DR CONGO: Christians Targeted by Islamic Terrorists

Source: VOMC
Sources: Barnabas Aid, Mission Network News

A church in the DR Congo. Photo: Wikimedia / Ralph Malan (CC)

Islamic militants in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) claim to have killed more than 80 Christians during several recent armed assaults in the northeastern region of the country. The deadliest incident, which took place on May 5th, is believed to have claimed the lives of an estimated 60 believers, whom the attackers referred to as "Christian combatants."

The Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP) uses the term "combatants" to describe Christians who refuse to convert to Islam or accept the status of dhimmi – a condition of subjugation in which non-Muslims are permitted to live under Islamic rule in exchange for the payment of what is known as jizya tax.

A statement from the aggressors declared, "Let the worshippers of the cross know that they have no security except by submitting willingly or paying the jizya in humiliation." ISCAP claims to have killed nearly 1,000 Christians in northeastern DRC since December 2024.

Despite being one of the world's wealthiest nations in terms of natural resources, the DRC remains marked by widespread poverty. This contrast has drawn the attention of external forces that are seeking control over the nation and its wealth, thus contributing to ongoing instability. Notably, the country is also one of the most predominantly Christian nations in Africa. For additional reports concerning the life-threatening dangers encountered by followers of Jesus in this Central African nation, go to our country profile.

• Pray that God's comforting presence will be sensed in tangible ways by those who have lost loved ones, and that His healing ministry would restore the health and emotional well-being of all who were physically harmed and/or traumatized during these recent attacks.

• May those of our Congolese brothers and sisters in Christ who were displaced receive safe shelter, compassionate support and divine guidance as they now navigate their way to new hope-filled beginnings in the aftermath of the violence.

• In general, ask the Lord to mightily intervene throughout this war-torn nation, so that His peace and justice will prevail and communities would be protected from further attacks – resulting in lasting harmony and stability for all.

AZERBAIJAN: Christian Worship Locations Demolished

Source: VOMC
Sources: International Christian Concern, Radio Free Europe

Photo: Flickr / David Stanley (CC)

In mid-April, reports began to circulate that two significant places of worship had been demolished in Stepanakert, the capital located within the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Recent satellite imagery has since confirmed that the Holy Mother of God Cathedral and the Church of St. Jacob have been completely destroyed.

Nagorno-Karabakh is a region historically inhabited by ethnic Armenians, though it has long been claimed by Azerbaijan. After many years of armed conflict, Azerbaijan seized control of the territory in September 2023, triggering an exodus of about 120,000 Armenians from the area.

Leaders of the Armenian Apostolic Church have warned that Azerbaijan's predominantly Muslim leadership may attempt to erase the Christian heritage of the Armenian people by demolishing monuments, monasteries, churches and other religious sites. Previously published Persecution & Prayer Alert reports addressing the challenges facing believers in Azerbaijan are available at our country profile.

• Pray for God's protection over those of our Christian family who are still residing in this disputed region, and that others who have opted to flee the area would receive His comfort, provision and a sense of belonging as they endeavour to rebuild their lives.

• Intercede for Azerbaijan's governing leaders, praying that they would be mindful to duly respect the religious faith and heritage of this large group of Armenian citizens by preserving their historical sites.

• Pray that the message of the Gospel would be heard throughout the nation, planting seeds of spiritual truth that will lead many lives to salvation and lasting transformation through the power of Christ.

CHINA: Total of 31 Christians Recently Sentenced

Source: VOMC
Source: ChinaAid

Believers in China. Photo: ChinaAid

In March 2024, leaders of a house church fellowship in Suizhou, a city located in central China's Hubei Province, were arrested as part of a major crackdown on itinerant ministry workers. In an apparent attempt to minimize public and international attention, authorities conducted the trials in small numbers, often with only one or two defendants at a time.

According to a recently released report, a total of 31 believers have now been sentenced to imprisonment, with terms ranging from 28 to 48 months. Among them is 77-year-old Pastor Yang Zhijin, who was sentenced on May 21st to 38 months in prison for allegedly "using a cult organization to undermine the implementation of the law."

The convicted believers are itinerant workers who travelled to minister among ethnic minority groups in western China. To review other reports about the persecution of our Christian family in this Communist nation, visit our country profile.

