Beginning 2023 with Spiritual Praises and Thanksgiving
(Voice of the Persecuted) You are invited to join us on Saturday, December 31, 2022, in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch
Let us begin this secular New Year with spiritual praises and thanksgiving
Psalm 66:1-4 “Shout with joy to God all the earth! Sing to the glory of His Name; offer Him glory and praise!” Say to God ‘How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.’ All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to Your Name.”
- Pray all believers would have a spirit of joy and praise in spite of any and every circumstance.
- Pray for a manifestation of God’s awesome deeds.
- Pray that God’s enemies would flee from believers; that one would chase a thousand and two ten thousand.
Matthew 10:1 “He called his disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
- Pray for real disciples, and that they would take up the authority given to them.
Matthew 10:16 “I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
- Pray for much wisdom and discernment.
Matthew 10:19 “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say.”
- Pray the Holy Spirit would take over the believers’ speech as they witness before others, as per this Word.
Matthew 10:22 “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
- Pray believers would endure suffering and not give up and succumb to pressure, strong faith.
Matthew 10:26 “So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known.”
- Pray against a spirit of fear; pray for truth to be revealed.
Matthew 10:27 “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetop.”
- Pray for more opportunities to witness, and boldness to accomplish this.
Matthew 10:40,41 “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.” “Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.”
- Pray believers would receive other believers when they are in trouble even though there is risk involved.
Psalm 68:5, 6a “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families…”
- Pray for those who have lost loved ones.
- Pray for those rejected by family and or cast out of their homes.
Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.”
- Pray for access to the Word; pray for a “rhema” Word that reveals a secret of God’s plan.
Matthew 11:17 “We played the flute for you and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not mourn.”
- Pray against lukewarmness in the church; pray we would be passionate about Messiah and the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 11:20 “Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of the miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.”
- Pray for repentance for both believers and unbelievers.
- Pray for the harvest of souls.
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.”
- Pray believers would be able to cast their burdens on Adonai and not to worry.
Again, we want to lift these persecuted witnesses to the Lord:
- Leah Sharibu, a prisoner of Boko Haram since 2018, pray for her release.
- Alice Loksha Ngaddah, kidnapped February 2019. She is a mother of two, working as a nurse for UNICEF. Pray for her release.
- Pray For Pastor Wang Yi to be released from prison.
- Pray for Anita to make an easy transition into her new culture and that the Lord will be gracious in bringing her family members where they too will be able to freely worship our Lord without fear..
- For the release of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran, and his family as their persecution continues. Pastor Nadarkhani is serving the second year of his six-year sentence, recently reduced from ten years.
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)
Valerie Creekmore, 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.
Persecution Watch: Praying for Believers in Colombia
(Voice of the Persecuted) You are invited to join us on Thursday, December 29, 2022 in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.
COLOMBIA: Population: 50.7 million, Christians about 48 million
Though Colombia has a high percentage of Christians, real believers still face persecution from criminal gangs and indigenous groups. Guerrilla groups threaten, harass, extort and even murder church leaders, who are targeted because they denounce corruption, defend human rights and oppose cartels. Their children may also be targeted, to discourage church leaders from speaking out against organized crime and corruption. These forms of persecution are particularly prevalent in rural and remote areas of Colombia.
The humanitarian crisis in the Pacific Coast region continues to worsen: the fight for the control of illicit crops, drug trafficking and illegal mining have led to intensified conflict. Many Christians are affected and are among the thousands of displaced families.
In indigenous communities, persecution tends to focus on Christians who have converted from the beliefs of their indigenous tribe. These Christians face imprisonment, harassment, physical abuse, denial of basic rights and use of their ancestral territory or being sent away to do forced labor in a different territory, among other forms of persecution. Often, they are targeted to make an example of them, so that the rest of the community is deterred from conversion.
Another key driver of persecution is secular intolerance. Increasingly, Christians are facing hostility, verbal abuse, and discrimination for their stance on issues such as abortion, sexuality, and gender orientation. The participation of Christians in the political sphere as diminished as a result.
Last year saw protests in Colombia, partly against corruption and controversial government measures. Church leaders were among those who supported the demonstrators, and this led to threats and violence. Overall, there has been a small increase in the persecution faced from the wider community and a small decrease in the incidents of violence, but persecution has not significantly changed in Colombia in the past year. Violence remains high, with seven Christians killed for their faith between January and September 2021.
