1. Persecution around the world
WEA Religious Liberty Commission
2017

2. NORTH KOREA
Drawings of the life in prison
At present, North Korea is “the most oppressive place in the world for Christians.” 300,000 Christians face extreme persecution resulting in torture, imprisonment or death.
“Prison Camps in North Korea bear much resemblance to the Nazi prison camps during world war 2. Many who enter face extreme torture physically and mentally, which sometimes even result in death. Hae Woo, depicts the life in a prison camp as ‘mental and physical abuse that would make you sick in the pit of your stomach.
Prayer for the persecuted
Let’s pray for the removal of such camps and give courage to those who follow the word of God; and that by Gods perfect love, justice would be bestowed upon all Christians in North Korea.
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3. SUDAN
Sudan is currently on the verge of turning into a pure Islamic state implementing a “one religion and one culture policy”. Christians face arrests, attacks and even death for their faith.
“In Sudan, Muslims are given preferential treatment, and non-Islamic proselytism is prohibited. Sharia (Islamic law) is the foundation of Sudan's legal system, and leaving Islam is punishable by death. At least 5 Sudanese Christians were killed and 12 were imprisoned for their faith in 2016 on charges of apostasy. With no proper justice system the government acts as they please leaving Christians in grave danger.”
Prayer for the persecuted
Let’s pray for the leaders of Sudan, that the Holy Spirit will change their hearts and use them to bring justice. Let’s also pray for God’s protection over all Christians, especially those from Muslim backgrounds who face intense pressure and persecution.
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4. INDIA
By August 2017, Christians had faced as many attacks than the entire year of The biggest perpetrators of anti-Christian persecution are Hindu extremists. Their main targets are converts to Christianity from Hindu backgrounds.
“According to reports, it was estimated that a church was burnt down or an assault on individuals took place, on average, 10 times a week in India during The assaults include physical beating, vandalism and burning of houses of worship, death threats, driving Christians to recant their faith, and attacks on religious activities etc.”
Prayer for the persecuted
Pray for Indian believers who experience both violent persecution and intense cultural pressure to return to Hinduism. May God caste his light upon them and help them to continue to walk faithfully with Him
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5. PAKISTAN
In Pakistan the dominant religion is Islam. Christians representing 1.6% of the total population face extreme persecution from Islamic radicals.
“Pakistan's Blasphemy laws are used as a tool to discriminate against Christians. Aasia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian, charged with blasphemy, has been imprisoned for almost 7 years and is currently on death row.”
Prayer for the persecuted
Pray for those who suffer unjustly for their faith in Pakistan. Let’s pray that God would strengthen them to stand firm, despite the pressure and the persecution.
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6. SOMALIA
“Somalia, at present is considered a safe haven for Islamic militants, with the most notorious being the Al- Shabaab. Christians who convert from Islam often face severe persecution, making martyrdom very common.”
“Four armed men from Al- Shabaab broke into a house of a Christian family this year, shot to death the mother and son, leaving the father in a critical condition. Suleiman Abdiwahab (the father), stated the men bellowed the jihadist slogan, “Allah Akbar [God is greater],” and, “We cannot allow the defiling of our religion with a foreign, Western religion,” while shooting randomly at them.”
Prayer for the persecuted
Pray for God’s protection over all Christians living in Sudan. Let’s also pray that God would change the hearts of those persecuting Christians.
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7. IRAQ
Christians in Iraq face oppression, from radical Islamic movements, the authorities and non-Christian leaders. Many Christians have been forced to flee owing to intense persecution, leaving Christianity on the brink of extinction in Iraq.
“Christians living in the country describe stories of constrained conversions, captivity, beatings, rape and murder. They are forced to risk settling in obscure lands leaving all their possessions behind.
Prayer for the persecuted
Pray for those who are trying to pick up their lives by returning and rebuilding their homes. Pray that God would give them the strength and courage to hold fast to their faith during these difficult times.
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8. YEMEN
Yemen has experienced intense political turmoil and violence since Sunni militant groups like al-Qaeda and IS have utilized the situation to gain territory and persecute Christians in the process.
Due to the effects of war, Yemen is facing a desperate humanitarian crisis. 80% of country’s populace is at a critical state.  20% of households face extreme food shortages, causing 2 or more deaths each day per every 10,000 people. Islamic insurgents have executed thousands and constrained more than 2 million from their homes.
Prayer for the persecuted
Pray for Christians living in Yemen, who are tormented by mistreatment, war, hunger and ailment. Pray for the Holy Spirit to send a spirit of resilience so that believers can continue to share the truth and glorify God in the midst of their despair.
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9. SYRIA
In 2011, 1.25 Million Christians lived in Syria. In 2016, as a result of the civil war, the number dropped to less than 500,000.
Persecution of Christians in Syria is extreme. Christians have been executed for refusing to convert to Islam. Furthermore, apart from killings and executions, religious minorities have been subject to torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, rape, enforced displacement and disappearance.
Prayer for the persecuted
Pray for God’s protection and comfort upon the believers living in Syria through war times. Pray that they would continue to be salt and light in the nation, despite the suffering.
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10. IRAN
The Iranian government continues to persecute religious minorities, with a score of Christians being imprisoned for their faith in the country.
“ In Iran, Christians who convert from Islam place themselves at severe risk of government oppression. Three Christians were served a 10-year prison sentence in Two of the men, both converts from Islam, were charged with blasphemy for abandoning Islam.
Prayer for the persecuted
Pray that the authorities would stop harassing Christians and that there would be greater religious freedoms in Iran. Pray also for God’s protection over all Christians in Iran.
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