HOW YOU
CAN PRAY
WITH US

World

According to Open Doors persecution report for 2025 so far, 380m Christians face very high or extreme levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith (4,476 Christians murdered; 7,679 churches and Christian properties attacked; 4,744 Christians detained).

As Australians, the call to pray for the persecuted can seem daunting, we are so far away from these people, and we have little understanding of what they are feeling and experiencing. We need to remember that even though we aren't all-knowing, GOD IS, and we can lift people in prayer even if we don't know their real names because God does. He knows who we are praying for and exactly what they need, regardless of how well articulated and informed our prayers are, He knows.

We read in James 5:16b "A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much." So, please join us as we pray together for our persecuted brothers and sisters who live each day as a testimony of God's saving faith through His Son, Jesus. May God be glorified through their suffering..(current as of April 20, 2025)

Multiple countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have seen a rise in violence against Christians. Currently, 8 of the top 10 deadliest places for Christians are in Sub-Saharan Africa—and all of them (except Nigeria) have more faith-based killings than they did during the 2024 World Watch List reporting period. Chronic government instability has created an environment where Christians can be targeted, and where Islamic militants can use the chaos as cover for their attacks on Christians. Many Christians have been forced from their homes. Of 34.5 million displaced people across Sub-Saharan Africa, around 16.2 million are Christians.
Christians in the Middle East and more countries on the World Watch List, are being driven underground. Christian isolation and the decline of churches was a recurring pattern in several countries:
- After more than a decade of war, disaster and relentless crisis, the church in Syria has diminished significantly. Emigration is actively changing what the church looks like—from an ancient, large minority population, to a much smaller, more endangered Christian community.
- Following the Israeli-Hamas war that began in October 2023, Christian communities in Gaza and the West Bank have come to the brink of extinction. In Gaza, at least 33 Christians were killed, and most houses destroyed during the violence.
- The church in Afghanistan is deeply underground, and since there are fewer visible expressions of Christianity, the Taliban authorities have nothing to crack down on.
- All Protestant churches in Algeria have been forced to close, leaving none that can be targeted for closure.
- In China, unregistered churches are now considered illegal regulations are enforced. State-approved churches are under stronger ideological pressure and new laws send pastors into indoctrination sessions, where they are urged to preach accordingly. Smaller congregations are either forced to merge into a larger church that is easier to control, or to take their fellowships underground, into isolated home groups.
GOOD NEWS!
- Indonesia drops off the top 50. The most extreme forms of violence against Christians reduced in Indonesia. Attacks on churches and killing of Christians declined during the World Watch List 2025 reporting period.
- Colombia fell 12 spots on the World Watch List, from #34 to #46. The good news is that there was a reduction in killings of Christians.
- Nicaragua retained it’s ranking at no. 30 but offered a glimmer of hope. International pressure and sanctions led to the release of Bishop Rolando José Álvarez of Matagalpa, who had been detained and sentenced to 26 years in prison for anti-Nicaragua misinformation, obstruction and disobedience. He was released, denaturalized and deported after 11 months, alongside 18 priests and seminarians who had been held for a month. While their freedom is good news, it also highlights the growing trend of clergy deportation in Nicaragua.

Australia

PRAY that people in gospel ministry would be more aware of the great significance of sub-cultures with Australian society, and also be willing to become ‘all things to all people’, so that they may win people and sub-cultures for Christ;
PRAY that Australian Christians would be salt and light in their communities.

Romans 13:1... "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is NO authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God."

Exmouth

PRAY for healthy, thriving relationships between neighbours;
PRAY that different cultures will be able to understand and care for one another in our neighbourhood;
PRAY against the rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the north, south, east, and west or our city to give up those people held in spiritual bondage.

John 13:34-35... "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another."

Our Church Family

PRAY for the children in our church, that they would see the love of God in their parents and would seek to know God personally for themselves;
PRAY we can be patient with one another, to forgive one another, and to extend grace and mercy to one another as God has done for us.

1 Peter 3:15... "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear…"

Our Elders and Board Members

It is a humbling honour as well as a heavy burden to lead a church. Please...

PRAY that the elders and the board members would be strong, tight-knit, and unified. That God would bring them together in love, friendship, and respect;
PRAY for our leadership to be refreshed by the Holy Spirit and that He would give them the strength to press on through the difficulty.