Prayer for the Persecuted - October 6, 2025 @ 7 PM

1. Open in Prayer: Pray for Christian Iranians being deported back to Iran from the USA.

2. Scripture: Romans 15:30
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.”

🔹 Paul’s plea reminds us that prayer is a form of partnership in suffering and mission.

3. Worship Video: CityAlight - All to Honor Jesus
                                In the Hidden Places - An Anthem for the Persecuted Church

    Prayer
4.  NIGERIA: Over 7,000 Christians Killed Thus Far in 2025

5.   DR CONGO: Multitudes Killed While Attending Funeral Wake

6.   North Korea -12 years since Kim Jung-wook, a South Korean Christian missionary, was arrested for his faith

7.   INDIA: Supreme Court to Review Anti-Conversion Laws

8. Recent news:

• Christian Acquitted in Landmark Case in Uttarakhand, India
• Muslims Attempt to Seize Christian School in Sudan
• Attacks follow New Anti-Conversion Bill in Rajasthan, India
• Muslims Demand Christians Halt Worship at Site in Indonesia
• Christian in Uganda Slain Day after Converting

INDIA: Supreme Court to Review Anti-Conversion Laws

Source: Morning Star News

Pastor Nandan Singh Bisht, the first Christian charged under Uttarakhand’s 2018 Religious Freedom Act, was acquitted after a four-year legal battle.  He was arrested in 2021 following a prayer gathering at his home, accused of attempting to convert poor and marginalized villagers through “allurement.”
Despite no concrete evidence or named victims, Pastor Bisht endured eight days in custody, four

Christians in India are praying while
participating in a protest against the
government's persecution of Christians. 

years of trial, and severe social stigma. Through four long years of trial, Pastor Bisht cannot recount all that he lost. “My wife was four months pregnant when I was arrested,” he told Morning Star News. “I couldn’t give her proper care, and because of all the stress and tension of my arrest and case, we lost our baby.” His friend Rajesh Kumar, who stood by him throughout his legal struggle, said the case took a heavy toll on the pastor.

The court ruled that the complainant lacked legal standing and failed to identify any aggrieved person, undermining the prosecution’s case. The 16-page judgment emphasized constitutional protections for religious practice and clarified that prayer gatherings do not equate to illegal conversion.
Witnesses admitted under cross-examination that no inducement or conversion attempts occurred, and the investigating officer revealed procedural lapses.
The acquittal sets a legal precedent for future cases under India’s controversial anti-conversion laws, reinforcing the need for evidence and protecting religious freedom.

This case not only vindicates Pastor Bisht but also signals a critical moment for religious rights in India, especially for minority communities facing legal and social pressure. 

In related news:
The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear a series of petitions challenging the constitutionality of anti-conversion laws enacted by several of the country's states. On September 16th, the court issued notices to the respective state governments, requesting their formal responses within four weeks. The case is scheduled to be heard in six weeks, and the judges have indicated that they may consider ordering the states to pause the enforcement of their existing laws until a decision is made.

• Pray for wisdom, clarity and courage on behalf of the petitioners and their legal teams as they present their arguments before India's Supreme Court in the coming weeks.
• Prayerfully ask the Lord to grant the judges discernment as they consider the constitutional implications of these harmful anti-conversion laws, so that truth and justice will prevail both in and out of the court room.
• May the ongoing legal process not incite any hostility or violence from those who are opposed to the petitions and, ultimately, may peace and tolerance reign throughout this South Asian nation.
• Thank God for Pastor Nandan Singh Bisht's acquittal.  Pray for peace and comfort as they try to get on with their lives after this long ordeal.

Bill Maher Slams Gaza vs Nigerian Genocide Hypocrisy

North Korea -12 years since Kim Jung-wook, a South Korean Christian missionary, was arrested for his faith

Source: International Christian Concern

It’s been nearly 12 years since Kim Jung-wook, a South Korean Christian missionary, was arrested for his faith while in North Korea. His family hasn’t been allowed to contact him since his arrest, and his current condition and whereabouts are unknown. 

On Oct. 8, 2013, North Korean authorities took Jung-wook into custody after the missionary allegedly brought religious items into the country. Officials have been less than forthcoming about the missionary, as well as two others who were detained. 

According to an NK News report from March 2025, “authorities have refused to provide even minimal information about the detainees, including confirmation they are still alive.”  