Christians who’ve converted from an indigenous religion are most vulnerable to persecution in some regions of Colombia. Elsewhere, Christians—and particularly church leaders and their families—are most at risk in areas dominated by guerrilla gangs and drug cartels. Furthermore, rising secular intolerance means Christians are increasingly vulnerable to hostility, verbal abuse, and discrimination for speaking out on certain issues.
Beyond extortion, the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) added fighters by luring them with bogus promises of money, or via forced conscription. Wherever the FARC showed up, children were in danger. Colombia’s government made no effort to protect families, even those who live near a military base.
Attacks on religious leaders across the country are widespread. A recent study by the Bogotá mayor’s office found that over the past three years 12.6% of religious leaders in Bogotá have received death threats, 4.1% have faced extortion and 3.9% have been threatened with kidnapping. The pastor of Nueva Filadelfia Church was assassinated on September 16 outside his home in Antioquia,
Colombia’s half-century-long civil war has produced the world’s biggest population of IDPs ( Internal displacement = more than 8 million since 1985). Operation World estimates 7.5 percent of Colombians are evangelicals.
- Pray to the Lord that He will touch the Colombian government leaders to take steps to ensure that freedom of religion is protected for all Colombians, and that those responsible for threats against and attacks on church leaders are held to account for their actions”.
- Pray that God would offer protection for pastors and communities who are targeted by organized criminal groups.
- Pray to the Lord that He will thwart the plans of guerilla gangs and draw them to Himself.
- Pray for the Indigenous people who convert to Christianity are often forcibly displaced from their indigenous communities or excluded from receiving certain benefits by traditional authorities.
- Pray for wisdom and the presence of the Holy Spirit so that indigenous Colombian Christians can remain steadfast in the gospel.
- Pray for the family members of believers who were martyred for their faith and service to the community.
- Pray for the protection of the older children from being forcefully recruited to serve in FARC ( force armed revolutionaries Colombia)
- Pray for the protection of children from gangs who target them because their fathers are speaking out against organized crime and corruption.
- Pray for the believers who are caught in the crossfire of illicit crop growers, drug traffickers., illegal mining operators and the government forces.
- Pray for the believers to sense God’s presence and be anchored in God’s word.
- Pray for the NGOs to support and equip, stand with, the persecuted church. Pray specifically for the Children Centers.
- Pray that the Lord will strengthen His church in Colombia to become beacon of hope and the bright light on the hill.
Again, we want to lift these persecuted witnesses to the Lord:
- Leah Sharibu, a prisoner of Boko Haram since 2018, pray for her release.
- Alice Loksha Ngaddah, kidnapped February 2019. She is a mother of two, working as a nurse for UNICEF. Pray for her release.
- Pray For Pastor Wang Yi to be released from prison.
- Pray for Anita to make an easy transition into her new culture and that the Lord will be gracious in bringing her family members where they too will be able to freely worship our Lord without fear.
- For the release of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran, and his family as their persecution continues. Pastor Nadarkhani is serving the second year of his six-year sentence, recently reduced from ten years.
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.
Photo by neufal54
Prayer Conference Call for Believers in Indonesia
(Voice of the Persecuted) You are invited to join us on Tuesday, Dec 27th, 2022, in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.
INDONESIA: Population: 278 million, Christians: 34 million
In real numbers, the Christian population in that country has grown by nearly 5 million people over the past decade, roughly a 21% increase.
Indonesia is the world’s fourth-most populous country, and the most populous Muslim-majority country, consists of hundreds of linguistic groups, and ranges from the Jakarta megacity to uncontacted tribes in Papua. About 8 million Indonesians live overseas – everywhere from Europe, Saudi Arabia, and the US. The government officially recognizes only six religions: Islam, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
In recent years the Indonesian society has taken on a more conservative Islamic character, putting added pressure on Christians. Many converts from Islam experience pressure from their families to return to Islam. There are also converts from Hinduism in Bali.
Churches that engage in evangelistic outreach are at risk of being targeted by Islamic extremist groups. There are certain hotspots, such as West Java or Aceh, where extremist groups are strong and exert a strong influence on society and politics. In some regions, church groups face difficulties getting permission to build churches. Even if they manage to fulfill all legal requirements (including winning court cases), the local authorities still often ignore them.
