Somali Prayer Guide: - Prayer for the Nations.

Somali Prayer Guide:
Please use this guide to
help you pray for the
people of Somalia. For
more information please
visit:
www.prayer4thenations.org

The Somali People
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created...
...and God saw that it was good.
Somalia was known as Punt during the Egyptian civilization. While
Egyptian traders traded with the population they also intermingled
with the Punt inhabitants. However, during the collapse of the Egyptian
civilization the Greeks took over the area making it a Greek-Punt culture.
Over the centuries following the Greek settlement the Phoenicians
invaded and settled in Punt but were eventually overturned by the
Romans who captured Punt. The Romans intermingled and traded with
the inhabitants and made several settlements across Northern Punt
and the west coast. Then the kingdom of Axum captured Punt putting
it under their control where it remained for 1, 000 years. During the
rise of Islam the migration of Semitic peoples chiefly Arabs populated
the area, and by 800 A.D. Somalia became a Muslim nation. The Arab
traders from Syria, Lebanon and Yemen made several settlements across
the coasts of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. It was during this
period that Persian traders who had settled across the Indian Ocean
coast built the city of Mogadishu. The Somali peoples began to migrate
and penetrate the south where they mixed with the Bantu and Oromo
peoples. The Somalis today are a racial blend of Egyptians, Phoenicians,
Greeks, Romans, Ethiopians (Tigray and Amhara), Arabs, Persians,
Bantus and Oromo peoples. Their Cushitic language is beautifully mixed
with Arabic, Persian, Greek, and Ethiopian.
Somalis are a remarkable people, homogeneous in their language,
which is Somali, their culture, religion and identity. They are one of
the most beautiful people; tall in stature, slim with high cheek-bones.
They are predominately nomadic or semi nomadic herders and are
fiercely independent.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten son, that
whoever believes in Him, shall not perish
but have everlasting life.
Ask our Heavenly Father how He sees the Somali people and how
you should pray for them:
-
-
-
Pray for salvation of the Somali people. For God so loved the
Somalis that He gave His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, that
whoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting
life
Pray for the Holy Spirit outpouring over the Somalis and that
they will receive dreams and visions about Jesus Christ
Pray that they will get a longing to return to the Father’s
house and will start to cry out for salvation
1

History
Psalm 34:13-14 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips
from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek
peace, and pursue it.
In the 7th century Arabs and Persians developed a series of trading
posts along the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. In the 10th century
Somali nomads and pastoral Galla from southwest Ethiopia populated
the area and for the next 900 years Somalis spread throughout the Horn
of Africa. In the 1880’s during the occupation of Britain and Italy, Somalia
remained under colonial control in different parts of the territory until
World War II. In 1941, Britain occupied Italian Somaliland and in 1948
gave the Ogaden region to Ethiopia although Somalis largely populated
it. By 1950 the United Nations had voted to grant independence to
Somalia, and in 1960 the two former colonies were united to form the
Somali Republic.
The Somali Republic was created in 1960 when the former Italian
Somalia merged with British Somaliland. Despite its initial coalition
government, Somalia’s political stability was soon threatened by
increasing ethnic tensions. Following an unsuccessful war with Ethiopia
in 1963-64 and two presidential assassinations, the army under General
Mohamed Siad Barre, seized power in October 1969. However, the
General’s autocratic rule gave rise to increased government opposition
and fighting which eventually forced Barre to flee from Mogadishu
in late 1990. The ensuing power vacuum triggered an intense battle
between the interim president, Mr. Ali Mahdi, and General Mohamed
Farah Aideed, which later escalated into a full-blown civil war that
has lasted throughout most of the decade. In December 1992, a UN
Task Force led by the US, known as “Operation Restore Hope” ended
in disaster; and since 1991 there have been no less than 13 previous
attempts to form a government.
On May 16th 1991, the Somaliland Republic declared independence
in the North. However, up to the present time, it has never been
recognized by any foreign power.
Psalm 34:17,18 The righteous cry out,
and the Lord hears, and delivers them
out of all their troubles. The Lord is near
to those who have a broken heart, and
saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Ask our Heavenly Father to give you His compassion for the Somali
people who went through so much pain.
-
-
-
Pray for the men who were intensely engaged in fighting and
are still suffering from the trauma
Pray for the women who lost their husbands during this war
Pray for the children who have been affected from this whole
disaster
2

Current Political Situation
Psalm 103:6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for
all the oppressed.
For almost 16 years Anarchy reigned in Somalia and different warlords
were fighting for power. Finally after all these attempts to form a
government, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) was formed in
October 2004 in Kenya and relocated to Somalia in June 2005 at which
time Abdullahi Yusuf a former warlord, was elected President. The
warlords that still ruled Mogadishu opposed the TFG, and in June 2006
the Union of Islamic Courts disarmed the warlords in Mogadishu after a
bloody fight and they seized Mogadishu. One of the goals is to establish
Shariia, the Islamic law in Somalia, and there are also speculations that
there are connections with other Islamic Fundamentalist Organizations
like Al-Quaida.
It has been 16 years since the Somali people have experienced war and
chaos and their greatest longing is to return to peace and a “normal
life”. Because of this, many Somalis have left their country and are
fleeing to northeastern Kenya due to the fear of a new outbreak of war
and the news reports, which states that the Ethiopian Army has already
established their presence in Somalia.
Throughout history we have learned, that even in the greatest
chaos, God is still at work; and no one or nothing can stop HIM from
demonstrating His power in order to increase His kingdom.
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the
government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the
increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will
reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and
upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and
forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish it.
Ask our heavenly Father to reveal His heart and zeal for justice and
righteousness in Somalia.
-
-
-
-
Pray that people will recognize that real peace can only come
through Jesus Christ, The Prince of Peace
Pray that the Holy Spirit will open the eyes of the people to see
Islam as a religion of destruction and not of peace
Pray that the refugees who are pouring into Kenya will hear the
gospel and will respond to it
Pray that Kenyan Christians will be ready to reach out to the
Somalis with the Good News
3

Somaliland
Job 11:18 You will be secure, because there is hope; you
will look about you and take your rest in safety.
The main hope for peace lies in the northern parts of Somalia in
Somaliland, once a separate British colony but now relatively peaceful
and well governed. Somaliland has in effect seceded from Somalia and
yearns for full legal independence. It is not recognized internationally as
a separate state and because of its unofficial status, Somaliland cannot
enter into formal trade agreements with other nations or seek assistance
from world financial institutions.
The Republic of Somaliland (North West Somalia), situated on the tip of
the Horn of Africa, was formed in 1991 after separating from Southern
Somalia. From 1988-91, the people of Somaliland experienced more than
three years of bitter civil war resulting in the deaths of nearly 60,000
people. This war left massive displacements both internal and external,
and a near total destruction of infrastructure, communications systems,
banking and all public services.
Following a period of inter-clan conflict, the Somali people have used
traditional peace-building methods to settle internal disputes and have
started to rehabilitate and reconstruct their damaged country. A stable
administration has been formed with a smooth transition of leadership
following the death of former President Mohamed Ibrahim Egal, in May
2002. The new President is Mr. Dahir Rayale Kahin.
The majority of the Somali people are pastoral nomads. Camels (the
traditional currency of prestige and wealth), sheep, goats and some cattle
are raised in large numbers across the plains and rangelands of Somaliland
and provide both daily subsistence and the economic backbone of the
country. An estimated 60 per cent of the population depends either directly
or indirectly on livestock and livestock products for their livelihood.
Agriculture provides subsistence for nearly 20 per cent of the country’s
Proverbs 23:18 There is surely a future hope
for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
Matthew 12:21 In his name the nations will
put their hope.
population and is practiced mostly in the east and northwest parts of
the country where there is sufficient rainfall. Crops grown include
sorghum, maize, fruit and vegetables. Somaliland also produces
frankincense.
Ask our Father in heaven to give you a spirit of hope when you
pray for the people in Somaliland.
-
-
-
Pray for the government in Somaliland
Pray that the Somaliland people will not loose hope, but put
their hope in the Lord
Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Somaliland
4