Open Doors reported in January that before his arrest, Jung-wook worked as a Christian missionary in Dandong, China, serving refugees from North Korea. He reportedly shared the gospel of Jesus with them and provided them with shelter and food, the report explained. It goes on to say that Jung-wook aided others under the radar until his inner circle was unknowingly endangered by North Korean spies who reportedly talked him into traveling to North Korea. 

According to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), in February 2014, Jung-wook “was forced to confess his alleged crimes at a press conference, including working to establish underground churches.” 

Three months later, in May 2014, Jung-wook was given a sentence of life imprisonment for crimes including “conspiracy to subvert the State, … anti-State propaganda and agitation, … [and] espionage.” 

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) called for prayer in September for Jung-wook and the other missionaries being held in North Korea. 

“We continue to remember three South Korean missionaries who are serving life sentences in North Korea: Pastor Kim Jung-wook, Pastor Kim Kook-kie, Pastor Choi Chun-gil. All three were charged with spying for South Korea and have been held incommunicado for more than a decade. 

• Pray that their whereabouts would be made known, and lead to justice.
  
  
• Pray for their physical, spiritual, mental health.
  
  
• Pray for their release, but until they are released, that God would use them mightily for His kingdom.

Eritrea - Arrests of Christians Increasing

Source: iCommitToPray

Front-line workers report that arrests of Christians in Eritrea have increased in 2025 with very few releases of current prisoners. Since Jan. 1, 2025, there have been over 200 new arrests, putting the total number of Christian prisoners in the country around 550. This is the highest it has been in over five years. 

Christian prisoners in Eritrea are sometimes 
held in shipping containers for years.

The conditions inside these “prisons” are some of the harshest in the world as Christian prisoners are provided meager rations and held in shipping containers in extreme desert conditions for years. Some prisoners, like Dr. Tecleab Menghisteab and Dr. Kiflu Gebremeskel, have been imprisoned in Eritrea for more than 20 years. 

Pray for God’s peace to be with Christian prisoners in Eritrea and with their families, and pray for their release.

INDONESIA: Christians Blocked from Worshipping

Source: VOMC
Source: International Christian Concern

A church in Indonesia. Photo: VOMC

For two consecutive Sundays, approximately 20 opposing Muslim residents in the village of Gerendeng Pulo have prevented a church congregation from gathering for worship. The opposition stems from concerns that the believers began meeting in a new location without the approval of local Muslim leaders.

The GBI Gerendeng congregation had been operating for 18 years before deciding to relocate to the second floor of a commercial building. The church leaders insist that their activities at the new venue do not interfere with the daily lives of nearby residents. Nevertheless, the believers' worship services were disrupted by protests on September 14th, and again the following Sunday, with demonstrators expressing frustration that local religious leaders had not been consulted.

The church's pastor, Karundeng Gerung, admits to being shocked by the opposition. The congregation is now requesting the government to uphold its responsibility to protect the religious freedoms of all citizens. While the Indonesian government does not typically engage in the direct persecution of Christians, it has been criticized for inconsistently enforcing religious protections.
For more reports about the persecution of believers in this Southeast Asian country, go to our country report.

• Pray for wisdom and guidance on behalf of Pastor Karundeng as he and his congregants seek to amicably resolve this dispute with their opposing Muslim community members.
• Pray that followers of Jesus in Indonesia will reflect His love and grace to those around them, even in the face of opposition.
• Intercede for the country's local and national authorities, praying that they would justly defend the rights of all citizens – thus enabling followers of Christ to worship freely and without fear of retribution.

AZERBAIJAN: Churches Continue to Await Registration

Source: VOMC
Sources: Forum18, Christian Daily

Sumgait, Azerbaijan. Photo: Pexels / Smart World

In April, the leadership representing Peace Church in Sumgait, Azerbaijan, submitted a formal application for registration with the government, a legal requirement for conducting worship and other religious activities within the country. However, more than five months later, the church remains in legal limbo. The state committee responsible for processing such registrations is refusing to process the application. Instead, the church has been warned that any unregistered religious activity is forbidden and will consequently result in punishment.