What has changed? Sadly, the main cause is an increase in violence. The primary hotbed of persecution in Indonesia is Aceh in the northwestern tip of Sumatra, the only province that is governed by Shariah law. Churches were closed on a large scale in October 2015 and the building of new churches there is much more difficult than in other provinces. In fact, it is virtually impossible. Converts from Islam are vulnerable to severe opposition in many parts of Indonesia but converts in Aceh probably face the greatest pressure.
Prayer Points
• Pray for President Joko Widodo that he and his government will respect and protect the Christian minority citizens.
• Pray for God’s comfort and healing for all those affected by the recent attacks on Christians.
• Pray that Christians will be given wisdom and boldness as they follow Jesus in a society that is taking on an increasingly conservative Islamic character.
• Pray the influence of extremist Islamic groups will be snuffed out; ask the Lord to reveal Himself to those who oppose Him.
• Pray to the Lord that He will reveal Himself to those who oppose Him in a way that speaks to their hearts.
• Pray to the Lord that He will break the stronghold of the forces of darkness in the Aceh province, the only one with Sharia law.
• Pray for Christians to build peaceful relations with local religious leaders and government officials.
• Pray to the Lord that He will open doors for permits to be granted for church construction.
• Pray that Christians have good internet coverage where they live and that the messages will edify them, as well as touch unbelievers who serve the net.
• Pray for the NGOs and their partners.
• Pray for wisdom and strength for their ministry partners, who help when Christians suffer physical attacks and expulsion from their families and communities for choosing to follow Christ. This through advocacy, relief, and practical aid, along with bible deliveries and biblical training.
• Pray for church leaders to be protected in their communities from false accusations of inciting religious hatred.
• Pray that the Lord will give believers boldness and courage to witness and to hold His hand of protection over them.
• Pray that persecuted believers will not become bitter and be able to love and forgive.
• Hebrews 10:24-25 “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” – Pray for followers of Jesus to overcome all obstacles in order to make meeting together a high priority in their lives.
• Pray for unreached people groups (UPGs) – Out of the 789 people groups in Indonesia, 235 are still unreached. Pray for God to send believers to these unreached people groups to share the gospel. Pray His glory would spread to every people group.
• Ephesians 6:18-19 – “To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel” – pray fervently for our Indonesian brothers and sisters to stand firm in their faith.
• Matthew 9:37-38 – “Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” – Let’s pray God raises up laborers from churches, and from other nations.
Again, we want to lift these persecuted witnesses to the Lord:
- Leah Sharibu, a prisoner of Boko Haram since 2018, pray for her release.
- Alice Loksha Ngaddah, kidnapped February 2019. She is a mother of two, working as a nurse for UNICEF. Pray for her release.
- Pray For Pastor Wang Yi to be released from prison.
- Pray for Anita to make an easy transition into her new culture and that the Lord will be gracious in bringing her family members where they too will be able to freely worship our Lord without fear.
- For the release of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran, and his family as their persecution continues. Pastor Nadarkhani is serving the second year of his six-year sentence, recently reduced from ten years.
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)
Michael Laird, 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.
Persecution Watch: Praying for Believers in Niger
(Voice of the Persecuted) You are invited to join us on Thursday, December 22, 2022 in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.
NIGER: Population: 25 million, Christians about 64,700
Niger is a republic headed by Mohamed Bazoum is a Nigerien politician who is the current president of the Republic of Niger. He has been in office since 2 April 2021. Once a country known for cross-religious harmony, Niger has re-entered the top 50 of the World Watch List, reflecting how pressure is increasing on Christians in this Muslim-majority nation. Most of the population regard Islam as part of their ethnicity: if you are a Nigerien, you are a Muslim. Believers from Muslim backgrounds are therefore the most vulnerable to persecution, and often come under intense pressure from their families and communities to renounce their faith.
Historical Christian communities are generally allowed to practice their faith in private, but in regions under Islamist control, Christians must gather with caution because of an increased threat of violence from militant groups like Boko Haram. In regions near the border with Nigeria, churches have been burned and pastors forced to flee their homes. Meanwhile, the local authorities have occasionally stopped believers from meeting, and the registration process for churches is long and difficult.
