Weekly Prayer Update
Friday, March 20, 2026
Conflict Continues to Widen in the Middle East and Holy Land
Across the Middle East and the Holy Land, conflict is escalating, and families are facing urgent needs. Airstrikes, displacement, and ongoing uncertainty are disrupting daily life and limiting access to food, medicine, and safe shelter.
In Lebanon, more than one million people have been displaced from the south and the suburbs of Beirut. Local Nazarene churches, along with a Nazarene school and clinic, are already responding by providing essential food and medicine. As costs for basic goods continue to rise and access becomes more limited, families are struggling to meet even the most basic needs. Many are also experiencing repeated trauma after living through conflict and displacement before.
In many places, children’s lives have been upended. School closures, long hours in shelters, and ongoing fear are taking a toll. Church leaders are responding not only with physical support but also by creating spaces of care, stability, and peace for children and families.
You can support the efforts of churches in the region to provide care in the midst of crisis. Give here: ncm.org/middleeast
Our God, we pray for those who are living in harm’s way in the Middle East and the Holy Land. We simply pray today for peace. Move in the hearts and minds of all who would wage conflict, protect children and displaced families, and connect the compassion of local churches to those who are most in need. Lord, hear our prayers.
Hunger Grows in Cameroon
Millions of people in Cameroon are facing a deepening food crisis, with more than 3.3 million unable to consistently access enough food. Many families are already skipping meals, selling belongings, and taking on debt just to survive. In the hardest-hit areas, nearly two-thirds of households are experiencing severe food insecurity. As a result, risks of malnutrition and long-term developmental harm continue to rise.
The situation is expected to worsen due to reduced harvests caused by flooding and erratic rainfall. Ongoing displacement, affecting more than half a million people, is adding further strain to already fragile conditions. Although food may still be present in markets, it is out of reach for many due to rising costs.
The Church of the Nazarene is active in Cameroon, and two child development centers are providing care for more than 100 children, offering a chance at education and a more hopeful future.
Lord, when Jesus fed the hungry, he reminded us that you care for our physical needs. We lift up to you today those in Cameroon who don’t know from where their next meal will come. We know their suffering is acute and won’t be easily relieved. Comfort those who are hungry. Swiftly move aid to the most vulnerable. Bolster the work of the leaders at the Nazarene child development centers. Through those ministries, may children and their families find protection, help, and hope in you. Lord, hear our prayers.
Praising God for the Guatemalan Health and Development Ministry
In the Q’eqchi region of Guatemala, across seven Nazarene districts, a community-based program is helping address serious health and economic challenges among indigenous families. These communities face high rates of preventable disease, maternal and infant mortality, and malnutrition, made more difficult by limited access to care.
The program covers a wide range of activities. Recently, trained youth volunteers led a four-month “Family Academy” for children ages 3 to 6 who were not yet in school, teaching basic literacy while also coaching parents (many of whom have limited education themselves) to support their child’s learning at home. Earlier in the year, 160 girls participated in hands-on soap-making training, building a practical skill that supports hygiene and offers future income opportunities. Nazarene pastors and local leaders have been trained in health and community care, strengthening their role as trusted guides who help families adopt healthier habits and avoid the spread of infectious diseases.
The program is also strengthening economic stability, especially among women. A total of 12 savings groups, made up of 660 women, provide ways for participants to work together to save, access small loans, and grow their incomes through small businesses. Together, these groups manage approximately $480,000 USD in savings and interest. As a result, women are better able to provide for their families, and communities are experiencing increased stability as more households develop reliable sources of income.
Lord, we praise you for this ongoing health and development project in Guatemala. We give thanks for its focus on reaching families where access to traditional care isn’t an option. Continue to grow the health and stability of project members. Thank you for the pastors who have stepped up to nurture their congregants’ physical well-being alongside their spiritual lives. Lord, hear our prayers of thanks.