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HOW YOU
CAN PRAY
WITH US

World

New statistics are in for 2023 so far: 5,620 Christians murdered, 2,110 churches attacked, 4,542 Christians detained (that is: 1 in 7 Christians are persecuted worldwide; 1 in 5 are persecuted in Africa; 2 in 5 are persecuted in Asia). The ten countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution are, in order: North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Eritrea, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Sudan.  As a people very far away from these countries, what can we do?  What can we really do that's realistic?  WE CAN PRAY!

       (name of the country, population Christians (% of population), main religion)

  • Nigeria – 46.4% - Christianity: Violence remains the most prevalent threat in Nigeria. Christians are attacked indiscriminately and brutally in northern Nigeria, and the violence has now spread to the south. Groups such as Boko Haram and Fulani extremists inflict murder, physical injury, abduction, and sexual violence on their victims. Christians are dispossessed of their land and their means of livelihood.

    • How to best PRAY: For an end to the violence inflicted by extremist groups across Nigeria. That our Christian organizations can reach more survivors of violence and abduction with trauma care. Thank God for the courageous faith of those who refuse to deny Christ despite the risks.

  • Pakistan – 1.8% - Islam: Christians in Pakistan are considered second-class citizens and face discrimination in every aspect of life. Jobs that are seen as low, dirty, and degrading are reserved for Christians by the authorities, who continue to push them to the margins of society. Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws target all religious minorities, but affect the Christian minority in particular – roughly a quarter of all blasphemy accusations target Christians, who only make up 1.8% of the population. The number of blasphemy cases is increasing, as is the number of Christian girls being abducted, abused, and forcibly converted to Islam.

    • How to best PRAY: That blasphemy laws will change so that Christians will be safe from false accusations. For protection for girls who are forced into marriage. For wisdom and protection for those helping those displaced by last year’s floods.

  • Iran – 1,245,000 - Islam: Iran is ruled by an increasingly strict Islamic regime, which views the existence of Iranian house churches as an attempt by Western countries to undermine Islam and their authority. State surveillance is on the rise and the authorities are exerting an increasing grip on daily life and activities, an attitude reflected in the harsh responses to the protests that followed the death of Mahsa Amini on 16 September 2022. When people from Muslim backgrounds become Christians, they can only meet in secret house churches. They are at great risk of being monitored, harassed, arrested, and prosecuted for ‘crimes against national security’ – an accusation that is notoriously poorly defined and can be abused.

    • How to best PRAY: That Jesus will set many more hearts free in Iran. That Christianity will no longer be portrayed as a foreign idea. For strong faith and courage for the Iranian Christians meeting in secret.

  • Afghanistan – thousands - Islam: The Taliban’s takeover of power has forced most Christians either further underground or away from the country entirely. Many (if not all) house groups closed, with believers forced to leave behind everything they own. Following Jesus remains a death sentence, if discovered. The rigid form of society imposed leaves no room for deviation, meaning Christians – almost all of whom are converts from Islam – must keep their faith secret. Leaving Islam is considered shameful and punishable by death under the prevailing Islamic law

    • How to best PRAY: For the protection of secret believers and that God will bring hope to their hearts. That those who have fled will be led to places where all their needs are met. That the Holy Spirit will soften hearts towards women and religious minorities.

  • Sudan – 4.3% - Islam: Persecution of Christians remains at a high level, and there are fears this will worsen amid the ongoing unrest. After Omar al-Bashir was ousted in April 2019, Sudan’s transitional government introduced exciting changes to the legal framework guaranteeing basic human rights for all, no matter their ethnicity, gender, or religion. However, mass protests led to the resignation of the then Prime Minister in January 2022, and there are fears that Sudan will return to the authoritarian years of the former president.

    • How to best PRAY: That God will establish rulers who enforce lasting respect for human rights. That believers from Muslim backgrounds will grow in their knowledge of Christ. That all Christians will have wisdom to speak courageously about Jesus.

James 1:12...  "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

Australia

  • PRAY for our Prime Minister and for all state and territory leaders to have ears to hear the Truth;

  • PRAY for the proposed legislation changes for WA & Qld that could mean serious problems for Christian schools with impending recommendations that could effectively end Christian schooling nationwide.

  • PRAY for the protection of our schools and that they will be able to hire Christian staff and operate according to their beliefs.

  • PRAY for Australia churches to grow in spiritual maturity and effectiveness in discipling believers.

  • PRAY that many more Australians will choose Christ and find a Bible-believing church home to belong to.

1 Timothy 2:1-2...  "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."

Exmouth

  • PRAY that we can be an unusual people in our town, who love and serve without limits or strings;

  • PRAISE God for good conversations in our community amongst those seeking something different and for the truth to be proclaimed boldly and simply... The Gospel doesn't need embellishment!

  • PRAY for our community members who are addicted to drugs and are neglecting their families.

 

Mark 12:29-31...  "Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  No other commandment is greater than these.”"

Our Congregation

  • PRAISE God that we are a family who loves, lives, and worships together, as a family would and should;

  • PRAY that we will continue to be a light in the darkness here and that we would continue to submit ourselves to be instruments of peace to those around us.

  • PRAY for Dani Faithfull as our school chaplain here at EDHS.  Pray for continued opportunities for her to get to know our school community and find ways to meet the needs of our students and families with cooperative efforts from our Christian community.

Hebrews 10:25...  "Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Our Elders and Board Members

  • It is a heavy burden to lead a church. Please...PRAY for them as they seek to accurately represent God's purpose for our congregation.

  • PRAY for them as they continually seek God's will regarding our building project.

  • PRAY that God will raise up a church member who is willing to serve on our board and be a part of what God is doing here at ECF.

1 Peter 5:1-4... "So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

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