20 prayers for persecuted children and their families

Meet Moryom: Every day, 9-year-old Moryom (pictured above, left) must face people in her Bangladesh community who are against her family because they are followers of Jesus. People in Moryom’s village know her well, mostly because her father is a pastor in this majority-Muslim area and her mother is an adult literacy teacher. That familiarity often works against her. For example, she must walk two miles to and from school because her Muslim classmates won’t let her ride in the rickshaw with them. No matter how many hurtful things people say and do, Moryom takes all of it to God in prayer and chooses to forgive them.  
  
Meet Combary*: At a very young age, she had to learn that life can be unfair, especially if you’re a Christian, young and female. Each characteristic adds another layer of vulnerability. When her village in Burkina Faso was attacked by Islamic militants, 13-year-old Combary* and her family fled their home. Living as displaced people, school was no longer an option for the young girl. Unfortunately, education often moves to the back burner for displaced families. Instead, shelter and food become the priority.  
  
Meet Ailin*: She is the only hearing person in her family as both her parents are deaf. This puts her at an immediate disadvantage because where she lives in Central Asia, many people see deafness as a curse from Allah, leaving those unable to hear and their families vulnerable to abuse. Added to that, being a Christian goes against clan identity, which says that being born in their part of Central Asia means someone is Muslim. As such, Ailin’s wider family opposed their faith, so they reported them to the authorities. Police became involved and interrogated Ailin and her mother after discovering Christian literature in their house.  
  
Moryom, Combary and Ailin represent millions of Christian children and families throughout the world who are targeted—in their schools and communities—because they follow Jesus. Children are often the most vulnerable persecuted Christians—and they are also the future of the Church.  
  
As God’s people, we have a responsibility to pray for these littlest voices of persecution and their families, especially as they approach the holidays—a time when children are particularly vulnerable and can feel isolated from their communities. They may not be able to celebrate the birth of Christ at all, or they may be forced to do so secretly. For some young believers, Christmas may be the one time of year when they can celebrate with Christian kids their own age—but always with the knowledge that they will return to a life of isolation.  
  
They need to know they are not alone. 
  
That’s why we’re sharing 20 prayers for persecuted children and their families. We hope you’ll commit to praying with us each day and inviting others to pray these prayers with you.  
  
For unto us a child is born ... And He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace … (Isaiah 9:6). 
  
1. Often, school is a difficult place for children in Christian families, exposing them to bullying, isolation and even shame. Pray for true friends for children like Moryom, Combary and Ailin. Pray that God would place people in their lives at school whom they can trust.  
  2. Pray for God’s protection over them as they walk to school and church. These simple walks can be times of trepidation for vulnerable children. We continue to hear how children are often bullied and even attacked on their way to attend class and church. Like Moryom, their identification as Christian limits their opportunities for rides and walking with other classmates.   

3. When children are discriminated against at school, our local partners tell us that they can be at greater risk of dropping out or renouncing their faith in Jesus. Pray 2 Timothy 1:7 over Christian children who are persecuted for their faith: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 

4. In Muslim-majority countries, some Muslim parents have taught their children to hate Christians from a young age. Pray that children who grew up hating Christians would experience the love of Jesus. 

5. Christian children can be used as pawns to target their families. In Bangladesh, a Muslim neighbor poured hot water on a boy because his parents left Islam. Pray for healing and comfort for this family—and all families who face these types of risks. 

6. Our partners ask us to pray with Julie, a young Christian girl living in a poor and unsafe neighborhood in Cairo, Egypt. Being bullied at school often leads to depression. 

7. Pray with Rumana* (pictured above, right) for protection. She is a young Christian girl in Bangladesh and because she follows Jesus, people have thrown bricks at her on the way to Sunday school. Pray for her resilience as she follows Jesus in a hostile place. 

8. Through counseling and a supportive community, Julie is learning to navigate her challenges. Pray that she and Christian children throughout the world will always know their value in God’s eyes. 

9. Persecutors, especially extremist groups, know that if they can damage families and their children, they can destroy the next generation. Today, pray for the future of the Church.

10. Pray for the growth (both deep and wide) of Open Doors’ work with children. Pray for the children and their families, and the workers who serve them. Pray that the worldwide Church would be moved to support this vital ministry. 

11. Open Doors’ on-the-ground partners work closely with children of the persecuted church. They provide trauma counseling and camps where children can find healing. Pray for these servants. Pray that God would give them the words and show them how to reach hurting children. Pray that the Holy Spirit would be at work.  

12. Pray for resilience as children follow Jesus in places hostile to their faith. Ask God to show them how He is working in their lives and is always with them. Pray they would have opportunities to be disciples and learn the power of His Word. 

13. Pray for Christian children in sub-Saharan Africa and throughout the world who are growing up without a father or mother due to extremist attacks. Pray they will be supported by faithful men and women in their local church. 

14. As Christmas nears and the absence of loved ones is magnified, ask God to give families the courage to remember and share about their missing loved ones. Pray that they would know and be comforted by the hope of Heaven.  

15. Often, Christian boys must take up financial and parental responsibilities at a young age if their father has been killed or chased away. Pray they will know and trust their heavenly Father. 

16. Pray for children who are living displaced from their homes in places like Nigeria because it’s no longer safe for them to stay in their village. Pray that God would keep His hand on them and empower them to face the temptations they encounter. Pray for opportunities for education and for a local church inside or outside the camp.  

17. Pray for the children and families in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon and all those who live in global conflict areas. Ask God to calm them with His comfort and give frightened parents discernment for the next steps to protect their families.  

18. Pray for the future dreams and aspirations of Christian children. Moryom dreams of being a teacher. Pray they can study well at school and ask God to give them the opportunity and resources to fulfill their dreams.  

19. Pray that Christmas would be a time of celebration for persecuted children and their families. Ask God to bring peace and reconciliation to their communities.  

20. Pray that they would put their hope and trust in God, knowing that He is making all things new. Father, we know that You are good God who loves and cares for His people. We thank You for how You work in seen and unseen ways. I pray, God, that You would be so close to Your children who follow You at such great risk. Give them Your comfort, Your strength and Your peace that transcends our human understanding. May they be acutely aware that Your are making all things new and that You are with them every day as they face hostility for their faithfulness. In Your Son’s name, I pray. Amen.   
 
*representative names used for security reasons