31st October 2026

The latest edition of Persecuted and Forgotten was published this week. "Persecuted and Forgotten? A Report on Christians Oppressed for their Faith 2024–26" highlights the oppression of Christian communities around the world. 413 million Christians live in countries where serious violations of religious freedom occur.  Around 220 million Christians worldwide are directly exposed to persecution. Over the past two years, persecution and oppression of Christians deteriorated in 55% of the 18 countries the report examined, due to extremist violence, authoritarian governments, and religious nationalism.  All these factors are placing increasing pressure on Christian communities, according to the new report by the international pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). None of the countries assessed recorded an overall improvement. The report also identifies displacement as a major concern.  Christians form part of a wider exodus of people driven from their homes by conflicts in Africa and Asia, some of it religiously motivated. In Nigeria alone, millions of Christians are among the internally displaced people.  More than 700 incidents of anti-Christian violence in 2025 were recorded in India. 

You can read the full report here.

Loving Jesus, our hearts go out to your people across the globe persecuted simply because they love you.  May the Holy Spirit pour into every heart to strengthen faith and enable all your faithful people to live out their faith in their lives.  Grant them resilience in time of abuse and persecution, oppression and opposition. Help them to continue to love their neighbour and by doing so draw others closer to you. May the Holy Spirit move among the leaders of nations that htey will ensure all people living in their countries will be treated with respect and dignity.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

With the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) 159 people recently detained in connection with the ongoing conflict in Yemen were unilaterally released by authorities in the capital city, Sanaa. The ICRC played no role in determining who or how many people would be released, but prior to their release, ICRC delegates conducted pre-departure interviews with each detainee, assessed the detainees’ health, reviewed their fitness for road travel and arranged individual travel support for those with additional needs. .  They also informed their families of the imminent release and offered assistance to support their dignified return home. 

God of earth, wind, and fire,

God of life and love

God of ancestors and neighbours

God of forgiveness healing and renewal

We give you glory, honour and praise.

In you we find safety and courage.

strength and comfort.

Your unbounded love

reaches beyond our human divisions

and reaches through our human barriers. 

You touch the leper,

eat with the outcast

and free the oppressed.

We love and adore you,

almighty and eternal God.

Amen.