“What is Christian Persecution?” 

If you were to ask 100 persecuted Christians this question, you’d get 100 answers. The person who owned the Bible pictured above that was burned by Islamic State group probably has an obvious answer to the question. But there are many others.

Consider the experience of Rose*, a Christian from Northwest China whose church has faced repeated raids by authorities: "Our church has been suffering persecution for a few years. All 20 workers and 10 other believers were caught and detained. But the Bible tells us not to stop gathering. We insist on our faith, and we also need to gather. The situation is tense, and persecution still exists."

This is what Saleh*, a believer in Yemen whose name is on extremists' wanted list, had to say: "The authorities have my photo and my name. If we sit at home and do nothing, we would be safe. But what kind of Christians would we be if we weren't risking our life for others to know Life?"

Or hear from Narendran*, a pastor in India who was severely beaten along with his wife during a prayer service: "They punched my eyes, tore my shirt and beat me severely. Then they started hitting my wife; she fell unconscious. When Elijah was afraid and was hiding, an angel of the Lord came to him, gave him food and encouraged him saying, 'Get up and eat, for the journey is too long.' In the same way, when we were worried and struggling, Open Doors partners supported us with prayer and practical aid."

Then there's the testimony of Moryom, a 9-year-old girl in Bangladesh who faces daily persecution at school: "Villagers don't like us because we are Christians. Most of the people in my school don't treat me well. Sometimes they beat me with sticks and call me 'Christian' as an insult. They say, 'You're a Christian! We will play with you only if you come back to Islam.'"

And finally, here's what Zahra*, a women's ministry leader in Yemen told us: "We live among wolves, and we know that. I know that sometimes when I enter a house, I might not come back out. That is where God has called me. Jesus took my pain, my suffering and my guilt; He carried His cross, and now it is my turn to carry the cross and continue the journey."

These are all real people, and their stories and experience of persecution are different. Their countries, cultures, languages and experiences are different.  

But they have some things in common. Each of them shows the daily reality of persecution for them—and for millions of persecuted Christians all over the world.  

And they also testify to the goodness of God. 
 

How big is the problem of Christian persecution? 

Research for Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List reveals that over 380 million Christians around the world suffer persecution or discrimination for their faith in Jesus Christ. That means they experience some kind of hostility as a result of proclaiming the name of Jesus or living out their faith.  
 
The Pew Research Center has found that Christians are harassed in more places than any other religious group. And Open Doors’ research has shown that the number of countries where Christians suffer high and extreme levels of persecution has almost doubled in the last 30 years. 

Open Doors defines Christian persecution as “any hostility experienced as a result of proclaiming the name of Jesus.” That hostility can look different for each of the millions of believers who face persecution every day. Some experience rejection and isolation from their families, friends and communities. Others are denied access to basic needs like water, food and health care. Some face violent abuse, imprisonment and even death. 
 
The World Watch List was created in 1993 to help provide an accurate assessment of the problem of persecution against Christians. Each year, this annual report gives details on the 50 countries around the world where Christians experience the most persecution and/or discrimination—which could be from government, family, society or other forces. 
 

What does the Bible say about Christian persecution? 

As Christians, we have a biblical command to care for our persecuted sisters and brothers who live around the world. In 1 Corinthians 12:25-26, St. Paul writes: “But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”  

The author of Hebrews echoes this, writing: “Remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Heb. 13:2). 

And Jesus, in Matthew 25, tells His disciples that when we provide help to our Christian family who is in need, we’re actually caring for Him—because when we care for the Body of Christ, we stand in solidarity with Jesus Himself.  

What these passages tell us is that God cares very much about Christians who experience persecution, but that He also has given them a global family who will stand with them. When we support our Christian family through prayer and other ways, we are living into our calling as Christians—suffering and rejoicing with them as if we are physically together.  

Because, in Jesus, we are together!  

*names have been changed for security purposes