Algerian officials close a church in 2019.
Algerian officials close a church in 2019.
May. 25, 2023 | Algeria

Churches Closed, Pastors Facing Increasing Pressure

[112] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for imprisoned pastor.

Christians in Algeria report suffering from a systematic campaign of government persecution. Since the end of 2017, the government has reportedly closed 30 of the 47 Protestant churches in the country. In January 2023, a 54-year-old pastor from a Muslim background was sentenced to two years in prison for holding “unlicensed worship” and “holding worship in a building not designated for non-Muslim worship.” The pastor has been in jail since his arrest on December 30, 2022. A front-line worker said, “Please pray that Algerian believers whose churches have been closed by authorities can continue to meet together and reach out to their neighbors with the gospel despite the risks.”

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Algeria and learn how to pray.

Write your own prayer for imprisoned pastor

  • Dear Lord, I pray for Your Holy Spirit's mighty move in this Pastor's life. Enable him to praise and worship you like Paul and Silas did. Let Your joy continue to be his strength. Use this situation as a stage for the lost to see who You are and what You alone can do for Your children. I speak a rich harvest of souls for Your kingdom, in Jesus' name!
    Maria F - USA
  • Father, You alone are worthy of praise and worship. Protect the Algerian Christians as they worship. Fill them with Your Spirit. Grant them courage and a powerful witness that bears much fruit. Meet their physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial needs. Release those imprisoned. Protect their families in every way. In Jesus name, amen
    Sheron L - USA
  • What a great and Mighty God we serve!! Father please open the door for these believers to worship, release the captive pastors in Jesus name. Please put protection over your people, give them boldness to serve you and spread your word in every situation. Protect them, encourage them and give them boldness. In Jesus great and mighty name. Amen
    Rebecca S - USA
  • Thank You for these believers who live in this difficult region. I pray that Algerian believers whose churches have been closed by authorities can continue to meet together and reach out to their neighbors with the gospel despite the risks. Please help this pastor to feel Your presence in jail and help him to be a witness to other prisoners. In Jesus
    Cynthia H - USA
  • God, I lift up my Algerian brothers & sisters to you in prayer. I pray for the release of this pastor thrown in prison on bogus charges. Though in chains, I pray he will be strengthened & renewed, and not lose faith & hope. I pray You will provide the means for believers to continue gathering to praise & worship You, and for opportunities to witness.
    Curtis M - USA
  • Lord please be with the people facing persecution in Algeria and please help them to have the resources they need to be able to spread the gospel.
    Faith G - USA
  • God, this Algerian government persecution is foolish. Please give these so-called leaders in power wisdom to realize their infinite weakness without the understanding from above. I pray that Christian churches will be able to remain open and not destroyed so that a witness of Jesus will be spread into the community. Please give courage to believers.
    thomas h - USA
  • Father I pray for the people of Algeria that you would deliver them from the darkness of Islam into the light of the gospel I pray for the body of Christ there who have lost their church that they would stay united in Christ find ways to gather together I pray for the release of the pastor in prison your hand be upon him with strength In Jesus name
    Dean B - USA
  • Heavenly Father, I pray for this Algerian pastor and others like him. I pray for the comfort of the Holy Spirit to surround him, strengthen him. May he know that many prayers are going up for him as well as others. May the government and prison officials see You reflected in these believers and Your kingdom expanded because of their witness. Amen
    Deborah B - USA
  • My Lord God I lift this imprisoned pastor into Your hands and ask that You be with him and keep him safe and give him comfort, encouragement, and Your love that he may share with those around him. I pray Algeria would wake up and realize what a terrible thing they are doing and stop doing it. All glory, honor, praise, and worship to You Lord Jesus.
    Warren W - USA
  • O Lord, when will humanity realize that the enemy of God is pure evil? Lord open the eyes of those government officials. Let the light of the believers shine brightly upon them. Turn their hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. Present opportunities to evangelise in prison and hold home churches to give God the glory. Believers will see tribulation!
    Carlene A - USA
  • Lord, I pray for believers in Algeria. Give them the strength and encouragement they need to continue to grow in their faith and to be a witness to their neighbors. Help them not to fear and not to grow bitter as they experience these limitations being unjustly put on them. I also pray that you will protect and encourage the pastor who is in prison.
    Christa B - USA
  • Father God, As government persecution grows in this area please show Your followers how to continue to meet together for worship and fellowship. May their witness to those who don't know You continue. I hope the pastor in prison will be released soon, but please give him favor with guards and other prisoners to tell them about You. In Jesus' name Amen
    Rena B - USA
  • Dear God, we are so glad that the gates of hell shall not prevail against Your church! I pray that Algerian believers whose churches have been closed by authorities can continue to meet together and reach out to their neighbors with the gospel.May many souls come to faith in Christ through the witness of Algerian saints. Thank You. In Jesus' Name. Amen
