Joshua Project, August 26^th, 2024

Because of the uniqueness of their history and culture, all Jews have a strong sense of identity. Persecution of and discrimination against the Jews have been the historical reasons for their migrations and settlements around the world. Anti-Semitism was prevalent and frequently led to either persecution or expulsion. Some of them live in Malta, an island nation in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Jews have a wonderful understanding of their connection with the Abrahamic Covenant. However, they also have a history of rejecting Jesus Christ as Messiah, the one who has fulfilled that covenant. They often feel threatened by those who call their attention to Jesus.

Maltese believers can potentially lead Jews to see Jesus in a different light. It is important that these ideas not be presented in a way that Jews interpret as anti-Semitic.

Pray that this people group become faithful to God and not trust in themselves.  

Pray that God would grant Jewish believers favour as they share their faith in Christ with their own families and communities. Pray that strong local churches would be raised up in each Jewish community.

Church in Chains, August 8^th, 2024 (excerpts)

On 2 July 2024 at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, a side event was held to raise the issue of the persecution of Christians by the Algerian government.

Pastor Youssef spoke via video link, explaining he has been involved with the church in Algeria for over 36 years and been Vice-President of the Algerian Protestant Church (EPA) since 2018.

He said there have been 54 court cases against members of the EPA in recent years and Christians handed prison sentences varying from 2 months to 5 years and many fines.

On 2 July 2023, without his knowledge or attending court, he was condemned to two years in prison for organising church activities without a licence. He is currently waiting to have his appeal heard by the Supreme Court. He is conscious that it would take time for the appeal to be heard.

Only one EPA member church is open (in the capital, Algiers) and he does not know how long it will be able to remain open. 46 churches affiliated with the EPA have been closed by the authorities and 6 or 7 unaffiliated churches have also closed their buildings.  

Despite repeated attempts to register the EPA and its places of worship with the Ministry of the Interior, its office never confirms receipt of their applications and not a single church has yet been granted a permit.

The Voice of the Martyrs, August 8^th, 2024 (excerpts)

Christians make up less than 1% of the population of Turkey, which is 96% Sunni Muslim. When a Turkish Muslim chooses to follow Christ, they are often rejected by their families, a reality experienced by Mustafa and Basak.

Mustafa grew up in a radical Islamic family but became a Christian as a teenager. His decision shocked his family, who have been pressuring him to renounce his new faith. Mustafa currently has no place to live, so a local church is housing him in their church building while he looks for work and more permanent housing.

Basak was also raised in a devout Islamic home, but after she was invited to a Christian activity at her university and given a Bible, she trusted in Christ. Her family then rejected her and is also trying to convince her to return to Islam. When Basak graduates from university in a few months’ time, she will have no place to live until she can find a job and earn income to support herself.

The gospel spread throughout Turkey in the first century, and the region remained under Christian rule for centuries, beginning in the fourth century. Now, however, fewer than 1 percent of Turks are Christians. Turks are proud of their nation, which has seen rapid industrial growth and modernization.

Unfortunately, Islam is considered by most Turks to be part of their national identity; it is hard for them to imagine leaving Islam even if they know little about its teachings and do not practice its tenets. Christians in Turkey have limited freedom of worship. While there are few Turkish churches, believers boldly share Christ with their countrymen.

Barnabas Aid, August 7^th, 2024 (excerpts)

The minority Christian community of Bangladesh is among those at risk from the political unrest that has swept across the country.

A Barnabas Aid contact has reported that Christian schools have been attacked, along with homes belonging to Christians and other religious minorities.

These attacks have been carried out by Islamist extremists who have joined with the anti-government protestors.

Leaders of the student protest movement and military leaders have called on local authorities to provide greater protection for Christians and Hindus from mob violence.

The student-led protests began peacefully on 1 July 2024 but turned violent around two weeks later. On 5 August Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country after 15 years in power. The following day it was announced that economist Muhammad Yunus would replace Hasina as leader of an interim government.

Christians are a small minority in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, representing less than 1% of the population.

Pray for a peaceful solution to the civil and political unrest in Bangladesh and that extremists will not have opportunities to attack minority groups.

International Christian Concern, August 12^th, 2024 (excerpts)

The remains of more than 30 people were found on July 24 following yet another brutal attack on a Christian community by Islamic extremist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Eastern Congo.  Léon Siviwe, chief of Beni-Mbau, said the attack was part of a week marked by escalating violence.

“These are our brothers, sisters, daughters, and sons who, in the end, have lost their lives because of the ADF, who kill while speaking the Arabic language,” one survivor recalled. “I remember the day when my neighbour was taken and, in the end, he was found dead.”

The Anglican Bishop of Beni articulated the profound psychological toll that living under constant threat has taken on civilians in Beni.

 “We try to maintain some semblance of normalcy, but every loud noise sends us into panic mode. The laughter of children has been replaced by silence or whispers about who might be next. Our dreams have turned to nightmares, and we often find ourselves looking over our shoulders.

“These atrocities create a pervasive anxiety and trauma experienced by those in conflict zones, particularly in regions like eastern Congo, where attacks by armed groups such as the ADF have become tragically commonplace that defiles God’s purpose of creating man.”

Joshua Project, August 12^th, 2024

Legend has it that the Hindu god Vishwakarma created two people groups – the Lohar, workers of iron and the Badhai, cutters of wood. Woodcutting and carpentry are the traditional occupations of the Badhai, and though carpentry remains common today, some have acquired land and have begun to work in agriculture.

Literacy levels are low among the Badhai as most are unable to afford the cost of education. Modern medicine is available, though it is often coupled with traditional practices, especially in remote areas where modern facilities are less available than medicine men.

Most Badhais in Pakistan are Muslim, but there are also many Hindus among them. In Pakistan’s Sindh Province, both groups need a gospel witness.

The traditional religions of the Badhai are very difficult to penetrate. Their leaders are sensitive to people “changing religion,” which to them is the same as rejecting their family and community.  

Perhaps the Badhai would enjoy stories of the carpenter-prophet who was the Son of God and gave his life on beams of timber. Those who could tell the gospel through woodwork might find great success.

Pray for the Lord to pave the way for the Badhai people to have access to better education. Pray that workers would be sent to harvest this field and that a Disciple Making Movement would spread like fire.