Watchman Wire

Watchman Wire

Dispatches for the persecuted church

TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2026
The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 1 Peter 4:7
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Daily prayer with the global church:

Prayer for Persecuted Christians in Nigeria — June 22, 2026

Day 22 — Yours Is the Glory Glorious God, today we intercede for “Justus” in Kano, Nigeria. Strengthen him as a teacher and trainer of Your word. Establish in him a life that directs glory to You alone. Let his work reflect that the outcome belongs to You. Form in him a pattern of humility so that others can see and follow. Let his life produce numerous disciples who do not seek their own recognition, and let this extend across northern Nigeria so that Your glory is reflected through how they live and respond to what You do. According to 1 Chronicles 29:11, “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory…” Glorious God, glory belongs to You. Establish this truth in Justus. Remove every desire for personal recognition. Let his life reflect that what is accomplished comes from You. Align him so that he gives honor to You in all that is done through him. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Latest dispatches

Myanmar army killed over 700 civilians in six months, UN says

The new UN report says the 702 civilian deaths over six months last year included 153 children.

Pray →Righteous Lord, we lift up Myanmar, where violence has taken the lives of many, including precious children. We ask that You would make justice your measuring line and righteousness your plumb line in this land where the innocent suffer. Let Your peace flow like a river, bringing healing to the broken-hearted and comfort to those who mourn. Restrain the hands of those who commit violence and reveal Jesus to both the oppressors and the oppressed, that they may see the light of Your truth. Strengthen the believers in Myanmar to stand firm in their faith, showing love and mercy even in the face of such trials. To You belong justice, mercy, and everlasting dominion through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BBC News (World)·Prayer·

Hindu Prayers Introduced in Chhattisgarh Schools

A recent government order to recite Hindu chants and prayers in public schools in Chhattisgarh, India, has caused an uproar over the violation of fundamental principles of secularism and disregard for indigenous tribal cultures and customs.

Pray →Sovereign Lord, we lift up the schools of Chhattisgarh, where new mandates impose Hindu prayers upon diverse communities. You see the hearts of children and teachers whose voices are compelled against their convictions. Establish Your justice in this region, and let true wisdom guide those in authority to uphold the freedom of belief. Strengthen the believers who stand for truth and respect for all cultures, and let their lives shine as a testimony of love and courage. Reveal Jesus to students and educators, transforming hearts with His peace and truth. May the knowledge of Your glory fill the land as waters cover the sea. To You belong wisdom, justice, and everlasting dominion through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)·Prayer·

Israel's 'deliberate targeting' of children part of ongoing Gaza 'genocide': UN probe

Israel is deliberately targeting Palestinian children in what has become a key factor in an ongoing "genocide" in Gaza, United Nations investigators charged on Tuesday, in a report slammed by Israel. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry said it had found…

Pray →Lord of Compassion and Justice, we lift up Gaza where the lives of children are caught in the crossfire of conflict. You are near to the brokenhearted and save those crushed in spirit — hold the children of Gaza in Your encompassing mercy. Restrain the hand of violence that seeks to harm, and bring an end to the suffering that echoes through generations. Reveal Jesus to those who perpetrate harm and to those who suffer under its weight, that they may find peace and reconciliation in Him. Strengthen the faithful in Gaza with courage and hope, that their lives may testify to Your justice and love. To You belong mercy, justice, and everlasting peace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Al-Monitor·Prayer·

Presumed Dead, Restored by Grace

Every day, Mumangi Muthiani goes out into his village in Kenya to look for day labor jobs so he can provide for his family. Recently, he nearly lost his life doing so. “That day,” Muthiani recalled, “we were walking back after the fencing job was postponed when men suddenly…

Pray →Sovereign Lord, we lift up Mumangi Muthiani and the believers of Kenya, where violence and economic hardship press heavily upon lives. You are a refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Thank You for preserving Muthiani's life in the face of danger and for the grace that restores the broken. Strengthen the faith of Your people in Kenya, and guard their hearts and minds with the peace that surpasses understanding. Reveal Jesus to those who wield violence, that they may turn from darkness to light. Provide for the daily needs of families who labor under uncertainty, and let Your justice flow like a river in this land. To You belong salvation, mercy, justice, and everlasting glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)·Prayer·

China’s Ethnic Unity Law: Diaspora Minorities Unite to Protest

Coalition of Uyghurs, Tibetans, Mongolians, and Hongkongers urges Dutch Parliament to act against the law. The post China’s Ethnic Unity Law: Diaspora Minorities Unite to Protest first appeared on Bitter Winter.