    Christienne D - USA
  • I pray in the name of Jesus for the spiritual courage and physical health of this imprisoned pastor to share the good news with others in prison even guards by this he would be a light in this darkness and that some that hear the truth even some guards would turn to Jesus repent confess commit
    Michael Z - USA
  • I pray for my pastor brother who labors in prison in Algeria. Lord, how they need Your safety. May You provide ways they can meet together to praise and lift up Your name and to encourage one another. I bring before You their needs. May they worship and love You despite the persecution. Father, I pray this thru Jesus. Amen.
    joey S - USA
  • God, shelter Your people in Algeria. Give this pastor freedom; till then, let his witness in jail be the start of a new church, new people for the kingdom. Please open Your churches again. Give Your people places to worship in peace, to meet together as You command. Your worship is important, to us and to You. Please help that worship to witness. Amen.
    Kesse R - USA
  • Father, my heart cries out for my brothers and sisters in Algeria! Reveal your love to them in a new, deeper way today. Remind them of the hope to which you have called them, and Your Spirit's presence in their lives. Protect their bodies, minds, families, jobs from persecution. Provide ways for them to continually meet together. Encourage them!
    Lydia S - Uganda
  • Father, guard Your people in Algeria and strengthen their hearts. Encourage them and draw them together so they find fellowship in spite of restrictions. Open doors so that freedom of worship is seen by government officials as non-threatening so Your Word can go out and the nation be blessed as a result. In Jesus' Name.
    Janie B - USA
  • Lord, we know that church is more than a building, so we ask that you will raise up your church in Algeria. Help the believers find each other and develop creative ways to continue meeting together. We lift up our brother who is in prison, asking you to strengthen and encourage him.
    Brenda M - USA
  • Father God, encourage your people in Algeria. Especially encourage this pastor in jail. May the house church movement grow and reach even more people than traditional churches. Raise up leaders & pastors to build your church with wisdom & creativity, navigating the unique challenges of their country. May the Light overcome the darkness. IJNA
    Kevin R - USA
  • Father I pray for our brothers and sisters in Algeria. When two or three are gathered you are with them, Lord. I pray they would continue to meet and reach out to all those around them with the gospel. Protect them, fill them with the joy that only comes through relationship with you. In Jesus name, amen.
    Nancy H - USA
  • Heavenly Father, as these days draw darker and persecution increases I call upon you to strengthen your people. Give the Algerian church the wisdom how to continue meeting together in worship, prayer, and learning. Let their continued faith shine so brightly your glory. Father, help us grow in love as well, you have told us to pray for the persacuters
    Jason H - USA
  • Father, as individuals and rulers attempt to stop Your children from worshipping and serving You, may they experience the power of Yourself in working in the hearts of individuals. May Your children, in this place, continue to seek You and build their faith in spite of the efforts of those who oppose You and Your truths. In Jesus name, Amen.
    Bruce B - USA
  • Father God, please let Your church in Algeria continue to grow in grace and knowledge of God, and in numbers of new believers, despite the push back from the authorities. Soften hearts. May even those who lead this opposition find repentance. Continue to grow Your church. Let the persecuted be encouraged and shine for Jesus. Release the prisoners. IJN
    Jean S - Canada
  • Beloved Lord God, spiritual and political push back have come against a revival in Algeria. Let Your will be done there. Please be with those pastors who have been arrested. Assure them of Your very present help in time of need. Let the believers stand fast on the Word of God, trusting You. Let them find safe places to gather and worship You together.
    Jean S - Canada
  • Father God, please be with Protestant churches in Algeria. Be with those whose churches have been closed by authorities, that they can continue to meet together and reach out to their neighbours with the Gospel despite the risks. Be with the 54 year old pastor who has been in jail since 301222 for holding non-Muslim worship. In Jesus name. Amen
    Linda R - Australia
  • Father God, please be with Protestant churches in Algeria. Be with those whose churches have been closed by authorities, that they can continue to meet together and reach out to their neighbours with the Gospel despite the risks. Be with the 54 year old pastor who has been in jail since 301222 for holding non-Muslim worship. In Jesus name. Amen
    Linda R - Australia
  • Lord please provide a means for Algerian believers whose churches have been closed by authorities continue to meet together and reach out to their neighbors with the gospel despite the risks. Protect them and give them your joy as they serve you. Thank you for their example and testimony to the world. Please bless those arrested and give them hope.
    Greg M - USA
  • Heavenly Father, I ask in Jesus Name, that You intervene in the matters confronting Algerian believes at this time. Help the Christians to remain strong & unshaken by this present affliction. Touch & change the hearts of those in authority so that they fear Your Name. Please sustain the Pastor in jail, show him mercy & make a way of escape for him.
    Maureen E - USA
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