“Watching you encouraged me to seek Jesus Christ,” said Kaya, a man from Türkiye who recently got baptised. “You took the time to chat with me, guiding me towards a church, and you’re still following along. First I thank the Lord, and then I thank you very much. You are doing an amazing job.” Thank God for Kaya’s experience and pray he will keep growing in faith.

God is powerfully at work in the MENA, but of course there are still areas of desperate need. As we consider some of the human rights abuses taking place in the MENA, pray that God will soften the hearts of leaders in the region so they are better attuned to the suffering of their people.

In countries like Yemen, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Iran, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, even exploring Christianity brings great risks – let alone actually committing to follow Jesus. Pray for oppressed Christians in these nations to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit so they can stand firm in their faith.

Out of 160 countries on the Global Slavery Index, Saudi Arabia has the fourth highest prevalence for modern-day slavery, which can manifest as forced labour, human trafficking, and other forms of exploitation. Pray for an end to these crimes in Saud Arabia.

A recent episode of SAT-7 ARABIC talk show Different Angle shone a light on the issue of male violence against women in the Arab world. Pray that content like this will bring healing to women and affect positive change in the hearts of men.

Estimates for child labourers in Iran vary from 1.5 million to 7 million and children as young as 12 were reported to have been recruited as soldiers earlier this year. Pray for legal breakthroughs that protect children from exploitative work environments and any form of conflict.

“You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror” (Psalm 10:17-18). Praise God for His compassion and ask Him to fill you with it.

Across the MENA, issues pertaining to freedom – of religion, speech, assembly and more – are often at the centre of social unrest. Pray that people of influence in the region will be drawn to the Christian vision of freedom.