Persecuted Christians in Nigeria

Key Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NIV)

³Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. ⁵For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

General Prayer Focus: Persecuted Christians

Specific Prayer Focus: Comfort for persecuted Christians in Nigeria

Tidbit of Information: “Muslims launched deadly attacks on Christians in the three farming villages of Dogo Nahawa, Zot and Rastat in Plateau state near the city of Jos, Nigeria on March 7. The Muslim attackers, members of the Fulani ethnic group, killed hundreds of Christians, many of whom were women and children…They also set fire to houses, burning approximately 75 to the ground. Sources estimate that around 500 people were killed in the violence.” (Source)

Prayer: Father, I thank You that You are the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.  I thank You that You care about us in our pain and that You are with us in the time of trouble to comfort us.  I pray for the Christians in Nigeria, that You would manifest Yourself to them in this way as they face persecution for loving You.  Father, I pray that they would experience Your nearness and presence in ways that they have not previously known and that even in the valley of the shadow of death, that they would know You are with them and they do not need to be afraid (Psalm 23).  I pray that they would receive revelation of the great honor and privilege that it is to share in the sufferings of Christ and that their eternal glory will far outweigh these present afflictions (2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 8:18).  Father, pour out Your great love for these ones in Nigeria, that they would know that there is absolutely nothing that can separate them from Your love (Romans 8:35-39) and may the very comfort of Jesus Christ overflow to their hearts.  As they receive Your comfort and compassion, may they extend this same compassion and mercy and love to each other and even towards their persecutors.  Would You empower them with strength to love and bless and their enemies and in so doing, advance Your gospel of peace, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Sources/Links: The Voice of the Martyrs

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New Houses of Prayer

Key Scripture: Isaiah 56:6-7 (NIV)

 ⁶ “And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD
       to serve him,
       to love the name of the LORD,
       and to worship him,
       all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
       and who hold fast to my covenant-  
⁷ these I will bring to my holy mountain
       and give them joy in my house of prayer.
       Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
       will be accepted on my altar;
       for my house will be called
       a house of prayer for all nations.”  

General Prayer Focus: The Prayer Movement

Specific Prayer Focus: New Houses of Prayer being started

Tidbit of Information: The leaders of a house of prayer in Jerusalem, Succat Hallel, are currently helping start up new houses of prayer in Brussels, Belgium, eastern Turkey, and Dubai.  They will be ministering at prayer summits and teaching seminars on birthing a house of prayer.  They are also helping with houses of prayer in Israel, Afghanistan, and Egypt.  In their recent email newsletter, they asked for prayer for great grace, laborers, joy, provision and protection in areas where there is persecution against Christians.  (March 10, 2010 email)

Prayer: Father, I praise You for the work You are doing in the nations of the earth and how You are building Your house of prayer!  I thank You for the leadership at Succat Hallel and for their ministry to the nations and their passion for furthering the prayer movement.  Today I ask that You would truly give them joy in Your house of prayer and that You would pour out every drop of grace and provision that they need!  I pray that You would bring them laborers to join in this effort – leaders, musicians, singers, intercessors, administrators – and that these people would be ones who have bound themselves to You in servanthood, love and worship.  I pray for protection upon them as they travel and minister and that You would keep them safe from the schemes of the enemy.  I ask that Your Holy Spirit would come on them in great power and anointing for the raising up of many houses of prayer throughout the earth, in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Links: Succat Hallel