Sudan: #5 Most Dangerous Nation for Christians

As we prepare for Sunday’s International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, let’s lift up our brothers and sisters facing extreme violence, persecution and hunger in Sudan, ranked #5 on Open Doors’ World Watchlist of most dangerous countries in the world for Christians to live.

At least 100 churches have been damaged or destroyed in Sudan since the start of the brutal war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces in 2023. Such violent assaults on Christians by both warring sides, as well as other Islamic extremists, ranks the 93% Muslim nation in North Africa among the top five most dangerous countries for Christians.

RSF air strikes on the Sudanese Episcopal Church, the African Inland Church, and the Roman Catholic Church in El Fasher, North Darfur June 9-11 killed at least five, including a priest. Father Luka Jumu “was known for his dedication to his community and his efforts to promote peace and unity among Darfur’s diverse population. His death has been mourned deeply by his congregation and the wider Christian community.” (International Christian Concern, July 14)

Then on July 8, the SAF and police used bulldozers and trucks to tear down the Pentecostal Church building in El-Haj Yousif, East Nile District, Khartoum North. (ICC, July 25)

The war has terrorized Christians, Muslims and other people groups in the area, killing an estimated more than 150,000, and displacing more than 12.3 million. Christians, who make up 4.5 percent (about two million) of Sudan’s 43 million, have faced attacks from both Muslim militants and fellow refugees, as they flee the violence.

In 2011, 56% Christian South Sudan became an independent state, but many South Sudanese remained in Sudan, where they are seen as a religious and political threat. Earlier this month, more than 100 predominantly Christian South Sudanese women were deported from Khartoum. At least 61 were separated from their children in the process. Praise God, as of the end of last week, at least 71 children have now been reunited with their mothers. (Morning Star News, October 24)

Read more persecution news from Sudan here:

Prayer for Sudan

Lord, please be a Shield around every Christian, protecting them from harm and bringing their families to safety. Provide for all their needs and bring Christian pastors and aid workers to them and to the lost to bring healing and share the gospel. Make Your people a beacon of light in the midst of so much darkness, shining the way to salvation and eternal life, and showing the lost abundant love, joy and peace that can be ours in Christ, even in such tragedy. For those who have witnessed and endured terrible torture and abuse, please heal their hearts and minds. Be merciful to them, O Father. Set them free from nightmares, panic and fear. Plant deep within them faith, hope and love so fierce, fear must flee. Bring to justice those who rape, torture and kill. Replace lies with Truth, hatred with a desire for Love so strong extremists will lay down their weapons, repent and seek Your salvation. Give all Muslims a craving for a better way, for salvation, for a God who loves, heals and restores, for a nation that blesses its people, rather than destroying them. Meet Muslims in their dreams and give them visions of You. Open their hearts to Truth and give them courage to leave their traditions to follow Christ. Lift the veil from their eyes so they will see You as You truly are. Save lost Muslims by the millions, Lord. Make a way for the Bible to be translated into the languages of all 141 people groups yet unreached with the gospel. Multiply Your church and awaken every mind and heart to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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