Pray For The Nations
Regular prayer news from the Interserve world
Myanmar pastor presumed dead returns home more than a year later
A pastor who was kidnapped and thought to have been dead for more than a year was reunited Monday with his family, according to a Christian mission organization. Myanmar Pastor Tun N., who allegedly refused to join the insurgent Arakan Army in their cause to overthrow
Coronavirus Searches Lead Millions to Hear About Jesus
Millions of worried people who have turned to Google with their anxiety over COVID-19 have ended up connecting with Christian evangelists in their search results—leading to a spike in online conversions in March. In the Philippines, a woman named Grace
Iran Releases a Third of Christian Prisoners Due to Coronavirus Concerns
Forced by the new coronavirus, Iran took the tiniest of steps to placate global advocacy for religious freedom. A temporary release of about 85,000 prisoners to curb the spread of COVID-19 disease included Ramiel Bet Tamraz, an Assyrian Christian serving a four-month sentence for
Iranians to be released from prison in droves as government fumbles to contain coronavirus
(Worthy News) – Iranian Christians are asking for prayer support as the Islamic Republic, in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus, has begun releasing huge crowds of prisoners that include persecuted Christians. Barnabus Fund reports that 70,000 people
‘Silent heroes’: Interactive TV show gives Christians in Iran platform to share testimonies
An interactive satellite television program is giving a platform to Iran’s “secret” Christians to share their stories of hope with the outside world as the underground church in the Islamic Republic continues to grow. For the last year-and-a-half, the global
Christian Charity Works to Restore Towns Destroyed by ISIS
An extensive program of restoration for Batnaya, Iraq was organized by Catholic charity, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). Batnaya was demolished by ISIS, who sought to erase the town’s Christian roots. According to Faithwire, “the terrorists defaced churches, decapitated
Israel to reopen Gaza border crossings, fishing zone as fragile calm returns
Military liaison to the Palestinians says move dependent on ceasefire holding after region erupted in two days of fighting this week Israel on Wednesday announced it would reopen its border crossings with the Gaza Strip, as well as the coastal
China Appoints New Hong Kong Chief Known for Christian Persecution
02/14/2020 Hong Kong/Macau (International Christian Concern) – In the midst of fighting the Coronavirus epidemic, China announced yesterday that it will put Xia Baolong, previously known for removing thousands of crosses from churches in Zhejiang province, in charge of the cabinet-level
‘It Was a Beautiful Moment’: North Korean Christian Woman Risks Everything to Be Baptized
A North Korean Christian woman escaped to China for the chance to live a better life and to be baptized. The woman, identified by Open Doors ministry as “Bon-Hwa,” fled the repressive country more than two years ago. With the help of
Christians in China Courageously Share Gospel in Coronavirus Crisis Zone
As if rallying around the apostles’ declaration that “We must serve God rather than men” (Acts 5:29), Christians continue to boldly share the Gospel in the streets of Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak. Witnesses who share their
Three Christian Teachers Murdered in Kenya
25 Killed by Al-Shabaab Over the Past Five Weeks 01/13/2020 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) –International Christian Concern has learned that three Christian teachers from Kamuthe Primary School in Garissa, Kenya, were killed by the Somali-based terror group al-Shabaab in the early
Love not hate is the remedy for tense times and hard hearts
Last Sunday, President al-Sisi attended the Coptic Christmas service in the Egyptian capital as he has done for the past six years. Against a background of rising tension in the Middle East, President al-Sisi held up the importance of tolerance
Muslim men abduct, assault, rob Norwegian street preacher, demand he convert to Islam or be killed
Four Muslim men abducted, beat, and robbed a street preacher in Trondheim, Norway, finally demanding at knife point he convert to Islam or be killed. Roar Fløttum, who regularly preaches and prays for the sick on the streets of the historic northern
Prayers answered as more than 50 churches allowed to reopen in Myanmar’s Shan State
The United Wa State Army (UWSA) in control of the Wa Special Region in Myanmar (Burma), bordering China’s Yunnan province, has allowed at least 50 churches to reopen. Local church leaders issued a plea for prayer when the China-backed, communist influenced separatist
Pastor’s son summoned to begin jail sentence
The son of an Assyrian-Iranian couple facing years in prison for their Christian activities has been summoned to serve his own four-month sentence for “actions against national security”. Ramiel Bet-Tamraz, who is 35 years old, is the son of pastor Victor
Iran Takes Aim at Iraqi Christians on TV
12/29/2019 Iran (International Christian Concern) – Even as Iranian State media runs a propaganda campaign congratulating Christians for the Christmas season, at least one Iranian backed channel elsewhere in the region is quick to say otherwise. Anwar 2, an Iranian adopted
Mother of Three in Uganda Left by Husband After Conversion
12/25/2019 Uganda (International Christian Concern) – According to Morning Star News, Florence Namuyiga, a 27-year-old mother of three in Lwebitati village, Mubende District, converted to Christianity in May of this year. She started secretly attending church shortly after converting and took two
Tajikistan pastor surprised by early prison release—‘All these years, I felt your prayers’
Praise God! Today (Wednesday, December 17) at 10 am, imprisoned Tajikistan pastor Bahrom Kholmatov is free—unexpectedly released three months early from a prison term set to end in March 2020. For the last three years, he has been imprisoned, falsely
At Least Nine Christians Murdered in Kenya Attack
12/09/2019 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – International Christian Concern has learned that on December 6, 2019, 11 non-local Christian passengers were attacked while travelling to Mandera from Nairobi and killed at Kotulo in northeastern Kenya. They were reportedly separated from their Muslim
Christians in Asia facing ‘perfect storm,’ new report says
A few days after *Thuan and his wife *Hien became Christians, local authorities in their village in north Vietnam warned them they must return to tribal ancestor worship, or be kicked out of the village. When Thuan and Hien refused,
Hezbollah Attacks in Lebanon
11/27/2019 Lebanon (International Christian Concern) – Protests in Lebanon have continued to gain momentum since they erupted last month. Protesters are demanding a complete government overhaul, and have largely been met with a stalemated government. In response to the gathering momentum
Christian Evangelist Murdered in Southeast Turkey
11/20/19 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on November 19, 2019, Korean evangelist Jinwook Kim was stabbed on the streets in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir. He later died in the hospital from
Suicide Bomber Attacks Indonesia’s Medan
11/14/2019 Indonesia (International Christian Concern) – A suspected suicide bombing took place outside of police headquarters in Medan, Indonesia on November 13, injuring six people. Without a clear motive, the recent attack has been linked to the rise of homegrown militants
European Court Stops Deportation of Afghan Christian
11/12/2019 Afghanistan (International Christian Concern) – The European Court of Human Rights has stopped the deportation of an Afghan Christian convert from Switzerland. According to the court’s ruling, the Christian would have faced serious danger if forced to return to Afghanistan.