Before we look closer at this opportunity to pray together, let’s remember how much the concept of “family” means to God.

(Photo courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs, USA via Facebook)

From Genesis 1, God instituted family into human society. In Scripture He invites us to call Him our Father. He calls Christians His children, the sons and daughters of God. Many believers today follow the early church’s pattern of calling each other sister or brother. (See Romans 16:1, Philippians 1:14, and James 2:15 as just a few examples.) Family language is everywhere in the kingdom of God!

Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs USA says this truth of deep family relationship in the Church is part of what led to the International Day of Prayer.

“When my brother is in prison and is being beaten on, you don’t have to guilt me into caring about him, and you don’t have to try to manipulate my emotions to make me care about him. It’s my brother. Of course I care,” Nettleton explains. 

“It becomes very, very natural for us to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters, to want to be a voice for them. It becomes natural once we understand, once it really takes hold in our heart that these are our family members.” 

Even young children can grasp what this means.

“You don’t have to go so much into the specifics with a young child of what that persecution looks like, or what that level of suffering is,” Nettleton explains. It’s often enough to tell a child that people who are their family, some of them kids just like they are, are suffering for faith in Jesus.

(Image courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs)

Would you commit to pray for your persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ? It’s their first request when VOM staff ask how the West can help. (Learn ways to do so with a VOM prayer guide here.)

It’s also not too late to get involved with the International Day of Prayer throughout November! Find free digital resources from VOM for you and your church to use to pray together this month. It doesn’t matter how big or how small it looks. 

“Many churches are just going to add persecuted Christians to the normal Sunday pastoral prayer time. Some are going to have a special extra prayer time for persecuted Christians. Some are going to give the whole day to it,” Nettleton says. 

“The important thing is, is your church going to do something to raise awareness? To tell your people, ‘Hey, we have family members for all eternity who are suffering right now. We need to lift them up. We need to honor the [Scripture] that say[s], ‘Remember the prisoner as if you were in prison with them.’” 

Connect with The Voice of the Martyrs for IDOP 2024 here. 

Header image courtesy of The Voice of the Martyrs.

“We don’t know specifically what the charges are against them. We believe that it is for sharing the gospel,” says Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs. 

“The trial had been set for August the 13th [2024]. To our knowledge, the trial has not happened, but there hasn’t been any kind of an announcement of ‘it’s been delayed until X day.’” 

Libya has had two rival governments for the past 10 years. You can imagine how this undermines judicial process and constitutional rights for its 2% Christian population. 

Libya is ranked number 3 on Open Doors’ World Watch List. (More on that here.)

“There’s a couple different options that they could be facing. One [charge could be] for their own leaving Islam, or the other option [could be] for encouraging other people to leave Islam. Frankly, it could be both,” Nettleton says.

(Image courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs)

“[It] would probably not be a charge like ‘evangelism.’ It would probably be a charge like ‘the corrupting the society’ or ‘corrupting the morals of another person.’” 

Nettleton says that under Libya’s penal code, conversion and evangelism can receive the death penalty. 

“I’m very curious to know what’s happening behind the scenes that this trial has been delayed yet again. Maybe there’s pressure from outside to release these people, to not have a trial,” he says.

Find your place in this story with Hebrews 13:3, which calls believers to remember imprisoned and mistreated fellow Christians.

“It would be very easy [for Christians in Libya] to think, ‘I need to be quiet,’ or ‘I need to stop gathering with other believers,’ or even ‘I need to flee the country.’ All of those are sort of logical responses to this,” Nettleton says. 

“But we want to pray against discouragement and against intimidation, for not only the six who are on trial, but for all of our brothers and sisters in Libya during this time.” 

Header photo is a representative stock photo courtesy of Ehsan Habashi/Unsplash.

“[Bible translation] moves forward with the faithful Christians who commit to it, whether that’s in hiding, or whether that’s [when] they leave their country,” says Tabitha Price with Wycliffe Associates.

Wycliffe Associates’ MAST program (Mobilized Assistance Supporting Translation) allows faster translation through accelerated and effective training (Photo courtesy of Wycliffe Associates)

But there’s more to the story. Bible translators in the Middle East and North Africa put their lives on the line even after the work is done. 

