In every corner of the world, millions of believers follow Jesus at great cost. The persecuted church is made up of Christians who face pressure, discrimination, and violence because of their faith—yet they remain steadfast in hope. Open Doors’ World Watch List highlights the 50 countries where persecution is most severe, revealing places where the gospel is suppressed and many live in deep spiritual bondage, separated from the hope of Christ.
More than 380 million Christians experience significant persecution, with 310 million in the top 50 countries facing very high or extreme levels of opposition. This year, we commit to praying for the twelve nations where persecution is most intense—not only for believers who suffer, but also for those who persecute them. Scripture calls us to remember those in prison as though we ourselves were suffering (Hebrews 13:3), and Jesus calls us to pray for our enemies, trusting that the same gospel resisted in these places is powerful enough to save.
As we pray, we ask God to strengthen His people, soften hardened hearts, and bring freedom to those bound by fear and deception. Stand with the persecuted church through prayer, awareness, and faithful hope as we ask God to sustain His church and advance the gospel—even in the hardest and darkest places.
A Prayer for Iran
Heavenly Father, as we remember our family in prison (Hebrews 13:3), flood their cells with Your presence. May they tangibly feel Your nearness – and open the eyes of guards and other prisoners to see it, too. Expose the arbitrary and unjust reasons for this oppression, compelling the authorities to release Christian prisoners and allow converts greater freedoms. Protect and grow house churches, sustain Your people, and heal those recovering from awful experiences. Amen.
Who Is Most Vulnerable to Persecution?
Converts face the biggest dangers. While government surveillance is greatest in urban areas, believers in cities benefit from greater anonymity, enabling them to gather with less scrutiny from their communities. Conversely, while believers in rural areas experience less direct monitoring from the authorities, the scrutiny they face from locals is stronger.
How Can You Pray for Iran?
- In the aftermath of the conflict with Israel, many Iranian Christians report even harsher treatment at the hands of the authorities. Pray that God will ease these tensions.
- Secret churches are growing, but they are always at risk. Pray for believers who put everything on the line to gather and worship.
- The number of church leaders imprisoned in Iran skyrocketed this year. Pray for their release and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.