Religion
Early in Muhammad’s ministry, a band of persecuted Muslims had with
the Prophet’s encouragement, fled across the Red Sea into the Horn of
Africa. There the Muslims were afforded protection by the Ethiopian
negus, or king. Thus, Islam may have been introduced into the Horn
of Africa well before the faith took root in its Arabian native soil. The
large-scale conversion of the Somalis had to await the arrival in the
eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth centuries of Muslim patriarchs.
The Somalis believe that their first ancestor was a member of the
Koreish tribe, to which the prophet Mohammed belonged. Until
today Somalia is 99.96% Islamic mostly consisting of Sunni Muslims.
Accordingly, the Islam religion shapes many aspects of Somali culture.
For example, there is strict separation of the sexes, women, and
sometimes prepubescent girls are expected to cover their bodies,
including hair, when in public.
Devout Muslims pray five times a day to Allah. The most important
holidays include Ramadan, where adherents fast for one month from
sunrise to sunset (pregnant women, the infirm, and children are
typically exempt), and Eid, a social celebration, which marks the end
of the fast. Many religious holidays and events are marked by the
ritualized sacrifice of a goat or lamb.
In the last years Islamic fundamentalist groups were identified in the
South of Somalia. Jihad groups linked to Al-Qaeda have also flourished,
murdering among others, foreign aid workers and journalists.
-
-
-
Psalm 24:7-10 Lift up your heads, O you
gates, be lifted up, you ancient doors, that
the King of glory may come in. Who is this
King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty,
the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads,
O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors that the King of
glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord Almighty-
He is the King of glory.
It is the heart of the Father and His Son Jesus that no one will be
lost, but will find the way home to the Father’s house. This is why
Jesus our King came and died. He died for the Somali people and
He wants to lead them into freedom.
Pray that the eyes of the blind will be opened and the Somali
people can see Jesus as the King of Kings
Proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness
for the prisoners (Isaiah 61)
Pray that the Somalis can see that Jesus is the perfect
sacrifice. He is the perfect, blameless lamb
5

Somali Women
Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called to the Lord, I cried to
my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice, my
cry came before him, into his ears.
A story of Amina:
”Amina, in her teenage years was a very beautiful girl. Amina got married
and within 15 years she got pregnant 12 times. Two of her children died
during pregnancy, another one died during childbirth and another two
died of diarrhea when they were below 5 years of age. Another one of
Amina’s daughters died when she was 8 years old during a Female Genital
Mutilation (FGM) process. Amina wanted to spare the other girls from
it but could not because it is an acceptable practice in her village to
circumcise the girls. Ten years ago she lost her husband and one of her
sons in the civil war leaving Amina a widow and a mother of 6 children. She
runs a little shop from which she earns a daily living to support her kids.
One of her daughters, Samira, got raped 3 years ago by one of the Militia
fighters and she now has a little son from this awful incident. Because it
is very shameful to have an illegitimate child, Samira is fearful of leaving
her house so she remains inside, and suffers almost every night from night
mares. Amina is very worried about her daughter Samira. Amina has now
joined a women’s group where they produce various crafts to sell. Her
women’s group is quite involved in promoting equal rights for women,
stopping FGM and they advocate the inclusion of women in responsible
government positions.”
Somali women are very beautiful and are found in the range of the world’s
top beauties and fashion models. In as much as many women experience
a lot of rape during the civil war (especially in Mogadishu and Kismayo),
in Somaliland and Somalia you can find ladies who show immense strength
and are involved in the Health Sector and the peace building process.
Several women’s groups in Hargeisa and in Somaliland are extremely proactive
in the empowerment of women and emancipation from the brutal
practices of FGM (Female Genital Mutilation), which about 98% of all
Somali females undergo.
Mark 14:6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus.
“Why are you bothering her? She has done a
beautiful thing to me”
Please ask your compassionate Father to give you HIS compassion
for the women in Somalia.
-
-
-
Pray that all the Aminas who have suffered much pain and
loss, can experience that HE hears their cry and HE will be
their help and comfort
Pray that the Somali women will get to know Jesus Christ as
their savior and their closest friend
Pray that women who have been humiliated through rape and
other violating experiences, can experience His restoration of
their worth
6

Female Genital Mutilation ( FGM )
Psalm 82: 3-4 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the
weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a cultural practice that started in
Africa approximately 2000 years ago. Many Somalis mistakenly view FGM
as a religious obligation. FGM is the term used for removal of all or just
part of the external parts of the female genitalia. The most common
form of FGM practiced in Somalia is Type III (commonly referred to as
infibulations and in Somalia, the “Pharaohnic circumcision”). It is the
removal of part or all of the external genitalia (clitoris, labia minora and
labia majora) and stitching or narrowing of the vaginal opening, leaving
a very small opening about the size of a matchstick, to allow for the
flow of urine and menstrual blood. The less radical or Type I (commonly
referred to as clitoridectomy and in Somalia sometimes called “sunna”)
is practiced mainly in the coastal towns of Mogadishu, Brava, Merca and
Kismayu.
Most of the girls are between four and eleven. This procedure is often done
without the care of medically trained people and the use of anesthesia is
rare. The instruments used by the mid-wife can be thorns, broken glass,
a tin lid, razor blades, knives, scissors or any other sharp object. These
items usually are not sterilized before or after usage. Once the genital
area for removal is gone, the child is stitched up and her legs are bound
for up to 40 days. This procedure can cause various side effects on the
girls, which can include death. Some of the results of this procedure are
serious infections, HIV, abscesses and small benign tumors, hemorrhages,
shock, clitoral cysts. The long-term effects may also include kidney stones,
sterility, sexual dysfunction, depression, various urinary tract infections
and various gynecological and obstetric problems. In order to have sexual
intercourse the women have to be opened up in some fashion and in some
cases cutting is necessary. After childbirth some women are re-infibulated
(to make them tight) for their husbands.
2 Chronicles 20:17a You will not have to
fight this battle. Take up your positions;
stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord
will give you.
Jonah 2:2 In my distress I called to the Lord
and he answered me. From the depths of the
grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.
Jeremiah 31:9 They will come with weeping, they will pray as I
bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a
level path where they will not stumble, because I am their father.
Please take a minute to reflect on this horrifying procedure that
little girls are subject to and then ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the
Father’s heart to you concerning this terrible mutilation. From
this revelation, pray (or cry) for the girls who are experiencing
this horror.
-
-
-
Pray that Somali ladies will unanimously unite against FGM,
and mobilize religious and other leaders through education,
to stop this horrible process of mutilation on women
Pray for the girl children who have been, and will be
traumatized by this evil procedure
Pray that the Lord will show his mercy and his compassion to
these girls and ladies who suffer from FGM
7