• Prayerfully uphold these recently sentenced believers, asking the Lord to provide each one of them – as well as their concerned families – divine strength, protection and sustaining grace.

• As they begin serving their prison sentences, in hopes the convictions will be rightfully overturned, may these faithful servants find meaningful opportunities to share the message of God's love and eternal salvation with others around them.

• Pray that the Gospel message would continue spreading exponentially throughout China – bringing hope, encouragement and new life to many more spiritually searching hearts.

Prayer for the Persecuted - Monday June 1, 2026 @ 7 PM

1. Open in Prayer: 

2. Scripture: Matthew 10:16“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

3. Worship Video: Unashamed - Matthew West (Lyric Video)

Video: In the Hidden Places - An Anthem for the Persecuted Church

Prayer for the Persecuted

4. Mozambique: It seems like all of sub-Saharan Africa is on fire–including northern Mozambique.

5. Short Video: Nigerian Church Worship During Ongoing Genocide
                            NIGERIA: Three Slain During Prayer Vigil Attack

6. IRAN: Nine-Year Sentence for Christian Convert

7. Central Asia: Pastor Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison

Recent News

• Islamic Extremists Halt Church Service in Indonesia
• Three Christians Killed at Prayer Vigil in Western Nigeria 
• Pakistan Fails to Make Arrests in Violence against Christians
• Married Muslim Said to Forcibly Convert, Marry Christian Girl
• Fulanis Face Rare Resistance as Attacks Mount in Nigeria

Unashamed - Matthew West (Lyric Video)

Central Asia: Pastor Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison

Source: iCommitToPray
May. 28, 2026 | Central Asia

A young pastor has been arrested and sentenced to eight years in prison for his ministry. Not long after this pastor had launched a church in Central Asia, local and secret police arrested him for simply conducting Christian ministry, actions considered by many Muslims to be offensive and even illegal in that region. “The young pastor has a wife and little children,” said a front-line worker. “Please pray that they will be encouraged and that this gospel worker’s faith and witness will be strong inside the prison.” Since the pastor began serving his sentence, the family has experienced hardship without a regular source of income. The front-line worker, with the help of the global body of Christ, is working to ensure that the pastor’s wife and children are cared for. “Pray that they will be strong during this time and that the sentence will be shortened,” the front-line worker added.

Mozambique: It seems like all of sub-Saharan Africa is on fire–including northern Mozambique.

Source: Open Doors South Africa

Open Doors South Africa

May 27 at 1:02 AM ·

It seems like all of sub-Saharan Africa is on fire–including northern Mozambique. Our field shares that Islamic State set fire to a church, including a kindergarten managed by the church.

In addition to the church, a nearby school was also set on fire.

Since the insurgency began, a million people have since been displaced and thousands killed. Due to the area’s current insecurity, our local partners have not yet been able to access the area for prayer and presence ministry to believers. So, they’re asking us to pray:

• Pray that the St. Louis de Montfort Church congregation and church leaders

would remain strong in their faith.

• Pray for justice for the perpetrators.

• Pray that Islamic militants in the area will meet Jesus.

• Pray that the communities in Mozambique will have better job opportunities and

a stronger economic situation.

NIGERIA: Three Slain During Prayer Vigil Attack

Source: VOMC
Sources: Morning Star News, Punch, Leadership, Mission Network News, BBC

Photo: Unsplash / Gracious Adebayo

Three Christians were killed and 15 others kidnapped when gunmen raided a night prayer vigil on May 23rd. At least 10 attackers invaded the gathering in the community of Ori-Oke Ajaiye, located on the outskirts of Ikiran in Nigeria's western state of Kwara. The violent assault sparked widespread terror throughout the region, causing villagers to flee for safety.

State police officers have since been dispatched to the area and are now conducting a coordinated rescue mission. The commissioner of police described the attack as "barbaric, callous and unacceptable," assuring affected families that the authorities are fully committed to rescuing the captives and bringing those responsible to justice.

At last report, the identities of the perpetrators remain unknown. However, similar attacks throughout Nigeria have generally been attributed to militant Islamic members of the nomadic Fulani herdsmen tribe, as well as ISIS-affiliated terrorist groups such as ISWAP and Boko Haram.

