Open Doors has offered some excellent resources to help us pray for persecuted believers and their nations. Please have a look at them, share them with your church or prayer group and remember them in your prayer. Here are the helpful links to find information and prayer items for each of the 50 nations:
http://www.opendoors.org/
http://www.opendoorsusa.org/persecution/country-profiles/
http://www.opendoorsuk.org/resources/country_profiles.php
Open Doors 2012 World Watch List reports that “North Korea tops the list for the 10th straight time as the country where Christians face the most severe persecution, while Islamic-majority countries represent nine of the top 10 and 38 of the 50 countries on the annual ranking.
Afghanistan (2), Saudi Arabia (3), Somalia (4), Iran (5) and the Maldives (6) form a bloc where indigenous Christians have almost no freedom to openly worship. For the first time Pakistan (10) entered the top 10, after a tumultuous year during which the nation’s highest-ranking Christian politician, Cabinet Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, was assassinated for his attempts to change the blasphemy law. The rest of the top 10 is composed of Uzbekistan (7), Yemen (8) and Iraq (9). Laos was the lone country to drop from the top 10 list, falling to No. 12 from No. 10.
While persecution has worsened due to persecution by Muslim extremists, without question North Korea once again deserves its No. 1 ranking. Defiantly Communist, North Korea built a bizarre quasi-religion around the founder of the country, Kim Il-Sung. Anyone with ‘another god’ is automatically persecuted. The estimated 200,000 to 400,000 Christians in this country must remain deeply underground. An estimated 50,000 to 70,000 Christians are held in ghastly prison camps. “How the death of Kim Jong-Il last month and the coming to power of his son Kim Jong-Un will affect the status of Christians in North Korea is hard to determine at this early stage,” Open Doors USA President/CEO Dr. Carl Moeller said. “Certainly the situation for believers remains perilous. Please pray with me that the Lord will open up North Korea and there will be religious freedom to worship the One, true God, not the gods of Kim Jong-Il and Kim Il-Sung.”
"Being a Muslim Background Believer is a huge challenge."
There are significant moves on the World Watch List, including Sudan moving up 19 spots to No. 16 – the biggest leap of any country from 2011. Nigeria jumped 10 spots to No. 13. Egypt, racked by violent protests and upheaval during the Arab Spring, rose four positions to No. 15. Increased Islamic extremism triggered the upward movement of Sudan, Nigeria and Egypt. “Being a Muslim Background Believer or ‘Secret Believer’ Christian in a Muslim-dominated country is a huge challenge. Christians often face persecution from extremists, the government, their community and even their own families,” said Moeller. “As the 2012 World Watch List reflects, the persecution of Christians in these Muslim countries continues to increase. While many thought the Arab Spring would bring increased freedom, including religious freedom for minorities, that certainly has not been the case so far.”
In July 2011 southern Sudan, which is mostly Christian, seceded to become an independent country, called South Sudan, leaving the Christians of North Sudan much more isolated under President Omar al-Bashir. In response to the loss of the south, al-Bashir vowed to make constitutional changes to make his country even more Islamic. On the ground the military has attacked Christian communities in battles over resources with many being killed.
Nigeria remains the country with the worst atrocities in terms of lives lost. More than 300 Christians were martyred last year in Nigeria, though the actual number is believed to be double or triple that number. The total is probably greater in North Korea, but impossible to confirm due to its isolation. Since 2009 the extreme Islamic group Boko Haram has destroyed more than 50 churches and killed 10 pastors in Nigeria.
Christians in Egypt experienced a disastrous start to 2011 when a bombing at the Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Mark and Pope Peter in Alexandria killed 21 Christians on New Year’s Day. After the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak in February, hopes soared for new freedoms for all Egyptians. But on Oct. 9 the military turned on its own citizens in the Maspero massacre in Cairo, killing 27 Coptic Christian demonstrators. At the close of 2011, Islamist parties flourished in the November elections, prompting some to speak of an Arab Winter instead of an Arab Spring for Christians. "We wouldn't be growing if we didn't have a price to pay for our witness."
China still has the world’s largest persecuted church of 80 million, but it dropped out of the top 20 this year to No. 21. Last year China ranked No. 16. This is due in large part to the house church pastors learning how to play ‘cat and mouse’ with the government. The good news behind the bad news of rising persecution is an increase in church growth, which often results from the persecution itself. A pastor in Iran states: “We wouldn’t be growing if we didn’t have a price to pay for our witness.”
