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Pray for Christians from a Muslim background like Yasin* in Iraq. He is married and the father of two adult children who converted after Yasin decided to follow Jesus. It is at a high cost. But, thanks to God, he has seen how God has helped him "move mountains." Still, he and his family encounter persecution. "People might kill me," he says. Thank God for men like Yasin, who faithfully serve the Lord in their country, feeling called to do so. As a result, two of his fellow villagers have become followers of Jesus, too.
"Pray that God would provide so that we'll be able to continue to stand with the church in the coming year."
Yemeni believer
Sometimes Jesus reveals Himself to people in the Middle East in dreams and visions. Yasin* knows that firsthand. "I was sleeping and saw the whole world was gathered. The people were in two groups, black and white. And I did not understand what this was. I saw someone coming toward me. I cannot describe how beautiful He was. His hair was long, He wore a scarf on his head. He was so beautiful; I could not stop looking at him. He put his hand on my head and said, 'You are my beloved child, this is the way, follow me.' I asked Him, 'Where should I go?' He said, 'Follow the white sheep.' And I admired His beauty so much that everything in my heart got erased. I just wanted to see his face." Thank God, this dream was an important step in bringing Yasin to his knees and becoming a follower of Jesus. Pray that the Lord will send more dreams to people like Yasin.
Yasin* asks: "Pray for me, because I believe in the power of prayer. Jesus says, 'If you believe, you can move a mountain and throw it in the sea.' I ask you to pray that God gives me the strength to evangelize to as many people as possible. I ask you to pray that God protects my children. Many times, I cried for my children; the persecution really affected them."
For pastors in the Middle East, working with believers from a Muslim background is a risk. Thank God for pastors who take this risk. Pray for pastors who dare to meet with new believers and searching Muslims to guide them and invest in their discipleship training.
Persecuted Christians in the Middle East sometimes get a supernatural joy in their hearts, although they face many difficulties. One believer describes how he changed: "After I became a Christian, I got a strong faith. I am always happy. It is like the biggest gift has been given to me. Every morning when I wake up and pray, I am very happy and content. My heart is peaceful and happy. Because I know in my heart that Jesus is very rich in love. He protects those He loves. I know He will never leave me, and that makes me very happy."
Converts from a Muslim or Druze background in Syria are worried about the future of their country. Since the fall of the Assad regime at the end of 2024, Christians don't know what to expect from the country's new authorities. Pray for the community of believers from a Muslim or Druze background in Syria, that the Lord will protect them and help them to grow into His witnesses to their relatives and community.
Pray for churches that opened their doors for converts from a Muslim or Druze background in Syria in the past years. Pray they will have the wisdom to know what to do in the new situation the country finds itself in after the fall of the Assad regime.
Thank God that in the past years, many Kurdish Muslims in northeast Syria became followers of Jesus. Pray that the Lord will give them what they need to grow in their faith and to stay strong. Pray for the protection of their congregations.
Please pray for believers who struggle with loneliness, fear, and anxiety due to their secret faith. Ask God to comfort those who feel abandoned by their families or communities. Pray they will experience God's presence in their daily lives and know they are never alone.
Secret believers in North Africa often struggle to find a Christian partner. Women, in particular, may be forced into marriages with Muslims. Please pray for God's protection over them and ask Him to guide them to a partner with whom they can build a Christian family. Pray specifically for Farid, a young Christian man our local partners met. Pray that Farid will find a good partner and build a Christian home and family.
When a secret believer's faith is exposed, they may face various forms of pressure, discrimination and even job loss because of their commitment to Christ. Pray that God will provide them with stable and safe employment opportunities. Ask God to give them wisdom as they navigate work responsibilities while they keep their faith discreet. Please pray for Ayman in North Africa who wishes to engage in a small business. May the Lord guide him in making the right decisions.
It is often difficult for secret believers in North Africa to safely access Bibles, Christian resources, discipleship, or even gather for prayer. Pray that God will open new ways for them to grow in their knowledge of Scripture despite restrictions. Ask that digital resources and underground networks continue to reach those in need.
Please pray for those who have been physically harmed, threatened, or rejected because of their faith and now struggle with loneliness and the pain of injustice. Ask God to heal their emotional wounds and give them the strength to forgive their persecutors. Pray that they will experience deep peace and complete restoration in Christ.
Many brothers and sisters in North Africa often suffer deeply when their family members refuse to accept Jesus. They pray fervently for the salvation of their loved ones. Please pray that God will soften the hearts of their families, open their eyes to the truth and draw them to Christ.
