India’s Constitution protects religious freedom in Articles 25 to 28. It gives every person the right to believe, practice, and share their faith, and it defines India as a secular country. However, there has been a rise in persecution against believers.

John Pudaite with Bibles For The World shares a recent story of a pastor attacked during a worship service. “They dragged him outside, and they forced him to chant Hindu chants, praising one of their gods, and then they forced him to eat cow dung,” he says.

Preamble to the Constitution of India (picture courtesy of Beohar Rammanohar Sinha\Prem Behari Narain Raizada via Wikimedia Commons)

Christians report similar incidents from different regions. It is happening across the entire country, adds Pudaite, especially in the 12 states that have passed anti-conversion laws. These laws are one reason many of these attacks go unpunished.

Still, Christians believe a higher law, the Constitution, is on their side.

The National Council of Churches, representing approximately 14 million Christians through its network of 32 member churches in India, has backed a petition. The goal is to challenge whether these laws are constitutional.

“There is what they call a public interest litigation in India that has taken the case all the way up to the Supreme Court,” explains Pudaite.

Now, the responsibility falls on the states to prove their laws follow the Constitution. But the process keeps getting delayed. In the meantime, pressure continues.

“They [Christians] get arrested. They have to pay bail. They have to go to court,” says Pudaite. And on top of that, many attackers feel unpunished.

While waiting for a decision, Christians are finding other ways to speak out. Thousands of Christians marched with torches on March 22 in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, to protest the state’s new anti-conversion law.

Believers in West Bengal, India (courtesy of Pexels)

Even so, Pudaite says the deeper battle is spiritual: “Along the way the enemy is just going to make it difficult for those who follow Jesus to continue to follow Him.”

Pray for a legal breakthrough in India, and for the protection of Christians’ rights.

Visit Bibles For The World to learn more about the work they do helping communities worldwide have access to Scripture.

Header photo: Central Wing of the Supreme Court of India (photo courtesy of Subhashish Panigrahi via Wikimedia Commons).

The proposed legislation would expand Criminal Code offences connected to “hate-motivated” intimidation and interference with access to houses of worship.

Floyd Brobbel with Voice of the Martyrs Canada says there are positive elements in the proposal. “There are a lot of good things in the bill, where it’s combating hate: it’s looking at things that will willfully promote hatred,” he says.

He adds the bill could target actions such as displaying terrorist symbols, intimidating people to prevent access to religious sites, and intentionally obstructing someone from entering places of worship or other locations.

However, many religious groups share a key concern: how the bill defines hatred.

Brobbel says: “Bill C-9 is proposing a looser definition than the bar set by the courts.”

(Image by Steve Haselden from Pixabay)

Current case law protects freedom of speech, even if some find it offensive. Yet, the new wording could let subjective reactions shape how hate is defined. Brobbel also says the bill removes a key “good faith” clause that previously protected religious expression (read more here).

“With the redefining of hatred and removal of this clause, certain aspects of our faith could be determined as hatred,” Brobbel adds.

Earlier this week, Canada’s House of Commons limited debate on Bill C-9 and sent it to committee. It will later return for a final vote before Senate review and could be adopted as soon as this month.

Still, the bill could change before becoming law.

“We continue to pray that people that are forming this bill will do so wisely,” says Brobbel.

How you can pray:

1. Pray that those working on the bill will create a clearer definition that leaves less room for misuse.
2. Pray that Christians will remain alert and engaged as laws are debated and changed in the country.
3. Pray that many Canadians and foreigners living in Canada will have open hearts to the Gospel.

“We need to be prayerful in how we engage the next generation and people outside the church, and be willing and ready to face whatever opposition comes our way,” Brobbel urges.

Visit Voice of the Martyrs Canada to learn more about the work they do.

Header photo: Canadian flag (photo courtesy of Chris Robert via Unsplash).

Yet an old danger is rising within Syria itself: ISIS. 

In January, government troops under President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration clashed with Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria. American intelligence agencies believe that during that campaign,15,000-20,000 people were freed from detention camps. Many of these people were affiliated with ISIS.

Aleppo, Syria (Photo courtesy of Ahmad Sofi via Unsplash)

“There is legitimate concern that we are walking back into the same ISIS war that we left a few years ago,” says Duane Friesen with Voice of the Martyrs Canada. “And what will that mean for the Christian community? What will it mean for the neighboring countries?” 

Regardless of new labels or badges that Syrian militant groups might take, Friesen observes, “they seem to run back to the same narrative, and that is, ‘Anyone who’s not like me is somebody that’s worth killing.’ And anytime you’re into that mindset, the story seems to always go the same way.” 

In the past year, Syria’s Christian, Alawite, and Druze minorities have endured episodes of terrible violence — sometimes at the hands of government forces, and sometimes at the hands of other ethnic or militant groups — including ISIS.

