10/5/2023  Eritrea  (VOM) A Christian imprisoned in Eritrea several times for his faith expressed gratitude to the for their ongoing support in prayer: “You have been praying for us, and I want to thank you,” Joseph said. He also shared how communism is Eritrea’s most significant challenge and that its president, who trained in China, launched a brutal crackdown on the Christian community in 2004, closing most churches and arresting many Christian leaders. Those imprisoned without trial are held in inhumane conditions, including metal shipping containers. “Prisons in Eritrea … are torture chambers,” Joseph said. Front-line workers believe 350-400 Eritrean Christians remain in prison, but the actual figure is unknown because officials will not release information on prisoners or allow outside contact. But Brother Joseph stated that despite the pressures in his country, “We praise God because the number of believers is growing every day.” Please pray… Praise the Lord for the way He has encouraged Joseph and other Eritrean Christians through the prayers of Christians around the world. Pray that the Lord will draw many people to Himself as they realize how empty communism is. Pray that the Lord will strengthen, encourage and comfort the many Eritrean Christians who are […]

3/2022   Eritrea  (VOM) In March 2022, Eritrean officials raided a house church gathering and arrested 29 Christians — 12 men and 17 women. All of them are currently being held at Mai-Serwa prison. Prison conditions for Christians inside Eritrea are some of the worst in the world, and imprisoned Christians are often refused the right to a trial and are not allowed visits from their families. Please pray… Pray that the Lord will strengthen and encourage these Eritrean Christians, and that they will be able to remain firm in their faith amid their imprisonment. Pray that God’s peace will comfort them and their families during this time. Pray for the Gospel to spread in Eritrea.

10/7/2021   Eritrea   (VOM) A group of 15 believers was arrested once again in recent weeks despite being released from prison in the last few months. These Christians were not engaged in any illegal activity as they were arrested in their homes. “The police actually went to each of their individual houses; they weren’t caught in a homestead church or gathering,” a front-line worker said. The group of believers includes long-term prisoners who had recently been released from prison, and the group is now being held in Mai Serewa Prison. Please pray… Pray for these Christians to not lose hope as they continue to endure persecution for the sake of Christ. Pray that the Eritrean authorities will release them quickly. Pray that their witness for Christ will lead many others to Him, including their persecutors and jailers.

8/6/2020  Eritrea  (VOM)  The number of Christians imprisoned in Eritrea has reportedly risen to 640 in recent months. In May, 15 women were arrested at a house church and are now in prison. Thirty people arrested at a wedding in late June are being held at a police station, where Christians have in the past been held for many years. Another group of Christians was recently released from the notorious Dahlak Kebir island prison, which has been described as a huge jail constructed of sheet-metal buildings and shipping containers. Although the prisoners have been released, they are not allowed to leave the island and are still being used as slave labor by the government. Please pray… Pray for these imprisoned Christians, as well as some others who have been held for nearly two decades. Pray that the Lord will strengthen, encourage and comfort His children in Eritrea and help them to endure the severe persecution. Pray that the Christians will have opportunities for fellowship in prison and that they will have a bold and joyful witness to other prisoners who do not know Jesus.

7/18/2019  Eritrea  (VOM) The Eritrean government increased its pressure on Christians in June, arresting about 500 people in various raids, according to a VOM contact. In one raid on an underground church, authorities arrested 45 believers, including children, pregnant women and elderly people. “They were taken to Agordat, a notoriously hot place,” the VOM contact said. One reason for the crackdown is that many young people, most of them Catholic, left the country after recent unrest against the government. The government also shut down several Catholic hospitals. Please pray… Pray that the Lord will comfort and strengthen these arrested Christians and help them to endure the harsh treatment. Pray that the gospel will never stop being preached in Eritrea and that the Lord will draw many to Himself there. Pray that the Lord will comfort the families of those whose loved ones are imprisoned for their faith.

6/7/2019  Eritrea  (ICC) Thirty Eritrean Christians were arrested on Monday, June 3, while praying at non-denominational churches in three different locations. This news comes shortly after the arrest of 141 Christians in Asmara in early May. According to local reports, the arrested individuals will be freed only if they disavow their faith. It is said that the current Eritrean government only recognizes four religious affiliations, including Sunni Islam, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eritrea, the Catholic Church, and Orthodox Christianity, even though the constitution proclaims religious freedom. However, under President Afwerki, many Christians have been arrested. In this week’s raid, Pentecostal Christians were targeted while they prayed in their community churches. Eritrea is known for imprisoning dissidents in metal shipping containers in the heat of its desert climate. Please pray… Pray for the safety of the 171 Eritrean Christians who are now imprisoned. Pray that the Lord will encourage, comfort and strengthen the Christians of Eritrea. Pray that the Lord will convict President Afwerki, who has been in power for a number of years, and that he will discover the truth of the Gospel.

4/25/2019  Eritrea  (VOM) After Faven came to know Christ, she suddenly had to leave Eritrea. She was able to take only two of her children with her, leaving a son behind. “Pray for my other son, who is still in Eritrea with his father and is being taught Islam. I miss him and I want him to be strong in Christ.” Her other children are doing well in their adopted country, though one of her sons has been asking why his father is a Muslim. Faven is unsure how to answer him. Faven hopes her entire family will come to know Christ. Please pray… Pray for Faven and her family, that she will not lose heart and that her son in Eritrea would be comforted in his loneliness. Pray that her son in Eritrea will continue to believe in Jesus and that Jesus will protect his childlike faith from the lies of Islam. Pray that she will have wisdom as she raises her two children to be followers of Christ.

8/9/2018  Eritrea  (VOM) Eritrean believers inside and outside the country are cautiously hopeful a new peace deal between Ethiopia and Eritrea will end decades of animosity and promote greater freedom within Eritrea. On Monday, July 16, the first airline flight between the two countries in many years took place. One prison has been reportedly shut down, and a few Christian prisoners were released along with many political prisoners. However, concerns remain. A VOM contact in Eritrea asked for prayer that false theology does not gain influence and that the church remains solidly focused on Jesus. Many other believers, especially long-time leaders, remain in prison. Please pray… Pray that the peace deal between Eritrea and Ethiopia will last and that it will lead to increased freedom of religion in Eritrea. Pray that those who remain imprisoned for their faith will be released and that they will be able to return to their families. Pray that those who have suffered for their faith will find healing, peace of heart and mind, and hope in Jesus.

3/29/2018  Eritrea  (WWM) Ten friends congratulating a newly married couple were among those arrested during a recent raid by authorities in Eritrea. Four Christians, including the newlyweds were split up and moved to Adi Abeito Prison following their arrest.  At the United Nations Human Rights Council, it was noted that more than 100 people were arrested in Eritrea in 2017 for practicing religions banned by the state. Please pray… Pray that the Lord will comfort, strengthen, and sustain those who are in prison for their faith. Pray for God’s protection of the underground church in Eritrea. Pray that the Christians will have wisdom and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit as they share their faith with others.

3/20/18  Eritrea  (ICC)  Often referred to as the “North Korea of Africa,” Eritrea ranks as the fifth worst persecutor of Christians in the world.  In December 2017, believers were attacked in their homes, arrested, and taken to secret prisons where they remain to this day. Their crime, like thousands of others, is believing in Jesus Christ. Persecution in Eritrea ranges from financial pressure to arrests and torture. Please pray… Pray for those imprisoned to find ways to share the Gospel with their captors and other prisoners. Pray for those living out and sharing their faith underground to be hidden from authorities. Pray for the love and power of God to be burn brightly within and through every believer, whether free or imprisoned.