Watchman Wire

Watchman Wire

Dispatches for the persecuted church

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 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 Libya — June 16, 2026

Day 16 — Forgive Us Our Debts Eternal Father, today we intercede for “Nympha” and her leadership role in prayer among women in house church movements in and around Tripoli, Libya. According to Matthew 6:12, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Lord, we also ask that You would strengthen Nympha to ask You to forgive her debts. Release her from what stands against her. Restore her into alignment with You. Form in her the ability to forgive others. Remove every hold of offense. Establish in her a life that reflects Your forgiveness so that she continues in what You have set in motion without hindrance. Build in her life a practice of releasing that which must be forgiven. Form in her a pattern of walking in restored alignment so that the others she mentors are not hindered by unresolved offense. Let her life produce the fruit of repentance so that others who also walk in forgiveness can extend the newness of life into households and communities. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Latest dispatches

African leaders back $518 million plan to fight Ebola outbreak

African leaders convened a high-level virtual summit on Tuesday to rally support for the continent’s $518 million response plan to curb the Ebola outbreak in East Africa.

Pray →Sovereign Lord, we lift up the nations of East Africa as leaders unite to combat the Ebola outbreak. You are the healer of broken bodies and the sustainer of weary souls. Establish wisdom and cooperation among African leaders and health organizations as they implement the response plan. Guard the lives of those courageously serving on the front lines, and grant success to their efforts as they work to prevent the spread of disease. Comfort families who have lost loved ones, and let the hope of Your presence bring peace to communities in fear. Reveal Jesus to those who seek answers amid crisis and strengthen the believers in East Africa to be beacons of love and service. To You belong healing, guidance, strength, and glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

AnewZ·Prayer·

East Jerusalem: Israel Escalating Home Demolitions, Evictions

Click to expand Image A Palestinian man looks on as an excavator clears the rubble of homes demolished by Israeli authorities in the Silwan neighborhood of east Jerusalem, May 19, 2026. © 2026 Mahmoud Illean/AP Photo (Beirut) – Israeli authorities are accelerating home…

Human Rights Watch··

Residents Protest Planned Church Construction in Central Java

Muslims living near the proposed site of the Javanese Christian Church (GKJ) in Banyuanyar Village, Solo City, Central Java, Indonesia, protested its construction on June 11, citing the church’s lack of a building permit.

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)··

Eastern Chad an Emerging Frontline in Sudan War - Africa Defense Forum

Strife is growing in eastern Chad’s ethnic Zaghawa communities amid allegations of support for Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. Suspicions of Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby’s support for the paramilitary RSF can be traced to the beginning of…

Africa Defense Forum··

Blasphemy Inc.: Accusations for Profit in Pakistan

Using blasphemy accusations as a weapon is nothing new in Pakistan. The situation now goes beyond that. Members of a growing organized blasphemy business network are actively trying to trap people into committing “blasphemy” on social media.

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)··

Magnitude 6.7 earthquake strikes near Indonesia's Palu

A strong 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Sulawesi island early Tuesday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Pray →Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, we lift up the people of Palu, Indonesia, shaken by the recent earthquake. You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Establish Your peace in the hearts of those affected, calming the fears that arise in the aftermath of natural disaster. Sustain the rescuers and volunteers as they bring aid and comfort. Reveal Jesus to the communities as the Cornerstone upon which they can rebuild their lives and hopes. Let the church in Indonesia be a beacon of Your love and compassion, standing firm in unity and service. To You belong safety, healing, mercy, and everlasting dominion through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

AnewZ·Prayer·

Indian Governor Calls for ‘Conversion Prevention Cells’ in Colleges

The governor of the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has directed all higher education universities in the state to establish “dharmantaran roktham cells,” or conversion-prevention cells, to address alleged unlawful religious conversion activities on campuses.

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)··

Muslims Assault Sudanese Christian in Refugee Camp Church

A group of Muslims recently entered Drake Haron’s church inside the Gorom Refugee Camp in South Sudan and assaulted him. Haron has expected such violence since he left Islam to follow Jesus. The attack, which occurred on May 28, violated the sense of peace within the small…

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)··

China: Detention of church leaders signals intensifying attacks on religious freedom

Responding to the detention of two Chinese Protestant church leaders and the interrogation by police of multiple members of the congregation during a service on Sunday, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director Sarah Brooks said: “The detention of church leaders from the…

Pray →Sovereign Lord, we lift up the detained church leaders and their congregations in China, where Your name is proclaimed under increasing scrutiny and pressure. You are the One who watches over Your people, and no scheme of man can thwart Your purposes. Strengthen these leaders in their resolve and faith, making them steadfast and immovable in the face of intimidation. Reveal Jesus to those who interrogate and detain, and let the light of Your truth shine into places of power and oppression. Guard the hearts of the believers in China, that they may be filled with courage and peace. Let the Gospel continue to spread across the land, breaking through every barrier. To You belong authority, righteousness, compassion, and glory forever through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Amnesty International·Prayer·

ECHR Upholds Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Right to Preach Door to Door

The Strasbourg Court condemns a municipal ban in Bulgaria and sets a demanding standard for State action affecting proselytization. The post ECHR Upholds Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Right to Preach Door to Door first appeared on Bitter Winter.