The congregation belonging to Peace Church is not alone in facing this dilemma. At least four other Protestant churches are currently encountering similar delays, and some have already been waiting for more than two years. The issue of governmental registration extends beyond Christian communities, for many other religious groups in Azerbaijan are experiencing the same bureaucratic obstacles. In fact, only one non-Muslim community has successfully registered during the past five years.

This challenging registration process is not a new problem. In 2020, for instance, a Baptist church in Aliabad had been waiting 25 years for legal status. Its congregation members finally received a letter granting them permission to meet for two hours each Saturday morning. Despite that permission, these believers have never received official registration.
(Read more details on this case.) Additional reports addressing persecution in this Central Asian nation are available at our country profile.

• Pray for the members of Peace Church and other congregations in Azerbaijan as they seek peaceful interactions with governing officials in the midst of opposition.
• Pray that the officials will respond justly and promptly to the outstanding registration requests, granting our long-suffering Christian brothers and sisters legal permission to meet for worship and fellowship.
• May God grant wisdom, strength and courage to all Azerbaijani believers as they faithfully reach out to others in their communities with the Gospel message of peace.

CHINA: Suspended Sentences Revoked for Two Believers

Source: VOMC
Source: ChinaAid

Elder Xue Shaoqiang and Sister Wan Chunqin with some friends. Photo: ChinaAid

In 2023, Elder Xue Shaoqiang and Sister Wan Chunqin of the Bengbu Living Stone Reformed Church were arrested on accusations of "fraud" – a charge frequently used by Chinese authorities to target members of unapproved churches. The believers were sentenced to 30 months in prison, followed by a four-year suspended sentence. After their release on January 8th, 2025, both Christians were subjected to strict conditions. However, upon allegedly failing to comply with what they described as "excessively harsh and unreasonable" measures, their suspended sentences were revoked.

As part of their conditional release, the accused church members were required to carry cell phones with the 'tracking of their locations' enabled at all times. Additionally, they were ordered to complete facial-recognition check-ins three times each day. However, the two Christians viewed these measures as violations of their fundamental rights. As a result, the court extended Elder Xue's sentence by ten months and Sister Wan's by four months. Both of these believers were subsequently ordered to return to prison on September 5th so they could serve the remainder of their sentences.

The ruling Chinese Communist Party continues to exert strict controls over religious expression in China, even within state-approved churches. Not only are the congregations subjected to video monitoring, but their leaders must also preach sermons that align with the government's socialistic ideologies. Unregistered church communities that refuse to submit to the enforced requirements often face fabricated charges, such as fraud and "illegal business operations," as a means of intimidation and punishment.
To view previously published reports and/or online video interviews concerning the oppression of our Christian brothers and sisters in China, visit our country profile.

• As they resume their sentences in the ensuing months, pray that Elder Xue and Sister Wan will receive divine strength from the Lord, as well as open doors of opportunity to provide meaningful ministry to their prison wardens and fellow prisoners.
• Please also prayerfully uphold other followers of Jesus throughout China who are encountering similar threats and restrictions, asking our Heavenly Father to sustain them with renewed faith and courage.
• May God grant church leaders wisdom and discernment as they navigate the increasing pressures imposed upon them by Chinese authorities, so they can continue ministering in their communities with His grace and empowerment.

I Know a Man (Jesus)

NIGER: Baptismal Service Attacked by Gunmen

Source: VOMC
Sources: BBC, Vatican News, Human Rights Watch

Militants in Niger. Photo: Wikimedia / aharan_kotogo (cc)

On September 15th, a baptismal ceremony in Takoubatt, a village located within the Tillabéri region of Niger, was violently disrupted when gunmen on motorcycles suddenly stormed the gathering. According to a local source, 15 people were killed during that initial attack. The assailants then moved to the outskirts of the village, where they claimed the lives of seven more villagers. One local media outlet described the incident as a "gruesome death toll of 22 innocent people [who were] cowardly killed without reason or justification."

The Tillabéri region, which borders Mali and Burkina Faso, has been plagued by persistent attacks from jihadist groups linked to the al-Qaeda and self-proclaimed Islamic State militant organizations. Despite ongoing efforts to curb the violence, the military has struggled to maintain control over the area. A recent report from Human Rights Watch highlighted the various difficulties encountered by authorities in their attempts to protect the region's civilians. 
View a list of previously published reports concerning Christian persecution in Niger.

