Watchman Wire

Watchman Wire

Dispatches for the persecuted church

THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2
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Daily prayer with the global church:

Prayer for Persecuted Christians in Algeria — July 1, 2026

During the month of July, we are joining with those leading intercession and prayer in the 110 least-reached cities in Africa and Asia. Eternal Father, we thank You for Youssef and the ministry of prayer he is leading in Algiers, Algeria. As he lifts the truths of Your promises back to You, guide him to lead others in holy confidence so they stay rooted in what You have sworn. As they lift up the needs of their city before You through house churches of prayer, help them to be both patient and resilient. As Your Word declares in Exodus 32:13, “Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self…” we ask, Lord, that You remember Your mercy over Algiers. Remember the blood of Jesus that speaks for the nations. Strengthen Youssef and the believers around him to keep watch without growing cold. Let Your Word rise in their mouths until faith grows throughout the city. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Latest dispatches

Tehran church to be seized after residents ordered to leave

A Presbyterian church in Tehran is set to be seized, after residents in the church compound were ordered to leave their homes and worshippers told to find a different church. The confiscation of St Peter’s Evangelical Church in Tehran and eviction of its residents, who belong…

Pray →God of Justice and Comfort, we lift up the believers of St Peter’s Evangelical Church in Tehran as their place of worship faces confiscation. You see the hearts of those displaced and the uncertainties they now face. Remember Your promise to be a refuge for the oppressed and a stronghold in times of trouble. Establish Your presence among these displaced families, and let Your church rise in strength and unity despite earthly setbacks. Reveal Jesus to those orchestrating this seizure, that they might encounter the One who came to seek and save the lost. Let truth and justice shine brightly in Tehran, and uphold Your people with an enduring hope and peace. For the sake of Your name and the witness of Your Church, we ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Article18·Prayer·

In Pictures: Hunger, despair as Venezuela quake death toll rises

Venezuelan rescuers fight to save lives as survivors face hunger and chaos after devastating twin earthquakes.

Pray →God of All Comfort, we lift up the people of Venezuela as they endure the aftermath of devastating earthquakes. Cities lie in chaos, and many face hunger and despair as they search for safety and sustenance. You are near to the brokenhearted and save the crushed in spirit. Sustain the rescuers laboring to save lives, and let Your presence be a steadfast refuge for those who mourn and fear. Provide for the hungry and shelter the displaced. Reveal Jesus in the midst of this calamity as the One who binds up the broken and brings hope to the afflicted. We ask for Your peace to descend upon Venezuela, that Your name may be exalted even in the midst of disaster. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Al Jazeera·Prayer·

59 killed in floods and fears number of dead could rise

At least 59 people have been killed in flooding in Ivory Coast, according to a government spokesman,

Pray →Lord of Compassion, we lift up Ivory Coast in the wake of devastating floods. Many lives have been lost, families mourn, and communities face uncertainty as the waters have swept away homes and hopes. You are near to the brokenhearted and rescue those crushed in spirit — let Your comfort be known to grieving families and weary communities. Sustain the believers and relief workers laboring to bring aid and hope, and reveal Jesus to those who seek shelter and peace amidst the turmoil. May Your presence be a refuge and strength, a very present help in this time of trouble. For the sake of Your name and Your mercy, guard the vulnerable and lead them to safety. In the name of our compassionate Lord. Amen.

Sky News (World)·Prayer·

Pakistan escalates action after Karachi Rangers attack

Pakistan has responded to a deadly Karachi Rangers compound attack with cross-border strikes and diplomatic protests against Afghanistan, signalling a tougher counterterrorism stance towards militants it says are based there.

AnewZ··

Sudan: City Under Siege, Children Under Fire: Rapid Support Forces’ Crimes Against Humanity in North Darfur

More than three years into Sudan’s brutal conflict, this report documents the Rapid Support Forces’ siege and seizure of El Fasher, North Darfur, and grave crimes against civilians in and around the city.

Pray →God of Justice and Deliverance, we lift up the people of El Fasher who endure the relentless siege and violence in North Darfur. You see the devastation and hear the cries of children caught in the crossfire. Establish Your peace in this land, where the cries of the innocent rise like smoke from a smoldering city. Confront those who commit atrocities, and bring their deeds into the light. Reveal the Savior to soldiers and civilians alike, that Your mercy might break through the hardened hearts. Protect the vulnerable and sustain the weary, for You are a refuge for the oppressed. May the people of Sudan see the dawn of justice and mercy in their land — for Your name's sake, we trust in Your righteous cause. Amen.

