VOICE OF THE PERSECUTED

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LIBYA COURT SENTENCES 23 TO DEATH FOR ISLAMIC STATE CAMPAIGN

A Libyan court sentenced 23 people to death and another 14 to life in prison on Monday for their role in a deadly Islamic State militant campaign that included beheading a group of Egyptian Christians and seizing the city of Sirte in 2015. Read more

Persecution Watch: Praying for Believers in Mozambique

(Voice of the Persecuted) You are invited to join us on Thursday, June 1, 2023, in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.

Mozambique: Population: 33 million, Christians 18.6 million

Christians face persecution from the growing presence of Islamic militants, particularly in the northern region of Cabo Delgado, where insurgents such as the Islamist group al-Sunnah wa Jama’ah (affiliated with so-called Islamic State), and fighters with links to Somali group al-Shabaab, are enforcing a reign of terror. They have burned down churches and schools and tens of thousands of people have fled from the northern part of the country. People either stay in the region under daily threats of abduction, or they flee their homes and communities and fend for themselves. Hundreds of thousands of people are now living in camps for internally displaced people. Many are traumatized by the violence, and those who are forced into marriage, or the militia are often plagued by shame or stigma. 

In other parts of the country, Christians who convert from Islam or traditional African religions often face pressure from their families to renounce their faith. Many Muslim families living in Mozambique force suspected female converts to marry a Muslim man to keep them away from Christian activities. Married women face divorce if they convert to Christianity. In some cases, they lose custody of their children and may be denied their due inheritance.

In some areas, drug cartels persecute Christians and target church youth workers in particular. Tensions in the country are exacerbated by government restrictions on freedom of religion, such as bans on all religious influence in public educational institutions and cumbersome registration requirements for religious groups.

One story of persecution by Al Shabaab: “What happened there is those evil people came and destroyed us,” says Lorena (name changed) of the day when al-Shabaab militants attacked her community. “They put us in poverty, now we have nothing… They hung us out to dry. We had things, but when they arrived, they destroyed and burned them and left us in poverty. The entire village was caught off guard when the insurgents struck. The men were out fishing, and the women and children were in the village going about their chores. “We heard that al-Shabaab were coming. So, we left our village and fled to our fields. But our husbands were out fishing, they captured them when they came to shore.”

The militants killed all the men, forcing the women and children to witness their brutal attack. The survivors fled the village, losing their homes, community, and livelihoods alongside their loved ones.

Lorena is still traumatized by the attack. “When I remember what happened, I cry and tears come because I lost many things,” she says. But her faith in God remains. “In no one else I trust, only in God and Jesus Christ. Because He did not leave me.”

In short, yes. In 2021, Mozambique entered the World Watch List top 50, and persecution has continued to worsen. This year, Mozambique has risen nine places on the World Watch List, reflecting the mounting pressure on Christians, particularly in the northern part of the country where jihadists operate.

Violence in the north has become more widespread and brutal, with Christians being particularly targeted. The northern province of Cabo Delgado is now in the grips of Islamist insurgents who have killed between 2,500 and 3,300 people in the area. Around 800,000 people have been displaced in an attempt to escape the violence.

  • Please pray to God that He will convict President Filipe Nyusi and his cabinet to become protectors of all citizens.
  • Pray for the Lord to protect and encourage the Christians, particularly in the Cabo Delgado province from Islamic insurgents.
  • Pray to the Lord to encourage and strengthen Christians as they try to cope with the brutal violence from radical Muslims and militant groups.
  • Pray to the Lord to wreck the plans of militant groups and radical Muslims to establish Muslim controlled regions within Mozambique.
  • Pray that churches and their pastors will minister, take in, believers who had to flee to save their lives.
  • Pray to the Lord for those children who have been abducted into forced marriages, and militant groups. Let them know Your love for them and intervene to give them freedom.
  • Pray to the Lord that His hand of protection is on women who are suspected to be Christians and are forced to marry Muslim men to prevent them from living their faith.
  • Pray for the families that have been displaced by Muslim violence to find shelter, food, water and security.
  • Pray for MBB Christians to be protected from family and community leaders trying to force them to renounce their Christian faith.
  • Pray for the persecuted believers who are at risk in reaching out to the lost, let them be a light in the darkness.
  • Pray for NGOs to reach out to the displaced and traumatized families with both physical and spiritual support. Pray for protection of NGO workers as they operate in a volatile environment.
  • Pray that the Lord will appear to many Muslims in their dreams and connect them with believers who can lead them to faith.
  • Pray to the Lord that will bind the forces of darkness and watch over His church to grow and multiply in spite of adversity.

