Brianna Alexander

Mar 12

Day 13 – Pray for Muslims in Thailand

By Brianna Alexander Blog

James relaxed in his airplane seat, relieved to be heading off to a Christian conference and a few days of rest. As he thought about the week ahead, he felt God say to him: “Tell the lady sitting next to you that I know her and love her.”

James glanced over at the young hijab-wearing Muslim lady, unsure at how to strike up a conversation. Culturally, it would be awkward for him as a man to start chatting with her. But he did it anyway.

“Asalaam alaikum”, he greeted her. “Sorry to bother you, but I am a Christian, and a few minutes ago, I felt God wanted to tell you that He sees you and knows you. And that He loves you, too.”

Saripa’s eyes opened wide, as she stuttered back: “You’re a Christian?!? I have just been reading the Bible. Can you help explain it to me?”

“Yes, of course”, James said in shock, as he marveled at God’s ways. “But where do you live? Maybe my wife can meet with you to explain more.” She proceeded to tell James that she lived in the exact city he was working in. And then they realized that they lived in the same neighborhood, and, in fact, on the very same street! God was indeed at work in their family and bringing a hunger for His Word.

Later that week, James’ wife reached out to Saripa and the two began a study of Scripture that only God himself could have orchestrated.

How Can We Pray?

Pray for Thai Muslims who have an interest in Jesus but struggle to learn more. Pray for Christian friends who can explain the Good News.
Pray for the growth of the church in the province of Narathiwat, which has just 70+ Christians among almost a million Muslim residents.
As Jesus prayed in Matthew 9, ask God to send more workers to reap the harvest to come.

Mar 11

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Day 12 – Pray for the Biharis in Bangladesh

By Brianna Alexander Blog

Nadim is an Urdu speaking Bihari whose forefathers came to Dhaka after the partition of India. Caught up in the events of political changes, the Biharis became an impoverished minority people group living in camps in Bangladesh. They are considered an unreached people group and only a handful of believers exist among them.

Nadim worked as a sari designer making patterns for the silk sari weaving cottage-industry that his people are famous for. As the fashion for wedding saris shifted from silk to other types, it became more and more difficult for him to feed his family. One day while he was minding a friend’s shop, the owner came in and threw a couple of books on the counter. “Look here,” he said “the Christians are distributing their book for free on the street because of Christmas. I will try to make some money by selling them here.’’ Nadim took a New Testament home and started reading that night. From then on, he read every night. The more he read, the more his desire to know Christ grew.

One day he met a young evangelist who lived in that area. They started talking and, with the input of several people, Nadim heard the gospel clearly explained. After embracing Jesus as his Saviour, his wife and mother-in-law came to faith as well. Nadim has learned the path of repentance in the years since but now leads a small church in his home.

How To Pray:

That Biharis who experience persecution and rejection would find their identity in Christ.
For improved conditions for the hundreds of thousands of Biharies who live in camps in squalid conditions and for htem to discover Jesus as their True Hope.
For educaitonal opportunities for Bihari young people.

Mar 10

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Day 11 – Pray For Those Imprisoned in Libya

By Brianna Alexander Blog

Imprisoned For Faith

Libya is a country rich in natural resources but devasted by civil war and various armed conflicts. These have caused massive emigration as well as economic hardship and suffering for those remaining in country. There is also spiritual hardship in that deciding to follow Christ in this strict Muslim country carries with it the threat of being punished with death.

Aatiq is one of those who has received a legally disputed death sentence. He came to know Christ through reading the Word some years ago and then wandered away from his faith. A sub-Saharan believer met him and prayed that he would have a vision of the risen Christ. A few days later he had that vision and since then has clung to the Lord in the midst of adversity caused by the boldness of his proclamation. He, somewhat like Joseph in Genesis, has been esteemed by some of those in charge of the prison because of his helpful attitude and good work.

How Can We Pray?

“Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies” (Heb 13:3 NLT). Ask God that those suffering in prison be released.
Pray for media outreach efforts in Libyan Arabic that programs would draw people to Christ and would also comfort and disciple secret believers.
Pray that Libyans who have emigrated to other countries would find Christ and return to share with their own people.

***

During Ramadan, we are taking time each day to pray for people in the Muslim world. We are praying that they would hear the Gospel, have access to the Bible, have a divine encounter with Jesus, and be saved. We are also praying for Christians living as the minority in the Muslim world, that they would be protected from persecution, strengthened in their faith, and given opportunities to share the Gospel.

The stories and prayer requests that we are sharing have been taking from World Prayer Guides. You can visit their website (www.WorldPrayerGuides.org) to purchase a printable prayer guide for just $2.50.

Mar 09

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Day 10 – Pray For The Aimaqs of Afghanistan

By Brianna Alexander Blog

Zai was transfixed by verses from the Gospels shared with him by a Christian worker. Tears came to his eyes as they read John 1:12 together: “Sometimes when I read this book I get goosebumps!” he said. Zai sensed God calling him to repent and surrender his life to Jesus, but he was serious about counting the cost. He also struggled to know if he understood the gospel well enough. He said that sometimes at night, he sensed God’s presence so strongly that it almost scared him, not understanding what God wanted from him.

Zai is Aimaq and his people live in the central and western highlands of Afghanistan. Numbering half a million, they live a full or semi-nomadic lifestyle. Their language is considered ‘lost’ so they speak Dari or Pashto, depending on their location.

Zai’s friend told him to speak to God and ask for faith. Reading together Revelation 3:20, he showed him that Jesus was patiently and lovingly knocking on the door of his heart and desiring a personal relationship with him. Zai was deeply moved and asked, “What must I do?” The two men reviewed the verses in Romans regarding the human condition and Romans 10:9-10 which describe a sinner’s response. Zai pondered and asked, “Is it ok if I just take tonight to think about it?” Zai later confessed that “I was afraid if I waited, Jesus might stop knocking.” Soon after this, God gave Zai a dream and he woke up knowing that he was ready to surrender his life to Christ.

How Can We Pray?

Pray for the good news to be shared in the Aimaq area; the regions where they live have no gospel witness.
Pray for the Aimaqs to find hope and to know the Lord as their great provider as they live in one of the poorest areas of Afghanistan.
Pray that young Aimaq men would find the gospel as they travel to other places for work.

Mar 08

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Day 9 – Pray For The Perfume Islands

By Brianna Alexander Blog

Translating The Bible In Their Mother Tongue

Because vanilla, cloves and spices grow here, the Comoros archipelago is also known as the Perfume Islands, with frangipani, jasmine and lemon grass also lending a delightful fragrance. Almost one million people live on the four main islands, which are located between Madagascar and Mozambique. One of them, Mayotte, is a French overseas territory, which is why many Comorians try to reach France via this island. This has led to unrest and conflict. The population lives in poor conditions and is almost exclusively Muslim.

Said is one of the only Christians on the island. Only a few people around him and in his family know Jesus. He wants the Comoros people to get to have the opportunity to read the Word of God and to believe. Together with other believers and missionary societies, he is working on a Bible translation in the local language. This will give people access to the Word of God in their mother tongue, which is crucial to spreading the gospel and enabling a deeper connection to faith.

The unity and dedication behind this collaboration is impressive. The indigenous believers and mission agencies bring their resources, talents and passions to serve God’s mission together.

How Can We Pray?

That the fragrance of God spreads throughout the Perfume Islands and that the people experience Him.
That Christians may live safely and securely.
For Bible translation to progress well, with great unity in the team.

