Mali is located in the Northwest region of Africa. While Mali has a strong tradition of tolerance towards all religions, there are strict Muslim communities where conversion to Christianity is unacceptable, and several new believers have had to flee for their lives[1]. With international assistance, the government appears to be returning to stability through a democratic process after an overthrow of the government by ethnic militias[2]. Mali remains one of the poorest countries in the world with around 36% of the population living in poverty[3]. Mali is a source, transit, and destination country for women, men, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sex trafficking. A final prayer request is for the internally displaced Malians and for the refugees in this nation. Let’s pray for God’s peace and protection over this nation, and that each Malian would find salvation through Jesus Christ. Let’s Pray... 

-Holy Spirit, we pray for you to speak to the hearts and minds and of the people in Mali and convict them of sin in their lives. Holy Spirit, reveal to them the salvation and freedom found in Jesus Christ. Let your blood cover their sins that they may be set free. Father, for those that are free, we pray that they can seek to love you God with all their heart, soul, and strength.*   

-We pray for the protection of your Christians in Mali. May your Christians dwell in the secret place of the most high, let them abide in the shadow of the Almighty.** Raise up leaders like Daniel who may stand steadfast for the gospel. May their lives plant millions of seeds in the lives of unbelievers that they may come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. 

-Yeshua, eternal king over creation, we pray that you would bring justice and stability to the nation of Mali. We pray for Christ centered political leaders who would ordain justice, have mercy on the poor, and execute your plans for this nation Jesus.  

-God we pray that you would secure justice for the poor and uphold the cause of the needy.*** Jesus, we pray that the poor would know your face, that their faith may ensure their eternal rewards with you in your courts forever. 

-Yeshua, we pray that you would shut down the human trafficking business in Mali. We pray for salvation to come to the oppressed and poor in Mali and for those trafficked outside their borders. We pray for healing and restoration over those held captive. We ask for conviction to fall upon the guilty, and we pray your grace would lead them to repentance, salvation, and restoration. 

-Lord Jesus, let Mali be a safe place to raise a Christian family, and that other families would seek out the living water flowing in these families. Let them seek this living water out until it is fully received, and they are fully cleansed from their sins entering into a right relationship with God. 

-Finally, we lift up the internally displaced population and the refugees in Mali and we pray for your provision and protection over this population. We pray for communal living and that the community can work together to serve these people groups. We also pray that they can come to know the salvation found in you Jesus Christ. Amen.   

Image Credit: David Peterson

[1] The Voice of the Martyrs. “Global report on where Christians are persecuted today.” Bartlesville: Persecution.com. 2017.   

[2] CIA World Factbook (Date Accessed August 2014).

[3] CIA World Factbook (Date Accessed August 2014).

*Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Deuteronomy 6:5, (2011).

**Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Psalm 91:1, (2011).

***Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Psalm 140:12, (2011).