Imprisoned Pastor Pens Worship Song

Andrew Brunson
Photo: Release International

Pastor Andrew Brunson is still behind bars in Turkey -- a year after he was initially arrested -- yet his faith remains strong. The American pastor faces four life sentences, based on allegations that he was involved in a plot to overthrow the Turkish government, even though he strongly denies these charges. (For more information on this case, click here.)

Even still, in the midst of intense persecution and pressure, Pastor Andrew has been inspired to write a worship song to our Heavenly Father. The following stanza reflects his unrelenting faith:

"You are worthy, worthy of my all.
This is my declaration in the darkest hour.
Jesus, the Faithful One who loves me, always good and true,
You made me Yours, You are worthy of my all.
I want to be found worthy to stand before You on that day,
With no regrets from cowardice, things left undone,
To hear you say, 'Well done, My faithful friend, now enter your reward.'
Jesus, my joy, You are the prize I'm running for...."

As Pastor Andrew continues to serve his sentence within the confinement of a prison cell, we pray that he will keep this song of worship in his heart while awaiting God's divine intervention. In the days ahead, may he and his wife Norine be constantly reminded that they are not forgotten by the Lord, nor by fellow believers who are rallying in prayer for his deliverance from imprisonment.

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  • Country Information

    Population
    83,593,483 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Turkish (70-75), Kurdish (19), other minorities (7-12)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (99.8), other (0.2)

    Leader
    President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (2014)

    Government type
    Parliamentary republic

    Legal system
    Civil law system derived from various European continental legal systems

    Sources: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Turkey

    Prayerfully uphold those who have had their churches and places of worship taken over by a government that does not represent their beliefs, values or ordinances. Ask the Lord to oversee the mediation process as church officials and government representatives endeavour to work out a solution that is both honouring to Him and fair to all the members of the various churches. Despite the challenges experienced by the believers of this country, may they have a sense of God's reassuring presence and peace, knowing that one day He will reign supremely and justly over the entire earth.

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    The grounds of the church where the shooting took place.
    Santa Maria Catholic Church

    On the morning of January 28th, two gunmen entered the Santa Maria Catholic Church in Istanbul, Türkiye. Wearing masks, the men walked into the church, shot into the air, and then killed one person. Security footage shows the gun apparently jamming just before the men left.

  • Asylum Seekers Face Deportation
    Ninous Italiaee with his wife and child.
    Pastor Ninous Italiaee’s family before his detainment.
    Photo: Article18

    In the wake of the recent devastating earthquake, the focus of the world lately has been on Türkiye and northern Syria where, at the time of composing this Persecution & Prayer Alert report, more than 20,000 people have died as a result of the catastrophe. In addition, tens of thousands of survivors have been left homeless amid the cold of winter. Reports from Christians in an affected area reveal the extensive suffering taking place due to the loss of loved ones and the tremendous need for surviving victims to receive blankets, food and other important necessities required to sustain life.

  • Foreign Christian Workers Expelled
    Joy Subasiguller - Photo: Facebook / Joy Subasiguller
    Joy Subaşıgüller and her family
    Photo: Facebook / Joy Subaşıgüller

    Last year, at least thirty-five foreign Christian workers were expelled from Turkey, as their permits had been either revoked or denied renewal. So far this year, the number of those forced to leave the country has already reached sixteen. The latest of those workers are Joy Subaşıgüller and Pastor Zach Balon, both from the United States.

  • Teacher Dismissed for Social Media Posts
    Kusadasi, Turkey
    Kusadasi, Turkey
    Photo: Wikipedia / jpitha (c)

    A Christian teacher has been dismissed from her teaching job after the press accused her of conducting missionary activities through social media. Esma Bağci Kaya had been teaching religion and morality at the Hasan Fatma Onal Anadolu High School, a private school in Kusadasi, for the past two years.