Leading a church is never easy. But when members of your congregation are risking their lives every time they come to church – that’s a whole new challenge.

Reverend Yunusa Nmadu works for CSW Nigeria and is the pastor of a church in one of the most dangerous places to be a Christian – northern Nigeria. In this region, churches and Christian communities are regularly attacked by gunmen or suicide bombers from Islamist extremist groups.

“Weekends are now a terror,” he told us after one Sunday when three suicide bomb attacks took place on three churches in the same area.

“As a leader, you not only have to carry your own burden, but also have to summon the resolve to comfort and lead your congregation.” He has asked us to pray for church leaders like him who face this double burden.

This week please:

• Thank God for the courage of people like Reverend Yunusa;
• Ask God to shield Yunusa’s congregation from danger;
• Ask God to give Yunusa wisdom when he makes practical decisions about the protection of his congregation;
• Pray that Yunusa would be given the right words to say to comfort people who have lost friends and family in religiously-motivated attacks;
• Ask God to bless Yunusa every day, giving him new spiritual insight;
• Ask God to give strength to the families of church leaders like Yunusa, so that they can be a support;
• Pray for church leaders in other countries you’ve heard about where Christians are attacked.
• Print this page to help your small group to pray for church leaders under pressure.