Christians in Algeria have asked us to pray for a non-Christian man who is being threatened by Muslim fundamentalists because he is renting out a property to a church.  The man has received intimidating messages and death threats from fundamentalists in his area. They are putting pressure on him to stop renting his property to Kabyle Christians who use it as a place of worship.

Three years ago when the rental contract was first signed, this kind of pressure was also exerted, but the man has not given in despite the intimidation and has said he is not considering ending the contract now. A 2006 Presidential decree only allows for non-Muslim worship activities in places officially designated for this purpose by the government. Algerian churches have found it difficult to get permission to build their own premises. Buying property is also difficult because of pressure put on potential vendors by Muslim fundamentalists. Consequently, churches are obliged to rent buildings instead. Owners often refuse to rent out properties to churches, as those who do so are frequently subject to intimidation and other pressures.

The church has established a page on social media to raise support for the man who has been threatened.

Please pray:

• That the man threatened will experience the Father’s protection
• That he will experience the saving power of Jesus and accept Him as his personal Saviour
• For peace, justice and freedom in Algeria, and that the church will continue to grow there
• That the church in this town will continue to meet, will prosper and witness to the love of Jesus, and will not be intimidated
• That Christians will be able to buy land and build churches throughout the country
• That the church’s witness of love towards their landlord will bring them favor among the community
• For an end to the persecution of this landlord
• That those who are pressuring the man to stop renting his property to the Church will also encounter Jesus, and come to faith in Him.