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I was honored to be in the room to pray for the worldwide persecuted church at Portcullis House in Parliament in Westminster, London January 17th, 2024. This year the Open Doors UK World Watch List 2024 was announced with over 130 Members of Parliament present. Christian and non-christian MP's alike listened to the list of the countries and sobering statistics of global persecution. However, it was the testimonies of believers from Nigeria and Iran that shook everyone in the room to their core. Hearing life stories from people who have lost family members, been beaten, repeatedly threaten, and robbed for their faith in Jesus. These powerful in-person testimonies also came with a call to action. A call from these believers to MP's to use their voice for those in persecution who do not have voice.
More than 365m Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.
In Open Doors’ World Watch List top 50 alone, 317m Christians face very high or extreme levels. Explore the country profiles to find information, stories and prayers for each of the countries, along with ways that you can stand with your persecuted church family in prayer and action. More about the World Watch List.
1 in 7 Christians are persecuted worldwide
1 in 5 Christians are persecuted in Africa
2 in 5 Christians are persecuted in Asia
In Brief
North Korea 1
Once again, North Korea is the most dangerous place in the world for Christians. Being discovered as a follower of Jesus is effectively a death sentence. In 2023, the country strengthened its border with China so it’s now harder for Christians to flee and harder for support to reach them.
Algeria 15
Algeria has gone up four places on the World Watch List, with a disturbing increase in persecution. Previously, there were 47 Protestant churches in the country. Now only four remain open, and they are under intense pressure.
China 19
At least 10,000 churches closed in China in 2023. Most were house churches but official churches are under pressure too. New regulations mean churches must display signs reading, ‘Love the Communist Party, love the country, love the religion.’ Digital surveillance is growing, with Christians in one province required to register on a state-controlled app before attending church services.
4,998 Christians murdered
Thirteen Christians a day were killed for their faith in 2023, on average. Nigeria remains the deadliest place to follow Jesus; 82% of killings happened here. Violence only eased during Nigeria’s elections, which accounted for a drop in the number of Christians killed globally compared to 2023.
14,766 churches and Christian properties attacked
The number of attacks on churches and Christian-run schools, hospitals and cemeteries has exploded in 2023, up seven-fold compared to the previous year. It’s been driven by mob violence in India, church closures in China, and attacks in Nigeria, Nicaragua and Ethiopia.
295,120 Christians displaced
When countries are destabilised by war or extremism, Christians are at risk. In 2023, the number of believers forced to flee their homes more than doubled. Across the most dangerous countries for believers in Sub-Saharan Africa, about 3% of all Christians are displaced.
Trends
Persecution is worsening
More than 365 million (one in seven) Christians face high levels of persecution for their faith – and persecution is becoming dangerously violent in countries on the World Watch List. Attacks on churches and Christian properties sky-rocketed in 2023, as more Christians than ever recorded faced violent attacks.
Intense violence in Sub-Saharan Africa
Political instability, war and extremism has created a perilous situation for Christians in Sub-Saharan Africa. Amid lawlessness, jihadist groups like al-Qaeda and Boko Haram have thrived. Weak governments fail to stop them. And militants attack Christian communities and churches with impunity. Most Christians murdered for their faith in 2023 were killed in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria accounted for nine out of 10 religiously-motivated murders. Christians were also killed in Congo (DRC), Burkina Faso, Cameroon and the Central African Republic (CAR). Many more Christians have also been forced from their homes. Of 34.5 million displaced people across Sub-Saharan Africa, around 16.2 million are Christians.
Churches under attack
More than 14,700 churches or Christian properties such as schools and hospitals were targeted in 2023. It marked a six-fold increase compared with attacks recorded the previous year. In China, at least 10,000 churches were closed. In India, Christian properties were raided by violent mobs. And in Algeria, where there were 47 official Protestant churches, only four remain open and they are now under intense pressure. These attacks put huge pressure on Christian communities, sparking fear and insecurity. Even if believers do regroup in smaller numbers, they have limited leadership and few resources.
Forced from home
In 2023, more than twice as many Christians were forced to flee their homes compared to the previous year. Political instability, war, extremism and natural disasters have all driven believers from their homelands across the Middle East and North Africa. Believers are often more vulnerable than other displaced people because of their faith. In countries like Syria, Christians are easy targets for violence. Extremists attack churches and leaders, and put pressure on Christians to move on.
