Christian Persecution In The News
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Prayer Needs For Persecuted Christians
| Submit A New Request For Prayer A prayer for persecuted Christians can be a powerful act of support, asking for strength, courage, and perseverance for those facing violence and oppression. These prayers often ask for God’s presence, protection, and wisdom for both the persecuted and their persecutors, while also praying for peace and harmony among all people. You can also pray for boldness for believers to share their faith and for their suffering to be a witness to others, as seen in Bible verses like Philippians 1:12-13. View Archive Of Prayer Needs For Persecuted Christians |
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| Almighty God, we ask for your mercy on your servants who are persecuted for their faith. Grant them strength, perseverance, and courage to endure. Protect those who are imprisoned or tortured, and give them your peace amidst their suffering. Remind them that you are always with them, and let their witness to you be a powerful testament to your love. |
| Lord, we pray for the leaders of nations, that you would give them wisdom to work for peace and for those who persecute believers that their hearts would be transformed. May your Spirit open a path for harmony and freedom for all people. We pray for your grace to be united in truth and to always seek your will in our lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. |
| Pray that persecuted Christians would know the hope God gives (Ephesians 1:18). |
| Pray that Christians facing persecution would rely on God, and not themselves (2 Corinthians 1:7-9). |
| Pray that their witness would inspire those who plan to harm them (Acts 16:25, Luke 6:27-31). |
| Pray that God would provide for the physical needs of persecuted Christians (3 John 2). |
| Pray that persecuted Christians would fearlessly tell others about Jesus (Ephesians 6:20). |
| Pray that they would experience God’s peace, despite their weakness and current circumstances (2 Corinthians 12:9). |
| Pray that God would protect them, according to His will (Matthew 26:39). |
| Pray that God would ultimately rescue them out of dangerous circumstances (Psalm 91:15). |
| Pray that persecuted Christians would feel deeply connected to Jesus in their suffering (John 15:19-20). |
| Pray that they would be completely faithful and surrendered to God’s will (Revelation 2:10-11). |
| Pray that they would have wisdom and discernment for how to approach every situation (Matthew 10:16-18). |
| Pray that as they share in Christ’s sufferings, they would be able to rejoice in the hope God offers them (1 Peter 4:12-14). |
| Pray that persecuted Christians would have access to a Bible. |
| Pray for access to food and shelter. |
| Pray that God would give persecuted Christians the right words to say at the right time. |
| Pray that they would have opportunities to gather and that God would supply their needs for a community. |
| Pray for women who are socially vulnerable or have lost the custody of their children because of their faith. |
| Pray for courage for those who remain in their homeland. |
| Pray for comfort and hope for those who have been separated from each other. |
| Pray for those imprisoned. |
Why Muslims Persecute Christians
Africa Is The Most Persecuted Region Of The World
Africa is the world’s second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both aspects. It covers 20% of Earth’s land area and 6% of its total surface area. With 1.4 billion people as of 2021, it accounts for about 18% of the world’s human population. There are 54 different countries in Africa and thousands of languages.
Africa is considered by most paleo-anthropologists to be the oldest inhabited territory on Earth, with the Human species originating from the continent.
The Sahara is the world’s largest desert and covers the northern section of the continent. Central Africa is mostly rainforest. East Africa is tropical. There are vast savannahs populated by elephants, lions, cheetahs, and countless other animals.
Only 1 in every 300 Christians owns a Bible due to the extreme cost to ship them. A case of 24 Bibles costs $2,000 to ship to a remote village. FaithByTheWord has shipped thousands of Bibles to East Africa.
The average East African lives on $2 a day.
In East Africa, 75% of the population is under age 25 and by 2050 one-third of the world’s youth will live there.
East Africa is home to many of the world’s fastest growing cities and by 2100 the three largest cities on earth will be there.
East Africa has the most refugees and internationally displaced peoples in the world with over 22 million Africans having fled their homes due to violence, natural disaster, and persecution.
More than 1 in 3 adults cannot read. 55.1 per cent of all women are illiterate compared to 36.5 per cent of men. 22% of primary aged children are not in school.
