Over recent years, North Korea’s President Kim Jong Un has inserted himself into the news time and again with his missile launches and tests, trash balloons, soldiers joining Russia in the war against Ukraine, and meetings with world leaders of other oppressive governments.
As we prepare for tomorrow’s International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, let’s launch our own weapons of warfare prayer (Ephesians 6:10-20) for this Communist country ranked #1 on Open Doors’ World Watchlist of most dangerous countries in the world for Christians, where an estimated 50,000-70,000 believers in Christ are currently imprisoned.
“North Korea is arguably the most dangerous place on earth to follow Jesus. If someone is discovered to be a Christian, the consequences are unimaginably stark: either imprisonment in one of its notorious labour camps, with little hope of release, or immediate execution. The same fate is likely to await other family members.,” writes Open Doors for their 2026 World Watchlist.
“Recent years have seen conditions worsen further for North Korea’s secret believers. This is largely due to the ‘anti-reactionary thought law’, introduced in 2020, which made it even clearer that being a Christian and owning a Bible is regarded as a serious crime. The law has reinforced just how much of a threat Christianity is seen to be by the country’s unbending regime.”
Despite these dangers, the underground church in North Korea is alive. It worships not with sound, but with whispered prayers and memorized Scripture. Believers continue to follow Christ with quiet courage, deep faith and a willingness to give everything for the sake of the gospel.
A NORTH KOREAN CHRISTIAN
Even North Koreans who manage to escape the country aren’t safe. In fact, China works in partnership with North Korea to return refugees. See this post:
North Korea has been closed to the world for so many decades that little news from persecuted believers reaches the outside world. To read letters to us written by North Korean Christians and smuggled out of the country, click here.
“I ask those who have been praying for North Korea from all around the world to pray for North Korea to be able to come to the Gospel. The North Korean citizens are like slaves. With the light of the Lord, they would be freed.”
North Korean Christian, “Hee-Yol” (OpenDoors.org)
- “Pray for Kim Jong-un and his family. Ask God to change their hearts – knowing that He did the same for the Apostle Paul.
- “Communities of faith in North Korea are often small gatherings of families or close friends. Pray that God would protect these beautiful expressions of His church, and that these believers would sense God’s perfect peace.
- “Pray for those believers in North Korea affected by a lack of food, that God would help them find the food they need. Pray that they would be given opportunities to wisely share the gospel by caring for others in similar circumstances.”
Lord, please wrap Your arms around every persecuted Christian, especially those who suffer in prisons and labor camps. Keep them warm. Provide for all their needs. In fact, provide for them so abundantly they will share of those provisions with the lost around them, showing them what it looks like to follow the God of Love. Shield, strengthen and rescue those who are in danger or suffering under heavy loads. Let them feel Your presence so near that faith, hope and love radiate from them, drawing others to You. Strengthen their faith and give them courage to forgive those who seek to torture and kill them and their family members. Speak so powerfully, performing signs and miracles and wonders by Your mighty hand, that the fame of Your name races across the nation like wildfire, bringing with it the good news of salvation and igniting every heart with desire for the One who sets them free. God of Miracles, we ask You to perform a miracle in the hearts of North Korea’s leader and all those bound to obey him. Whenever they raise a gun, hand or other weapon against a Christian, stand in the way, blocking the blow. Be a Shield so real that the bullets and blows ricochet off and hit those bent on evil. Let every oppressor see Your angels standing in front of believers, guarding them gloriously. Meet President Kim and other persecutors in their dreams, bind up the demons that control them, break through the darkness of their hearts and minds with Your light. Ignite within them such a fear of You and hunger for Your love that they will repent, choose salvation and let You set them free. Release the captives, O God, especially every Christian in labor camps and prison. Bring a swift end to the reign of terror. Lift the clouds of darkness and awaken every heart in North Korea to You. Isaiah 51:7-16. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Stay plugged in to what’s going on around the world here at the Prayer Wall, where we are praying daily for persecuted Christians, whole nations lost without Christ, our own families and communities and more. To get the daily prayer guides in time for your morning quiet times with God, enter your email address in the space below:
About the author: Mikaela Vincent and her husband have served the Lord for many years a dark area of the world where Christians are persecuted and few have heard the good news about Christ. They 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 giving a donation, shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore, praying for them or inviting them to speak at your church, retreat or other event, click the buttons below:
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