More Stories

Everywhere in the Arab world, women are crying, “Come over to us and help us” (see Acts 16:9).

For two years, TWR has given Arab women the help they need most through Project Hannah and its Women of Hope program. Generous donations from across the U.S. provided for training in 2011, production and airing costs leading to the January 2012 launch, and then for expansion to a second transmitter in 2013, ensuring that women in 22 countries can be reached.

If your impression of the average Arab woman is someone who feels shame and faces rejection, the Arabic Women of Hope producer says you are correct. Though many are well-educated, the vast majority of Arab women are in desperate need of hope. Unstable conditions over the past several years only made life worse for Arab women. Thousands are losing their husbands, sons, and daughters in war. They’re leaving their homes for life in tents in a strange country. They are being raped. Some in refugee camps are even resorting to marrying off their young daughters for money.

Each day, TWR broadcasts several hours of gospel messages in Arabic, and the women of the Middle East need radio. TV does not work as well for most of them. Radio is safe, cheap, and private. Many women write to TWR telling how they listen to Women of Hope and other broadcasts: in the bathroom or by putting a receiver under their pillow before they sleep. If anyone tells you radio is outdated, tell them, “No, it’s not."

Project Hannah’s global prayer movement of more than 40,000 intercessors includes Arab women and undergirds the Arabic Women of Hope broadcasts. The Arabic prayer ministry started with only 10 women in July 2010. By the end of 2013, it included more than 500 Arabic women from across more than five Middle Eastern countries. Though it would not be unusual to see that kind of participation in many other countries where prayer ministries are active, it is a surprisingly large number for the Middle East.

Why did Project Hannah start with a prayer ministry in 1997, and why is it so strong across the Middle East today? Because we pray to Jehovah in the name of our Savior, Jesus. We pray to a God who listens, not to a stone god with ears that cannot hear. So our prayers can move mountains, and this gives people hope.

TWR receives many testimonies about the good effects of the Arabic prayer ministry. The Arabic prayer coordinator herself shares, “I am deeply encouraged to pray for my sisters worldwide. I feel sad when I see the great need. But at the same time, I’m happy to know that my God is a mighty God to save. Women need each other in prayer more than anything else because prayer can take them through things even having money cannot fix. Women worldwide are troubled, confused, bewildered, depressed, and oppressed, but God will hear our cries when we stand in the gap on their behalf. God will come to rescue them from the power of the enemy because he cares. Prayer will change their situations and open doors for them. They will feel loved and not alone in this world. God will hold them, He will be with them. In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul encourages us that our work is not in vain. God promises that our labor and prayer, our sweat and tears, are not useless or wasted or in vain but will fulfill His purpose and bring Him glory. When we pray for others, we leave a legacy for future generations to follow. So keep up the good work, even if we don’t see results [with our own eyes]. We can be assured that God is working everywhere. The Lord is doing his will, and he is looking for someone to stand in the gap [in prayer].”

Adapted from presentations given by two Arab women who serve in Project Hannah's Arabic ministry.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

Read the entire Hannah's Heartbeat newsletter and download earlier newsletters as well.