(Voice of the Persecuted) You are invited to join us on Thursday, October 13, 2022 in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.
Mali: Population: 21 million, Christians about 500,000
Mali is currently run by a military government, the third one in the last decade. Like the others it is considered temporary and the current one is supposed to be replaced by elections in early 2022. This now appears unlikely.
Ten years ago in northern Mali, churches were burned, and Christians were forced to flee for their lives when Islamic extremist groups took control of the region. Though some Christians have trickled back in with police protection, there are areas where there are no Christians. The trauma lingers, and the threat of attack still hangs over Christians, making evangelistic activities especially risky. Such programs can draw the attention of jihadists, and Christian missionaries live under the constant fear of abduction. Anyone who converts from Islam risks personal violence and pressure from their relatives if their faith is discovered. Northern Mali is also unsafe for non-governmental organizations.
While the majority of Malians traditionally practice a relatively tolerant version of Islam, the west African country has become increasingly militant. In the northern part of the country especially, this intolerance has resulted in increasing acts of Christian persecution, including physical violence from jihadist and criminal groups with a vested interest in keeping the country mired in chaos and instability. The radicalization of the Muslim population these groups have caused, their ongoing insurgency still poses a threat to Christians.
The situation in Mali has become complex, and it’s difficult to distinguish clearly between religious-based and ethnic-based violence. Pressure and violence are both significant threats for believers. Though violence slightly decreased since last year’s list, pressure from the community and against the church have both risen.
Christian missionaries operating in Mali live under the constant threat of abduction; some have been kidnapped by jihadists. An American missionary kidnapped in October 2016 is still held in captivity by jihadists.
Pray with believers who have been displaced from their homes and churches in northern Mali by Islamic militants. Ask God to give them both provision and Christian community. Pray with new believers who left Islam to follow Jesus. They report it is becoming increasingly difficult to practice their faith in Mali
- Pray for the Military Government to recognize their responsibility to protect all citizens, including Christians.
- Pray for the stability and normalization of life in Mali, which are critical to suppressing extremist groups and returning peace to communities.
- Pray, lift up believers who have been internally displaced by violence in the northern part of Mali and have attempted to start their lives in new areas after losing everything. Ask God to comfort their hearts in their loss and support them through the ministry of believers in their midst.
- Pray for new believers who leave Islam to follow Jesus. Pray for their protection and to be quickly connected toa Christian community.
- Pray to the Lord that He will confuse the Christian persecutors’ their attack plans as well as blind and distract them.
- Pray for the safe return of kidnapped Christian missionaries and for comfort and strength for both them and their families.
- Pray for MBB to have access to literacy classes, receive their Bible and learn how to read it.
- Pray for the pastors and missionaries who conduct secret leadership training for Christians.
- Pray for the NGOs local partners who seek out and minister to Christians who need aid, trauma counseling, Bibles, and persecution-preparedness training. Pray for wisdom and insight as they interact with others and assess the needs.
- Pray to the Lord to guide and protect His believers who boldly reach out and share the Good News.
- Pray for the Christians who experience increased difficulties to practice their faith in Mali and often must keep their faith secret to escape Islamic persecution.
- Pray that Christians can forgive and love their persecutors.
- Pray to the Lord that He will strengthen His church and give them many opportunities to grow in spite of the hostile climate.
We are continuing to lift up these persecuted witnesses to the Lord:
Leah Sharibu prisoner of Boko Haram since 2018. Pray for her release.
Alice Loksha Ngaddah was kidnapped in February 2019. She is a mother of two, working as a nurse for UNICEF. Pray for her release.
Pastor Wang Yi to be released from Chinese prison.
Anita a Christian convert, facing a long prison term who escaped from Iran and praying to go to a country where she can express her faith openly.
Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran for his release and his family as their persecution continues. Pastor Nadarkhani is serving the second year of his six-year sentence.
The Harvest
“I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me” (Acts 26:18)
Andy, Persecution Watch Prayer Call Moderator
Prayer Conference Call Details
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
From any location on your phone
USA Time Zone:
9:00 PM Eastern
8:00 PM Central
7:00 PM Mountain
6:00 PM Pacific
Call in number: (667) 770-1476
Access Code: 281207#
Recommended: For those who may be subject to added charges for conference calls. Please download the app, it’s free!
MOBILE APP: Free Conference Call HD also provides a quick and easy way for you to dial into conference calls without having to remember the dial-in credentials. Save all of your conference call dial-in numbers and access codes using this free app. With the Free Conference Call HD you can instantly dial into a conference call via 3G/4G data network and or regular mobile carrier. Google Play link or App Store – iTunes
If you are experiencing any difficulties joining the call, please let us know.
What is Persecution Watch?
Persecution Watch is a U.S. national prayer conference call ministry that prays specifically for the global Persecuted Church. For over a decade, Blaine Scogin led this national network of believers who faithfully pray for the persecuted and the global harvest for the Kingdom of God. The group meets via a free call-in service every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday night at 9pm Eastern time in the United States (please check your time zone). Blaine also served as Prayer Director for Voice of the Persecuted, and the missions became one. Brother Blaine passed into glory on December 26, 2019. It was truly a blessing for all of us to serve alongside this dear man of God and he will be greatly missed. The prayer mission of Persecution Watch remains an important part of our mission. Voice of the Persecuted is committed to continue the prayer conference call for the persecuted along with the dedicated Persecution Watch prayer warrior team.
Prior to the passing of Brother Blaine, he confirmed the passing of the torch as prayer conference call leader to Nadia Dybvik. Nadia has a burdened heart for the persecuted and is a prayer warrior standing in the gap for them. She joined the Persecution Watch prayer team in 2013 and has been part of the core ever since. Before becoming the prayer call leader, she served in the role of prayer moderator since 2015. Blaine chose Nadia for her faithfulness to pray for the persecuted and her strong commitment to the Persecution Watch mission. We are blessed not only with her gift of prayer, but her genuine love for every brother and sister in Christ that comes on the call to pray. May the Lord continue to bless Nadia and the prayer team in the mission and their personal lives.
“Pray for us” is the number one request that we hear from the persecuted. As the members of the first century Church were moved by the Holy Spirit to pray, we too must continue to serve those suffering persecution by lifting them up to the Lord through prayer.
On occasion, persecuted brothers and sisters have been invited on the conference call to share the trials they are facing. The team serves to encourage them by washing their feet in Spirit led prayer. Time is often reserved for those on the call to ask questions. We believe this helps to gain a better understanding of the situation that persecuted Christians endure in their specific nations. Q&A also helps us to focus our prayers based on their current needs.
Persecution Watch also hosts callers who want to pray united from other nations. If your heart is perplexed by the sufferings of our persecuted brothers and sisters, you no longer need to pray alone.
We welcome all who desire to pray for the persecuted church and consider it a joy to pray together with you. If you are new to the call and cannot find your voice, listen in and pray silently or on mute. We are grateful and thank the Lord for bringing us all together to pray in agreement for our persecuted family in Christ. We can all be prayer warriors on this call!
God bless and protect you in your faithfulness to serve.
Lois Kanalos, Founder, Voice of the Persecuted, Nadia Dybvik, Persecution Watch Prayer Call Leader and the Persecution Watch Prayer Team
NOTE: Please fill out the form in the sign up link below to be included in our distribution list to receive urgent prayer requests, prayer points, notification of special prayer events and special guest speakers.
Note to Voice of the Persecuted (VOP) readers: The Persecution Watch prayer team is also the prayer team of Voice of the Persecuted. SIGN UP today.
VOICE OF THE PERSECUTED 
Amen