How to pray for persecuted Christians in the Middle East: Two stories of courage
Christians across the Middle East face growing pressure, discrimination, and persecution because of their faith. Yet many continue to follow Christ with courage, choosing to remain in their communities and serve as a light in difficult circumstances.
In this prayer article, you’ll meet two young Christians who have chosen to stay despite the risks. Their stories reveal the challenges facing persecuted Christians in the Middle East and how you can pray for strength, protection, and hope for them and believers across the region.
PRAY WITH SETAREH, IRAN
Setareh* froze, her heart racing. At the beauty salon where she worked, a woman had just walked in wearing a small cross around her neck. Setareh approached discreetly… “Do you believe in Jesus?” she whispered. “No, but I like him,” replied the woman.
It was a crossroads moment.
Should Setareh tell the woman about Jesus? What if she was a spy? There were rumours that the Iranian government was cracking down on Christian converts. Was Setareh putting herself in terrible danger?
“In that moment, I felt God’s presence with me,” says Setareh – and she boldly shared the Gospel.
The woman came to faith in Jesus, followed by two family members. Today, Setareh is a courageous and powerful witness in Iran, leading groups of young believers and providing home-cooked meals to street children and homeless adults.
- Give thanks for Setareh’s courageous faith and ask God to strengthen her.
- Pray for protection and wisdom in her ministry. Pray Setareh will continue to see fruit.
- Setareh says: “Pray God brings a partner into my life, who shares His vision and calling.”
PRAY WITH ZAID, YEMEN
Zaid* waited nervously on a street corner. What he was about to do could land him in jail. Even killed. Soon, Zaid spotted Alaa*, the man sent by an Open Doors partner. They shook hands and walked together to a nearby public swimming pool, where they found a corner and slid quietly into the water.
“The man asked me two simple questions about my faith. Then he baptised me. Then we got out and left. I never saw him again. That was the first time I met a Christian face-to-face in Yemen.”
It was a milestone moment, the culmination of a long search for truth and meaning and many online text conversations with Alaa.
“For 18 months, I went on a discipleship journey with Alaa. I never met him, I didn’t even hear his voice,” says Zaid. “But the more time I spent with God, the more he changed me. Im a new creation in him!”
The decision to follow Christ was costly for Zaid. His father beat him, and his family disowned him and threw him out. But even though many Christians leave Yemen because of persecution, Zaid is determined to remain. “I want to stay and serve my people,” he says.
- Pray for believers like Zaid to be a courageous and faithful witnesses to Christ.
- Ask the Lord to renew the strength of Yemeni believers amid conflict and isolation.
- Pray for deep fellowship, unity and encouragement among Yemeni Christians.
*Names changed for their safety.
