Prayer Hub

Gaza: Christians living amidst war

Since the war between Hamas and Israel erupted in October 2023, the Christian population of Gaza has faced immense challenges. Of the approximately 1,070 Christians who lived in Gaza before the conflict, only about 600 remain. Many have sought refuge in churches like St. Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church, where 260 Christians have been sheltering for over a year. Tragically, even these sanctuaries have proven unsafe; an October 2023 bombing killed 18 Christians when part of the church collapsed. At least 30 Christians have died due to the ongoing violence.

The suffering in Gaza is universal, with all residents enduring severe shortages of food, water, and medicine. Electricity is scarce, available only for a few hours daily, and destruction across the city is extensive. Roads, utilities, markets, and historic buildings have been devastated, leaving the population in dire need.

Amid this turmoil, organizations like Open Doors are supporting Christians through financial aid for essential supplies and providing trauma and spiritual care. Despite the challenges, Christian communities strive to maintain faith and routine. Morning prayers, shared meals, and community activities help sustain hope in the midst of adversity.

One young Christian sheltering in Gaza finds solace in Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want,” recounting a moment of divine protection when he narrowly escaped a bombing. He and others pray fervently for an end to the bloodshed and the restoration of their city.

Prayer
Lord, we pray for the Christians in Gaza. Protect them, bring peace to their land, and restore hope and healing to all who suffer. Amen.

Bible Verse
The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth. Psalm 145:18

Myanmar: Arakan army seizes key border territory

The Arakan Army, an ethnic minority armed group in Myanmar, has seized the last military outpost in the strategic border town of Maungdaw, Rakhine state, solidifying its control over the 271-kilometer border with Bangladesh. This marks a significant step in the group’s struggle for autonomy in northern Rakhine and highlights the region's central role in Myanmar’s escalating civil war.

The ongoing conflict stems from the military coup of 2021, which ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Ethnic minority groups, including the Arakan Army, have joined pro-democracy forces to resist the military rulers. The capture of Maungdaw follows months of intense fighting, with the Arakan Army now controlling 11 of Rakhine’s 17 townships and other strategic areas, including parts of Chin state. The nearby town of Ann, home to the military’s western command headquarters, is also on the brink of falling.

This advance has sparked concerns over potential violence against Myanmar’s persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority, who have long faced systemic oppression. Historical violence in Rakhine led to over 740,000 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh in 2017. Reports accuse the Arakan Army of human rights violations, including attacks on Rohingya civilians and forced displacement, with 200,000 residents allegedly driven from Buthidaung earlier this year.

The Arakan Army, which represents the Buddhist Rakhine ethnic group, denies targeting the Rohingya, but prejudice against this minority remains widespread. Despite international calls for peace, the situation in Rakhine continues to escalate, with fears of further humanitarian crises as Myanmar’s civil war intensifies.

As the conflict rages, the people of Rakhine, especially the vulnerable Rohingya, face violence, displacement, and uncertainty. The international community, including Christians, must remain vigilant in prayer and advocacy for peace and justice in Myanmar.

Prayer
Lord of peace, we lift Myanmar to You, praying for justice, protection for the vulnerable, and healing for a fractured nation. Amen.

Bible Verse
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” — Psalm 82:3

More: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/09/asia/myanmar-arakan-army-bangladesh-border-intl-hnk/index.html

Afghanistan: rising terror threat

The assassination of Khalil-Ur-Rahman Haqqani, Taliban Minister of Refugees, by a suicide bombing in Kabul has intensified concerns over the growing influence of Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-K) in Afghanistan. Haqqani’s death, along with several staff members, underscores the escalating rivalry between IS-K and the Taliban. Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, IS-K has killed several high-ranking Taliban officials, aiming to destabilize the regime and expand its extremist ideology.

IS-K, originally formed in 2015 by defectors from the Taliban and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), continues to execute deadly attacks in Afghanistan and beyond, targeting ethnic and religious minorities, women, and children. The group has also expanded its operations internationally, orchestrating attacks in Iran, Russia, and Turkey that claimed hundreds of lives in 2024. These actions signify IS-K’s intent to position itself as an alternative force in the region, leveraging Afghanistan’s fragile security landscape.

