Imagine not being able to tell anyone about the most important thing in your life—not your friends, not your neighbors, and not even your family. You mumble things under your breath and hide precious items under your mattress. If your secret got out, you could wind up in prison or dead.
That’s the reality for more than 380 million Christians around the world who live in countries with high levels of persecution. Going to church, owning a Bible, or even talking about Jesus could lead to serious consequences for these believers.
Each year, Open Doors releases the World Watch List, a ranking of the 50 countries where it’s most dangerous to be a Christian. Despite the threat of harm and discrimination, believers in these nations still seek to tell others about Jesus. There are many ways believers can help their persecuted brothers and sisters, one of which is to pray for them.
Here are the top five countries where Christian persecution is the most severe and ways you can pray for believers in these nations.
1. North Korea
North Korea has topped the World Watch List for 23 years because of the intensity of persecution Christians face there. Worshiping any deity outside of the family of Supreme leader Kim Jong-un is considered a threat to the country’s leadership. Anyone suspected of being a Christian could be killed on the spot or deported to a labor camp and treated as a political criminal. On top of that, families of Christians may also be punished, even if they aren’t Christians themselves. Even North Koreans who flee the country could be caught by spies and returned to the country for harsh punishment.
Because the North Korean government strictly controls every aspect of citizens’ lives, it is practically impossible for Christians to gather in a church community or speak to others about their faith.
Here is how you can pray for North Korean believers:
- Pray that the estimated 400,000 secret believers in North Korea will see God’s goodness while living in this oppressive nation.
- Pray that those who are persecuted will persevere and remain strong in their faith.
- Pray that believers can fellowship with one another without being discovered.
2. Somalia
An Islamic militant group known as Al-Shabab is committed to eradicating Christianity from Somalia. This means that those who are believed to be Christians could face house arrest, forced marriage, or death. Being Muslim is strongly tied to Somali identity. Since most Christians in Somalia are formerly Muslims, their conversion is seen as a betrayal of what it means to be Somali.
Here is how you can pray for Somali believers:
- Pray for God to protect believers from attacks from Al-Shabab.
- Pray that God would reveal Himself to Muslims in Somalia.
- Pray that the gospel will continue to spread despite persecution.
3. Yemen
Yemen has been torn apart by civil war, and the three powers that control the country discriminate against Christians. Believers in areas controlled by Islamic extremist groups are especially vulnerable. With Houthis gaining more power over the past year, persecution has increased. It’s dangerous to own a Bible or other Christian books in Houthi-controlled areas. Christians can face severe monitoring, imprisonment, discrimination, or death.
Because of the ongoing political instability and persecution, dozens of Yemeni churches can no longer gather.
Here is how you can pray for Yemeni believers:
- Pray for protection for Christians living in areas controlled by Islamic extremists.
- Pray for churches to meet safely and flourish in the midst of the country’s conflict.
- Pray that Yemeni believers will reflect Christ’s love in their demeanor and actions.
4. Libya
Libya is yet another country whose government is in transition. Islamic militant groups are known to brutally kill Christians, including foreign Christians, and those who convert from Islam face pressure from their families to renounce their faith. Christians are at risk of being arrested or attacked for their faith. Migrant believers who try to make it to Europe are often caught and either arrested or handed over to human traffickers.
Here is how you can pray for Libyan believers:
- Pray for political stability that will result in more protection for Christians.
- Pray that believers seeking refuge would be protected from Islamic extremists.
- Pray that Christians will find community and strengthen one another.
5. Sudan
War in Sudan has led to millions fleeing their homes and the world’s largest hunger crisis. Christians face discrimination and don’t receive much needed aid from their communities. More than 100 churches have been damaged in attacks, and many Christians have been abducted and killed. Muslim background believers could be attacked, imprisoned, or disowned by their families.
With churches, Christian buildings, and homes belonging to Christians being forcibly occupied, believers have few places to turn.
Here is how you can pray for Sudanese believers:
- Pray for an end to the war so that Sudan can continue on a path toward religious freedom.
- Pray for God to provide for believers who are marginalized and overlooked.
- Pray for God to encourage believers to share their faith with others.
Millions of persecuted Christians are in need of prayer every day. Continue to pray for these believers as the early Church did for Paul—that the message of the Lord will spread rapidly and that believers will be delivered from those who wish them harm (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2).
For more information on praying for the persecuted and the unreached, check out East-West’s prayer resources.