Kris kept a little notebook on hand. The Name Notebook. On her trip through several Muslim countries, she met dozens of people. At a salon, Kris took the names of the beauticians she met. From bathroom cleaners to teenagers sitting beside her in a coffee shop, if she got to know them personally, she asked their names and wrote them down in the Name Notebook. Why? To pray for them.

As believers, we have many people praying for us: perhaps Bible study leaders, parents, and friends from church. But most Muslims don’t have that privilege. If you know a Muslim by name, have you ever considered that you may be the only praying Christian in his life? Perhaps no one else but you is bringing him before our Father God, interceding for him in prayer.

If Jesus has made you right with God, you are particularly poised to intercede for Muslims in a powerful and effective way (James 5:16). Petition, prayer, intercession and praise in the name of Jesus draws on the authority of His Name as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Don’t know how to begin praying? Like Kris, you could record the name of any Muslim you meet and begin to pray for his salvation. Or, if you meet a Muslim, you could pray with him right then and there! First ask his permission then pray aloud a simple prayer of blessing upon him, his business, or his family. 

Or maybe your new friend has an immediate need, like Abdullah did. I met Abdullah on his way home to visit an ailing sister. After listening with concern, I asked for his sister’s name. Sara. “I will pray for Sara to be well.” I went on to explain, “Jesus the Messiah has power and authority to heal our bodies as well as our hearts.”

Perhaps you don’t know any Muslims personally? Then pray through the Middle East news, naming specific Muslim dignitaries, authors and artists. Or pray through VOM’s newsletter. As you come upon the name of a Muslim persecutor, or someone’s hostile family member, could you find it in your heart to pray for him? First repent of any hatred you might be harboring (Psalm 66:18) and then pray for his salvation.

I heard of a man who walks around a mosque in his city once a week, interceding for the Muslims who worship there. He prays for Jesus to reveal himself in an undeniable way in their lives. Quietly and simply, with no banners or megaphones, he asks the Lord for a harvest of souls among Muslims in his city.

There are many ways to go about praying for Muslims. You might even start a Name Notebook like Kris. However you pray, know a unique privilege is yours: you could be the first believer to truly intercede on a Muslim’s behalf.

Your turn: What creative ways have you discovered for intercession? Are there specific Muslim friends you pray for regularly? Please share in the comments.

"Anna" blogs about friendship, culture, and Kingdom-living from her home in the Middle East. She loves Jesus and wants to see Him cherished by her neighbors and people everywhere. Anna will be posting on the Persecution Blog each month. Feel free to ask questions or suggest future topics in the comments section for this post. Anna is a pseudonym, and all names in her posts are changed for security reasons.

Perhaps one of the biggest stumbling blocks in our prayer life and our relationship with Christ is disappointment. We are disappointed in our spiritual life, job, country, church, and perhaps even our family.

If we get to the heart of the issue, our disappointment is directed not at these areas of our lives but at God. We may ask: How could he allow this (circumstance) to happen? Why isn’t he helping me overcome these sin issues in my life? Why isn’t he rewarding me for my hard work? Why isn’t he bringing about revival in our nation? Why isn’t he working in our children’s hearts?  

The apostle Paul had every "right" to be disappointed in God. Paul was given a dramatic salvation experience and was launched into ministry. People were coming to Christ; religious and government officials were being convicted. It couldn’t get any better than that, could it? It did. Paul was thrown in jail. There he wrote several letters, which today are cornerstones of the Christian faith.

Yet Paul saw his chains not as a disappointment or a setback, but as an opportunity. He wrote to Timothy, advising him not to be ashamed of him, and used Onesiphorus as an example of one who was "not ashamed" of his chains." He invited Timothy to share in his sufferings through God’s power. Then earlier in his letter to the Philippians, he tells them that his imprisonment has furthered the gospel not frustrated it (1:12-14). And more so, his bonds have emboldened believers to preach without fear.

As we pray for the persecuted church, let us first evaluate our relationship with Christ. Spend some time alone with God, asking him to reveal any areas of your life where you are disappointed in him. If we allow ourselves to be honest, have we accused him of being indifferent toward our trials? Are we viewing our current sufferings as an obstacle for the gospel or an opportunity? Agree with him that your disappointment ultimately is sin. Thank him that he uses all things for his good purposes, and then stand on what’s true about him: Jesus is the chief cornerstone (Matthew 21:42); the earth is his and all it contains (Psalm 24:1); and he is the "ruler over the kings of the earth" (Revelation 1:5).

Then start praying for your persecuted family who is inviting you to fellowship in their sufferings according to God’s power.

Your turn: Do you struggle with disappointment in your prayer life? Are there other areas that hinder you from being consistent in prayer? How do you overcome these challenges to pray consistently for the persecuted church and for other needs? Please share in the comment section below.

