As followers of Jesus, we are called to love, pray for, and stand with those who suffer for His name. Yet today, the scale of suffering among our brothers and sisters around the world is staggering.
According to Open Doors’ latest World Watch List 2026 report — a global index that tracks where Christians face the highest levels of persecution and discrimination — a record-high 388 million Christians now endure harassment, violence, discrimination, and other forms of persecution simply because they follow Christ.
The Human Cost Behind the Numbers
This figure represents an increase of 8 million more people than the previous reporting period, underscoring an alarming trend of growing hostility toward Christians in many nations.
Of those 388 million:
201 million are women and girls, 110 million are children under age 15 — highlighting how entire families are affected by the cost of discipleship.
Where Persecution Is Most Severe
The report also highlights that persecution takes many forms — from violence and discrimination to extreme social isolation. Some of the hardest-hit countries include:
North Korea, ranked as the most dangerous place to follow Jesus, where Christians risk imprisonment, forced labor, or execution. Nigeria, which remains the epicenter of deadly violence, accounting for thousands of Christian murders. Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea, Syria, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, India, and others, where believers endure intense hostility simply for professing Christ.
These numbers remind us that persecution is not an abstract statistic — it reflects the real suffering of people, neighborhoods, families, and communities whose faith in Jesus places them at risk.
Why This Matters to the Global Church
One in every seven Christians in the world now lives under high or extreme persecution — a dramatic indicator that the Christian faith is under sustained pressure globally.
But even in the midst of adversity, believers continue to faithfully follow Jesus — worshipping in secret, persevering under hardship, and testifying to Christ’s power in impossible circumstances. Their courage calls us not only to awareness, but also to action — especially prayer.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We lift up to You today every Christian who suffers because of their faith in You. Lord, You know each name, each heart, and each burden. We pray for Your protection, strength, and provision for those facing persecution, discrimination, and violence.
Where there is fear, bring courage;
Where there is suffering, bring Your peace;
Where there is oppression, bring justice.
Lord, help us here — Your global church — to pray without ceasing, to stand in solidarity, and to intercede for our brothers and sisters. May Your Name be lifted high, even in the darkest places, and may Your Holy Spirit be their comfort and shield.
In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.
T 💔
Sources
“Record 388 Million Christians Face Persecution Worldwide, Open Doors Says,” Worthy Christian News. Open Doors 2026 World Watch List data on persecution levels worldwide. Open Doors US and international coverage on persecution trends.
Divine Revelations 
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