slapped
and then reportedly tied up with
TUESDAY 25 Last year Pakistan’s ropes, forced to submit a written
Prime Minister Imran Khan appointed apology and left in a locked room until
a Special Assistant on Religious police arrived. One of the Muslims
Harmony and Middle East. He is Tahir condemning the attack was a staff
Ashrafi, a respected Muslim scholar nurse who said Tabitha was a good,
who chairs the council of Pakistan’s kind girl and “We [Muslims] are
ulema (Islamic religious teachers). the majority and should work with
Given his position, it was significant others. We leave religion behind in
when Ashrafi affirmed that the non- nursing, The Hippocratic Oath is to
Muslim minorities in Pakistan are “not serve humanity. Christian nurses
second-class citizens.” According to are witnesses of love.” The police
sharia, non-Muslims living under Islam initially dismissed the “blasphemy”
should not have the same rights and accusation as a misunderstanding, but
freedoms as the Muslim population and later registered a case against Tabitha
are of less value. Pray that a statement under Section 295-C of the PakistanPenal Code. Tabitha is now in hiding, were found guilty by the courts in
fearing that she will be murdered by June 2020 of various “crimes” related
zealous Muslims – pray that the Lord to sharing their Christian faith.
will protect her and her family. Pray that Lydia, who has serious
FRIDAY 28 On February 27, Iranian health problems, will be restored to
convert to Christianity Ebrahim Firouzi Maryam’s loving care and that Sam,
(34) was released from prison on bail, Sasan and Habib will be given grace
but the charges against him were to endure their period in prison.
not dropped. He had been jailed on
February 8, accused of “propaganda SUNDAY 30 We lift to You today, O Triune
against the Islamic Republic in favor God, all isolated believers who have
of hostile groups” and “insulting the no opportunity for fellowship, whether
sacred” in relation to his claims of they are secret believers who have left
harassment by the Iranian intelligence another religion to follow Christ, converts
service. He had started a hunger strike whose unbelieving families will not let
in protest against the new charges and them meet with other Christians, those
the new imprisonment, which followed punished by the authorities with a ban on
years in prison and internal exile on meeting other Christians, those in prison
other charges related to his Christian for their faith, or those too poor to have
faith. The day before appearing in the resources to meet digitally with other
court, Ebrahim had sent a message: Christians during coronavirus lockdown.
May/June 2021 8
“I ask Christians to pray not for my We ask that Your loving presence will be
acquittal but for the great name of God very real to them. In the Name of our Lord
to be glorified, for which I will be in and Savior Jesus Christ, we pray.
the court tomorrow.” Please pray with
Ebrahim that the Lord Jesus will be
glorified in his situation.
SATURDAY 29 Three Iranian
Christian men, who had been found
guilty in June 2020 of “organization
of house churches and promotion
of Christianity, which are clear
examples of propaganda against the
state,” appealed against the one-year
prison sentences they were awarded.
These sentences were harsher
than those awarded to four other
Christians who had been arrested
with them in Bushehr in 2019. Earlier
this year their appeal was rejected,
and at this writing, the men were
waiting to be summoned to prison to
begin their sentences. One of them
is Sam Khosravi, whose adopted
toddler Lydia was removed from him Mozambican Christians flee from
and his wife, Maryam, after they Islamist violence in the Far North region.MONDAY 31 “The land of fear.” This Muslims from taking control of
is the name given nowadays to the most businesses and a process of
Far North region of Mozambique, a “soft Islamization” from developing.
Muslim-majority area in a Christian- Pray that Christians will not be
majority country. One of the most discouraged even though evangelism
savage Islamist terrorist groups in is illegal, meeting for worship is illegal
the world causes this fear, targeting (except in large churches that have
Christians, moderate Muslims, the been able to get registration), and
government and anyone else who Christian literature is censored.
