Christians have always had sufficient freedom in Malian society, however, the situation changed dramatically with the capture of the northern part of the country by Tuareg separatist rebels and Islamist fighters, and the proclamation of the creation of the independent state of Azawad in April 2012, and now Mali suffers from Islamic extremism. An Islamic state with a Sharia regime was established, churches and other Christian buildings in Timbuktu and Gao were destroyed, and there is action to erase all traces of Christianity. Please pray for Malian Christian refugees in Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger, and Algeria to persevere under persecution and not deny their faith. Pray for children of displaced Christians to adjust to new homes, neighbourhoods and schools. Ask the Lord to reveal Himself to the new Mali government and for true peace to be restored to Mali. (http: www.opendoors.org.za, 26/11/2013).

This is outside the normal scope of what we publish, but what happens in Sub-Saharan Africa, affects North Africa. Pray for the believers in Mali.