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Persecution Watch: Girls Cling to Faith in Captivity
3/16/2021 (Voice of the Persecuted) and Persecution Watch invite you to join us Tuesday, March 16 in a prayer conference call for the persecuted Church.
Dear Prayer Warriors, mass kidnappings of girls in Nigeria have been making global headlines recently which has been hard to watch for Naomi, a young woman who was abducted in an infamous Boko Haram attack on a school in Chibok, Nigeria.
Nigeria kidnappings: The Chibok captive who defied Boko Haram
During the three years she spent with Boko Haram, Naomi refused to bow down to pressure to marry one of their fighters or convert to Islam. Instead, she and another classmate wrote secret diaries in textbooks they were given to write Islamic verses. She kept them hidden in a makeshift pouch tied to her leg.
The Militants pressured other girls to marry them by withholding food. Naomi and some of her friends smuggled food to them.
They also sang hymns in front of their guards, quietly at first, then more boldly. Most of the kidnapped students were Christians. They wrote down their favorite Bible verses and prayers in their diaries. Please read the full BBC article here.
Women and girls are subjected to this horrible crime across the world and is on our hearts to pray for these dear ones of faith.
“12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” Ephesians 6:12-19
We will continue to pray for:

Nadia and Butch Dybvik
- Pray for Leah Sharibu and Alice that they will be set free from Boko Haram captivity.
Leah Sharibu was kidnapped along with 109 other students on February 19, 2018 when Boko Haram attacked a boarding school in the city of Dapchi, Maiduguri Diocese, in north-eastern Nigeria. A month later, some of the girls died in captivity and all the others were released, except Leah. She was the only Christian in the group.
Alice Loksha Ngaddah was kidnapped during the Rann attack on March 1, 2018.
She was a nurse working with Unicef and is a mother of two. She was a nurse working with Unicef and is a mother of two.
- Pray for Pastor Wang Yi to be released from prison, for his family, the children, and the church in China.
On December 28, the police raided the Early Rain Church and arrested Pastor Wang Yi, his wife Jiang Rong, and ten elders of the well-known 750-member church for holding “illegal” services. Some 100 believers were detained, questioned, and later released. Pastor Wang’s wife was also released. Pastor Wang remained in detention.
- Pray for Anita, an Iranian Christian, persecuted by the Islamic regime seeking asylum.
- Pray or 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. Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani converted to Christianity at the age of 19 and leads a 400-member house church in Rasht, Iran. Since 2006, Iranian authorities have consistently harassed and detained Pastor Nadarkhani and his family. In 2010, the authorities sentenced him to death for apostasy before acquitting him in 2012. Pastor Nadarkhani was tried again in 2017 on false charges of “acting against national security” and promoting “Zionist Christianity,” for which he was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. By July 2018, plainclothes agents raided Pastor Nadarkhani’s home to execute the sentence, beating and apprehending him and using a taser gun on one of his sons. He is now incarcerated at the notorious Evin prison near Tehran.
- Pray for the harvest
“2 And he said to them, “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.” Luke 10:2
In the love of Christ,
Nadia Dybvik, Persecution Watch Prayer Conference Call Leader
Prayer Conference Call Details
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
From any location on your phone
Time:
9:00 PM Eastern
8:00 PM Central
7:00 PM Mountain
6:00 PM Pacific
Call in number: 712 775-7035
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 (please check your time zone). Blaine also served as Prayer Director for Voice of the Persecuted and our missions became one. The prayer mission of Persecution Watch is an important part of our own.
With the passing of Blaine into glory on December 26, 2019, Voice of the Persecuted is committed to continue the prayer conference call for the persecuted along with our dedicated prayer warrior team.
On occasion, persecuted brothers and sisters have been invited on the call to share the trials they’re 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’re new to the call and can’t 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!
NOTE: Persecution Watch has a new email address for the prayer team and those who would like to receive urgent prayer requests, weekly call prayer points and notification of special prayer events and special guest speakers.
Please fill out the form below to be included in our new distribution list to receive this important information. We are grateful for your prayers and to the Lord for guiding us as we continue the Persecution Watch prayer call mission.
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.
Pray through the Word of God – Part 2
3/6/2021 (Voice of the Persecuted) and Persecution Watch invite you to join us Saturday, March 6, 2021 in a prayer conference call for the Persecuted Church.