Pray →Sovereign Lord, we lift up the Uyghurs, Tibetans, Mongolians, and Hongkongers as they unite against the Ethnic Unity Law in China. You see the oppression that seeks to silence and erase their identity, and Your truth shines ever brighter in the face of injustice. Let the way of the righteous be like the first gleam of dawn, shining in their hearts and leading to the full light of day. Dismantle any system that enforces ethnic cleansing and protect those who labor for justice and peace. Draw near to these communities in their exile and reveal Jesus as the hope and refuge they seek. To You belong light, justice, mercy, and everlasting dominion through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bitter Winter·Prayer·

Turkish aid foundation expands education support in Gaza

The Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) has opened a second temporary school in Gaza, expanding educational opportunities for children whose access to learning has been disrupted...

Daily Sabah (Türkiye)··

Iran shakes with 89 earthquakes in a week

TEHRAN – A total of 89 earthquakes have been recorded across the country in a week from June 13 to 19, according to the seismological networks of the Institute of Geophysics of the University of Tehran.

Pray →Sovereign Lord, we lift up the land of Iran as it trembles beneath the weight of frequent earthquakes. You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Be near to the people of Iran, especially those who find themselves poor in spirit, mourning, and meek amidst these trials. Let Your comfort and presence become their stronghold. Reveal Jesus to those who seek hope beyond the shaking ground, and let Your peace guard their hearts and minds. Strengthen the believers in Iran to be vessels of Your love and mercy, showing the way of peace in times of distress. To You belong power, compassion, wisdom, and eternal glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Tehran Times·Prayer·

Muslim Gunmen Kill 31 Christians in Attacks Across Plateau, Kaduna States

Armed Muslim Tribesmen killed at least 31 people in two separate assaults on rural Christian communities in Plateau and Kaduna states within one week, according to various sources. The deadliest attack occurred late on June 21 in Kawel community, Mushere District of Bokkos…

Pray →Sovereign Lord, we lift before You the Christian communities of Plateau and Kaduna states, grieving the loss of beloved lives and the terror that has visited their homes. You are near to the brokenhearted and save those crushed in spirit — be their refuge and strength in these days of mourning. Establish Your peace where violence seeks to reign, and let hope arise in the hearts of Your people. Reveal Jesus, the Light of the World, to those who walk in darkness, transforming persecutors into vessels of Your grace as You did with Saul. Teach us, and them, the way of love that blesses even enemies. To You belong mercy, justice, transformation, and everlasting dominion through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)·Prayer·

Delayed Wages Push Christian to Commit Suicide in Punjab, Pakistan

For several months, Waseem Masih took pride in his work, doing his part to keep the province of Punjab in Pakistan clean. Masih, a Christian, was employed under the Suthra Punjab initiative — a province-wide sanitation reform launched by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz…

Pray →Compassionate Father, we lift up the people of Punjab, where burdens of injustice and despair weigh heavily on many lives. You see the plight of the oppressed, and Your heart is for the brokenhearted and the crushed in spirit. Comfort the family of Waseem Masih in their grief, and draw near to the communities in anguish over delayed wages and unmet needs. Establish justice in every institution, and let righteousness flow like a stream through Punjab. Reveal Jesus to those who suffer in silence and those who hold power over others. Strengthen the church in Pakistan to stand as a beacon of hope and truth, pointing to the One who can truly satisfy every need. To You belong justice, mercy, and sovereign grace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)·Prayer·

Lebanon accuses Israel of 'brutal attacks,' preventing reestablishment of stability

At least five people were killed in an Israeli air strike on the southern Lebanese town of Arabsalim on Saturday morning, Lebanon's state news agency NNA reported.

