Praise Points

Resilient Faith Despite Persecution – “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair” (2 Corinthians 4:8).

Historical Roots of Christianity – Praise God that Sudan once embraced the Gospel and still carries remnants of Christian heritage. “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).

Recent Openings for Religious Freedom – Thank God for moments when laws softened to allow churches to operate. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17).

Prayer Points

Pray for the Civil War to end and Famine averted– “I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him” (Revelation 6:8).

Pray against the Persecution of Christian Believers – “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18).

Pray against Disunity in the Church – “I appeal to you… that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

A Call to Salvation

Pray for the Discipleship of the Next Generation – “And the things you have heard Me say… entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).

Pray for the Sudanese Church to Stand Firm in Faith Courageously– “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

Sudan has a rich yet turbulent history. Once home to the ancient Kingdom of Kush, it later came under the influence of Arab traders and Islamic empires. Sudan also has deep Christian roots tracing back to the early Nubian kingdoms that embraced Christianity as early as the 6th century. Important missionaries and Christian leaders, including the Coptic patriarchs and Catholic missionaries from Europe, visited the region over the centuries to establish the Church despite waves of Islamic expansion.

Today, Sudanese Christian teenagers struggle under the weight of ongoing civil wars, famine, and social discrimination. Many face persecution in schools, workplaces, and even within their families. The Sudanese Church faces severe threats from government hostility, internal division, poverty, and forced migration. Unless Sudanese Christians return to biblical unity, faithfulness in discipleship, and bold witness, Christianity risks further decline and potential extinction in the land where it once thrived.

Praise Points

Praise for the Growth of Christianity in South Sudan Despite the Challenges – “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14)

Thanksgiving for Cultural Richness and Diversity – “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude… from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne.” (Revelation 7:9)

Prayer Points

Pray Against Political Instability and Civil War – “He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.” (Psalm 46:9). Pray against the devious plans of power-hungry leaders who want to risk a return to civil war. Pray for their plans to be supernaturally demolished in Jesus’ Name.

Pray For Provision Amid Economic Collapse and Refugee Crisis – “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Pray For Protection of the Church from Division and Persecution – “No weapon forged against you will prevail.” (Isaiah 54:17)

A Call to Salvation

Pray For Unity Beyond Tribals – “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)

Pray For Courage to Stand Firm in Faith – “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)

South Sudan is the world’s youngest nation. It gained independence on July 9,  2011, plunged into civil war in 2013, and attained a fragile peace in the midst of 2020, deep poverty, and the fact that most of its school-aged children were not attending school. Its rich culture comprises diverse ethnic groups, including Dinka, Nuer, and Shilluk, who express their identity through cattle traditions, dance, storytelling, and music.

Christianity took root in the land through the efforts of Catholic and Anglican missionaries. Comboni missionaries and Anglican leaders laid the foundation for faith communities that remain central to the national identity. Today, Christianity is the majority religion, but South Sudanese Christian teenagers face significant challenges: poverty, lack of education, tribal divisions, peer pressure to abandon their faith, and exposure to violence.

The former South Sudanese Vice President Riek Machar was placed under house arrest and produced in court in a cage. This could be a serious situation that could return to civil war in the country. The South Sudanese Church is under threat due to political instability—including a current treason trial stirring fears of renewed civil war, an almost bankrupt government unable to provide services, and the influx of refugees from Sudan straining already fragile resources. Without biblical renewal, unity, and discipleship, Christianity will unlikely lose influence among future generations. South Sudanese Christians must return to the biblical call of love, forgiveness, reconciliation, integrity, and endurance in Christ, remembering that the Church is built on Christ as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20), not on tribal or political loyalties.

Praise Points

Resilience of its people: Despite wars, Afghans endure hardship with strength — “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed…” (2 Corinthians 4:8).

Seeds of the Gospel planted by missionaries and aid workers: “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God…” (1 Corinthians 3:7).

A hidden remnant of Believers: God always keeps a faithful few — “I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal.” (1 Kings 19:18).

Prayer Points

Oppression under extremism: “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees.” (Isaiah 10:1).

The lure of false teachings and fear: “For God gave us not a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7).

A Call to Salvation

Stand firm and bold in witness: “Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord…” (2 Timothy 1:8).

Commit to unity and prayer: “They all joined together constantly in prayer…” (Acts 1:14).

Afghanistan, historically known as the “Heart of Asia,” has endured centuries of conquest, war, and cultural blending from Persian, Greek, Mongol, and Islamic empires. Its culture is rich with traditions of poetry, music, hospitality, and strong tribal identity, though war and radical ideologies have scarred its society deeply. Christianity has had only a limited footprint in Afghanistan.

Early Nestorian missionaries reached Central Asia centuries ago, and in more recent history, Western Christian leaders and aid workers entered during the 19th and 20th centuries, laying seeds of the faith, though never openly establishing churches due to heavy Islamic influence. Today, Afghan Christian teenagers face immense struggles—persecution, secrecy, family rejection, and pressure to abandon their faith.

The lack of unity among Afghan Christians often stems from fear, mistrust, underground isolation, and political differences, leaving them vulnerable. To prevent the extinction of Christianity in Afghanistan, Christian Believers must return to biblical foundations: genuine forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32), bold witness (Acts 4:29), and unity in Christ (John 17:21). Only with renewed commitment to God’s Word, following biblical truths, prayer, thanksgiving and worship will help Afghan Christians to preserve Christianity in their country for future generations.