Among Palestinians, there is a small number of converts from Islam who follow Jesus. For them, it is a big challenge to meet with fellow believers. Often, they must keep their faith a secret. Pray for these brothers and sisters... that they will stay strong and meet people who can help them grow in their faith. Pray that they can have fellowship with other believers.
Converts from a Muslim background in Gaza had and continue to have a difficult time since the war began in October 2023. Christians found shelter in the Catholic and the Orthodox church buildings, but because of their background and the cultural sensitivity around converts, they could not hide there. Pray these believers will find others to fellowship and worship with in Gaza.
Pray for Iranian Christians who live in constant fear of their faith being discovered. The decision to follow Christ often means leaving a life of comfort and safety. Ask God to fill them with courage and strength as they navigate the daily challenges of secrecy, knowing that every step of faith comes with great risk.
In Iran, being exposed as a Christian can lead to imprisonment, torture or even death. Pray for God's protection over believers. Ask Him to shield them from government authorities, colleagues, neighbors, or even family members who might expose them. Pray that His presence would be their refuge in every moment of danger.
Christians in Iran must be extremely cautious about how they live and interact with others to avoid suspicion. Pray for God to grant them wisdom and discernment in their words, actions and decisions, especially when they feel led to share their faith. Ask for divine guidance to help them remain faithful yet safe.
Because public worship is forbidden, many believers cannot openly attend church or connect with other Christians. They often feel isolated, longing for fellowship. Ask the Holy Spirit to comfort them, remind them of God's presence, and to strengthen their hearts. Pray that they find safe and creative ways to stay connected with the Body of Christ.
For many Iranian Christians, their greatest opposition comes from their own families. Converting to Christianity is seen as betraying one's culture and faith. Pray that God will soften the hearts of their family members, open their eyes to the truth, and bring entire households into the light of Christ.
In a society where Islam is deeply rooted, Christians often face discrimination or hostility in the workplace or at school/university. Some lose their jobs, are excluded from opportunities and further education, or endure mockery from their peers. Ask God to protect them in these environments, give them grace to endure, and use their faithfulness to draw others to Him.
Bibles and Christian resources are scarce in Iran, and distributing them can lead to severe punishment. Pray for creative ways to get God's Word into the hands of those who need it. Ask God to bless and protect those who work in Bible distribution—and multiply the resources to reach more people.
Despite the dangers, many Iranian Christians feel called to share the gospel with others. Pray for boldness and wisdom for these believers... that the Holy Spirit will guide their interactions. Ask God to prepare the hearts of those who hear the gospel to receive it with joy and faith.
Many Iranian Christians have experienced persecution, including imprisonment, torture, and rejection by their families. Pray for God's healing touch to restore these believers' hearts and minds, bringing them peace to forgive those who harmed them. Pray that His presence will sustain them as they rebuild their lives.
The underground church in Iran continues to grow despite intense persecution. Believers meet in secret in homes, online, or in other hidden places. Pray for God's blessing over these gatherings, for unity among believers, and that He would raise up strong, faithful leaders to shepherd the church.
Children of Christian families in Iran grow up in an environment where their faith is constantly challenged. They often face confusion, fear, or pressure to conform. Ask God to nurture their faith, protect their minds and hearts, and make them a light to their generation.
Iran's poor economy and widespread poverty deeply affect Christian families. Many struggle for their basic needs while also fearing exposure of their faith. Pray for God's provision... that He will meet their physical and financial needs. Ask Him to give them trust in His faithfulness and peace in their struggles.
For Christians in Iran, finding a like-minded spouse who shares their faith is a significant challenge. Pray for those seeking marriage and that God would lead them to the right person who will encourage them in their faith. Pray for His guidance and protection over their relationships.
Young people in Iran face a society marked by depression, addiction, and hopelessness. Pray that God would protect Christian youth from falling into these traps. Ask Him to guide their lives and that they would remain strong in their faith, bringing hope and renewal to their generation.
The prayer requests and quotes below were compiled from partners in the field to include several countries in the Arabian Peninsula; some countries are not specified for security reasons:
One believer shares: "We have been overjoyed to provide opportunities for our friends to gather around the Scriptures, learn its lessons, and apply the Word to their daily lives. These secret gatherings have been made possible through your generosity, which has enabled us to offer vital skills classes. Today, our classrooms are once again full, giving us a good reputation and providing essential standing as we interact with local authorities." Pray that God would protect these gatherings.
