It's hard to believe that in 2022, 360 million people are suffering for their decision to follow Jesus. But the newly released 2022 World Watch List reveals that Christian persecution is the worst it has been in modern history.
For the first time in 20 years, North Korea has been overtaken by another country as the most dangerous country for believers. But North Korea has not gotten any better for Christians. Everywhere else has just gotten worse, including North Korea.
Afghanistan is now No.1. And there's good reason for it. Five months after the Taliban took control of the country in August 2021, Afghan Christians (both inside and outside the country) continue to ask us to pray. They tell our local partners they are scared.
Saad, one of the few secret believers who has stayed in the country, shared: "The list has been circulated with our names on it. Some of us have been killed. Some have been kidnapped, some have disappeared. It feels like the morning after a massive cataclysmic explosion."
Nigeria also rises on the list from No 9 to No 7 - coming in as the most violent place in the world for Christians. The country accounts for 79% of the deaths of believers killed for their faith.
Pastor Jeremiah, whose village in northern Nigeria was attacked by Fulani militants, shares: "When we go to sleep at night, we are never sure whether we will make it alive to the next day."
Now, more than ever, our persecuted family need our prayers. Saad's wife Fatima shares a beautiful picture of prayer and how it brings us together as one Church and one Family: "When you pray, you meet us in the room of God's throne where we can have communion"
Please pray that believers can stand strong in the face of discrimination and persecution. Ask God to protect and strengthen them when trials come.
Pray for our local partners throughout the world who are on the ground, often the first ones to respond when Christians are attacked and arrested.
Pray for Open Doors teams as they work with these partners to identify and meet needs where the Church is suffering.
Pray that in 2022, millions of Christians would receive Bibles and deepen their faith as they read God's Word and walk with Him.
Thanks so much for praying, Elohim bless you for your faithfulness to His commands. Prayer taken from Open Doors USA text alert.
For the first time in 20 years, North Korea has been overtaken by another country as the most dangerous country for believers. But North Korea has not gotten any better for Christians. Everywhere else has just gotten worse, including North Korea.
Afghanistan is now No.1. And there's good reason for it. Five months after the Taliban took control of the country in August 2021, Afghan Christians (both inside and outside the country) continue to ask us to pray. They tell our local partners they are scared.
Saad, one of the few secret believers who has stayed in the country, shared: "The list has been circulated with our names on it. Some of us have been killed. Some have been kidnapped, some have disappeared. It feels like the morning after a massive cataclysmic explosion."
Nigeria also rises on the list from No 9 to No 7 - coming in as the most violent place in the world for Christians. The country accounts for 79% of the deaths of believers killed for their faith.
Pastor Jeremiah, whose village in northern Nigeria was attacked by Fulani militants, shares: "When we go to sleep at night, we are never sure whether we will make it alive to the next day."
Now, more than ever, our persecuted family need our prayers. Saad's wife Fatima shares a beautiful picture of prayer and how it brings us together as one Church and one Family: "When you pray, you meet us in the room of God's throne where we can have communion"
Please pray that believers can stand strong in the face of discrimination and persecution. Ask God to protect and strengthen them when trials come.
Pray for our local partners throughout the world who are on the ground, often the first ones to respond when Christians are attacked and arrested.
Pray for Open Doors teams as they work with these partners to identify and meet needs where the Church is suffering.
Pray that in 2022, millions of Christians would receive Bibles and deepen their faith as they read God's Word and walk with Him.
Thanks so much for praying, Elohim bless you for your faithfulness to His commands. Prayer taken from Open Doors USA text alert.