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

[86] 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

  • Glorious Father, bless this congregation in Istanbul. As this faithful Pastor watches over Your sheep give him courage and guidance . Bless his wife with peace in knowing that You are always with them and will never leave them. As this Pastor shepherds Your sheep, fill him with joy and perseverance. In Jesus name I pray. Amen ðŸ
    Vicki A - USA
  • Father, thank You for the pastor who is not a hired hand and will not leave the sheep regardless of the situation. Thank You for his faith to keep doing your work in spite of the threats he faces. May You put Your hand of protection around Your children so they can go about living their lives for Jesus and growing in His grace. In Jesus name, Amen.
    Bruce B - USA
  • I pray for your protection over this church, Lord. Thank you that the armed man did disrupt service or cause any harm. I pray for angels of protection station at every corner of that church. Let enemies of Christ see feel and know the power of your protection and strength. Let their hearts be turned to you. I pray for peace in the pastor's wife's heart
    Bob G - USA
  • Father, we praise You for intervening in this case and protecting Your servant and Your flock. I pray for peace and comfort for all. I also pray for a conviction in the hearts of the men who wished harm on Your people. May they experience Your awesome power in their lives and KNOW that it is You. In Jesus' precious name, Amen
    Connie A - USA
  • My good and gracious God, I pray you protect my Turkish Christian brothers & sisters. I pray that they know that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. I pray their persecutors repent & ask Jesus into their lives. I ask this in Jesus's name, Amen.
    Janice H - USA
  • Dear Lord,
    I thank you for the wisdom of this woman to protect her church from attack. Thank you for giving her the words to say in that moment. I pray that you would continue to protect this church and others like it, and soften the hearts of their persecutors to them and to you. Let word of your love spread throughout Vietnam.
    In Your Name,
    Amen
    Sophia H - USA
  • Lord, I praise You for the police to be able to intervene. I pray that You would protect this pastor and the church as well. Please give Your peace in the hearts and minds of his church, and especially his wife. I pray that you would keep them both healthy, and that the stress wouldn't be more than they can bear.
    Cheryl B - USA
  • Father, Thank you for the faith and commitment of this pastor and for protecting them from the danger that they faced when the men asked to come into the church. I pray for the entire church and all of its members to be protected. I praise You for this shepherd pastor and his desire to serve his sheep.
    Betty D - USA
  • Dear Father, thank you for protecting our brothers and sisters in this incident. Thank you for the diligence of the police to watch out for those who would do them harm. Please grant this pastor, his family and the church members an extra measure of your Spirit to encourage and strengthen them as well as grant them peace and assurance of your presence.
    Linda T - USA
  • Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for protecting this church from those who would do harm. Bring peace and courage to the pastor's wife and other church members who are receiving threats. Move the government and police force to protect their people. Continue to give our brother in Christ, the pastor, the courage and strength to stay with his flock.
    Margaret H - USA
  • Father God, Thank You the police intervened and this violence was averted. Please give the pastors, congregations and pastors' families peace in their hearts and minds as to possible violence or destruction. May the police continue to do the right thing in preventing it. May all of Your people grow in faith and courage. In Jesus' name, Amen
    Rena B - USA
  • Thank You Father for preventing these armed men from entering this church in Turkey and place a hedge of angels around each of the members from all evil. Keep the devil out Lord. Cause the government to protect them and grant peace to each member, pastor and their families that You are in control. Draw the lost in Turkey to Christ and grow Your church.
    Alan G - USA
  • Heavenly Father, I pray for the protection of this pastor and the believers in his church from extremism and violence. Give them the strength to remain faithful to Jesus Christ despite the harassment they face. Thank You that the government is providing some protection of the church. May the perpetrators see the evil of their ways and repent. Amen
    Bill P - USA
  • Father God, under Whose wings we take refuge, please protect the Turkish church from those who seek to do them harm. Would You please fill their hearts with a peace that surpasses human understanding as only You can? Please would You help the pastor's wife to remember that You carry our burdens with us; give her peace to relieve her stress. Amen.
    Jason R - USA
  • Father God, I pray for this pastor, his wife, and this church. Protect them physically, and protect them from fear, stress, and other mental, emotional and spiritual attacks from the enemy. Fill them with your peace and joy. Give them wisdom and guide them to be the church and do your work in such dangerous circumstances. IJNA
    Kevin R - USA
  • Father we pray for Your hedge of protection around Your church as they gather. We pray for the men who might come to the church with harmful intentions that You will send them away or open their eyes to the Gospel.
    Bless Your church within. I pray that You will prepare a table for them in the presence of their enemies and that their cups will overflow!
    cheri w - USA
  • Dear Jesus,


    I thank You for protecting the Pastor and all members of the church for the two gunmen. I also thank You for have the police defending the church despite Christians being disliked. I plead the blood of Jesus on all members of the church and salvation for the two gunmen. Amen.
    Christopher W - USA
  • LORD: I thank You for the courage and selfless love of this Pastor. I pray for protection for him, his wife, his family, and the whole church body day and night. Ask for Your present comfort, peace to guide them, wisdom to respond, and anointing to walk in Your love & courage day by day. Bind all works of darkness against them. Your will in Jesus' Name
    P F - USA
  • Thank you, Lord for Pastors and believers, such as these, at the Istanbul church. They are watchful and faithful. Keep them in your loving arms so that they will not have their health impacted from the stress of unbelievers. Fill them with Your peace. We pray that their lives serving You be all for Your glory. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
    Sandra T - USA
  • 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
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