A Yemeni Christian asks: "Amid bombings, hunger and the severe lack of proper medical care and educational opportunities, people here grow weary. Yet, the light of hope continues to shine through. Pray that God would provide so that we'll be able to continue to stand with the church in the coming year, and intercede for us as we work together for His Kingdom to prevail in Yemen—even in the midst of its chaos and challenges."
Christians in Yemen are bold. Pray for those that took the courage to bring people to their house to worship. Although it is a big risk, being together and worshipping our Lord is worth it. Pray for protection and wisdom.
"Pray the Lord will give us the favor with the government. We had to spend so much energy around complaints and blackmail situations in 2024. Will you pray God makes 2025 smooth and protects us from complaints?"
Pray for the financial situation of Christians in Yemen. Families are barely making ends meet, whether it is house rent, schooling, and even basic needs like daily meals. The financial stress is an added pressure on Christian families in Yemen.
Pray for unity among Christian leaders in the Arabian Peninsula, the devil is trying to create conflict and division, pray against that. May they all stand in unity against those trying to attack the church.
Pray for peace in Yemen and throughout the Middle East.
Pray for healing for the sick and traumatized. Often, Christians in the Arabian Peninsula face rejection and abuse which leads to trauma and even physical sickness. Pray for physical, emotional, and psychological healing for those who have been hurt.
Pray for the leaders and people in power in all the Arabian Peninsula. May God soften their hearts and use the church to bring them to Him, making them instruments of peace and justice.
Pray for Yemeni children affected by conflicts, impacting their psychological, spiritual, and social wellbeing.
Many local Christians stop meeting due to surveillance and threats. Pray for courage and wisdom among our brothers and sisters. May the bond of fear be broken.
Pray for those imprisoned because of their faith. May they feel the Lord's presence with them, every minute. Pray that God would use them inside the prisons to bring the Hope of Jesus to those that desperately need it in there.
Our local partners in the Middle East organize conferences to help believers from a Muslim background understand more about the Christian faith and difficult-to-understand topics. Ask God to bless those meetings in 2025 and pray that many new believers will grow in their faith, becoming strong believers with a contagious faith.
House churches are important for Christian converts—the places where they meet to fellowship and worship with other Christians of the same background. In these churches, the (new) believers sharpen each other like iron. Pray for the many house churches where secret believers meet.
New believers in the Middle East often struggle with Christian concepts like the Trinity and Jesus as the Son of God. Pray they will get the right teaching and meet others who will help them understand and live out the Christian faith. Pray that isolated believers will find a house church where they can meet other Christians.
Children of believers from a Muslim background are often treated as infidels, along with their parents. Pray these children will trust Jesus as their Savior and stand strong despite bullying and rejection.
The churches in the Middle East—especially in Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, and Egypt where there is an officially recognized church—often don't welcome believers from a Muslim background due to the churches' official recognition.
When a new believer wants to grow in their faith, they typically seek out a visible church. Often, this is where they experience their first disappointment with Christians, as they are refused entrance to the church service and even baptism. Pray this rejection won't discourage them from pursuing their faith.
Thank the Lord for social media and the internet. Many Muslims who start searching for truth in their countries find guidance and help on the internet. Today, the internet is one of the leading ways Muslims find out about Jesus and even convert. Pray for those who are involved with those websites... specifically for wisdom and insight to answer seekers. Pray for their protection.
Thank God for how He helps secret believers and new converts grow in their faith, coming closer to Him amidst persecution. Thank God for the house churches that take care of new followers of Jesus and introduce them to a new community of believers. Pray for peace for believers who have yet to find a community. And pray for more openness among existing churches to accept believers from a Muslim background.
Pray for the work of Open Doors in the MENA-region. Often, we work through local organizations and the local church. Our main investment focuses on cultivating strong leadership of the churches of believers from a Muslim background and discipling the new believers in those countries. As soon as we're in contact with a new believer, we try to connect them to a local (underground) church. Of course, this work is risky, but we trust that the Lord will guide us and the local churches to work as safely as possible.
Pray also for Open Doors' online work to connect secret believers with existing groups of converts.
Our staff in the Middle East needs your prayers. When they visit secret believers, they often must travel to isolated places. They can risk getting into trouble because they help converts. Pray that the Lord will "blind" the eyes of persecutors and authorities.
*Names changed for security reasons.