Niger is a highly patriarchal society, and this makes Christian women vulnerable to persecution for their gender and faith. In certain areas of the country, women are highly at risk of abduction, rape and sexual abuse by extremist groups and others. Families do not report instances of rape because it will impact the victim’s marriage prospects and bring shame to them. Last year, tragically, a Christian girl was raped by a policeman, further highlighting why Christian families might be reluctant to report crimes.
A lot has changed – and it’s highly disturbing. Persecution is getting much worse in Niger, with the country jumping 21 places to re-enter the World Watch List top 50. This is down to a dramatic rise in violence against Christians. In the past five years, the Sahel region has seen a huge increase in violent Islamist attacks and the government of Niger has lost a lot of territory to the jihadists. Since 2020, the country has been experiencing a series of attacks by Islamic militants. The unpredictability of the situation makes Christians vulnerable, reflecting a trend of increasing violence facing Christians across sub-Saharan Africa.
- Pray for President Mohamed Bazoum to start protecting all citizens, especially the Christian minority citizens.
- Heavenly Father, we pray, strengthen, protect, and heal Christians in Niger affected by persecution. Use them in bold ways among their families and communities. Encourage those who especially need it today.
- Intervene to diminish the influence of militant Islamist groups so that Niger may once again be a place of cross-religious harmony and all Christians can feel safe to gather for worship, celebration, and fellowship. Amen.
- Pray for Church leaders which are especially targeted for persecution. Muslims consider them primarily responsible for leading people away from Islam.
- Pray for God’s protection for teenage girls and women who are vulnerable to rape, sexual abuse and forced marriages to Muslim men.
- Pray for those Christians who are caught under the rule of extremist groups for the Lord to give grace and defend them.
- Pray for the salvation of these militant groups as we know with God everything is possible.
- Pray for the restoration of peace in the communities, churches and lives of the people.
- Pray for oral bible teachers as many people don’t know how to read or write.
- Pray to the Lord He will give MBB who are the target of heavy persecution safe places to worship and have fellowship, be build up in faith
- Pray to the Lord for His believers in Niger as they seek to proclaim the gospel in a stifling and suspicious atmosphere. Grant them wisdom, discernment, and boldness.
- Pray that Christians who have lost loved ones will receive trauma counseling.
- Pray that the persecuted can forgive and love their persecutors.
- Pray for the believers to sense God’s presence and be anchored in God’s word.
- Pray for the NGOs in Niger to strengthen persecuted Christians through economic empowerment programs, leadership and discipleship training, persecution survival training and pastoral care for new believers.
- Pray that internally displaced Christian families will receive food, cooking supplies, and other items. In addition, they are also providing literacy education, so that families can enjoy reading the Bible in the regional Djerma language “Many of these people did not go to school, and so even though Djerma is their maternal language, they do not know how to read or write it,”
- Pray that the Lord will use His church in Niger in bold and powerful ways for His glory, and that His church will be a beacon of light in Niger.
Again, we want to lift these persecuted witnesses to the Lord:
- Leah Sharibu, a prisoner of Boko Haram since 2018, pray for her release.
- Alice Loksha Ngaddah, kidnapped February 2019. She is a mother of two, working as a nurse for UNICEF. Pray for her release.
- Pray For Pastor Wang Yi to be released from prison.
- Pray for Anita to make an easy transition into her new culture and that the Lord will be gracious in bringing her family members to Canada.
- For the release of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran, and his family as their persecution continues. Pastor Nadarkhani is serving the second year of his six-year sentence, recently reduced from ten years.
- 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.
Praying for Believers in Eritrea and Ethiopia
(Voice of the Persecuted) You are invited to join us on Tuesday, Dec 20th, 2022, in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.
Before the 1993 Eritrean War of Independence, Eritrea and Ethiopia were one nation.
Eritrea: Population: 5.5 million, Christians 2.6 million
Despite almost half the population identifying as Christian, believers in Eritrea continue to suffer extreme persecution, making it still one of the hardest places in the world to follow Jesus.
The government recognizes only three denominations— other Christians are at risk of severe state persecution. Gatherings are raided and believers arrested. The conditions facing Christians in prison can be inhumane. Some pastors have been incarcerated for over a decade and have faced solitary confinement. There are possibly more than 1,000 Christians imprisoned in Eritrea, with none formally charged.
