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Pastor abducted, 20 killed in Burkina Faso attack

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https://www.opendoorsusa.org/prayerapp

Friends, sad news out of Burkina Faso where there was yet another deadly attack on Sunday, February 16. According to the French radio news service, RFI, attackers struck a church in the town of Pansi, in the north eastern Sahel Region of the country. “People had come for Mass when the attackers broke into the village,” a source said.

Twenty people were shot and killed and at least 15 injured. Sources on the ground informed Open Doors that the pastor has been abducted and the church set ablaze.

According to RFI, several people remain unaccounted for following yesterday’s attack as residents fled to Sebba where the wounded have also been taken. As we reported last week, the nearby capital of the province was struck by attackers on February 11.

Please be in prayer for the Lord’s grace to be upon the bereaved.

Pray for the safe release of the pastor and for the Lord’s abundant grace to be on him and his family as they face this terrifying situation.

Pray for healing and comfort for all those who are recovering from physical and emotional injuries and trauma.

*Representative names and photos are sometimes used to protect identity.

Scripture of the Day

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Acts 8


18. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 
19. Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 
20. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 
21. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 
22. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 
23. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 
24. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. 
25. And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. 

A little brother robbed of his sister in Nigeria

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Friends, it has been two years since Leah Sharibu was abducted from her school in Dapchi, Nigeria at the age of 14. Most of her classmates were released in the following weeks but Boko Haram kept Leah, reportedly because she refused to renounce her faith in Christ.

Since her abduction there have been many unconfirmed rumors about her; however, one thing remains clear—she has not yet returned home to her mother Rebecca and father Nathan. Her younger brother, Donald, is growing up without the presence of his sister.

Leah puts a face to the thousands of others who have been abducted by Boko Haram since its insurgency. The girls that have been forced into marriage, used as sex slaves, and suicide bombers; the boys trained for combat.

Please pray that the Lord will bring Leah home in His time. Pray that the government will secure the release of Leah and all the other Nigerians held captive.

Pray for Leah to be strong in body, mind and spirit.

Pray that the Lord will stir the hearts of the Boko Haram commanders and soldiers to repentance as they see Leah live out her faith in the true Ruler.

Pray for Leah’s family–Nathan, Rebecca and Donald, and all the other families affected by abductions in Nigeria.

Photo: an undated photo of Leah sent by her family.

Persecution as the seed of revival in China

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http://y2u.be/mncevKnnRm0

Friends, as the 2020 World Watch List—the ranking of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted most for their faith—has been released, we see that China moved up four spots to number 23.

In China, what’s happened over the last five years seems unthinkable. Children are being stopped from attending church services. Pastors can be arrested if they don’t allow surveillance cameras in their sanctuaries. Authorities are raiding churches, barring the doors and tearing down crosses.

Tap the “watch video” link below to hear a personal account of a Chinese Christian whose house church was raided and shut down by the government.

Persecution in China differs by regions and church context. To learn more about China and what God is doing in and through His Church in China, visit ODUSA.org/China.

Scripture of the Day

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Psalms 53


1. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
2. God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Russians Pressure U.S. Forces in Northeast Syria

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Russian troops are engaging in standoffs with U.S. troops guarding oil fields and fighting remnants of the Islamic State.

NYT Story, read it here
Eric Schmitt
By Eric Schmitt
Feb. 14, 2020

190
WASHINGTON — Russia is intensifying a pressure campaign on U.S. military forces in northeastern Syria following the American withdrawal from much of that area ahead of a Turkish cross-border offensive last fall, American military and diplomatic officials say.

Russian military personnel have increasingly had run-ins with U.S. troops on highways in the region, breaking agreements between the two countries to steer clear of each other. Russian helicopters are flying closer to American troops. And on Wednesday, a U.S.-led convoy returned fire after it came under attack near a checkpoint manned by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, who are backed by Russia.

American officials say these actions by Russian personnel and their Syrian allies are devised to present a constant set of challenges, probes and encroachments to slowly create new facts on the ground and make the U.S. military presence there more tenuous. About 500 American troops remain deployed in Syria with a mission to protect oil fields and help fight remnants of the Islamic State.

“These are not daily occurrences but they have been increasing in number, and thus is troubling,” James F. Jeffrey, the top American diplomat overseeing Syria issues, told reporters last week.

Iranian prisoner shares powerful request

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https://www.opendoorsusa.org/prayerapp

Friends, Iranian Christian convert and prisoner, Nasser Navard Goltapeh, recently wrote a letter requesting prayer from the notorious Evin Prison in Iran.

