Somalia at Risk of Famine

After four failed rainy seasons (and possibly now a fifth), much of Somalia has plunged into severe drought and could soon face famine, especially with a drop in grain imports from Russia and Ukraine. Lack of food and water has already resulted in hundreds of deaths this year, many of those happening in children of families on long treks across barren land from their remote villages in an attempt to reach malnutrition treatment centers.

Drought isn’t Somalia’s only life-and-death issue, however. About 99.9% of Somalia is still unreached with the Gospel. In fact, due to violent attacks by the Islamic al-Shabab group, Somalia ranks third (after Afghanistan and North Korea) on the list of most dangerous countries for Christians. Those who convert from Islam face brutality at the hand of terrorists, usually resulting in death.

Lord, please have mercy. Bring an end to the drought. Wet the dry land with rain and make a way for crops to grow and livestock to graze once again. Heal, protect and provide for the needs of those facing malnutrition or starvation, especially the children. Open the doors wide for Christians to come in bringing stores of food along with a clear message of Your love and salvation. Multiply Somali Christians’ provisions so abundantly they will have more than enough to share with their neighbors, along with such over-abounding love, the lost will see You as You truly are and know You are the One they’ve been longing for. Don’t let even one more person in Somalia die without the chance to know You. Meet them in their dreams. Appear to them in visions. Bring Christians into their path who will boldly share Your Good News. For every Christian martyred, bring 10,000 more to faith. Make the hidden churches bulge with converts, multiplying by the thousands all across the land. Make this violent, hungry time in Somalia’s history an open door for Your love to overtake every heart. Lift the darkness, Lord, and pierce the lost with Your light, breaking chains that bind terrorists and child soldiers to Satan’s plans. Let them see Your angels guarding Christians, so they tremble in fear and fall to their knees before You. Let them hear Christians speaking out forgiveness and truth, and choose to believe in You. Surround believers and their families as their mighty, impenetrable Shield. Psalm 91. Hide them beneath Your wings and don’t let the enemy’s weapons come near them. Make a way for Christians to safely communicate and meet together. Guard and fill those gatherings with Your mighty angels and presence. If ever someone finds out where a church meets, cut them to the core with Your truth and overwhelm them with Your love and grace immediately, so they repent and choose to walk in the Light. Awaken all the peoples of Somalia to You, Lord. Give them a hunger so deep, they will seek You with all their heart and find You. Jeremiah 29:13.