As Muslims pray and fast during Ramadan, we pray for them. June 6 July 5, 2016

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1 June 6 July 5, 2016 Introduction Every year most Muslims fast for a month from sunrise to sunset. Muslims follow the lunar calendar. In 2016, Ramadan likely will begin June 6 and end on July 5. Christians serving in the Arab Muslim world are asking you to pray specifically during this time frame as Muslims take the month to fast. Muslims eat at night during Ramadan, but this fast is a challenge and many take it as a spiritual time. We pray Muslims will come to know Jesus Christ during this month focused on prayer and fasting. In this prayer guide, you will find suggested Scriptures to pray through. Many prayer points are from Christians living in each country, and there are prayers of blessing for these nations. Isaiah 58:1-12 is a great Scripture to read to understand more about fasting. This prayer guide was created by OM. The prayer guide is free and you are welcome to share it.

2 Algeria June 6 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. Psalm 2:8 (NIV) Algerian Christians are asking fellow believers to pray Psalm 2:8. The unrest in Tunisia, Libya, Mali and Niger is a potential danger for Algeria and other neighbouring countries. Pray for peace and reconciliation in these countries. Please pray for political stability in Algeria. The needs in the local church are significant: teaching, pastoral care, youth and children s ministry. Please ask the Lord to call and send experienced workers to help in these areas. Pray for Algerian Christian workers. Pray the Lord help them to understand, that their identity is in Christ, not in their ministry or position in the church. Source: Workers in Algeria Bless President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the Parliament and the military to have wisdom as they govern and move Algeria this year; may they work in harmony. Bless Believers in Jesus with the ability to continue to be bold witnesses on the streets of Algeria and through social media and TV. Bless the Lord that the Church continues to grow, mature and desire to move forward in missions to other nations. Father, bless them with the ability to truly love their enemies and to do good to those that hate them. (Prayer based on Luke 6:27, the Holy Bible)

3 Bahrain June 7 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10 (NIV) Christians serving in Bahrain are asking believers to pray Luke 19:10 for the country. Pray for stability and hope for the young people in the country. Unemployment is on the rise. Many are asking, Is there hope for our future? Please pray for Muslim Background Believers (MBBs) to find fellowship among believers. Praise the Lord; an Arab couple is now gathering MBBs to meet regularly in their home. Pray for expatriate churches to be motivated to share with Muslim neighbors about the hope they have in Jesus. Please pray for the Christian workers in Bahrain to find a good balance between work, family life, ministry and language study. Source: Christians in Bahrain Pray for Bibles to go out in the Arabian Peninsula and that the Church in Bahrain would be strengthened. Bless Bahrain with unity and peace between the Sunni and Shi ite populations. Bless the distribution of Your Word in different languages, to different peoples and to different nations, especially Saudi Arabia. Bless the Church with unity. Father, bless them with the fear of You, that they would know of Your abundant goodness, and may they take refuge in You. (Prayer based on Psalm 31:19, the Holy Bible)

4 Egypt June 8 So the Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the Lord. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make vows to the Lord and keep them. Isaiah 19:21 (NIV) Christians in Egypt are asking believers to pray Isaiah 19:21 with them. Pray for the Egyptian Christians who are accused of insulting religions (specifically Islam). Pray for improvement in the economic conditions in the country. Pray for the laws that are supposed to be issued and verified by the new parliament in the coming period. Pray for the Egyptian church to be a church of prayer and to have a vision to reach out to Muslims. Pray also for unity among the different denominations. There has been friction among the denominations, especially between the protestant and orthodox churches. Pray for the ministry team to have unity, safety and perseverance in the midst of political unrest. Pray for more people to join the ministry team and pray for fresh vision; there are increasing needs and opportunities for reaching out to the community. Source: Christians in Egypt Bless the country of Egypt and the government of President Abdel Fattah el- Sisi with great wisdom as they deal with Islamic terrorists who want Egypt to become an Islamic state. Bless Egypt s Christians with the ability to create Christian TV and movies that will share the Good News of Jesus with the whole Arab world. Bless the Church with strength as it faces more persecution from Islamic radicals. Father, bless them with worship of You, bless their food and water, and bless them with healing from Your hand. (Prayer based on Exodus 23:25, the Holy Bible)

5 Gaza Strip June 9 Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35 (NIV) Christians focused on Gaza are asking for believers to pray this blessing over Gaza, John 6:35. In 2015, the UN issued a report saying that the economic decline in Gaza is so steep that it may be unlivable by Moreover, minimal rebuilding has been done since the war two years ago. Please pray for reconstruction in order for Gaza to become a place more suitable for even basic living. It would be easy for Gazans to be hopeless in the midst of constant hardship and conflict that doesn t seem to have an end in sight. Please pray the Lord would use this hopelessness to show Gazans that the only true hope is found in Jesus. It s been more difficult for the local church since Hamas took over control of Gaza. Please pray the local church would persevere and grow even through persecution. Pray for many members of Hamas would come to know Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord for the ministries in Gaza. Pray that many more ministries would be able to enter and stay in safety. Pray that the new believers in Gaza would grow in their faith and that God would use them mightily in ministry in their own cities. Source: Christians with a heart for the Gaza Strip Bless the people living in the Gaza Strip with peace and security that respects their human rights. Bless Hamas with a clear understanding of the way to care for the people and with a desire to seek peace with all people. Bless the Arab Palestine Church in the Gaza Strip with deep conviction as to the best way to encourage Arab Christians to love their neighbor as themselves. Bless them as peacemakers. Father, bless them with Your acceptance, with Your pleasure and with Your reward. (Prayer based on Matthew 25:21, the Holy Bible)

