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adversity. I think that’s the church’s
destiny. Everyone knows that. God
asks us, simply, today, to be confident,
to remain faithful as a Christian in
Algeria, all the while knowing that
this will be just a passing persecution.
God has happy plans for our country,
especially for his church here.’
Please continue to pray for Christians
in Algeria who are facing persecution,
especially those suffering ill-health
as a result of their trials. Pray for
courage, wisdom and patience, and
that they will all retain their hope
in God.
Algerian gendarmes seal shut the doors of a church building Photo: Morning Star News
•
 That the State will renew the
registration of the Protestant
Church of Algeria and re-open
the 43 churches it has closed
•
 That the Supreme Court will
hear the appeal cases soon,
and strike them down as
un-constitutional, with full
pardons for all who have been
wrongly convicted
•
 For the physical, mental
and spiritual wellbeing of
believers, particularly those
who have suffered ill-health
are convicted criminals with jail
sentences hanging over their heads,
and yet, for now, still free. Although
relatively short, these two to five-year
prison sentences cannot be completed
if they are not started so remain
over people indefinitely, creating an
atmosphere of pressured uncertainty.
This is a direct response to the
phenomenal church growth seen in
Algeria in one generation: Christians
numbered from the tens in the mid-
1980s to the tens of thousands by
2016.
A sign of love from the UK
The church leader expressed
his thanks to UK Christians for
their support during this time of
increased persecution and requested
continued prayer for a once vibrant
and still very young church - almost
entirely comprised of new Muslim-
background believers - that has been
forced underground.
He thanked Release International for
the financial support that we have
started to give which helps to provide
for some of the affected families
as well as helping to cover some of
the legal costs of their defence and
appeals.
He said: ‘This aid, truly, the brothers
and sisters who have benefited from
it, have perceived this as a sign of love
and of solidarity on the part of the
body of Christ in the UK. It’s a sign of
love and solidarity, and that’s what
makes the brothers and sisters want to
continue; truly it encourages them, it
really makes them want to continue, to
walk the path, to persevere in the faith.
And above all, it’s proof that we’re not
alone, we’re not forgotten, but we have
brothers and sisters who think of us
and pray for us. And that helps us a lot
in our walk.’
Although burdened by the ongoing
challenges, he remains hopeful.
‘I think that God has made a promise,
that God has visited this nation,
even if we pass today through a very
difficult time, but I know that this
situation contributes positively to the
affirmation of the church. I know that
the church in Algeria is no exception.
Like everywhere else, churches
go through times of peace and of
•
 For an end to the harassment
church leaders face from the
security services each time they
enter or leave their country
•
 For authorisation to import
Bibles, through the Biblical
Society of Algeria, and for the
freeing of a consignment which
has been held up in port for two
years
•
 That God would continue to
grow His church in Algeria
through the proclamation of
the gospel
Please pray