“I hope that this government that’s now in place will take seriously some of the honest conversations in regard to religious freedom. They have been approached on this topic very clearly. They have an opportunity right now,” says Friesen. “Will they take up the mantle of justice for all who are Syrian? That’s still to be seen, and that’s the concern.”

For Christians, uncertainty and even fear under the government of President al-Sharaa continues, but so does the call to share the gospel. Please watch and pray for boldness for Syria’s Christians under tremendous pressure. 

“Believers want to have the courage to do what God has called them to do, even in the midst of the challenges,” says Friesen. “Pray that God would open a way in the minds and hearts of the new government to see the value of providing religious freedom for all who live in Syria.”

Header photo: What is left of a street in Daraa, Syria, an ISIS stronghold. Stock photo courtesy of Mahmoud Sulaiman/Unsplash. 

“The USCIRF report helps to highlight countries where there are egregious violations of freedom of religion and belief. They’re the same countries where Christians suffer the most,” Dan Oleshani of Open Doors International says.

Religious freedom is a fundamental human right. Wherever it’s not protected, Christians face persecution. “Freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental right given to us by God. ‘Choose you this day who you will follow’ – the words of Joshua,” Oleshani says.

“Freedom of religion and belief coexist very comfortably with the quality of life. If you can’t choose where to worship, what to read, or who to congregate with, that’s a huge loss.”

Each year, USCIRF’s annual report and Open Doors’ World Watch List overlap. Afghanistan, Nigeria, and India appear in both places this year, along with China, Iran, and Syria.

(Screenshot of Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List)

“Countries designated for their lack of freedom of religion and belief are the same countries that we identify in the World Watch List for the persecution of Christians,” Oleshani says.

“There is overlap, and I think it’s a good thing, because the push by USCIRF and others for freedom of religion and belief also impacts the people that we are serving: persecuted Christians.”

Mandated by Congress, the USCIRF report helps inform State Department decisions. Actions can range from individual sanctions to economic pressure.

“It becomes important when the U.S. government and other Western governments take this report more seriously and apply pressure. It could be positive pressure or pressure that actually hurts. Then it starts to make a difference,” Oleshani says.

Prayer needs

USCIRF’s annual report and Open Doors’ World Watch List contain testimonies and statistics representing real people. Oleshani describes three ways to pray for them.

First, “Pray for those who are in authority” in countries that restrict religious freedom, Oleshani says.

“Part of [good governance] is allowing your citizens to choose whom to believe. That is an individual choice. It should not be dictated by a government.”

Persecuted Christians wrote much of the New Testament, including portions that exhort believers to intercede for governing powers. “Scripture, particularly Romans, was written when Rome was in power,” Oleshani says.

(Photo courtesy of Heart4Iran)

“Ancient Rome was a very oppressive government, so for the Scriptures to exhort us to do that (pray), it tells us that it is possible, and it is a good model.”

Second, Oleshani adds, “Pray for our persecutors, because the Lord is able to change their hearts, too.”

Third, “Pray that the understanding of the Bible will become more widespread,” Oleshani requests. “The Bible is a foundation for freedom of religion and belief.”

Header image of Nigerian church is a stock photo courtesy of Tosin Superson via Pexels.

Unless a family approaches the authorities to report a relative’s Christian faith, the government will not get involved, as Muslim-background believer conversions are seen as a family issue.

Because of this, there is an opportunity for Christians to reach their non-believing families, and North African pastors encourage it even though these Christians may experience physical violence.

Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs USA interviewed a North African pastor who urges converts to minister to their families.

Often, the response of these new Christians is, “I can’t. I got to run. I need a place to stay. How can the church help me?” Nettleton says.

The pastor “repeatedly has seen those family members later come to Christ, if that person is willing. And it’s a sacrifice to stay because it involves suffering, but it is such an opportunity for witness,” Nettleton says.

One exception to persecution in North Africa being primarily familial, is in Algeria. There, the government is taking action to close churches.

While believers do not typically experience physical persecution from the Algerian government, since 2017, most Protestant churches have been closed.

Despite this, even church closures are a witness to the gospel.

One Algerian Christian that Nettleton spoke with said that even non-believing neighbors responded when a Christian church was closed.

“All of the neighbors came to them and said, ‘We’re so sorry this happened. We know you guys are not troublemakers. We know you’re not making trouble in our city, in our neighborhood. We’re so sorry this happened,” Nettleton says.

“It’s interesting how the Lord works,” Nettleton says. “Even when churches are being closed, the Lord is still able to use that to allow the planting of gospel seeds.”

Please pray that believers in North Africa will be faithful witnesses to their families. Pray for relief for those who are suffering. As Christian persecution endures, pray that Christians will be faithful witnesses to the gospel.