The WWL is based on a questionnaire devised by Open Doors to measure the degree of persecution in over 60 countries. The questionnaires are filled out by Open Doors field personnel working in the countries, and cross-checked with independent experts, to arrive at a quantitative score per country. Countries are then ranked according to points received. An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. “
Dear Praying Friends!
My heart is so broken for my nation! The nation is under huge attack from the evil one! Egyptians against Egyptians. Chaos. Almost no security existing!
Last night, February 1st, after a soccer game, 74 people were killed and about 300 injured. Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16848473
This is a cry on behalf of 88 million people in Egypt!
• Pray for mercy.
• Pray for the Christians to have the spirit of wisdom and revelation.
• Pray that the Lord would expose the evil one and his plans to steal, destroy, and kill.
• Let the Lord give you His heart for Egypt.
Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for standing at this urgent time of need!
Please pray for Mozambique. Visit www.prayformozambique.com/
From Norm Johnson:
“After the loss of thousands of lives in South Sudan, affecting the lives of more than 100,000 people recently in South Sudan, we received notice of a peace initiative represented by people from the various fighting tribes. Below is the press release of what is known as the Jonglei Peace Initiative. Please pray for an end to the hostilities and that God will use people to his glory and for the sake of his kingdom.
Jonglei Peace Initiative
For Immediate Release January 23, 2012
Found on the second half of this web page: http://dailycollegian.com/2012/01/23/photo-south-sudan-gothic/
Washington, D.C. – Twenty-five South Sudanese Diaspora community leaders from across North America, including both Canada and the USA, gathered in Washington, DC, January 21-22, 2012, and focused on helping bring peace to their native state of Jonglei in the new country of the Republic of South Sudan. We are known as the Jonglei Peace Initiative (JPI) and include men and women from the Anyuak, Nuer, Murle, and Dinka people. Officials from the Embassy of South Sudan and international resource people joined us. We have agreed to call ourselves JPI — USA.
Here is a list of quick links you can use to fine out more:
• http://www.thecryhollywood.com/PromoDownload.html (Download a 30-second promo video or a 2-minute vision-casting video to play at a service.)
• https://www.facebook.com/events/314771641871937/ (Invite people through the Facebook event page.)
• http://www.thecryhollywood.com/Promo.html (Go to the online promo page with posters, social media links, videos, and more!)
The organizers write: “We would be honored if you join with other leaders from LA, America, and beyond for this strategic day of prayer. Your presence is powerful. If you are planning to come, please let us know so we can be sure and get you on the VIP seating list. You can connect with us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..”
“Fox News Latino reported this week that Mexico is the world's No. 2 producer of child pornography and is classified as a source, transit and destination country for people traffickers involved in sexual exploitation, Mexico lawmakers said.
Child pornography is the number two illegal business, trailing only drug trafficking, and generates $42 billion annually, Special Committee to Fight People Trafficking chairwoman Rosi Orozco said. Approximately 50% of those trafficked are children and teenagers. Orozco reported that only two Mexican states have handed down convictions for child pornography and only 19 jurisdictions in the entire nation of Mexico have laws against child pornography. Orozco introduced a bill in August 2011 to ban and punish people trafficking; it is still awaiting action.
First Lady Margarita Calderon stated that Mexico must bolster its judicial and public safety institutions to fight people trafficking and child pornography.
Child sex trafficking also thrives in communities across Arizona and along the Southwest border where vulnerable young girls and children as young as 13 years old are exploited and often abducted from their schools and local shopping malls. To add to this tragic fact, these children are physically and emotionally scarred for life. Many of them are sold and smuggled to parts unknown to be discarded later as used merchandise never to be found again.
PRAY:
O LORD, You have heard the cry of the afflicted; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to vindicate and free the orphan, the captive and the oppressed, so that man will no longer cause them terror (A prayer fashioned from Psalms 10:17).
Heavenly Father, awaken me to these horrible realities beyond my sight. Give me a deep and godly compassion for the fatherless, the enslaved and the oppressed.
Protect Congresswoman Rosi Orozco and give favor nationally for her bill to stop child sexual exploitation; that legislation will come quickly. Continue to pray for Ms. Orozco's success in her in fight against sex trafficking (Psalms 82:3-4).
To put an end to those producers of child pornography. For the sexual exploitation business to be shut down and be put out of business.
For those addicted to pornography to come to Christ Jesus and be forgiven, set freed and delivered.
Answered Prayer!
