All Persecuted Church articles
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Opinion
Why Christians should be keeping an eye on China’s growing influence
25 years ago, Chris Goswami heard his Chinese professor predict his country’s rise as a global superpower. With that predication now being reality, Chris explores the forces driving China’s growth and why its growing influence is something Christians should be thoughtfully engaging with
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Opinion
The Church cannot continue to sleep through crisis - it’s time to return to the night vigil
The Church once lit up the night with intercession. If the Church wants to ignite the revival that awaits us, Jonathan Oloyede says it must reclaim the night vigil and reopen the wells of persistent prayer and fasting
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Opinion
Iran’s evangelicals are branded “enemies of the state”. They need our prayers now more than ever
Donald Trump may have floated the idea of regime change in Iran, but would it be good for Iranian Christians? That depends on who takes over, says Ben Cohen. But right now, the nation’s beleaguered evangelicals need our prayers
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Opinion
‘Even in war, God is moving’ 4 ways to pray for the Iranian Church
A Christian in Iran shares her story of God at work even among the chaos of conflict in the Middle East. She asks believers around the world to stand with the underground Church in Iran as they pray for peace and an end to the war with Israel
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Opinion
A fragile hope has returned for Syria’s Christians. Pray it isn’t snuffed out
Syria’s Christians have endured war, exile and persecution. Now, a new, seemingly more inclusive leadership and Trump’s promise to lift sanctions have opened the door to a cautious optimism. Matthew Barnes says the global Church must not miss this moment to stand with them
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Opinion
Nicaragua’s Easter crackdown on Christians is no anomaly
Christians in Nicaragua are being subjected to a disturbingly routine suppression by their government – yet, as Ellis Heasley reports, the Church remains committed to voicing its faith
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Magazine Features
Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world. Why is the media silent?
Stories of Christians being persecuted around the world rarely make the headlines in the mainstream media. Heather Tomlinson investigates why
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Opinion
Shahida Bibi was forced to convert to Islam and married against her will. Now she’s free
Shahida Bibi was abducted, forced to convert from Christianity to Islam and sexually exploited. Tragically, she is only one of many girls who endure this fate. Her restored freedom is a sign of hope, but the fight against forced conversion and child marriage is far from over, says Tehmina Arora
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Reviews
This Oscar-nominated drama is a terrifying glimpse into what persecuted Christians face
Seeing a big-screen dramatic portrayal of a brutal and unjust regime brings to life the stories we hear from persecuted Christians, says Steve Dew-Jones. Here’s what he made of the Iranian film, The Seed of the Sacred Fig
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Magazine Features
The Iranians stormed this church and forced its closure. But I’ll never forget the Christians I met there
When Tara Jamali returned to Iran after an absence of 20 years, she was shocked to discover the church she attended as a student boarded up. Pressure on Iranian Christians is growing she says, but glimmers of hope are present in the darkness
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Opinion
Christians in India can break the cycle of religious violence
Despite the growing threat Hindu nationalism poses to the Christians already facing persecution in India, Joseph D’Souza urges the Church to resist retaliation and embody the love of Christ. It’s the only way to achieve lasting peace, he says
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Opinion
Almost 400 million Christians are persecuted. Why aren’t more people talking about this?
The 2025 World Watch List from Open Doors has revealed 380 million Christians are now persecuted. Henrietta Blyth is urging prayer for those whose stories are scarcely featured in the headlines
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Opinion
Christmas is non-existent for North Korean Christians
For most Christians around the world, Christmas is a time to gather and celebrate with friends and family. But for Christians in North Korea, the most dangerous country in the world for followers of Jesus, it is a time of great danger
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Opinion
Assad’s fall leaves Syrian Christians in peril
Could Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s takeover see a jihadist-inspired coup peacefully transition to a free, democratic Syria? If it does, it would be a first for the region, says David Charlwood. If it doesn’t, their long history of violence spells disaster for all non-Muslim minority groups
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Magazine Features
Secret believers: The disciple-making movement that’s sweeping the Middle East
You may have heard that Christianity is spreading like wildfire across the Middle East. But did you know that leaders in the persecuted Church are now training Western church leaders in evangelism? Phil Moore calls it a quiet revolution
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Opinion
Islamists are massacring Christians in Burkina Faso. Why doesn’t the world care?
More than 200 people have been murdered in Burkina Faso, as the threat of an African Islamic caliphate continues to increase. Yet the situation isn’t garnering nearly as much international attention as it deserves, says Megan Titley
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Opinion
3 ways to pray for Iran’s presidential election
Following the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash last month, this Friday, the country will elect a new leader. Despite heavy persecution, the Church in Iran is one of the fastest growing in the world. So will a change in leadership make their lives easier, or more difficult? And how can Christians pray?
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Opinion
Democracy is a gift from God. We must fight to preserve it
In the recent Indian election, prime minister Narendra Modi won a third consecutive term, but lost his majority government. It is a blow to those who wish to enshrine Hindu beliefs into Indian law, but a victory for democracy, says Bishop Joseph D’Souza
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Opinion
Is Iran really like Orwell’s 1984? Here are 4 similarities
A new report says life for Christians in Iran is harder than ever. Ben Cohen says their horrific treatment at the hands of the Morality Police reminds him of George Orwell’s famous dystopian novel
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Opinion
Vanishing faith: the exodus of Iraq’s Christians
Amid growing intolerance and persecution, the Christian population in Iraq is declining rapidly. Urgent prayer is needed for this community, who have been present in the region for almost 2,000 years