Mar 07

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Day 8 – Pray For Muslims in Sandzak

By Brianna Alexander Blog

The Only Christian in Sandzak

Hamza is sitting in one of the most famous ćevapi restaurants in the Serbian city of Novi Pazar with his foreign friend. People come here to drink coffee and to enjoy the best sausages and a good view of the pedestrian zone. Hamza, however, is here to learn from the Bible. On their mobile phones they read John 8:32 together: “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

After a moment of silence, Hamza says: “That is what my people need. They should recognize Jesus as truth and as light. And then he will free them from the many dark powers and the slavery of money.” And he continues: “God sent you here for me! Without you, I would no longer follow Jesus.”

Sandzak is a historic region in the Balkans that straddles the border of Serbia and Montenegro. As the only known follower of Jesus in the entire region with around 250,000 Muslim residents, Hamza knows life in Sandzak. It is not easy for him to live his faith, but he always draws strength from the Bible. The Muslims in Sandzak are a significant majority locally, but overall, they are a minority in Serbia and Montenegro. Thirty years after the war, they are still discriminated against. This is one of the reasons why many Muslims here are very religious and devout. In the city of Novi Pazar alone, there are over 60 mosques, three Koran schools and an Islamic university for future religious teachers and imams.

How To Pray

That more Muslims from Sandzak will recognise Jesus as the truth and follow him.
That the people of Sandzak would recognise the light of Jesus to be stronger than all the dark powers that they have experienced.
For more workers and new ideas on how to reach the Muslims of Sandzak.

Mar 06

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Day 7 – Pray For The Dendi

By Brianna Alexander Blog

During Ramadan, we are praying each day for different groups in the Muslim world. We would love for you follow along with us on the blog and on social media @the_global_mission. Here is today’s story.

The Dendi in northern Benin

Benin in West Africa is not a Muslim country, but the Dendi in the north of the country are 99.93 % Muslim. They number about 310,000 people. Among them are only very few Christians. There is no church where Dendi is spoken.

Most Dendi follow a form of folk Islam, mixing elements of orthodox Islam with their traditional rites and religious practices. The Marabouts, religious teachers or holy men, teach Islam as well as ancient customs and are healers and contact persons to the spirit world.

The rural steppe areas of Northern Benin are home for most Dendi. The structures of families and villages are very fundamental for their life in this region, making it unthinkable for seekers to break out of this system in order to follow Christ. That’s why finding ways to spread the Gospel and establish fellowships of believers within these structures is so important.

The New Testament and some audio and video materials are available in the Dendi language, but most are unaware of their availability. In the summer of 2024, 140 evangelists swarmed the city of Djougou, where tens of thousands of Dendi live. With many of them from neighboring people groups, they worked in different quarters of the city every day for three weeks. They wanted to find houses of peace, preach Christ to the people there and leave one of 2,000 SD-cards with audio files of Biblical books.

How Can We Pray?

Pray that the distributed SD cards would be listened to again and again and would cause people to believe in the Messiah.
That the Dendi would see that Jesus has power over the spirit world.
Pray that 1000 Dendi would be baptized and 100 home churches established.

Mar 05

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Day 6 – Pray For Muslim Missionaries in Albania

By Brianna Alexander Blog

Saved By A Sandwich

Hamit was born into an Albanian Muslim family. He thought that by fasting and doing good deeds he could find salvation, but these were things he practiced only out of obligation to his parents. He felt nothing in his heart but instead wondered, ‘why we are here in this world and what is the purpose of life?’

One day when he was 17 years old, he left school hungry and went to buy himself a sandwich. It was wrapped in paper which he looked at curiously…it was a page from the Bible. The man who sold the sandwich was an old Communist who invited him to his house for a coffee. Hamit went to his home, and the man started to speak against the faith. When Hamit asked to use the toilet, he found that instead of toilet paper, the man had placed the Bible. The boy felt scared to use the Bible and hid it under his clothes, so the man wouldn’t notice.

When Hamit began to read the Bible, he began to understand that God loves him. John 3:16 became his favourite verse. He decided to believe this love and take it into his heart. He began to search for other people who could believe the same as the Bible. He found a church where the pastor there led him in a prayer. Hamit beams: “As soon as I finished praying, I felt that a heavy stone had moved from my heart and I felt joy.”

