ireland diary

The Boko Haram insurgency, once confined to the northeast, appears to be spreading. Violent attacks and abductions continue. Pray for persistence and accountability for the Nigerian government as they work to free the country of the destruction caused by Boko Haram and other extremist groups...

Sri Lanka - Reports of opposition against churches and believers are increasing. Ask God to protect Christians living in majority Buddhist or Hindu areas, and pray that Open Doors partners will be able to strengthen these believers to stand firm. Boko Haram extremists continue to target...

As India celebrates Independence Day, pray God's blessing on this vibrant and diverse nation. Give thanks that the church continues to grow despite severe persecution, and ask God to move the hearts of Prime Minister ### and his government to respect the rights of Christians to worship the Lord...

Keep praying for ### in the wake of February's coup. Pray for peace and reconciliation between ethnic insurgency groups and the military, and pray for courage and faith for church leaders as they lead their members in such unstable times. Thanks so much for praying, God bless. Taken from an ###...

Sister ### leads a small group of believers. Recently, while they were meeting, local authorities found a way in, shut down the meeting and took the names of everyone present. They were all summoned for questioning, but ### bore the brunt of the interrogations. Ask the Lord to comfort her and to...

Please keep praying for ### and ###, who are facing opposition from their community. Recently, the local authorities called a meeting with ### and the whole village to force ### and his family to deny their faith. But ### refused, saying - "We will follow Jesus our Lord, and you cannot force us...

Pastor ### was in his church when the building was set on fire by a group of young people bribed by Hindu extremists. Burning wood fell on him as he tried to escape. Thankfully he has recovered from his injuries. Despite this terrifying incident, ### is committed to the ministry he feels God has...

Please pray for Open Doors local partners taking great personal risks to deliver vital Covid aid and to come alongside believers facing discrimination and attack. Your prayers are pivotal to their work. "We can go and are able to take risks, being in those difficult areas at difficult times to...

Covid-19 has exacerbated the persecution of Christians in India, and many believers have faced discrimination in the distribution of aid. But your support has ensured food relief has reached over 126,000 believers in India during the pandemic. "We were so discouraged when they ignored us while...

Since starting a church a few years ago, which around 200 people now attend, ### has been closely watched by Hindu extremists. They are angry that people have left their traditional faith to go to his church. The hostility came to a head when they beat him for three hours, threatening further...

After refusing to stop sharing the gospel with others, despite threats, ### was falsely accused of using fraudulent means to convert people to Christianity. He and two of his friends were imprisoned for four months. It was a further three years before their innocence was proven, during which...

Hindu extremists promote Hindutva. It's an ideology that disregards Indian Christians and Muslims (and other religious minorities) as true Indians because they have allegiances that lie outside India, and asserts the country should be purified of their presence. But Indian Christians don't see...

Some Indian states have anti-conversion laws, designed to prevent involuntary religious conversions. However, in practice, these vaguely worded laws are frequently used to harass Christians taking part in normal activities that are part of their faith, like holding a prayer meeting or attending...

Incessant attacks by Boko Haram have forced many believers to move to the mountains for protection. Pray for Open Doors partners providing aid to those affected, and pray for an end to the attacks. "We pray that the Lord will bring the enemies to faith," shares one believer, "so that they will...

Rachel age 19 was physically and emotionally abused by her family after her aunt discovered her secretly reading the Bible. She fled her home and is now being cared for by her church. Pray for her protection and for wisdom for those who are supporting her. Thanks for praying this prayer its...

Isaiah and his family had to leave their home and farm when jihadists came to their village and told them to convert to Islam or leave. Give thanks that Open Doors has been able to provide the family with food aid. "We want to thank God so much," he says. "This is a very important gift because I...

Incessant attacks by Boko Haram have forced many believers to move to the mountains for protection. Pray for Open Doors partners providing aid to those affected, and pray for an end to the attacks. "We pray that the Lord will bring all the enemies to faith,: shares one believer, So that they...

Praise God that 21 Christian women were released from jail in February after more than three years' imprisonment. The news of their release created joy among local Christians. Ask the Lord to help these women as they are reunited with their families and adjust to life outside prison. Thanks for...

Many Christian families fled Iraq when Islamic State terrorists occupied the Nineveh Plains, and moved to Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan to seek asylum. Six years on, many are still waiting to receive asylum and are fast running out of time and money. Pray for patient faith, and ask the Lord to...

Pray for believers from Muslim backgrounds who are following Jesus secretly for fear of being persecuted or killed by their communities. Covid restrictions make it very difficult for these believers to meet. Pray for protection and encouragement. Prayer from charity for persecuted Christians -...