Christians make up less than one percent of Turkiye's population and some churches have been attacked by extremist Muslims.
Christians make up less than one percent of Turkiye's population and some churches have been attacked by extremist Muslims.
Jan. 02, 2025 | Turkey

Armed Men Stopped from Entering Turkish Church

[67] prayers in [6] nations have been posted for Turkish Christians.

On November 3, 2024, shortly after worship services and during the Sunday school hour at an Istanbul church, someone rang the bell. A member opened the door, and two unknown men asked to come inside. She told them it was not possible at the moment. Local police officers who were guarding the church then intervened and took the men away. The pastor had previously faced death threats, prompting police to watch the church. Later, the pastor asked officials what happened and was told the men had guns but that the guns were licensed. The pastor asks Christians to pray for the church and for its members to be protected. He also asks that people pray for God’s peace to fill their hearts and minds, especially his wife’s, so the stress doesn’t impact her health. The pastor wrote, “For me, I am usually the target in such situations (Matt. 26:31). But I am not a hired shepherd; I do not leave the sheep” (John 10:12–14).

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Turkey and learn how to pray.

Write your own prayer for Turkish Christians

  • LORD God I love You & I praise You for who You are Sovereign God! Father thank You for Your Hand upon this pastor & his wife, and this church and these members! LORD thank You for Isaiah 54:17 & Ps 91 protection -in the name of Jesus! LORD I pray with the pastor for his wife & members connected to him Your peace to overflow in their hearts & minds!
    Kisha M - USA
  • Father, please protect the brave pastor in Turkey and the flock he shepherds. May Your all surpassing peace reign among them, in a special way upon pastor's wife. Father, please the same also for all followers of Your Son, Jesus, who live in Turkey. May the Church in Turkey be a bright light drawing many non believers to Jesus. In Jesus name, amen.
    David L - USA
  • Heavenly father, I pray for the church in Turkey and for its members to be protected. I pray for God's peace to fill their hearts and minds, especially the Turkish pastor's wife's, so the stress doesn't impact her health.In Jesus name. Amen
    Mark L - USA
  • Lord Jesus protect and strengthen Your church in Istanbul. Let Your name be glorified in Turkey and encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ. Let Your kingdom come.
    Andrew S - USA
  • Father, I praise you for the steadfastness of this dear pastor. Thank you for the police protecting the church. I pray for the salvation of the police officers, and the men who came to do harm. I pray for the pastor's wife and all the congregation to be able to trust in you and not give in to fear, but allow your peace to fill their hearts. Amen.
    Selma O - USA
  • Padre, eres bueno y protector, y en Tu poder confiamos para liberacion y proteccion para Tus siervos, como este pastor en Turquia. Ten misericordia, fortalece y defiende a su comunidad y su familia. Protege tambien a su esposa, con todo lo que ha vivido. Sabemos que Tu presencia es mas que suficiente, y el cuerpo de Cristo ahi saldra adelante. Gracias.
    Gonzalo Felipe M - Chile
  • Lord God, Thank You for protecting the Turkish Christians from harm. Bless the local police officers who guard the church, and stir the hearts and minds of the men who came to do evil to repentence. I pray that these Christians will not give in to fear, but sense Your Presence and Your Peace with them always. In Jesus' name, Amen.
    Michelle B - USA
  • Father God I come to you in Jesus name and I pray for the Turkish Christians noted in this article. Grant them perseverance and supply all of their needs spiritually, physically, financially and emotionally. Strengthen them with the might of the Holy Spirit and may they be rooted and grounded in Jesus' love and be filled with the fullness of God.
    Jerry W - USA
  • Oh Zlord I ask you to bless your children in Turkey. Maybthey know you as their shield. May peace be upon them. May your protection cover them. May their attackers repent and leave and May his wife find comfort and healing. In the name of Jedus amen
    Peggy A - USA
  • Heavenly Father God I ask you to bless this pastor and these Christians at this church.Please continue to keep them safe with your angels around them. we thank you for stopping the ones that tried to come in. Please continue the work you need to do through them to touch others in Jesus name.
    Pam W - USA
  • Lord, thank you for your miraculous intervention on behalf of this church. Bless Pastor and his wife with a peace that passes all understanding. Let them continue to see your divine protection and provision in their lives. Bless the members of this church and multiply them. Give them boldness to stand for you, in Jesus name.
    Vi P - USA
