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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