Today we join in the Eritrean Evangelical Fellowship of Africa and the Middle East’s (EEF-AME’s) Global Day of Prayer for Eritrea.

Lord we pray that You would strengthen and protect Your church in Eritrea, may they see Your promises fulfilled and know real change and freedom to worship in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

This week, please:

• Pray for the men, women and children being held hostage by people traffickers in the Sinai, where they are facing starvation and brutal treatment. Pray that they would be released and find refuge.
• Ten years ago today the Eritrean Government banned all but three denominations and began mass detentions. Pray for the thousands of prisoners held in appalling conditions simply for holding certain religious or political beliefs, who often face torture and privations.
• Pray for the Eritrean refugees struggling in the UK and elsewhere. Pray that they would find supportive communities, and that God would protect them from harassment or intimidation by representatives of the Eritrean Government.
• Pray for Orthodox Patriarch Antonios under house arrest since 2006, who is reported to have failing health. Pray also for God’s presence at today’s protest vigil for prisoners outside the Eritrean Embassy in London, and for the prayer event for Eritrea, also in London.
• Pray that God would bring healing and reconciliation to Eritrea, transforming the hearts of its leaders so that peace and justice reigns. Pray for a just settlement of the border dispute with Ethiopia, and that Eritrea would begin to enjoy positive relations with its neighbours.
• Pray for other African nations, that they would have the courage and integrity to speak out and condemn what is occurring in Eritrea, and would be more sympathetic to the plight of Eritrean refugees.