Pray for Athletes from Oppressive Regimes

As athletes gather from throughout the world to compete in the Olympic games these next two weeks, let’s pray for those from nations that have been closed off to the gospel of Christ and for their families and others who will be watching on TV:

• Pray that when Christian athletes are interviewed, they will testify about Jesus, and millions watching on TV will hear His name, hunger to know Him, seek Him with all their hearts and find Him.
• Pray for Christians who are there on site in Paris sharing the good news, that God will empower them by His Spirit and provide translators as needed. Pray He will bring to them Muslims and others from closed countries hungry to know Him, and open up the doors for them to hear the plan of salvation in a way they can easily understand.

In this list below of the top ten most dangerous countries for those who wish to follow Christ, we’ve listed the number of athletes and events they will participate in July 26-August 11:

1. North Korea – (16: athletics 1, boxing 2, diving 3, gymnastics 1, judo 1, table tennis 3, wrestling 5) Christians face the death sentence.
2. Somalia – (1: athletics 1) Muslim extremist group al-Shabab seeks to eradicate Christians.
3. Libya – (6: athletics 1, rowing 1, shooting 1, swimming 2, weightlifting 1) Lawless attacks on Christians make church life nearly impossible.
4. Eritrea – (12: athletics 9, cycling 1, swimming 2) Christians face imprisonment and torture to renounce Christ.
5. Yemen – (4: athletics 1, judo 1, shooting 1, swimming 1) Tribal punishment for denouncing Islam can mean death or banishment.
6. Nigeria – (88: athletics 36, badminton 1, basketball 12, boxing 3, canoeing 2, cycling 1, football 18, swimming 2, table tennis 4, taekwondo 1, weightlifting 2, wrestling 6) 82% of last year’s martyrs worldwide died here, murdered by Fulani and other Muslims.
7. Pakistan – (7: athletics 2, shooting 3, swimming 2) Mosque leaders incite mobs of thousands of Muslims to attack Christians.
8. Sudan – (3: athletics 1, swimming 2) Hundreds of churches have been closed or destroyed, and Christians kidnapped, raped.
9. Iran – (40: archery 1, athletics 2, canoeing 2, cycling 1, fencing 4, gymnastics 1, rowing 3, sport climbing 1, swimming 1, table tennis 3, taekwondo 4, weightlifting 2, wrestling 11) Converting from Islam is illegal. Christians are detained, tortured.
10. Afghanistan – (6: athletics 1, cycling 2, judo 1, swimming 1) Christians are detained, tortured, killed.

For a special Olympic Family Devotional with scriptures and fun activities for your kids to catch God’s heart for the nations as they watch the Olympics, click the link below:

Olympic Family Devotional

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Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through a donation, or by finding gifts for those you love at Mikaela’s online bookstore, click the buttons below:

For 30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening and other powerful war room resources for your quiet times with God, like the Names of God Prayer Journal and the deep devotional Bible study Dare to Become a Kingdom Culture Leader, visit MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com.

Any proceeds this author receives from the sale of the deep devotional Bible studies and other MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com books mentioned in this post go to shining Christ’s light in the darkness and seeing the nations come to Him. 

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