Again, we want to lift-up 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
  • For Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran, as he and his family are adjusting from his release from prison, that they may know what God’s will is for them now. Pray for the trauma they had to endure. UPDATE: According to Article 18, once sentenced to death for his “apostasy” has been “pardoned” and released after nearly five years in Tehran’s Evin Prison, but told Nadarkhani that he still faces flogging (30 lashes) and two years’ exile 2,000km from his home. Read the report here
  • UPDATE (March 17, 2023): Ryan Kolher, a pilot for the U.S.-based ministry Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), and two of the ministry’s South African volunteers were released from a Mozambican prison Tuesday afternoon, the organization announced. The trio had been held at a high-security prison inside the southeastern African country for four months. Their release is a provisional one and they are required to remain in the country, while their case is still ongoing, according to MAF. Kolher is said to be “doing well” following his release and is with his wife, Annabel.  

The Harvest:

  • 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38

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#

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?

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 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.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SUDAN TODAY

An Opinion Editorial from 30+ years’ experience with Sudan and foreign policy ‘elites’ to help you knowledgeably pray and wage spiritual warfare.

by Faith McDonnell — Since mid-April there has been horrific fighting and violence in Sudan, centered in the capital city of Khartoum. This warfare has resulted in the deaths what has commonly been referred to as “hundreds” (maybe thousands by now), but which those on the ground who actually know what is happening call “streets littered with bodies.” Brad Philips of the Persecution Project, who has been doing ministry in Sudan for 30 years says there is the potential for this to become “another Rwanda.”

The fighting has been caused by the two self-appointed (but their leadership has been foolishly reinforced by the world community, including the UN, the US Admin, etc.) generals, vying for ultimate power. Both are evil, both are war criminals who have committed in genocide in Sudan — in Darfur, Nuba Mountains, Blue Nile State, what was once southern Sudan (now the country of South Sudan), and elsewhere. And both sides are supported by outside forces that want to take what they can from the country.  

The Two Fighting Generals:

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (I will refer to as Burhan) is the head of the Sudan Armed Forces, the official army of Sudan. He is part of the old guard, the National Congress Party (NCP) that ruled Sudan and committed genocide against the black, African Sudanese in once-southern Sudan and the Nuba Mountains. The NCP, formerly known as the National Islamic Front (NIF) has been a part of the Muslim Brotherhood for decades and has had the goal of creating an Islamic Arab Caliphate in Sudan. 

On the other side of the fight is General Mohamed Dagalo, known as “Hemeti.” Hemeti leads the Rapid Support Forces, an Islamist jihadist paramilitary group that was created by the Government of Sudan to assist the regular army in fighting in Darfur. They were also called the Janjawid meaning “devils on horseback.” The ultimate goal of the Janjawid under Hemeti and another Islamist leader called Musa Hilal – and why they have worked to purge Darfur of its black African indigenous people and replace them with outsiders from North Africa and the Middle East — is the Arab colonization of Africa. Hemeti appropriated Sudan’s gold to purchase additional Rapid Support Forces, Islamist mercenaries from Mali, Chad, Central African Republic, Libya, Niger, and Nigeria. 

The situation from the 2018 “Coup” onwards that led to the current situation

In 2018, after months of protest by brave Sudanese civilians who hit the streets, went on strike, and became targets of the Khartoum regime, the long and bloody reign of President Omar al-Bashir ended when the Sudan Army appeared to take the side of the people. They ousted Bashir and placed him under arrest in a military coup.