Somali Men
Prov 12:3 A man cannot be established through wickedness,
but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
Traditionally, Somali men were the providers of their families’ basic
needs. However, when the civil war erupted more than 20,000 men lost
their lives and thousands were maimed or exiled. Over 300,000 people
were displaced externally and internally many of them were men who
have permanently settled elsewhere and married other wives. As a result,
many widows and orphans were left behind and women were forced
to become breadwinners in their homes. There is another significant
reason however, that forced women to become the breadwinners in their
homes. Most men in Somalia consume Khat, which is an addictive plant
leaf and flower bud, which contains a substance that stops users from
being productive. Somalia’s civil war also led to rampant unemployment
in Somaliland, which has one of the world’s poorest economies.
Polygamy has also contributed to the increasing number of female
breadwinners in Somaliland. Islamic tradition, which the Somalis follow,
allows men to marry up to four wives provided they are able to support
them. However, Somaliland’s men are so poor that they can barely afford
to support one wife; but when a man marries several women, his wives
are forced to take up an economic activity to sustain their families.
It is very easy for men to divorce their wives as women rarely receive a
fair hearing in a judicial system whose laws favour men. Husbands are
able to divorce their wives, leaving many women in the position of the
single provider for the household.
It seems that the war has devastated the family structure and destroyed
the Somali men. Our Heavenly Father’s intention is for the family structure
to remain intact, and I believe God the Father is longing for these hurt
and sick men to come to HIM. He wants to heal and restore them to be
men after His own heart because His compassion never fails.
Prov 11:19 The truly righteous man attains
life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death.
Ask our Heavenly Father to fill you with His compassion for the
broken men of Somalia.
Acts 13:22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. He
testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man
after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’
-
-
-
Pray that Jesus would supernaturally reveal himself to these
men like he did to Saul, so that they can be restored to being
responsible God-fearing men
Pray that the Holy Spirit will convict and soften the “hard”
hearts of these men so that they can be broken and render
their hearts to their Creator and Heavenly Father
Pray that these men will be changed into men after God’s own
heart. Nothing is impossible for HIM
8

Khat
John 8:34-36 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone
who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent
place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the
Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Khat or Qat (Catha Edulis) is one of the most addictive substances
in Somalia and poses a dangerous threat to Somali society today. To
keep the potency of the drug, Khat or Qat is consumed by chewing
the fresh leaf and flower buds. It is chewed at social gatherings, in
homes, businesses and political discussions, usually after mid afternoon
lunch. There are people however, who eat Khat both in the morning
(Jabbane) and at night. The flower buds contain a substance, which
when consumed, is mildly stimulating and anorexigenic. If used
excessively it will affect the user’s judgment and self control, and also
suppresses the appetite and sexual desire. It produces lethargy and
general unproductive behaviors. It is an intoxicant that clouds, obscures
or veils consciousness and belongs to the family of Amphetamines. Qat
is the most devastating cause of broken bones and broken homes. In Qat
munching memory deteriorates, personality degenerates and character
disintegrates. Qat like other intoxicants offers a temporary and elusive
escape from problems and worries but leaves the user in a degenerate
and crushed position, thus multiplying the suffering rather than relieving
it. Qat soon overcomes the strongest man and turns him into a raging
beast, threatening those around him and insulting imaginary enemies.
In the mental hospitals, one out of every two patients are admitted
because of Qat related problems.
Women dealers, who seem to be the ones entrusted with the business of
selling the drugs rather than the men, sell khat openly on the streets.
This drug “helps” an entire country escape from the traumatic
experience of the last 15 years. Its captivating effect takes them from
bondage to the next. The truth however is, only Jesus the Son of God
can set them free.
Romans 6:22 But now that you have been set
free from sin and have become slaves to God,
the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the
result is eternal life.
Ask the Lord to give you a zealous heart of intercession against
this evil drug, which is leading an entire nation into addiction.
-
-
-
-
Pray for boldness among the Somalis to stand up and speak out
the truth about the deadly effects of Khat
Pray that the Ethiopian and Kenyan suppliers of Khat, will pass
a law which prohibits the exportation of Khat to Somalia
Pray that during their Khat chewing sessions the Holy Spirit will
give visions about Jesus and people will come to the Lord and
be freed from this addiction
Pray for the women dealers of this drug to be convicted of its
danger and stand up against it
9

Children
Psalm 72:4 He will defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor.
In Somalia, local authorities are increasingly confronted with rising
numbers of street children. Somalia is one of two countries that did
not sign the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). It has one of
the highest infant mortality rates in the world and some of the poorest
educational opportunities. Thousands of children are living destitute
in displaced camps or on the streets. Hundreds of children living in
orphanages are deprived of a normal family environment. In addition,
many children have been conscripted into militias and they get trained as
child soldiers. Others are sent abroad to get a better life, wave goodbye
to their parents in the drought-stricken heartland of eastern Somalia.
The smiles soon turn to tears as they wake up to the harsh reality that
they are the prisoners of gangs involved in child smuggling.
The report called “A gap in their hearts” exposes the scam, in which
parents pay as much as 10,000 USD to secure a better life for their
children who are then abandoned in Europe and North Africa. Others
are picked up by people who will exploit them. As many as 250 children
between the ages of 2 to 16, are being smuggled out of Somalia every
month.
Farhan’s story:
Farhan was eight years old when he arrived in a camp inside Somalia.
He was playing in the fields when fighting broke out and ran away to
a nearby town to get away from the fighting. Friendly townspeople
brought him to the camp when they fled and he has not seen his parents
since the day the fighting broke out and does not know if they are
alive. In the camp he has been paired with foster parents who have few
resources, so he sleeps at the local mosque. He has completed standard
eight in school and hopes peace will prevail so that he can return to
Somalia and to his family.
Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children
come to me, and do not hinder them, for the
kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Mark 10:16 And he took the children in his arms,
put his hands on them and blessed them.
Jesus’ heart was to bless the children. When we look at the
children of Somalia, let us speak prayers of blessings over them
and bless them with the Father’s love.
-
-
-
-
Pray that this will be a generation who will get to know the
Father and can experience His blessing
Pray for the child soldiers, that they will receive healing from
traumatic experiences and become warriors for the Lord
Pray for the kids who were taken out of the country and
now live as strangers abroad, that they will get to know the
Father’s love in their new countries
Let us pray for the orphan’s that they can experience that God
is a Father to the fatherless
10