“God’s Word changes lives, and it transforms communities,” Price says. “So getting it translated in a safe place is wonderful — and still requires the risk of getting it back into those places that are not so safe. Our translators take that risk.”

But they never take it lightly. These brothers and sisters have created ways to carry electronic copies loaded onto microchips back to their homeland. Print copies are often just too dangerous. 

“We simply partner with them and pray for them as they take the extreme risk in places all over the world, but particularly in the 10/40 window,” Price says.

(Photo courtesy Wycliffe Associates)

In that 10/40 window, Price says spiritual warfare is deep. “These areas of the world have been dominated by Satan’s kingdom. When God’s people get a foothold and begin to proclaim the name of Christ and share the Word of God, the gates of hell will not prevail, but they can certainly try. And they do.” 

Right now, Wycliffe is working on printed Bibles for 13 language groups in the Middle East/North Africa (click here to learn more). Pray for their protection and joy in these battles, and learn more so that you can pray with deeper compassion. 

“I highly recommend that you research these stories when Wycliffe Associates puts out press releases or newsletters,” Price says, pointing also to resources from Voice of the Martyrs. 

(Read about two sisters serving as Bible translators or many other stories of joyful faith in the midst of opposition.)

“Take [it] seriously. Read and enter into the pain of [their stories], because then when you pray, you will be thinking about their children who might be fatherless and of those mothers who are begging God to bring their husband back from that risky trip,” Price says. 

“You will be thinking of the reality that they face instead of just some ethereal idea that ‘Someone’s out there risking their life for the gospel.’”

Header photo courtesy of Wycliffe Associates.

Since 2022, USCIRF has recommended the State Department designate Afghanistan as a country of particular concern (CPC). Each year, the State Department fails to do so.

However, last year, the State Department did designate the Taliban as an entity of particular concern (EPC).

After the State Department’s 2023 decision, USCIRF released a statement criticizing the decision and pointed out that the State Department often highlights Afghanistan’s particularly severe religious freedom violations.

Earlier this month, USCIRF released its annual report with recommendations for 2024.

The Voice of the Martyrs USA’s Todd Nettleton points out, “The [2024] report calls for Afghanistan to be listed as a country of particular concern. It does not call for the Taliban to be listed as an entity of particular concern.”

(Photo courtesy of VOM Canada)

Although USCIRF stops short of recommending an EPC designation, it does at least call out the Taliban’s violations of religious freedom in its assessment of Afghanistan.

Still, is that enough?

“I wonder what the logic and the expectation is behind that,” says Nettleton.

“We know the Taliban is the government of Afghanistan. They’re running the country now. So, if you say the Taliban is bad, you are saying the Afghan government does not respect religious freedom, so I understand the logic of it. But I would be interested to hear their background and what the thinking was that went into that.”

The CPC and EPC designations are more than just arbitrary labels. Countries and entities on these lists from the State Department typically face stricter sanctions and political action from the US government, which can lead to positive changes for religious freedom.

Nettleton says, “I just would encourage people to pray for leaders…. These are recommendations. We wait now to see months from now what the State Department will do with these recommendations. But hopefully, it will be something that is a part of our foreign policy.”

Ask God to strengthen persecuted Afghan believers to continue following Christ. Pray that, no matter what happens on a political level, the Gospel will be unabashedly proclaimed to reach those seeking truth in Afghanistan.

Header photo courtesy of VOM USA.

In response, USCIRF has called for a congressional hearing to express its “extreme disappointment” over the State Department’s lackluster censorship of the two countries.

Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs USA says, “The interesting thing about this is that [USCIRF] is publicly questioning the State Department on, ‘Hey, why don’t you agree with us? Why didn’t you follow our advice?’ That is something that we haven’t seen a lot of in the past, where they’re really publicly saying, ‘Hey, you got it wrong. You need to change your mind.’”

Nearly all Christians in northeastern Nigeria have lost family members in attacks by Boko Haram or Fulani Islamic militants.
(Photo courtesy of VOM USA)

The failure to designate Nigeria as a CPC comes on the heels of recent extremist attacks over Christmas that killed hundreds of Nigerian Christians. India also continues to see an increase in persecution of Indian Christians, Muslims, and religious minorities.

“I think one of the things that we can do is educate ourselves about what is happening in places like Nigeria, in places like India,…and in other countries that are affected by these reports,” says Nettleton.

