Welcome to 7 ways to Pray, a monthly podcast brought to you by SAT-7.
When we watch the news and see some of the huge challenges facing the Middle East and North Africa, it can be hard to know how to pray. In this podcast, we’ll share a round-up of 7 key prayer points, to guide and inspire you in your prayers for the region.
Each month, we’ll go beyond the headlines to share the human stories you won’t hear on the news – and together, we’ll lift them up before God. We’ll also pray for SAT-7’s life-giving media ministry, which brings the joy of Christ to millions across the region.
Thank you for joining us in prayer.
Hello, I’m Sophie Griffith, it’s Friday 31st October, and here are your 7 ways to pray for SAT-7 and the Middle East and North Africa, this November.
Number One
Firstly, we praise God for answered prayer in the Holy Land. In September, many of you joined SAT-7 in a global call to pray for peace in the Holy Land. And, in our last edition of 7 ways to pray, we invited you to pray urgently for an end to the war in Gaza. So we were hugely encouraged at the news of a ceasefire deal, with an end to violence finally in sight. Of course, this is only the start – we pray that the ceasefire will be upheld by all parties, and pray that this will be the start of a process that leads to lasting peace and justice for all the peoples of the Holy Land. Let’s give thanks for the return of hostages and prisoners, and pray for the people of Gaza as they begin to rebuild.
Among them is Elias Al Jalda, who has been sheltering for the past two years in the Holy Family Church, one of the few Christian church buildings in the Gaza Strip. While the ceasefire agreement has been a source of joy to people across Gaza, many are left with more questions than answers, wondering how life will ever get back to normal.
Speaking on SAT-7 ARABIC programme You Are Not Alone, shared:
“We are thinking about how we will find another house. Will the crossings be open? Will members of the Christian community leave Gaza? Will we stay here and go back to work? Will life return? How long will it take to rebuild at least the basic infrastructure?”
Elias also questions the future of Christians in Gaza, who only make up around 1.6% of the population and whose numbers are dwindling.
“Unfortunately, many Christians in Gaza have left already, and more are waiting to leave. I still believe that there is hope and the possibility of us living in this country and that life will return to normal. Therefore, I am committed to remaining, meaning living on the land on which I was born, and on the land of Jesus Christ. The beginnings of Christianity were here in this land. Therefore, I believe that Christians must remain in the region.”
Please pray for the Christians of Gaza, that they will remain steadfast in their faith. Pray for Elias, and all the people of Gaza, as they start to rebuild, and ask God to bring them comfort and healing. You can read more about Elias’s story by following the link in today’s show notes.
Number Two
With an endless cycle of global news fighting for our attention, some stories inevitably slip out of the headlines. Please don’t forget to pray for Sudan, where suffering continues after more than two years of devastating conflict. As the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church approaches on 20th November, this is a vital moment to stand in prayer with our Sudanese brothers and sisters.
Raafat Samir, Chairman of the Sudan Evangelical Community Council and the General Secretary of the Sudan Evangelical Alliance, recently spoke to SAT-7 about the ongoing crisis. “Our people are suffering, especially your brothers and sisters in Christ. Sudan is bleeding a lot.” Over 14.5 million children have been unable to access education for the past three years; churches have been destroyed, and families have lost their homes and loved ones. “As Sudanese, we have felt forgotten and like nobody cares about what is going on,” Raafat shared. “We don’t see our plight on the news and yet we have lost a lot of our friends and family in the war in Sudan.”
Despite the pain, the Church is choosing to be a light in the darkness. “Please ask our good Lord to apply His will in our country,” Raafat said. “We pray that we can be like the salt that heals the wounds of this war in our community and that the Church will be an example for how community should be.”
Let’s pray for God’s protection, provision, and peace in Sudan, that the Church will shine the light of Christ amidst suffering. We pray that God preserves the faith and hope of believers in Sudan and that they will know they are not forgotten. May God’s love bring healing and hope to the nation.
Number Three
The 21st of November marks World Television Day, which highlights the importance of television as a tool for communication and connection in a globalised world. Let’s give thanks for the medium of satellite television, which can bypass censors and reach into homes and hearts with the Good News of Jesus even when other communication channels are blocked.
In Afghanistan in October, the internet was shut down for 48 hours. The temporary nationwide internet blackout halted banking, online education, and everyday communication for the Afghan people, bringing daily life to a standstill. For the country’s small number of mostly isolated Christians, it threatened one of their few safe means to access spiritual support.
But the blackout was a powerful reminder of the continued importance of SAT-7’s satellite television ministry. Even though access to the internet was lost, the satellite signal continued beaming into the country, offering spiritual encouragement and practical support. Programmes such as Sun of Hope – an educational series for children and others who have no access to school – continued to air.
This World Television Day, let’s give thanks for SAT-7’s satellite TV channels, which broadcast 24/7, 365 days a year, bringing joy and hope to millions across the MENA. You can read more about our response to the Afghanistan internet blackout via the link in the show notes.
Number Four
Give thanks that a new live programme for Arab children is engaging young viewers through Bible stories, sketches and phone-in quizzes.
In His Image, which is filmed at SAT-7’s Egypt studio, provides a safe and fun-filled experience for young viewers to learn lessons from Scripture and grow in faith. Each weekly episode is attracting over 100 calls from young viewers eager to participate live on air.