Education
Job 34:4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us
learn together what is good.
The fight against the Barre regime in the closing years of the 1980s decade
and the outbreak of civil war in 1991 completed the breakdown of the
formal education system. Many teachers and students were displaced, and
most school buildings were either completely or partially destroyed and
all educational materials and equipment were looted. With the exception
of Koranic classes, no formal education took place for at least two years
and Koranic schools dating back to the foundation of Islam common in
the Muslim world are institutions whose function is to inculcate religious
worship among children at an early age.
In the absence of a central government in Somalia for over one decade, the
education system declined and there has been little to no school service.
The result is, that an estimated 81 percent of Somalia’s population now is
illiterate and only 17 percent of Somali children go to school. A total of 81
percent of Somalis can neither read nor write and only one in four men and
13 percent of women are literate in today’s Somalia.
Through the efforts of international NGOs, Somali professionals and
communities, schoolbooks got printed and approximately one third of the
schools got rebuilt. There is still a lack of good teachers and most of the
children are growing up without formal education.
Before the breakdown of the government, there were some faith-based
organizations in the education system. Most parents wanted to send their
children to these schools because of the higher standard of education. A
good percentage of the believers in the country were schooled in a faithbased
education system. It is wonderful to see that when good seeds are
sown in young lives they take root and bring forth wonderful fruits.
Education is the key to success.... The bible says without a vision a
generation will die.
Proverbs 4:13 Hold on to instruction, do not
let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
-
-
-
Proverbs 16:20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
Pray for the right teachers who can properly teach and instruct
the Somali kids to do the right things which will equip them to
make the right decisions for themselves and the future of their
people
More schools, so that boys and girls will have access to
education
For faith based schools, that more seeds can be planted and
that there will be fruit for eternity
11

Child Soldiers
Psalm 72:4 He will defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor.
There have been more than half a million children worldwide, who are
under the age of 18, that have been recruited into government armed
forces, paramilitaries, civil militia and a wide variety of non-state
armed groups in more than 85 countries. In Somalia the most common
practice is to be recruited by warlords or forced to join the militias.
Somali teenage boy’s short Story:
“My parents who were from different clans got separated when I was
born. I lived with my Mom and I saw how she got torched, raped and
killed by soldiers. I could not handle it and ran away. I tried to survive
on the streets until an armed gang abducted me and they forced me to
become a “soldier”. My initial resistance got broken after I got beaten
with wire, raped and forced to watch the torture and murder of my best
friend”
Mark 10:16 And he took the children in his arms,
put his hands on them and blessed them.
This story speaks for itself in a heart-wrenching way. Take a
moment in wailing compassion and ask our Heavenly Father to
reveal His broken heart and his compassion for these abused
boys.
-
-
-
-
Passionately intercede for the children who still suffer the
aftermath of being a child soldier
Pray that these practices will be stopped and that the
international rights for children will be enforced in Somalia
Pray that these boys can have the same opportunity as the
teenage boy who told his story, to receive healing therapy
through Christian therapists who can also minister to them
Pray that Jesus will reveal himself to them and that they will
be able to receive the love of Jesus
12

Refugees
Matthew 25: 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something
to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to
drink, I was a stranger and you took me in, I was naked and
you clothed me.
When civil war broke out in Somalia around 1991, Somalis began fleeing
their homeland causing much displacement and suffering. Many Somalis
are still suffering the after-effects of these experiences and those who
were able, fled to countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Yemen, and many
died on the high seas during flight. Today many Somalis are living in the
United States, Canada and Europe.
A description of a Refugee Camp in Kenya:
Since the beginning of Somalia’s civil war, thousands of refugees have
poured into neighboring Kenya. The road to the compound where the
refugee camp’s aid workers live is lined with rolls of barbed wire. It is a
mini-fortress in the middle of a flat, scrubby, featureless landscape. The
area is awash with guns, which have flowed easily over the porous frontier
since Somalia’s civil war began in 1991. Because of the dangers in the area,
some of the ladies are afraid to go into the bush to collect firewood due to
the rapes that have taken place there.
The Somalis like to relate funny stories about themselves. Here is a story
of a Somali who moved to the United States:
Mahmoud had never seen a laundromat before. He knew he must first put
his clothes into the washing machine, so he did that. His next step was to
add quarters into the coin slot, so he did that too. Then he stepped back
and waited, but nothing happened. Someone finally pointed out that he
should press the little button with the instruction “Start”. Mahmoud looked
confused. “Why?” he asked, “they told me it was an automatic washing
machine.”
Somalis who have fled to Yemen are still fighting for greater assistance for
their kinsmen who are most vulnerable. They are fighting for adequate
healthcare, better protection, assistance in urban areas and resettlement
for all of them. Some protestors also demand that their national identity
cards, which allow them to work and send their children to school, be
Hebrew 13:2 Do not forget to entertain
strangers, for by so doing some people have
entertained angels without knowing it.
Somalis are now scattered all over the world. Let’s ask our heavenly
Father to open our eyes that we can seek out the Somalis in our
areas.
-
-
-
renewed. Somalis entering Yemen are automatically granted
refugee status by the government. At the end of October, there
were some 79,000 refugees registered with the UNHCR in Yemen,
and more than 68,000 of whom were from Somalia. Most Somalis
in Yemen live in urban areas, with roughly 7,500 staying at the
Kharaz refugee camp in the Lahj governorate located in the south
of the country.
Pray that Somalis living abroad will find people who will share
the Good News with them and be an example in word and deed
Pray that Somali believers living abroad will have a burden
for the lost among their own people and will return and be a
witness to their brothers and sisters
Pray that the light of God will flood into the refugee camps in
Kenya, Yemen and other countries
13

Djibouti
Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and
streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your
offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
Djibouti is Africa’s smallest state. It is a hot dry desert land, the
hottest inhabited country in the world. Unemployment is as much
as 85% due to lack of water, industry and other natural resources.
There is freedom of religion in the constitution and culturally over
99% of locals are Moslem with a heavy overtone of secularism. For
about 140 years there has been, and still is, a colonial presence
despite achieving their ‘independence’ for almost 30 years. There is
a fair amount of stability in the region, and development of the port
and the presence of international aid organisations (as well as many
hundreds of western troops) has made some people prosperous and
lessened poverty in the region. There is an obvious material greed,
which has (sadly) developed in an open dependence on wanting more
than is necessary and a ’give me’ mentality, which seem to prevail
among the people.
There are Aid organizations, which are involved in bringing relief and
hope to the different areas.
Djibouti’s population is 45% Somalis. Over a long period of time,
people from all over the world laboured spiritually and physically in
this country. Despite many obstacles, the workers never give up and
God has answered many prayers. People are maturing in the Word
and many people are studying The Truth regularly and have made
commitments to follow Christ.
In the town of Djibouti, there is a legally recognised French
Protestant Church, which is visited by believers from the expatriate
community.
-
-
-
Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched
land and will strengthen your frame. You
will be like a well-watered garden, like a
spring whose waters never fail.
The Sun of Righteousness remains the only real ‘Hope’ for the
people of this region.
Ps 37:6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the
justice of your cause like the noonday sun
Pray for: maturity, growth and unity for the ones who follow
the Son of Righteousness
Pray that the Christians in Djibouti would walk in a manner
worthy of the Lord and in such a way that others will be
attracted to Christ
Pray for unity, a new spring rain and fresh anointing for the
workers in this dry and weary land
14

