Category Archives: World Watchlist

Arrests in Hong Kong

After the arrest on Wednesday of several public figures, including Cardinal Zen, who has been fighting for the survival of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong, let’s pray…. Lord, we ask You, please, to draw near to every Christian who has been arrested or imprisoned for their faith. Let them feel You close and hearContinue reading “Arrests in Hong Kong”

Prayers for Cuba

In an explosion Friday at Havana’s historic Hotel Saratoga (featured photo), at least 27 people died and dozens were injured. Due to increased restrictions on churches by the ruling Communist Party, Cuba jumped from just off the top 50 most dangerous place for Christians (right at 51) last year to number 37 in 2022. “ChristianContinue reading “Prayers for Cuba”

China’s Headlines

China has held several headlines in the news lately, the most tragic of which is a plane crash yesterday, which cost the lives of all 132 people on board. As the Chinese also battle increased surveillance, persecution, Covid lockdowns, and tension with other countries, especially neighboring Taiwan, let’s pray today for this vast country onContinue reading “China’s Headlines”

Hope for the Stranded and Homeless

As I stood with other believers amid the rubble in the early morning, I watched a man load up his bicycle with what food he could carry. I wondered how he was going to ride that bike out of there with all the debris in the way, and where he planned to go, now thatContinue reading “Hope for the Stranded and Homeless”

Saudi Arabia

As we continue praying for war-torn Ukraine and Yemen, let’s lift up Saudi Arabia, which has been in the news this week due to a mass execution last Saturday. Practicing any religion other than Wahhabism (a strict form of Islam) is illegal in Saudi Arabia, and leaving Islam is punishable by death, which rates itContinue reading “Saudi Arabia”

War in Yemen

Since 2015, more than 10,200 children have been injured or killed in the war in Yemen. Within the last two years, more than 2,000 children recruited by Shiite rebels have died fighting. At least four million people have been forced to flee their homes, and 20 million people are now dependent upon aid in orderContinue reading “War in Yemen”

Oppressive Regimes

As we continue praying through Isaiah 51, let’s pray for righteousness, justice, salvation and hope (verse 5) to come swiftly to those who suffer throughout the world under oppressive governments, especially the top 10 most dangerous countries to follow Christ: Afghanistan North Korea Somalia Libya Yemen Eritrea Nigeria Pakistan Iran India Lord, may Your righteousnessContinue reading “Oppressive Regimes”

Praying LIFE over Nigeria

In 2021, an estimated nearly 6,000 Christians were martyred for their faith worldwide, 4,650 of those in Nigeria. “In much of northern Nigeria, Christians live their lives under the constant threat of attack from Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Fulani militants and criminals who kidnap and murder with few consequences. ISWAP andContinue reading “Praying LIFE over Nigeria”

Hungry Hearts

Last month, Islamic State militants clashed with Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces over a prison in northeast Syria holding more than 3,000 suspected IS militants. Now today, US special forces raided a village in northwest Syria in a counter-terrorism mission. Syria is #15 on Open Doors’ World Watchlist of most dangerous countries for Christians. The ChristianContinue reading “Hungry Hearts”

1.5 Billion Reasons to Pray

As the Chinese celebrate their New Year today and the opening of the Olympics approaches, let’s pray for this vast country of nearly 1.5 billion people, with 443 unreached people groups cut off from the Gospel by linguistic, cultural, geographic, political and other barriers. Due to an increase in persecution, China rose 26 places inContinue reading “1.5 Billion Reasons to Pray”

Starvation in Afghanistan

The UN has estimated a nearly 23 million Afghans are facing extreme levels of hunger and as many as one million children could die this winter from starvation. Let’s pray. Lord, we ask You, please, to have mercy on the people of Afghanistan. Be a Shield around every Christian. Hide them from those who seekContinue reading “Starvation in Afghanistan”