6 Iraq June 10 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. II Thessalonians 3:1 (NIV) Christians in the Middle East are asking believers to pray II Thessalonians 3:1 for Iraq. Pray for government leaders to fear God and serve all peoples (not just their own tribe or sect). Pray also for the restraint of evil. Seek the Lord for peace. Many Iraqi believers are leaving the country due to the conflict. Some churches are rising up and reaching out across sectarian lines to help those who have been displaced. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 (NIV) Pray for the local churches to have vision of how God can use the believers in the midst of this uncertain and threatening time. OM has a growing team developing in Iraq: pray for health, unity and more workers. Additionally, pray for Christian workers to move to Baghdad and Southern Iraq. There are significant needs and opportunities in these regions. Source: Christians in the Middle East Photo by Jacob Carter Bless the Prime Minister of Iraq, Haider al-abadi, with power to understand the times and how to deal with so much violence in His country. Bless the poor, who have lost everything, with the greatest gift of all, knowing You. Bless Christian villages and cities with Your protection and draw them closer to you. Father, bless them with You being their strength, making their feet secure and able to tread on high places. (Prayer based on Habakkuk 3:19, the Holy Bible)

7 Israel June 11 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. Luke 2:28-32 (NIV) Christians in Israel working with Arabs are asking believers to pray Luke 2:28-32 with them. Watch a prayer video on Arabs in Israel, search: youtube prayershorts Arabs in Israel and pray the prayers at the end. Pray for Arab Muslims in Israel to come to know Jesus. A ministry leader explains: It seems like it s been even harder here to see Muslims come to Christ than in neighboring countries, even though it s generally easier for Muslims to leave Islam. Pray for Arab Christians to grow deeper in relationship with Jesus and to share with their Muslim neighbors and coworkers. There are local churches, however, there is limited ministry to non-believers, especially Muslims. Pray for more Jewish believers to share the message of Jesus Christ with Muslims neighbours. Pray for a peace that brings people together. Pray the societal and political tensions would not distract Christians from building God s Kingdom and doing it together. Source: Christians in Israel The Al Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock, and the Temple Mount is one of the most controversial religious sites in the world. Bless Israel with great wisdom as they face greater pressure from all sides. Bless Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Knesset (legislative branch) with wisdom in governing. Bless Jerusalem with peace. Bless the Christian Jewish and Arab populations with Your goodness, Your love and boldness in the Lord Jesus. Father, bless Israel with Your plans, plans that will prosper them, plans to give them a hope and future. (Prayer based on Jeremiah 29:11, the Holy Bible)

8 Jordan June 12 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. Ephesians 6:19 (NIV) Christians in Jordan are asking believers to pray Ephesians 6:19 over them. Jordan is relatively stable, even though many neighbouring nations are struggling for politically stability. Pray for continued peace and pray for increased freedom for believers from all backgrounds. Local churches are increasingly helping and reaching out to Syrian and Iraqi refugees. Pray for deep love and much fruit as they share Christ. Pray for the Holy Spirit to embolden the church, as they are focusing on reaching Syrian Muslims. Pray the church will be encouraged to reach out to Jordanian Muslims. Pray for more Christian workers to be sent to the areas of Jordan where there are no local church fellowships. Pray for more nationals to join the outreach ministry. Source: Christians in Jordan Bless King Abdullah II of Jordan with understanding of the times and with wisdom in dealing with Daesh (IS), the Syrian refugee crisis, and growing powers of radical Islam within Jordan. Bless the efforts of the government, NGOs and the Church as they seek to care for the Syrian poor and refugees. Bless the Church with the full Good News of the resurrected Lord Jesus and with a continued ability to stay strong against terrorists. Father, bless them with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ; may they know Him fully. (Prayer based on Philippians 4:23, the Holy Bible)

9 Kuwait June 13 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 4:29-31 (NIV) Pray for the believers in Kuwait to speak with boldness. Pray the Lord would continue to heal, especially Muslims; pray that recognized signs and wonders would be taking place in Jesus name. Pray God would shake His places of prayer and worship. Pray God would fill local believers in Kuwait with the Holy Spirit. Kuwait is a divided society. There is a large conservative Salafist population that is constantly at odds with the government. The Salafists previously controlled the elected Parliament, but have been marginalized politically more recently. With the presence of the U.S. military base, the political situation is stable. Pray for the government of Kuwait. Pray that in this climate of division, that Kuwaitis would be open to seek the truth of the Bible. There is substantial division between churches and between local believers. Some of the deepest divisions exist sadly amongst different groups of Evangelicals that have splintered away from one another. Pray for greater unity. Pray churches can again work together for the sake of the Kingdom of God. One ministry worker explains: We have a sense that a real breakthrough with Kuwaitis is near. Many are open and we have had the opportunity to pray for many for healing and for freedom from demonic oppression. The handful of Kuwaiti believers, need to be strengthened. Source: Christian workers in Kuwait Bless You Lord for sending rain to Kuwait and allowing this to nourish the land. Bless them with the ability to know how to live in these evil days of Daesh (IS) and to stand against it. Bless the small number of Kuwaiti believers with fellowship together and with a joy in You, Lord. The Lord bless you, Kuwait, and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. (Prayer based on Numbers 6:24-26, the Holy Bible)

10 Lebanon June 14 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. Psalm 92:12-13 (NIV) Christians in Lebanon are asking believers to pray Psalm 92:12-13 with them. Continue to pray for the local churches reaching out to Syrian refugees. Pray for local believers to grow deeper in knowledge and application of Scripture. Pray for the local churches to have strength to continue to reach out and to be bright lights in the midst of the current situation and the refugee crisis. Across Lebanon, groups of Syrian Muslim refugees are taking part in Discovery Bible Studies (DBS). Pray many will become disciples of Jesus and lead others to become disciples (2 Timothy 2:2). In Southern Lebanon, numerous refugee families live in informal camps under severe conditions and in poverty. Pray for the Syrian children who are not admitted into public schools and are working to support their families. Source: Christians in Lebanon Bless Lebanon with a strong government that will be able to lead and unite this nation with so many different strong factions. Bless Lebanon as they continue to serve the Syrian refugees. Bless the Church with strength to continue ministry to their own people as well as the Syrians among them. Bless them with Your light shining through them. Father, bless them with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and may He be with their spirit. (Prayer based on Philemon 1:25, the Holy Bible)

