Worldwide Persecution Trends

Join us for 30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening, March 11-April 9, 2024.

Last year, Open Doors’ World Watchlist counted 4,998 Christian martyrs, 82% of whom died in Nigeria at the hands of Fulani tribesmen and Muslim extremists.

In addition, some 14,766 churches and other Christian properties worldwide were attacked, a number seven times higher than the year before, Much of that was due to mob violence in India, church closures in China, and violence in Nigeria, Nicaragua and Ethiopia. Those and wars like the one in Myanmar have accounted for 295,000 Christians displaced from their homes, which is more than double 2022.

In fact, more than 365 million Christians underwent high levels of persecution for their faith in 2023: 1 in 7 worldwide, 1 in 5 in Africa, and 2 in 5 in Asia.

This year’s top ten most dangerous countries for those who love Christ:

1. North Korea – Christians face the death sentence
2. Somalia – Muslim extremist group al-Shabab seeks to eradicate Christians
3. Libya – lawless attacks on Christians make church life nearly impossible
4. Eritrea – Christians face imprisonment and torture to renounce Christ
5. Yemen – tribal punishment for denouncing Islam can mean death or banishment
6. Nigeria – 82% of last year’s martyrs worldwide died here, murdered by Fulani, Muslims
7. Pakistan – Mosque leaders incite thousands of Muslims to attack Christians
8. Sudan – hundreds of churches closed or destroyed, and Christians kidnapped, raped
9. Iran – converting from Islam is illegal, Christians detained, tortured
10. Afghanistan – Afghan Christians detained, tortured, killed

Lord, we ask You for Christians all throughout the world who are undergoing persecution at this time. Give them strength and courage to endure, forgive, love, and proclaim Your Good News, even in the face of great hardship. Give them wisdom every moment to know what to do, where to go, what to say; and empower them, Lord, to be lights in the darkness, pointing every heart to the glory of Your love. 

For those who are imprisoned or facing imprisonment or torture, rescue them and their families, please, Lord, by Your merciful hand. Deliver them in such miraculous ways their persecutors will fall to their knees in worship of the One True God. May Your Kingdom come, Lord, here on earth, as it is in Heaven. 

And for those of us throughout the world who are facing each of our own difficulties and hardships, make us bold witnesses. Anoint and empower us to share Your love every moment in ways that will spark deep hunger in the hearts of the lost around us to know the God of Love. 

For the day has come now, Lord, where You are bringing the nations to our own neighborhoods. Give us courage to reach out and love. Tear down every barrier, and bring the lost to You. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

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For the prayer devotional 30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening, Volume 2, the deep Bible study workbook in Chinese and English, A Strong and Courageous Life, and other resources for all ages on overcoming trials and walking in Christ’s freedom, visit MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com

Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through a donation, or by shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore, click the buttons below:

Any proceeds this author receives from the sale of the deep devotional Bible studies and other MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com books mentioned in this post go to shining Christ’s light in the darkness and seeing the nations come to Him. 

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