As Djouher, a Christian woman from Algeria, was awaiting the arrival of her fourth child, her joy was soon met with sorrow. During her pregnancy, Djouher’s husband was diagnosed with cancer. Within months, he was dead.

Djouher was devastated. Although she had been a Christian for many years, nothing could have prepared her for the pain of losing her soul mate. She was utterly heartbroken.

That’s when Djouher turned to God’s Word. It was there, she encountered the peace of God.

“I have been a Christian for many years, but ever since my husband died, I am really living a new dimension through reading the Word of God,” Djouher says. “Every week, I spend one full day reading and studying the Word of God. It is a priority for me. Many people who know that I have lost my husband see me smile and ask me how I manage it. I point at the Word of God and tell them, my secret, it is here!”

Pray for Algerian Christians

God is at work in Algeria. Although Christianity is the minority religion, it continues to grow! It’s thought there could be at least 120,000 Christians in Algeria.

But Algerian Christians are facing increasing opposition.

Twelve churches have been closed within the last month, including Algeria’s largest Protestant church, which has around 700 members. According to a 2006 law , non-Muslim places of worship must have a license. Although Christian churches have applied for licenses, many have never been issued.

It is also difficult for Bible Society in Algeria to import Bibles into the country for distribution. Recently, a shipment of 5,000 Bibles was held by customs for weeks because importation licenses are hard to obtain. Praise God, those Bibles have now been released.

Despite these challenges, Bible Society in Algeria staff members are not downhearted. “We are accustomed to all this, it is nothing new,” said a staff member. “I am completely convinced all the churches will be re-opened. There is no other way. If they stay closed, all the Christians will go to house churches and the number of believers will only increase.”

Algerians are hungry for God. Pray that God’s Word will continue to spread across Algeria bringing hope to people like Djouher.

Let’s Pray Together

God, we pray that you will strengthen the church in Algeria, even as churches continue to close. We ask you to surround Algerian Christians with your grace, love, and protection. We also pray for the gospel of Jesus to shine into Algeria so all can experience the peace found in Scripture.