11 Libya June 15 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11 (NIV) Pray Psalm 5:11 over the Christians in Libya and the Libyan Christians outside the country. Pray for peace and the end of fighting, conflict and bloodshed. Pray for the Government of National Accord that the leaders will serve the good of all Libyans and create a modern nation state, not a confederation of tribes. Pray for the completion and implementation of the national Constitution. Pray for the reconciliation of militias and tribal groups and their re-integration into peaceful society. The number of Libyans who have accepted Christ as Savior continues to increase. Those believers inside the country are scattered and are not meeting together, except for some who are meeting together in one particular city. Those living outside the country are now assembling in a virtual e-church. Pray that many Libyans will come to Jesus through the outreach ministries of satellite TV and other media. Pray for the new believers to be discipled and to have fellowship with one Mosque and Roman arch another. Pray God will take away fear and give the believers courage and boldness. Pray for the Christians in Libya. Pray for protection and safety from fighting, theft, kidnapping and terrorist attacks. Pray also for perseverance despite difficulties and stress. Pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit to find locals who have open hearts and listening ears for the Word of God. Pray for wisdom in making decisions each day. Source: Christians focused on Libya Bless Libya with peace, bless them with a government that will be for all the peoples; bless them with an end to war and fighting. Bless them with crops that grow, providing food, meeting their daily needs. Bless any servants of the Lord Jesus Christ living here with great fellowship, deep times of personal encounters with Jesus and boldness each day. Father, may the fruit of the Spirit grow among Christian Believers and bless them with love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Prayer based on Galatians 5:22-23, the Holy Bible)

12 Mauritania June 16 When you enter a house, first say, Peace to this house. If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. Luke 10:5-7 (NIV) Christians in Mauritania are asking fellow believers to pray Luke 10:5-7 with them. Trust is earned over an extended period in this culture. Locals observe foreigners for a long time before they are trusted. Therefore, the nature of the work in the country can make it hard to create real trusting friendships. Pray Christian workers will be able to make good friendships and that these local relationships will last. Ministry workers explain: Living a life of obedience to the Lord s call is hard at times. Reaching out to neighbors looks different than in other parts of the Muslim world. Please pray for favour in learning the local language, immersing in the culture and a greater measure of openness and acceptance of foreigners by the locals. The fields are being prepared for harvest, but the laborers are few. Pray for more workers, particularly families and individuals with long-term commitment to join the work in Mauritania (Matthew 9:35-38). Persecution of believers in Mauritania can be very severe. Ask God for protection over local believers. Ask God to give them courage, along with growth in faith and works. Christian workers pray daily for divine appointments with seekers, those who are interested to know more about Jesus and are willing to bring family members and friends along for the discipleship journey. Pray workers will be bold in living out our their faith so that they can find people of peace. Source: Christians in Mauritania Bless Mauritania with gentle rains that will nourish their crops and provide clean drinking water. Bless them with the ability to know how to move away from slavery and into the honoring of people. Bless the Church with a desire to meet and have fellowship. Father, bless them with the ability to taste and see that You are good and bless them with taking refuge in You. (Prayer based on Psalm 34:8, the Holy Bible)

13 Morocco June 17 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) Pray with the Christians in Morocco as they strive to be the presence of Jesus in this land. Workers across Morocco are sensing more openness to Word of God among Moroccans in the past 2 years. Young people especially are turning away from Islam and are more open to the message of Jesus. Ask God to bring a great harvest of new believers in Morocco during Ask God to open the borders between Algeria and Morocco. Pray for more Algerian believers to be able to come and minister in Morocco. Ask God for fruit to come from these opportunities, especially among the Moroccan Berbers. Pray for victory over a spirit of fear among all Moroccan believers. Ask God for breakthrough and freedom in this area. May God strengthen each Moroccan believer to be bold and courageous, wise and mature. Praise God for those who are reaching out to other Moroccans boldly, especially through online outreach. Source: Christians in Morocco Bless the King Mohammed VI of Morocco and his government with wisdom to deal with how to deal with and guarantee freedom of speech. Bless them with wisdom to understand how to deal with all the complex issues around the Western Sahara. Father, bless the Church with an increased boldness to share You with others during this year. Father, bless them with the ability to stay off the path of the wicked, not to stand in the way of sinners and to keep out of the company of mockers. (Prayer based on Psalm 1:1, the Holy Bible)