disagrees with them. Their hallmark
is cutting their victims into pieces THURSDAY 3 During Uzbekistan’s
and their aim is to impose sharia strict Covid-19 lockdown last year,
across the whole nation. Pray that our four pastors organized the Christians
brothers and sisters will rest in God’s into 24 groups for a round-the-clock
perfect love that casts out fear (1 John prayer chain, everyone praying for an
4:18) and that the God of love will melt hour in their own home. Through these
the hearts of the men of violence. prayers God revealed to the pastors
who was in greatest need. When a grant
from Barnabas for food aid arrived,
June the pastors were able to ensure that it
went to the neediest Christians. Many
May/June 2021 9
TUESDAY 1 Praise God that the people who did not even have bread in
church is growing in Central Asia, as the house prayed, and soon afterward,
Muslims turn to Christ. But they often fellow Christians brought them food
face severe persecution from their parcels. In one family, only the wife was
Muslim relatives. A young woman a Christian. Her Muslim husband asked
who decided to follow Jesus started her to pray to her God for bread, and
going to church. When her husband food arrived that very day. As a result,
discovered, he began to beat her the husband and all the rest of family
severely. Then he threw her out of the believed in Christ. Praise God for the
home with their two small children, way in which He has glorified Himself.
not even letting her take spare clothes.
She went to her parents, but her father FRIDAY 4 An elderly Uzbek Christian
threw her out and sent her back to woman died during lockdown last
her husband. The husband kept the year. After a few days, the pastor and
children and threw his wife out again. his wife tried to visit the bereaved
Pray that the Son of Man, who had family, who were all Muslims except
nowhere to lay His head, will protect for one Christian daughter. The roads
and keep our sister (Matthew 8:20). were blocked, and no one was allowed
out, but the pastor knew he had to
WEDNESDAY 2 Lift up in prayer go. They prayed and drove off. God
the Christians of Kazakhstan, miraculously enabled them to travel
where a law passed a decade ago without being stopped anywhere.
– apparently intended to prevent They drank tea with the relatives and
religious extremism – has made life spoke of Christ our Savior. All her
very difficult for Christians but does children and grandchildren gave their
not seem to have stopped radical lives to Christ. When lockdown waslifted, there were three or four new SUNDAY 6 Dear Lord Jesus, be with our
home churches and 21 converts to be brothers and sisters in Turkmenistan
baptized. The pastor continues to be today, where registered churches are so
invited every day to Muslim families few that most Christians are breaking the
where one or two family members have law when they gather for worship, even
become Christians. By the end of each in a private home, and Bibles are hardly
visit, several more have come to the ever allowed to be imported. We praise
Lord. Pray for continued fruitfulness and thank You for the great joy of the
of the pastor’s ministry and for the new Christians, for their burning desire for
believers to grow in faith. Your Word and their deep longing to grow
in faith. Comfort those who have been
SATURDAY 5 According to its rejected by their family or lost their job
constitution, Kyrgyzstan is a because they decided to follow You, and
secular state, but the authorities guide them by Your Holy Spirit.
have announced plans for Islam to
have a more influential role. They MONDAY 7 Since early this year,
want to introduce the study of both Christians in China have noticed that
Islam and Orthodox Christianity in it has become almost impossible to
schools, with an emphasis on teaching buy Bibles and Christian books via
children “Islamic values,” as this is Taobao.com, China’s largest online
considered the national tradition. The retailer. Most had already been
May/June 2021 10
new president wants to tackle what removed from sale on Amazon and
he calls “sects,” particularly Baptist JD.com since the Chinese authorities
Christians and the extreme Islamist first began blocking online sales of
group Hizb ut-Tahrir. Pray that the new Bibles in April 2018. Now independent
constitution being prepared will retain merchants using Taobao are being
the secular status of the nation, and forced to withdraw Christian books
that the peaceful teachings of Christ from sale. In those physical bookshops
will not be linked with the violent that are still selling Bibles, customers
views of Hizb ut-Tahrir. are now required to give their names
and contact details. Anyone buying
more than one Bible is considered to
be acting very suspiciously. Praise God
that His Word will accomplish what
He desires and achieve the purpose
for which He sent it, no matter what
earthly powers may try to do
(Isaiah 55:11).
