Written by: Open Doors
Article source: JOY! Magazine

Open Doors has recently released its 2022 World Watch List (WWL), an annual list of the top 50 countries worldwide where Christians experience the worst persecution for their faith. This list creates awareness of the hardships that persecuted Christians face every day.

Overall, more than 360 million Christians face very high or extreme persecution and discrimination for their faith. However, believers in the West and countries with religious freedom are often unaware of the persecution their family in Christ endures.

The no. 1 country on the 2022 World Watch List is Afghanistan, making it the most dangerous country in the world to be a believer. This is the first time Afghanistan is in the top spot on the list. It was no. 2 on the list for many years before the Taliban takeover in August 2021. It is followed by North Korea, the country that was in the top spot for the previous 20 years, in the second and Somalia in the third place.

Afghanistan is the most dangerous country in the world to be a believer.

Running for her life
Zabi*, a Christian refugee from Afghani-stan, is one of thousands of believers with first-hand experience of the danger of being a Christian in this country. When the Taliban took over, she knew her life was under threat, and she was forced to gather whatever possessions she could find and run for the border. Her family, like all Christians in the country, are secret believers. Her father, after months of torture, was killed for his faith and her brother mysteriously disappeared.
Now Zabi is living in another country and her own future is uncertain and her life in danger as the Taliban knows that she is a secret believer.

“My situation is desperate. I have money in my bank account, but I cannot access it from here. I have a visa, but it will expire soon. I don’t know what will happen to me. I’m praying that I can leave this country and go somewhere safe. I may have to go into hiding, or I’ll be deported back to Afghanistan. I may be killed if this happens,” she shares.

Strong faith remains
Thankfully, God led Open Doors’ frontline partners to Zabi and they were able to give her food, pay her rent, and give her money to stay safe and survive. They prayed with her and encouraged her to stay strong in her faith.
She says: “Thank God for your food and clothes deliveries, your financial support, and your prayers and encouragement. You are a strand of hope to me. There’s a chance I may live.”

It’s been shocking to watch the speed of deterioration in Afghanistan this past year, and to understand just how vulnerable the Church has become to extreme persecution in such a short time. The situation is volatile, borders and camps remain closed. The Church is small and scattered and many believers are in hiding.

Keep hope alive
Your support and prayers for our family in faith are now needed more than ever, to uphold Christians facing the greatest persecution. Partner with Open Doors this year and support our family in faith!

Visit opendoors.org.za for more information on the 2022 World Watch List. Download your FREE World Watch List Prayer Map and start praying for your persecuted family today. Stand with them so they do not face persecution alone!

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Date published: 19/02/2022
*Name changed for security reasons and images for illustrative purposes only.

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