14 Oman June 18 I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. Isaiah 41:18 (NIV) There are only a handful of Omani believers in the country and the spiritual climate is described as hard, dry ground. Pray that God will soften this hard ground and pour out His Spirit on the nation like rain on the dry desert. There is a great deal of worry and fear amongst the people of this nation due to the fact that no one knows who will take over once the current Sultan dies. He has been very ill for a long time and the inevitable change and the unknown has really shaken the feeling of security that most Omanis have had for many years. There is also fear that the crisis in neighbouring nations could spill over into a place that has been known for peace. The people of Oman have placed their hope and trust in their country s security and stability, as much as in religion, and the thought of losing that security causes great fear in many of the people. The main government building in Muscat, Oman. Superstition and fear of spirits and curses are very much present in day-to-day life. There is also the constant emptiness of trying to be good enough but not having the reassurance of salvation. Islam is a part of life from childhood, but many of the younger generation don t feel a connection with religion. There is no known Omani church and the few national believers are isolated and live in danger and fear. Pray for the believers to have the freedom to connect with one another to grow and be encouraged. Christian workers in Oman explain: There is great anticipation that God is on the move and many are feeling the need to pray with urgency. There is also an urgency to sow the seeds of the Gospel now abundantly while there is still the ability to do so. Please pray that God would pour out mercy and love on these people that have been known as peacemakers. Pray for the workers who, despite the risks, are still able and willing to share the Gospel in the hope of a thriving Omani church. Source: Christians in Oman Bless Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said of Oman and his government with continued leadership in negotiating peace between nations. Bless the people with education and a desire to work and serve to make Oman a better country. Bless the small Omani Church and the expatriate Churches with love for You and love for their neighbors. Father, You say; Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Father, bless them with many coming into Your Kingdom. (Prayer based on Matthew 5:9, the Holy Bible)

15 Qatar June 19 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35 (NIV) I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one I in them and you in me so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:22-23 (NIV) Christians in the Arabian Peninsula are asking believers to pray John 13:34-35 and John 17:22-23 over Qatar. Qatar is relatively politically stable, yet it is struggling to maintain its cultural and religious values amidst rapid development and modernization. Pray that the government s response, often influenced by Islamic fundamentalists, will be driven by the desire to honor to God respecting and protecting the rights of all, especially the majority foreign workers, by observing of international labour laws and basic human rights. Praise the Lord for the granting of property for building of churches and places of worship. Still, the reality is there remains insufficient space to accommodate the large number of Christ followers! Pray that the government will grant permission for groups to meet outside of the compounds in places like restaurants, hotels, etc. Pray for increasing unity among the various fellowships, and that God would use these fellowships to meet the growing needs of the very poor migrant communities, especially in the labour camps, and that they would be bold to proclaim the Word of God to these people. Several years ago, the government cracked down on Christian workers, resulting in deportations and causing fragmentation and fear in the Christian community. Pray for God to break the spirit of fear and rebuild deep trust and unity of the workers so that they can work in a coordinated and concerted way again. Pray for Christians to come together to pray, worship and fellowship together. Pray that God would grant the different fellowships a united heart to impact Qatar for Jesus sake. Source: Christian ministry leader in the Arabian Peninsula Bless the government of Qatar with a deep desire to stand up for the human rights of all people and even to to be an example to other nations. Bless the many different Churches from expatriate communities that meet during the week; bless them with great worship. Bless the few Qatari Believers in Jesus with boldness to meet together in unity. Father, bless them with the ability not to repay evil for evil, but rather to repay evil with blessings, and may You bless them as well. (Prayer based on 1 Peter 3:9, the Holy Bible)

16 Saudi Arabia June 20 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord s favor Isaiah 61:1-2 (NIV) Pray with the Christians in Saudi Arabia as they strive to be the presence of Jesus in this land. In the midst of war to the north and south of Saudi Arabia, with growing economic pressure and rumors of political instability in the royal family, the Saudi people are facing an uncertain future. Pray God directs the royal family and governing officials to make wise decisions in line with God s will for the country. As the region experiences instability, may this be a time for the people of Saudi to start questioning their foundation and beliefs. Pray the Lord puts new questions into their hearts, to seek Jesus. Pray for emerging Saudi believers, that they may be encouraged and strengthened in the Lord. Pray against the fear and distrust that keeps many of them isolated. Pray for believers to have the courage to meet together. Pray for whole households, families and friendship groups to come to the Lord, so that local fellowships will be formed. Praise the Lord; He will build His church. Pray for revival amongst the many expat Christians working here, and a heart of love towards the Saudi people that moves them to pray and reach out as the Lord directs. The severity of the economic situation resulting from low oil prices is beginning to effect companies causing them to slash budgets, reduce manpower and slow or stop new hiring. Pray for God to protect the jobs of intentional Christian workers. Source: Christians in Saudi Arabia Bless King Salman of Saudi Arabia, who is called the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (in Mecca and Medina), with wisdom to rule his nation and to know how to move forward in international relations. Turn the blessing of oil into a blessing to the whole world and for Your glory. Bless Saudis who connect through social media with Christian programs and websites; teach them about You. Father, bless them with the ability to commit all their ways to You and establish Your plans among them. (Prayer based on Proverbs 16:3, the Holy Bible)

17 Somalia June 21 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) How good and pleasant it is when God s people live together in unity. Psalm 133:1 (NIV) Christians living among Somali people are asking believers to pray these verses for Somalia. Praise God for the way He is working among the Somali people and for the numbers coming to Christ in the diaspora and in the Horn of Africa. Thank the Lord for the way He is using social media to reach the Somalia people. Pray for unity among the growing number of believers. Often, there is potential for mistrust and disagreements. Pray for the Lord to raise up Somali leaders. Thank God for the many small groups meeting together. Pray for the believers to stand strong in the midst of persecution. Pray for their protection and wisdom in combination with boldness. Pray for churches, organizations and individual workers to serve Somalis in the diaspora and in the Horn of Africa. Pray for sensitivity towards the Holy Spirit in all activities and relationships. Pray for resources for the ministry and support for the national workers. Pray for peace; pray for the violence to stop within Somalia. Pray for the many Somalis in Kenya who are harassed due to ethnic tension. Pray for the Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs), and the refugees in neighboring countries, fleeing the fighting and famine. Source: Christians focused on Somalia The civil war and famine in Somalia have driven thousands away from their homes. These boys are in Dhagahaley refugee camp in Kenya. Pray for the Somali refugees. Bless Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, the president of Somalia, and the parliament with a desire to work together to build a strong Somalia where Islamic militants cannot destroy the country. Blessed are the poor, widows and orphans; may their needs be met. Bless the Church, small in Somalia but growing in other lands. Bless them with a deep relationship in Jesus and with a desire to share Christ back in Somalia. Father, bless them with the ability to bring all of the offering into Your presence, Father open the floodgates of Your heavens on them and pour out Your blessings.

