Middle East and North Africa: Meetings in forests for God’s kingdom
In recent years, a sweeping revolution in one north African country has changed everything for the local IFES movement. Under the control of a new government, churches have been closed, church leaders and other believers prosecuted, and Christian activities officially frozen.
Courageously, however, brothers and sisters in the student movement continue to carry out their activities. The general secretary quotes the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:9 in insisting they are “persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed.” As there are few options for safe places to meet, and even fewer churches to host Christian activities, the students are gathering for prayer and Bible study in cafeterias, forests, and gardens. A few places of worship do remain open, so small groups of students take advantage of this to carry out secret ministry training.
“The Lord continues, day by day, to encourage us and give us hope”, says the general secretary. “But please pray for the faith of the students, so that the Lord gives them hope to continue serving him.”
Pray with us today for this national movement:
- Thank God for keeping and guarding his people, even in places which are hostile to the gospel, and for their courageous continuation of ministry in the face of strong opposition.
- Pray that God would arm the students with all the grace they need to keep living for Jesus, and joyfully share their faith with their peers at university.
- Pray for the student leaders and staff to persevere, knowing that God will supply everything they need to accomplish what he has given them to do.
- Pray that the Holy Spirit would move in this nation, bringing the hope of Jesus to many, and greater freedom to God’s people.