Unreached Nations- Week 4- Somalia

This week's card is inspired by the African nation of Somalia. Being a Christian in Somalia is EXTREMELY dangerous and suspected believers are often killed on the spot. Women converts are treated terribly and either killed or forcibly married to a Muslim man so that he can convert her back to Islam. It is a sad existence being forced to believe something with no choices to explore other ideas or paths. We, in America, are very fortunate that we can pursue and worship God without conflict. Yes, sometimes we're made fun of for our beliefs but we don't face the threat of torture and death simply for believing the way we do. 

Please, please keep the people of Somalia in your prayers this week. Here are some specific things you can pray for: 

Pray for Somalia

• Pray for the families of those who have been murdered for their faith, that they would receive the comfort of their Heavenly Father and be healed from bitterness.
• Pray for a strong church to grow among Somali people, relying on Jesus and with a hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God.
• Pray for those who are responsible for the killings of Christians to be convicted with the fear of the Lord.

The "fun" fact from Somalia that inspired this week's card is this: Somalia ranks 2nd in the world for the most number of active modern day pirates. 

Open Doors- Somalia

Unreached Nations- Week 3- Afghanistan

 I'm sorry I missed last week, I had unexpected company from out of town. So I'm back with week 3- A country that's been in the news a lot lately, a nation that many have been praying for, as I know I have. Afghanistan. 

Religious persecution in Afghanistan is extreme. 99.7% of the population is Muslim. Expressions of a different faith are deadly and Christians there must hide and remain silent about their beliefs. It is not uncommon for family members to turn in their own family members who've converted from Islam to Christianity. It is not uncommon to see honor killings because a family member has turned to Christ. It's very dangerous to be a Christian in Afghanistan. Please pray for the people, the government, the persecutors...they ALL need Jesus so desperately. 

This week's card is based on this fun fact- which isn't really fun, more sad and tragic
:  

Since 2001, Afghanistan has been consistently one of the top producers of opium. In addition, 90% of opium worldwide came from Afghanistan. As of 2017, opium production has provided 400,000 jobs in the country. According to a report, the production of opium increased by 63%, from 2016 to 2017.

Please remember to keep the people of Afghanistan in your prayers. The women and children and Christians, most especially. 

Open Doors- Afghanistan

Unreached Nations- Week 2- Iran

 This week's card is inspired by the Middle Eastern Nation of Iran. Religious persecution there is severe and Christians there fear for their lives. Believers meet together in secret locations- underground churches- to pray and worship even though secret churches are often raided and leaders are imprisoned- or worse- for years. 

Please, pray for the Christians in Iran and pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit would lead to a spiritual awakening in Iran. That Christians will continue to be bold in their faith...no matter the consequences, and, like Paul, those doing the persecuting will find Jesus and turn their lives over to Him. 

Fun Fact:

Iranians LOVE tea. Tea is served black without sugar at all gatherings and most Iranians have tea after each meal. Here is the card that was inspired by this fun fact:

Here is a link to some more information about religion and persecution in Iran. Please, pray for the people there. 

• *Pray for believers in isolation. Many Christians don’t dare to share their faith with anyone around them, or don’t know any other believers. They depend on online resources to learn more about God.
• *Pray for Christians who are currently locked up in prison for their faith. The conditions in Iran’s prisons are very poor and the pandemic has only made the situation worse.
• *Pray for those who advocate for the rights of Christians in Iran, both within and outside the country, that they would be listened to and that God would protect them.

Open Doors Iran