The truth is that Burhan is no different from President Omar al-Bashir that he “ousted”. The people of Sudan wanted a different government, with religious freedom and democracy. What they got in the military “coup” against Bashir was a different FACE for the same government and with the same ideology. 

The world community agreed to allow this military takeover, assuring the people of Sudan that it was “temporary,” and that it would soon be a government shared by the military and civilian leaders, and that before long it would be a completely civilian government, with free and fair elections and the whole dreamed-for freedom. That has never happened. 

The world community of foreign policy elites and governments squandered the opportunity that existed for true freedom to come to Sudan because of their:

  • disbelief in the concept of evil
  • moral equivalence, therefore, between the perpetrators of genocide and those who desire true freedom
  • unwillingness to choose sides and/or support those who really wanted change (not Change the Face) in Sudan
  • having a kind of faux idealism at best (or more nefarious purposes at worst) to think that two war criminals could bring about reform and democracy
  • having more respect for Arab Sudanese than African Sudanese

So Burhan was permitted to be Sudan’s military leader and Abdalla Hamdok, a good man with a lot of previous diplomatic experience, was designated as the civilian leader — the Prime Minister. Hemeti was placed under Burhan. The plan was for the Rapid Support Forces to be integrated fully into the regular Sudan Armed Forces. But as both men are narcissistic and egomaniacal, that was not going to happen.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hamdok really wanted to bring change to Sudan. He had plans for the eradication of Sharia, the equalization of Arabs and Africans that had not been seen in Sudan before, the desire to see GOOD military leaders like the head of the Nuba Mountains and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army North (SPLA-N), Commander Abdelaziz Adam Alhilu, be an integral part of the government in Sudan, and to end the corruption in the government. 

But the Islamists couldn’t let that happen! And the Islamists were backed by the foreign policy elites who continued to insist that democracy could come to Sudan through a completely inclusive, equitable, and diverse group. Peace brokers from both Sudan and the global community insisted on including jihadists, Muslim Brotherhood, Umma Party, Communists (yup, they’re in Sudan too) — the same groups that created the genocide, racism, and religious persecution that has identified Sudan — in any government going forward. So Prime Minister Hamdok remained pretty much a PM in title only, with no power to make these important changes. 

Another coup took place in 2021 to stop Hamdok from releasing evidence of the corruption in the government and how the elites were stealing and financially benefitting from the resources of Sudan. The Burhan regime was forced by outside peace brokers to accept Hamdok back into power, but he resigned in early 2022, probably fearing for his life! 

Sudan remained in a state of what the Sudanese people call “not war and not peace.” It has been pretty beneficial for the Nuba Mountains, where last year the Rt. Reverend Andudu Adam Elnail, the Anglican bishop of Kadugli and Nuba Mountains declared that this was “the most religious freedom that the Nuba had experienced in the last 700 years!” The Church there has grown, with thousands and thousands coming to Jesus, being baptized, people set free from demonic oppression and possession, and new priests being appointed. 

And Now. . .

Even with the war in Khartoum and beyond, the Nuba Mountains remains, so far, not part of the conflict. Thanks in big part to the leadership and protection of Commander Abdelaziz and the SPLA-N, the Khartoum regime has not wanted to venture there and earlier peace treaties to stop the Sudan Armed Forces from bombing the Nuba Mountains have held pretty well. Therefore, there is, and will be, a big flux of refugees, displaced persons, fleeing from Khartoum and wherever the fighting is, to the Nuba Mountains. The Nuba are working to receive these refugees, and ministries such as The Persecution Project are increasing their support with food, medical supplies, and other needs. 

Also in Eastern Sudan, Port Sudan and the surrounding area, things remain calm. Many of those fleeing are fleeing to Port Sudan and getting on board ships to Jeddah, for example. This may because Port Sudan is under the strong control of the Beja, the indigenous people of Eastern Sudan. The Beja are fierce and freedom loving. They have been known to shut down the port at Port Sudan in protest to the Khartoum rgime, causing the regime millions of dollars a day loss. Again, so far, the fighting has not affected them. 