Amnesty International·Prayer·

UN chief says UN agency for Palestinian refugees nearing 'breaking point'

By Andrea Shalal June 30 (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged countries to cover a $100 million gap in funding for the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, saying the body was nearing a breaking point after deep cost-cutting and austerity…

Al-Monitor··

Protect earthquake victims in Venezuela

Devastating earthquakes hit Venezuela on 24 June 2026, leaving in their wake countless victims, including thousands of people killed, injured, displaced, unhoused, or otherwise affected. Constantly rising official figures are considered to not yet represent the extent of the…

Amnesty International··

Muslims Reject Christian Prayer House in Indonesia

On June 24, a group of Muslims attacked a prayer house in the Hegarmanah Indah Housing Complex in West Java, Indonesia, demanding that it be closed. The violent mob attacked several members of the church behind the prayer house and threatened to burn the gathering place down.

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)··

Going the Distance to Help Those in Need

Two years after Manish left Hinduism to follow Jesus in 2008, he began sharing the gospel full-time in local Hindu communities in India. Recently, Hindu nationalists have started to push back. On Feb. 22, as Pastor Manish led a Sunday worship service, a group of roughly 20…

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)··

India Bars Foreign Funds From Funding Conversions

On June 22, the government of India issued two notifications, one of which explicitly bars non-governmental organizations from using foreign funds for proselytizing. The notification explicitly prohibits the use of foreign contributions for religious conversion but allows their…

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)··

In Memoriam: Rev Edward Hovsepian-Mehr (1950–2026)

By Mansour Borji It is with profound sadness that Article18 mourns the passing of Rev Edward Hovsepian-Mehr, one of the most consequential Christian leaders in modern Iran and a faithful servant of Christ whose life was marked by courage, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion to…

Article18··
Daily prayer with the global church:

Prayer for Persecuted Christians in Algeria — July 1, 2026

During the month of July, we are joining with those leading intercession and prayer in the 110 least-reached cities in Africa and Asia. Eternal Father, we thank You for Youssef and the ministry of prayer he is leading in Algiers, Algeria. As he lifts the truths of Your promises back to You, guide him to lead others in holy confidence so they stay rooted in what You have sworn. As they lift up the needs of their city before You through house churches of prayer, help them to be both patient and resilient. As Your Word declares in Exodus 32:13, “Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self…” we ask, Lord, that You remember Your mercy over Algiers. Remember the blood of Jesus that speaks for the nations. Strengthen Youssef and the believers around him to keep watch without growing cold. Let Your Word rise in their mouths until faith grows throughout the city. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

‘The Islamic Republic takes advantage of minorities’

Iranian-Assyrian pastor Victor Bet-Tamraz used to lead a Persian-speaking church in Tehran, until the church was forbidden from holding services in the national language, or allowing converts to enter.

Article18··

Saudi Arabia: Visitors to Saudi Arabia imprisoned for social media posts

Visitors to Saudi Arabia, including those travelling for tourism and religious pilgrimages such as Hajj and Umrah, risk being detained, subjected to grossly unfair trials, and sentenced to lengthy prison sentences for their social media activity – including posts published…

Amnesty International··

Chinese Families Seek Christian Education in Southeast Asia

In the past seven years, Chinese house church leaders Owen Jiao and Ella Jiang have sought to provide their children with a Christian education, a difficult journey that caused them to run afoul of the Chinese government, ostracized them from their fellow church members, and…

Christianity Today··

Israel destroys Hezbollah underground infrastructure in southern Lebanon

CAIRO, June 28 (Reuters) - The Israeli military has destroyed underground infrastructure used by Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in a village in southern Lebanon, according to a joint statement by the Israeli prime minister and defense minister on Sunday. The U.S.

Al-Monitor··

When the American arsonist wears a rescue uniform in Venezuela

TEHRAN — The twin earthquakes that struck north-central coastal Venezuela on June 24, registering magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, brought immense destruction to Caracas and La Guaira. With the death toll nearing 1000 as of writing this article, Western media frames the catastrophe…

Tehran Times··

Threat of ‘draconian’ regulations in India

A leading Indian Christian speaks to the Voice podcast about a proposed new regulation that would threaten Christian work in that country. The post Threat of ‘draconian’ regulations in India appeared first on Release International.

Release International··

Strong earthquake hits Hindu Kush, shaking Afghanistan and Pakistan

June 27 (Reuters) - A strong earthquake struck Afghanistan's Hindu Kush region on Saturday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre said, sending out tremors that could be felt from the capital Kabul across the border into neighbouring Pakistan.

Al-Monitor··

Christian Attacked for Evangelistic Outreach in Uganda

NAIROBI, Kenya (Morning Star News) – A Christian attacked after he and his wife participated in an evangelistic outreach in eastern Uganda on June 14 is still receiving medical treatment for his injuries, sources said.

Morning Star News··

As a Secret Christian in India, Tanima Experiences a Miracle

At A Glance: For seven years, Tanima* hid her faith in Christ from everyone. When she was discovered, her enraged husband and the entire community treated her cruelly. Then her husband read a Bible passage for himself, and his heart was changed.

Global Christian Relief··