“As we educate ourselves, we can help our elected officials [see], ‘No, this is something we care about, and you need to understand what’s happening on the ground in these countries.’”

Please pray for justice.

Nettleton also asks, “Pray that even in these attacks, even in these persecution instances, there will be opportunities to be a witness for Christ.”

Header photo courtesy of Mike Stoll/Unsplash.

Many of these attacks are carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamist rebel group. In addition to murdering villagers, attackers often loot and torch homes.

Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs says, “There are multiple reports when they go into a village of them singling out Christians for death [and] allowing Muslims not to be killed or even to go free.

“So there is an element to this that is very much Christian persecution and Christians being targeted as they try to create an Islamic caliphate and a place where Sharia law is followed.”

Representative photo of Congolese village. (Photo courtesy of Kudra_Abdulaziz via Pixabay)

In total over the last two weeks, 72 Christians have been killed in eastern DRC. Thousands of refugees are displaced or fleeing to neighboring Uganda and Tanzania.

These attacks are having their desired effect. The Church in eastern DRC is dwindling.

Nettleton says, “In the area where this attack just happened, there is one denomination that before the violence broke out this denomination had 25 churches in this area. Today they have eight. Another denomination before the violence had 54 churches. Now they have 11.”

Yet, the story isn’t over. God is still at work in DRC, and the persecuted Church needs our support and prayers!

“Those brothers and sisters are a part of our family, and if a part of our family is suffering, of course, we should care. We should care very much about that.”

Nettleton says, “I think one of the ways we can pray is for the government response to this…. ADF is active on both sides of the border. The DRC government and the Ugandan government have tried to cooperate to get more stability, to get more control and more peace in this region. We can pray for those efforts to be effective.”

For persecuted Christians, Nettleton asks, “Pray for a sense of God’s presence with them even as they go through major suffering and these kinds of attacks. Pray that their faith will remain strong.”

Header photo courtesy of Imani Bahati via Unsplash.

 On a podcast with The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) Canada, VOM Korea’s Eric Foley explained, “Since 1989, the Church has been in numeric decline every year in South Korea.

“Christians think of South Korea and they say, ‘Wow, 10 of the 11 largest churches in the world! Sending out more missionaries than anybody!’ True, true. However…during Covid, those missionaries were called back in large numbers.”

Post-Covid in South Korea, Foley said, “We saw upwards of 15 percent of churches closing or at risk of closure still in the near future.”

A satellite image contrasts South Korea at night with North Korea. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Gospel missions to North Korea have also been slapped with red tape. In 2020, South Korea banned balloon launches of so-called “propaganda materials” into North Korea. This included Gospel tracts.

Then, in March 2021, Foley said, “Any movement of what is considered anti-North Korean material northward across the border — including via the internet — became a criminal activity. Only radio was excluded from that.

“What that means is it’s not only Russia and China blocking the influx of Bibles and Christian literature into North Korea. There is now…no legal means to bring Bibles and Christian literature into North Korea from any direction.”

So what is VOM Korea still able to do in South Korea to reach North Koreans for Christ?

“We never comment publicly on our field activities in terms of the specific details,” Foley said. “The Voice of the Martyrs continues to get Bibles into North Korea through a wide variety of means and we joyfully and willingly pay the price that we have to pay personally in each of the countries that we do that.”

A paradox of Christianity is this: Wherever believers endure hardship or pressure, the Church is pruned and refined — and the Gospel spreads.

Myeongdong shopping district, Seoul, South Korea. (Photo courtesy of Cait Ellis via Unsplash)

Pray for a profound spread of the Gospel in South Korea that ignites deeper passion for Christ. Ask the Lord to foster creativity in ministry to overcome these new challenges.

To learn more about VOM Korea, click here!

Header photo courtesy of Daniel Bernard via Unsplash.

That’s why Omid Sabouki operates a ministry that focuses on the value of women. He says many Iranian women have been brought up to think this way about themselves. “They don’t know they are valuable. That’s why they think, ‘I’m only a thing that men can buy,’ or something similar.”

Sabouki traces this kind of thinking back to the Quran itself, which focuses most of its teachings on the lives of men. Many communities believe women exist to bear children, and not much more than that.

