Hamas returned to ISRAEL the remains of Manny Godard, 73, who was killed during the October 7, 2023 attack, and Lt. Hadar Golden, 23, an Israeli soldier murdered in 2014. In exchange, Israel returned the remains of 30 Palestinians, 15 each. The three slain hostages whose bodies remain in GAZA are Ran Gvili, Dror OrContinue reading “Hostages Returned, Mosque Burned, Abraham Accords”
Tag Archives: oppression
Drought in Iran, but Also Awakening
With the dams that supply Tehran’s drinking water on the verge of running dry, the president has spoken of evacuating the capital’s ten million people if no rain arrives by next month. Facing its sixth consecutive year of drought, 2025 saw energy shortages and soaring temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit), with only 2.3Continue reading “Drought in Iran, but Also Awakening”
Afghanistan Earthquake, Philippines Typhoon, Melissa Aftermath, Avalanches
AFGHANISTAN: Just two months after September’s devastating earthquake that killed more than 2,200 and injured thousands more, a 6.3 magnitude quake rocked Kohlm in northern Samangan province this Monday, killing at least 27 and injuring almost 1,000. PHILIPPINES: The death toll from Monday’s landfall of Typhoon Kalmaegi, one of this season’s most powerful storms, hasContinue reading “Afghanistan Earthquake, Philippines Typhoon, Melissa Aftermath, Avalanches”
North Korea: #1 Most Dangerous Nation for Christians 2025
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church Over recent years, North Korea’s President Kim Jong Un has inserted himself into the news time and again with his missile launches and tests, trash balloons, soldiers joining Russia in the war against Ukraine, and meetings with world leaders of other oppressive governments. As we prepare for tomorrow’sContinue reading “North Korea: #1 Most Dangerous Nation for Christians 2025”
Sudan: #5 Most Dangerous Nation for Christians 2025
As we prepare for Sunday’s International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, let’s lift up our brothers and sisters facing extreme violence, persecution and hunger in Sudan, ranked #5 on Open Doors’ World Watchlist of most dangerous countries in the world for Christians to live. At least 100 churches have been damaged or destroyedContinue reading “Sudan: #5 Most Dangerous Nation for Christians 2025”
Pray for Victims of Human Trafficking
Isaiah 51:9-23 Lord, today we pray for those across the world who are oppressed through human trafficking. Invade their darkness with Your beauty. Speak to them. Tell them who You created them to be. Envelop them in Your love so completely, whatever the enemy does against them disappears in the vastness of Your love andContinue reading “Pray for Victims of Human Trafficking”
Earthquake in Afghanistan
At least 800 people have died, about 2,800 have been injured, and hundreds more could be buried beneath rubble, after a shallow 6.0 magnitude earthquake shook buildings from Kabul, Afghanistan to Islamabad, Pakistan early yesterday morning. (See September 4 update.) The epicenter was about 27 km (17 miles) from the city of Jalalabad, Nangarhar province,Continue reading “Earthquake in Afghanistan”
A Good Shepherd for Gaza
Today, Isaiah 40, Psalm 23 and John 10 are on my heart for the 600 or so Christians in Gaza, but also for the many lost Muslims who live in terror and face danger, starvation, oppression and hopelessness daily. So far, more than 62,000 Palestinians have died, most without ever hearing the good news aboutContinue reading “A Good Shepherd for Gaza”
Millions of Afghans Forced to Return
Pakistan and Iran continue to expel millions of Afghan refugees who fled their homeland to escape war, poverty and Taliban rule. The more than 2.4 million who have already crossed the border back into Afghanistan now face hunger, persecution and other life-threatening hardships, even torture by the Taliban. Many Afghans reported being beaten by IranianContinue reading “Millions of Afghans Forced to Return”
Churches Destroyed by Muslim Forces in Sudan
At least 100 churches have been damaged or destroyed in Sudan since the start of the brutal war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces in 2023. Such violent assaults on Christians by both warring sides, as well as other Islamic extremists, ranks the 92% Muslim nation in North Africa among the top five mostContinue reading “Churches Destroyed by Muslim Forces in Sudan”