TUESDAY 8 Pastor Alimujiang Yimiti,
a Uyghur convert from Islam, has
now served exactly 12 years of his 15-
year prison sentence in China, which
began on June 8, 2009. He is being
held in Xinjiang No. 3 prison, where
inmates are reported to be made to
wear headphones playing communist
Baptism of a convert from Islam in
Uzbekistan.propaganda all day every day, which FRIDAY 11 Indonesia, the most
they must memorize and repeat. But populous Muslim country in the
Alimujiang is thankful to God for world, has appointed a Christian
sending him to that prison, so he can as its new National Police Chief. It
share the gospel and live it out. Pray is the first time a non-Muslim has
for physical, mental and spiritual held the post for nearly 50 years, and
strength and that Alimujiang’s life Indonesian Christians have been
and words will impact prisoners and greatly encouraged by the news.
prison guards alike. Pray that Listyo Sigit Prabowo will
know the Lord’s enabling in his new
WEDNESDAY 9 Xinjiang No. 3 prison responsibilities and that Christ will be
in China (see previous) is known glorified. Listyo has said that he wants
for frequently preventing relatives to bring a “more humane approach” to
visiting the prisoners. A time came law enforcement.
when Alimujiang’s wife, Gulinuer,
and their two sons, Nijat and Ynam, SATURDAY 12 The Indonesian
were forbidden to visit Alimujiang government has disbanded the
because they were “uncooperative,” Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) by a
meaning they refused to deny Christ. decree issued in December 2020. The
Gulinuer discovered that she herself hardline Islamist group began in 1998
was being followed and monitored by as a vigilante group to enforce Islamic
May/June 2021 11
security officials. Meanwhile, during moral codes. It opposed the growth of
her husband’s long imprisonment, Christianity in Indonesia and forced
she has been encouraged by her a number of churches to close. Join
mother committing her life to Christ Christians in Indonesia in thanking
and in her older son doing well in his the Lord for this development,
studies. Pray for this bereft family and pray for a restoration of the
that the joy of the Lord will be their harmonious and respectful relations
strength and that He will grant them that used to exist between the various
a faith that does not fail. religions.
THURSDAY 10 Many of our brothers SUNDAY 13 O Lord, we thank You that the
and sisters are suffering terribly in church in Egypt has survived for 2,000
North Korea, which remains the worst years despite much persecution and
place in the world to be a Christian. many martyrdoms. We thank You, too,
We do not know their names, but for the attitude of senior people in the
God does. Pray for them, especially current Egyptian government and all they
those enduring beatings, grotesque are doing to affirm and help Christians,
torture or the brutal prison labor and enable them to worship freely and
camps in which prisoners often die live their lives in safety. Please cause
from the combination of desperately their example to spread from the top of
meager food and heavy physical society down to the grassroots, so that all
work. Ask that He will be their rest, hostility and violence toward Christians
their hope, their rock, their salvation, will cease. Pray that Christians will be a
their fortress and their refuge as they blessing to Egyptian society as their lives
depend on Him and pour out their reflect the Lord Jesus Christ, in whose
hearts to Him (Psalm 62:5-8). Name we pray.MONDAY 14 The Old Testament in total of 3.75 Christians who perished
Moroccan Arabic (Darija), is due to be for their faith. Pray that Barnabas
completed by the middle of this year. Aid’s campaign for the wider official
(The New Testament was published in recognition by governments of this
2012.) Pray that Moroccan Christians terrible incident as genocide will help
will soon be able to read the whole safeguard Christian minorities in the
of God’s Word in a familiar and 21st century.
easy language. As converts from
Islam, their existence is not officially WEDNESDAY 16 “I would cut off
recognized, but if they keep their the heads of 20 Armenians. Yes,
gatherings discreet, the authorities do and I wouldn’t feel bad about it.”
not harass them. Give thanks for this This was the answer given by an
measure of freedom in a country that Azerbaijani woman in Turkey, in a
is almost 100% Muslim, and pray that random street interview conducted
the government will recognize their by a Turkish YouTube channel. The
existence and grant them full religious question had been: “What would
liberty. you do if you knew you would not
be punished for doing it?” Pray that
the Lord will take away the hatred
of so many Azerbaijani Muslims
toward the Armenian Christian
May/June 2021 12
people. Azerbaijan won a short war
against Armenia last year, by which
they gained substantial territory in
the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh,
whose inhabitants were Armenian.
After this a number of threats were
made toward Armenia itself. Pray
that Azerbaijani desires and plans to
conquer Armenia may not succeed
(Psalm 140:8).
THURSDAY 17 Michael Feulner
from Germany has been ordered to
leave Turkey on the grounds that
Sayfo Memorial on Straight Street, he is a “threat to national security.”