Each episode of In His Image opens with the three presenters, Tia, Kareem and Sammy, sharing stories from their own experiences to explain the topic. Tia and Kareem perform a sketch, and then seek wisdom from Sammy on the subject.
Through drama sketches and Bible stories, In His Image is helping children apply ancient truths to their everyday lives in the modern world.
Many Arab parents send messages of support to SAT-7 KIDS, thanking the channel for its positive impact in their children’s lives. “I love you because my daughters learned the teachings of the Holy Bible from you,” wrote Samira.
So, let’s give thanks that Arabic-speaking children are learning the truth of the Bible in such a fun and inspiring way, and pray that these biblical lessons will take root deep in their hearts. You can read more about the programme in today’s show notes.
Number Five
Praise God that viewers across the MENA region are putting their faith in Jesus for the first time. Our viewer support teams receive hundreds of messages a day from viewers, many of whom want to find out more about the Christian faith. A few weeks ago, we received this message from Idriss, an Algerian man in his thirties:
“I want to learn about Christianity because I admire the humanity and justice that its people embody. I don’t know much about the Christian faith, but what I do know is that Christ called for peace."
Our viewer support team welcomed his questions and started a conversation about the love of God. After sharing the Good News with Idriss, the team asked if he would like to accept a relationship with Jesus. And praise God, he said yes! The team prayed with him and sent him a link to the Bible in his own language, encouraging him to begin with the Gospel of John.
Please pray for Idriss as he begins his walk with Jesus, that he will read his new Bible and grow in faith every day. Give thanks that SAT-7’s viewer support team will be there to encourage him every step of the way!
Number Six
Please join us in praying for SAT-7 UK’s new Church Engagement Manager, David Toft. David will be starting in his new role this month. He will be heading up the Church Engagement team, which builds partnerships with churches in the UK & Ireland to inspire prayer, support and engagement with SAT-7’s ministry. David shares:
"Life can be difficult across the Middle East and North Africa and the Christian population has been in steady decline in many areas. Especially at this time, there is a real need to partner with and pray for the church across the MENA.
As people of all ages and different walks of life are finding hope and a voice through the ministry of SAT-7, I’m very humbled and excited to be joining the SAT-7 UK team.
Please pray for me as I begin this new role and for the whole Church Engagement team as we plan for 2026.
Pray that we would be able to support and encourage our incredible partner churches and ambassadors who make much of this ministry possible.
As we reach out to new churches across the UK and Ireland, pray that we would find warm and willing individuals who would engage with those around them and enable far-reaching and life-changing witness.
Pray that millions of believers across the MENA would be strengthened in their faith through the responsiveness and kindness of local churches in the UK and Ireland.
Thank you so much."
Give thanks for the work of the Church Engagement team, which is made up of Bronwen, Mary and Alan. Let’s pray a blessing on David as he begins his role and pray for SAT-7 UK’s relationships with churches to blossom and produce good fruit.
Number Seven
Finally, as our thoughts start to turn towards Christmas, please pray for individuals and churches across the UK who will be using our Advent resources. We’ve been busy sending out packages of our A is for Advent prayer guide, as well as a new study guide for use in small groups.
A is for Advent takes the reader through an A to Z of the rich history of Christmas in the MENA region, from the oldest surviving Christmas Day sermon to the modern carols that ring out through SAT-7’s live broadcasts. The accompanying study guide has a series of 5 Bible studies, to delve even deeper into Christmas prophesies and traditions, and encourage reflection within a group setting.
Supporter Monica, who used the A is for Advent prayer guide last year, shared:
“I am reading A is for Advent every day and just had to let you know how beautiful it is. Every day my heart is overwhelmed with joy for the work you do and the people being reached in the MENA… I just wish I had ordered some copies for my church friends as it has really made this Advent time extra special.”
As well as inspiring deeper understanding of the MENA region this Christmastime, above all, we pray that these resources will help draw people closer to God, as they take time each day to reflect on the wonder of the incarnation. It’s not too late to order copies for you or your church – just visit sat7uk.org/advent to find out more. You can also find the link to our Advent shop in today’s show notes.
So there are you 7 ways to pray this November. Will you join me now, in a moment of prayer? Let’s pray.
Lord, we bring all of these situations before you in prayer. We thank you for hearing our prayers for the Holy Land, and ask that the ceasefire agreement will bring about true peace.
We pray urgently for our brothers and sisters in Sudan, that you will protect them and bring an end to the bitter conflict they are suffering through.
We thank you for the medium of satellite television, and the way it has enabled SAT-7 to continue reaching Afghan believers despite an internet blackout.
We give thanks for SAT-7 KIDS programme In His Image, and pray that young viewers will become rooted in the Bible.
We celebrate all the new believers who have come to know you through SAT-7, and pray you will protect Idriss in Algeria and draw him even closer to you.
We pray for David and the church engagement team and ask you to bless their plans. And finally, we lift up all our Advent activities, and pray that those using SAT-7’s resources will be “overwhelmed with joy” as they learn about the Middle East and reflect on Jesus’ birth. In His name we pray, Amen.
Thank you for listening and praying along with 7 ways to pray, a SAT-7 UK podcast. For more ways to pray for SAT-7 and the Middle East and North Africa, download our monthly Prayer Diary at sat7uk.org/pray.
