Persecution Sunday

Today, a week after Pentecost, is set apart as Persecution Sunday. Pray together with us for millions of believers around the world who face violence, arrests and even death for their faith in Jesus.

In 2024, Open Doors’ World Watchlist reports 4,476 Christian martyrs, 3,100 of whom died in Nigeria at the hands of Fulani tribesmen and Muslim extremists last year. As high as that count is, praise God, it is nearly 1,000 less Nigerian martyrs than 2023’s count of 4,118. Prayer makes a difference!

At least 4,744 Christians were arrested or imprisoned for following Jesus in 2024. In India, 1,629 Christians were detained without trial and at least 547 were sentenced to prison. Other countries imprisoning Christians for their faith include Eritrea, Bangladesh and Iran.

This past year, several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa experienced a rise in violence against Christians. In fact, eight of the top ten deadliest places for Christians are in that region—and all of them (except Nigeria) saw more martyrs than during the previous year. In addition, about 16.2 million of the 34.5 million displaced people in Sub-Saharan Africa are Christians.

In total, more than 380 million Christians underwent high levels of persecution for their faith in 2024: 1 in 7 Christians 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. Yemen – Tribal punishment for denouncing Islam can mean death or banishment
4. Libya – Lawless attacks on Christians make church life nearly impossible
5. Sudan – Hundreds of churches closed or destroyed, and Christians kidnapped, raped
6. Eritrea – Christians face imprisonment and torture to renounce Christ
7. Nigeria – Most of last year’s martyrs worldwide died here, murdered by Fulani, Muslims
8. Pakistan – Mosque leaders incite thousands of Muslims to attack Christians
9. Iran – Converting from Islam is illegal, Christians detained, tortured
10. Afghanistan – Afghan Christians detained, tortured, killed

More Persecution Trends:

• “After more than a decade of war, disaster and relentless crisis, the church in SYRIA has diminished significantly. Emigration is actively changing what the church looks like—from an ancient, large minority population, to a much smaller, more endangered Christian community.
• “Following the Israeli-Hamas war that began in October 2023, Christian communities in GAZA and the WEST BANK have come to the brink of extinction. In Gaza, at least 33 Christians were killed, and most houses destroyed during the violence. Many Christian families have moved abroad or are trying to leave.
• “The church in AFGHANISTAN is deeply underground, and since there are fewer visible expressions of Christianity, the Taliban authorities have nothing to crack down on.
• “All Protestant churches in ALGERIA have been forced to close, leaving none that can be targeted for closure.
• “In CHINA, unregistered churches, once tolerated by the government, are now considered illegal as authorities enforce regulations. State-approved churches are under stronger ideological pressure and new laws send pastors into indoctrination sessions, where they are urged to preach accordingly. Smaller congregations are either forced to merge into a larger church that is easier to control, or to take their fellowships underground, into isolated home groups.”

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.

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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