If you want to know what is important to people in their daily life, look at how they spend their time! Not unlike the rest of the world, (social) media is increasingly important to most Omanis, spending on average 6 hours per day scrolling and posting. Most people in Oman use WhatsApp (even those who are illiterate, thanks to the possibility of sending and receiving voice messages) and likewise, Instagram is huge, used both personally and for business. TikTok is the latest rage, especially amongst the younger generation. Twitter is popular as well, often used for news and communicating events in real time, such as the 2021 employment protests in Sohar.

Based on Twitter and Facebook accounts, some of the most popular media figures in Oman are the Saudi activist Ahmad Al Shugairi, the first and (so far) only Omani football star Ali Al-Habsi, and the famous TV host Hamed al-Brashdi حامد البراشدي. Very telling is also the #1 Twitter account in Oman: دعاء (@Du3aa) where you find new Islamic prayer supplications (du'aa) to pray every hour. Many Omanis are also interested in free VPN providers, which can offer them a more or less secure way to surf the internet, unseen by the eyes of the government.

"Your heart will be where your treasure is." Matthew 8:21 NCV. We bless Omanis to devote their time, attention, and treasure to You, Jesus!

Today, let's pray for social media in Oman:

• Many Omanis seek to “shine” through social media. Pray that they will find what they are looking for in Jesus.
• Prayer is very important for many Omanis, even the non-obligatory prayers (du'aa). Pray that their supplications will be heard by God and that they will receive clear power, truth and love encounters with Jesus.
• Freedom of the press is limited in Oman. As a result, some people don’t know what to trust and are open for all kind of conspiracy theories. Pray that people will not get caught in the web of lies and half-truths that blind their sight.
• Via media outreach, Omanis can get in touch with the Word and with Christian messages easier than ever. Pray that these efforts will be richly blessed and that many Omanis will start to think about eternal realities.

Worship with us!: You Shine by Chris Tofilon. Jesus, You shine above all others!  

Matthew 18:14 Focus—‘Your Father in heaven does not want one of these little ones to be lost.’ 

Please bring these towns and villages before the Father:

Al-Uwaynat, Suhar district, Al-Batinah North region. Population: 405

As-Suhaylah ash-Sharqiyah, Suhar district, Al-Batinah North region. Population: 403

Kabyat, Suhar district, Al-Batinah North region. Population: 322

Al-Hijal, Suhar district, Al-Batinah North region. Population: 300

Al-Qarn al-Akhdar, Suhar district, Al-Batinah North region. Population: 300

Sayh Dhahr al-Kharij, Suhar district, Al-Batinah North region. Population: 279