The daily diet consists of lots of fish. Native to the tropical rivers and lakes of Africa, the Nile perch is the continent’s largest freshwater fish. Capable of reaching a maximum length of six feet, these fish typically range from two and a half to three and a half feet and may be caught from the bank of a river with hook and bait.
The African family consists of a man, a wife (or wives), and children. The family could also consist of adopted people from other families. Relatives from a family of the same descent or lineage form a kinship group. Various African families form the kinship system. It is not unusual for a family of 15 to sleep in the same grass hut.
More Christians live in East Africa than any other region and by 2060 forty percent of all Christians in the world are expected to live there!
Christians Face Persecution Worldwide
Christian persecution today is a painful reality for millions of believers around the world. While the Christian faith teaches love, peace, and forgiveness, many of our brothers and sisters face extreme hardships simply for following Jesus Christ. From violent attacks to legal restrictions, the high levels of persecution against Christians continue to rise.
Below are five examples of Christian persecution around the world today, showing the urgent need to pray, advocate and support those who suffer for their faith.
- Nigeria: violence and death at the hands of extremist groups
According to Global Christian Relief’s 2025 Red List, a groundbreaking collection of verified records on global religious persecution, Nigeria is the deadliest country in the world for Christians. In January 2025, Baptist Press noted that Nigeria led the world in verified killings and abductions related to persecution. Extremist groups like Boko Haram and Fulani militants continue to launch brutal attacks on Christian communities. Churches are burned, homes are destroyed and families are torn apart. The Nigerian government has struggled to stop the violence, leaving many Christians vulnerable.
Despite the danger, the Christian faith remains strong. As Romans 8:35 reminds us, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” Even in the face of relentless violence, Nigerian Christians continue to hold onto their faith and trust in God’s protection.
- North Korea: one of the most oppressive regimes for Christians
North Korea is known for its brutal suppression of religious freedom. Any expression of faith outside of state-sanctioned activities is met with harsh punishment. According to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), Christians in North Korea face imprisonment in labor camps, torture and even execution. Owning a Bible or gathering for worship can result in death.
Yet, the underground Christian church continues to survive. Believers secretly pass down scripture and meet in hidden places to worship Jesus Christ. In Matthew 5:10, Jesus reminds us, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The faith of North Korean Christians is a powerful testimony of courage and commitment.
- India: rising attacks from Hindu nationalist groups
Christian communities in India are increasingly under attack from Hindu nationalist groups. These groups target Protestant churches, harass Christians and push for laws that make it harder to practice Christianity. Some states have introduced anti-conversion laws that make it dangerous for believers to share their faith. Human Rights Watch reports that violence against Christians has been rising, with churches vandalized and pastors attacked.
In one incident in 2022, six Dalit-Christian women were arrested for praying at a party, with charges alleging they were attempting “forced conversion” of those around them. Over 300 similar crimes were alleged the previous year.
Despite the hostility, Indian Christians continue to stand firm. They are living examples of 2 Timothy 3:12, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Their faith and perseverance remind us to pray for religious freedom and justice for all believers in India.
- China: government crackdown on Christian worship
In China, the government’s “Sinicization” policy aims to bring all religions under strict state control. Amnesty International reports that Christian persecution in China includes church closures, surveillance of religious gatherings and the removal of crosses and Christian symbols. Protestant churches are especially targeted, with many pastors being detained for their faith.
Despite these restrictions, Christianity continues to grow. The underground church remains strong, and believers gather in secret to worship. Hebrews 13:3 urges us, “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” We must continue to stand with our persecuted brothers and sisters in China and pray for their protection.
- Pakistan: the misuse of blasphemy laws against Christians
In Pakistan, Christians face severe discrimination and persecution. The country’s strict blasphemy laws are often used to target religious minorities, including Christians. The U.S. Department of State’s Report on International Religious Freedom highlights cases where Christians have been falsely accused of blasphemy, leading to imprisonment or even mob violence. Many Christians also struggle with social and economic discrimination, making it difficult to find jobs or housing.
Yet, even in the face of injustice, Pakistani Christians continue to trust in God’s plan. As Jesus said in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Their strength in adversity is an inspiration to believers everywhere.