Damascus . Michael first went to Turkey in 1999
as a relief worker after a devastating
TUESDAY 15 Today is the annual day of earthquake in the northwest, but
commemoration by Syriac Christians since 2003 he has been pastoring
of the genocide of Christian minorities a church in Yalova. In the last two
under the Ottoman Empire. They call years approximately 70 foreign
it the Sayfo (meaning “sword”). An Christians have been expelled for the
estimated quarter of a million Syriac same reason, even a church leader
Christians died in the genocide, which who is married to a Turkish citizen.
peaked in 1915, alongside Armenians, Praise God that He is in control
Assyrians and Greeks, making a and pray that those He wants toserve Him in Turkey in 2021 will be You will move their hearts, whether
allowed to remain. they know You or not, as you moved
the heart of King Cyrus of Persia long
FRIDAY 18 The Dutch Parliament ago, so that our persecuted brothers
has passed a motion (146 in favor, 3 and sisters may live peaceful and quiet
against) calling on its government to lives in all godliness and holiness.
recognize the Armenian Genocide We ask in Jesus’ Name (Ezra 1:1
of a century ago. In another motion John 19:11; 1 Timothy 2:1-3).
they called for the release and
repatriation of Armenian prisoners MONDAY 21 On March 11, the
of war still being held by Azerbaijan Scottish Parliament passed into law
after a short war in September and the Hate Crime and Public Order
October of last year. Pray that the (Scotland) Bill, making it a crime to
Netherlands will officially recognize intentionally stir up hatred of certain
the Armenian Genocide, and that categories of people. Many Scottish
Barnabas Aid’s petition to the U.S., Christians had expressed great
United Kingdom, Australian and concern that the bill threatened free
New Zealand governments to do the speech (e.g. the freedom to disagree
same will be effective. with those who disagree with the
Bible) and evangelism (e.g. calling
SATURDAY 19 A proposed new law to repentance). They are thankful
May/June 2021 13
in Denmark would require religious for last-minute amendments to
organizations to submit translations protect religious debate and the
of sermons and talks to be given freedom to proclaim Christ as the
in languages other than Danish so only Way to salvation. A section
that they can be approved by the that could have criminalized the
government. Apparently aimed at Bible as “inflammatory material”
curbing extremist Islamic preaching has been removed. However, private
in Arabic, the law will also apply to conversations in the home could still
churches, including those worshiping be counted as criminal. Pray that the
in Faroese and Greenlandic, even Lord will preserve in Scotland the
though the Faroe Islands and freedom for Christians to practice
Greenland are part of the Kingdom and share their faith.
of Denmark. Pray that the Folketing
(Danish parliament) will have TUESDAY 22 Christians in Bangladesh
wisdom to know how to preserve are only 1% of the population and many
religious liberty while preventing are very poor and needy. Those in
violent extremism. rural areas are at risk of violent attack,
but probably the most vulnerable of
SUNDAY 20 O God our Savior, we all are the few hundred Rohingya
intercede today for all those in Christians, converts from Islam, who
authority in every country of Your live among three-quarters of a million
world, especially those in power Rohingya Muslims, all of them refugees
where Your people suffer injustice or from Myanmar (Burma). Pray that
violence. We know that, like Pilate, Bangladeshi Christians will dwell in the
they only have their power because shelter of the Most High and find refuge
You have allowed it, and we pray that under His wings (Psalm 91:1,4).WEDNESDAY 23 Article 14 (1) e of the anti-conversion regulations into a
Sri Lankan constitution states that permanent part of its state law. Nine
every citizen is entitled to “the freedom, of India’s 29 states have some kind
either by himself or in association of legislation banning conversion by
with others, and either in public or in fraud, force or allurement in place.
private, to manifest his religion or belief Laws of this kind are easily misused
in worship, observance, practice and to make false accusations against
teaching.” This important aspect of Christians engaged in valid evangelism.
religious liberty is now at risk, as there Thank the Lord that the federal Indian
are calls by Buddhist leaders for Article government stated in February that
14 to be amended “in a way so as to it had no plans for a national anti-
stop unethical conversions.” The phrase conversion law. Pray for full religious
“unethical conversions” is often used by liberty in every state of India, so that
Sri Lankan non-Christians who cannot all Indian citizens will have freedom
believe that anyone would become to choose and change their religion,
a Christian unless they had been according to their conscience.
