Top Ten countries where believers are persecuted

1.    North Korea
2.    Saudi Arabia
3.    Iran
4.    Maldives
5.    Bhuton
6.    Yemen
7.    Afghanistan
8.    Laos
9.    Uzbekistan
10. China

Locate these countries on a world map or globe. Older children can find information about a country and share it with the rest of the family at dinner.

Write each of the top five countries on a separate index card (or piece of paper). Write each of the following requests on a separate index card or piece of paper. Put the countries on the table and pick one each night after dinner for prayer. Put the prayers in a separate pile and let each person in the family pick one and pray the request for the people in that country.

•    God, please help the believers to have strength when they face hard times.
•    Please help the families of those imprisoned or martyred.
•    Help those persecuted to be filled with love and forgiveness.
•    Please help these Christians not to give up.
•    Give the church leaders wisdom and courage to lead their people.
•    Please help those who persecute Christians to be saved.

Write a letter to a Christian who is imprisoned for his or her faith. Go to www.prisoneralert.com for information on how to do that and where to send the letter. You can create the letter on their website and they will translate it for you and tell you where to send it. You can also see a picture of each one on their website.  Alimujiang Yimiti is a prisoner in China.

In September 2007 Chinese government officials closed Alimujiang Yimiti’s business and accused him of using it as a cover for “preaching Christianity among people of Uyghur ethnicity.” He was later arrested in January 2008 and accused of “subversion of the national government and endangering national security,” a crime punishable by death. Alimujiang, a former Muslim, became a Christian more than 10 years ago and has been an active Christian in the growing Uyghur church. On May 27 Alimujiang’s case went to trial. His case was referred to the Chinese Public Security Bureau’s prosecutors due to “insufficient evidence.” He remains in custody.

Iran has been in the news lately. As you watch the news or read the paper, read the following article taken from www.kidsofcourage.com. This site has many articles about children and adults who have shown courage while being persecuted. To read more, go to the website and click on “Archives.” They also have a map to show the countries where persecution is occurring (click on “Countries” to see).

Women and girls in Iran are forced to follow strict dress codes. Leaders in Iran believe that Islam, the religion of Muslims, teaches females to cover their heads and hair. They are also expected to cover their skin from head to toe.


Hijabs (“hih-JAHBZ”) are scarves or other material worn to cover the hair. Recently, hijabs have shown up in some places where they may not have been expected. Three women from Iran wore hijabs to participate in the 2008 Olympics. And hijabs are appearing on the heads of taxi drivers.
Usually taxi drivers in Iran are men. But some strict Muslims believe that women and men should not ride together in taxis. Also, some Iranian women do not feel safe riding with men drivers. So a few women now drive taxis for women only. But women taxi drivers are still unusual in Iran.

Taxicab Evangelists
Christian taxi drivers are unusual too. Just as the custom for women is to wear head coverings, the custom for Iranians is to be Muslim. But one Iranian Christian said, “Half of the population would desert Islam if they had the freedom to do so.”
 So among some people in Iran, the customs are changing. A few taxi drivers are helping them change.  Sohrab is one of those taxi drivers. “God bless you,” he says as he greets passengers. Sohrab plays Christian praise music on his taxi’s cassette player. A cross hangs from his rearview mirror.
 
Sohrab knows his behavior is risky. Christians in Iran who witness about Jesus to Muslims are often harshly persecuted. But he trusts in God and continues to help people learn about Jesus. He even gives Bibles to passengers who want to learn more.
 
Rashid, another taxicab evangelist, said that many people he talks to want to become Christians. “But the problem is fear,” said Rashid. “I know the risk . . . yet I’m ready to face the challenge.”
 
Pray for Iranians who want to be Christians, but are afraid. Ask God to protect Sohrab, Rashid, and other Christians who accept the challenge of taking His Word to risky areas.
 
Extra Information!
Women and older girls are sometimes whipped by the police for not obeying the dress code. “My cousin was taken and whipped,” said one Iranian youth. “Her hair was showing under her scarf and she was wearing make-up. If the police are having a bad day, or if they don’t like you, the whipping might be worse. Sometimes they whip women so they can’t sit down for a long time. Some women have scars for the rest of their lives.”