20 Years Imprisoned for Their Faith: Eritrea

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An estimated 400-1000 Christians face torture and death in Eritrea’s prisons today because of their faith. Let’s pray by name for these listed by Church in Chains who have been in prison for two decades already:

• Mussie Ezaz (m, evangelist and youth leader, Asmara), since 2008
• Rev. Gebremedhin Gebregiorsis (m, Eritrean Orthodox priest, theologian, Medhane Alem Bible study group), since 2004 
• Dr. Kiflu Gebremeskel (m, 67, chair of Eritrean Evangelical Alliance), since 2004
• Rev. Dr. Futsum Gebrenegus (m, Eritrean Orthodox priest, psychiatrist, Medhane Alem Bible study group), since 2004
• Pastor Meron Gebreselasie (m, Eritrean pastor, anesthetist), since 2004
• Rev. Dr. Tekleab Menghisteab (m,61 Eritrean Orthodox priest, physician, Medhane Alem Bible study group), since 2004 
• Rev. Haile Naizghe (m, World Vision, Full Gospel Church chair), since 2004
• Pastor Kidane Weldou (m, Full Gospel Church, Gideons International, biology teacher), since 2005

Eritrean security forces often raid homes to arrest Christians who are not members of the three denominations officially recognized — Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran. But even these are monitored closely, as you can see by the Orthodox priests on the list above. Normal procedure is to torture and even kill Christian prisoners who do not renounce Jesus. Many are held indefinitely in shipping containers in the desert, enduring scorching temperatures by day and freezing at night.

“In Eritrea, daily life is heavily monitored, with phone calls and internet usage under constant scrutiny. Eritrea is often called the ‘North Korea of Africa’ due to extreme state control. Christians, especially those not recognized by the state, suffer the most. Extreme pressure, state-sanctioned violence and conscription are forcing some Christians to flee the country. Conscription presses young Christians into indefinite military service without the right to conscientious objection,” says Open Doors’ 2025 World Watchlist.

Lord God, we ask You today for Mussie, Gebremedhin, Kiflu, Futsum, Meron, Tekleab, Haile, Kidane and all Christians imprisoned for their faith in Eritrea. Protect them from harm. Heal their wounds and shield them from illness and fatigue. Provide for all their needs, for food, water, shelter and hope. Strengthen their faith. Remind them of Your Word, and let them feel You near. Speak comfort to them, and empower them to share Your love, even in the face of hunger, thirst, fatigue and torture. And please, Lord, miraculously make the way for their immediate release. Be Light in the darkness of Eritrea, so bright that every heart is drawn to You like moths to a flame. Hide believers from those who wish to do them harm. Deepen their love. Teach them all the more how to trust in You. Empower them with Your Spirit. And SHINE. Fill Your people with such peace and joy, even in the midst of terrible persecution, that everyone around them will wonder in awe and ask questions that lead to their salvation. Surround every Christian with Your angel armies. When persecutors raise a weapon to beat or harm one of Your precious children, open their eyes to see You standing there, towering over them, shielding those who love You and offering forgiveness and salvation to evildoers who repent. Invade the dreams of those with evil intent. Visit them in visions throughout the day. Give them a Saul-like encounter with You (Acts 9) so powerful they drop all their weapons of hatred and violence, and fall trembling at the feet of Love. Transform persecutors so dramatically by Your love and grace, they boldly advocate and arrange for the release/escape of hundreds of believers from prison and stand in the way of further arrests. Bring forth such a movement of persecutors to faith that the government drops its quest to kill, and chooses instead policies and laws that bring forth life. Raise up into positions of power those who will bless the citizens of Eritrea, not perpetuate their suffering; who will open the way for freedom of religion and for Your gospel to spread to every corner of the country. Give Christians strength to stand strong in the midst of suffering. Especially new believers and children. Meet them in powerful ways, as they are forced to fight in conflicts not their own, as they suffer dehydration, hunger and extreme temperatures in jail cells. As they endure beatings and torture, stand as their Shield, bearing the blows for them that otherwise would be unbearable. Fill them with compassion and forgiveness for those who torture them, and give them the words that bring forth life in the barren deserts of hearts so bent on evil and death. As their persecutors force them to renounce their faith or die, empower Christians to look to You and SHINE with the light of Your glory (Acts 7), so that all can see. Thank You, Jesus, for those honored now in Heaven because they gave their lives for the One who gave His life for us.

Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who have served nearly 30 years in a dark area of the world where Christians are persecuted. They 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:

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