Good News
Progress in Mali
In June 2023, voters in Mali adopted a new constitution. Why is it significant? There are two reasons…One, the constitution clearly recognises the non-Muslim minorities (including Christians) in the country. And two, the constitution paves the way for elections (in 2024) in a nation currently ruled by a military government.
Hope in India
Anti-conversion laws in a key southern state of India have been rolled back. It happened after the Congress Party (the main opposition to India’s governing Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP) won a crucial election in the state of Karnataka. The move brings hope to Christians who’ve been harassed and intimidated under the controversial law. Open Doors has long warned that anti-conversion laws are a tool of persecution.
Growing church
Laos, in south east Asia, saw the biggest increase in persecution across the world, up 10 places in the World Watch List. But behind the statistics is another story… one of faith, hope and church growth. “In all my years,” says our Open Doors country expert, “I have never seen a clearer connection between growing opposition and a growing church. I find it comforting that the biblical verses predicting this connection are still true.”
“I want your moral courage”
The last speaker, from West Africa, drew attention to one of the key trends from the latest World Watch List: rising violence sweeping across sub-Saharan Africa.
“Militants formally associated with so-called Islamic State (IS), or taking inspiration from them, are stalking our lands,” he shared. “Their mobile, heavily armed militias, raid villages to rape, kidnap and murder. They might be a bloodthirsty unit of four or five, targeting homes, churches and villages in northern Nigeria or they may be a legion of thousands, controlling rural stretches of Burkina Faso.” He closed his speech with a challenge. “I do not want the UK Government’s money today. I want something that will cost you even more than cash. I want your moral courage. I challenge you to risk paying a political price in speaking up for us.”
There is hope – but not without prayer and action:
Henrietta Blyth closed the event with three recommendations:
Establish the role of Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief (currently occupied by Fiona Bruce MP) permanently in statute
Recognise the needs of religious minorities in places where the UK is helping to bring stability and prevent state failure
Ensure UK trade strategy promotes freedom of religion or belief and other human rights.
She continued, “Despite all the opposition, more and more people are coming to faith in Jesus and churches continues to be a force for good in the communities they serve.” But she stressed that for the global church to continue its positive contribution to society, it’s incumbent on those who have freedom to use their voice to speak out against persecution. “The World Watch List paints a grim picture,” she added. “But there is hope. Prayer and action work.”
This was a day where I had to ask God how did I get here? A young American church planter from Texas invited by Guy Miller to Parliament to pray with over 130 members of parliament for the persecuted church. Our family came to London with a vision to send from the nations living in London to the nations. A dream to plant a church and send long-term missionaries. In the kindness of God we can see that the desire to serve His mission globally far surpasses what we could imagine. We are learning daily how to pray for the bride of Christ in a new ways across the globe. Would you join us in this prayer?
HOW CAN WE PRAY?
Praise God that the parliamentary launch was well attended and received by MPs and others present
Pray that the speeches and report will linger with MPs, provoking them to urgent, decisive and lasting action on behalf of persecuted Christians worldwide
Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to help Fiona Bruce MP in her role as Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
Pray for church leaders in the UK to unify in the gospel to reach the nations and serve the persecuted church globally.
Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters being persecuted around the world. While persecution may not feel far off as it used to in the west our brothers and sisters are not that far off either. We share contemporanéity with believers in nations listed above. This of concept: con-temp-o-ra-né-it-y won't be found in any theological dictionary. But maybe we should. It means that in God's eyes, you and are contemporaneous with the persecuted church. To be contemporaneous simply means to know and be aware of someone's who live in the same period of time that we do. We are now aware. Members of Parliament and millions more and now aware. We know too much not to pray, not to help, and not to care.
When looking at a global situation with the magnitude of persecution it can be overwhelming in our own strength. When I see the needs for the gospel across London alone it can be overwhelming. The need is everywhere. However, we must diligently pray to discern ministry opportunities versus openings from God that no man can shut. When overwhelmed with needs or opportunities it can be difficult to know where or how to start. Without a process we find ourselves either waiting for certainty or tiring of uncertainty.
Faced with a flood relief emergency in Wimberley, Texas years ago one our pastors Rob Campbell brought the crisis of the flood into perspective. He led us well by saying, "Find a need, meet the need, and pray for all." Likewise when considering overwhelming crises's of the persecuted church begin to pray what your role is. What is your churches part to play? "Find a need, meet the need, and pray for all."
Ephesians 6:18 "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,"
1 Timothy 2:1 "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,"
Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,"
OPEN DOORS UK PRAYER RESOURCES
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