Photo courtesy of Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke/Pixabay

The suffering and disruption are grim. But Denise Godwin from International Media Ministries (IMM) says Iranian expatriates are celebrating the fall of the lies that were brought to their nation in 1979: “The lies about their culture, about who they are as people, about religion through the Islamic Revolution, all of that is being cast down,” Godwin says.

“I know from talking to Iranians [that] this is their desire: to have the Persia of the past that had an open door — through the King Cyrus, even going back that far — for you to keep your own religion, to choose, to explore different ways of having a career and doing society together, artistically, musically.”

Centuries ago, ancient Persia was a safe haven for the Jewish people. IMM’s upcoming film series, Esther: Queen of Hope, retells that biblical story with an Iranian cast. Godwin sees the parallels to today’s events — parallels of contrasts, where the government of modern-day Persia is bent on Israel’s destruction. 

Yet it’s essential to remember that Iran’s government today is not the same as its people. 

“One thing that’s probably very shocking to a Western audience is that Iranian expats are very pro-Israel,” says Godwin. “And they do not understand why the West is so pro-Hamas and Hezbollah and Palestine.”

As the threat of regional war rises in the Middle East, please pray for God’s blessing on His people who are sharing the gospel. Pray that people across the region discover the true hope of Christ.

“Is God going to do a great move, and there’s going to be another wave of revival and change in the world, or is this the end? We don’t know. And yet, there’s amazing opportunities,” says Godwin. “He has his people in place and His ways in place, dreams and visions, and media to reach these people.”

International Media Ministries’ Esther: Queen of Hope is set to be released later this year, pending final fundraising. Pray that Esther and projects like it will bless the Farsi-speaking world with the good news of Jesus.

(Photo courtesy of International Media Ministries via Facebook)

Header photo: Iranians rally in Tbilisi, Georgia, voicing support for the United States and Israel, March 1, 2026 (Photo courtesy of MNN).

However, the State Department has done nothing with USCIRF recommendations during Trump’s second term. The most recent International Religious Freedom report reviewed conditions in 2023.

The department’s lackluster response is surprising, given Trump’s ongoing appeal to evangelical Christians.

“We were really looking forward to something a little stronger to address some of the issues in countries where we are seeing specific persecution, oppression of Christians,” John Pudaite of Bibles For The World says.

“Countries that we’re watching closely are India, Southeast Asian nations, as well as Africa.”

Spotlight: India

The absence of a current IRF report is important because religious freedom violations could factor into US foreign policy decisions, such as sanctions. For example, India has gotten a free pass diplomatically, despite known persecution.

State anti-conversion laws have long been used against pastors, church planters, and evangelists. Despite greater government restrictions on Christianity, churches are growing.
(Photo, caption courtesy of VOM USA)

“In India, we have seen violence against Christians as well as other minorities increase continuously over the last couple of years,” Pudaite says.

“It’s a tough situation. Those who are persecuting them know that nothing will happen; they have complete impunity.”

Hindu mobs recently attacked Christian home fellowships, while others tried to make the meetings illegal. “They’re trying to attack the house churches and small groups that are meeting in homes,” Pudaite explains.

“There was an act by a couple of states to try to [outlaw] prayer in the home. This case, in the court, was defeated. So, there was small victory there.”

Prayer needs

India’s state-level anti-conversion laws remain problematic for believers. Please pray for perseverance.

“We have anti-conversion laws in 12 states. Many have been arrested under those laws; [it is] an inconvenience, at the very minimum,” Pudaite says.

“They get arrested. They have to go to court. It’s all part of the enemy’s tactics to try to discourage [believers].”

Pray that U.S. officials will prioritize religious freedom as they make policy decisions.

“There’s been a (USCIRF) recommendation that has gone forward, and we are really looking forward to [seeing] whether the US Department of State will follow through and act on that,” Pudaite says.

Header image depicts a Stand Up for Religious Freedom rally. Photo courtesy American Life League via Flickr.

In a ruling publicly released February 2, the high court over Utter Pradesh, India’s most populous state, stated that permission is not required for religious prayer gatherings held on private premises. The ruling came after petitions were filed by two Christian organizations, in response to frequent police disruptions of prayer meetings on private property.

“There was an act by a couple of states to try to even illegalize, basically, prayer in the home. They’re trying to attack the house churches and small groups or fellowships that are meeting in homes,” says John Pudaite of Bibles for the World. “It’s a tough situation there for the body of Christ when they can be dragged out of a church or a worship.”

The court ruling was based on the Indian Constitution, which states individuals have the freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion. This decision offers hope to Christians in India in the face of anti-conversion laws, which have been used to unjustly arrest religious leaders and have fueled persecution against Christ.

