Watchman Wire

Watchman Wire

Dispatches for the persecuted church

SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2026
But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. Luke 21:36
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Daily prayer with the global church:

Prayer for Persecuted Christians in Indonesia — July 10, 2026

Redeeming Lord, we thank You for Khadija and the prayer work she is leading in Banjarmasin, Indonesia. As she reminds others that Your people have been purchased and redeemed, guide them to pray for an affection for the city where You have placed them. Let them ask for households and neighborhoods as those who believe Jesus is worthy of His inheritance. According to Psalm 74:2 — “Remember your congregation, which you purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your inheritance…” — we ask You to remember Your people in Banjarmasin. Strengthen Khadija and the believers she encourages when they feel small or unseen. Gather those who belong to You but have not yet heard Your voice clearly. Redeem households from fear. Let the church know she is purchased, loved, and called to bear witness. Make Jesus beautiful in this city. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Latest dispatches

Fears grow that entire Tehran church compound may be demolished

There are growing concerns that the oldest Protestant church in Iran, and its surrounding buildings, may be demolished, after residents were ordered to evacuate by tomorrow. Several of the 20 Assyrian and Armenian families who live in the St Peter’s church compound in Tehran…

Article18··

Report Confirms Fulani Militias Responsible for Majority of Deaths in Nigeria

According to a six-year study conducted by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA), Islamic Fulani militias are by far the deadliest persecutors of Christians in Nigeria. The network of militias is responsible for four times more civilian deaths than the two…

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)··

Protest Erupts in Pakistan after Christian Framed for ‘Blasphemy’

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A violent protest erupted in Karachi, Pakistan on Thursday (July 9) after unidentified persons mailed a desecrated page of the Quran to a Muslim shopkeeper along with photographs of a Christian and his mother…

Morning Star News··

Pregnant Woman Flees Fulani Militia

Hours before giving birth to her first child, a 22-year-old mother became a widow after an Islamic Fulani militia attacked her rural community in Nigeria. The attack, which occurred between June 21 and June 22, claimed 22 lives.

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)··

Authorities Detain Elderly Bishop in Nicaragua

An elderly bishop, who has a pacemaker and is a cancer survivor, was subjected to short-term arbitrary detention on June 29 and 30 in Estelí, Nicaragua. Bishop Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara serves as bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Estelí.

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)··

West Bengal Christians Move to Counter ‘Malicious Propaganda’

A statewide mobilization program to counter an alleged surge of fabricated social media content and false allegations of mass religious conversions has been announced by West Bengal’s top Christian body on July 3.

Pray →God of Truth, we lift up the Christians of West Bengal as they mobilize to counter false allegations and malicious propaganda. You are the One who upholds the cause of truth and righteousness, and Your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Sustain these believers with wisdom and courage, that they may stand firm in the face of deception and falsehood. Reveal Jesus to those spreading lies and to those who hear them, that all may come to know the One who is the truth. Guard the hearts and minds of Your people and let Your light shine through them in every community. For the glory of Your name, we pray. Amen.

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)·Prayer·

Protests threaten to spiral out of control after rape and murder of girl, 12, in India

Violent protests are threating to spiral out of control in India after the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl.

Pray →God of Justice and Compassion, we bring before You the turmoil in India following the tragic death of a young girl. You are the One who hears the cries of the innocent and sees the anguish of the oppressed. In this moment of chaos and grief, establish Your peace in the hearts of the grieving families and communities. Restrain the violence that seeks to consume the streets and protect the vulnerable from further harm. Let Your righteousness roll down like waters to bring justice for the victim and wisdom to those in authority. Reveal Jesus to those who are angry and hurting, that they may find solace and transformation in Him. For the honor of Your holy name, bring healing and restoration to this land, we pray. Amen.

Sky News (World)·Prayer·

Four Generations of Slavery Broken in a Single Day

At A Glance: After 30+ years in the brick kilns, Mumtaz received the message he had been waiting for: You are free. Mumtaz’ family had suffered through four generations of the same slavery. Through all of it, Mumtaz held onto the hopeful images of Psalm 23.