Comfort, Encouragement and Hope for the oppressed
Part 2
Praise: Psalm 100
“16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
* Pray for the church to have a clear perspective of eternity
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13
“Because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.” Psalm 16:10
* Pray have a sure hope in the resurrection
“The faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel” Colossians 1:5
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4
* Pray for visions and dreams of heaven and be encouraged by these words
Mans’ Comfort:
“And many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.” John 11:19
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
* Pray brothers and sisters would encourage one another
“All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.” Job 42:11
* Pray men will give to them necessities as needed and as ability
* Repent for any ungodly words or actions toward other Christians
“I have heard many things like these; you are miserable comforters, all of you!” Job 16:2
“So how can you console me with your nonsense? Nothing is left of your answers but falsehood!” Job 21:34
“The idols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.” Zechariah 10:2
* Pray church not have wrong comforters or turn to bad TV shows, video games..
* Pray for good comforters
“He ordered the people living in Jerusalem to give the portion due the priests and Levites so they could devote themselves to the Law of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 31:4
“Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Deuteronomy 25:4
“For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” 1 Timothy 5:18
“If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?” 1 Corinthians 9:11
* Pray for provision for the various ministries
“All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said, “I will continue to mourn until I join my son in the grave.” So his father wept for him.” Genesis 37:35
“This is what the Lord says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” Jeremiah 31:15
“A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” Matthew 2:18
* Pray that those who mourn would not refuse to be comforted and discourage others
“David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6
* Pray people would be able to encourage themselves in the Lord his God
More of God’s promises:
“5Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 Those who go out weeping,carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” Psalm 126:5-6
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
* Pray ministries, evangelists, missionaries be encouraged, persevere and have joy, joy, joy
“11 As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit. 12 Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope;even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.” Zechariah 9:11-12
* Pray set prisoners free
* Ministries will be doubled, multiplied.
* Restore what the worms have eaten
Much hope in the Psalms (some examples):
31:24, 33:18, 33:22,38:15, 42:5, 71:14, 130:7
We will also continue to pray for:
Leah Sharibu and Alice – Nigeria
Pastor Wang Yi – China
Pastor Youcef Nadarkani- Iran
Anita – Iran
Valerie, Persecution Watch Prayer Call Moderator
Prayer Conference Call Details
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
From any location on your phone
Time:
9:00 PM Eastern
8:00 PM Central
7:00 PM Mountain
6:00 PM Pacific
Call in number: 712 775-7035
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 (please check your time zone). Blaine also served as Prayer Director for Voice of the Persecuted and our missions became one. The prayer mission of Persecution Watch is an important part of our own.
With the passing of Blaine into glory on December 26, 2019, Voice of the Persecuted is committed to continue the prayer conference call for the persecuted along with our dedicated prayer warrior team.
On occasion, persecuted brothers and sisters have been invited on the call to share the trials they’re 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’re new to the call and can’t 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!
NOTE: Persecution Watch has a new email address for the prayer team and those who would like to receive urgent prayer requests, weekly call prayer points and notification of special prayer events and special guest speakers.
Please fill out the form below to be included in our new distribution list to receive this important information. We are grateful for your prayers and to the Lord for guiding us as we continue the Persecution Watch prayer call mission.
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.
Pray through the Word of God – Part 1
February 27, 2021 Dear Prayer Warriors, (Voice of the Persecuted) and Persecution Watch invite you to join us on Saturday, February 27, 2021 in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church.
Pray through the Word of God
1. Praise – Psalm 96
2. Comfort, encouragement and hope for the persecuted church.
Part 1
Isaiah 51:12
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
– Pray that persecuted that they will feel God’s comfort.
The Holy Spirit is their Comforter
John 14:16-17
John 15:26
– Pray that the Holy Spirit will lead them/us into all truth; not to be deceived.
– Pray to be given dreams and visions to encourage (visions of heavens, and
whatever else they need).
– Pray for gift of the Holy Spirit operate in believers; comfort ministry with signs
and wonders.
Acts 9:31 Church encouraged by divine deliverances after Paul was let down and
rescued.
Acts 12. Peter miraculously released from prison.
Psalm 86:17
– Pray for many divine deliverances that church may be encouraged.
2 Thessalonians 2:17
– Pray the church may be strengthened in Words and Work.
Psalm 119:49-50
Psalm 119:74
– Pray the church would have access to the Word, be able to recall, memorize and
believe it.
Psalm 119:43
– Pray the the persecuted church will trust God’s judgments
Philips 2:1
1 Corinthians 13 ‘Love never fails’
Psalm 119:76
– Pray for the persecuted will feel His unfailing and limitless and powerful love.
Isahia 61:3
Matthew 5:4
– Pray for those whose loved ones have been murdered by persecutors
– Pray for women who have been violated
– Pray for women forced to merry Muslims, who are treated like slaves not wive
Much hope in the Psalms:
Ps. 31:24
Ps. 33:18
Ps. 33:22
Ps. 38:15
Ps. 42:5
Ps. 71:14
Ps.130:7
Ps. 146:5
– Pray as lead by the Holy Spirit
Proverbs 13:12
– Pray for Adonai to act quickly
Romans 5:2-5
Romans 12:12
Romans 15:13
– Help church to rejoice in sufferings
– Help church to persevere
– Fill persecuted believers with peace.