Fighting for Myanmar

Since a coup seized power from the elected government in Myanmar early last year, security forces have killed more than 1000 people, including at least 35 women, children and other villagers fleeing conflict on Christmas Eve. Minority people groups, many of which have converted to Christianity, face persecution because of an ongoing civil war thatContinue reading “Fighting for Myanmar”

Pray for North Korea

Two hypersonic-missile tests claimed to have been “successful” this week serve as a loud reminder to launch our own weapons of prayer (Ephesians 6:10-20) for this Communist country ranked most dangerous in the world for Christians. “Being discovered as a Christian is a death sentence in North Korea. If you aren’t killed instantly, you willContinue reading “Pray for North Korea”

Continued Prayers for Kazakhstan

With more than 164 dead and thousands injured in violent protests against the government last week, let’s continue praying for the people of Kazakhstan. Lord, as troops fill the streets and the future is uncertain, please awaken a hunger for true Peace in every heart. You created the peoples of Kazakhstan unique for Your purposes,Continue reading “Continued Prayers for Kazakhstan”

Pray for Kazakhstan

Of the nearly 19 million people in Kazakhstan, roughly 14 million have yet to hear the Good News about Christ. Let’s pray for a great movement of God in this nation, torn apart this week by deadly protests. “Kazakhstan’s government has steadily increased its control over religious expression in the country, which means increased surveillance,Continue reading “Pray for Kazakhstan”

The Hazara of Afghanistan

The Shi’ite Muslim Hazara have already lost more than half their population due to ethnic cleansing by Pashtun rulers and the Sunni Muslim Taliban over the years, but now that international troops have withdrawn, violence has increased all the more against this ancient people group native to central Afghanistan. Lord of Heaven and Earth, pleaseContinue reading “The Hazara of Afghanistan”

Afghanistan Today

Here is an update on the current situation in Afghanistan. Let’s continue to pray…. Lord, give those bent on violence and evil such a powerful encounter with Love that they fall on their faces before You as Paul did, repent, and become agents good instead. Acts 9. Grow within every lost person in Afghanistan aContinue reading “Afghanistan Today”

Pray for Myanmar

Since a coup seized power from the elected government in Myanmar earlier this year, more than 1000 people have been killed by security forces. In addition, friends of ours ministering in that area report that the effects of the pandemic have been devastating. As a result, I’m re-posting this today (originally posted April 8, 2021):Continue reading “Pray for Myanmar”

Pray for Afghanistan

Afghanistan is #2, second only to North Korea, on Open Doors’ 2021 World Watchlist of most dangerous countries for Christians. “How we survive daily only God knows. He knows because He has been kind to dwell with us. But we are tired of all the death around us.” secret Afghan believer Oh, Father, please haveContinue reading “Pray for Afghanistan”

Pray for Algeria

With the fires in Algeria this week, let’s pray for those who have lost homes and loved ones, that God will meet them in powerful ways, comfort them, supply their needs, give them a hunger to know Him, and make a way for them to hear the Good News, know His endless love and receiveContinue reading “Pray for Algeria”

Pray for China

With recent floods in China this week, Henan Province is reeling with devastation. Let’s pray for those who have lost loved ones. China has jumped six places from last year’s World Watch List. Persecution has increased so dramatically, in fact, that in just three years, it has risen 26 places on Open Doors’ list ofContinue reading “Pray for China”

Pray for India

Due to the current surge in both Covid and persecution of Christians, let’s pray for India, #10 on the 2021 World Watchlist of most dangerous countries for Christians. Lord, please make a way where there seems to be no way for food and provisions to reach those in need. Make Yourself known to each ofContinue reading “Pray for India”

Pray for Iraq

Iraq has risen from #15 in 2020 to #11 on the 2021 World Watchlist of most dangerous countries for Christians. “In this crisis we are once again reminded how weak we are as human beings and how much we need the Lord’s salvation.” — Father “Ammar” Father “Ammar” Lord, please be a Shield around everyContinue reading “Pray for Iraq”