SIGN UP to receive prayer needs from the persecuted church in your email box weekly, as well as read other articles about praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters.

Following is a portion from an interview with Padina, an Iranian Christian woman who, along with her husband, is helping grow God's Kingdom in Iran. You can read the full interview here.

VOM: The situation in Iran has changed a little bit since [you first began in ministry]. It seems like more arrests and more persecution. How does that affect you and your work?

Padina: Persecution has caused us to be stronger in faith, has caused us to be more in prayer and fasting, and we take what we are doing for God more seriously, that this is serious. Because every place we go and every ministry, every trip, we feel this might be our last. So whenever we go out, especially on trips, we feel this might be our last trip.

I have chosen this way knowingly and I know that this was my choice so I don't have a problem with it. But I am more worried about my husband because of the way I feel about him. During the day when I think about my husband being arrested, when I consider all these things I come to the point and I think, I know I love Jesus more than this and I may even give up my husband for the love I have for God. So it challenges me, my love for Jesus — do you really love me at that level? So that causes me to have a more loving relationship with Jesus himself.

VOM: That is almost a daily process in your ministry?

Padina: Every day.

VOM: "Take up your cross daily." (Luke 9:23)

Padina: And because our ministry is expanding, we almost once-a-month have a training conference which are all new people and all new risks for my husband to be arrested [because new people could be spies]. So he is at constant risk.

VOM: So you know all the risks but you keep doing the work every day?

Padina: I am in a fight with myself every day. I struggle every day with this idea that I could go out of Iran and minister and already have enough connections to have a large ministry outside Iran. But then I realize God has called me for this country and I have to stay. I won't do that — leave Iran — until I am confident that I have done my part and the ministry is strong and stable.

VOM: There is a famous quote to the effect that courage is not the absence of fear; courage is being afraid and doing it anyway. So I think every day you show amazing amounts of courage. But I also think if we talk to your husband he would say I am not so worried about myself I am more worried about my wife. Do you think so?

Padina: Yes. These days, even a regular arrest of a woman is very uncertain what happens to her in the jail, especially if she is arrested for this kind of thing [Christian activities]. My husband says, "It is very hard for me that you might be arrested and raped. But I have come to a point with my faith in Christ," he says, "at that point give your body to Jesus."

VOM: Are there particular scriptures that you come back to again and again that you draw strength from?

Padina: Psalms gives me a lot of comfort. Especially Psalm 91, I love that Psalm. Even with the snakes and all the enemies around you, I will protect you. I receive a lot of peace and comfort from the book of Psalms. Also, Psalms not only reminds me of God's protection but reminds me of his love for me and my love for him.

VOM: How can we, Christians in the United States, pray for the ministry in Iran?

Padina: A prayer would be that God would give faithful and courageous leaders that would continue to minister under persecution. Because when persecution comes some of the leaders, because of fear, they go away. So pray for courageous and faithful servants.

Second, my prayer would be that God would increase our faith. Not just for me but the leaders, that they would not lose their faith under persecution. And number three is for protection.

YOUR TURN: What are the challenges that you must overcome each day in order to fully serve Christ? Share in the comments below.

The story of Padina coming to faith in Christ is told in IRAN: Desperate for God. You can order your copy here. You may also want to order a 5-pack to share copies with Christian friends who might also pray for the church in Iran.

A draft constitution was passed today by Egypt's constituent assembly, after many representatives—including Coptic Christians—had left the room to protest the process. Several articles of the constitution raise concerns for Christians who fear that more persecution may be coming in Egypt under President Mohamed Morsi's government.

I was asked today by a reporter what this means for Christians in Egypt. I wish I could answer that! I do know that Christians are worried about what the future holds for them in their country. Will religious minorities be protected? Will a person have the freedom to change their religion under a constitution that says "the principles of Islamic Shariah" will be the "principle source of legislation?"

I don't know the answers to those questions. But I do know this: God's spirit is not stopped by constitutions or man's laws.

As I watch what is happening in Egypt today, I am reminded of when the ayatollahs came to power in Iran (even though I was only 9 years old!). The mullahs took over, and they immediately adopted Shariah law and told the people of Iran, "We are going to run the whole country according to Islam. Finally we can be all that we're supposed to be as a country, because we are doing everything according to the Koran and Allah's will."

At the time, many wondered what would happen to the church in Iran. Many feared it would be wiped out. How would they survive such oppression? How would the gospel go forth?

Today we are 30+ years down the road, and the church in Iran is one of the fastest growing churches in the whole WORLD. People are coming to Christ in droves. One Iranian worker told me a couple of years ago that if you shared the gospel with 10 Iranians, five of them would choose to follow Christ immediately; the people of Iran are that hungry for Truth!