To review other reports concerning the suffering of our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria, go to our country profile.

More than 30 Christians were killed by radical Islamists on Palm Sunday. On March 29, 2026, around 7:45 p.m., a group of jihadi terrorists on motorbikes rode into a crowded outdoor market in the Christian area of Jos, Nigeria. The group was yelling “Allahu Akbar!” and began shooting unarmed people. Bystanders ran for cover, but the Islamists killed some 30 people and injured even more. “The area is a 100% Christian community,” said a front-line worker. “Right now, the entire region is under curfew. There is a serious tension within Jos and its environs, and people fear another deadly attack by the terrorists.” The front-line worker asks for prayer for the families of the victims, for those who have been injured and for Nigerian Christians to show the light of Christ to their enemies despite such attacks.

• Pray for the safe and timely rescue of the 15 believers who were taken captive during this most recent attack.

• Ask the Lord to restrain the violence, protecting Nigeria's believers from militants who seek to harm them in an attempt to establish an Islamic state.

• In addition to experiencing God's perfect peace – which surpasses all understanding – may all who are suffering in the aftermath of this incident receive His healing, comfort and renewed strength. (This includes those whose loved ones were either abducted or slain, as well as the assaulted victims in need of recovery from physical injury and/or emotional trauma.)

• Prayerfully remember all of our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria, asking the Lord to provide them ongoing practical help, spiritual encouragement and enduring hope, so they can continue brightly shining His light in a world that desperately needs His salvation.

INDIA: Increased Harassment Since New Anti-Conversion Laws

Source: VOMC
Sources: Christian Daily, UCA News

Photo: VOMC

On the morning of May 10th, members of a Hindu nationalist organization travelled to disrupt several worship services in the city of Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, where they verbally confronted the churches' pastors and demanded to see their identification papers. In some cases, police were also present to monitor the situation.

The aggressors, who are members of the Hindu Jagran Manch organization, accused the congregations of holding "healing meetings" as a cover-up for conversion activities. They called on authorities to strictly enforce the state's new law against forcible conversions, which came into effect in early April.
(See here for more details.)

Anti-conversion legislation in India has commonly been used to intimidate and harass Christians across the country. In a separate incident within the same state, a Christian family in the village of Madgaon was violently attacked on May 9th by two men who confronted the believers while they were harvesting mangoes. As a result of the confrontation, the five family members sustained serious injuries and required medical treatment at a local hospital.

The targeted believers were told by their attackers that they had no right to live in the village due to their conversions to Christianity. Prior to this, the Christians regularly encountered various forms of intimidation and threat over recent months, including demands that they renounce their faith or face expulsion.

Pastor Simon Digbal Tandi from the Progressive Christian Alliance has noted a significant increase in attacks against fellow followers of Christ in Chhattisgarh since the new law was enacted. "Almost every other day, we hear [of] such incidents in the state, raising concern for our people living in the villages," he reported. These escalating attacks are occurring in a state that already ranks second in the country for violence against Christians.
To access additional reports addressing religious persecution in India, visit our country profile.

• Prayerfully lift up the injured family in Madgaon, asking the Lord to minister needed healing, comfort and wisdom as they now consider their next steps.

• In fact, may God's loving guidance, protection and peace preside over all Christians throughout Chhattisgarh whose lives are being affected by the increased opposition.

• Pray that India's governing leaders would acquire a better understanding of the many challenges faced by religious minorities and, therefore, be moved to establish policies that will support the freedoms and rights of all citizens.

IRAN: Nine-Year Sentence for Christian Convert

Source: VOMC
Sources: Article18, HRANA

Ghazal Marzban Photo: Article18

In January 2025, Ghazal Marzban was arrested and sentenced to six months' imprisonment and 74 lashes on charges of "propaganda against the regime" and for appearing in public without a hijab. Thankfully, the Christian woman was released after serving two months of her previously ordered sentence.

A year later, Ghazal was unexpectedly arrested again. (Read more.) During this most recent detention, her Bible and other Christian literature were confiscated. Although she insists that these materials were meant for her own personal use, the Ministry of Intelligence claimed that they had been intended for evangelistic purposes. It was recently reported that Ghazal has now been sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison on charges that include "propaganda against the state."

