Around the world, believers are standing firm in places where following Jesus can cost them everything—from their livelihood to their freedom to their very lives.
According to the World Watch List from Open Doors, more than 380 million Christians face high levels of persecution—1 in every 7 believers worldwide. Yet every day, in the shadows of prisons, in war zones, and in brickyards, the Church is standing firm. Their courage calls to us. Their suffering invites us to open our eyes to the needs. And their faith urges us to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them in prayer and action.
In Pakistan, Christian families have spent generations trapped in crushing brick-kiln slavery —paying back debts they did not create, held there simply because they bear the name of Jesus. Entire childhoods are spent mixing clay, molding bricks, and breathing dust. But thanks to the prayers and generosity of believers around the world, 27 families have been set free! Their debts have been paid in full. Chains that felt permanent are breaking, and families are launching micro-businesses through training and support.
When we choose to see their suffering—and refuse to look away—we become part of God’s rescue story. This is what it means to stand with the persecuted.
In Egypt, where spiritual oppression has lingered for centuries, God is rewriting stories one life at a time. A man deeply involved in dark magic burned his books and surrendered his life to Christ after hearing the Gospel for the very first time. Muslim widows—often isolated and overlooked—are discovering joy and community as they learn new skills alongside Christian women. Even though these women are from different faith backgrounds, seeds of the Gospel are being planted — one stitch, one friendship, one story at a time. Meanwhile, Uncharted’s Egypt team is building a church sanctuary, meeting hall, and safe house for Muslim-background believers who have lost everything for following Jesus. The building is nearly complete, but the city’s police chief is demanding a bribe for final approval. Our team has taken a bold stand: they refuse to pay. Above the sanctuary entrance is carved in Arabic, “I am God Almighty; walk before Me faithfully and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1). And so, they are praying—trusting God to move mountains so that He alone receives the glory. Their faith reminds us that standing with the persecuted means praying for integrity, strength, and miraculous favor.
Across war-torn Syria, where trauma and instability mark daily life, the Church is rising in courage. Since December 2024, children have been walking hours through dangerous streets just to attend church, hungry for hope in a land scarred by violence. Our team continues to risk their lives to cross through HTS checkpoints. Women’s ministry is going on in some of the most dangerous places in Syria. Women in areas controlled by HTS are open to Christ, and meetings are filled to overflowing. Their desperation and hopelessness are driving them to the Cross of Christ, and they are coming to Him with open arms.
In Israel, where families continue to grieve the horrors of October 7th and the ongoing war, ministries on the ground are comforting survivors, supporting soldiers, and caring for Holocaust survivors still living through trauma. And in Gaza—where few would ever expect the Gospel to take root—Muslims are turning to Jesus in the heart of a region governed by Hamas. Their faith is dangerous. Their worship is hidden. But the Holy Spirit is moving where the world least expects it!
In every place where believers suffer for the Name of Jesus, their perseverance calls us to live boldly, to give generously, and to lift them daily in prayer. One of the most powerful ways we stand with the persecuted is by interceding for them with sincerity, urgency, and faith.
How to Pray for the Persecuted
PAKISTAN — Freedom From Generational Slavery
- Pray for the Christian families recently freed from debt bondage to stay safe, grow spiritually, and flourish in their new micro-businesses.
- Ask God to protect believers still trapped in forced labor and open doors for their release.
- Pray for courage and integrity for local pastors serving under constant pressure.
EGYPT — Light in a Land of Spiritual Darkness
- Pray for new believers, including those freed from the occult, to grow strong in faith and boldly share their testimony.
- Pray that friendships formed among widows across faith lines would lead to Gospel conversations.
- Ask God for supernatural favor and approval for the new church and safe house—without paying bribes.
SYRIA — Courage in the Shadow of Terror
- Pray for protection over children walking long distances to church, and that their families would encounter Jesus as well.
- Ask God to strengthen leaders discipling the next generation amidst war and instability.
- Pray for believers facing threats and surveillance to be filled with unshakable courage.
ISRAEL — Healing After Trauma and War
- Pray for deep emotional and mental healing for families devastated by October 7th.
- Ask God to guide ministries caring for soldiers, widows, and Holocaust survivors.
- Pray for believers in Israel to shine brightly and become a refuge for the hurting.
- Pray for the protection of believers in the secret church in Gaza and for more Muslims to have dreams and visions of Jesus!
Thank you so much for supporting the ministry of Uncharted! Your giving and prayers are more than support—they are participation in God’s rescue mission. Every family freed from slavery, every believer strengthened, and every secret church member encouraged stands as a testimony to what God can do through a faithful global family.
Thank you for praying, giving, and believing with us. Together, we will continue carrying the light of Jesus—reaching the unreached and standing with the persecuted. May the Lord richly bless you as we step into 2026!