The western and eastern parts of the country are majority Muslim. Christians from Muslim or Orthodox backgrounds living in those regions are more susceptible to persecution.
Ethiopia: Population: 115.4 million, Christians 69.2 million
Over the past, Ethiopia has seen a dramatic increase in violence driven by civil and military conflicts, the worst of which is the “ethnic cleansing”, particularly in the Tigray region. Egregious human rights abuses, such as rapes and mass killings, are being perpetrated by the various actors involved in the conflict.
While the Orthodox Church is a target for Islamic attacks, it is also a perpetrator of persecution as well.
Prayer Points
- Pray for wisdom and provision for the government as they lead a country greatly affected by war, drought, plagues, and political instability.
- Pray that Christians facing intense pressure to renounce their faith will have the strength to hold onto Jesus and trust Him for their futures.
- Pray that the Lord will protect pastors and evangelists who serve in a hostile environment and that they may see His power breaking through.
- Ask God to bless the ministry among women and youth—ask God to raise up more women and young people to strengthen the church.
- Pray to the Lord to remind the Coptic Church that they and the Evangelical Church serve You, the almighty God, and that therefore no room for discord or conflict.
- Pray for the Lord to protect Christians from violence and killing, especially in the Tigray region.
- Pray for special protection for Christian girls and women from Muslim radical violence and rape.
- Pray that Christians will be given wisdom and boldness and protection as they go out to bring the good news to the lost.
- Pray to the Lord for the NGOs who minister to the persecuted Christians with spiritual and physical aid.
- Pray that Christians have good internet coverage. Pray for the webmasters that the Lord will give them encouraging messages for the persecuted Christians and also attract Muslim seekers
- Pray to the Lord that He will appear to many in their dreams – and then that they will be connected to believers who can equip them.
- Pray for rain to cover the arid ground.
- Pray that persecuted believers will not become bitter and be able to love and forgive.
- Pray that imprisoned Christians and their families will be sustained by God’s grace and presence.
- Pray that the Lord will protect the congregations of believers that are watched by the police.
- Pray for the Christian youth who are required to serve in the military, even if they don’t want to.
- Pray to the Lord to strengthen His Church, to raise up His church to be the light on the Hill and shine our Christian values over the land.
Again, we want to lift these persecuted witnesses to the Lord:
- Leah Sharibu, a prisoner of Boko Haram since 2018, pray for her release.
- Alice Loksha Ngaddah, kidnapped February 2019. She is a mother of two, working as a nurse for UNICEF. Pray for her release.
- Pray For Pastor Wang Yi to be released from prison.
- Pray for Anita to make an easy transition into her new culture and that the Lord will be gracious in bringing her family members where they too will be able to freely worship our Lord without fear.
- For the release of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran, and his family as their persecution continues. Pastor Nadarkhani is serving the second year of his six-year sentence, recently reduced from ten years.
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)
Michael Laird, 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.
Biblical Prayers for those being Persecuted
(Voice of the Persecuted) You are invited to join us on Saturday, December 17, 2022, in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.
Matthew 9:37 “Then he said to his disciples ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few’“
- Pray for abundant, anointed workers.
- Pray for many to respond to the Gospel message.
Psalm 119:98-100 “Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.”
- Pray for much wisdom, discernment, insight and understanding.
Proverbs 28:28
- “When the wicked rise to power people go into hiding
Pray for godly leaders; pray for wicked leaders to be replaced.
- Pray for those in hiding — for provision and protection.
Psalm 119:107, 103 “I have suffered much; renew my life O Lord according to your Word.” “How sweet are your promises to my taste.
- Pray for renewed strength.
Psalm 119:109 “Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law.”
- Pray believers would count the cost and choose Adonai no matter what.
Acts 2:4 “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
- Pray believers would know they are filled with the Holy Spirit and exercise their gifts.
Psalm 119:46 “I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame.”
- Pray for opportunities to speak before leaders. Pray leaders would listen.
Psalms 119:19 “I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.”
- Pray for access to the Word.
Psalm 68:1 “May God arise; May his enemies be scattered; May his foes flee before him.”
- Pray confusion to the enemy.
Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked man flees when no man pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
- Pray For boldness in witnessing.