90% Of The World’s Christian Persecution Is In Nigeria
Nigeria is not a Christian country, but it is a country with a near-even split between Christians and Muslims. Christians and Muslims live in roughly equal numbers, with Islam dominant in the north and Christianity dominant in the south, though significant populations of both faiths can be found throughout the country. The constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and Nigeria is home to some of the world’s largest Christian and Muslim populations.
- Demographics: Approximately 46-50% of the population is Christian, while 46-50% is Muslim, depending on the source and year. About 2-8% of Nigerians practice other religions or no religion, including indigenous beliefs.
- Geographical distribution: The country is often described as having a Muslim North and a Christian South, but this is an oversimplification. Christians are the majority in the southern and some central regions, while Muslims are dominant in the northern regions, though both groups have significant minorities in all areas.
- Religious freedom: The Nigerian constitution guarantees freedom of religion and prohibits the government from establishing an official religion. Sharia courts are recognized for certain non-criminal proceedings in some states.
The death toll among Christians killed in Nigeria has been staggering. With more than 50,000 Christians killed, Central Nigeria has seen an increase in attacks, spreading beyond the northern regions. The Christian community faces relentless violence from extremist groups that target them for their faith. The central government’s failure to counteract this violence continues to fuel the crisis.
According to a report issued in August by the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety), an African nongovernmental group that documents human rights violations, in the first seven months of this year alone, more than 7,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria.
Numbers vary and are difficult to verify, but between 2009 and 2023 in Nigeria, Intersociety reports at least 52,000 Christians killed, 18,500 abducted and unlikely to have survived, and more than 20,000 churches and Christian schools attacked.
Christian Persecution Is Intensifying Dramatically
| Christian persecution has intensified dramatically over the past five years (2020-2025), reaching its highest point in three decades. More than 380 million Christians worldwide now face high to extreme levels of persecution and discrimination. This rise is characterized by increased violence, a growing number of countries with severe restrictions, and the specific targeting of Christian communities in regions like sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Key Trends and Statistics (2020-2025) Overall Increase: The number of countries categorized as having “extreme” or “very high” persecution levels has risen significantly, from 23 in 2015 to 55 by 2023. Geographic Hotspots: Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced a dramatic surge in violence, with Nigeria being particularly deadly. Other regions with high rates of persecution include Asia and the Middle East. Methods of Persecution: Persecution includes physical and verbal abuse, imprisonment, kidnappings, destruction of property (churches and homes), forced displacement, and murder. Data Highlights:1 in 7 Christians worldwide face persecution. In 2023, approximately 4,476 Christians were killed for their faith, with 69% of these deaths occurring in Nigeria alone. Over 14,000 churches and Christian properties were attacked in a single reporting period (October 2022-September 2023). Over 4,700 Christians were detained or imprisoned for faith-related reasons, with over 2,100 of those detentions occurring in India. Nicaragua was added to the list of countries with extreme oppression due to the mass detention and expulsion of clergy. |
| Primary Drivers of Persecution Authoritarianism: The rise of authoritarian regimes is a major threat to religious freedom. Jihadist Violence: Transnational Islamist militant groups, particularly in the southern Sahara region, have intensified their attacks, creating millions of refugees. Religious Nationalism: The increase of religious nationalism, such as Hindu nationalism in India, has led to rising attacks and anti-conversion laws targeting Christian communities. |
| Top 5 Most Hostile Countries (2025 Index) According to the Open Doors 2025 World Watch List, the five most difficult countries to live as a Christian are: North Korea Somalia Yemen Libya Sudan |
What You Can Do
| Educate yourself on where the church is being persecuted, what they are facing and how you can help. The Christian Broadcasting Network The Christian News Network Christianity Today |
| Financially support an organization working toward resourcing persecuted Christians. FaithByTheWord.org/Donate |
| Send a Christian in hiding their first Bible. FaithByTheWord.org/DonateBibles/ |
| Write letters to the government on behalf of persecuted Christians. Websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, Diplomatic Missions, and Offices Providing Consular Services |
| Write letters to those who are persecuted. Write a letter to a persecuted christian Write a note of encouragement to a Nigerian Christian |
| Help pay the legal costs to defend a Christian falsely accused. Defend Persecuted Christians |
| Help provide for a family whose father has been imprisoned or killed for his faith. (Help is given until they can find alternative means of support.) FaithByTheWord.org/Donate |