The magazine

Sabouki works on a magazine for women that allows them to share their voices about different topics. He says the simple fact that the cover shows a picture of a woman increased interest in it. “Wow, a woman is there. The woman is important, right on the cover. And they ask, “what is this about?’ “We say, ‘it’s about your identity.”

“They are thinking about that. They are very to open accepting that anything is for women.”

As women want to learn more, Sabouki and his team share the Bible with them. He says, “We invite them to small groups, or to share in the magazine. We also share books about women’s identity.” Many are surprised for example, to find out that a woman was the first to proclaim Jesus’ resurrection.

Ask God to protect the team creating this magazine, most of whom live inside Iran. Pray also that many Iranian women will find hope in Jesus through this ministry.

The header photo shows pages from the magazine, including recipes and movie reviews. (Photo property of Mission Network News) 

The Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Ordinance 2020 replaces an older one in the state. It is considered by lawmakers to be the strictest anti-conversion measure in India.

For example, anyone who wants to change their religion must now apply to the district administration 60 days in advance. Failing to do so incurs heavy fines and jail time.

(Photo courtesy of Ibrahim Rifath via Unsplash)

The new ordinance is currently in effect for six months. If confirmed by the Madhya Pradesh State Legislature once they are back in session, the ordinance will go into law.

We spoke with Todd Nettleton at The Voice of the Martyrs USA about this new development: “The [Indian] government says, ‘We don’t want anyone to be bribed.’ And I think all of us would say, yeah, we don’t want anyone to be bribed to change their religion. But the reality is this is used against ministries. It’s used against Hindus who would want to change their religion.”

Anti-conversion laws are on the rise as the Bharatiya Janata Party pushes to make India a Hindu nation.

A similar anti-conversion law went into effect in Uttar Pradesh late last year. Two Christians have already been arrested there since the law went into effect.

Nettleton says, “So we talk about the fact that in Madhya Pradesh, they now have this law. How long will it be until there’s a Christian arrested there as well?”

India is considered one of the most difficult countries in the world in which to be a believer. The 2021 World Watch List from Open Doors ranked India in 10th place for Christian persecution.

“Pray for our brothers and sisters in India. If you think about going out and doing ministry in a place where you could face 10 years in prison for encouraging someone to leave Hinduism and become a follower of Jesus Christ, that’s a sobering thought for those who are involved in ministry.”

You can also contact your local government official and call for action. Nettleton says, “India has become a commercial place…that trades with the entire rest of the world, including the United States. We need to make sure that our officials [and] government leaders know that we want religious freedom to be a part of our conversations with other governments, including India.”

Learn more about VOM’s ministry to persecuted Christians!

Header photo courtesy of Naveed Ahmed via Unsplash.

Several brutal assaults took place just this week when Fulani herdsmen killed men, women, and children.

Todd Nettleton of Voice of the Martyrs USA (VOM USA) says since March 23, “Our workers in Nigeria have identified 13 different attacks, mostly in Kaduna state and Plateau State, involving a total of 44 people being killed. The rate of attacks has just kept right on going in spite of the coronavirus, and in spite of the shelter in place orders that people are trying to follow around the world.”

A waterfall in Kaduna State. Pray that violence against Christians will end in Nigeria and that Christ’s love and justice will flow over the country. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Most of these attacks have been perpetrated by members of the Fulani tribe. Nettleton says attackers struck every few days throughout the month of April and into May. “That points to the animosity that the attackers have. It also points to the inability of the Nigerian government to put a stop to these kinds of attacks and to protect their citizens.”

One Church

Christians around the world form one Body, Nettleton says. And when one part feels pain, the other members feel it too. “Voice of the Martyrs is privileged to be able to stand with them. And in fact, I received a picture this week of one of our workers in Nigeria, with a mask on to protect against the coronavirus, but delivering aid to some of the families who had been affected by these attacks.”

You can help VOM USA serve Christians in Nigeria. Nettleton says, “Voice of the Martyrs invites people to support our work in Nigeria, and to support the delivery of the aid material that goes there.”

But the most important thing Christians can do is pray that the attacks will stop and that the hearts of attackers will be changed by the world-renewing power of the Holy Spirit. Pray also that the Nigerian government will rise up and protect all its people, including Christians in the North.

The Kaduna River, in the Kaduna State of Nigeria. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)