1. Open in Prayer: A NEW YEAR'S EVE PRAYER” For The Persecuted Church
2. Scripture: Psalm 34:18–19“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted… Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
Source: Morning Star News
Rev. Kamran Salamat, a Presbyterian pastor in Pakistan, was shot and killed outside his home on December 5. While many initially feared it was a
religious‑motivated attack, police now allege that his wife, Salmina, and a Muslim businessman, Najam Ul Saqib, conspired to murder him. Investigators say Saqib hired two gunmen and that Salmina intended to use the killing to seek asylum abroad. Both suspects are in custody. The case has deeply shaken Pakistan’s Christian community, which already faces high levels of persecution. The Rev. Kamran Salamat. (Christian Daily
International-Morning Star News)
For more info: Pastor’s Wife, Muslim Arrested in Clergyman’s Killing in Pakistan - Morningstar News
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| Fewer than 300,000 Iraqi Christians remain in the country. Converts from Islam face harsh treatment from Islamic extremists. |
Source: VOMC
Dear Father God,
As this new year approaches, we ask You to abundantly bless Your people in every corner of the earth – from remote villages to bustling cities to cold jail cells.... In addition to filling hearts with Your perfect peace, which surpasses all human understanding, may Your profound presence bring unspeakable joy to all who are weary and downcast in spirit.
In conclusion of 2025, we want to thank You for the inspiring testimonies of those who have steadfastly persevered in the midst of persecution because of their great love for You. May the spiritual seeds they have diligently planted through their dedicated lives and ministries continue to bear much incredible fruit for Your Kingdom.
We pray that Your Holy Spirit will minister in special and meaningful ways to the victims of targeted violent attacks, kidnappings, imprisonment, and various other forms of persecution. Through your miraculous intervention in each of their lives, families and communities, may these faithful followers of Christ be reminded of the wonderful hope that we all have in You.
As Your people around the globe unite together as one church during these crucial days leading up to Your imminent return, we pray that You will sovereignly provide needed wisdom, strength, guidance and anointing – ultimately ministering in and through each dedicated life for Your glory. May the faith of our persecuted brothers and sisters challenge us to follow You with greater courage, unwavering obedience and wholehearted devotion. Let Your Kingdom be established on earth as it is in heaven!
In Jesus' precious and holy name we pray, amen.
Source: VOMC
In a world full of violence and unrest, religious intolerance continues to be a major contributor to the pain suffered by Christians in many areas of the world. This opposition stems from several factors – including political ideologies, religious differences and personal prejudices. Throughout the year of 2025, VOMC's Persecution & Prayer Alert covered more than 140 reports. While a considerable number of them offered praises to God for miraculous answers to prayer, there are many others that are presently in the process of being answered.
Keep in mind that the following reports represent only a small fraction of the numerous persecution cases that have impacted Christ's church around the globe throughout the past year. As reflected in the year-end editions of previous years, this summary primarily outlines the most frequently reported countries. Therefore, it does not necessarily address the severity of persecution in comparison with that of lesser-reported countries, for such information from certain restricted nations remains very difficult to obtain.
Once again, this year's summary offers a glimpse into the current reality of Christian persecution. Additionally, it serves as a heartfelt call for God's people here in Canada to continue fervently praying for the suffering members belonging to our international 'family of faith' who are experiencing concerning situations of hostility, opposition and injustice merely for following in the ways and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Source: VOMC
While Christianity has been a significant part of Pakistan's cultural fabric for centuries, Islam remains the country's dominant religion, thereby controlling much of society. Typically, the suffering of Christians has stemmed from two primary sources: 1) accusations of blasphemy leading to charges and imprisonment, and 2) the kidnapping of young women and girls who are subsequently forced to convert to Islam and marry their captors.
This year brought some minor yet notable changes. For example, known incidents of kidnapping and forcible marriages were reported on four occasions, which indicates a decrease from the total numbers reported in previous years. Newly enacted laws restricting underage marriages may have positively contributed to this improvement. However, young women remain at risk of being coerced to legally convert from their Christian faith and marry against their will.
