Preparing the way for the Gospel of the Kingdom
Are there Saudis who believe in and follow Jesus Christ? Yes. How many? No one is certain. The number is small but growing. Some say there are Saudi Believers in every city in Saudi Arabia.
Saudis put themselves at great risk when they surrender their lives to Christ. As "Operation World" notes, Saudi Arabia is an "Islamic state committed to the role of custodian of Islam and its holiest sites. Saudis who come to faith in Christ face the death penalty if discovered."
Those who do turn away from Islam and decide to make Jesus Christ their Lord must worship in secret. Meeting together is made virtually impossible by the ever-vigilant mutaween (religious police).
The mutaween is not the only danger facing Saudi Believers. They also risk discovery by their families who often ostracize, punish, and abuse them. They may even be killed. Muslims who believe someone has brought dishonor on their family sometimes commit murder and call it an "honor killing."
Despite the many challenges, one laborer notes, "There are many more believers in Saudi that [sic] most people would expect. They are mostly hidden, but some of them are boldly testifying of their faith."
There are many expatriate Christians (foreign workers) living in Saudi Arabia, but they are closely watched and not allowed to worship openly. There are no church buildings in Saudi Arabia.
Open Doors ranks Saudi Arabia as the third worst persecutor of Christians in the world. "Religious freedom does not exist in this heartland of Islam," writes Open Doors. "The public practice of non-Muslim worship is prohibited.... Worshippers who engage in such activities risk arrest, imprisonment, lashing, deportation, and sometimes torture."
PRAY FOR:
the Lord to encourage Saudi Christian Believers. Ask Him to give them opportunities to safely fellowship, pray, worship, and study the Word together. (The Bible, Ephesians 6:10)
the Lord of the Harvest to help Saudi Believers identify the Persons of Peace in their families and establish worshipping communities in their extended families. (The Bible, Luke 10:1-11)
Christian Believers in Saudi Arabia to remember that the Lord has promised to be with them and to strengthen and help them. Pray for them to walk in the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. (The Bible, Isaiah 41:10; 1 Timothy 1:7)
Saudi Believers and expatriate Christians to be bold in sharing their faith. Pray for divine appointments and open doors to share the Gospel. (The Bible, Ephesians 6:19; 3:10)
the Lord to protect Saudi Believers, giving His angels charge over them and keeping them in all their ways. Pray for Him to grow His Church in Saudi Arabia and add to it daily. (The Bible, Psalm 91:11; Acts 2:47)
the salvation of members of the royal family, religious leaders, and mutaween. Pray for them to hear and respond to the Good News, putting their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (The Bible, 1 Timothy 2:1-4)
the Church in Saudi Arabia to multiply and send out missionaries to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom. (The Bible, Matthew 9:38)
Saudi Muslims to have dreams and visions of Jesus Christ and receive Him in their hearts as Savior and Lord. (The Bible, Acts 2:17)
the strongholds of Islam, greed, and control to be torn down. Pray for the people of Saudi Arabia to accept Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. Pray for them to accept the fact eternal salvation is found in Christ alone. (The Bible, 2 Corinthians 10:4; John 8:36)
the Lord to pour His Holy Spirit out on Saudis, preparing the way for the message of the Gospel of the Kingdom to be received in their hearts. Pray for a great harvest of souls in Saudi Arabia. (The Bible, John 4:35)