Darfur, on the other hand, has continued to experience horrific bloodshed. That never seemed to stop in these years following the ouster of Omar al-Bashir. All parts of Darfur are affected, as are the Darfurian refugee camps in Chad. Many Darfuri have lived in these refugee camps or in displacement camps inside Darfur for 20 years! And now, with the fighting between Burhan and Hemeti, the Darfurians have been attacked by both sides, and the camps in Chad have also been attacked. Hundreds have been killed and displacement camps totally destroyed in El Geneina in West Darfur. 

Those on the ground say that El Geneina is far worse than Khartoum. Khartoum is bad, but it is getting all of the attention, and therefore, the help. That suits both generals fine, because they would like to exterminate the Masalit ethnic group of Darfur. Reports now say that Geneina has no food or water. The Rapid Support Forces took out one of the two generators that supply power, and destroyed the crops.  

The Evacuation:

Millions are fleeing. Foreigners in Khartoum and throughout Sudan have had better opportunity to leave than the Sudanese. In particular, the British, French, Indians, and even the CCP have evacuated their nationals well. The US evacuated its Embassy personnel right away but did not immediately help the 16,000 US citizens still in Sudan. They said that there had been “travel warnings” about Sudan for months and that anyone in Sudan would have to find their own way out. But travel warnings don’t help when you are already living in country. 

We feared it was going to be Afghanistan all over again. But then the US began helping to evacuate other US citizens. The dual citizenship Americans (i.e. born in Sudan, naturalized American citizens) seem to be the USG’s lowest priority, which is very alarming because they are the most at risk from both of the warring factions. 

There have been miracles, though, for which to praise God in the escape and rescue of some of the people fleeing from Khartoum. Such a miracle story was of a missionary couple to unreached people and their big family of children. Through a series of miracles, the Lord brought them safely out of their neighborhood, which was close to the fighting; to Port Sudan; to finally being able to acquire the needed documentation for safe travel to out of Sudan. I am sure that we will discover many more such miracle stories when the dust settles. 

A final point. The people of Sudan, the civilians who worked so hard to get Bashir out, hate both of these evil leaders. They do not want either one of them to have control of Sudan. And in truth, a Sudan that continues to be led by either one would horrible for civilians in general, and for Christians in particular. Our hope and our help is in the Name of the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth, the One who has shown favor and mercy to raise up His Church in Sudan once again, the One who promised in Isaiah 18 that a day is coming when:

a tribute will brought to the Lord of Hosts:

from a people tall and smooth,

from a people feared far and near,

a nation mighty and conquering,

whose land the rivers divide,

to Mount Zion, the place of the name of the Lord of Hosts.

Here are some prayer requests for Sudan on a PDF that can be printed out and shared. Please feel free to add your prayers in the comment section here.

Below are some resources for further information:

The website, Pax Dei for Nuba, the ministry of Rt. Reverend Andudu Adam Elnail, the Bishop of Kadugli and Nuba Mountains.

There is a link to The Persecution Project in the article, but here are two interviews with Brad Phillips, the founder, on the Jason Jones Show podcast:
The Jason Jones Show: What in the world is happening in Sudan with Brad Phillips, Persecution Project Foundation on Apple Podcasts
 
The Jason Jones Show: The Mystical Body of Christ, Sea of Suffering in Sudan with Brad Phillips on Apple Podcasts

Persecution Watch: Praying for Believers in Mozambique

(Voice of the Persecuted) You are invited to join us on Thursday, May 11, 2023, in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.

Mozambique: Population 32.3 million, Christians: 17.4 (54%)

Attacks from Islamic extremists and the presence of drug cartels in some areas have all contributed to increasing persecution in Mozambique. Christians face extreme violence in the northern part of the country. Christians have been forced to flee their homes. Islamic extremists have looted and destroyed many Christian places of worship, Christian schools and businesses owned by Christians. Christian aid workers were also targeted. Because of this, it is difficult for Christians to gather—either inside or outside of churches—and it can be risky for believers to speak against persecution.

