The civil war in Sudan sometimes seems like one of those situations that will never end. Everyone in the world agrees it's horrific … but no one seems quite sure how to fix it. As the months and years tick by—the war started in April 2023—with no end
in sight, civilians are killed, human rights atrocities are committed, and humanitarian crises get worse and worse. Sudanese Christians are stuck in the middle; even at the best of times, they are a pressured minority in the country, following Jesus
in a place where converting from Islam can lead to violent reprisal.
But in a few short weeks, Christians all over the world will enter the season of Advent. Traditionally, it's a time of preparation before our Christmas celebrations. It's a time to remember Jesus' promised entry into a world that often seemed as hopeless
as things do in Sudan.
Think about it: The Bible has a 400-year gap between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Jesus. During this period, Israel was repeatedly conquered by various powerful empires. One of them even tried to stamp out true faith in God, going so far as to
sacrifice an unclean animal in the temple. Eventually, the Romans took control.
Things often probably seemed hopeless. But followers of the true God continued to pray and hope in His goodness and power—asking Him to restore things to the way they should be. Even in the hundreds of years without a new word from God, people kept praying
and trusting.
As we come to another Advent, perhaps we can do the same. As more horrific images and videos come out of Sudan, reminding us of the Darfur genocide of the early 2000s, we can still trust in God and turn to Him. He did not abandon His people in Israel,
and He has not abandoned us—or our brothers and sisters in Sudan.
Instead of giving in to despair, let's come to the throne of grace, praying together with Sudanese Christians:
- Pray for a swift and peaceful end to the war. From a human perspective, it seems like there is no end in sight to the violence. The fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Security Forces (RSF) has turned civilians
into pawns. Pray that world leaders will make every effort to bring the SAF and RSF to the table and find a peaceful resolution, and that the latest promise from the RSF will turn out to be lasting. "Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it" (Psalm 34:14).
- Pray for the millions of people displaced, in and outside of Sudan, because of the war. Many of the civilians have been displaced several times as they flee the fighting. The country represents the largest and fastest displacement crisis
in the world with nearly 12 million inside the country and more than 4 million refugees in Chad, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda and Egypt. Pray that the displaced will find safety and provision where they are and that every effort will be made to ensure
they are protected from further violence.
- Pray that life-saving relief aid will reach people. Sudan is the world's worst humanitarian and hunger crisis right now, with more than 30 million in need of humanitarian assistance. Both warring sides continue to restrict aid agencies'
access to the people in desperate need of food. Pray for God to bring relief through various means to the millions who are caught in hunger. "Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from ash heap" (Psalm 113).
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can help provide hope and God's Word to believers like those in Sudan who need our prayers and support. Will you help stand with them?
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- Pray for God to comfort and emotionally and spiritually restore the traumatized. The Sudanese people have witnessed and experienced horrific acts at the hands of the SAF and RSF. From sexual and physical violence, to torture and executions.
Even just fleeing the insecurity has emotionally wounded millions of people. Pray that all those who are hurting in various ways will meet the Savior who knows their pain and offers complete healing so that the violence will not repeat itself in generations
to come.
- Pray for God's wisdom and the protection of the Sudanese church. The church is an unwanted minority, making up only 4% of the country, and faces an additional layer of persecution by the SAF and RSF, who both adhere to an extreme interpretation
of Islam. Sudanese Christians are also marginalized wherever they flee to. Despite this, many church leaders have told us they want the church to be present in Sudan and continue with the Great Commission. Pray that God will grant the Sudanese church
wisdom and strength to persevere. Pray that the church will be salt and light wherever they are and that, because of their faith, many will hear the good news of Jesus Christ.
- Pray for Sudanese people to meet Jesus in this situation. Sudan is a Muslim-majority country, with 92.2% being adherents of Islam. Pray that many will turn in repentance to Jesus Christ and accept Him as their personal Savior who paid
for their sins. Pray they will find Christians and a church that can disciple them well and support them in their walk with Jesus.
- Pray that God will protect all women and children who are vulnerable to sexual violence. Shocking reports reveal that women, girls, and even children under the age of five have experienced sexual violence. This type of violence is used
as a weapon of war to terrify and purposefully traumatize civilians. Pray for God to bring complete healing to every Sudanese person who has experienced sexual violence. Pray the violence will not leave lasting scars and that the victims will know
they are valuable, each made in the image of God. "The Lord is near the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18).
- Pray for boys and men who are either killed or forced into fighting by either the SAF or RSF. Civilian men and boys are not spared in this conflict. They are often the first to be killed in the fighting, and boys also face sexual violence.
Pray for God to protect them, not only physically, but also emotionally. Pray that they will protect the vulnerable and be righteous in all they do.
- Pray for Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the SAF, and Gen Mohamed Dagalo (Hemedti) the RSF leader. Pray for God's Spirit to work in the hearts and minds of these leaders so that they will seek peace and justice. Pray for their repentance
and that they will use their power to serve people and not their own interests.
- Pray for justice to be administered swiftly and transparently where there have been clear violations of human rights. Both warring parties have been found to have violated human rights in this war, but the systematic and mass killing
in late October only highlights how shocking the injustice is and the treatment that civilians endure in this fighting. Pray that perpetrators will be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. May the perpetrators also be humbled
and repentant, knowing that they will ultimately be responsible before God for their actions. "The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He." (Deut. 32:4).