- Pray enemies of God would run away from pursuing believers.
Psalm 119:105 “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path
- Pray for continual guidance by the Holy Spirit. May they see far off to formulate strategies; May they see clearly where they are walking so not to stumble.
Psalm 149:6. “May the praise of God be in our mouths “
- May believers have a spirit of joy and praise and thanksgiving.
Again, we want to lift these persecuted witnesses to the Lord:
- Leah Sharibu, a prisoner of Boko Haram since 2018, pray for her release.
- Alice Loksha Ngaddah, kidnapped February 2019. She is a mother of two, working as a nurse for UNICEF. Pray for her release.
- Pray For Pastor Wang Yi to be released from prison.
- Pray for Anita to make an easy transition into her new culture and that the Lord will be gracious in bringing her family members where they too will be able to freely worship our Lord without fear..
- For the release of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran, and his family as their persecution continues. Pastor Nadarkhani is serving the second year of his six-year sentence, recently reduced from ten years.
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)
Valerie Creekmore, 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.
The Lord’s servant,
Nadia Dybvik, Persecution Watch Prayer Conference Call Leader
Persecution Watch: Praying for Believers in Burkina Faso
(Voice of the Persecuted) You are invited to join us on Thursday, December 15, 2022 in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.
BURKINA FASO: Population: 121.5 million, Christians about 5.1 million
Burkina Faso’s army said on October 3rd, 2022, it had ousted President Roch Kabore, suspended the constitution, dissolved the government and the national assembly, and closed the country’s borders. The announcement cited the deterioration of the security situation and what the army described as Kabore’s inability to unite the West African nation and effectively respond to challenges, which include an Islamist insurgency.
Burkina Faso has seen a sharp rise in Islamist activity since 2016. Jihadist violence has been rapidly increasing in recent years, and extremists have exploited the government’s weakness during the COVID-19 crisis to gain control of the country’s infrastructure. Militants linked to the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS) and al-Qaida, who had been largely contained in neighboring Mali and Niger, have crossed porous borders in the north to broaden their influence in the Sahel region. Christians have been a primary target of the Islamists’ campaign since April 2019, when approximately 70 Christians were killed, and five churches were attacked. More than 200 churches have reportedly closed in northern and eastern Burkina Faso because of security issues and threat of attack. Islamist activity also has increased in the southwestern part of the country in 2022, with more attacks on churches and the murder of several pastors. As many as 10,000 Christians have fled their homes as a result of violence and threats against Christians throughout the country. More than 1.7 million people in total have been displaced by the conflict, adding to an already strained economy amid political uncertainty.
- Pray for wisdom for the military government as it seeks to bring an end to Burkina Faso’s insecurity.
- Pray that the Lord will be at work in the lives of traumatized believers to bring healing and comfort.
- Pray to the Lord that large churches can continue to operate openly in the capital.
- Pray to the Lord that He will hold His hand of protection over Christians living among Muslims in some villages and give them the freedom to practice their faith without fear.
- Pray to the Lord to protect the Christian minorities against attacks, which have increased dramatically in recent years, and today, – few Christians remain in the northern and southwestern parts of the country.
- Pray to the Lord for more French and Moore Bibles to be sent to the rural areas which are readily available in the capital.
- Pray to the Lord for more Bibles to be available in minority languages as most people would prefer a Bible in a local language such as Fulani.
- Pray for Oral Bible teachers as literacy is less than 35%.
- Pray to the Lord’s hand of protection over the Christians who distribute Bibles which is difficult because of security issues in the countryside.
- Pray to the Lord for protection and guidance to the believers who boldly share their faith in a dangerous environment.
- Pray for the NGO’s who are supporting the families of pastors martyred by terrorist groups linked to al-Qaida and ISIS. NGOs are also providing aid to numerous displaced Christians who have fled recurring attacks in the northern part of the country.
- Pray for the Muslim background believers to remain strong in faith and to be able to find fellowship as they are most vulnerable to persecution from radical Muslims.
- Pray that the Lord will appear to many Muslims in their dreams and lead them to believers who can give them the Good News.
- Pray that the persecuted can forgive and love their persecutors.
- Pray for the believers to sense God’s presence and be anchored in God’s word.
- Pray to the Lord that He will strengthen the government to take control of the extremists, so that the church will be able to expand and grow to do a mighty work in His name.