Bitter Winter··

'First line of defence' has collapsed in biggest ever outbreak of rare Ebola strain

The number of Ebola infections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is likely far higher than official figures, Oxfam has warned, due to lack of clean water and sanitation.

Pray →Sovereign Lord, we bring before You the Democratic Republic of Congo in this time of crisis as the Ebola outbreak spreads. You are the source of life and health, even when human defenses fail and communities are laid low by disease. Strengthen the hands of those working tirelessly to provide clean water and sanitation, and let wisdom guide every effort to contain this spread. Reveal Your presence among the afflicted and fearful, and comfort those who mourn in this dark hour. Break the power of disease, and display Your healing through the hands of doctors and nurses. Make a way where there seems to be none, and let the light of Your mercy shine in the DRC. To You belong healing, wisdom, compassion, and everlasting dominion through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sky News (World)·Prayer·
Daily prayer with the global church:

Prayer for Persecuted Christians in Libya — June 16, 2026

Day 16 — Forgive Us Our Debts Eternal Father, today we intercede for “Nympha” and her leadership role in prayer among women in house church movements in and around Tripoli, Libya. According to Matthew 6:12, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Lord, we also ask that You would strengthen Nympha to ask You to forgive her debts. Release her from what stands against her. Restore her into alignment with You. Form in her the ability to forgive others. Remove every hold of offense. Establish in her a life that reflects Your forgiveness so that she continues in what You have set in motion without hindrance. Build in her life a practice of releasing that which must be forgiven. Form in her a pattern of walking in restored alignment so that the others she mentors are not hindered by unresolved offense. Let her life produce the fruit of repentance so that others who also walk in forgiveness can extend the newness of life into households and communities. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Early Rain Church Raided Again

On June 14, police attacked the Sunday service in Chengdu, detaining several elders and members The post Early Rain Church Raided Again first appeared on Bitter Winter.

Bitter Winter··

Security vacuum | Couple assassinated in their house in eastern Aleppo

Aleppo province: SOHR activists have reported that a civilian and his wife were shot dead at dawn inside their house in Marshah village in Sarin district in the eastern countryside of Aleppo. The reasons behind the attack and the identities of perpetrators remain unknown.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights··

Is Christianity Illegal in China?

At a Glance: Is Christianity illegal in China? The answer is complex. This post explains the reality of Christianity in China. Christianity is legal but must operate under government-approved churches The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) closely monitors religious activity…

Global Christian Relief··

Under slogan “no forgiveness, no immunity” | Dozens of people go out in protest in Idlib countryside, expressing their rejection of decisions to rehabilitate “Shabiha” and criminals

Idlib province: Residents and displaced people from Kafranbel city staged an angry, mass protest stand in the Jabal Al-Zawiyah area in southern Idlib countryside, expressing their discontent and categorical rejection of the caretaker government’s recent decisions to allow the…

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights··

New ICC Report Explores Nepal’s Growing Hindu Nationalism, Christian Persecution

Following Nepal’s nearly 200-year ban on Christianity, the faith has experienced steady growth since 1951 as the number of churches, Christian schools, and hospitals has gradually expanded. Despite this growth, Christians only make up about 1.76% of Nepal’s population, while…

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)··

New Israeli strikes kill Syrian civilians in Lebanon

A young woman hailing from Nawa city in western Daraa was killed and his father was injured, when an Israeli drone attacked them while travelling on their motorcycle in Mashgharah village in Al-Beqaa in western Lebanon.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights··

Afghanistan: Taliban Use Excessive Force against Protesters

Click to expand Image Afghan women walk across a street in Herat on June 8, 2026. © 2026 Mohsen Karimi/AFP via Getty Images (New York) – Taliban security forces in Afghanistan used excessive force against protesters in the city of Herat on June 9, 2026, Human Rights Watch said…

Human Rights Watch··

Russian church theft a reminder of the places of worship still open in Iran

A theft yesterday at a Russian Orthodox church in Tehran has shed light again on the types of churches permitted to operate in Iran today, and those that are not. The Church of St Nicholas is the only Russian Orthodox church still functioning in Iran today, when once there were…

Article18··

Syrians pay the price of regional conflicts

With the current military escalation between the USA and Israel on one hand, and Iran on the other, Syria’s skies have been turned into a battle field. These developments have badly impacted the living and security situations in a country that has not been healed from a…

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights··