The Persecuted and the Unreached
4 Nations Where the Church is Persecuted, 12 Unreached People Groups, 1 Gospel
In shadowed corners of the world, whispers of faith rise from the persecuted church. Christians in these places face unimaginable hardship and are sustained only by their faith in Jesus. Environments of persecution are some of the most difficult places to reach with the gospel.
This year, we will pray for the persecuted church in four different nations and for 12 of the unreached people groups in those nations who have yet to hear the good news of Jesus.
Pray for God to prepare hearts to hear and receive the gospel and for believers to obey His call to go to them, even in the face of risk.
Winter 2024 | Praying for Sudan
While there have been positive developments in Sudan over the years in the area of basic human rights, continual unrest threatens that progress. The transitional government established in 2019 caused freedom of religion to be adapted on a small scale but not socially or officially recognized. Converts from Islam are extremely vulnerable in their communities and families due to long-standing traditions of oppression. Although the death penalty is abolished, converts still face assault, violence, imprisonment, and death. The Christians who face the most persecution are those who have directly converted from Islam and those who live close to or in clan-occupied territory. As persecution remains high, fears run rampant among the few believers.
How You Can Pray for Them
- Pray that leaders will uphold a lasting recognition of human rights.
- Pray for Christians to step out in boldness and live their lives with the love of Christ.
- Pray for healing for those who have lost property, belongings, friends, and family to ongoing oppression.
- Pray for the resilience of the church and for continual strength in the believers’ faith.
(Prayers adapted from OpenDoors.org)
October | Sudanese Arab – 15,305,000 People | 95.5% Islam, 0.8% Evangelical
The Sudanese Arabs come from a long line of rural, family-focused, hard-working individuals who value generational traditions. They live nomadic lives, still preferring to uphold their ancestors’ traditions of moving around. The Sudanese Arabs are hospitable and devoted to living their lives off the land, their faith, and their traditions. Family is an important symbol in their culture, and children are highly valued.
The Sudanese Arabs are practicing Muslims and follow the laws written out in the Qur’an. They have witnessed a lot of hurt from past wars and present tensions. They are in desperate need to know Christ and his love. It is not usually acceptable to profess Christianity, so many believers have seen persecution and rejection from their communities and families. Presently, the New Testament and other portions of the Bible are available in their primary language of Sudanese Arabic, although not the whole Bible.
(Information from JoshuaProject.net)
How You Can Pray for Them
- Pray that God will send willing and patient workers to rural Sudanese Arab communities to spread the good news.
- Pray that ears and hearts will be softened and open to the work of the Holy Spirit.
- Pray for the hurting people in Sudan that there will be chains of bondage broken, and they will turn to God for their source of hope, peace, and protection.
For more information on how to pray for Sudanese Arabs, click here.
November | Gaaliin – 3,845,000 People | 94% Islam, 0.8% Evangelical
The Gaaliin people greatly identify with their tribal traditions and ways of life, priding themselves in owning property. The man of the house usually has several wives and many children in efforts to increase his wealth. The wives stay at home and raise the many children. The Gaaliin people are Muslim, and very few have ever been exposed to Christianity. Some believe that the key to reaching all of Sudan with the gospel is to successfully evangelize the Gaaliin people. The number of Gaaliin Christians is small due to persecution.
(Information from JoshuaProject.net)
How You Can Pray for Them
- Pray for believers to step out and be willing to challenge tradition.
- Pray that the Holy Spirit will work through Christians to speak with boldness and confidence led by the wisdom of the Bible.
- Pray that the Gaaliin people will become receptive to what they are hearing, and their hearts will soften to the love of Christ shown through the believers that they encounter.
(Prayers adapted from JoshuaProject.net)
For more information on how to pray for the Gaaliin, click here.
December | Bedawi Beja – 2,492,000 People | 94% Islam, 1% Evangelical
The Beja are said to be descended from Cush, Noah’s grandson, and they inhabit much of eastern Sudan. They are primarily shepherds and conduct their lives in old farming and trading ways. They are divided into tribes that range from one to twelve families per tribe. Their laws are upheld by the heads of their families and the traditions they have passed down. The Beja people are hospitable towards one another but are wary when it comes to foreigners.
The Beja people are Muslim, but they have adopted a practice called “folk Islam” that mixes other traditional beliefs, including evil spirits being the cause of hardships and misfortunes. There are a small number of Beja believers but Christianity has yet to gain much traction. Resources are in great demand. Presently, only portions of the Bible are available in their primary language of Bedwiyet.
(Information taken from JoshuaProject.net)
How You Can Pray for Them
- Pray that Jesus is revealed to the Beja as their great shepherd.
- Pray that there will be a breakthrough in their hearts and minds to soften them to the gospel.
- Pray for Beja believers to be bold to share their faith and for the Holy Spirit will work among the Beja in a powerful way.
(Prayers taken and/or adapted from JoshuaProject.net)
For more information on how to pray for the Bedawi-Beja, click here.