Again, we want to lift these persecuted witnesses to the Lord:
- Leah Sharibu, a prisoner of Boko Haram since 2018, pray for her release.
- Alice Loksha Ngaddah, kidnapped February 2019. She is a mother of two, working as a nurse for UNICEF. Pray for her release.
- Pray For Pastor Wang Yi to be released from prison.
- Pray for Anita to make an easy transition into her new culture and that the Lord will be gracious in bringing her family members to Canada.
- For the release of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran, and his family as their persecution continues. Pastor Nadarkhani is serving the second year of his six-year sentence, recently reduced from ten years.
- 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.
Persecution Watch: Praying for Afghanistan
(Voice of the Persecuted) You are invited to join us on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.
Afghanistan: officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Population: 38 million, Christians in the thousands
Ethnic groups: 42% Pashtun, 27% Tajik, 31% 5+ other groups
GDP Per capita: $500 (2018 estimate, so probably much less now.)
At least 244,000 Afghans have been displaced since the US Military has left; 80 per cent are women and children.
Christians who remain in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover last summer routinely face persecution and torture from the Taliban government. Taliban denies Christians exist in the country.
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
- Maybe someone will accuse you of something that you have not even done, but they so fear for their own lives that they must give the Taliban something. So, it’s a country ruled by fear now – pray against the spirit of fear.
- Reversal of progress for women – Girls’ schools remain closed-Pray for a change of heart for the Taliban government to see girls and women as equal contributors to the economy and society.
- Please pray for the religious minorities, especially secret believers who live in fear of being discovered. May the Lord be close to them, provide for their needs with food, medicine, and timely help, and protect them from harm.
- It has been a year since the withdrawal of the US forces from Afghanistan. To this day, Christian minorities live in deep fear and face violent persecution. Pray for the safety and protection of believers from being discovered.
- Drug addiction has become worse under the Taliban government. Pray for healing and restoration for many who are under the clutches of drug abuse.
- Many people are forcibly evicted from their homes in various provinces if they are perceived to support the former government. Please pray for the families who have to leave everything behind as they flee to safety.
- Some women are already being kidnapped and forced into marriage. The boys are at risk too-the Taliban may recruit them. Pray for Afghanistan parents to have wisdom, and God protect the children.
- Pray that the Lord will blind the radical Muslims and Jihadists, confuse them, distract them, frustrate them in their quest to hunt down Christians.
- Pray for the safety of Muslim background believers who are under tremendous pressure, that the Lord will give them wisdom to deflect questions like ‘why did you miss prayers?’, ‘we don’t see you in the mosque’.
- Pray for the Lord to comfort, console and have His hand on the young Christian girls and women who were kidnapped and were forced into marrying Muslims.
- Pray for protection of teenagers and men from being forced into the Taliban military.
- Pray for the Christian refugees who are trying to restart their lives in a strange country and culture.
- Pray for the refugees who live in tent cities so that they can stay warm in the coming winter month.
- Pray that the Lord will put His hedge of protection around those Christians who stayed behind and must hide their faith. Pray that these Christians will connect with other believers for fellowship and encouragement.
- Pray to the Lord for protection and provision for Christians who are witnessing to Muslims.
- Pray to the Lord that He will give wisdom and discernment to those who want to return to Afghanistan to His witnesses.
- Pray to the Lord that Christians will forgive and love their persecutors.
- Pray for the NGOs working to equip and encourage Afghan Christians and that the Lord will show them creative ways to distribute aid and support.
- Pray that the gates of hell will be closed and that in due time the Lord will let His believers plant churches all over Afghanistan.
Again, we want to lift these persecuted witnesses to the Lord:
- Leah Sharibu, a prisoner of Boko Haram since 2018, pray for her release.
- Alice Loksha Ngaddah, kidnapped February 2019. She is a mother of two, working as a nurse for UNICEF. Pray for her release.
- Pray For Pastor Wang Yi to be released from prison.
- Pray for Anita to make an easy transition into her new culture and that the Lord will be gracious in bringing her family members to Canada.
- For the release of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran, and his family as their persecution continues. Pastor Nadarkhani is serving the second year of his six-year sentence, recently reduced from ten years.
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)
Michael Laird, 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 