In the northern part of the country where Muslims are the majority, converts face extreme pressure to renounce their faith. If they refuse, they will usually be shunned. In April last year, a jihadist group with possible ties to Islamic State killed 52 people, burned down churches and institutions and attacked villages.

Churches in Africa have seen members beheaded, buildings reduced to ashes, and tens of thousands displaced. This terror is due to Islamic extremists, some reports say 15 people were beheaded in a single week by militants. 52 young people were killed during this year’s Holy Week after refusing to join the Islamic group.

Prayer Points

  • Pray for the Government, President Filipe Byusi to take decisive action to uproot and remove radical Muslims.
  • Pray for more protection and that the current strain of Islamic extremists will be squelched before they grow and expand, potentially causing greater violence and persecution across the nation.
  • Pray for Christians who lost loved ones and survived the jihadist attacks in Mozambique’s northern region. Ask God to give them comfort, peace and the power to forgive their persecutors.
  • Pray for NGO’s as they work to provide more than relief aid to their traumatized community members and fellow believers with trauma counseling and pastoral training.
  • Pray that the Lord will confuse and discourage Muslim kidnappers. Pray that the Lord will keep adolescent girls and boys safe from the sex trade.
  • Pray for wisdom and discernment for pastors and church leaders, as they shepherd their people and train them to be prepared for any potential persecution—so they will be ready to stand strong.
  • Pray that the many Christian converts from Islam are protected will grow in knowledge and faith. That they find it easy to fellowship with other believers.
  • Ask God to give believers many opportunities to share the gospel. Pray for open doors and divine appointments.
  • Pray that the Internet has powerful messages that resonate and convict Muslims as well as communications that guide and edify Christians.
  • Pray to the Lord for the rebuilding of churches that were destroyed by Muslim extremists.
  • Pray that they get to know that we are praying for them and that they will experience God’s comfort.
  • Pray for the Lord to strengthen the Church in Mozambique and to give the Church unity in the face of Islamic extremist threats. Ask God to give them the courage to keep meeting and keep growing in their faith.
  • Mozambique is one of the poorest nations on Earth – decades of Marxism, then civil war, long-term drought, and crippling debt.  Pray that believers find ways to support themselves.
  • Legal freedom of religion is new.  Pray for God’s protection on liberty!
  • According to Operation World, 80% of pastors/church leaders have little training, and many are functionally illiterate.  Pray for more leadership training in the Body of Christ.

Praise Points:

  • Mozambican Civil War (1977–1992) between Marxists and all others finally ended.
  • Christian churches grew tremendously after the war.  The number of believers tripled from 1985 to 2010.

Again, we want to lift-up 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
  • For Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran, as he and his family are adjusting from his release from prison, that they may know what God’s will is for them now. Pray for the trauma they had to endure. UPDATE: According to Article 18, once sentenced to death for his “apostasy” has been “pardoned” and released after nearly five years in Tehran’s Evin Prison, but told Nadarkhani that he still faces flogging (30 lashes) and two years’ exile 2,000km from his home. Read the report here
  • UPDATE (March 17, 2023): Ryan Koher, a pilot for the U.S.-based ministry Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), and two of the ministry’s South African volunteers were released from a Mozambican prison Tuesday afternoon, the organization announced. The trio had been held at a high-security prison inside the southeastern African country for four months. Their release is a provisional one and they are required to remain in the country, while their case is still ongoing, according to MAF. Koher is said to be “doing well” following his release and has spoken multiple times with his wife, Annabel, and his two sons since his release, the ministry said. Source

The Harvest

  • 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38

Join us on the prayer conference call, as we ask the Holy Spirit to lead our prayers.

Michel 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#

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 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 data network 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 both 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 was 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 muted. 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 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.

Special Guests to share on Prayer Conference Call for Sudan

(Voice of the Persecuted) Please join us on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 on the Persecution Watch Prayer Conference Call as we welcome our special guests, Mariam Ibraheem and Faith McDonnell.

