Many Christian villages in central Nigeria were attacked and a number of people were killed in raids by suspected Fulani militants on Sunday (the Fulani, mainly Muslim, are one of the most powerful people groups in west Africa). Militants attacked 20 villages in the Agatu local government area of Benue state, killing more than 30 people. Many fled to displacement camps in neighbouring Kogi state. Meanwhile, in the Barkin Ladi area of Plateau state, militants attacked several villages in Dorowa. Nigerian military responded to the attack but ‘made no search nor any arrests’. As Boko Haram attacks gradually build up around the north-east states, Fulani terror activities are also on the rise in central Nigeria. Please pray now for our brothers and sisters in Christ, facing this new threat.

Financial stress has increased to 44% of the households in New South Wales as people spend more than they earn, according to a Wesley Mission report launched in Sydney. Almost four in ten or 1,022,010 households are now technically insolvent. Politicians of all persuasions draw the analogy between government and household spending and the need to balance the budget. Households are not balancing their budgets and the burden of debt is increasingly shifting from the public to the private sphere. The evidence from the Wesley Report suggests, ‘Financial hardship and financial anxiety are impacting the health, safety and wellbeing of individuals and their families.’

A heatwave sweeping India has killed 1,118 since last week and the numbers are increasing daily. With temperatures of 48 C (118F), authorities are urging people to stay indoors and drink plenty of water. But people have to work! In Texas the governor said this week’s floods were the worst the state had seen. A wave of water had a ‘tsunami-like’ power. 1,000+ homes were damaged and more floods are expected. In Mexico a tornado reached 186mph, killing many who were walking on the street when it struck. The Philippines has placed eight provinces under a state of calamity due to a drought caused by 2015’s El Nino weather phenomenon. The rainy season due next month may not alleviate the drought’s impact. 40% of farmers’ crops are destroyed. Scientists have officially declared a major El Nino event due to an increase in sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. See also

The earthquake has shaken the faith of many Hindus in this predominantly Hindu nation. Christian pastors are well-equipped to handle the spiritual side of things and are often the best people to turn to when it comes to emotional care. According to Mission Network News these uncertain times are laying the groundwork for churches to provide tangible aid. They are a point of light in these dark neighbourhoods of death and loss. Pastors and motivated Christians are reaching out with emergency aid as well as with the message of the Gospel. Thirty years ago there were hardly any Christians in Nepal. The Christian population is small but has been growing fast for the past three decades.

The seven-week offensive against Iranian-allied Houthis and units loyal to ex-President Saleh continues to take its toll. More than 1400 civilians have died in Saudi-led attacks that pit Sunni Muslim allies against Shia Houthis and their Shia Iranian backers. Saudi bombing has created a disaster zone. People are afraid to leave their homes. Lack of food, water, fuel, and healthcare has created a humanitarian crisis. Complicating the situation is the addiction of many to khat, a narcotic that dulls the senses. Yemen's constitution declares Islam the state religion and Sharia Law the source legislation; Yemenis who leave Islam for Christianity face death. Yemeni Christians face double threats: civil unrest and persecution for their faith. UN-brokered peace talks for war-torn Yemen were postponed just four days before they were due to begin in Geneva. See also

Iraqi forces have suffered a number of defeats at the hands of IS over the past year. Last week Iraqis chose to withdraw from Ramadi despite the fact that they vastly outnumbered IS forces. That defeat exposes the Iraqi army's continuing failure to become an effective fighting force. Religious fault-lines in Iraq's conflict (Sunni vs. Shiite vs. Kurd, with most Kurds being Sunnis) has created an ethnic element that leaves international partners with few options in their campaign against IS. Meanwhile Christians who have not fled Iraq stand and endure. Canon Andrew White, Bishop of Baghdad, recently posted on his blog, ‘People ask me, are you not terrified doing such dangerous work? I have to be honest and say not at all because perfect love casts out all fear. I have been shown the perfect love of God.’ See also

'... as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favour granted to us in answer to the prayers of many.’ (2 Cor.1:11) A ladies’ ministry team whose accommodation is very close to two churches that were bombed are busy ministering in the aftermath. There have been multiple funerals, visits to injured in the hospitals, and traumatised families dealing with loss and grief. Pray for the peace, comfort and the grace of God to meet His people during this time. The presence of the evil one has noticeably increased in the general population and, sad to say, in the Christian population; particularly the ‘caste that calls themselves Christian.’ Fear has also increased within the general population. Pray against false religion. Please also pray for the courses we are running, ‘How to pray and hear from God’. We hope this will lead to an increase in 24/7 prayer groups for our nation.'

Scarred from civil war, people in Burundi need to recover from years of tribal wars and loss. 70-80% live below the poverty line. Last weekend the army attempted to overthrow President Nkurunziza ahead of an election which has now been postponed. Opposition and human rights groups say that Nkurunziza's bid for a third five-year term in power is against the constitution. Former rebel leader Nkurunziza, who claims to be a born-again Christian, believes he has divine backing to lead the country, arguing his first term in power did not count as he was elected by parliament, not directly by the people. Burundi has a Hutu/Tutsi divided population. Hutu rebels are loyal to the government, while the army is dominated by Tutsi, who are sympathetic to the opposition. Weapons and military training have been given to the ruling party's youth wing. Disagreement over a third presidential term could descend into conflict either along ethnic lines or the new military divisions. See also

Last month the USA sent a guided-missile cruiser towards the Arabian Sea to block a convoy of eight Iranian ships believed to be carrying arms for the rebel Houthis in Yemen (many believe Houthis receive arms from Iran). Prayer-Alert readers prayed for vital shipping lanes in the region to remain open and safe. Today an Iranian aid ship, the Shahed, heading for Yemen, is due to enter the Bab al-Mandeb strait linking the Gulf of Aden with the Red Sea. The Shahed is carrying aid and foreign activists to the port of Hodaida. Saudi Arabia is worried about the increasing influence of Iran in the Middle East. Iran wields great influence in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq with the help of proxies such as Hezbollah. On Tuesday the Times of Israel reported, ‘Defying US objections, two Iranian warships joined an Iranian cargo ship carrying supplies to Yemen.’ See also

Two South Sudanese pastors, Michael Yat and Peter Yen Reith, are on trial in Khartoum. They were detained by Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Service in December 2014 and January 2015 respectively and were charged with a range of criminal offences, including crimes against the State which are punishable by death, a life sentence or lesser detention and confiscation of property. A court hearing began on 19 May, but the prosecutor did not finish and will continue to present his evidence on 31 May. After this the defence lawyer will have an opportunity to present his case. He believes there is no real evidence against the two pastors for any of the charges. He also believes that the sole reason for the court case is the two pastors' exercise of their Christian faith. Christians in Sudan ask us to pray for God to protect the pastors and their families.