Persecuted Christians 1
- Praying Scripture
- Sep 3, 2023
- 12 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
Receive Holy Spirit Guidance
Let Your Holy Spirit help us to pray because Your Word says that we do not know how to pray as we ought but that the Holy Spirit helps in our weaknesses and makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26)
Let the Holy Spirit make intercession through and for us according to the will of God (Romans 8:27)
Let the Holy Spirit guide us into all the truth and declare to us the things that are to come (John 16:13)
Let the Holy Spirit baptize us fully as with the apostles, let tongues of Holy Spirit fire rest upon each of us and let us receive Your Holy Spirit power so that we are led by the Holy Spirit in everything pertaining to this life (Acts 1:5-8 & Acts 2:1-4)
General Prayer for The Persecuted
Lord, Your Word says that all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12), but we take hope that blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:10) and we pray that the Kingdom of Heaven would come upon all these persecuted Christians. May The Holy Spirit teach them in that very hour what they ought to say when they are brought before authorities (Luke 12:12).
We pray You'd give them the strength to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44 | Romans 12:14), and to rejoice in sharing Christ's sufferings (1 Peter 4:12-14). May they endure to the end and be saved (Matthew 10:22).
We pray that all those who have left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for Your sake and for the gospel, will receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life (Mark 10:29-30).
May those who suffer according to Your will entrust their souls to You, their faithful Creator while doing good (1 Peter 4:19). We pray that they would be faithful unto death, so that You will give them the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).
We pray they would fear no evil and that Your rod and Your staff would comfort them (Psalm 23:4). We pray You'd rescue them from the hands of their enemies and their persecutors (Psalm 31:15).
We pray that the things which happen to them would actually turn out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it will become evident to prison guards and all persecutors, and to all the rest, that their chains are in Christ. Let the brethren in the Lord become confident by their chains, that they will be much more bold to speak the word without fear (Philippians 1:12-14).
Lord, let Your vengeance against the persecutors of Christians be their salvation. As they beat, kill, torture, and persecute Your Church, let them wonder who this Jesus is that is worth the lives of those they persecute. Let them wonder why these people think this Jesus is worth torture and pain. Let them look for answers as to why this Jesus is worth persecution and suffering, and in doing so, let them find You. Let them, in the midst of persecuting Christians, meet the Damascus roads that Paul met. Let the zeal with which they persecute Christians become the zeal with which they turn around, follow and preach Jesus Christ.
We thank You Lord, for Your grace and mercy that allows us to freely be Christians. May we never forget to continue praying for and supporting our brothers and sisters who don't have this freedom.
Links, prayers and references below compiled from Open Doors International
North Korea [opendoors link to overview]
Opendoors Prayer Points
Please pray that God will give Christians – both in and outside North Korea – eyes to see His light amid the darkness.
Pray for the estimated 400,000 secret believers in North Korea, that God will make a way for them to worship with other Christians.
Pray that God will refresh courageous believers with His peace.
Open Doors secret workers helping around 100,000 North Korean believers by providing vital food and aid, shelter and discipleship training for refugees at safe houses in China, and training through radio broadcasting from outside the country.
Opendoors Suggested Prayer
Father God, thank You for the courage of our persecuted church family in North Korea. Be their strength and provide for all their needs. Help them to be generous and share what they have with those around them. We pray for Kim Jong-un and his regime – please open his eyes to see Jesus and know His love. May Your light shine and Your peace be felt wherever there are Christians in North Korea, especially in labour camps. Give strength to Open Doors partners serving North Korean believers, Amen.
Person to Pray For - Joo Min
"I know the risks involved. If I am caught, I could end up in a labour camp, paying a heavy price for being a Christian now"
Somalia [opendoors link to overview]
Opendoors Prayer Points
Ask God to help secret Christians know they aren’t alone.
Pray that God will protect anyone in danger of attacks from Islamist extremists al-Shabab.
Pray for secret believers who have children. These parents need wisdom as they teach their children about Jesus and how to follow Him.
Pray for God to fill the security vacuum left by withdrawal of African Union peacekeepers.
Open Doors support of Somali believers across the Horn of Africa through discipleship, training and equipping them to cope with severe persecution.
Opendoors Suggested Prayer
Father God, give great courage and hope to Your people in Somalia who face such huge risks for following You. May their faith inspire the very people who are persecuting them. We pray for al-Shabab to be pushed back and for peace to return to Somalia at last, Amen.
Yemen [opendoors link to overview]
Opendoors Prayer Points
Pray that God will bring peace and justice to Yemen, and that the cries of His people will not be forgotten.
