This year, we prayed for the 365 million Christians worldwide who face persecution for their faith—especially those in restricted-access countries where following Jesus is forbidden. As part of our participation in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, we joined in prayer for:
1) Believers in Africa imprisoned for their faith.
2) The families of three local evangelists in Asia who lost their fathers/husbands because they were martyred for their faith.
3) We continued to raise support to help believers in Jaranwala, Pakistan, whose church was burned and their village destroyed in 2023.
A message from the Director of Restricted Access Nations (RAN):
“The Persecuted Church is not a matter of ‘when, what, or how.’ It is a matter of ‘who and why.’
Picture this: waking up each day knowing that your faith could cost you everything—your freedom, your family, your life. Imagine being told to abandon your beliefs in exchange for a future, or watching your child suffer because of your love for Jesus. Imagine being locked away, separated from those you hold dear, branded a traitor by your community. Imagine the daily weight of your loved ones bearing the shame of your choice to follow Christ.
The church is made up of real people—each created in the image of God and redeemed by Jesus. They aren't just buildings or organizations; they're individuals whose lives are affected because they have chosen to follow Christ. For many of our brothers and sisters in North Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, this has been their reality this past year. It's not just a story from the past or something we remember only once a year. It’s happening now. We are called to be part of this story, to pray. Jesus told us to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44), and Hebrews 13:3 urges us to engage with those who suffer for their faith. Let us commit to praying regularly for the Persecuted Church—so they may endure, empowered by our prayers, as they carry the weight of their faith.”
