Pray for Athletes from Oppressive Regimes #2

As athletes gather from throughout the world to compete in the Olympic games these 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.

A few days ago, we prayed for the top 10 most dangerous countries for those who wish to follow Christ. Today, we pray for the next 10, ranking #11-20 on the World Watchlist. We’ve also listed the number of athletes, events and medals so far during the Olympics:

1. India – (110: archery 6, athletics 27, badminton 7, boxing 6, equestrian 1, field hockey 16, golf 4, judo 1, rowing 1, sailing 2, shooting 21 – bronze 3, swimming 2, table tennis 6, tennis 3, weightlifting 1, wrestling 6) Hindu extremists torture and kill Christians.
2. Syria – (6: athletics 1, equestrian 1, gymnastics 1, judo 1, swimming 1, weightlifting 1) Islamic extremists destroy churches, kidnap and torture believers.
3. Saudi Arabia – (9: athletics 3, equestrian 3, swimming 2, taekwondo 1) Conversion from Islam to Christianity is against the law.
4. Mali – (23: athletics 1, boxing 1, football 18, swimming 2, taekwondo 1) War and Islamic oppression make life dangerous for those who want to follow Christ.
5. Algeria – (45: athletics 8, badminton 2, boxing 5, canoeing 1, cycling 2, fencing 4, gymnastics 1, judo 3, rowing 2, sailing 1, shooting 3, swimming 2, table tennis 2, weightlifting 1, wrestling 8) Converts from Islam face overwhelming pressure to renounce Jesus.
6. Iraq – (22: athletics 1, football 18, judo 1, swimming 1, weightlifting 1) Converts from Islam are threatened, abused, pressured, even killed.
7. Myanmar – (2: badminton 1, swimming 1) Christians face death due to war, Buddhist extremists, and persecution of minorities.
8. Maldives – (5: athletics 1, badminton 1, swimming 2, table tennis 1) In this 100% Muslim nation, converts to Christianity could lose their citizenship.
9. China – (388: archery 6 – 1 silver, artistic swimming 8, athletics 54 – 1 gold, badminton 16, basketball 20, boxing 8, breaking 3, canoeing 18, cycling 13 – 1 gold, diving 10 – 3 gold, equestrian 2, fencing 12, field hockey 16, golf 4, gymnastics 20 – 2 silver & 1 bronze, judo 6, modern pentathlon3, rowing 14, rugby sevens 12, sailing 13, shooting 21 – 4 gold & 2 silver, skateboarding 4, sport climbing 7, surfing 1, swimming 32 – 1 gold & 2 silver & 2 bronze, table tennis 6 – 1 gold, taekwondo 6, tennis 7, triathlon 1, volleyball 14, water polo 13, weightlifting 6, wrestling 12) Under Communist oppression, Christians face surveillance, interrogation, imprisonment and the closing of churches.
10. Burkina Faso – (8: athletics 2, cycling 1, judo 1, swimming 2, taekwondo 2) Islamic militant groups deal violence and death threats against Christians.

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.

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.

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