Although false blasphemy charges remained a major concern, there have been encouraging developments within Pakistan's judicial system. Several Christians who were accused or convicted of blasphemy had thankfully been acquitted in 2025. Additionally, the Islamabad High Court took note of a media investigation revealing a coordinated campaign to entrap innocent Christians, which led to the resignation of a Lahore High Court judge who was allegedly involved in the scheme.
Regrettably, during 2025, there were several instances in which acts of violence had been perpetrated against followers of Jesus. These incidents included a Christian worker who was physically beaten by his supervisor after refusing to convert to Islam, as well as a pastor who was assassinated because of his ministry activities. Other cases involved attacks on Christian groups that were attending church gatherings. One of those assaults targeted a van load of pilgrims who were travelling enroute to a religious site.
To access previously published reports covering these situations, as well as others of concern, go to our country profile.
Source: VOMC
Anti-conversion laws in various states still present major challenges for Christians in this South Asian country. While many accusations have little to do with actual religious conversions, these laws are often used to shut down churches or punish individual believers. Additionally, such allegations frequently incite mob violence.
In at least two instances that occurred this year, governing officials publicly called for violence against Christians. One of these cases even recommended the death penalty for anyone involved in conversion activities. Within the states of Maharashtra and Uttarakhand, the implementation of new laws has created further obstacles for followers of Jesus.
Despite these hardships, the year of 2025 has brought about moments of Christian solidarity, where believers had united together to peaceably stand against the oppression they were encountering. There have also been some hopeful signs of progress, especially when India's Supreme Court ordered a review of the various state-level anti-conversion laws. Along with the review, an October 17th Supreme Court ruling addressed multiple cases that took place in Uttar Pradesh, pointing out the deficiencies and declaring the state's law to be "onerous" and "intrusive."
Unfortunately, physical attacks targeting Christian individuals and groups have continued in various parts of the country during 2025. Not only have these assaults frequently involved mob violence, many believers experienced false accusations and legal challenges as a result of them. In tribal areas, Christian families were also expelled from their villages due to the attempts of local leaders to make their communities "Christian free." Believers affected by the expulsions have been forced to find new homes in unfamiliar and distant locations.
Reports addressing the various incidents of persecution in India are available at our country profile.
Source: VOMC
On the other hand, reports of persecution against Christians in China specifically involve opposition from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and their provincial counterparts. The country's governing officials have mandated that all churches promote the Communist Party's policies. Those refusing to comply inevitably encounter harassment or imprisonment.
For more information regarding Christian persecution in China, and/or to review specific reports, see our China country profile.
In an attempt to legitimize the detention of church leaders, authorities frequently charged Christians with "illegal business practices" or "illegally using information networks." While some believers faced short administrative detentions without any formal charges (as a means of intimidation), others received lengthy sentences.
For believers who were released after serving their prison sentences, there remained severe restrictions. Pastor John Cao, who had been released from detainment in 2024 after enduring seven years of imprisonment, was refused the issuance of a passport (preventing him from travelling out of the country to be with his wife and children), despite the fact that he was granted permanent residency in the United States. Two other church leaders, whose sentences had been suspended in October, were subjected to constant surveillance – including facial-recognition check-ins three times daily. When the leaders failed to meet those requirements, they were returned to prison.
In another recent occurrence, which took place this past October, a large network of congregations under the leadership of the Beijing Zion Church were subjected to coordinated raids. These crackdowns led to the formal arrests of 18 church leaders who, at the time of publishing this report, are presently awaiting trial.
Source: VOMC
As an Islamic theocracy, Iran is governed by strict Muslim laws. Even though Christianity is generally recognized and tolerated for those from traditional Armenian and Assyrian churches, any conversion from Islam to Christianity is strictly prohibited. Even believers from historic Christian communities have faced charges, as in the case of Pastor Joseph Shahbazian, an Armenian believer.
