Join the 8Thirty8 Movement

Set your alarm for 8:38 AM or 8:38 PM (or both!) to pray for persecuted Christians worldwide. Why 8:38? Because of the promise that God gives to those who are being persecuted for His sake in Romans 8: 38-39:

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8: 38-39

There’s a terrific Facebook Page for the 8thirty8 movement here. And here are some of our own prayer points for your 8:38 prayer:

Burma (aka Myanmar): The Free Burma Rangers reports: The Burma Army continues its attacks in Karen State (Karen people are majority Christian) against innocent civilians and villagers — In addition to over 700 killed in cities, people and property in ethnic areas of Burma are being violently killed and destroyed. The Burma Army has forced over 24,000 people in Karen State to take shelter in the jungle and every day Free Burma Rangers teams hear of new attacks.

Please pray for God’s deliverance, for peace in Burma, and for all families, widows, orphans of those killed by the Burma Army. Thank God for one bright spot: the evil actions of the Army are uniting people across tribal and ethnic divides as never before. Please pray that this continues, and that it brings people to Christ.

China: Please pray for the Church in China in general – those who are worshipping in secret and those worshipping in relative openness; those who are in prison or labor camp for their faith in Jesus; those who are punished or are victims of forced sterilization or abortion for “violating” China’s one/two child policy; those other non-Christian groups that stand against the Chinese Communist Party – that their love for truth and freedom above their lives will lead them to the ultimate Truth and Freedom. The only thing that can stop the CCP’s devouring global agenda is Jesus.

Praise God for the faithfulness of His people in China, and how they will transform the country.

Saudi Arabia: Middle East Concern reports: A. is an Arab convert who has lived all his life in Saudi Arabia. He is facing several court cases brought against him because of his faith, as well as violent threats against his wife and son. In last month’s court hearing he was accused of trying to convert Muslims. That case is ongoing. A. had hearing in another case on 22 April. Several year ago, A.’s sister faced abuse by the family after they discovered she had become a Christian. A. helped her flee with her children, so the family accused A. of financial wrongdoing, starting a case against him.

Please pray for A., his wife and little son for protection and God’s peace. Pray that A. will not be sent to prison. And pray that the wider family will come to repentance and faith in Jesus.

Iran: Middle East Concern reports: Iranian Christians request prayer for Ismail Narimanpour, Mohammad Ali Torabi, Alireza Vark Shah, Hojjat Lotfi Khalaf  who were arrested by intelligence agents on 19 April in Dezful, Khuzestan province in south-west Iran. Please pray that God will comfort and encourage these four converts and their families.

Pray for God’s favor and wisdom as these brothers in Christ undergo interrogation, that Holy Spirit would be present in their conversation and fill the courtroom with the fear of the Lord. And pray that Iranian authorities will stop persecuting the people of Iran because of their religious beliefs and allow religious freedom in Iran. Thank God for the release from prison of Christian convert MajidReza Souzanchi on April 8 after serving almost 3 years in prison.

Nigeria: In 2021 alone, hundreds of schoolchildren in Nigeria have been kidnapped. Parents fear to send their children to school and students are afraid to go to classes. A majority of those captured by Boko Haram jihadists are young women and girls taken and trafficked as sex slaves who endure horrendous abuse and mistreatment. This was what happened to 17-year-old Leah Sharibu, kidnapped from her school in Dapchi, Nigeria in 2018. And seven years ago, the night of April 14, Boko Haram abducted 276 girls from their school in Chibok. 112 are still unaccounted for.

Please pray for protection of Nigeria’s Christians, justice to be done, and deliverance of those enslaved. And please consider signing this petition to U.S. on the https://freenigerianslaves.org website, urging Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) to take a lead in stopping the enslavement of black African Christians in Nigeria. (this is an international petition – it has already been signed by supporters in Africa and elsewhere, as well as the United States).