Ask God to protect Yemeni Christians living in places where they could be attacked by Islamic extremists.
Pray that God would help the underground church in Yemen flourish, and believers would be able to live as salt and light in an incredibly dark place.
Open Doors continued work in Yemen of raising prayer, distributing relief aid, training believers and pastors, and offering shelter, protection and livelihood support to persecuted believers and their relatives.
Opendoors Suggested Prayer
Father God, thank You for Your very brave followers in Yemen who risk death every day. Give them courage, joy, perseverance and peace. Continue to bless the work they are doing online to reach fellow believers and Yeminis who are searching for You. We pray for an end to the endless conflict and crisis in Yemen. May ordinary life resume for all the people struggling to live their lives there. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Person to Pray For - Zahra
"We are afraid of the extremists, spies and the government itself, as at this point, they all work together against Christians. This reality discourages us a lot of times, especially that we can’t go out with boldness to tell others about Jesus. We are very careful in all our meetings and conversations. I know that sometimes when I enter a house, I might not come back out... They could take you to the extremists, or the police station, and that is where the interrogation starts. They could even issue my death sentence... I cannot carry the Bible with me. They can search me at any checkpoint on the way, so I try to memorise as much as I can before my visits."
Zahra*, whose Christian friend was shot in the street"
Libya [opendoors link to overview]
Opendoors Prayer Points
Libya remains a country divided, with two groups grappling for control. Pray this tension will not boil into civil war that would further endanger believers.
Christian migrant workers in Libya are at risk from extremist groups. Ask God to protect these believers, particularly in areas where there is no real rule of law.
There are few churches in Libya, and converts from Islam are forced to follow Jesus in secret. Ask God to open doors for believers to find community so they can grow in their walk with Christ.
Open Doors work with local partners and churches in North Africa to provide leadership and discipleship training, livelihood support, legal aid, trauma counselling, Bibles and pastoral care.
Opendoors Suggested Prayer
Lord Jesus, we pray for our family in Libya who follow You at such great risk to their lives and livelihoods. Please show these secret believers that You're walking with them. We pray for peace in Libya, specifically that the tension between factions will not escalate into war and further endanger believers. We ask You to protect Christian migrant workers from extremist groups. Please open doors for converts to find life-giving community and grow in their faith, despite the challenges they face. In Your name we pray, Amen.
Sudan [opendoors link to overview]
Opendoors Prayer Points
Christians have been caught in the crossfire during the civil war. Pray for peace and that believers would not be targeted
Thank God for the Christians who continue to serve the vulnerable during the war. Pray that God would preserve and protect their brave witness
Ask God to be with believers displaced by the violence in Sudan. Pray that He would hear the cries of the suffering and deliver them.
To stop the spillover effect to neighboring territories like South Sudan and Central African Republic where Christians would be under threat by the spread of Islamic extremism.
Open Doors work through local church partners in Sudan to strengthen persecuted Christians through persecution survival training, discipleship training and economic empowerment projects.
Opendoors Suggested Prayer
Dear Father, please bring peace to Sudan this year. We pray for an end to this terrible conflict. Please protect, comfort and provide for Christians who have no safe place to go and help them build community. We ask for a brighter future for Sudan, where ordinary people will be able to eat and sleep in safety. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Person to Pray For - Alia
"There are many diseases, we fall sick, we need medicine to cure us and our children. We have so many challenges and pray that what I say, God will hear and see my tears due to this situation and war. Alia*, a Christian IDP at a displacement camp in southern Sudan"
Eritrea [opendoors link to overview]
Opendoors Prayer Points
Eritrea has one of the most notorious prison networks in the world. Pray for imprisoned believers... that they will not lose hope. And pray for their immediate release.
Pray for those believers who are forced into military service against their will. Pray God will protect them and guide them to live out their faith.
Pray for the families of those arrested. Children grow up without knowing their mother or father. Pray that God will provide for all their needs.
Christians imprisoned in the Mai Serwa maximum security prison in Asmara following raids on their homes
Open Doors work through local church partners in Eritrea to provide economic empowerment projects, discipleship training and persecution survival training.
Opendoors Suggested Prayer
Heavenly Father, we lift these believers to You, asking for Your protection, strength and unity among all Christians in Eritrea. May Your love and grace sustain them through every trial, and may they remain steadfast in their faith. Amen.
Person to Pray For - Paulos
"We live in fear of who will be arrested next. Will it be another brother in Christ? Will it be me? But we must continue to walk with God."
Nigeria [opendoors link to overview]
Opendoors Prayer Points
Please pray for Christians whose loved ones have been killed or abducted.