In his letter dated January 31, he writes, “I am confident in all hardships and I believe I will become free by Him who I have hope to (my Lord) because the Lord our God does not forget his children … so let me be bold and say, ‘The Lord is my helper.’”

Nasser and three visitors from Azerbaijan were arrested in 2016 at a private gathering in Tehran. They were held in solitary confinement for two months in Evin Prison and endured intense interrogation. After losing an appeal to his conviction of “action against national security and establishing house churches,” he began serving his 10-year sentence in January of 2018.

“Remember me in your prayers always—you know that your prayers are a sweet smelling offering to God and a sacrifice which is accepted and pleasing to him,” he writes.

He also challenges Christians to remain firm in their faith and to show concern for one another, not to give up meeting together and to work hard to spread the Gospel.

Please join us in praying with Nasser for his requests:

Please pray for his family to come to know and follow Jesus.

Pray God will bless the people of Iran and that the gospel will continue to advance, despite the many obstacles.

Pray God will encourage and strengthen Nasser and all other Christian prisoners and that they will know His continued help.

Photo: Nasser Navar Goltapeh

Another church attacked in Burkina Faso—two killed

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https://www.opendoorsusa.org/prayerapp

Friends, we have just been alerted to another church attack in northern Burkina Faso. Information is scarce at this point, but our Africa team is reporting that unidentified armed individuals on motorcycles attacked a church during their worship service on Sunday, February 9.

Reportedly, at least two Christians were killed as they fled. As of yet, there has been no official reaction to the attack.

Please pray for God’s abundant grace to be upon all affected by this attack.

Pray that local Christians would be strengthened in their faith and walk in unity in the face of these ongoing attacks.

Pray that believers would trust in God and not live in fear (Psalm 56:4).

*Representative names and photos are sometimes used to protect identity.

Christian woman held in dangerous Iranian prison

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https://www.opendoorsusa.org/prayerapp

Friends, we have confirmed reports that the missing 21-year-old Christian activist in Iran, who was arrested four weeks ago in Iran’s capital city of Tehran, is alive. She is being held in the country’s largest—and most dangerous—women’s prison.

Article18 reports that Fatemeh (or Mary as she likes to be called) Mohammadi is in Qarchak Prison, located in a desert south of Tehran. She has been able to call home a few times to reassure her family that she is okay.

A month ago, on January 12, Mary was arrested, as protests took place in central Tehran’s Azadi Square following the Iranian government’s admission of guilt in the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane.

The young woman is seen as a threat and has already been imprisoned more than once. She boldly speaks out about injustice and the rights of Christians, including the cruel treatment she received in prison. She writes on a variety of social issues and has also run a campaign petitioning for all Christians, including converts, to be given the right to worship in a church.

Please pray for her safety and quick release from prison.

Pray God will comfort and strengthen her and continue to give her boldness.

Pray God will continue to raise up devoted men and women like Mary to lead His church in Iran.

If you would like to read more about Mary’s story, please click here.

Photo: Fatemeh (Mary) Mohammadi, copyright Article18

More deadly attacks on Christians in Burkina Faso

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https://www.opendoorsusa.org/prayerapp

Friends, unidentified gunmen shot and killed Deacon Babililé Lankoandé of the SIM Evangelical Church in the town of Sebba, in northeastern Burkina Faso during the night of February 10. His vehicle was later used to abduct the pastor of the SIM Evangelical Church in Sebba, Omar Tindano, along with two of Omar’s daughters, his son and two nephews. Omar’s two daughters were released unharmed on February 13. However, Omar was executed along with his son and his two nephews.

These attacks come only days after unidentified armed individuals attacked a church during a worship, service killing two.

“Christians in these areas are in need of urgent prayer and support. They are traumatized and don’t know how to handle all this violence. Even close friends and members of SIM church are reluctant to share details with reporters, fearing further targeting,” OD Senior Analyst, Illia Djadi commented.

Please pray for the Lord’s intervention in the terror attacks in Burkina Faso.

Pray for comfort for all those coming to terms with the terrible loss of loved ones.

Pray for Christians to have hope and grow in faith in the midst of these attacks.

*Representative names and photos are sometimes used to protect identity.

Scripture of the Day

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Philippians 3


7. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 
8. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 
9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 
10. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 
11. If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 

Scripture of the Day

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Psalms 39


1. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
2. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
3. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
4. LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
5. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

Scripture of the Day

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John 16


7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9. Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Scripture of the Day

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Luke 21

1. And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
2. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
3. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
4. For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.