The 5 most dangerous places to be a Christian

For more than 30 years, the Open Doors World Watch List has reported the global scope of Christian persecution. The list ranks the top 50 places where faith costs the most—to understand the needs of and pray with persecuted Christians. 

When you pray for your brothers and sisters living in the countries on the World Watch List, you’re reminding them they’re not alone, no matter how desperate the situation might seem. When Brother Andrew took Bibles behind the Iron Curtain 70 years ago, he was doing the same thing: listening to the needs of the persecuted church and then doing what he could to help.

But out of the top 50, there are 5 that stand out as the most extreme places where Christians experience persecution and discrimination for their faith. Here are those countries—will you pray with believers in these places as we enter into a new year?
 

5. Sudan

Sudan was on a path toward religious freedom, but a coup and devastating war dashed these hopes. Sudan rose three ranks on this year’s World Watch List, and Christians are once again in danger.

After a year and a half of war, Sudan is now home to the world's largest displacement and hunger crises, with nearly 9 million people forced to flee their homes. Neither side is sympathetic to Christians, and the conflict has given Islamist extremists more opportunity to target them. More than 100 churches have been damaged so far, and Christians have been abducted and killed. Sudanese Christians who have come to faith from a Muslim background face severe backlash from their families and communities. These believers tend to keep their faith secret, even from their own children.

Christians are also experiencing exceptional hardship in the hunger crisis because local communities discriminate against them and won't give them support. Much of the church in Sudan, which might have been able to help with aid distribution, is on the run.

It’s impossible to overstate how difficult life is for Sudanese believers. “There are many diseases, we fall sick, we need medicine to cure us and our children. We have so many challenges,” shares Alia*, a displaced Christian who lives in a camp in southern Sudan. “I pray that what I say God will hear, and [that He will] see my tears due to this situation and war.” We know we worship a God who does hear prayer (1 John 5:14). 

Ask God to give His people in Sudan a glimpse of the reality that He is on the throne, and that His Kingdom will have no end.  
 

4. Libya

In Libya, following Jesus is a huge risk for anyone. Libyan Christians with a Muslim background face violent pressure from their families and communities to renounce their faith. Foreign Christians, especially those from sub-Saharan Africa, are targeted by Islamist militant and criminal groups. These groups kidnap and sometimes brutally kill Christians. Even if they avoid such a fate, sub-Saharan Christians face harassment and threats from radical Muslims.

Christians who openly express their faith or try to share it with others risk arrest and violent opposition. The lack of a central government to enforce law and order makes the situation even more precarious.

It can be hard to see where God is at work in a place like Libya. Yet, we serve a God who preserved His people through mass murder (Matthew 2:16-18), widespread imprisonment (Acts 8:3) and exile (Revelation 1:9)—the same King who has promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against His people (Matthew 16:18). 

Pray these promises over your brothers and sisters in Libya.
 

3. Yemen

Torn apart by civil war, life is very hard for everybody in Yemen, and even harder for Christians.

The country is now divided into territory ruled by three different powers, as well as some areas held by al-Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State. None of the powers involved are sympathetic to Christians, and the official constitution upholds Sharia (Islamic law) and no freedom of religion. The 1% of Yemenis from minority religions are severely marginalized. Relief aid is mostly distributed through local Muslim groups and mosques, which are alleged to be discriminating against anyone not considered a devout Muslim.


Re-enactment of a secret house church in Yemen

If someone is reported to be a Christian and or involved in Christian activities, they could face severe monitoring, arbitrary detention, torture, ill treatment and even murder. In Houthi-controlled areas, it's dangerous to possess a Bible or other Christian books. Leaving Islam to follow Christ is seen as a huge betrayal of your native tribe—punishment by the community can include being disowned, disinherited, divorced and losing custody of their children, being banished or even murdered.

Persecution has increased recently as the Houthis have gained more power. At least one Christian Yemenite has been killed for his faith and dozens of house churches can no longer meet. It's especially dangerous in areas controlled by Islamic extremist groups. Many have fled the country.

But Yemenis disillusioned with Islam are searching for truth and finding out about Christ through online chats with secret Christians. Christians are risking their lives to share their faith and to live out the gospel in Yemen. “I am honestly comforted and encouraged when I see how the church in Yemen, though in secret, is growing!” says Zahra*, a Yemeni believer. “Yes, it is difficult, especially when other Yemenis do not even confess that there are Christians inside Yemen. However, we dream with God and we know there are real Christians living for the Lord in our country.” 

Ask God to supernaturally make Zahra’s dream come true and preserve His people in Yemen.
 

2. Somalia

In Somalia, following Jesus is a matter of life and death. Al-Shabab, a violent Islamist militant group, is at war with the government and controls large swathes of the country. This group enforces a strict form of Sharia (Islamic law) and is committed to eradicating Christianity from Somalia. They have often killed Somali Christians on the spot. The dangers have increased over the years, as the militants have increasingly focused on finding and eliminating Christian leaders.

But persecution for Christians also comes from within their own families and communities. The culture itself is very religiously conservative. Being Muslim is a huge part of Somali identity, and to reject this is seen as a major betrayal that affects the whole family. Even a suspicion that you might have converted from Islam to Christianity can put your life in great danger from your own community. You could face house arrest, forced marriage, forced Islamic rituals or even threats to your life. These factors make Somalia one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian.

Pray today for Christians living in Somalia, knowing that if they are discovered they could be killed. Pray for wisdom and courage—and pray they will be able to experience the shalom of Christ, even as they face unending pressure.
  

1. North Korea

As it has been for nearly 30 years, North Korea is No. 1 on the 2025 World Watch List. If your Christian faith is discovered in North Korea, you could be killed on the spot. If you aren't killed, you will be deported to a labour camp and treated as a political criminal. You will be punished with years of hard labour that few survive. And it's not only you who will be punished: North Korean authorities are likely to round up your extended family and punish them too, even if your family members aren't Christians.

There is no church life in North Korea. It's impossible to gather for worship or prayer, and even secret worship and prayer put Christians at great risk. Official spies could inform on you, if they have any indication that you are a Christian, and so could your neighbours or teachers.


Re-enactment of North Korean Christians reading the Bible in the forest to avoid unwanted attention

Recognizing any deity beyond the Kim family is considered a threat to the country's leadership. “Anti-reactionary thought laws” were enacted in December 2020. These made it even clearer that being a Christian or owning a Bible is a serious crime and will be severely punished. While a handful of churches exist for visitors in the capital, Pyongyang, these serve for propaganda purposes only and are no indication of religious freedom in the country. 

Even North Korean citizens who have escaped the country are not safe. Refugees in other countries are at risk of being rounded up and sent back to face appalling punishments. If it is discovered that a North Korean has become a Christian, or has heard the gospel or come into contact with Christians, then they will be singled out for severe punishment.

Miraculously, Open Doors estimates there are 400,000 Christians in North Korea, all of whom follow Jesus in secret. They know the risks, but they are continuing to live for Christ. “I know the risks involved,” says Joo Min* [Editor’s note: Joo Min is a composite of two real believers who live in North Korea. The details of their stories have been combined and changed to protect their identities.] “If I am caught, I could end up in a labour camp, paying a heavy price for being a Christian now.”

Pray for God’s people in North Korea. Pray for the estimated 50,000 Christians currently in labor camps. Do not give up hope that God can make a change—and ask that He will protect and strengthen the North Koreans who cling to His promises.

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Explore the 2025 World Watch List to see, learn about, and pray for all 50 of the countries most dangerous for Christians.

*Name changed for security purposes; images for representation only