Watchman Wire

Watchman Wire

Dispatches for the persecuted church

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 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 Indonesia — July 9, 2026

Lord, You are the God who Hears. We thank You for Idris and the rhythm of prayer he is helping establish in Bandung, Indonesia. As he leads others to cry out before You four set times each day, guide their teams to build prayer into a life rhythm throughout the day. Let their voices return to You when distress rises and when hope feels thin. As Your Word declares in Psalm 55:17 — “Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice” — we ask You to hear the prayers rising from Bandung. Strengthen Idris and the believers there to call on You with trust. Help their homes, workplaces, and hidden gatherings become places where Your people cry out honestly. Answer them with peace and open doors for the gospel. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Latest dispatches

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.

International Christian Concern (Persecution.org)··

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.

Global Christian Relief··

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)··

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)··

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 Campus Group Leaders in Nigeria Remain Missing

ABUJA, Nigeria (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Three weeks after the kidnapping of Scripture Union Nigeria’s national general director in southeast Nigeria, he and seven other fellowship leaders remain missing, according to reports.

Morning Star News··
Daily prayer with the global church:

Prayer for Persecuted Christians in Indonesia — July 9, 2026

Lord, You are the God who Hears. We thank You for Idris and the rhythm of prayer he is helping establish in Bandung, Indonesia. As he leads others to cry out before You four set times each day, guide their teams to build prayer into a life rhythm throughout the day. Let their voices return to You when distress rises and when hope feels thin. As Your Word declares in Psalm 55:17 — “Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice” — we ask You to hear the prayers rising from Bandung. Strengthen Idris and the believers there to call on You with trust. Help their homes, workplaces, and hidden gatherings become places where Your people cry out honestly. Answer them with peace and open doors for the gospel. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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··

Venezuela quake death toll rises to nearly 3,000

The government has not given any estimates, but the United Nations has estimated as many as 50,000 are unaccounted for following the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude shocks.

The Japan Times··

Over 66,000 Afghan migrants expelled from Pakistan in one month

The returns are happening at a time that Afghanistan is already struggling to absorb millions of recent returnees. The post Over 66,000 Afghan migrants expelled from Pakistan in one month appeared first on Amu TV.

Amu TV (Afghanistan)··