Pray →God of Freedom and Deliverance, we lift up Mumtaz and his family, now released from the bondage of generations. You have heard the cries of the oppressed and broken the chains that held them captive. Let thanksgiving arise from their newfound liberty, and establish their steps in a land of peace and hope. Reveal Jesus to those in the brick kilns still laboring under oppression, and turn the hearts of those who wield power over them. Let Your light shine in the darkest places, and let justice roll on like a river through this land. For the glory of Your name, we ask these things, trusting in Your unfailing love and faithfulness. Amen.

Global Christian Relief·Prayer·

Macron Visit Highlights Syria’s Uncertain Future for Religious Minorities

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa had hoped to showcase his country’s transformation toward democracy during French President Emmanuel Macron’s historic visit to Damascus this week. Instead, the visit was overshadowed by violence after explosions in the capital injured at least…

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)··

Community Appeals to U.S. Government After Fulani Militias Kill Christian Worker, 3 Others

Community leaders in Plateau state, Nigeria, are appealing for international attention after the killing of a Christian church worker and community leader, John Telle Danjuma, and the separate killing of three people at a mining site in a nearby community.

Pray →God of Justice and Comfort, we lift up Plateau state in Nigeria, where violence has taken the lives of John Telle Danjuma and others. You see the grief and fear that grip these communities, and Your heart is near to the brokenhearted. Establish Your peace where militias sow terror and confusion, and let righteousness flow like a river through these regions. Reveal Jesus to those who perpetuate violence, that they may turn from destruction and seek Your ways. Strengthen the believers in Plateau state, granting them courage and hope in the face of persecution. Let them shine as lights in the darkness, reflecting the love and truth of Christ. For the sake of Your name and Kingdom, we entrust these communities to Your care. In Jesus' name, Amen.

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)·Prayer·

Lahore Court Acquits Blind Christian Man in Falsified Blasphemy Case

Nadeem Masih, a visually impaired Christian accused of blasphemy, has been acquitted by a court in Lahore, Pakistan, after spending 10 distressing months in prison. Lahore Additional Sessions Judge Saad Salman Khan ordered Masih’s acquittal due to the prosecution’s failure to…

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)··

Ten children among at least 13 killed in separate Bangladesh landslides

At least five children have died in a landslide caused by heavy monsoon rains in Bangladesh, two days after eight people, including five children, died in a separate landslide in the country.

Pray →God of all Comfort, we lift up the people of Bangladesh who mourn the loss of loved ones after devastating landslides. You see the sorrow of families grieving their children, and You hear their cries. Be near to them in their anguish, and let Your comfort flow like a river to their hearts. Establish a refuge for those in danger, and guide the response efforts with Your wisdom and compassion. Reveal Jesus as the hope and light in the midst of this darkness, that many might find comfort in His presence. Bring beauty from ashes, and let Your peace that surpasses understanding guard the hearts and minds of those affected. We entrust Bangladesh to Your steadfast love, in the name of Jesus, our Redeemer. Amen.

Sky News (World)·Prayer·

Lebanon: Israeli attacks killing children, wiping out families must be investigated as war crimes

Three Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon in March 2026 that killed 24 civilians – 12 of them children – wiping out families, must be investigated as war crimes, Amnesty International said today. The organization investigated three Israeli attacks that destroyed civilian…

Pray →God of Justice and Reconciliation, we lift up the families of southern Lebanon who have suffered great loss and the communities in Israel living under constant threat. You see the devastation that war leaves behind, and Your heart is for the children lost and the families shattered by violence. Establish Your peace in this land where both Jew and Gentile long for safety and hope. Reveal Jesus as the true peace for those who mourn on both sides, and let His salvation flow across borders, binding up the brokenhearted and setting the captives free. Raise up voices of reconciliation among leaders and communities, and let justice roll down like waters. We trust in Your mercy and sovereignty, believing that You can bring beauty from ashes. For the sake of Your great name, Amen.

Amnesty International·Prayer·

DR Congo: Tensions mount over planned constitutional referendum

Tensions are rising in DR Congo over plans to introduce a new constitution. The opposition accuses President Tshisekedi of using it to seek a third term but has postponed planned protests following an AU mediation offer.

