1. North Korea
North Korea retains its place at the top of the 2024 global watch list. Pressure in all areas of Christians’ lives remains at a maximum. The widely reported arrest of a Christian family in April 2023 illustrated the extremely high price of being a Christian in the country.
Pray for North Korean Christians who have no contact with other believers – that God will keep their faith and testimony alive.
2. Somalia
Somalia remains in second place this year and has seen a significant increase in violence, as well as extreme pressure on Christians. Islamic militants are increasingly focused on identifying and eliminating Christian leaders. Even the suspicion of a conversion from Islam to Christianity can be life threatening.
Pray for discipleship of Somali believers, who need to be equipped to face severe persecution.
3. Libya
Libya rose on the 2024 global watch list due to an increase in violence. This follows a major incident in May 2023 in which several converts from Islam to Christianity and expatriate Christians were arrested. The absence of a single central government to impose law and order in the country has made the situation even more precarious for Christians.
Ask that, despite mortal danger, rumors about God and His love will spread throughout a nation plagued by persecution and lawlessness.
4. Eritrea
In Eritrea, persecution and discrimination against Christians remains extremely high, with violence further increasing. Even though some churches are officially recognized, there is still no area of life in the country where pressure on Christians is not extreme, with persecution by the government being the greatest source of pressure.
Pray that God’s presence will be known to Christians in Eritrea’s inhumane prison system – to embrace and strengthen them.
5. Yemen
Despite falling two places in the 2024 global watch list, the situation in Yemen remains virtually unchanged, with extreme levels of persecution. Yemeni Christians face violations of their religious freedom from family and authorities (both official authorities and Houthi rebels acting as local authorities in a third of the country), as well as from the from radical Islamist groups.
Thank God for the courage and perseverance of Yemen’s church pastors as they continue to offer hope to the country’s few Christians.
6. Nigeria
In Nigeria, Christians and their communities continue to be attacked in many parts of the country, with the violence score at the maximum possible level. Although the year 2023 saw the installation of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president, replacing Muhammadu Buhari, it is not yet clear what this could mean for freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria.
Pray for the work of Open Doors and many other groups, who are calling for international pressure on Nigeria’s national and regional government to ensure it actively protects Christians from continued massacre.
7. Pakistan
Likewise, violence against Christians in Pakistan has remained at a very high level and extremely high pressure on Christians remains constant. The strong potential for violence of the blasphemy law was illustrated in the town of Jaranwala in August 2023, where until 21 churches burned or damaged and hundreds of Christians forced to flee Their houses.
Pray for Christians who live in fear of the country’s blasphemy laws, which are frequently used against them – with a potential death penalty if found guilty.
8. Sudan
In Sudan, all Christian communities face some form of persecution (especially Christian converts to Islam), and this year the violence has increased significantly. The outbreak of civil war in April 2023 left Christians vulnerableas violent extremists took advantage of the chaos to target Christians, seizing churches and Christian properties.
Ask God to keep believers safe in the midst of a violent civil war and that they may flourish and act as agents of peace and reconciliation.
9.Iran
In Iran, pressure remained extreme in virtually all areas of life. There were some hopeful court rulings in the first half of the 2024 Global Watch List period, with Christians released and sentences reduced, but then followed a significant wave of arrests in July 2023. Converts from Islam to Christianity face difficulties from the government, society and their families.
Praise God for the steadfast testimony of church leaders who have been sentenced to prison, simply for running or even just attending house churches.
10. Afghanistan
Afghanistan remains in the top 10. While pressure was extreme in all areas of life, reports of faith-related violence against Christians were rare. The Taliban seemed more interested in arresting and interrogating Christians (suspects) in order to identify networks rather than punishing them directly.
Pray for the Christians who remain in the country, who must keep their faith hidden. Also pray for those who have been forced to flee the country.
Download Open Days Global Watchlist 2024 here