Health
Proverbs 18:14 A man’s spirit sustains him in sickness, but a
crushed spirit who can bear?
When the government collapsed in January 1991 and Siad Barre lost
power, Somalia’s health situation deteriorated and the escalation of
diseases persisted into the early 1990s. The results were alarming and
reflected a difficult environment, inadequate nutrition, and insufficient
medical care. When the revolutionary regime came to power, the
unfortunate disasters of drought, flood, and warfare, which resulted
in the refugee problem, left diets more inadequate than before.
The obvious reality that major changes would be necessary in order
to make the environment less hostile was an important factor. Such
changes would have to include the elimination of disease-transmitting
organisms.
Diseases such as pulmonary tuberculosis, malaria, and infectious
and parasitic diseases were prevalent in Somalia. In addition,
schistosomiasis (bilharzia), tetanus, venereal disease (especially in the
port towns), leprosy, and a variety of skin and eye ailments severely
impaired health and productivity. In early 1992, Somalia had a human
immune-virus (HIV) incidence between 1 and 1.4%.In addition, Somalia
has a high prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and low
awareness on HIV transmission. Combined with high levels of stigma
and discrimination, these factors could quickly evolve into a serious
problem unless there is rapid and adequate support for carefully
designed HIV/AIDS prevention and control across Somalia.
It is quite heartbreaking to see the lack of availability and access to
medications and proper medical supplies in the hospitals in Somalia.
Patients are therefore required to supply their own medications, which
are supplied through the black market when it is available. The doctors
further exploit these patients, as they are required to pay extra money
if they want the medication professionally administered.
-
-
-
Mark 2:17 On hearing this, Jesus said to
them, “It is not the healthy who need a
doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call
the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 14:14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd he had
compassion on them and healed their sick.
Seek the Lord’s compassion over the Somali people who are not
only physically sick, but spiritually and emotionally.
Pray for an increase of medical field workers in the Christian
Aid organizations in Somalia who will be involved with the HIV
campaigns
Pray that Christian believers in medical organizations will
be moved with compassion to go into Somalia and serve the
people with the love and compassion of Jesus
Pray that the medical personnel will be used through prayer
and the laying on of hands, to see the healing power of Jesus
demonstrated among the sick in Somalia
15

Mental Health
Lamentations 3:32 Though he brings grief, he will show
compassion, so great is his unfailing love.
Mental illness is hugely stigmatized in the Somali community where
few physicians are trained as psychiatrists. There is only one hospital in
the entire country that deals with mental health issues. In general, this
psychiatric hospital takes care of severely ill and psychotic patients.
Visitors are faced with the horrendous reality of the treatments of
patients who are strapped and chained, yelling and talking non-sensibly,
and others sitting in their own excrement.
Many Somalis believe depression was not a serious health issue among
the Somali population, or they just merely ignored the existence
until the start of the civil war in the 1990s. Others believe it existed
but was not recognized or treated. The war resulted in relocation,
refugee camps, malnutrition, trauma, and death and the traditional
Somali society was largely destroyed. Many people were killed and/or
separated from their families, lacked financial support and were forced
to transition from a nomadic to a Western society. It is believed that as
a result of all these changes, people started experiencing depression.
A study showed that 80% of cases of schizophrenia disorders is connected
with excessive Khat abuse.
The Somalis are deeply religious and the Muslim faith greatly affects
their response to traumas and sadness. Firstly, Somalis often see traumas
as “God’s will” and that they are chosen by Allah to deal with these
traumas. Secondly, the Koran states that a person who commits suicide
will go to hell. This has impacted the people and has lessened the
frequency of suicide ideation and attempts in the general population.
There is an obvious prevalence of insanity in Hargeisa, as men walking
naked and babbling incoherently can be commonly seen in the
streets.
Our Father sees them as people he created and he loves dearly.
-
-
-
-
Pray for deliverance from torment among the Somalis
Pray that the Somali people will admit the reality of mental
health and submit to the proper medical assistance
Pray for availability and accessibility to proper medications
and that the sick will be given human rights and treated with
dignity
Pray for more mental facilities and Christian Organizations to
pro-actively serve and bring hope to the Somali people
16

Disabled
Psalm 22:24 For he has not despised or disdained the suffering
of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from
him but has listened to his cry for help.
In the words of a 19-year-old disabled Somali girl: “People with disabilities
are invisible. They are treated insensitively and are much more vulnerable
than the other people of Somaliland. There are no special provisions made
for the disabled and they have to climb staircases, operate wheel chairs
without the rolling entries that would normally accommodate people in
wheel chairs. They are treated inhumanly by other people and by parents
who deny them of the privilege of going to Koran or other public schools.
Parents are either ashamed of their child’s disability or afraid that their
child will be subject to abuse and insensitive treatments, so they are kept
home in the confines of a safe environment.”
In the 1970s when Jama was still a child suffering from Polio, his mother
took him to southern Somalia to live with his uncle so that he could attend
a Koranic school. He used walking sticks made by his parents to move
around. “All my childhood I was picked on” he says. “Children would
watch me in the playground and say I was not normal. They would ask me
why I was like this. I would answer that it was due to a car accident, or
because of God - anything to keep them quiet.” Jama also experienced
severe discrimination in the home where his father would verbally abuse
his mother for caring for him. “I was lucky my mother was more civilized
than my father,” Jama says. ‘In most families here, disabled children are
ignored by the whole family. If parents have three children and one is
disabled, the other two are sent to school and the disabled one is barely
clothed and fed and stays indoors.’
Most of the disabilities in Somalia are results of such diseases as Polio
and Leprosy; and these diseases are also connected with old myths that
are traditionally used for cures. For example, people in Somalia believe
that leprosy can be cured with the liver of a young child. This particular
myth started before the civil war when the Somali Police quarantined all
the people who were afflicted with leprosy on an island in the South of
Somalia where they lived isolated from their families.
Many people in Somali still suffer from Polio and Leprosy. Let us
stand in the gap, especially for those who have been rejected by
their society, that they may know how precious they are in the
eyes of their Heavenly Father, who loves them and wants them to
experience His love and their worth in His eyes.
-
-
-
Pray that Christians with a call to serve the disabled, will go to
Somalia and serve there
Pray that children suffering from Polio and Leprosy can receive
the Father’s love and know that HE is not rejecting them
Pray that The Leper Community will experience the power of
Jesus that will remove stigma and shame and replace it with
His love and compassion for them
17

Landmines
Psalm 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Somalia’s long history of conflict and the common use
of landmines have caused major disruption in many
communities. Most of the landmines in Somalia are scattered
across pastoral lands, near water holes, and along secondary
roads, which are frequently used by the people commuting
to and from the markets. Nomadic farmers have been
forced into the cities because the landmines are generally
present in agricultural lands, and the economy of Somalia
has traditionally depended upon the grazing and sale of
livestock. The economy has suffered greatly because of the
landmines that have been responsible for killing livestock
and disrupting productive farmers.
In 1995 an eight-year-old girl faced an audience of hundreds of
people from all over the world at an international conference
in Geneva and spoke passionately about her plight caused by
a landmine that had blown off her legs at the age of four.
She now uses artificial legs but continues to be traumatized
socially and physically. There are organizations that are
attempting to de-mine the fields, especially in Somaliland;
however, this is a long process.
-
-
-
Psalm 9:18 But the needy will not always
be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted
ever perish.
Psalm 62:5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes
from him
Pray that more organizations will be involved in the de-mining
process
Pray that those who have been victimized by the presence of
landmines, and have lost body parts as well as hope, will have
an experience and a relationship with the true hope-giver
Pray that those who have been victimized, will experience the
faithfulness of God in all areas of their lives
18