coerced or given money, educational
opportunities or other advantages. Pray SATURDAY 26 Telangana is one of
that this part of Article 14 will not be the Indian states that does not have
altered in the new constitution, which an anti-conversion law. Yet Pastor
is currently being drafted, and that Chandra Mouli was accused of
May/June 2021 14
there will be a recognition at all levels carrying out religious conversions
of Sri Lankan society that people from and violently attacked while visiting
any background might choose to follow a church member near Hyderabad
Christ of their own free will. who had requested prayer for
a sick relative. The assault was
THURSDAY 24 A church building in carried out by two workers for
Nepalgunj, Nepal, was demolished the Hindu nationalist BJP party,
by the government after it took which governs Telangana. Rather
mandatory possession of the church’s unusually, the police rescued the
land and the surrounding area, pastor and arrested his attackers.
including a Hindu temple, in order to This resulted in hundreds of BJP
build a school. The congregation had members gathering outside the police
requested that their church building station to protest that the police
be saved from destruction, but the were favoring the pastor. Pray that
demolition went ahead, while the Indian Christians will not be fearful,
Hindu temple was left intact. The as increasingly, any kind of visible
church’s congregation of around 20 Christian activity is being seen as
families is now holding services in suspicious in BJP-ruled states.
the open air, and the pastor requests
prayer that they will be able to SUNDAY 27 O Lord, we thank You for
construct a new building. The church brave Indian evangelists and church
was established in 2006 to minister planters taking the gospel to remote
to a slum area of the city. and hostile parts of the subcontinent,
despite much opposition. We ask that
FRIDAY 25 The Indian state of Madhya they will not be fearful or dismayed,
Pradesh has made its temporary and will know Your presence with themto strengthen and help them as You my personal spiritual life as well as to
uphold them with Your righteous right my churches.” Pray for him and all the
hand. We thank You, too, for all those other recipients, that the books will
who hear their message and put their help them and their congregations to
faith in Your Son Jesus as Lord and grow in the knowledge of God and
Savior. May those who have chosen to please the Lord in every way
follow Christ be strong in Him and able (Colossians 1:10).
to face any persecution that may come.
We ask this in His Name (Isaiah 41:10).
MONDAY 28 An Indian pastor and his
congregation, including women and
children, were severely beaten by a
mob of Hindu extremists during the
Sunday worship service on January
31. About eight of the extremists
burst into the church meeting room
at Harohalli, Karnataka state, while
around 30 waited outside to prevent
any Christians from escaping. Pastor
Subhash Hanok, a convert from
May/June 2021 15
Hinduism, was so badly injured
that he could not walk, but he said
afterward, “I have dedicated my
life to die for the Lord. This doesn’t Anil receiving his pack of books
affect me.” Pray that his words of and booklets.
faith and courage may give strength
to his congregation and other Indian WEDNESDAY 30 Recent statistics
Christians suffering similar attacks. show that there are over 2 million
untrained church leaders in the
TUESDAY 29 Barnabas has provided global South. Especially in places
packs of Christian books and booklets where the church is a persecuted
in Hindi for 250 grassroots pastors, minority but growing, many new
evangelists, church elders and “Bible Christians find themselves in
women” who are ministering in rural leadership roles as soon as six
and tribal regions of India, in hostile months after their own salvation.
environments, with few resources The Shepherd’s Academy has been
and little training. “I am very developed by Barnabas Aid to
thankful to God, who has provided provide quality, relevant training
these spiritual books,” said Anil. “I for grass-roots ministry by distance
will study them properly and teach education. The first students started
my congregations. I believe that these this month, linked to a variety
books are the treasures of my life. I of Christian institutions in nine
could not buy such expensive books, countries. Please pray that their
but God made this provision for us so studies will equip them to be more
that I could receive these books free. effective in the Christian service in
These books will be very fruitful for which they are already engaged.International Headquarters The Old Rectory, River Street, Pewsey, Wiltshire, SN9 5DB, UK Telephone 01672 564938 Fax 01672 565030 From outside UK: Telephone +44 1672 564938 Fax +44 1672 565030 Email info@barnabasfund.org USA 80 Abbeyville Road, Lancaster, PA 17603 Telephone 703-288-1681 or toll-free 866-936-2525 Email usa@barnabasaid.org barnabasaid.org © Barnabas Aid 2021 Published by Barnabas Aid 80 Abbeyville Road, Lancaster, PA 17603, USA Front Cover: Myanmar Christian children
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