Pray for Christians Terrorized by Boko Haram in Nigeria
Not stand by while the Christians of the Middle East are being attacked.
Pray the protection of Psalm 91 over my brothers and sisters facing dangerous circumstances around the world.
The growth of the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram has been devastating for the Christians living in Nigeria. Christians are a minority group in northern Nigeria, where they’ve been terrorized by Islamic militants for nearly a decade. Boko Haram’s goal is to completely take over the entire state of Nigeria and institute Sharia law.
Major attacks against Christians by Boko Haram have made international news several times in the last few years. Just a few days ago, they sent two 7-year-old girls into a market as suicide bombers. This attack came almost immediately after Boko Haram sent two other female suicide bombers into a crowded marketplace where they killed 45 people. While these two most recent attacks did not specifically target Christians, the terrorist group routinely goes after followers of Christ.
Earlier this year, Open Doors International found that the killing of Christians in northern Nigeria has increased by 62% in just one year. Approximately 30 million Christians live in northern Nigeria, and in 2015 over 4,000 Christians were killed in terror attacks there. In August 2016, the new leader of Boko Haram vowed to shift the attention of his terrorist group from attacking other Muslims to attacking Christians and churches.
In September 2016, Boko Haram militants opened fire on a group of Christians returning home from church services. Eight people were murdered in that attack. The most internationally famous attack on Nigerian Christians by Boko Haram took place in April of 2014. The militants kidnapped around 270 schoolgirls, mostly Christians, and held them prisoner for over two years. They released 21 of the captives in October of 2016, in exchange for prisoners held by the government. A few other girls have escaped on their own. Most of them are still missing.
As Boko Haram continues to massacre and terrorize Christians living in Nigeria, we must keep them in our prayers.
Please Pray:
- For the safe release of all the schoolgirls still held captive by Boko Haram.
- For every evil and murderous plan against Christians in Nigeria to be defeated.
- For courage, protection, and spiritual strength for Nigerian Christians.
For Nigeria’s leaders to have wisdom and success in stopping terrorism.
