Persecuted Church Prayer Letter — Ethiopia

Ethiopia — Remember Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Arsi Zone, Oromia Region. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church reports that attacks on Christian communities in the Merti and Shirka districts on October 20 and 24 claimed the lives of 60 believers. The Church also reports more than 20 seriously wounded and 20 homes burned. Independent reporting and conflict analysis support that serious violence occurred, though casualty estimates differ and responsibility has not been conclusively established.

Brothers and sisters, I want to encourage you to take some time today to lift these families and communities before the Lord. Many are grieving the loss of loved ones, others are recovering from their injuries, and many are living in fear of what may come next. Let's stand in the gap for them, asking our Heavenly Father to bring comfort, healing, protection, and peace. Let's also pray that He would guide those who have been displaced, open doors for them to find safe shelter and a place to call home, and provide the resources and support they need to begin rebuilding their lives.

For the Grieving and Wounded

Father, bring Your comfort to families mourning their loved ones. Strengthen the wounded, guide those providing medical care, and surround those who are suffering with Your peace and presence.

For the Displaced and Those Without Shelter

Lord, provide safe refuge for those forced from their homes. Give them direction, open doors of opportunity for shelter and support, and make a way for them to rebuild their lives.

For the Church and Local Communities

Heavenly Father, protect Your people and all those in danger. Strengthen pastors and congregations, give wisdom to community leaders, and bring truth, justice, reconciliation, and lasting peace to these communities.

For Those Responsible for the Attacks

Heavenly Father, we also lift up those responsible for this violence. Lord, convict their hearts and open the eyes of their hearts to the truth of Jesus Christ. Draw them to Yourself, Father, that they may be granted repentance and find true salvation in Jesus Christ. Turn them away from hatred and destruction, and help them come to know Your forgiveness, mercy, and transforming love. We also ask that truth and justice prevail, that further violence would cease, and that lasting peace would come to these communities.

Hebrews 13:3 (WEB)

“Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body.”

Remember the Persecuted Church

As we lift up our brothers and sisters in Ethiopia, let us not forget believers around the world who are suffering because of their faith in Jesus Christ. May we continue to remember them, stand in the gap for them, and faithfully lift them before the throne of our Heavenly Father.

The news cycle may move on, but prayer never ceases.

In Christ,
Brother Kris
Restored Daily Ministries

Sources: African Press Agency (Holy Synod statement), Associated Press (eyewitness reporting), ACLED (conflict analysis), The Abay Times (local reporting), World Council of Churches (church response). See all dated links and verification limitations in this week's public source record.