We will also continue to pray for,
Leah Sharibu and Alice – Nigeria
Pastor Wang Yi – China
Pastor Youcef Nadarkani- Iran
Anita – Iran
Valerie, Persecution Watch Prayer Call Moderator
Prayer Conference Call Details
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
From any location on your phone
Time:
9:00 PM Eastern
8:00 PM Central
7:00 PM Mountain
6:00 PM Pacific
Call in number: 712 775-7035
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 (please check your time zone). Blaine also served as Prayer Director for Voice of the Persecuted and our missions became one. The prayer mission of Persecution Watch is an important part of our own.
With the passing of Blaine into glory on December 26, 2019, Voice of the Persecuted is committed to continue the prayer conference call for the persecuted along with our dedicated prayer warrior team.
On occasion, persecuted brothers and sisters have been invited on the call to share the trials they’re 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’re new to the call and can’t 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!
NOTE: Persecution Watch has a new email address for the prayer team and those who would like to receive urgent prayer requests, weekly call prayer points and notification of special prayer events and special guest speakers.
Please fill out the form below to be included in our new distribution list to receive this important information. We are grateful for your prayers and to the Lord for guiding us as we continue the Persecution Watch prayer call mission.
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.
May we be in Thanksgiving, every day

Happy Thanksgiving
Inspiring Bible Verses for Thanksgiving
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.
Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High,
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
Scripture Quotes on Being Thankful
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.
What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me?
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
What the Bible Says About Giving Thanks
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
What is your favorite Bible verse for Thanksgiving? Share it in the comments below and encourage others in our community!
To all our brothers and sisters, we thank God for you! May the Lord provide all your needs, strengthen, bless and keep you.
The Voice of the Persecuted (VOP) and Persecution Watch Teams
Survey reveals Bible is the most widely read book in the Philippines
Christian News – Be encouraged! The Bible was by far the most read book in 2017 in the Philippines. This is stated in a recent survey by the National Book Development Board, a government body. According to the results of the survey, examined by Agenzia Fides, despite the growing secularization in the country with a large Catholic majority, 72% of the population still reads the Sacred Scripture.
Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon, who for years presided over the Episcopal Commission for the biblical apostolate, welcomed the results of the survey and told Fides that “it is good news that the Bible remains a very read book in our country”. The Bishop reports that “in the last 10 years 10 million copies of the Bible have been distributed to the Filipino families”.
“Despite the frequent use of social media and modern means, Filipinos do not forget to read the Bible as a source of comfort and inspiration to face the challenges of the present: not only Catholics, but also the faithful of other Christian denominations read the Bible to start their day”, says to Fides Jayson Marco Caesar Leones, assistant at the Centro Escolar of Manila University.
“I remember a song that speaks of the importance of reading the Bible and says: take the Bible, open it, read it, understand it, it is the source of our hope, the Filipinos, known to be resilient in times of calamity and disaster, by reading and listening to the Word of God in the Holy Scriptures, gain strength and courage to be ready to face the storms of life”, says Leones, a Catholic layman.
The National Book Development Board had already promoted a similar survey in 2012 and at the time 58% of those interviewed said that the Bible was the most read book. The Philippines has a population of 110 million, 80% Catholics, divided into 86 dioceses. (Agenzia Fides)
Watch and Hear The Gospel of Matthew!
Have you ever read the Gospel according the Matthew straight through in one sitting? … Do you ever spend hours watching television shows? In 1993, Christian filmmakers set out to make a Jesus film which would be Word-for-Word the Gospel. What emerged was a presentation of Jesus in exultant joy (Hebrews 1:9) and deep passion – a Man who was God on His knees in the sand, weeping over people’s pain, reaching His healing hand into their broken lives; a Man who restrained all the power of the universe and allowed His blood to fall to the ground…for you. The year is about 62 A.D., and the aging apostle Matthew recalls the remarkable events he witnessed as a young man. As his story unfolds, the centuries melt away and we are intimately involved in the life of Jesus. The mystery and the wonder of His birth—His baptism and temptation in the wilderness—The compassion and hope of the Sermon on the Mount. Walk with Jesus through Galilee as He calls His disciples, performs miracles, and begins teaching His world-changing message of love and redemption. This deeply moving presentation is a unique word-for-word presentation in the NIV. The movie is over 4 hours long. Watch it in segments if your unable to view it all.
You probably don’t need to hear reasons that it’s important to read the Bible. You know it is. But you might need some motivation. We hope this will encourage you to open your Bible and take up reading it again. While watching, pause the movie and read the Gospel of Matthew in your Bible. Experience God’s Word afresh, and His promises for you anew. HE loves you!