Sadly, the widescale Christian persecution taking place around the world is barely reported. Recently, announcements by the Trump administration concerning persecution in Nigeria has demonstrated it is not being ignored completely by world leaders and is a hopeful sign that things might change for the better. In this posting, I raise the alarm, share what I am seeing and suggest ways to respond.

The fact that persecution of Christians is taking place on an alarming scale, as much as, if not more than, anytime in the history of the Church, ought to be a matter of great concern for all of us, not least the Christian church. I am grateful to organisations like Barnabas Aid for informing me concerning what is happening in many parts of the world and trying to respond, and to my own church for taking an interest. It shouldn’t surprise us as we are also seeing the rising tide of evil. We are should stand with those who suffer, find ways to support and encourage those who do suffer and be ready to suffer ourselves should persecution come to where we live, and to some extent it already is and may well get worse.

Meta AI tells me:

“Barnabas Aid is a Christian charity that supports persecuted Christians worldwide, providing material and spiritual aid to those facing discrimination, oppression, and humanitarian crises. Founded in 1993, they work with local churches and organizations to fund projects addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Their focus areas include:

– Food Aid: Providing essential food supplies to vulnerable Christians, like those affected by drought in Zimbabwe

– Persecution Support: Helping Christians facing violence, abduction, and false allegations, such as in Pakistan

– Community Development: Strengthening local churches and communities through sustainable projects

Barnabas Aid is transparent about their mission, values, and financials, with a strong emphasis on biblical teachings and accountability.”

Meta AI also tells me:

“The Persecuted Church in Nigeria is facing extreme violence and discrimination, making it one of the most dangerous places to be a Christian. Here are some key facts:

– Violence and Attacks: Over 52,250 Christians have been killed since 2009, with many more displaced, abducted, or forced to flee their homes. Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen are responsible for many of these attacks.

– Persecution: Christians face discrimination, oppression, and violence, particularly in northern Nigeria, where Sharia law is enforced. Many are forced to convert to Islam or face death.

– Resilience and Revival: Despite persecution, the Nigerian church is experiencing revival, with many believers choosing hope over despair and joy over sorrow.

– International Response: The US government has designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to its severe religious freedom violations. Some lawmakers are pushing for stronger action to protect Nigerian Christians.

– Organizations Providing Support: Groups like Global Christian Relief, International Christian Concern, and Open Doors are working to provide aid, support, and advocacy for persecuted Christians in Nigeria.”

The Barnabas Aid website (www.barnabasaid.org) provides many helpful resources including a booklet titled “Praying for the Persecuted Church”, which I refer to. Its Foreword reads:

“As I write in the closing months of 2025, the scale of persecution around the world remains staggering.

More and more of our brothers and sisters in Iran are being arrested for nothing more than meeting for worship in their own language of Farsi (Persian). Hundreds – maybe thousands – are in prisons and labour camps in Eritrea and North Korea. Worship is restricted or even forbidden under many authoritarian governments, from Algeria to Uzbekistan, from Nicaragua to Yemen.

More than 550 Christians have been killed in targeted attacks by Islamic State in north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo since Christmas 2024. Armed groups affiliated to Islamic State and Al Qaeda, along with other Islamist terrorists, threaten believers across sub-Saharan Africa. As an example of the scale of the violence, at least 200 were killed in just one day in Benue State, Nigeria, in June 2025.

All this is without going into the commonplace hostility and marginalisation that so many suffer in Christian-minority contexts through Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Barnabas Aid’s Praying for the Persecuted Church booklet goes into the detail about persecution in 40 of the most hostile countries on Earth. It is a product of the extensive research that we conduct into these severe challenges.

Why do we do this? Certainly not to cause any distress, or to lead the Lord’s people into fear and hopelessness. Rather, it is to equip you to pray knowledgeably for the Church – for those who are your Christian family. Our Lord Jesus Christ taught His disciples, in the words of the Apostle Luke, “that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1). The phrase rendered “not give up” in the NIV is variously translated as “not lose heart” (ESV), “not become discouraged” (HCSB), “not to faint” (KJV).

Our aim is that this resource will enable you to pray without fainting, without being discouraged, without losing heart – interceding for your brothers and sisters before the throne of grace, where we receive mercy and grace in times of need (Hebrews 4:16)”