The Taliban claims progress in combating IS-K, but the group’s persistent attacks highlight significant gaps in Afghanistan’s counterterrorism measures. Concerns were voiced at a recent United Nations Security Council meeting, with China, Russia, and Pakistan emphasizing the broader regional risks posed by transnational terrorist networks. The U.S. echoed these fears in its annual terrorism report, citing the Taliban’s limited efforts to curb IS-K’s operations while highlighting its tolerance of other militant groups like al-Qaida and TTP.

IS-K’s activities also fuel regional tensions. Pakistan, which faces increased attacks from TTP operatives based in Afghanistan, accuses the Taliban of harboring militants that threaten its security. This situation exacerbates instability, hindering international cooperation and heightening fears of Afghanistan’s descent into a hub for global terrorism.

Amid this turmoil, the Afghan people, particularly vulnerable minorities, bear the brunt of escalating violence. This calls for urgent prayer and action for peace, stability, and protection for the afflicted.

Prayer
Lord, bring peace to Afghanistan. Protect the innocent, strengthen peacemakers, and defeat the forces of violence. Amen.

Bible Verse
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you. Deuteronomy 33:27

More: https://www.voanews.com/a/taliban-minister-s-killing-raises-concerns-about-is-terror-group-s-expansion/7900252.html

Bolivia: Organized crime undermining democracy

Bolivia faces significant challenges as organized crime undermines its democratic foundations. A hub for cocaine production and trafficking, the country struggles with pervasive corruption that compromises its judiciary, law enforcement, and political systems. There are systemic vulnerabilities, including politically influenced judicial appointments, enabling narcotraffickers to exploit weak institutions. This corruption erodes public trust, fueling a cycle of impunity and democratic fragility.

One stark example of corruption is Bolivia’s reliance on coca growers in the Chapare region, closely linked to drug trafficking. This relationship fosters a “non-aggression pact” between narcotraffickers and the government, creating a precarious balance that could collapse if efforts are made to curb illegal activity. The judiciary is plagued by inefficiency and political interference, allowing criminals like Sebastian Marset, a notorious trafficker, to operate freely for extended periods.

Compounding these issues are economic distortions caused by illicit financial flows, which bypass taxation and inflate markets, further marginalizing ordinary citizens. Weak oversight of borders and public procurement processes exacerbates Bolivia’s struggles to maintain transparency and accountability. These dynamics jeopardize democratic principles, leaving the Bolivian people vulnerable to exploitation and disenfranchisement.

Urgent reforms are needed, including strengthening law enforcement, enhancing judicial independence, and fostering transparency. International cooperation is critical, particularly in intelligence sharing, legislative reform, and capacity building for law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies. Combating organized crime requires addressing its root causes, such as poverty and inequality, to prevent democratic regression and build a foundation of justice and accountability.

As Bolivia grapples with these challenges, Christians are called to pray for the nation’s leaders, the protection of vulnerable communities, and the restoration of integrity in governance.

Prayer
Lord, we lift up Bolivia in prayer. Bring wisdom to its leaders, justice for its people, and renewal to its democratic institutions. Amen.

Bible Verse
“Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” — Amos 5:24

More: https://www.iri.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Illicit-Economys-Impact-on-Democracy-Case-Studies-in-Bolivia-and-Ecuador.pdf

Use these prayer pointers that the IPC Latin America Prayer Council are using through 2025:
CONTINENTAL PRAYER POINTS - CLAMOR 2025

Pray for unity
Pray for the uprising of godly leadership in Latino América (season for Seating / Reseating governmental offices)
Pray for the transition of structures in our churches - from pyramidal churches to apostolic centers - in order to birth long-term spiritual movements. Focus: Culture of prayer.
Pray to return to the original design / and fulfilment of the calling for each nation.
Prayer for Israel with ICEJ monthly prayer points. Transfer of Latin American embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Pray for the nations to identify/build watchmen and strategic teams across the 7 Areas of cultural influence.
Pray for the uprising of the Next Generation: Focus on children (Josiah Network & youth movement- UPRISING)
Pray for the coalition of anti- globalization nations in our continent. Focus: Trade, impact of immigration.