• On behalf of the families and community members now left mourning the tragic loss of their loved ones as a result of this recent attack, pray that they will receive God's great comfort, peace and healing.
• Also prayerfully uphold Niger's governing authorities as they try to restore order and security in the midst of the ongoing violence, asking the Lord to help them find effective and lasting solutions.
• Last, but not least, please intercede for the eternal salvation of the perpetrators responsible for the attacks, in hopes that they will be receptive to the transformative work of God's Holy Spirit in their lives. As a result, may they no longer be used as the enemy's agents of evil, but rather serve as dedicated disciples of Christ – demonstrating His tremendous compassion, mercy and saving grace.

DR CONGO: Multitudes Killed While Attending Funeral Wake

Source: VOMC
Sources: Reuters, International Christian Concern, Actualite.cd, Open Doors

Mourners gather for a mass burial. Photo: Open Doors USA

On the night of September 8th, Christians who had gathered at a funeral home in Ntoyo, a village in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), were brutally attacked by militants armed with guns and machetes. The assault resulted in the fatalities of numerous believers, the kidnapping of many surviving victims, and the burning of 16 homes.

A parish priest from the nearby city of Manguredjipa described seeing the bodies of "more than 70 people" in the funeral home and along the nearby road. Another local resident who had participated in search efforts following the attack claimed that further discoveries eventually led to a death toll that exceeded 100 fatalities.

The massacre has been attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militant Islamic organization seeking to establish an Islamic State. Such attacks have become tragically common in the DRC, including a devastating church raid in late July that resulted in the deaths of more than 40 followers of Jesus (read more).
To learn how you can prayerfully support our suffering Christian brothers and sisters in this beleaguered nation, visit our country profile.

• On behalf of the families who have been left heartbroken, pray that they will not feel alone in their sorrow; instead, may they experience our Heavenly Father's consoling presence, loving kindness and perfect peace.
• Also pray for the emotional, spiritual and physical healing of the many others who have been affected by the senseless acts of violence, asking the Lord to ultimately provide all the members of this shattered community greatly needed restoration.
• Pray that Christians throughout this region will be divinely protected from any additional harm and further strengthened in their resolve to proclaim the Gospel message amid difficult circumstances.

PAKISTAN: Justice Delayed in Jaranwala

Source: VOMC
Sources: Morning Star News, The Friday Times, IANS Live

The riots in 2023. Photo: Morning Star News

Incensed by allegations of blasphemy against two falsely accused Christian brothers, thousands of angry people stormed a Christian colony in Jaranwala, Punjab, on August 16th, 2023. The mob destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses before the violence was eventually brought under control.
(Video footage of the attack is available here.)

The two accused brothers were eventually acquitted by the courts, affirming that the allegations against them were false. However, more than two years following the devastating riots, residents of the targeted community continue to await justice and the fulfillment of government promises. Additionally, although more than 300 arrests were made in connection with the incident, none of the perpetrators who participated in the destruction have ever been sentenced.

In a show of solidarity, Christians from various organizations and denominations held a 17-day non-violent "sit in" protest, which ended on September 2nd. Lala Robin Daniel, one of the organizers of the demonstration, criticized governing officials who were "clad in suits and robes" for holding ceremonial meetings without making any endeavour to meaningfully engage with the victimized survivors of the August 2023 attacks. One resident of Jaranwala remarked: "This is not the story of just my family. This is [the] story of every Christian living in Pakistan." The protest concluded after governing authorities offered assurances of justice, though organizers warned that the demonstration would resume if no proper action is taken.

Earlier this year, VOMC's Minister-at-Large, Greg Musselman, travelled to Jaranwala to personally meet with local Christians whose homes were destroyed during the riots. These interviews can be viewed here. For additional reports addressing the many challenges experienced by followers of Jesus in Pakistan, visit our country profile.

• In the aftermath of the devastating August 2023 attacks, pray that Jaranwala's Christian residents will receive ongoing strength, encouragement and provision as they continue with the rebuilding of their homes, businesses and lives.
• In the meantime, may Pakistan's governing officials fulfill their promises to provide needed assistance to the recovering victims, while also taking necessary steps to ensure they receive justice and protection.
• Overall, please pray that the Gospel message of peace, love and hope will continue to spread throughout the country, transforming the hearts of Muslim militants and so many others who are in desperate need of God's eternal salvation through Christ.