“We have anti-conversion laws in 12 states. Many have been arrested under those laws,” notes Pudaite. “To date, no one has been convicted under those anti-conversion laws in any of those states, so that’s a victory on one side, knowing that when the body of Christ is practicing, professing their faith, meeting for worship, things like this, they are protected by the Indian constitution, and it’s still being upheld by the by the courts, whether state High Court, Supreme Court. But at the same time, those conversion laws still give them that opportunity to harass the body of Christ, harass believers, harass pastors in that way.”

How to pray for India:

• Pray that the courts in India would continue to show impartiality and hold firm in their reading and interpretation of the Indian Constitution, as they did in this recent ruling.
• Pray for strength and encouragement for believers in India, that they would continue to trust in Jesus as Lord.

“We know how the story ends, but along the way, the enemy is just going to make it difficult for those who follow Jesus to continue to follow Him, and so he’s going to try to do anything he can to discourage us,” says Pudaite, reminding believers, “Christ has paid the price. He is the victor. The story is going to end up with a happy ending.”

Header photo is a representative stock image courtesy of Naveed Ahmed via Unsplash.

Within Yemen, persecution of Christians also occurs, whether or not the rest of the world hears about it. Floyd Brobbel with Voice of the Martyrs Canada says, “We don’t always hear about these things because the information is not easy to leave the country.” 

Yet a February 9 news report from Human Rights Watch says more than 20 Christians have been arbitrarily detained by Houthi authorities in recent months. Enforced disappearances can look like this, says Brobbel: “Their relatives don’t know where they are. They can’t communicate with anybody. The officials who arrest won’t even give any indication that they have these Christians.”

(Photo courtesy of Lara Jameson/Pexels)

Brobbel says the detentions point to broader issues in Yemen — issues that merit advocacy and which other governments should be aware of. “Religious freedom is virtually non-existent in the region,” he says. “There’s been violence and tortures. There have been martyrdoms of pastors in the past. Christians are forced to hide.” 

Yemen once had 41,000 believers, according to the U. S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. But today, there are estimated to be only a few thousand. Brobbel says years of civil war, not just persecution, have also contributed to the drop. 

“A lot of Christians and religious minorities have left, but you’re always having those that stay,” he says. “Despite all these things that we’ve talked about, there is an underground church that is expanding despite the dangers that they’re facing on a daily basis.” 

Pray for strength for Christians in Yemen to share the gospel in the midst of hostile and, in many cases, unknown circumstances. 

“Pray that they would be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Pray that they would be effective in reaching their enemies for Christ,” says Brobbel. “You know, with opposition comes opportunity.”

Then ask yourself, what are you doing to share the gospel in your own nation and community? Ask God to help you see and take the opportunities all around you.

Learn how you can help Voice of the Martyrs Canada serve persecuted Christians at www.vomcanada.com.

Header photo is a representative stock photo of a boy in Yemen courtesy of Nazar Alareqe via Pexels.

WEF is an annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, that has been held since 1971 (with a few exceptions). Although participants come with a variety of agendas, WEF — also called Davos — aims to foster dialogue on global issues. 

Joe Handley serves with A3, a leader development group. He says that despite criticism of Davos as being elitist, “They’re meeting at a pivotal moment in history. When I look at the world, what was the post-World War II kind of global order is completely being reshaped these days.”

Conversations at Davos can have global ripple effects. Handley is watching closely for implications for the Ukraine-Russia war, tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, and ongoing religious freedom concerns worldwide. 

“The Davos meeting reminds us that the world is seeking coordination to solve global problems,” he says. “But we know that the Word of God teaches us that no system can heal the human heart or human condition. We need character-formed leaders, and this is where the church serves the world best.”

That conviction has driven A3’s work for decades, equipping Christian leaders to serve differently. 

“Our theory is that the world doesn’t necessarily need better policies — although good policies are helpful — it needs a different kind of leader. That’s why A3 does what it does, to form Christ-like leaders who can serve, not dominate, and really be the light and hope of Jesus in the world today,” says Handley. 

“The world doesn’t suffer from a shortage of smart people, but it suffers from a shortage of Christ-like character.”

Find your place in the world’s events through prayer.

“Leaders, all of us, are in a uniquely dangerous position, because power can corrupt, and we tend to get isolated from people and from the truth when we fall into those positions of authority,” says Handley.

“Scripture warns us that this can be dangerous, and leadership can be tempted to replace what should be dependence on God [with dependence] on ourselves.”

In keeping with 1 Timothy 2:1-2, pray for world leaders this week and beyond. Pray for godliness, wisdom, justice, and compassion among them, especially during the World Economic Forum, January 19-23, 2026.

Header photo: By UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) – The World Economic Forum in Davos, CC BY-SA 4.0.