In 2025, most reports of persecution involved accusations of Iranians converting to Christianity or attending Christian meetings. These charges were frequently framed as "actions against national security," participation in an "opposition group," or "propaganda activities contrary to Islamic law."
The living conditions of prisons throughout the country remain horrific. The most notable of them all remains to be the country's notorious Evin Prison, which happens to be located in the capital city of Tehran. Although the facility was damaged during an Israeli airstrike that took place in June, there were no reports of Christian prisoners having been killed in the attack. For months, though, Evin's inmates were detained in other overcrowded prison facilities until the repairs were completed.
Sadly, imprisoned believers in Iran have also been subjected to torture and very limited medical care. One Christian prisoner was beaten after requesting medical treatment for a serious heart condition. Another imprisoned follower of Jesus, Aida Najaflou, suffered a spinal fracture after falling from a top bunk in her cell. Initially denied any treatment, she finally received limited help when other inmates protested on her behalf. Despite Aida's injuries and ongoing medical needs, she was recently sentenced to 17 years in prison.
Additional information concerning these prisoners' individual situations, and those relating to the cases of other Christians remaining captive in Iran, can be reviewed at VOMCanada.com/Iran.htm.
Source: VOMC
Unlike some nations where persecution is government-instigated, believers in Nigeria – particularly those in northern parts of the country – are at greatest risk of life-threatening attacks perpetrated by their fellow Nigerians. In previous years, Islamic militant groups (such as Boko Haram) carried out their violent raids against Christian villages with impunity. In addition to slaying many innocent inhabitants, buildings and properties within these communities were destroyed. While other terrorist groups remain a major active threat to Christians residing in Nigeria, most of the attacks reported during 2025 were carried out by militant Fulani herdsmen.
Governing authorities have frequently cited economic reasons for the cause of these atrocities, reasoning that the nomad herdsmen merely sought the control of grazing areas belonging to local residents. Other common motives for the violent raids targeting Nigeria's Christian communities – including the kidnapping of victims and looting of homes – have also been attributed to financial reasons.
Despite these contributing factors, religious opposition has clearly played a significant role in many of these brutal attacks. Perpetrators driven by militant Islamic ideologies have killed thousands of Christians this year alone by storming villages without warning, shooting indiscriminately at innocent citizens, and then destroying these victimized believers' homes, churches, schools and other properties. One report estimates that more than 7,000 Christians were killed during the first seven months of 2025 alone, noting that a similar number of believers have been abducted.
The devastating violence recently received international attention when the U.S. administration designated Nigeria as a "country of particular concern" in early November. Questioning the extent to which the Nigerian government has actively worked to stop the ongoing carnage, the intervention of America's military forces was threatened if serious action is not taken.
Despite renewed attention to the severity of Nigeria's dire situation, a shocking incident occurred on November 21st when gunmen raided a Catholic boarding school, kidnapping more than 300 students. While 150 of the abducted children have since been recovered at the time of publishing this report, approximately 150 students and 12 staff members remain missing.
For more information on these incidents, and/or to access special video reports that further address the suffering of our Christian family in Nigeria, go to our country profile.
Source: VOMC
Sources: Morning Star News, Premium Times, Punch
On Sunday, December 7th, armed assailants entered the St. Andrews Anglican Church in Isiokwe, Anambra State, while the priest and other congregants were preparing for morning worship. The gunmen were said to be searching for the church's priest, who was thankfully able to escape to safety. However, the priest's wife and another church member were tragically shot and killed, while several other worshippers were wounded during the indiscriminate shooting.
The attackers also caused significant property damages, setting fire to parts of the church building, vehicles and other belongings. The priest's house was completely destroyed in the blaze. Although the gunmen remain unidentified, police have launched an investigation and strongly condemned the violence.
The state's Commissioner of Police described the incident as a "heinous and abominable act" that is "a grave affront to our shared values of peace, sanctity of life, and freedom of worship."
To review other reports concerning the persecution of our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria, go to our country report.
