When a Nigerian pastor learned that his daughter, kidnapped by Boko Haram, refused to convert to Islam he said, ‘To die for the sake of Christ, that's the happiest thing for me. I'm grateful that she didn't change her religion. She trusted in God’. He was told that the terrorists dug a hole, buried her up to her neck, and stoned her to death. His wife added, ‘I believe she died with dignity. Monica is now in heaven because she refused to convert.’ The widow of one of the 21 Egyptian Christians beheaded by IS last February has made a similar statement, testifying that she ‘was very proud’ her husband ‘stood firm in his faith and that he didn't deny Jesus.’ Many believe that Christians in the West will face increasing persecution in coming years. In January Britain's security chief warned that al-Qaeda is planning ‘mass casualty attacks against the West.’

Pray: that Christians everywhere will continue to feed on the Word of God, develop their relationship with Jesus are filled with the Holy Spirit and will continue to stand in the face of opposition. (Eph.6:13)
More: http://www.christianheadlines.com/columnists/denison-forum/father-rejoices-that-daughter-died-for-christ.html

Boko Haram is not driving Christians away. Evangelists have expanded church planting in Nigeria's northeast by meeting the needs of displaced people. Their courage has seen members of Boko Haram repenting and putting their faith in Christ. Boko Haram is killing people, but this indigenous ministry is discreetly working in villages and in camps for the internally displaced. They are offering humanitarian assistance and proclaiming Christ at a time when few are bold enough to do so. ‘There are 70,000+ people in the
camps, so it is a mission field for us,’ said the director of the indigenous ministry.

‘We used to reach them with the gospel in their villages, but now we reach them with the gospel, food, medicine and Bibles.’ Former Boko Haram members are being discipled in safe-havens and have shown a strong interest in learning the Bible, ridding themselves of anything grievous to God and becoming spiritually grounded so they can reach other Muslims.

Pray: God for using established ministries at this time to reach the unreachable. (Mt.5:14)
More: http://www.christianaid.org/News/2015/mir20150702.aspx

Horrific violence has followed the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari in May, as Boko Haram militants attacked the city of Maiduguri, capital of Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno state and birthplace of the Islamist insurgency group Boko Haram. Gunfire and explosions reverberate through the city and scores have been left dead. ‘We don’t know what happens next,’ a church leader told Barnabas. ‘Pray for the believers in the city of Maiduguri. Pray for God’s special intervention.’ On 29 May, militants launched 50+ rockets into the town, killing scores of people. On Saturday, a suicide bomber killed several people as he detonated himself in a mosque. On Sunday, a bomb went off near the Gomboru market, killing scores more. On Tuesday 2 June, a suicide bomber blew himself up at the Gomboru market, killing at 20+ people. In his inaugural speech President Buhari announced that the command centre for security forces would be moved from Abuja to Maiduguri.

Pray: against mindless, godless terrorism in Nigeria, and for God to protect the innocent.(Ps.64:1,2)
More: www.barnabasfund.org/news/Boko-Haram-wage-violence-in-north-eastern-Nigeria-after-Presidential-inauguration

A suspected suicide bomber targeted civil servants at a government building in Zaria city, killing 25 and wounding 32. Boko Haram, which often targets northern Nigeria, has stepped up attacks since President Buhari took office in May. The group has not yet commented on the latest attack, which came a day after police chief Solomon Arase announced new measures to curb the rise in bombings. The measures include banning street trading and hawking in Abuja, and strengthening security at all mosques and churches countrywide. Witnesses in Zaria said people including primary school teachers had been queuing up seeking employment under Mr Buhari's administration when the bomb was detonated. Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufa'i said citizens were to be vigilant and avoid crowded places like markets, mosques, churches and motor parks in the next few weeks.

Pray: for the government and security agencies to end the wave of militant attacks in the country. Pray also for the families of more than 200 people killed by Boko Haram attacks last week. (Ps.29:11)
More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-33425734

Many Christian villages in central Nigeria were attacked and a number of people were killed in raids by suspected Fulani militants on Sunday (the Fulani, mainly Muslim, are one of the most powerful people groups in west Africa). Militants attacked 20 villages in the Agatu local government area of Benue state, killing more than 30 people. Many fled to displacement camps in neighbouring Kogi state. Meanwhile, in the Barkin Ladi area of Plateau state, militants attacked several villages in Dorowa. Nigerian military responded to the attack but ‘made no search nor any arrests’. As Boko Haram attacks gradually build up around the north-east states, Fulani terror activities are also on the rise in central Nigeria. Please pray now for our brothers and sisters in Christ, facing this new threat.

Pray: that officials and the military will act with firm resolve to end these attacks and protect vulnerable Christian communities. (Zec.10:5)
More: http://www.releaseinternational.org/nigeria-christians-killed-as-villages-raided/

  1. Nigeria: Boko Haram survivors - food shortages
  2. Nigeria: Turning point in Nigeria’s war against Boko Haram
  3. Nigeria: Buhari declares Boko Haram a fraud and 300 hostages are rescued
  4. Nigeria: Election campaigns almost divided Lagos

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