PRAY FOR NIGERIA – PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS.

Christians in Nigeria have been facing intense persecution in the past few years, and the slaughter of Christians has escalated in the past few months. Although the mainstream media intentionally avoids reporting these events, we share some news from the past few weeks to highlight the dangerous and precarious situation of Christians who need urgent attention and constant prayer

Open Doors reports that: the persecution of believers is most common in the northern, Muslim-majority states, where Christian communities in rural areas are particularly vulnerable to violent attacks. However, attacks are increasingly spreading southward, to where the majority of Nigeria’s Christians live.

Nigeria remained among the most dangerous places on earth for Christians, according to Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.
3,100 Nigerian Christians have been killed and it represents 69% of 4,476 Christians killed for their faith annually worldwide.

Here are some news items from the past few weeks from the Morning Star News.
April 15^th : Dozens of Christians Slain and Kidnapped in Benue State, Nigeria
April 29^th : Boko Haram Kills Seven Christians in Borno State, Nigeria 
May 26^th : Herdsmen Slaughter 42 Christians in Taraba State, Nigeria
June 4^th : Fulani Herdsmen Kill 70-Year-Old Pastor, 35 other Christians in Nigeria
June 5^th : Military Emergency Sought as Herdsmen Kill 86 Christians in Benue State, Nigeria
June 6^th : Slaughter of Christians Escalates in Plateau State, Nigeria. Survivors appeal for help as relatives are slain and homes burned.

Key Aspects of the Situation in Nigeria.

Christian persecution in Nigeria is a significant issue marked by violence, killings, and displacement, particularly targeting communities in the country’s northern and central regions. 

1. Violence and Attacks:
   * Christians in Nigeria face attacks from groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province), and radicalized Fulani herdsmen.
   * These groups engage in murders, rapes, kidnappings, and the destruction of homes, churches, and livelihoods.
   * More Christians are reportedly killed for their faith in Nigeria than anywhere else in the world.Attacks are described as brutal, with men being killed and women often abducted and targeted for sexual violence.
   *. Kidnapping for ransom is used to destabilize Christian families and the church.
2. Displacement:
   Millions of Christians have been driven from their homes due to the violence and conflict. Many are forced into Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps within Nigeria or seek refuge in other parts of the country.
3. Discrimination:
   In northern states under Sharia law, Christians can face discrimination and oppression as second-class citizens. Converts from Islam often face rejection and pressure to renounce their new faith, sometimes forcing them to flee their homes.
4. Government Response:
   There are reports of the Nigerian government failing to adequately protect Christians and bring perpetrators to justice.
   Some argue that the government’s response has been ineffective or has even contributed to the problem.

Sadly, Nigeria has become known as the world’s center of Christian martyrs. In any given year, the number of Christians killed by extremist groups is rarely less than 4,000, often more than in the rest of the world combined.
According to an April 2023 report by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, at least 52,250 persecuted Christians have been killed in the past fourteen years, simply for the crime of being Christian.

Despite these conditions, the Christians in Nigeria continue to grow.
According to Operation World,  Church growth has been massive and remains so. A large majority of West Africa’s evangelicals live in Nigeria. Nigeria has the world’s 4th, and possibly 3rd, highest number of evangelicals in the world. Catholics, Anglicans, traditional Protestant groups, and newer Pentecostal and charismatic groups all grow. Much growth comes from among Muslims and those who follow tribal religions. This growth often happened quietly, in less obvious ways. Praise God for the millions who have come to know Him in Nigeria!

Nigerian Christians have been resilient and joyful in persecution, yet the needs of those displaced and who have lost their homes continue to undergo severe hardships.  Pray that God will sustain them and restore their losses.

‘Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ‘

Romans 12:11-12.

A prayer for Nigeria

“Heavenly Father, we cry out to You for our persecuted sisters and brothers in Nigeria.”

• Comfort and heal all who have been attacked, traumatised or bereaved, and fill them with hope.
• We pray especially for women and girls who have been abducted and assaulted – set them free and restore them to their families.
• Help the President work together with the authorities to bring an end to terrorism in the country.
• Build Your good Kingdom in Nigeria through Your church and give believers courage to keep proclaiming the good news of Jesus, Amen.

Please continue to pray for:
• Families who lost loved ones in these horrific attacks.
• Displaced Christians seeking refuge, comfort, and restoration.
• Courage for local churches continuing to serve amidst great risk.

Sources:
Morning Star News.
Global Christian Relief.
Operation World.
Open Doors.