Deutsche Welle (World)··
Daily prayer with the global church:

Prayer for Persecuted Christians in Indonesia — July 10, 2026

Redeeming Lord, we thank You for Khadija and the prayer work she is leading in Banjarmasin, Indonesia. As she reminds others that Your people have been purchased and redeemed, guide them to pray for an affection for the city where You have placed them. Let them ask for households and neighborhoods as those who believe Jesus is worthy of His inheritance. According to Psalm 74:2 — “Remember your congregation, which you purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your inheritance…” — we ask You to remember Your people in Banjarmasin. Strengthen Khadija and the believers she encourages when they feel small or unseen. Gather those who belong to You but have not yet heard Your voice clearly. Redeem households from fear. Let the church know she is purchased, loved, and called to bear witness. Make Jesus beautiful in this city. In Jesus' name, Amen.

China’s Regime-Controlled Three-Self Church: What Kind of Pastors?

A Chinese Christian reflects on clergy forced to choose between faith and state policy. Some betray the Scripture, others try to create a narrow space for survival. The post China’s Regime-Controlled Three-Self Church: What Kind of Pastors? first appeared on Bitter Winter.

Bitter Winter··

ICC Releases 2026 Global Persecution Index

International Christian Concern (ICC) has released its 2026 Global Persecution Index (GPI), offering an in-depth analysis of the persecution Christians face in more than 20 countries, including personal testimonies from believers, titled Faces of the Persecuted.

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)··

The Chinese Communist Party Teaches Tibetan Buddhism to Tibetan Buddhists

In yet another ridiculous attempt to rewrite history for propaganda purposes, Beijing fakes the origin of Buddhist teachings and belittles India. The post The Chinese Communist Party Teaches Tibetan Buddhism to Tibetan Buddhists first appeared on Bitter Winter.

Bitter Winter··

Tensions Inflamed by Blasphemy Accusation in Pakistan

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – More than two dozen Christian families were forced to flee their homes in Pakistan last week after allegations of blasphemy against a pastor living in the United States triggered fears of mob violence, sources…

Morning Star News··

Christian convert returns to Evin Prison after medical leave

A Christian convert has returned to Evin Prison after four months’ medical leave. Hannah Gholami, 36, returned to prison on 29 June, having been out on leave since shortly before the war. Hannah is serving a two-year sentence on “national security” charges related to her…

Article18··

Christian in Pakistan Acquitted of Blasphemy Charge

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A court in Pakistan on Monday (July 6) acquitted a Catholic accused of blasphemy, his lawyer said. Attorney Asad Jamal of the Lahore High Court said Lahore Additional Sessions Judge Abdul Ghaffar acquitted…

Morning Star News··

Venezuela defends quake response as death toll reaches 3,342

The death toll from Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes has risen to 3,342, according to the country's information ministry, as rescue teams continue searching affected areas and survivors face an uncertain recovery.

AnewZ··

Pastor Jin Mingri’s July 4 Release: What Does It Mean?

Xi Jinping’s “gift” to Donald Trump analyzed by a Chinese Christian. We are grateful for Pastor Jin, but we cannot forget that many other Christians are still in prison. The post Pastor Jin Mingri’s July 4 Release: What Does It Mean? first appeared on Bitter Winter.

Bitter Winter··

Chinese Pastor Arrives in U.S. After 8 Months in Prison

Chinese authorities recently released Zion Church Pastor ‌Ezra Jin, who had been detained in southern China for the past eight months. Jin arrived in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday and was welcomed by ChinaAid.

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)··

China Releases House Church Leader After 9 Months

Around 10:30 p.m. on July 3, Sean Long saw his phone light up with an incoming call from Anna Liu, wife of Jin “Ezra” Mingri, senior pastor of China’s Zion Church. When Long answered, he was surprised to hear the voice of Jin, who had been detained since October 9, on the other…

Christianity Today··

Beijing releases jailed pastor

The leader of a prominent Chinese underground church was released from prison and traveled to the US after President Donald Trump raised his case directly.

Semafor··

More than 1000 days of Israeli war

TEHRAN – After 1000 days of waging a genocidal war, has the Israeli regime proven its capacity to sustain a prolonged conflict, or has it been forced to fundamentally redefine its policy?

Tehran Times··