18 South Sudan June 22 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14 (NIV) Pray this knowledge of the gospel of Jesus will be preached in South Sudan so that the people will not perish. Pray for national unity: The peace agreement was signed in August 2015 between the government and the opposition leader. Pray that it will be implemented for the sake of peace and unity. Pray for the economic situation in the country: There have been high price-increases, which resulted in the citizens not being able to afford to buy products and caused the devaluation of the local currency. Pray for security situation: There has been an increase of armed robberies in all cities. Pray for the locals who are experiencing hunger: Most parts of the country are experiencing drought. As a result, civilians are moving to neighboring countries to settlement camps. Pray for those in need: Orphans, widows, Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs), street children the numbers of these individuals-in-need are increasing everyday. Pray for charitable organizations to be able to serve among displaced people. Pray for co-existence between the cattle keepers and farmers: Cattle are taken to where people are farming, thus destroying crops. Hence, conflict arises, leaving many displaced. Pray for reconciliation and healing among the tribes in South Sudan. Pray for OM South Sudan: Pray God will enable the team to faithfully serve amongst the significant needs within South Sudan. Pray for opportunity for the Good News to be preached among the Muslims. Source: Christians focused on Somalia Photo by Andrew W. Bless President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar with the ability to bring lasting peace to South Sudan. Bless the people with the daily food they need. Bless the Church with unity in the body of Christ, even with different tribes coming together and putting down their weapons. Father, bless this nation with a desire to do your will and make those plans succeed. (Prayer based on Psalm 20:4, the Holy Bible)

19 Sudan June 23 No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. Isaiah 60:18 (NIV) Pray with the Christians in Sudan as they strive to be the presence of Jesus in this land. Since 1989, more than 2 million people have died as a result of the civil war. Sudan separated into two countries, and there is ongoing fighting primarily in three areas: the Nuba Mountains, Darfur and the Blue Nile. Pray for the fighting to cease in Sudan and for the government to follow God s will. Pray for safety in these war-torn regions and for the salvation of the people of Sudan. At the end of the 2012 the government required approximately 200 Christian missionaries to leave the country. The government took their possessions: cars, houses, computers and phones. Local believers continue to meet, but have faced many struggles and church closures. Pray for the local church leaders to be more united and show God s love in this situation. Blankets for Nuba Sudanese Refugees Local Christian workers live in five different areas as tentmakers and are focused on church planting. Pray for safety and a fruitful ministry in their country. Pray for God to use these local believers to mobilize more individuals for outreach among unreached people groups. The government has started arresting the local active Christian workers and has put some of them in prison, with the intent to stop Christianity in Sudan. Please pray for the Christians in prison and for their families. Pray God will protect Muslim background believers (MBBs) so they can take the message of the gospel to their people, tribes and families. Pray for the Sudanese church to show the love of God to Muslim neighbours in this difficult time. Due to the war, there are significant numbers of Sudanese refugees around the world. In Egypt there are approximately 5 million Sudanese. Please pray for God work among these people, for Sudanese to come to know Jesus as Lord, and also for their basic daily needs to be met. Source: Sudanese Christians forced to leave Sudan Bless the President of Sudan, Omar al-bashir, and the government with the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Bless the people of Darfur with peace and Your protection from evil. Bless the Church with strength to continue to meet and be a light as the darkness increases around them. Father, bless them with a deeper trust in You; may they find their confidence in You. (Prayer based on Jeremiah 17:7, the Holy Bible)

20 Syria June 24 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love. Ephesians 3:16-17 (NIV) To the church of the Thessalonians [Syrians] in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. 1 Thessalonians 1:1 (NIV) Christians in the Middle East are asking believers to pray Ephesians 3:16-17 and 1 Thessalonians 1:1 for those in Syria. In the midst of the war in Syria, evil actions seem to be increasing within Syria. Pray for the restraint of evil. Pray that God-fearing leaders to rise up and lead this country into peace. Pray for local churches in Syria to stay strong under immense pressure. Pray for them to be faithful and loving witnesses to their neighbours at this time. Pray for Christian workers who are involved with Syrian Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) and refugees. Pray for physical, emotional and spiritual strength and wisdom. Pray for longterm workers in this region serving among refugees. Pray for the refugees, there are immense physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Source: Christians focused on Syria Women and families meeting in the main mosque in Aleppo before the war began. Bless President Bashar al-assad of Syria with wisdom in leading a country that is a battle zone with many nations involved of the war. Bless the Daesh (IS) fighters with the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance in His name that leads to salvation in Him alone. Bless the persecuted Church with love for their neighbors and strength to continue to battle for the glory of their Lord Jesus. Father, bless them with the ability to keep Your statutes and to seek You with all their hearts. (Prayer based on Psalm 119:2, the Holy Bible)