Pray →Sovereign Lord, we lift up the town of Arabsalim and the broader region of southern Lebanon in this time of turmoil. In a land where lives are shattered by airstrikes and violence, establish Your peace that surpasses human understanding. Guard the families mourning their lost ones, and pour comfort upon their grief. Let Your presence be a refuge and strength for the vulnerable and weary. Reveal Jesus to those who hold power and authority, that they might seek justice and peace over strife. Turn the hearts of those who perpetuate violence, and let healing begin where destruction has been sown. Sustain the believers in Lebanon, that their lives may shine with hope and reconciliation. To You belong wisdom, mercy, justice, and everlasting peace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Jerusalem Post·Prayer·

Ebola death toll hits 245 as health workers face heavy toll

The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has climbed to 933, including 245 deaths, Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba has said.

Pray →Sovereign Lord, we lift up the Democratic Republic of the Congo as it faces the relentless spread of Ebola, claiming lives and exhausting health workers. You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble—uphold those who labor tirelessly to care for the sick, and sustain the families who have lost loved ones. Dismantle the spread of this disease, and let Your healing touch reach every corner of the Congo. Reveal Jesus to those who are in despair, that they might find hope and comfort in Your presence. Strengthen the believers in the Congo to be agents of compassion and peace in this crisis, and let their witness shine brightly. To You belong all wisdom, power, and glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

AnewZ·Prayer·

India: Ethnic Bengalis Unlawfully Expelled

Click to expand Image Border Guard Bangladesh personnel stand guard in the Sadipur border area in Benapole, Jessore district, Bangladesh, June 3, 2026. © 2026 Kazi Salahuddin Razu/NurPhoto via AP Photo (London) – Indian authorities are forcibly expelling ethnic Bengali…

Human Rights Watch··

Lebanon says 47 killed in strikes, Israel reports deaths of 4 soldiers

Fighting flared anew in Lebanon on Friday, with authorities reporting 47 killed in Israeli airstrikes and Israel announcing the deaths of four of its soldiers. The violence is the worst since the sealing of a US-Iran deal to halt the wider Middle East war, which was supposed to…

Al-Monitor··

Videos Show Damage to Historic Iraqi Assyrian Church

Videos circulating on social media this week appear to show extensive damage inside Mar Kiryakos Church in the village of Sharanish in Iraq’s Dohuk Governorate, prompting concern among Assyrians and other Christians over the fate of one of the area’s historic churches.

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)··

Egyptian Christian Imprisoned for Social Media Posts

On Jan. 3, Egyptian Christian Augustinos Samaan was sentenced to five years of hard labor after he was convicted of “contempt of religion” and “misuse of social media.” Samaan has a YouTube channel on which he posts apologetics videos comparing Christianity and Islam.

Pray →Almighty God, we bring before You Augustinos Samaan and the believers in Egypt who face trials for their faith. You have seen Your servants endure mocking and imprisonment for the sake of Your name. Strengthen Samaan as he bears this unjust sentence, and let his witness shine brightly even in adversity. Reveal the light of Christ to the judges, guards, and all who encounter him, that they might be drawn to seek Your truth. Guard his spirit and sustain him with Your peace that surpasses understanding. Let the church in Egypt grow in unity and boldness, standing firm in the face of opposition. Establish Your Kingdom in Egypt, turning hearts toward the One who alone can save. In Jesus' name, we ask this. Amen.

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)·Prayer·

Israel steps up Lebanon attacks with strikes that kill 15

DUBAI, June 19 (Reuters) - Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon killed at least 15 people on Friday, state news agency NNA said, while Israel said the attacks launched overnight were aimed at what it described as Hezbollah targets in several areas.

