Prayer for Vietnam - #17 on the World Watch List for persecution

https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/vietnam/

Lord, today we pray for our brothers and sisters in Vietnam. Many are deeply discouraged by the new Law on Belief and Religion, which limits their religious freedom even more than it was already limited. Strengthen their souls, Lord. Help them to deepen their trust in you every day, despite the increasing persecution from friends, family and government. We pray particularly for those who convert to Christianity from other religions. If their families abandon them, meet their needs through who you are, as well as through their brothers and sisters in Christ as they gather around them. We pray for the Christians from different denominations to look past relatively minor issues to focus on the priority of following you in a land that oppresses them on the journey. May they band together in love and unity, so they may find greater strength, encouragement and effectiveness. Please sustain your children in Vietnam, Lord. May they glorify you and increase in number daily. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Prayer against female genital mutilation and praise for Michigan's better laws about the practice

http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/michigan-imposes-prison-term-for-female-genital-mutilation-1.3498741

Lord, today we celebrate Michigan’s passing of more stringent laws against female genital mutilation. We are thankful this state is leading the way in cracking down on this barbaric practice that has no health benefits. We pray that Michigan’s harsher penalties and educational outreach will motivate people to reconsider the supposed importance of this practice. Lord, we also pray against female genital mutilation worldwide. It can be difficult to criticize other cultures’ or religions’ practices, but sometimes the truth is clear. Female genital mutilation is harmful--like India’s former practicing of cremating living widows along with their dead husbands (sati). Just as Hindus now recognize that sati is barbaric, may Muslims realize that female genital mutilation is shameful, torturous and oppressive. In Jesus’ powerful name we pray, amen. 

Prayer about the new world heritage site, Valongo Wharf, and slavery

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-40552282

Lord, today we pray about The Valongo wharf in Rio de Janeiro, which was just declared a world heritage site by the UN cultural organization, Unesco. Heavenly Father, this site where 40% of slaves transported to the Americas arrived in the 17-1800s marks a blight on human history. Yet this is one reason to remember what happened here: to be shocked and dismayed, and to resolve to never let this happen again. We pray for those who will maintain and educate through this site, that they will be effective in moving people toward light and love as they witness a place of such darkness and hatred. We pray for those who visit to consider modern-day slavery and what they might do to stop it. Lord, give us all eyes to see those around us as your precious children. May we treat each person with dignity, so that we may avoid the slippery slope of dehumanizing fellow human beings, whether through slander, cruelty or extremes like slavery. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Prayer for Uzbekistan - #16 on the World Watch List for persecution

https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/uzbekistan/

Lord, today we pray for Uzbekistan, where persecution for Christians is very high. It’s hard to imagine living in a country where the government bugs home, taps phones and infiltrates church groups with spies. It makes us more thankful for the freedoms we have in living without constant surveillance. Lord, please strengthen the believers as they attempt to lead normal lives with an awareness of this constant watchfulness. May they persevere in the faith even when their materials are confiscated and they are detained and interrogated. May this pressure only strengthen their resolve and enable your light to shine more brightly through them. We also pray for converts from Islam to have special protection, as their own families are tempted to exercise violence toward them. In Jesus’ name we pray for Uzbekistan today, amen. 

Prayer for Hamid as he shares Christ in Pakistan

Hamid's story is available in the Voice of the Martyrs newsletter, to which you can subscribe here: https://secure.persecution.com/newslettersignup.aspx?source=WEBFBOOK

Lord, today we pray for “Hamid” in Pakistan, who has gone from hating his neighbors to sharing Jesus with them. Lord, you saw the suffering in Hamid’s life as he grew up bullied, persecuted and discriminated against because he was a Christian in a Muslim nation. You were sad to see his heart harden toward Muslims. Thank you for reaching him and drawing him closer to you, so that he could see his neighbors and fellow countrymen as you see them: as people who need you. Lord, we are excited about Hamid’s effective work sharing the Gospel with Muslims and even planting churches comprised of converted Muslims. Please continue to bless and protect him in his work, as well as watching over his family. We pray that many Pakistanis will come to know you through Hamid’s testimony and ministry. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

 

Prayer about the loss of eight Indonesian rescue workers

http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/02/asia/indonesia-volcano-helicopter/index.html

Lord, today we grieve the loss of eight rescue workers, whose helicopter crashed in central Java, Indonesia. We are thankful these individuals were willing to board the National Search and Rescue helicopter in order to assist endangered tourists at the Sileri Crater area. What a tragedy that the rescuers themselves ended up dying before reaching those in need! Heavenly Father, we are thankful for the huge variety of rescue personnel (both volunteer and paid) around the world who put themselves in harm’s way every day for the good of others. What a picture of the kind of love you describe in John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” These Indonesian heroes were laying down their lives for strangers. We pray that you will bless the loved ones left behind. We pray the emergency responders’ legacy will be honored. And we pray that rescue personnel around the world will receive support and encouragement as they continue to serve their neighbors and countrymen. With gratitude we pray, amen.

Prayer for India - #15 on the World Watch List for persecution

https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/india/  Photo credit: Reuters/Adnan Abidi

Lord, today we pray for India, where our brothers and sisters in Christ are facing fierce persecution from radical Hindus. Lord, we are distraught that the current government has allowed radical Hinduism to increase through the lack of consequences for those who commit violent crimes against Christian. The violence is mushrooming because of this silent assent! Lord, we particularly pray today for our brothers and sisters who have left Hinduism to pursue you. May their families and friends love them for who they are and not view their choice as treason or betrayal. Protect these disciples and give them courage. Lord, we also pray for the Protestant Christian communities that are persecuted due to their faith and outreach. Strengthen and guide them. Shore up their courage, wisdom and grace. Lord, we pray for the Indian government—for the kind of wisdom that generates excellent leadership and care for those they lead. May India become a beacon of freedom, rather than a nation where people fear to worship the one true God. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.