The Mexican security forces have arrested 11 alleged members of the country's most powerful drug gang, the Sinaloa cartel. They said those detained worked for Joaquin "Shorty" Guzman, the most wanted man in Mexico. They were arrested during a helicopter raid on a ranch in the north-western state of Durango on Friday. During the raid, elite troops killed the regional leader of the gang, Luis Alberto Cabrera Sarabia. The security forces said his death was a severe blow to the Sinaloa cartel's operations in Durango and Chihuahua. Mr. Cabrera Sarabia is accused of having controlled much of the drug trafficking in the two northern states.
We continue to pray for the capture of Joaqin El Chapo "Shorty" Guzman. We declare he WILL be captured this year!”
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." (Psalm 33:12)
Pray that our leaders will follow the ways of the Lord and make their decisions based upon fear and reverence of His Word. Pray that we as a nation will not turn our backs to God's will and desires. Pray that our leaders will deliver us as a nation from destruction by honoring our Creator and Sovereign who has established us and desires to bless us as a nation.
By Jeff Coors, Executive Chairman of the Board for Intercessors for America
In the back of most Americans' minds today are questions about our nation's future. Can the future of this country be as bright as the past? Have we seen our best days? Does God care about America as a nation? People wonder, "Can America be saved?"…History is filled with the graves of nations who turned their backs on God, but this same downfall doesn't have to happen to America.
First, God can save groups of people from the wrath they deserve. As we read in Micah 5:15, God says, "I will take vengeance in anger and wrath on the nations that have not obeyed me." He does hold nations accountable for their collective actions, just as He holds individuals accountable for their personal decisions and actions. Isaiah describes God's standards of judgment when he writes in 64:5, "You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry. How then can we be saved (yasha)?" Jeremiah 5:1 answers this question: "Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city."
It appears that our God will save a group of people from His wrath based upon the obedience of a few. An incredible measure of mercy! In the midst of this mercy He still demands a nation's obedience. Isaiah 45:22 emphasizes that only our Lord can save a nation: "Turn to me and be saved (yasha), all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other." Mercy comes, and yet complete obedience by all is desired. God saves nations from His wrath and also from outside threats…Pray that He would save us from His wrath, which we deserve, drawing us toward obedience as a nation; and that He would save us from our enemies.
U.S. CONGRESS: 2011 Most Futile Legislative Year on Record
Pray that our 2012 legislative sessions will reflect the heart of God's will for this nation. The Lord desires to bless the nation that honors Him. Pray that our legislators will be sensitive to the needs of our population and that they be granted wisdom for how best to address those needs with the stressed 2012 budget. Pray for reconciliation between the House and the Senate on the important issues which include the economy and national defense.
It's official: Congress ended its least-productive year in modern history after passing 80 bills - fewer than during any other session since year-end records began being kept in 1947. Furthermore, an analysis by The Washington Times of the scope of such activities as time spent in debate, number of conference reports produced and votes taken on the House and Senate floors found that Congress set a record for legislative futility by accomplishing less in 2011 than any other year in history.
The Senate's record was weakest by a huge margin, according to the futility index, and the House had its 10th-worst session on record.
“ From a very reliable source, we received the following message. Please join us in Prayer for our brothers and sisters in Syria. We've all seen and heard about the uprisings in the Arab world. The Middle East is heating up for better or for worse. We talk about fighting for democracy, desiring to see all ethnic groups obtain it, and even children seek some type of democracy of their own. It takes a huge amount of hatred and ignorance for anyone to refuse such democracy, and yet in the mind of fundamentalists and extremists, there is no room for it. This is the struggle of Christians in the Middle East, especially those living in Syria.
The last few months have been some of the hardest times for Christians in Syria, in the fight against corruption. They have united together to support the call to change. Things began to heat up in the streets, and the effort to fight corruption turned into power struggles, where sects in Islam are fighting each other, trying to take control, forcing their beliefs on one another.
Many slogans have been heard throughout the revolution. One in particular goes something like this, “Take the Christian man to the grave and their women to bed.” Hearing hundreds of men in the streets, chanting against Christians, has brought fear into their lives. Fear for the safety of their women and young children. It has come down to a battle for existence, all because of what they believe. Many stories of Christians being attacked and killed, woman being kidnapped and raped, are being heard throughout Syria. All in the name of Islam and of “Democracy!!”
Please Pray:
• For an end to the blood shed and that any change of government will lead to greater freedom for the people of Syria.
• That the rights of Christians and other religious minorities will be protected
• That the church will have strength to stand firm and bring the light of Christ to their nation.”