As athletes gather from throughout the world to compete in the Winter Olympic Games these next two weeks in Italy, 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 Italy 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.
Only seven of the 20 countries rated most dangerous for Christians and seekers have athletes competing in the February 6-22 Winter Olympics. Pray for them by name:
- Eritrea – (1: Shannon-Ogbnai Abeda, men’s alpine skiing. This will be his third Olympic Games) In Eritrea, Christians face imprisonment and torture to renounce Christ.
- Nigeria – (1: Samuel Ikpefan, cross-country skiing. This will be his second consecutive Winter Games, participating in cross-country skiing) 80-90% of the world’s martyrs die in Nigeria each year, murdered by Fulani and other Muslims.
- Pakistan – (1: Muhammad Karim, alpine skiing) Mosque leaders often incite mobs of thousands of Muslims to attack Christians in Pakistan.
- Iran – (4: Samaneh Beyrami Baher and Danyal Saveh Shemshaki, cross-country skiing; Mohammad Kiyadarbandsari and Sadaf Savehshemshaki, alpine skiing) Converting from Islam is illegal in Iran, and Christians are detained, tortured.
- India – (2: Arif Mohammad Khan, slalom event, alpine skiing; Stanzin Lundup, cross-country skiing. Arif Khan is flag-bearer.) Mobs of Hindu extremists often attack Christians in India.
- Saudi Arabia – (2: Fayik Abdi, alpine skiing; Rakan Ali Raza, cross-country skiing) All Saudis are considered Muslim. Converting to Christianity carries a death sentence.
- China – (Delegation of 286, including coaches, staff and 126 athletes – 58 men athletes and 68 women athletes participating in 7 major sports, 15 disciplines, and 91 events. Key athletes: Gu Ailing and Xu Mengtao freestyle skiing; Su Yiming, snow-boarding) High surveillance, pastors jailed, house churches raided, Christians threatened.
See a full map of the Top 50 most dangerous countries here, and pray for families in these countries who will be watching the Olympics, that they will hear Christian athletes testify for Christ, and God will place within them such a hunger for Him, they will seek Truth with all their hearts and find Him.
Lord, please open the hearts of athletes and their families who are lost, especially those who have yet to hear Your good news. Bring Christians to them who will love them into Your arms. Meet them in their dreams and call them to Yourself. Make the way where there has been no way for them to hear Your plan for their salvation in a way they can easily understand and be saved. Give every person in the Olympics and watching them such a hunger for You that when Christian athletes testify to Your name, their hearts are stirred so powerfully they seek You and find You. For those who have been fearful because seeking Christ can mean abuse, torture, imprisonment or death in their countries, pursue them with Your great love and push through their fear. Make this be the moment they choose to know and follow the One True God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
In just a few days, we will begin our 30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening February 18-March 19. Will you set aside time each day to pray for the lost and the persecuted? To get the free daily prayer guides in time for your morning quiet times with the Lord, sign up here:
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:
For the prayer devotional 30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening, Volume 2, the deep Bible study workbook in Chinese and English, A Strong and Courageous Life, and other resources for all ages on overcoming trials and walking in Christ’s freedom, visit MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com
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PRAYER WALL 