Water
Psalm 42:1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my
soul pants for you, O God.
Somalia has two perennial rivers - Juba and Shabelle rivers.
In late April 2005, heavy rains, which resulted in widespread flooding
throughout the regions of Somalia and Ethiopia, caused the Shabele River
to overflow its banks. Since May 2005, there have been over 100 confirmed
deaths caused by flooding in the Somali Region alone.
In Somalia, wells, which are as precious as a ‘town bank’, are guarded
with weapons and controlled by warlords. As a result of the three-year
drought that relentlessly plagued the region, water, which is considered a
valuable commodity, is worth fighting over and dying for.
It has been reported that across East Africa, an estimated 11 million
people have been affected by the drought as well as the deaths of large
numbers of livestock, which left various carcasses of animals as well as
hearty camels rotting in the sun. The drought has caused the eruption
of a battle between two clans over the control of a watering hole in a
dusty, drought-stricken trading town. Villagers call it the “War of the
Well”, which lasted for two years, leaving 250 men dead as well as ‘well
widows’, ‘well warriors’ and ‘well warlords’. There have been reports of
bloodied, swollen bodies left by the well in disgrace and shame, and the
level of violence, which had never been seen before proves that “thirst
forces men to the horror of war.”
Although the local people have figured out a system whereby they can
be supplied with drinking water, the warlords who have taken control,
deny them this access. The situation of a deplorable condition of drinking
water that is unfit for human consumption has resulted in widespread
disease among the local people. As one Somali nurse exclaimed, “It’s like
the start of the water wars right here in Somalia.”
Psalm 63:1 O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you, in a dry and weary
land where there is no water.
Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams
on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and
my blessing on your descendants.
-
-
-
Pray that God will flood this land with his Holy Spirit and open
up this dry and hard ground
Pray that the Somali people will become thirsty for the truth
Pray that the Somali people will experience that only Jesus can
supply them with living water
19

Nomads
Isaiah 49:10 They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor
will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them. He who
has compassion on them will guide them and lead them
beside springs of water.
Sixty - seventy percent of the Somali population are
pastoral nomads, and are entirely dependent on livestock.
The Nomads are seen as dispersed, aimless, obstinate and
inferior people. It is very difficult to provide them with school
classes or clinics, as they rarely take advantage of any of
the social services. Nomads have special ways of adapting
to the arid and unreliable climatic conditions. They have a
strong and viable social system and community organization,
which enhances their self-reliance and survival capacities
to meet their needs, even during times of disaster such as
drought. Nomads are symbols of survival and have survived
long droughts, epidemic diseases and all kinds of hardships
without any external or government assistance. Over the
years, they have developed their own methods of treating
livestock with a fair degree of success.
For centuries milk produced on the rangelands constituted the
main diet of the nomads during several months of the year,
depending on the size of the herd and pattern of droughts.
But since the market economy came in contact with nomads
their diet has substantially changed. Nomads have more or less
full control over the management of pasturage. They restrict
and direct their wanderings and focus on tribal holdings,
depending on the availability of food supply (fodder) and the
technology for exploiting it. Each clan has focal sites that
they occupy for a considerable period of the year.
John 4:14 But whoever drinks the water I
give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I
give him will become in him a spring of water
welling up to eternal life.
Ask our Heavenly Father to show you His heart for this special
community
-
-
-
Pray that the Nomads will find their home in the Father’s house
Pray that they will find the living water and rest for their souls
in and through Jesus
Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit over this community,
that they will dream dreams and have visions about Jesus
20

Bantus
Psalm 9:9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a
stronghold in times of trouble.
The Bantus of Somalia have a long history of slavery and are
divided into three groups. There are the indigenous Bantus,
Bantus who migrated to Somalia and Bantus who were brought
in by Arab slave traders in the 1800s and settled in the rural
south of Somalia along the Juba River. The Bantus have always
been treated as second-class citizens even after the country
gained its independence. They worked as farmers and only
few were allowed access to education. In the beginning of
the civil war most Bantus left Somalia and entered Kenya
and Tanzania as refugees. After leaving Somalia, many were
injured, raped and killed.
The Bantus are the most liberal Muslims in Somali society. The
Bantu women’s role in the community is a very liberal one.
They are allowed to work in the fields, and even though they
are modestly dressed, there is no evidence to link them to
any fundamentalist, religious, or extremist political group.
There were no evident Christians among the Bantus who first
arrived in the refugee camps. However, a few years later a
small number had converted to Christianity in a refugee camp
where several hundred Christian Ethiopians resided.
Psalm 82: 3 Defend the cause of the weak and
fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and
oppressed.
Psalm 146:7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food
to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free.
The Father heard the cry of His precious Bantu people. Some of
them have already come home to the Father’s house and many
more are on the way.
-
-
-
Pray that an indigenous church among the Bantus will be
formed and that it will draw many to the Lord
Pray that Bantus will return to Somalia and bring the Good
news to those who were once their oppressors
Pray that the Bantus will be used to spread the gospel
throughout all of Africa
21

Mogadishu
Ps 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders
labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the
watchmen stand guard in vain
The Somalis in the Mogadishu area were connected through
trade to other communities along the Indian coast as early
as AD 800 and Muslims from the Arabian Peninsula colonized
Mogadishu around AD 900. Mogadishu being a very large
city was most likely to become the capital and most focal
center in the region. In contrast to most of the Somali coastal
areas, Mogadishu’s fertile terrain is potentially promising for
agriculture and could support a larger population. There was
a very prosperous trade alliance between Mogadishu and the
interior, which gave way to the spread of Islam throughout
Somalia. The historic Mosque of Fakr ad-Din, built in 1269,
still stands.
After Siad Barre lost political power, warlords controlled
Mogadishu for about 15 years. A green line divided the city
into North and South Mogadishu, and travel into the city was
not allowed without armed bodyguards.
The first Battle of Mogadishu is known as “Black Hawk down”,
when the USA sent an army into Mogadishu to capture a
warlord. It was during this Battle of Mogadishu that the
Somalis killed 18 American soldiers. The second battle was
in the beginning of 2006 when the Somali warlords and
the Islamic Court Union (ICU) were fighting over control of
Mogadishu. Since June 2006 the ICU has controlled Mogadishu
and is making a strong effort to reduce lawlessness in the
city. Under the control of the ICU, the international airport
was reopened and is now in full operation.
Ac 14:21 They preached the good news in that
city and won a large number of disciples
Ps 55:11 Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and
lies never leave its streets.
At present, the city reflects destruction and despair. However,
our Heavenly Father sees with different eyes and He wants to
show HIS mercy again over this city and to be welcomed and
worshiped in this city.
-
-
-
Pray for God’s mercy over the people in Mogadishu
As Islam spread from Mogadishu into Somalia pray that the
gospel will be preached in Mogadishu and from there, spread
to all the other cities and villages in Somalia
Pray that Mogadishu will become a place where worship and
intercession will go up to the throne of God
22