Following her conversion to Christianity, the law graduate was prevented from taking the bar examination. In addition, her husband, who is also a Christian convert, has been unable to access needed medication for Parkinson's disease. The withholding of his medical treatment appears to be linked to the couple's Christian faith. In light of his health concern, Ghazal's imprisonment has been referred to as "a sentence for both of them."

• Pray that Ghazal will remain deeply aware of God's abiding presence, divine protection and sustaining grace as she awaits with renewed hope for His mighty intervention to take place once again in her legal case.

• In the interim, please also intercede on behalf of her husband, asking the Lord to provide him urgently needed medical help, improved physical health and well-being, along with further encouragement – enabling him to not only survive these challenging circumstances but also thrive in the midst of them.

• Continue to prayerfully remember the dozens of other believers who, like Ghazal, are presently imprisoned in Iran because of their faith in Christ, asking Him to also greatly encourage their hearts, strengthen their faith, and surround them with His peace.

CHINA: Church Members Charged for Hosting Sunday School

Source: VOMC
Sources: ChinaAid, Bitter Winter

Photo: Unsplash / Wei Chen

In early May, six Christians were arrested in Kaili, a city located within China's Guizhou province. Authorities accused the believers of fraud and "organizing minors to engage in activities undermining public order." The alleged "crime" leading to these charges was hosting a children's Sunday school program and allowing families to worship together as a church.

The six church leaders – five men and one woman – have now been formally charged. Yet, legal experts raised concerns about the nature of these accusations, noting that such charges are typically associated with inciting youth to engage in criminal behaviours, such as theft or violence. The detained Christians remain in custody as their family members arrange legal representation on their behalf.

Although Chinese regulations restrict minors from entering churches, informal religious activities involving children and their parents are generally considered outside the scope of these laws.
For further information on the persecution of our Christian family in China, visit our country profile.

• Please uphold these believers in prayer, asking the Lord to surround them and their children with His peace, strength and comfort during this time of difficulty and uncertainty.

• Pray that God will provide wise and capable legal counsel for the accused church leaders, and that all the charges against them would be dismissed.

• In general, prayerfully remember our other Christian brothers and sisters throughout China who are likewise endeavouring to faithfully disciple the next generation amid ongoing restrictions, asking that they too would be encouraged, protected and unwavering in their devotion to Christ.

EGYPT: New Appeal Filed for Imprisoned Christian

Source: VOMC
Sources: Church in Chains, Coptic Solidarity, ADF International

Dr. Augustin Sam'an Photo: ADF International

In October 2025, Dr. Augustin Sam'an was arrested and charged with "contempt of Islam" due to the content he shared on his YouTube channel. (More details about his situation are available here.) As a result of the subsequent trial, this Christian scholar/apologist was sentenced on January 3rd to five years of hard labour. Not only were the court proceedings conducted in secret, without due notification given to his family or lawyers, but he was also denied access to legal defence. Finally, Dr. Augustin's lawyers were granted access to the file relating to his case on February 11th.

On April 24th, Dr. Augustin filed an appeal against his conviction, citing "significant procedural issues." A spokesperson for Coptic Solidarity, an advocacy group dedicated to defending the rights of Coptic Christians in Egypt, stated that "this is not a legitimate judicial proceeding." Tragically, Dr. Augustin's case is not unique. Since August 2025, dozens of other individuals affiliated with various religious minority groups have been arrested due to their online religious content.

While Egypt's constitution guarantees freedom of religion, the country's blasphemy laws have been disproportionately used to target Christians. These laws are described by critics as "a sword used solely to protect Islam and Muslims."
To access other reports addressing the challenges encountered by believers in Egypt, go to our country profile.

• Pray that God will providentially guide and strengthen the defence attorneys representing Dr. Augustin, granting them wisdom, clarity and favour as they advocate on his behalf.

• Ask the Lord to work within Egypt's governmental and judicial systems, leading officials to uphold laws that truly honour the country's constitution regarding religious freedom, and thus ensure all citizens are treated with fairness, respect and equality.

• May believers in Egypt be further encouraged to continue boldly and compassionately sharing the message of the Gospel with others, knowing that the Holy Spirit can minister in meaningful ways through their divinely inspired words and witness.