Russia’s Truly Cold War

With the war against Ukraine costing Russia an estimated $1 billion per day, little infrastructure is left to deal with winter’s brutality in the vast northern country, where temperatures stay below freezing for many weeks on end. Power outages, busted pipes and other heating failures are already costing lives and promising to far surpass lastContinue reading “Russia’s Truly Cold War”

Myanmar: Family Flees Violence

After the brutal military takeover of Myanmar in February of 2021, Paw (not his real name) and his family were forced to flee their village. “Our lives were so peaceful before the coup. Our children could go to school, I could work on my farm and life was good,” he said. But when violence threatenedContinue reading “Myanmar: Family Flees Violence”

Myanmar: Release of Political Prisoners

About 6,000 of some 13,000 political prisoners detained for resisting Myanmar’s brutal military rule were set to be released yesterday, following a summit of Southeast Asian leaders who criticized the military for wrecking that country with violence since the coup early last year. The junta has killed about 2,300 people, bombing schools, burning down wholeContinue reading “Myanmar: Release of Political Prisoners”

Stories from Syria: A Dream of Jesus

Here at the Prayer Wall, as we pray for the Middle East, we often pray for Jesus to meet Muslims in their dreams, because that is one of the main ways they are coming to faith without access to the Gospel. This week, a missionary friend shared with me this story about a Syrian womanContinue reading “Stories from Syria: A Dream of Jesus”

Stories from Syria: Tortured Like Jesus

Altair (not his real name) endured excruciating torture at the hands of Syrian forces for many months as they sought information on his brother fighting in the resistance army — information Altair did not have. At some point in his life, he had seen the Jesus Film, and as they stretched his arms out likeContinue reading “Stories from Syria: Tortured Like Jesus”

Stories from Syria: “Jesus Saved My Life”

This update on Syria is from Open Doors’ 2022 World Watchlist: “Violence against Christians decreased in Syria, which is news worth celebrating. And yet … even though the public threat of ISIS has largely subsided, Christians in Syria still grapple with daily persecution that may become violent. … Where extremists control territory, any public expressionContinue reading “Stories from Syria: “Jesus Saved My Life””

Pray for Aid to Reach War-Torn Tigray

It has already been over a week since Tigrayan and Ethiopian forces agreed to peace and promised to allow much needed humanitarian aid deliveries to the more than six million people suffering from acute hunger in war-torn northern Ethiopia. But so far, entry is still closed. Let’s continue praying for this country listed among theContinue reading “Pray for Aid to Reach War-Torn Tigray”

Peace Promised for Tigray

After two years of war that plunged more than six million people into acute hunger, caused thousands of deaths, and displaced millions of families from their homes, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian government agreed Wednesday evening to permanently end hostilities. Praise God! This is a direct answer to our prayers forContinue reading “Peace Promised for Tigray”

Tigray-Ethiopia Peace Talks Are On!

The Peace Talks originally scheduled earlier this month are finally happening now in South Africa between Ethiopian national security advisor Redwan Hussein and Tigray forces spokesman Getachew Reda and General Tsadkan Gebretensae. This comes after Eritrean forces joined with Ethiopia to capture several Tigrayan cities. The two years of relentless violence have cut off theContinue reading “Tigray-Ethiopia Peace Talks Are On!”

Fighting in Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia

About 170 people have died and more than 300 have been injured since fighting broke out once again last week between the Hausa and Berti ethnic groups in the Blue Nile state of Sudan over land rights. This week, protesters filled the streets of the state capital, Damazin, condemning the conflict, which has killed hundredsContinue reading “Fighting in Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia”