This has been the most difficult to write post I have ever published. I am shocked by what my research has uncovered.
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18
Did you know that today more than 380 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith? Last year 4,476 Christians were killed for their faith.
After doing some research, I was surprised to discover that quite a few of my readers live in countries experiencing “EXTREME” or “VERY HIGH” persecution. They may be visiting your site, too! Here is a list of just some of those countries:
Extreme Persecution:
#3 Yemen – Many have fled the country. But Yemenis disillusioned with Islam are searching for truth and finding out about Christ through online chats with secret Christians.
#4 Libya – Christians who openly express their faith or try to share it with others risk arrest and violent opposition.
#6 Eritrea – For many years, government security forces have conducted house-to-house raids, arresting hundreds of Christians.
#7 Nigeria – More believers are killed for their faith in Nigeria than anywhere else in the world.
#8 Pakistan – Occupations that are deemed low, dirty and degrading – such as cleaning sewers or working in brick kilns – are reserved for Christians by the authorities.
#10 Afghanistan – Unfortunately, Christians in Afghanistan continue to live in a place where faith in Jesus can be a death sentence.
#11 India – Converts to Christianity frequently endure physical assaults and, in some cases, are killed.
# 12 Saudi Arabia – Bringing shame on the family by converting to Christianity is considered the worst thing a person can do, and they can be pressured, disowned, locked away, beaten, or even killed to restore the family’s honor.
#13 Myanmar – More Christians than ever have been driven out of their homes and have found refuge in churches or displacement camps. Some are even forced to flee to the jungle where they are often deprived of access to food and health care.
VERY HIGH PERSECUTION:
#14 Mali – Churches were burned down and many Christians lost their homes, had to flee the region, and still live under the threat of attack. Those living in areas controlled by militants have been denied access to water and land to grow crops.
#15 China – Children under 18 are forbidden from attending church. Officially registered churches are carefully regulated to make sure nothing they promote falls outside the Chinese Communist Party guidelines.
#17 Iraq – Attacks from Turkey and Iran have devastated predominantly Christian villages, forcing many to flee and leaving communities empty.
#18 Syria – As of September 2024, the Christian population in Syria was estimated to be 579,000 people. (No updates available)
#19 Algeria – The country has legal restrictions prohibiting anything that would ‘shake the faith of a Muslim’ or be used as a ‘means of seduction intending to convert a Muslim to another religion’.
#20 Burkina Faso – Christians have been targeted and killed and churches destroyed. Because of Islamist jihadist activity, hundreds of churches have been closed.
#21 Morocco – It is illegal to ‘shake the faith of a Muslim’, meaning that Christians who talk about their faith risk arrest and criminal prosecution. Distribution of Christian resources in Arabic (including Bibles) is also restricted.
#22 Laos – All gatherings must be reported to the Communist administration, forcing house churches to operate secretly as they are deemed ‘illegal gatherings’.
#24 Bangladesh – Radical groups have attacked Christian communities, especially converts. Homes were burned (including house churches) and some believers were driven underground. Life as a Christian in Bangladesh can be fraught with danger.
#25 Uzbekistan – The vast majority of people in Uzbekistan are Muslim, and new Christian believers from Muslim families bear the brunt of persecution—from both the state and also from their own families and communities. These new believers may be threatened, locked away, divorced, disowned or physically abused.
#26 Cuba – Church leaders who criticize the Communist regime can face interrogation, arrest and imprisonment. They may also suffer physical violence and losing custody of their children.
#27 Central African Republic – New believers can be ostracized, and violence has been used to pressure Christians to recant their faith.
#28 Niger – The presence of radical Islamist groups has led to frequent attacks and kidnappings, significantly limiting the freedom and safety of Christians.
#30 Nicaragua – Christians continue to have an influence in Nicaragua, and this is one of the reasons the government targets them – aiming not just to silence the church, but to undermine their credibility and prevent their message from spreading.
#31 Mexico – Although the majority of Mexico’s population is Christian, many believers live in danger of persecution, particularly from criminal gangs, drug cartels and indigenous groups.
TESTIMONIES FROM PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS
Meet “Anara”
[When my husband found my Bible], he assaulted me for hours, hitting and kicking my face, hands and legs while screaming distasteful names at me and saying that I betrayed him and the true god. He said that he provides for me and the kids, and only he has the right to decide which god I should believe. In my heart, I knew I was not suffering for nothing. I am suffering for the name of Jesus Christ.” – Anara*, a woman in Central Asia who became a believer from a Muslim background. Her husband discovered her secret faith, and she was forced to flee. Church members found her a safe place to rent with her children.
Meet “Elisabeth”
“We don’t know what peace is any more. We only know persecution.” ELISABETH*, A BELIEVER IN NIGER
Meet “Zahra”
I know that sometimes when I enter a house, I might not come back out… They could take you to the extremists, or the police station, and that is where the interrogation starts. They could even issue my death sentence… I cannot carry the Bible with me. They can search me at any checkpoint on the way, so I try to memorise as much as I can before my visits.” ZAHRA*, WHOSE CHRISTIAN FRIEND WAS SHOT IN THE STREET
Meet “Paulos”
We live in fear of who will be arrested next. Will it be another brother in Christ? Will it be me? But we must continue to walk with God. A BELIEVER IN ERITREA
Meet “Fatemeh”
They were tearing us apart, one by one. Every time we heard the doorbell, we feared it was the police. We still can’t forget the day when the police raided our house church, took some of us away, and forced the rest to sign a paper confessing we would never meet or engage in Christian activities again. FATEMEH, A BELIEVER IN IRAN
Meet “Tun Maung”
When dusk falls, we call everyone inside the house, we lock our doors and windows, light our lamps and candles, and stay as quiet as we can.
Meet “Naasima”
We believe that God is good all the time. He has never forsaken us, and our suffering is very precious to Him. We believe that He will make a way when there seems to be no way. NAASIMA*, A BELIEVER IN NORTH AFRICA
Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who suffer real persecution. You can learn much more about these Christians and how to pray for them on the Open Doors website.
(Data from The World Watch List, Open Doors’ annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution.)
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
(Featured image from Open Doors Ministry website)
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