Missions at First

Twin Cities of North Africa
Zainab’s boyfriend of many years recently told her that he met a believer, heard the gospel, and has now chosen to become a follower of Jesus. Surprisingly, Zainab responded by saying, “Convince me, and I will believe in Jesus, too.” Please pray for this new believer, Mahdi, to be strengthened in his faith and to continue telling Zainab and other friends and family members about his new life in Christ. Pray also for Zainab to be convinced that Jesus is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6 ESV). In Acts 26:17-18 (ESV), Paul recounts the Lord saying to him, “I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Praise God for how He is at work bringing people like Madhi from darkness into light! Pray for believers to have boldness to proclaim the Good News. Intercede for Zainab and millions of others like her in North Africa who remain in darkness.

Tajiks of Tajikistan
(TAH-jeeks) – In Tajikistan, believers face persecution in different ways. Some are excluded from family or friends, others are monitored by the authorities, and still others face threat of death. It is especially difficult for new believers to share with their family — and yet, a family member is much more likely to follow Christ when they see that another member of their family did so first. Give thanks to God that many Tajiks have told their family the Good News already! Pray for boldness for Tajik believers. Ask that they will see that their identity and eternal hope is in Jesus: “For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17 ESV).