A significant source of their hunger is Islam. They've been told that their country is being run according to true Islam. So when the government fails, the people see it as the failure of Islam. Questioning the government means questioning Islam. And almost everyone in Iran is questioning the government! And they are HUNGRY to find another way, and Jesus is truly The Way.

So as we see political and constitutional battles going on in Egypt, and as it appears more and more likely Islam will become the driving force of the government and the authorities there, it is tempting to get discouraged. But we must remember that God is still at work and out of this He can grow and strengthen and build His church. I pray that if there is an Islamic government in Egypt, it will produce the same result as the Islamic government in Iran: tens of thousands of Egyptians finding the Way, the Truth and the Life in Jesus Christ.

Todd Nettleton has served the persecuted church and VOM almost 15 years. He has been interviewed more than 1800 times by various media outlets. He's the author of Restricted Nations: North Korea, and served on the writing team for FOXE, Extreme Devotion, Hearts of Fire and other VOM books.

Water is an immediate need for Christians displaced by conflict in Sudan. VOM worked with one of our Sudan partners, Persecution Project Foundation, to provide this well for the community in Jaac, South Sudan.

This photo is one of the great photos featured in VOM's 2013 Prayer Calendar. You can order a calendar for only $4 at www.VOMBooks.com to help you to pray for the persecuted church throughout the year. (Photo credit: Persecution Project Foundation)

Thank you for praying for these prayer needs this week.  As always, you can print these requests here. 

Cuba—Hidden Persecution
Source: VOM Sources

Psalm 9:13

While few Cuban Christians have been imprisoned for their faith in recent years, the Cuban government still mistreats, marginalizes and openly opposes Christians, especially those who are active in ministry. “Don’t be fooled by appearances,” a Cuban pastor told VOM recently. The pastor has been humiliated, threatened, beaten and interrogated more than 20 times. Recently, three officials appeared at his church’s Sunday service and told him they were going to take his property and use it for a store. “I got firm with them,” the pastor said. “I told them they couldn’t do that because we were under the protection of the Holy Spirit. And they backed off.” The pastor’s doctors have told him to stop his pastoral work because the stress is harming his health. But he continues to serve his congregation. “I’m working for the Lord with all my heart,” he said. Pray that God will sustain this pastor and other Christians as they minister in Cuba.

Jordan—Christian Girl Kidnapped
Source: VOM Sources

Psalm 129:4

A Christian girl from the town of Fuheis was kidnapped by Muslim fundamentalists on Oct. 15 and forced to convert to Islam, according to VOM sources. “The whole [population] of Fuheis is protesting to have her back,” wrote a VOM contact. Fuheis, which is 12 miles north of Amman, is the only settlement in Jordan that is still predominantly Christian. About 60 percent of its 20,000 residents are Greek Orthodox. The rest are Muslim or Catholic. The VOM contact said Jordan’s prime minister visited Fuheis to help defuse the situation, asking residents to stop protesting and forget about the girl. But instead, the citizens asked him to leave their town. Kidnapping young Christian women and forcing them to convert to Islam is common in Egypt, but it hasn’t been prevalent in Jordan. Pray that this girl will be released and that the Jordanian government will defend the rights of all its citizens rather than just the Muslim majority. Also pray that Jordan will prevent extremism from growing along its borders.

Kazakhstan—Police Intensify Church Investigation
Sources: Forum 18 News Service

1 Peter 2:19–21

Police in Kazakhstan raided Grace Church in Astana during an Oct. 3 service, as part of an ongoing investigation. Church members were detained at the church throughout the day while police conducted a search. They confiscated items from the church’s safe as well as computers, DVDs and books. They also sealed a room where the church kept a printing press. Later, police asked 11 church members to voluntarily provide blood samples to see if the church administers drugs. A local news agency later reported, “The police established that the Grace Church’s pastor during the service serves his visitors a red-colored drink, which according to the expertise of the center for research of medicinal drugs contains phenol group substance as well as hallucinogens.” Pray that the members of Grace Church will remain faithful as they face this intense scrutiny.

Indonesia
VOM Project

Pray for those caring for and educating 66 orphans in Indonesia. The parents of these orphans were killed by fundamentalist Muslims during a series of attacks from 1999 to 2002.

The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is on November 11, 2012. Will you pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ? Visit http://www.persecution.com/idop to learn more.

If you missed the new episode of the Persecution Podcast, the good news is that it is still available online to listen to.  In this episode the focus is on Egypt, Somalia, Israel and the Philippines.

Sadly, the picture we have to show you is of a dear brother who had his hand cut off by Muslims and was blinded because the Muslims were obeying their Quran.  This happened in Somalia.  Please pray for this brother.

Please also join David and others in praying for the requests laid out in more detail at our Persecution Podcast page.

Click here to listen to this brief podcast.

As of today, Pastor Youcef has been in prison for 949 days for the "crime of blasphemy" in Iran.