  • Dearest Lord, please cover and protect Your children in Turkey from every attack and device of the enemy. Please give them Your wisdom to be as wise as serpents, yet as harmless as doves. Please fill them with Your love for their enemies to draw them to Your fold. In Jesus name and by Your Holy Spirit, Amen.
    Sarah A - USA
  • Father, please protect this church and the pastor's wife's health. I pray You'll continue to use it and bless it, along with the police officers who are sent to guard it. In Jesus Name, amen
    Debbie M - USA
  • In Jesus Name we pray for our brothers & sisters around the world that are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus our Lord and as You Lord remember we are made of the dust and can do no thing without you John 15:5 strengthen each one with the power of Your Holy Spirit to overcome and continue in the faith & may no weapon formed against them prosper.
    barry p - USA
  • Thank you for your protection father God and never leave you servants.Their hopes will always be in you.
    Kehinde A - USA
  • Brothers and sisters may the Lord continue to bless each one of you, for the Lord did not give us a spirit of fear but one of love, power and a sound mind. May the Lord continue to bless your church with safety in Jesus name.
    john o - USA
  • I pray for protection for the Turkish Christians.
    Barbara T - USA
  • Gracious Lord God, please let Your protection surround this pastor and his church and be a very present help to all the believers in Turkey. Help them trust you and not be afraid. As they do may they see Your strong hand stretched out to help them. Relieve this pastor's wife of her anxiety. Do not let any who rise up against Your people find success.
    Jean S - Canada
  • Dear Heavenly Father thank You so much for protecting Your people! Please continue to protect all those who are harassed by the enemies of Jesus Christ!
    christine s - USA
  • Thank you Lord for protecting your people. Please continue to protect this pastor and congregation and keep them safe. Give them abundant love, joy and peace as they follow after you. In Jesus name, Amen!
    Kristin B - USA
  • Oh Shepherd and Protector, I pray that you send your holy angels to surround these Turkish Christians and protect them from those who would wish them harm. May this pastor's wife's mind be protected from the extremist activity and threats of harm to her husband so that she may experience peace beyond all understanding. Thank you Jesus! Amen!
    Chaplain Dale I - USA
  • Please protect Your church in Turkey as the days grow darker there. Help this particular church to be strong and of good courage. Thank You for watching over them in this latest incident. Keep the pastor's wife from physical manifestations of stress. Keep the pastor bold in his witness and strong in his shepherding.
    Pam M - USA
  • To God be all the glory, honor and praise for protecting your children from attack. Help us all to trust in the with all our hearts, not lean on your own understanding and watch you make our paths straight. Give your children, the peace that passes all understanding. In the matchless name of Jesus, amen.
    Tammie J - USA
  • Dear Heavenly Father,
    Thank you for the protection of this church and it's officials that acted on their behalf. I pray for the salvation of those two men. I ask that You Lord would bring peace upon the Pastors wife. Continue to strengthen them and the congregation. I know You are going to do mighty things because You are the Almighty In Jesus Name
    Darlene F - USA
  • Jesus please give the pastor's wife peace from you and keep protecting the pastor and the church. TY for the police who were there to help.
    michele r - USA
  • Thank You Father for this wonderful protection You have organized for this Church. Let a mighty Fear of You oh GOD fall upon those 2 men with the guns. Bless this Church with many more coming to JESUS!
    Giving them boldness and the fire of the Holy Spirit with signs wonders & miracles as a powerful testimony to many caught in Islam to freedom in Jesus!
    William N - USA
  • Father God,
    We pray for the strength and peace from the Holy Spirit be given to the members of this Istanbul church. We pray that they would be guided in prayer and action. We pray for provision and continued protection. We pray that they would sense Your presence, Jesus. Cast out all fear with Your love. We pray for the persecutors to know You, Jesus.
    Karen G - USA
  • My Lord thank you for protecting this Pastor from harm. Please bring comfort and consolation to his wife and all those in the world living in fear for their faith. We are only human beings Lord and it is not easy to stand strong all the time. Please bring conversion to those men who came to do harm. May they be drawn to Your Love shown to them.
    Denise G - Canada
  • Lord, may you continue to protect the Turkish Pastor and his flock from persecution, and may the peace of God fill their hearts and minds that they may bear up and bring many to you through their witness. Amen.
    Tom H - USA
  • Lord Jesus, You are in control. I pray for Your divine intervention in this Turkish church. I pray that You get the victory and glory when all those around this church see Your power and love.
    Joel B - USA
Load More Prayers