21 Tunisia June 25 Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. Habakkuk 1:5 (NIV) Pray with the Christians in Tunisia as they strive to be the presence of Jesus in this land. Pray for those in political positions to seek improvements for the country s economical situation. Pray for the government to continue to work for the protection of the country against radical Islamic militants. Pray for the local church fellowships throughout the country. Pray for the discipleship of new believers. Pray for humble servant leaders for these local churches. Pray for deep trusting friendships and love among believers that creates strong community. Pray for a burden for the lost to be placed in believer s hearts. Pray for boldness and courage for believers to share with family and friends about Jesus Christ. Pray for spiritual protection for Christian workers in the country. Pray for provision of residency visas, which will allow many different nationalities to remain working inside the country. Pray for unity among international and Tunisian believers to work side-by-side for the sake of the gospel. Pray Habakkuk 1:5 for Tunisia. From the time of the revolution until now, the events originating out of this small country are still newsworthy. Pray for a move of the Holy Spirit in bringing conviction of sin and repentance that brings multitudes of Tunisians to Christ. Pray for many to come to faith, that none will be lost. Source: Christians in Tunisia Birthplace of the Arab Spring Bless the nation of Tunisia with wisdom in dealing with the continued Islamic terrorism that destroys lives and the economy. Bless the president of Tunisia and other governmental leaders as they seek to move the country toward greater peace and stability and away from corruption and greed. Bless the Church with the ability to disciple new and old Believers in Jesus, and that the brethren will remain strong in You. Father, bless the Church with the ability to heed Your instructions, allowing them to trust in You. (Prayer based on Proverbs 16:20, the Holy Bible)

22 United Arab Emirates June 26 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV) Materialism blinds people from seeing their spiritual and emotional neediness. Arabs have a heritage of being fatherless in that Abraham, the father of Ishmael, sent his son away (Genesis 21:9-14). Pray for restoration of fellowship with the Father of the fatherless (Psalm 68:5), that Emiratis would see their neediness and ask questions, and that the Father would reveal eternal truth. Pray for the leaders of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to have wisdom and tolerance, allowing citizens to change their faith. Pray for the government to be able to keep the country safe from insurgent/terrorist groups and provide policies that encourage young people to be motivated to work hard for the good of their country. Pray for the UAE s relationships with other countries in the region, like Iran (tension over disputed islands). Pray for further disillusionment with Islam and rejection of the radical groups that would lead to discovery of the Truth that will set them free! Pray for unity, not uniformity, among the expat churches in the UAE. Pray the churches will partner together for the sake of the gospel. Pray for the Lord to send mature and capable leaders to disciple the many international believers who come to faith in the UAE and for solid Bible teaching. Pray for the churches to share their faith with locals so that indigenous fellowships of believers will arise in the cities and villages of the UAE. Pray Christian workers will be not be distracted by the materialism, comforts and amenities in the UAE. Pray for Christians serving intentionally in the UAE to be people of prayer, asking God to move miraculously in this land. Pray Christians will seek and find new avenues and opportunities to engage with locals as the country changes politically, economically and culturally. Source: Christians in the UAE Bless the leaders of the UAE as they seek to understand how to protect their own land from Daesh (IS) and other forms of militant Islam. Bless the government of UAE because they allow expatriates to worship freely in many locations across the country. Bless the very few Believers of Jesus from the UAE with a great desire to know and worship Him. Father, bless them with the ability to love You, to walk in Your ways and to follow Your laws and commands. (Prayer based on Deuteronomy 30:16, the Holy Bible)

23 West Bank June 27 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:12 (NIV) Christians near the West Bank are asking prayer based on 1 Peter 2:12. Praise God for the many encouraging stories coming from churches in the West Bank over the last year, including sharing Scripture with Muslims. Pray the churches would continue to persevere as they represent a small part of the population and face persecution. Pray for a church in Ramallah, which also serves as a home for boys. Please pray that the church would grow spiritually and that the boys who live there would grow up to be men of God. Pray for the ministry to the disabled in Bethlehem. Pray many Muslims and others would find Christ and receive comfort, as God s people care for them. Pray for church fellowships to be started in the areas of the West Bank where there are none. Pray for a stable, reliable and peaceful leadership to develop in this region. Pray the Lord would thwart the plans of groups that wish to cause chaos here. Source: Christians serving among Palestinians Bless the Palestinian Authority government as it deals with the West Bank and Gaza Strip, seeking to unify Palestinian areas. Bless aging President Mahmoud Abbas with wisdom in dealing with so many violent forces all around the Palestinian-controlled territories. Bless Palestinian Believers in Jesus as they suffer a lack of respect by Palestinian Muslims; and comfort those seeking to leave the hatred of their land. Father, bless them with a great hunger and thirst for Your righteousness that will fill them up. (Prayer based on Matthew 5:6, the Holy Bible)

24 Western Sahara June 28 This is to my Father s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8 (NIV) Pray with the Christians in Western Sahara as they strive to be the presence of Jesus in this land. This long disputed territory, wanting independence but currently governed by Morocco, continues to struggle with large refugee camps and issues of displacement. Ask God for a resolution to this political issue. (Pray Proverbs 2:10.) There are very few Christian workers in this region focusing on the Saharawi people. Pray Christian workers will find many opportunities to share the Gospel and find that their labors bear much fruit this year. (Pray 2 Corinthians 9:6.) Pray for Christian workers, particularly families and individuals with a long-term commitment, to serve in the Western Sahara. (Pray Matthew 9:35-38.) Source: Christians in Morocco with a desire to see the Gospel move into Western Sahara. Bless the exiled government of Western Sahara with the ability to negotiate with Morocco and to know how to lead their nation into the future. Bless the United Nations with the power to further the referendum that will allow Western Sahara independence from or integration with Morocco. Bless the Sahrawi people, many who are refugees, with health, food and shelter. Father, may You meet all their needs according to Your great riches found in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Prayer based on Philippians 4:19, the Holy Bible)

