2 Corinthians 3:12

An Algerian Christian facing five years in prison for evangelistic work awaits a court decision on his appeal. Karim Siaghi, a Christian convert from Islam, was sentenced in May 2011 to five years in prison and fined 200,000 Algerian dinars, or about $2,500, even though prosecutors presented no evidence or witnesses to testify against him. A judge heard Karim’s appeal in November but has not yet made a ruling. In the meantime, the police commissioner has reportedly continued to investigate Karim’s case and has found two witnesses to testify against him. Pray that Karim will receive a favorable ruling, and pray for continued strength and boldness for all Algerian believers.

John 15:5

A Christian worker in Kyrgyzstan, Narsbek Sydykov, recently had the opportunity to share his faith and to forgive the men who attacked him during an aid distribution. While the men were on trial for assaulting Narsbek, one of them asked him for forgiveness. Narsbek told the man he was already forgiven. Then, during the court proceedings, Narsbek had the opportunity to tell the judge he was a follower of Jesus and that he had forgiven everyone involved in the incident, including those who beat him badly enough to send him to the hospital. Afterward, the attacker who had asked Narsbek for forgiveness returned to thank him. “I told him, ‘Give thanks to God, because God has forgiven you,’” Narsbek said. Please pray that Narsbek’s ministry will bear much fruit.

1 Corinthians 12:12

Suspected Islamists attacked two villages in Borno state on Dec. 1, killing at least 10 villagers and burning four churches. The attackers, thought to be members of the Islamist group Boko Haram, went from house to house in a predominantly Christian area of Chibok on Saturday evening, killing nine Christians and one Muslim man. They also attacked 20 homes and a church in Chibok. The same night, extremists burned three churches and several other buildings in Gamboru Ngala village, near the border with Cameroon. Several police officers were killed in the second attack. State officials met with community leaders and senior church leaders on Monday, Dec. 3, to discuss how best to help them. Pray for those affected by these recent attacks, and pray that Nigerian Christians will support their persecuted brothers and sisters in Nigeria.