Give thanks to God for the salvation of Omar! Back in July, missionary apprentice Matt Searson met Omar, a young, nominal Muslim who lives near the seminary. At the time, Matt shared the gospel with him, gave him a Bible, and encouraged him to read the Book of Mark. After that day, Omar practically disappeared, and Matt didn't hear from him. Recently, Omar knocked on Matt's front door and told him, "I want to become a Christian." Matt took time to share the gospel with him again and then asked, "What do you think about this story?" Omar replied, "God must really love us for Jesus to die for sinners like us." Matt introduced Omar to a Liberian believer who will follow up with him on repentance, salvation, baptism, and the Christian life. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will produce fruit in Omar's life and that he will not fall away. Pray for his continued discipleship and spiritual growth.
ksearson@imb.org
http://www.imb.org/sub-saharan-africa/
Peter, a Muslim-background believer from the majority-Muslim Tea River Area, hosted a nightly online meeting of nearly 150 Muslim men who wanted to read the Bible to see what it had to say. Finishing the read-through in about three months, he filtered the group and met again for another read-through with about 45 men who still wanted to know more about Jesus and the Bible. One man professed faith in Christ. As some mature believers meet with Peter regularly, pray that he will grasp the importance of a church community and "catch the vision" for a healthy church. Pray that Peter will disciple this new believer and others who choose to believe, working toward a healthy church. Also pray for Peter and his wife, Rebekah, to have the boldness to share the gospel with their families, especially their elderly parents who are not in good health.
(SWAH-zee) - In January, resolutions are made in hopes of improvement in oneself and one's situations. For the Swazi people of Eswatini, January brings another year of poverty, illness, and a bleak outlook regarding change or improvement of any kind. Pray that one day, the Swazi people will be able to say, "Happy New Year!" with confidence and a promise of hope. Pray that 2026 will be the year that they meet Jesus Christ and a new life filled with hope and opportunity may begin! "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV).
http://www.imb.org/sub-saharan-africa/
Pray for various planned outreach Saturdays during January in central Taiwan. These will occur in parks, on the street, in open markets, department stores, restaurants, and convenience stores. Some will be small groups of 2-3 people going out. Others will be large groups of more than 50 going out to share and worship together. Pray for clear gospel presentations. Pray for people to have open hearts and open ears, and for believers to have the courage to speak that first word needed to start conversations with strangers. Pray for hearts that seek the truth that only Jesus offers, and for entire families to hear and respond to the good news of Jesus. Pray for effective follow-up with those who hear as well as those who respond affirmatively, putting their trust in Jesus alone. Pray for more churches to go regularly to share the gospel. What an amazing way to start the new year, with new believers!
pray4APAC@imb.org
Jeffa is a North African man, born in France, who has recently begun meeting with local Christians and has developed a deep desire to learn more about God's Word. Each week, he arrives at a coffee shop, knowing that a group of believers will be gathered there. He eagerly joins their conversations, driven by a hunger to understand who Jesus is and what He accomplished on earth. Recently, Jeffa realized that much of what he had previously been taught does not align with the truth of Scripture. After reading John 6:35 (ESV), where Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst," Jeffa said that if this statement is true, then Jesus must be God -- something he had never believed before. Jeffa now finds himself in a difficult place; he is torn between the comfort of his homeland community and their beliefs and the undeniable truth that he is discovering. Please pray that Jeffa will have the courage to leave behind false teaching and step into fellowship with those who surrender their lives to Jesus.
A believer is leading a Bible study with the goal of discipleship and leadership development. Thank the Lord that, so far, it has been wonderful! Please ask the Lord to continue to bring people who are ready to learn about, and obediently follow, the one true God. Also pray for the leader to have wisdom and to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV).
centralasianpeoples@protonmail.com
(MAHL-teez) - January is often a time when people make resolutions and desire to see a new start in many areas of their lives. Pray Colossians 3:2 for the people of Malta and Gozo: "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth" (ESV). Ask that they will make the necessary adjustments in their lives to spend time in God's Word as individuals and in community with others. Pray that the Maltese and people from many other nations who live in Malta will have a new start in Jesus in 2026.
praymalta@gmail.com
(mah-LONG) - Pray for the digital ads on social media that will aim to share true hope with Malong youth. Ask God to open hearts as a younger generation clicks and seeks, searches and considers, and asks responders to pray for them as they face daily life struggles and look for answers. God is using many ways to draw Malong people to the truth. Please pray for these opportunities of gospel sharing and ask God to raise up others intercede on their behalf.
pray4APAC@imb.org
Many of our Global Missionary Partners (GMPs) serve the Lord in areas of a different religion, which local people are culturally compelled to follow. Some countries are not friendly to believers, and many local believers experience persecution of one kind or another. Pray for our GMPs and their teams as they grapple with the very real situations in their countries of service. Marcus and Eva and their young child serve on a team with other GMPs in Africa. Citizens of the country where they serve are predominantly of another religion, and the country is not very friendly to believers. Eva writes: "Please pray for my Christian language teacher. Her husband has been imprisoned for three weeks and is rumored to face at least a year in prison. Pray that God will strengthen her faith and give her strength and comfort. Also, pray for her to help care for and spend time with her three children. Because of this situation, I need to find a new language teacher; please ask God to provide one."
pray4APAC@imb.org
Two Deaf believers from West Africa were able to attend the Deaflympics that was held in Tokyo, Japan, in November and share the gospel. Please pray for all who saw the name of Christ proclaimed in their sign language, and ask God to send others who will continue to water the seeds that were planted. Give thanks to Him for the two individuals who came to faith through the witness of a West African believer during the week! Pray that they will find fellow believers in their home country who can continue to disciple them.
(eye-MAHR-uh) - Peruvian missionaries Abel and Daisy are expecting a baby boy this month! Please pray for Daisy, as she will be having a C-section at a local hospital. Ask the Father for a safe and healthy delivery, and lift up this couple as they adjust to being a family of five.
Persecution is rising in the Arabian Shores City. Though the city projects religious tolerance, believers from every ethnic background are being persecuted in some form or another. Officials control everything through mandatory ID tracking, including surveillance and metal detectors in approved churches. Authorities can demand member lists, arrest "non-compliant" people, and bar them from reentry. For others, it could mean arrest without release, or it could even mean death. Consequently, local citizens fear asking about other faiths, fearing the police, informants, or family retaliation. May the day come when the streets of the Arabian Shores City echo with songs of freedom, when churches can gather openly, and when every child can ask about God without fear! Pray that this oppression will not deter those whom God draws and that they will receive strength to pursue truth, knowing that it could cost them everything. Pray James 1:2-4 (ESV) over those in the Arabian Shores City who are experiencing persecution: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