25 Yemen June 29 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. Acts 17:26-27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. Psalm 22:27-28 Christians focused on Yemen are asking for prayer based on Acts 17:26-27 and Psalm 22: There are at least four major factions fighting in Yemen with outside forces also involved. However, the situation changes daily. Pray for stability across the country. In the absence of electricity, water and medical supplies in addition to escalating food and transport costs there is a critical need for humanitarian aid to be able to enter the country. Pray for the groups of believers meeting in the two main cities and for the scattered believers in other areas, that they would be established in Christ. Pray local believers would become family to one another, forgiving and including one another. Pray God would help them focus on being trustworthy, that they would desire to give honor rather than seek it, and that they would count others as more important than themselves. Pray for Christians inside Yemen to set an example by modeling a lifestyle of holiness. If foreign workers are able to return, pray they would live out and model to local believers how to love one another in spirit and in truth. Pray for Christian workers now outside of Yemen to rest in God s sovereignty, rather than in their frustration at not being able to go into Yemen. Source: Christians who lived in Yemen Bless Yemen with peace, for they have known so much fighting and war. Bless them with rains that will nourish their crops and bring an increase of food, providing for the poor. Bless the Church with deep fellowship together, great worship of the Father and with strength to live in these hard times. Father, bless them with You as their shepherd, knowing that in You they will lack nothing; bless them with green pastures and quiet waters. (Prayer based on Psalm 23:1-2, the Holy Bible)

26 Media across MENA June 30 Then Jesus told them this parable: Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? Luke 15:3-4 (NIV) Christians serving in media to Arabs are asking for prayer focused on Luke 15:3-4. Media outreach across the Arab world Across the Arab world people search for water to survive and thrive, but to seek for spiritual truths, other than what their Islamic leaders reveal, is strongly prohibited in Muslim countries. In many of these countries it is still difficult to find and buy a Bible or to find a Christian to ask about the truth of the gospel. During the last decade, there has been an increase of new Arabic Christian TV programmes available via satellite TV. These have millions of viewers and many Muslims are watching Christian TV programmes! Pray that more Muslims will watch and understand the Biblical teaching. Internet and social media are used throughout the Arab world. However, it is used effectively not only by Christians, but also by groups like Daesh (ISIS). Pray that the Lord would call more Christian workers to produce TV-programmes and online media. Pray the Lord will protect these media content creators, as they present Scripture and Biblical teaching. Satellite dishes are everywhere in the Arab world, even in small villages. Follow Up of Christian Media While response is high to Christian Arab programs, follow-up is a challenge, and sadly not always part of the media strategy. Pray for better partnership and coordination with follow-up. Each Muslim seeker needs attention and answers to their questions. As trust replaces fear, some are ready to meet with a Christian face-to-face. Pray more seekers would desire to meet with a believer and then either be integrated into a local community of believers or start a new Bible fellowship. Communities of Jesus followers are regularly started in unreached cities through the followup of individuals, both by connecting them with other lonely believers and helping them reach their own communities. Pray Luke 15:3-4, for the ministry to Muslims through the media. Pray for the scattered sheep across the Arab world, to be found by those searching for them. Pray for the emerging local church in the Arab world. Their passion and involvement to follow up their people is steadily increasing.

27 Laylat al Qadr (Night of Power or the Night of Destiny) July 1 The visions of your prophets were false and worthless; they did not expose your sin to ward off your captivity. The prophecies they gave you were false and misleading. Lamentations 2:14 (NIV) For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14 (NIV) Christians serving among Muslims suggest we keep these verses in mind as we pray regarding this topic: Lamentations 2:14 and Colossians 1:13-14 Laylat al-qadr [Night of Power] The Night of Power is better than a thousand months (Surat al-qadr, 3). Muslims believe that God revealed the first verses of the Qur an during this night and that it is the holiest night of the year. Many will spend the whole night in prayer and devotion in mosques or at home, reading the Qur an and hoping that their requests will be granted, specifically asking for forgiveness. A hadith promises, Whosoever offers voluntary prayers during the Night of Power out of belief and expecting from Allah its reward will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari and Muslim). Pray that Muslims will see their own sinfulness and spiritual disillusionment with the promises of Islam. Pray Muslims will open themselves to true revelations from God. Pray for opportunities for Christians to share about the forgiveness through Jesus and for Muslims to hear His voice. Laylat al-qadr [Night of Destiny] Laylat al-qadr is also translated as Night of Destiny. Muslims expect that their prayers during this night will change their destiny for the year. Many devotions are aimed at reaching a higher spiritual state, promising an eternal destiny closer to God. Many are experiencing dreams, visions, and other supernatural incidents. Pray many Muslims will have dreams and visions of Jesus during this night. Pray that Jesus will reveal His power through signs and miracles. Pray that Muslims will experience the fullness of God in Jesus.

28 Refugees - Aid/Relief across the Arab world July 2 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. Ephesians 2:14-16 (NIV) Christians focused on caring for refugees are asking us to pray Ephesians 2:14-16 with them. The Arab world continues to face multiple emergency situations on an unprecedented scale. The humanitarian situation in Syria and Iraq remains a serious concern. Yemen and Libya are under great security threat. In the fifth year of the Syrian conflict, there are more than 4 million Syrian refugees in the region. Inside Syria, an additional 11 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. The security situation remains volatile, and humanitarian access is a challenge. In Iraq, the deteriorating security situation and the Daesh (ISIS) surge in the summer of 2014 triggered new waves of displacement. The crisis brought enormous social and economic impacts on the neighbouring countries hosting refugees. Specifically, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey are hosting so many refugees that they are showing great social strain: overstretching basic services, aggravating unemployment, diminishing investment, and growing resentment from host communities. Pray for political and tribal solutions that honor God and bring lasting peace. Pray for humanitarian responses to be generous and fair. The five-year conflict in Syria has turned upside down many social structures and patterns of life. Interestingly, people are displaced into regions where they come into contact with Christians in ways that they never would have before. The church in the region is under great strain. Christian emigration from the region is so high that many churches report 60-80% of believers have left in the past five years. Still, the churches are full with attendees and there are many Muslims who are hearing the good news for the first time. Those who have remained in Syria report great spiritual interest. Each of OM s local partner churches has conducted baptisms regularly in the past year. Churches in Lebanon are actively providing practical relief help and these churches are filled with Muslims who regularly attend meetings, with some who desire more Bible study and followup. Churches in northern Iraq report some openness to the gospel in the refugee camps. Pray for the local believers who have chosen to remain in war zones in order to minister to those in need to be a witness to the gospel. Pray for new local leaders to be raised up for the ministries. Pray for revival among historic Christian denominations and for wisdom and renewal among bishops and priests. Photos by Andrew W.