Al-Monitor··
Daily prayer with the global church:

Prayer for Persecuted Christians in Nigeria — June 22, 2026

Day 22 — Yours Is the Glory Glorious God, today we intercede for “Justus” in Kano, Nigeria. Strengthen him as a teacher and trainer of Your word. Establish in him a life that directs glory to You alone. Let his work reflect that the outcome belongs to You. Form in him a pattern of humility so that others can see and follow. Let his life produce numerous disciples who do not seek their own recognition, and let this extend across northern Nigeria so that Your glory is reflected through how they live and respond to what You do. According to 1 Chronicles 29:11, “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory…” Glorious God, glory belongs to You. Establish this truth in Justus. Remove every desire for personal recognition. Let his life reflect that what is accomplished comes from You. Align him so that he gives honor to You in all that is done through him. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Central African Religious Leaders Concerned about US Deportees

Religious leaders in the Central African Republic say they were stunned the United States deported migrants without cultural or familiar ties to the landlocked African country last Friday. They questioned why people who fled religious and political persecution were sent to a…

Christianity Today··

Christians Help Battle Measles Outbreak in Bangladesh

Pastor Anwar Hossain often travels an hour’s drive from his home in Dhaka, the Bangladesh capital, to his native village to catch up with family and friends. When he last visited in April, his trip had a more pressing purpose: to comfort families devastated by the loss of their…

Pray →Sovereign Lord, we lift up Bangladesh, where the measles outbreak has brought grief and uncertainty to many families. You are close to the brokenhearted and rescue those who are crushed in spirit. In this time of illness and loss, sustain the families who mourn and provide comfort through the presence of Your people. Strengthen Pastor Anwar Hossain and the believers who are serving tirelessly in these afflicted communities. Grant them wisdom and compassion as they minister to both body and soul. Reveal Jesus to the sick, the grieving, and the fearful, and let the light of Your Gospel shine brightly in the midst of darkness. To You belong healing, mercy, wisdom, and everlasting peace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Christianity Today·Prayer·

Missing Christian Girl in Pakistan Feared To Be Trafficked

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Christian relatives of a 13-year-old girl in Pakistan allegedly abducted, forcibly converted to Islam and married to an older Muslim man fear she could be trafficked, as they continue efforts to recover her.

Pray →Faithful Shepherd, we lift up the young girl missing in Pakistan, and we cry out for Your justice in her situation. Her family searches in fear and anguish, and we trust that You see her, even in hidden places. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and defend the rights of the poor and needy. Establish Your protection around her, and bring her safely back to her family. Reveal Jesus to those who have taken her, and dismantle the chains of trafficking that threaten her life. Strengthen the believers in Pakistan, that they may be a light in dark places and a voice for the voiceless. In the name of our Lord Jesus, who brings freedom to the captives, Amen.

Morning Star News·Prayer·

The Syrian Network for Human Rights Calls for Disclosing the Fate of Thousands of Syrian Detainees Transferred from Northeast Syria to Iraq and for Guaranteeing Their Legal and Human Rights

The Syrian Democratic Forces transferred no fewer than 6,547 detainees to Iraq, among them 4,743 Syrians, including dozens of children and adolescents, and 1,804 foreigners from nearly 61 nationalities Available in: English العربية Damascus – In a brief report, the Syrian…

Syrian Network for Human Rights··

Gunfire heard at Niger capital's airport

Niger has been fighting a militant Islamist insurgency for a decade and in January suspected jihadists attacked the same airport.

BBC News (World)··

Christians Kidnapped in NE Nigeria, Slain in Plateau State

ABUJA, Nigeria (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Fulani herdsmen on Tuesday (June 16) killed five Christians in a mining site Plateau state, central Nigeria, sources said. The five Christians were working at a mining site in the Gero area of Gyel village, in…

Morning Star News··

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··

Authorities Detain Dozens in Latest Raid of Early Rain Church

Around 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 14, communist authorities raided Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, and arrested dozens of believers. Roughly 30 SWAT officers and another 60 police officers reportedly entered the hotel conference room where the church had…

Pray →Sovereign Lord, we lift up the Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, where authorities have detained Your people as they gathered to worship. You see every act of oppression and hear the cries of Your children, for You are a refuge to the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Establish Your peace in the hearts of these believers and let their faith not be shaken, that they may continue to stand firm in the grace of Christ. Reveal Jesus to the officials and police officers involved, that their hearts may turn from darkness to light. Let the light of the Gospel shine brightly in Chengdu, and may Your Spirit stir a hunger for truth in all who witness these events. To You belong justice, power, mercy, and glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)·Prayer·