Today I was reading in our The Voice of the Martyrs Prayer Calendar phone app for Android (which is also available for Apple too, just do a search in iTunes) the prayer request which said, "Pray that Iranians will see the emptiness of Islamic legalism and be drawn to Christ." And immediately I thought of Pastor Youcef sitting in prison.

Sometimes it amazes me that there are still countries that oppress their people and especially Christians, who are by definition, known for their love.  But the sad reality is that Iran, as well as other nations, do really do that. 

So, I would ask again, for you to continue to pray for Pastor Youcef and to take some action by writing him a letter of encouragement.  We know these letters to make an impact and we also know that the government of Iran is fully aware of the fact that the world is watching what is happening with Pastor Youcef.

Please pray today for Pastor Youcef's release from prison, as well as all prisoners who have been taken captive because they are followers of Jesus.

The last time we asked you to write Pastor Youcef, 7196 letters of encouragement written to Youcef, and today we are happy to share that this number has increased to 7518, but we still would love to see over 10,000 letters written.  Please write today and ask your friends and family who care about the suffering church to write today also.

Please click here to write your letter today.   Your letter does make a difference.

May the Lord bless you, as you stand with those who are in bonds.

Every week here on the Persecution blog, I like to encourage you to take action for a brother or sister in the Lord who is being persecuted for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Last week our Be-A-Voice-Network program sent out an update about one of our highlighted prisoners over on Prisoner Alert.com, today I want to ask you to consider writing this brother.

Imran is currently serving a life sentence in jail because he was accused of buring pages of the Quran.  His family has appealed his sentence, but they are still waiting for a decision on his case.

Last month, in March, Imran's family shared with The Voice of the Martyrs that Imran is spending his time in prison serving the Lord.  At midnight Imran prays and sings spiritual songs and sometimes Muslim prisoners join him in the singing and ask him to pray for them.

Imran also spends a lot of time reading his Bible and prayer. 

The Voice of the Martyrs is asking for continued prayer for Imran and his family who are missing him and feeling particularly sad last month. 

You may read the full Be-A-Voice-Network update PDF here and you can read more on our Prisoner Alert page for Imran.

Please share Imran's story with your church, friends and family and encourage everyone to take some time to write a letter today.  Please also pray for Imran's family and for Imran has he has the opportunity to serve the Lord in prison.

Vietnam--Four Christian Prisoners Released on "Vietnam Day"
Sources: VOM Contacts, Human Rights Watch

Psalm 146:6-8
Who made heaven and earth,
The sea, and all that is in them;
Who keeps truth forever,
Who executes justice for the oppressed,
Who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners.

The Lord opens the eyes of the blind;
The Lord raises those who are bowed down;
The Lord loves the righteous.

Within the next few weeks, VOM will provide medical checkups and any necessary treatment to four recently released Christian prisoners. The four men, who had been serving sentences of nine to 10 years each, were among 10,244 prisoners released in celebration of Vietnam's National Day on Sept. 2, 2011. One prisoner who was not released was 65-year-old Father Nguyen Van Ly. Father Nguyen received an eight-year prison sentence in 2007 but was released in March 2010 on medical parole after suffering three strokes. One year later, the government insisted that Father Nguyen return to prison, and on July 25, 2011, he returned to complete the remaining five years. Father Nguyen requires ongoing treatment for his health problems, which include a brain tumor and carotid atherosclerosis. Thank God for the release of the four Christians, and pray for their successful return to church and family life. Pray also for Father Nguyen's release and health.

Colombia--FARC Impedes Evangelism in La Macarena
Source: VOM Contacts

Joshua 10:25
Then Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight."

Members of the leftist FARC guerrillas have prevented VOM evangelist "Rolo" from entering La Macarena region with items such as radios, Bibles and Christian books, as violence in the area increases. "Aside from closing churches, they are burning buses" that try to come to the region, a VOM worker in the region said. "There are other towns that have the same problem right now," our worker added. Please pray for believers in the region around La Macarena, that God will preserve their lives and give them courage.

Sudan--Evangelist Beaten and Arrested
Source: Compass Direct News

Psalm 121
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Police beat and arrested a church leader in Khartoum recently, amid increasing harassment of Christians in Sudan following the 2011 secession of the largely Christian South Sudan. Evangelist James Kat of the Evangelical Church of Sudan was arrested Jan. 17 on charges of using church property as his home. He was released on bail the same day. In a Jan. 3 letter to leaders of the Sudanese Presbyterian Evangelical Church, Sudan's Ministry of Guidance and Religious Endowments threatened to arrest all pastors who carry out evangelistic activities and fail to provide contact information for church leaders. About 350,000 people, most of them Christians, fled to South Sudan after its secession, and Christianity is now regarded as a foreign religion in Sudan. Pray for the few remaining believers in the north.