Mariam Ibraheem, a Christian who was imprisoned and given the death sentence by the Sudanese government for not renouncing her faith in Christ. Following an international outcry and the prayers of many, the Lord answered and led the way to her release. Mariam is now living in the U.S. and advocates for the persecuted church. Read Mariam’s story from life under Islamic law, through imprisonment and childbirth while shackled, to her remarkable escape from death in her book, Shackled.

Faith McDonnell is the KGI Global Advocacy Director, writes and speaks on the global Persecuted Church, & general human rights. She was part of the coalition to draft and pass the Sudan Peace Act 2002. She defends persecuted Christians and other persecuted believers in North Korea, throughout the Middle East, Nigeria, China, Pakistan, Sudan, and South Sudan, etc. She is very knowledgeable of what happens in Sudan. We are grateful to have her share and pray with us on this call.

There will be a short time allowed for those calling in to ask questions.

Below you will find video report recently shared on CBN News.

Dear Prayer Warriors, I was reminded of the prayer points and requests of our dear Brother Blaine Scogin, the Founder of Persecution Watch.

“Let us pray, this day, that God will give our persecuted family the grace to endure their sufferings.  Just as God told Paul “My grace is all you need. For my power works best in weakness.” So may our persecuted family find much grace amid their sufferings so that the power of Jesus will work through them.  May we also find that God’s grace is all we need during our sufferings. For his power works best in our own weakness.”

Join us on the call as we hear, learn, and pray for Sudan. 

Please remember to keep these persecuted witnesses in your prayers:   

  • 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.
  • For Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran, as he and his family are adjusting from his release from prison, that they may know what God’s will is for them now. Pray for the trauma they had to endure. UPDATE: According to Article 18, once sentenced to death for his “apostasy” has been “pardoned” and released after nearly five years in Tehran’s Evin Prison, but told Nadarkhani that he still faces flogging (30 lashes) and two years’ exile 2,000km from his home. Read the report here.
  • UPDATE (March 17, 2023): Ryan Koher, a pilot for the U.S.-based ministry Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), and two of the ministry’s South African volunteers were released from a Mozambican prison Tuesday afternoon, the organization announced. The trio had been held at a high-security prison inside the southeastern African country for four months. Their release is a provisional one and they are required to remain in the country, while their case is still ongoing, according to MAF. Koher is said to be “doing well” following his release and has spoken multiple times with his wife, Annabel, and his two sons since his release, the ministry said. Source

The Harvest

  • 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38

Nadia Dybvik, Persecution Watch, Prayer Call Leader

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#

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 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 data network 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 both 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 was 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 muted. 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 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 Tanzania

(Voice of the Persecuted) You’re invited to join us on Saturday, May 6, 2023, in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.

I recently read a newsletter with a focus on Tanzania, a country I have not heard much about. 

In the 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom, the U.S. government estimates the total population at 62.1 million (midyear 2021). A 2020 Pew Forum survey estimates approximately 63 percent of the population identifies as Christian, 34 percent as Muslim, and 5 percent practicing other religions.

Some of Temistocris’ story from the newsletter:

Temistocris was attacked viciously with a machete while asleep during an all-night prayer meeting. The Holy Spirit told him to pick up a stone, which he did. Temistocris threw the stone at the man and knocked him down. 

While in the hospital, a stranger gave his wife some juice to give to him. Again, the Holy Spirit advised her not to. It was later discovered the juice was poisoned. 

Both he and his pastor had similar dreams which were not interpreted correctly. 

  • Pray for dreams and visions to alert the church to danger and know what to do. 

While in the hospital, a stranger gave his wife some juice to give to him. Again, the Holy Spirit advised her not to. It was later discovered the juice was poisoned. 

  • Pray for believers to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and hear voice clearly. 

Temistocris has seen his attackers and has forgiven them. 

  • Pray all Christians would be able to forgive their persecutors.

As a thank offering, Temistocris gave his land to the church. 

  • Pray believers would have thankful hearts; not given to complaining.

Front line workers helped move the family to another town and start a poultry business. Temistocris was unable to work at his previous job as a stone mason. He later bought a plot of land from its profits and built a new church on the property.