How Can We Pray?

Pray that Albanians who have come to faith since the fall of Communism would become grounded in the Word.
Pray that the many Muslim missionaries who are in Albania form other coutnries would actually fall in love with Jesus instead.
Pray for unity between churches and that believers would be known for their love.

Mar 04

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Day 5 – Pray For Muslims in Zanzibar

By Brianna Alexander Blog

Fantastic beaches, picturesque sunsets and a natural paradise attract thousands upon thousands of tourists to the popular island archipelago of Zanzibar every year. They make a stark contrast to the local Zanzibaris, who are 99 % Muslim. Deeply entangled in folk Islam and occultism, they try to distance themselves from the influence of the Western world through their religion and traditions. Jesus speaks into this bondage and conflict and calls Zanzibaris to follow Him.

Mansour experienced that through Isa al-Masih (Jesus, the Messiah) he was set free from evil spirits and demonic burdens. Curious, he and his family watched LUMO films about the life of Jesus, and they began reading the Injil (New Testament). They decided to follow Jesus into a life of light and freedom. Mansour’s father-in-law in the south of the island heard that his daughter had been set free by Jesus – something that all magicians had failed to do so far. A group of seekers are now meeting there, too, to learn more about Jesus in the Injil. The first life changes through the Holy Spirit can be seen, and some are ready to be baptized.

Ways To Pray

That the young believers would take courageous steps of obedience and not allow themselves to be prevented from doing so by rumors circulating about baptism.
That Jesus would answer their prayers when they pray in His name for the sick and burdened.
For supernatural protection and care for the believers, who are now increasingly disadvantaged and persecuted by religious leaders and neighbours.

We are praying for different Mulsim people groups around the world during the 30 days of Ramadan. The stories and prayer requests shared here are taken from World Prayer Guides. Please consider making a donation to them or purchasing a printable guide to suppor their ministry.

Mar 03

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Day 4 – Pray For The Kazakhs from China

By Brianna Alexander Blog

Today is the 4th day of Ramadan. As Muslims around the world take time to pray, The Global Mission is taking time to pray for them, to pray for their salvation and deliverance. We would love for you to pray with us and to search for opportunities to share your testimony and the gospel with Muslims in your life.

All stories and prayer requests are taken from World Prayer Guides. You can purchase a printable prayer guide from their website.

The Story

Tolkyn grew up in a big city in eastern China, though his people consider the northwest of the country to be their home area. Despite not being especially religious or traditional, he considers himself a Muslim. Like many younger generation Kazakhs, he’s living abroad. Work, study, family connections, and immigration are common reasons for this phenomenon.

Kazakhs who travel out of China tend to be ambitious and prize worldly wisdom. Having escaped many limitations by coming out of their country, they recognize the relative freedom they’re enjoying. At least some of their dreams are coming true, though their happiness is often mixed with heartache over separation from relatives still in China.

Tolkyn is pursuing advanced studies and thinking seriously about marriage to his girlfriend, Saule. Through Saule, he met some Jesus-followers in the city where he lives. He had read some of John’s gospel in Chinese years ago, but it didn’t make much of an impression on him. Saule’s friends, however, in a conversation about how a husband and wife relate to each other in marriage, brought up the passage in Ephesians 5 where it says, “Husbands, love your wives…” This really made Tolkyn think. The fact that this scripture was in Kazakh, and not some other language, also got his attention— so much so that he got a copy of the Bible in Kazakh for himself.

Ways To Pray

For Kazakhs living abroad to feel a longing to know their Creator that nothing else (education, career, money, emigration, even family) can satisfy.
For them to meet Jesus-followers along their paths in pursuit of worldly ambitions.
That Kazakhs would have the opportunity and desire to read scripture, and that they would receive understanding through the Holy Spirit.

Day 13 – Pray for Muslims in Thailand