Poetry
Isaiah 12:4 In that day you will say: “Give thanks to the
LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what
he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.”
Somalia is an oral society with poetry as an important
aspect, woven into the fabric of the culture, making them
famous for being a nation of poets. Somali poetry is still
primarily experienced through listening rather than reading.
The language was first written in an officially recognized
script in 1972 and, prior to that, poetry was, with very few
exceptions, composed, retained and performed solely in oral
form. A Somali proverb says that “he who looks at paper
never becomes a memorizer”, and the skills of listening and
repeating are gradually applied to the creation of poetry.
Many of the day-to-day tasks carried out by the people in
the countryside, are associated with poetry in the form of
work songs. This poetic form of expression is also the key to
mass communication, serving as advertisement, instrument
of influence and path to power in a turbulent land. In Somalia
the poet is a person of prestige and power, respected for
his cleverness and sometimes even feared for his afmishaar
— his “mouth like a saw.” Poetic contests between competing
poets have always been a feature of Somali life.
There are several modern technological contributions to the
poetic expression of Somalia. Cassette tapes passed from
hand to hand and group-to-group and radio are some of the
most common ways that Somali poetry is communicated.
Agrarian tribes in the south communicate with the nomads
of the north through poetic debates aired on the national
radio.
Acts 17:27-29 God did this so that men would
seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find
him, though he is not far from each one of us.
For in him we live and move and have our being.
As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his
offspring.’
Colossians 4:4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
-
-
-
Pray that the poets will come to know and accept Jesus as Lord
Pray that the Good News will be proclaimed in Somalia through
poems and drama
Pray that through poetic communication the Gospel will be
spread throughout all of Africa
23

Radio Gospel
2 Timothy 2:8-9 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the
dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I
am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.
But God’s word is not chained.
In 1854, Richard Burton, the first European explorer who visited Somalia
noted its inhabitants had a deep interest in news from the outside world.
The typical Somali greeting is “Iska warran!” meaning “Bring news”. A century
later, this curiosity led to Somalis becoming avid listeners to radio broadcasts.
Somali remains the smallest language used by the shortwave service of the
BBC; life inside the country slows down every evening at 5:30 when the BBC
broadcasts the news. During the beginning of the civil war, the government
briefly tried to ban listening the BBC, but this move was a total failure.
While Somalia still had a functioning government, missionary work was
severely restricted. Bookshops were rarely able to sell Christian literature
or Scripture. Open preaching was never possible. After Somalia became a
“failed state” in 1991, opportunities to hear the Gospel message or obtain a
Bible have become even more difficult. This is likely to become even worse
with the spreading grip of the new Islamist regime.
However, thanks to the means of shortwave radio, Somalis still have the
opportunity to hear the life-changing message of the grace of God. Neither
sharia law nor violence can prevent these radio waves from penetrating the
Horn of Africa. Since 1974, those with radios [and the means to listen privately]
have been able to hear regular preaching of the Word. At present, there are
six different Christian broadcasts; two are nightly with a total of an hour. The
other four are heard on one or more evenings throughout the week.
As hundreds of thousands of Somalis have scattered across the world in their
Diaspora, many have been able to remain in contact with these broadcasts.
Sometimes listeners may not write for many years; contact is often renewed
in a totally different part of the globe.
Here is a translated excerpt of response from a listener. It demonstrates the
effects these broadcasts have as the Holy Spirit anoints the preaching of the
message of freedom and forgiveness through faith in the Messiah:
1 Corinthians 1:21 God was pleased through the
foolishness of what was preached to save those
who believe.
“...we have listened to your radio programs for the last five years...we
were unchanged in the first two years. Even the third year was
the same, although by then some doubts had entered our minds. However,
by the fourth year the Holy Spirit affected us, and we decided to think
objectively. We thank God that we could hear a word from you. It changed
our life completely and made our souls bold and joyful. What is the
word we heard from you? ‘Nobody is able to overcome Satan until he get
supports from the power of the Holy Spirit.’ That is the truth, because
immediately all our confusion was finished. Our lives become meaningful
from our decision, so we thank God for that. Know that we are feeling
that we are Christian four months although we are only Christian in “in
our hearts” because we have never read the Bible. Thus, we hope that you
will understand more about our need, and that you will send us the Gospel
book and the course One God, one way.“
Romans 10: 14 And how can they believe in the one of whom
they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone
preaching to them?
-
-
-
-
-
Commitment and gifting for the six teams producing Somali
Christian broadcasts
Guidance from the Holy Spirit to lead many Somalis to regularly
listen to these broadcasts
For providential opportunities for privacy for both seekers and
believers to listen safely
For isolated believers to be able to find each other so as to form
house churches
For open opportunities for follow up via email, post and visits to
listeners
24

Seekers
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek
me with all your heart.
Somali people have a great interest in gaining knowledge and are
passionate truth seekers. They can be found in chat rooms where
they seek spiritual knowledge and are engaged in anonymous
online bible correspondence courses. They are curious about
Christianity and Islam and usually have many questions. They
love to dialogue about faith and are not shy about confronting
the person with confusing questions during their conversations.
You can see it quite often happening that when somebody comes
in first contact with Christianity, that they usually get very
protective of their Islamic roots and make an external show
of their faith by expressing very traditional and strict rules of
Islam. They become much more conscious of the Five Pillars of
their faith, and the women make an outward show of conserving
themselves in veils and traditional clothing. Somalis who seek to
know more about the Christian faith, are much more comfortable
outside of their national environment and they are less fearful of
being stigmatized as a betrayer of their faith.
-
-
-
A Christian community, inside and outside of the country, faces
the challenge of answering spiritual questions and being ready to
testify about Jesus Christ.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Pray against the spirit of confusion and for the eyes of these
precious people to be touched supernaturally so they will see
the truth clearly
Pray that Christians will be ready to share the Good News
Pray for better access to Christian radio and TV programs in
Somalia
25

Dreams and Visions
Genesis 40:8 “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but
there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them,
“Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”
In the beginning of the 90s there was a sandstorm in Somalia where
hundreds of people saw the face of Jesus in this storm. After many
years, they are still testifying about it:
“I have had a dream!” Probably the most amazing phenomenon is
the powerful role that dreams and visions have played in drawing
people to Jesus. And just as how God prepared Cornelius to hear the
Gospel through a vision, He is preparing Somalis today in the same
way to respond to His good news.”
In the account of one believer, he had a dream of a figure that he
later believed to be Christ. The figure was robed in white and called
the man to come to Him. In another dream (which he relates to
the first), he recalls that the same figure’s arms were extended,
beckoning him.
In another account, a person who had suffered with severe headaches
was lying on his bed when a man with a beautiful, peaceful face
appeared. The stranger was dressed in white and walked to the head
of the man’s bed and touched him three times on the head. The next
morning his headaches were gone, and his son also encountered a
complete healing. The man now recounts with confidence, “I believe
in prayer in the name of the Christ.”
The great majority of dreams seem to fall into one of two broad
categories. The first could be considered the preparatory dream.
Like Christ appearing in a white robe, the vision confirms thoughts
or conversations one has been having about Christ or the Christian
faith. The second could be called the empowering dream. Here the
dream or vision commonly gives the believer strength in the face
of persecution. Short of persecution, it may embolden believers,
strengthening the nature of their witness.
Joel 2:28 And afterward, I will pour out my
Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will
prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your
young men will see visions.
Acts 10:3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision.
He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said,
“Cornelius!”
-
-
-
Pray that the people who saw the face of Jesus in the
sandstorm will be reminded about it and call out to HIM
Pray that people who have experienced Jesus in a dream will
seek to find Him and receive Him in their hearts
Pray that there will be many more dreams and visions of Jesus
among the Somali people, and that they will come to know
Him as their Lord and Saviour
26

