Since Friday's are the days we focus on helping you to pray more specifically for the persecuted church, I wanted to refresh your memory about praying for the restricted nations.

At the beginning of the year I challenged you to pick a restricted nation every month that you were going to pray for. Today I wanted to remind you of that commitment by sharing that I am praying for Kuwait this month. Leave a comment and tell me who you're praying for.

Last month we started the new year by setting a goal to pray for at least one restricted nation. Since today is February 1st, I wanted to remind all of you to pick a new country to pray for, or to keep praying for the country you had picked last month. Last month I prayed for Libya and this month I'll be praying for Columbia. What restricted nation are you picking this month?

This morning I was talking to a friend who was telling me they were going to the Philippines soon and that got me thinking about how the Lord has used Filipino friends in my life to take me to church when I was younger. I also have a wonderful Filipino Christian neighbor who I absolutely love, and the culture of the Philippines is something I also love. So as I was thinking about all of the blessings that I have been given, as a result of my friends from that nation, I had to share with you all that sadly, there is a part of the Philippines called Mindanao that is suffering from Muslim persecution.

On this Monday, I wanted to draw your attention to the nation of Oman, and ask that you take a moment to pray for believers there who are not living under complete freedom. And we thank you for taking the time to pray and tell a friend today.

Today I wanted to introduce you to another restricted nation, and ask you to take a minute, even now as you read this, and pray for this nation.

Today I wanted to take a moment to highlight one of the restricted nations where sharing the gospel is very difficult.