Breakthrough is a monthly call to pray for the Arab world. In each edition we focus on a different country of the region, praying for breakthrough over a particular stronghold.

Welcome to the final Breakthrough of 2018, in which we focus on the country of Tunisia and the stronghold of Islamic fundamentalism. Thank you for your prayers throughout the year.

Time for something new

This is the last edition of Breakthrough. After five years, it’s time to shake things up a bit. We’ve been on a wonderful journey, learning about many different Arab nations and praying for God’s Spirit to work in people’s lives. Now it’s time to start a new prayer movement. Look out for details in January.

As you lift up Tunisia and its people, please also pray about next year’s prayer focus. We want to see churches take root and we believe that prayer is absolutely foundational to this.

Country focus: Tunisia

Key verse

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.(2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV)

About

Tunisian flagThe Republic of Tunisia sits on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, between Algeria and Libya. Its population is roughly 11.5 million, the majority of whom are Arab and Sunni Muslim.

Between 1881 and 1956, Tunisia was a French protectorate. Since independence, Tunisia has had five presidents. The last three have served since the revolution of 2011 when President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was ousted. Tunisia is one of the most secular states in the Arab world. Islam remains the state religion, but Tunisia prides itself on being a democracy.

Tunisia is one of the success stories of what is widely known as the Arab Spring. However, two terrorist attacks in recent years have had a major effect on tourism there. Only a few weeks ago, a woman blew herself up in the centre of Tunis, targeting a police checkpoint. No group has claimed to be behind this attack, but it is likely to be a further setback for Tunisia’s tourist industry.

Stronghold

Events across the Arab world have shaken the beliefs of many Muslims, including those of the Tunisian people. However, Tunisia has also seen a rise in Islamic fundamentalism, which keeps rearing its ugly head with terrorist attacks such as those mentioned above. About 6,000 Tunisians left the country to fight with ISIS in Syria, but at least 800 of these have returned. With this in mind, we’ll be praying against Islamic fundamentalism in Tunisia.

Prayer points

  • Pray for those who are being lured by groups such as ISIS. Pray that eyes would be opened to the lies, deceit and false promises made by people who have evil intentions.
  • Pray that the government and authorities would find ways of tackling terrorism that don’t involve the violation of human rights. Police have been known to torture suspects. This can in effect push individuals to embrace terrorism.
  • Pray for those who have returned from fighting in Syria. Pray that their experiences abroad would make them yearn for something new – a personal relationship with a loving God through his Son, Jesus Christ.
  • Give thanks that Tunisia has made great progress as a nation and pray for its leaders to have much wisdom in taking the country forward.
  • Pray that many Tunisians would open their hearts to Jesus. Pray that Tunisian Christians would be ready to welcome and nurture new believers as the church grows in this thirsty land.

We would also encourage you to watch this video, shared by kind permission of Prayercast.