Pray that God will work in the hearts of Nigerian leaders to protect Christian citizens and communities.
Pray for the millions of Christians and others who have been displaced by violence.
Mass kidnaps, forced marriages and terror attacks of Christian women occurring at a furious rate in northern Nigeria.
Open Doors work through local church partners in Nigeria to strengthen Christians with discipleship and persecution survival training, trauma care, relief aid and economic empowerment projects.
Opendoors Suggested Prayer
Heavenly Father, we cry out to You for our persecuted sisters and brothers in Nigeria. Comfort and heal all who have been attacked, traumatised or bereaved, and fill them with hope. We pray especially for women and girls who have been abducted and assaulted – set them free and restore them to their families. Help the new president to work together with the authorities to bring an end to terrorism in the country. Build Your good Kingdom in Nigeria through Your church and give believers courage to keep proclaiming the good news of Jesus, Amen.
Person to Pray For - Abraham
"We will worship God because He has preserved our lives… I still have God and He is still on the throne. He will surely deliver me. Abraham, displaced Christian in Nigeria"
Person to Pray For - Damaris
"When my husband died, I felt useless and hopeless ... Then God sent you people as angels to raise me up and give me hope. I have been provided with food, clothing, school fees and most of all prayers. Damaris, Nigerian Widow"
Pakistan [opendoors link to overview]
Opendoors Prayer Points
Ask God to change the hearts and minds of decision-makers in Pakistan regarding blasphemy laws.
Please pray that Christians will find joy in their daily lives, knowing they are not second-class citizens in God's eyes.
Ask God to protect and preserve Christian women in Pakistan who can be forced into marriage with Muslims.
Prayer for The HOPE (Helping Others Pray and Encourage) Community.
Opendoors Suggested Prayer
Lord God, we pray for protection around our sisters and brothers in Pakistan. Keep women and girls from harm; put Your angels around them and give them peace. We pray for men who live in fear of attack and false accusation. Remind them You are with them in all things and will never leave them (Deuteronomy 31:6). Bring an end to the mob violence and polarisation of the country; open the eyes of Muslims to the value of Christians that they may live and work together in harmony. Strengthen Your church and may their witness shine Your light and love in the darkness, Amen.
Person to Pray For - Rashid
"We are in a spiritual battle… So we will be Christ – even to our enemies. We will show them that our faith is stronger than their hate."
Iran [opendoors link to overview]
Opendoors Prayer Points
Pray for secret house churches, that God will protect these networks of underground believers and give them a spirit of wisdom and courage.
Pray for Christian prisoners. Pray for their mental and physical wellbeing, along with their families who must go on with their lives while their loved ones are imprisoned.
As the church in Iran continues to grow, pray that God will bless and protect this multiplication as our Christian family shares the gospel.
Opendoors Suggested Prayer
Heavenly Father, guide Iran's new government according to Your will. We ask You to protect secret churches, granting believers both wisdom and courage. Please strengthen Christian prisoners and their families, ensuring their mental and physical wellbeing. Please bless the growing church in Iran, allowing it to multiply safely. In Your name we pray, Amen.
Person to Pray For - Yasin Mousavi & 40+ Christians
Sentenced to 15 years in prison for converting to Christianity [Link]
Person to Pray For - Fatemeh
"They were tearing us apart, one by one. Every time we heard the doorbell, we feared it was the police. We still can’t forget the day when the police raided our house church, took some of us away, and forced the rest to sign a paper confessing we would never meet or engage in Christian activities again."
Afghanistan [opendoors link to overview]
Opendoors Prayer Points
Ask God to protect secret Christians. It’s impossible to live openly as a follower of Christ, so pray that the Lord will preserve His people.
Pray that even as the Taliban's brutal regime remains in power, God will touch their hearts. Pray they will see the truth of Jesus’ love. Pray that those in prison for their faith will be protected and released.
Pray for the thousands of Afghan refugees, many of whom live in countries where it’s still dangerous to follow Jesus. Ask God to help them find community and hope even as many have lost their homes and communities.
Opendoors Suggested Prayer
Heavenly Father, Afghanistan is one of those places where it seems like nothing ever gets better. We grieve and mourn with our family there. We ask You to bring them comfort. We also ask that for miraculous hope and growth – that people will find You, that underground believers will remain supernaturally hidden, that the gospel will spread. We know You can do this, and ask You to do so. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Person to Pray For - Khada
"I continue to be a servant of Christ, following His example of humility and greatness. In the difficult Taliban regime, we face challenges, but with strong faith, we persevere."
Prayer Series for Persecuted Christians:
Prayers for The Church
Prayer Series for The Church
Miscellaneous Prayers