Followers
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone
would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his
cross and follow me.”
Somali Believers can be found in different areas of the
country, and it is a beautiful experience to meet them. They
are often secret believers who live out their faith privately
and are not aware of where or who the other believers are.
Their clans or families often persecute anyone who makes
a commitment to follow Jesus. It is quite common to hear
of people being killed or tortured because of a decision to
change their faith; so Somali believers have a tremendous
fear of being discovered when they make a commitment to
the Christian faith.
One of the recent highlights in Somalia was the opportunity
that some of the Christians had to gather for a reconciliation
prayer event, where they were able to meet and fellowship
with other believers from different clans and areas. It was
powerful to see how they talked about their hurts and faults
and how people from different Clans entered into a special
time of forgiving each other.
These believers are very precious in the sight of the Father
who takes delight in them. Jesus himself is interceding day
and night for them, that their faith will not be stopped.
-
-
-
Mark 10:28 Peter said to him, “We have left
everything to follow you!”
I believe that the Somali believers who were able to forgive what
was done to them by other Somali clans, have a strong calling
and anointing to bring reconciliation to other people groups and
countries.
Matthew 4:19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you
fishers of men.”
Pray for Somali MBBs to grow in grace, strength and wisdom
Pray that they would have wisdom to plant seeds of faith in
the hearts of their families and friends and that whole families
and clans will become followers
Pray that they can follow the call to become fishers of men
themselves
27

Martyrs
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the
death of his saints.
“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church”.
This truth was witnessed in the Early Church and is a
testimony of the 21st Century Church, a truth, which
cannot be denied but is evident in the sacrificial life of
the missionary. In reflection of the last 20 years, we see
followers (native and expatriates) who have laid down their
lives for the gospel in Somalia. As we have already stated,
when a Somali makes a commitment to be a follower of
Christ, it is with the knowledge and understanding that he
is subject to death by his own family.
After observing the life of believers over a long period
of time, one Somali lady counted the cost and made a
commitment to serve Christ. She knew that it could cost
her everything and for a while lived her faith as a secret
believer, but eventually felt compelled to be a witness to
the people around her. She was a very joyful lady and she
saw it as a privilege to serve the Lord. After a couple of
years people saw her as a threat and decided to kill her
leaving a husband and small kids behind.
Revelation 7:14-15 And he said, “These are they who
have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed
their robes and made them white in the blood of the
Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and
serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on
the throne will spread his tent over them.
It is not easy to conceive with the natural mind why believers have to
suffer death because of their faith, but we have to believe that the
blood of the martyrs will not be in vain and out of this soil will come
fruit, fruit for eternity.
-
-
-
Pray for the family of martyrs who are left behind, to receive
the comfort of their Heavenly Father and be healed from
bitterness
Pray for those who are responsible for the killings of Christians
to be convicted with the fear of the Lord
Pray that a strong church in Somalia will emerge out of the
seed of the martyrs
28

Authority in Jesus
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and
blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual
forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
The Bible says that our fight is not against people but against the
spiritual forces of evil. In Somalia there is a demonic oppression that
is often experienced along with darkness and the actual presence of
demons. There is a spiritual stronghold of death, division, deception
and confusion that is very obvious throughout the land.
In the last 15 years family members who have shown no regard for
human life, counting it as worthless, killed thousands of people. Anger
often ends in death. The general mentality of the Somali children is to
exercise their right to kill anyone that they dislike.
The Somali proverb, which states ”I and Somali against the world; I
and my clan against Somalia; I and my family against the clan; I and
my brother against the family; I against my brother” is an example
of the division that exists in the land. This divisive mentality has
been experienced by many organizations that have found it difficult to
maintain team unity inside the country after experiencing team splits
and fragmentation. There have been news reports from the BBC and
New York Times, addressing the confusion that exists in the land, and
these reports are often times contradictory because of the confusion
and disunity that prevents the real truth from being reported.
Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and
scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will
harm you.
Jesus gave us authority to overcome the power of the enemy; now
let us take this authority in prayer and stand against these spiritual
forces.
-
-
-
-
Matthew 16:19 I will give you the keys of the
kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth
will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose
on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Pray that the spirit of death will be bound and the spirit of life
will be released in the name of Jesus
Proclaim John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and
destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to
the full.
Pray that Somali believers will utilize the vital weapon
of spiritual warfare and operate in the opposite spirit,
demonstrating in a practical way what reconciliation and living
in unity means
Stand in prayer against the spirit of confusion and proclaim the
truth in John 14:6 - Jesus answered, “I am the way and the
truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
me.”
29

Workers
Matthew 9:37-38 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “The
harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of
the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest
field.”
I have begun this Chapter with an appropriate song, titled ‘Soldiers’
Soldier, stand along the battle line
Far from the comfort of the water and the wine
Get your armor’ which is still so shiny and so new
But there will be a time,
Where it will be dirty from the battles you’ve been through
Soldier, keep your eyes straight ahead
Help the wounded, so it hurts to leave the dead
Keep your weapons and your spirit; get ready all the time
The lights go out, you lie down to rest,
Know that I’m proud of you I know you’ve done the best
Let me hold you for a while
Yes, you are a mighty warrior,
but don’t forget, you are still my child.
I am with you, when the world keeps charging in,
I will be with you until to the very end
Soldier, keep my flag flying high,
don’t let it fall in battle or be stolen in the middle of the night
Don’t you loose your battle cry,
If your arm is weak and weary I am strong by your side
This Song is an honest description of what frontline workers in Somalia and
similar regions are experiencing. If our only aim is to fight, then in the
end we will find ourselves fighting our brothers and sisters and forgetting
the most important thing. We are called to be rooted in the Father’s love
and to be confident in the knowledge that He is pleased with us and has
equipped us to serve Him according to the truth of His word.
Before the Civil War in Somalia many workers served in the educational
and Health Sectors. There was a remarkably high standard in Mission
Schools and Health Posts, and because of the good reputation of these
Christian workers, many Somalis were blessed
with their services. A vast majority of workers
served selflessly in various ministries and some
of them even gave their lives unto death. (Psalm
116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.)
Things have changed since the civil war, and access into the country
is far more difficult than it was before. Most workers are only given
a short-term entry. However, God has opened amazing windows of
opportunities and different doors through which Christian workers can
bring light and hope into a dark and hopeless country.
There have been numerous accounts, where people have left this
specific harvest field very discouraged and wounded.
Let’s take some time to seek our Father’s heart regarding the specific
needs of these workers and to ask for His anointing and strength to
bring in the harvest.
-
-
-
Pray for discouraged and weary workers to be restored and to
receive the revelation of the Father’s heart of how pleased He
is with them
Pray that many workers will be released into the harvest field,
which is ripe and ready for harvesting
Pray for endurance and perseverance to those who feel
called to serve the people in this land but are experiencing
discouragement from making their decisions
30