NIGERIA: Boko Haram Continues Campaign of Terror in Borno State

Sources: Release International, Open Doors, Reuters Despite recent news of a cease-fire agreement between the government and Boko Haram, Nigerians in Borno State are continuing to endure horror at the hands of the militant group. In late October, Boko Haram militants sent messages to Christians who were hiding out in the hills of Gwoza Local Government Area, telling them that any non-Muslims found there would be killed. Many of the affected believers tried to escape to neighbouring Cameroon in the night, but were stopped. Boko Haram then later attacked the hill area, killing those who remained. Meanwhile, in Mafa village, 30 young people were reportedly kidnapped by the militants on October 25th and 26th.

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These latest attacks and abductions have cast great doubt over the effectiveness of the peace deal the government allegedly reached with Boko Haram. The government also claimed that the hundreds of schoolgirls who were kidnapped in April would soon be released. However, a man claiming to be the leader of Boko Haram recently said that the girls, many of whom are Christians, have been "married off" to the group's fighters. (For more information on the kidnapped girls, please visit our website.) In the wake of these distressing events in Borno State, let us lift up our brothers and sisters there, asking that the Lord will grant each one His peace which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). May those who are now mourning the loss of loved ones be comforted, and may God also attend to the needs of those injured in the recent assaults. Please pray for the hundreds of youths who have been abducted by Boko Haram in recent months...requesting that through His divine intervention, they will very soon be freed and returned to their worried family members. Finally, intercede on behalf of the militants behind these attacks, asking the Holy Spirit to move in their hearts so they will repent from their sins and turn to Jesus for salvation. To post a prayer of love and support for our Christian brothers and sisters in Borno State, visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

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INDIA: Christians Attacked by Hindu Militants

Sources: World Watch Monitor, Morning Star News Tensions remain high in a remote village of Chhattisgarh State after clashes between Hindu militants and followers of Christ. On October 25th, local officials summoned area Christians to a meeting in Madota Village under the pretext of resolving conflict over bans in the district on missionaries and non-Hindu religious activity. Dozens of villages in the district passed such bans earlier this year. (To learn more about these bans, you can read a previous prayer alert.) The Christians in the village gathered at the designated spot all day, but nobody else turned up. However, that evening, armed Hindu militants wearing saffron bands arrived and accused the Christians of converting Hindus. The militants then beat more than 15 of the unsuspecting believers. More than 10 of those maliciously attacked, the majority of whom were seriously injured, had to be taken to hospital for treatment. Pray over the village during this time of tension and unrest, asking that the 'Prince of Peace' will use the Christians there to be His agents of ministry and reconciliation. Also ask our gracious Father to bring a swift recovery to those who were injured in this latest assault. May the Hindu militants soon respect the religious freedom of the believers in this village, so that these Christians will be free to practise their faith without fear of attack. Until then, may God strengthen the resolve of His children to continue following Him in spite of the possible risks. To learn more about the persecuted church in India, please visit our online Country Report.

IRAQ: Pray for the Church Amid Great Uncertainty

Source: VOM USA Our sister mission in the United States recently received urgent prayer requests from a church in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, with whom they are partnering to bring needed assistance to believers affected by the widespread violence in the area. The Islamic militant group called "Islamic State" (formerly known as ISIS) has been seizing territory throughout Iraq in its attempt to set up an Islamic caliphate. In the cities and towns they conquer, the remaining Christians are given a stark ultimatum: convert to Islam, pay a tax to remain in the area, abandon their homes permanently, or be killed. The vast majority of these Christ-followers have fled for Kurdish-controlled areas, but even there they are far from safe due to the overcrowded living conditions, lack of adequate resources, and risk of life-threatening illness. Please pray that churches in the Kurdistan region will be equipped to meet the tremendous spiritual and physical needs of those fleeing to this area. Pray, too, for a greater unity among the various congregations there. Additionally, ask that the Holy Spirit will move throughout this crisis -- impacting the region, country and the entire Middle East to achieve God's greater purposes. Lift up in prayer the militants perpetrating these horrific crimes, asking that there be confusion and disagreement within their ranks so that all plans of evil and violence may cease. Pray also that the militant group's financial resources will be effectively cut off. Finally, ask God to grant wisdom to the government officials of the Kurdistan region as they work diligently to govern amid this crisis and defend the region.

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