  • Pray for front line workers:
  • Their protection. 
  • Provision for those who need their help and able to connect with them.
  • Pray for boldness and courage in doing Kingdom work. 
  • Pray for ministries that help those who are persecuted.

Mathayo and Generosa: Generosa’s two sisters exhibited signs of demonic possession. They were delivered when a pastor prayed with them. They all became committed believers. 

  • Pray for these gifts to be manifest and many would place their faith in Messiah. 

 Mathayo was murdered, but Generosa and her family are committed to continuing the ministry.

  • Pray for perseverance. 

Pastor Charles was called to Zanzibar, an island in Tanzania and off the coast of the mainland. It is semi-autonomous and 99% Muslim. He shared,

They do not want any Christians at all. While preaching one evening, a Gunman entered the church. All left except the pastor who was standing at the pulpit. The gunman searched for him frantically but couldn’t see him. 

  • Pray that the Lord would do that many times all over the world; thank God for protecting whoever He wants.

Psalm 30:11 “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.”

  • Pray Adonai would turn depressed and wounded hearts into joy.

Again, we want to lift-up 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.
  • For Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran, as he and his family are adjusting from his release from prison, that they may know what God’s will is for them now. Pray for the trauma they had to endure. UPDATE: According to Article 18, once sentenced to death for his “apostasy” has been “pardoned” and released after nearly five years in Tehran’s Evin Prison, but told Nadarkhani that he still faces flogging (30 lashes) and two years’ exile 2,000km from his home. Read the report here.
  • UPDATE (March 17, 2023): Ryan Koher, a pilot for the U.S.-based ministry Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), and two of the ministry’s South African volunteers were released from a Mozambican prison Tuesday afternoon, the organization announced. The trio had been held at a high-security prison inside the southeastern African country for four months. Their release is a provisional one and they are required to remain in the country, while their case is still ongoing, according to MAF. Koher is said to be “doing well” following his release and has spoken multiple times with his wife, Annabel, and his two sons since his release, the ministry said. Source

The Harvest

  • 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38

On the National Day of Prayer, Thursday, the first scripture I read was Col. 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” 

  • Pray for an increase of prayer among believers.
  • Pray for thankful hearts.

 

Valerie Creekmore, Persecution Watch Prayer 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#

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?

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 Yemen

(Voice of the Persecuted) You’re invited to join us on Thursday, April 27, 2023, in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.

YEMEN: Population: 30.9 million, Christians: a few thousand.

It is extremely dangerous to be a Christian in Yemen, due to the country’s strict Islamic laws and the presence of militant Islamic groups.

The population is overwhelmingly Muslim and it is illegal to convert from Islam to Christianity. Yemen is strongly tribal and tribal law prohibits members of the tribe from leaving. Yemeni Christian converts are at great risk of being killed, not just ostracized or expelled, by their families, clans and tribes.

Yemen’s civil war began in 2014 when Houthi insurgents—Shiite rebels with links to Iran and a history of rising up against the Sunni government—took control of Yemen’s capital and largest city Following failed negotiations, the rebels seized the presidential palace in January 2015, leading President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his government to resign. Beginning in March 2015, a coalition of Gulf states led by Saudi Arabia launched a campaign of economic isolation and air strikes against the Houthi insurgents, with U.S. logistical and intelligence support.

Islamic extremist groups such as al-Qaeda and so-called Islamic State threaten so-called ‘apostates’ with death if they do not return to Islam. In other areas, including those controlled by Houthis, converts risk imprisonment. In detention centers, Christian detainees have reportedly suffered physical and mental torture.

Most believers from a Muslim background choose to practice their faith covertly. They cannot gather together, because of the growing fear that neighbors will report them to the local authorities. Displaying Christian symbols could lead directly to imprisonment, physical abuse or even execution.

All Yemenis are affected by the humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing civil war, but Yemeni Christians are additionally vulnerable since emergency relief is mostly distributed through local Muslims and mosques, which allegedly discriminate against all who are not considered to be devout Muslims. The influence of Islamic militants also adds to the already vulnerable position of indigenous Christians.