29 Human Rights July 3 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Colossians 4:1 (NIV) Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Hebrews 13:3 (NIV) Scriptures focused on the issues of Human Rights are emphasized by Christian workers in the Arab world. It was not until 1960 that Saudi Arabia formally abolished slavery in the kingdom. And to this day, especially in places like the Gulf region and Libya, there is still a kind of slavery in which workers from certain countries have official rights but, in practice, are treated as slaves. Recent stories coming from the region of domestic workers being abused and when they strike back, are put in jail, deported and sometimes executed. Citizens from countries held in respect are better off than those from countries that are considered less advanced and whose citizens are not held in high esteem. The second group of people, desperate for work because of appalling economic situations in their home countries, are forced to work in harsh conditions, are poorly paid and sometimes even sent home without being paid in-full. In some situations local expatriate churches are trying to make these labourers aware of their legal rights. Pray for these churches to be successful in getting materials to these labourers. Pray the governments where these situations exist will come under pressure from the United Nations to improve the conditions of those who come for employment. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was adopted by the United Nations guarantees, under Article 18, Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. However, though Muslim countries signed this document they wrote the Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Rights, which states, Every person has the right to freedom of conscience and worship in accordance with his religious beliefs. Note this does not allow the freedom to change one s religion. The UIDHR states that human rights is based on the law, but the Arabic version uses the word Shari a (Islamic law) according to which it is not legal for a Muslim to change his or her religion. Pray for Muslims who become followers of Christ Jesus who want to change their religion would have the right to do so. Pray other governments would put pressure on Islamic governments to allow these believers to change their religion. Pray that these believers would stand firm in their faith. Pray for groups like Set My People Free who are advocates for human rights. We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel itself. Dietrich Bonhoeffer

30 Sunni/Shiite conflicts July 4 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. Ephesians 2:14-16 (NIV) Christians who have served among Sunni and Shiite Muslims encourage believers to pray Ephesians 2: Sunni [companions of Mohammad] versus Shiite [blood relatives of Mohammad] The Sunni versus Shiite conflict is, at its earliest appearance, a conflict between Mohammad s companions Abu Baker and Omar, verses his closest family members, Ali, his cousin and son-inlaw, and Fatima. The Sunnis have emphasized qualifications over family connections while the Shiites have emphasized the inherited virtue of blood relationship to Islam s prophet. Tensions mounted as Ali finally became Caliph or successor of the prophet and was opposed by Abu Baker s daughter Aisha, who was Mohammad s youngest and most famous wife. Ali s most dangerous foes turned out to be Muslims of Mecca who deposed him and eventually killed off not only Ali, but also his sons Hassan and Hussein. Over the centuries these injustices to Ali s family, the Shiites, festered and seethed in intensity until the present day. Pray that God s mercy would draw both Sunni and Shitte to the Lord Jesus. Though this background does not present a fertile background for the Gospel of Christ, His Kingdom will prevail as the conflict unfolds. There has been historically little testimony of Christ in most of the areas of this conflict, but millions of Muslims sensitivities have been deeply injured by the sheer inhumanity of the conflict of Muslim to Muslim. Pray that many Sunni and Shiite would look outside of Islam and find the truth in the Bible and the love of the Lord Jesus. One of the recent outbursts between the two groups was experienced in Yemen. Wave after wave of recent air and artillery strikes have destroyed the country s frail infrastructure. Pray for the human needs of the people, food, shelter, education and employment in Yemen. Pray for openness to the testimony of Christian organizations providing aid. The destroyed Pearl Roundabout in Bahrain still represents the ongoing conflict and struggle between Sunni and Shiite.

31 Saul of Tarsus (fanatics coming to Christ) July 5 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Who are you, Lord? Saul asked. I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, he replied. Acts 9:1-5 (NIV) Christians in the Arab world are praying more people will have encounters like Saul Acts 9:1-5. Stephen was the first martyr of the Christian faith. Saul of Tarsus was watching and giving approval to the killing of Stephen (Acts 8:1). Saul probably had already heard the message of Jesus and what these followers of His were saying. Saul wanted to destroy the church. Stephen had just given one of the longest sermons recorded in Scripture and Saul heard it. Saul was seeking the death of the church. And then Jesus reached down from heaven and called Saul to Himself. Saul becomes Paul and becomes one of the greatest servants of Christ. Pray that God would call leaders from Daesh (ISIS) and other radical Islamic groups to Himself. May they be called to be bold witnesses unto the life-changing power found in the living Christ. Pray that God would call out radical followers of Islam to be radical followers of the living Lord Jesus. As Saul of Tarsus - one of the fiercest persecutors of the Church - became one of the most powerful proponents of the Gospel, please pray that many Islamists will have a radical conversion to Christ. As the month of prayer for Ramadan comes to a close, please continue to seek God to do great things in the Arab world. Pray for Christians in the Arab world to show love to their Muslim neighbours. Lord, we ask that Your supernatural love would continue to move us forward into love. Lord, help us have Your peace each day as we interact with Muslim neighbours. A statue of Paul and Ananias in Damascus, Syria. Thanks for praying for the Muslim world. May many Muslims come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and follow Him with joyful hearts.