Dear Heavenly Father,
In the name of Jesus, we come before you on behalf of Taeweth and lift up the prayer request concerning the Christians in Nigeria who have endured intense persecution at the hands of terrorists for many years. Lord, we ask for your strength to be poured out upon them. Strengthen their faith, their resolve, and their endurance in the face of such adversity. Your Word reminds us in Isaiah 41:10, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Father, we pray for comfort for those who have been bereaved and traumatized by these acts of terror. May your Holy Spirit bring healing and peace to their hearts and minds. Your Word assures us in Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
We also lift up the perpetrators of these acts of violence, Lord. We pray that you would touch their hearts and bring them to repentance. Help them to lay down their weapons and turn away from the path of destruction. Your Word teaches us in Ezekiel 33:11, "Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die?"
Lord, we ask that the international community and the worldwide media would awaken to the terrible violence being perpetrated against Christians in Nigeria. May their eyes be opened to the suffering and may they take action to bring attention and aid to those in need. Your Word reminds us in Proverbs 31:8-9, "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy."
We thank you, Lord, for the partners who are working tirelessly to help those affected by these attacks. Strengthen them, protect them, and provide for their needs. We are grateful for their willingness to put their own lives at risk to help the persecuted. Your Word encourages us in Matthew 25:40, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."
Father, we pray that the Nigerian authorities would take sufficient action to protect vulnerable Christians. Give them wisdom, courage, and a sense of urgency to address this ongoing issue. We also pray for governments around the world to use their influence to bring an end to the killing of Christians in Nigeria. Your Word reminds us in Psalm 82:3-4, "Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."
We trust in your sovereignty, Lord, and we believe that you hear our prayers. We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
May God's grace and peace be with you, Taeweth.