Who is most vulnerable to persecution? There is a strong al-Qaeda presence in the rural areas in the south, which makes it particularly dangerous for Christians. Converts from Islam to Christianity have also indicated that there is more pressure in the Shiite Houthi-controlled areas in the north than in areas under the control of the Sunni Hadi government.

 • Pray for the end of the civil war, pray for peace and stability and openness to religious freedom.


 • Pray for local fellowship meetings in secret throughout the country.


 • Pray that imprisoned believers will continue to find strength and encouragement in Christ.


 • Pray that the faith of persecuted Christians who leave the country will not be shaken.


 • Pray for the boldness, wisdom and protection of underground churches.


 • Pray to God for wisdom, discernment and protection and open doors for believers who boldly look for ways to share their faith.


 • Pray to God for all people in Yemen who are not fulfilled by Islam and are – seeking the truth that they will find it through satellite TV, dreams and chance encounters with believers.


 • Pray for good internet access as Bibles are difficult to obtain and dangerous for converts to own. For these reasons, many Yemeni believers access the Bible online.


 • Pray to God to protect the believers who are in prison for being unfaithful to Islam.


 • Pray that believers can forgive and love their persecutors.


 • Pray for NGOs who help Christians who are persecuted for their faith and supports Yemeni believers who reach out in their community. We also support various forms of media that make God’s Word more accessible inside Yemen and help Yemeni believers who had to flee and now live in nearby countries.


 • Pray that God will change the hearts of the Islamic extremists


 • Pray for the secret Christians in Yemen who live under constant threat of violence if discovered.

Again, we want to lift-up 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.
  • For Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran, as he and his family are adjusting from his release from prison, that they may know what God’s will is for them now. Pray for the trauma they had to endure. UPDATE: According to Article 18, once sentenced to death for his “apostasy” has been “pardoned” and released after nearly five years in Tehran’s Evin Prison, but told Nadarkhani that he still faces flogging (30 lashes) and two years’ exile 2,000km from his home. Read the report here
  • UPDATE (March 17, 2023): Ryan Koher, a pilot for the U.S.-based ministry Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), and two of the ministry’s South African volunteers were released from a Mozambican prison Tuesday afternoon, the organization announced. The trio had been held at a high-security prison inside the southeastern African country for four months. Their release is a provisional one and they are required to remain in the country, while their case is still ongoing, according to MAF. Koher is said to be “doing well” following his release and has spoken multiple times with his wife, Annabel, and his two sons since his release, the ministry said. Source

The Harvest

  • 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38

Andy, Persecution Watch Prayer 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#

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?

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.

Jihadists Bomb Christians’ Good Friday Service in Uganda

(Morning Star News) – Muslim extremists exploded a fuel bomb during a church’s Good Friday night service in western Uganda on April 7, sources said.

The explosion at NABI Pentecostal church in Biguli, Kamwenge District damaged part of the building, a parked car and several motorcycles, an area source said. Church security apprehended one of six suspects, Bwambale Sadadi of Kilembe quarters, Kamiba Ward, Kasese Municipality in Kasese District, and turned him over to police, the source said.

“The police interrogated Bwambale, 28, who  confessed that he carried out a jihad activity for jannah [paradise] in this holy month of Ramadan as a way of serving Allah and that he will reward him in paradise,” said the source, whose identity is withheld for security reasons.

Area Christians were shocked.

“While members were praying, there was a loud explosion of fire that caught part of the front church with the petrol explosion while the faithful were conducting a night prayer meeting,” the source said.

Church security and members intercepted the suspects’ vehicle, a red Bajaj Boxer motorcycle, he said.

“They were seriously pursued by the church security guard and other church members, but five other attackers managed to escape,” the source said. “Bwambale was caught by security personnel who contacted the police, who responded immediately and arrested him.”

Police were continuing to investigate as they sought the five other suspects.

The assault was the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda that Morning Star News has documented.

Uganda’s constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate one’s faith and convert from one faith to another. Muslims make up no more than 12 percent of Uganda’s population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country.

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