Nicaraguans under the Marxist regime of President Daniel Ortega live with many restrictions, including restrictions on Christian activities. Photo credit: ROBERTHARDING / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
Nicaraguans under the Marxist regime of President Daniel Ortega live with many restrictions, including restrictions on Christian activities. Photo credit: ROBERTHARDING / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
Oct. 16, 2025 | Nicaragua

Pastor, Seven Other Christians Disappear After Arrest

[93] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Nicaraguan Christians.

In a series of raids on July 17, 2025, Nicaraguan national police took Pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas and seven other Christians into custody without warning or warrants. The families of those detained have been unable to locate their loved ones. One family member reported that they were being charged with treason and “undermining national integrity.” Vargas had been forced into exile in 2018 after he and his congregation brought food and medicine and offered prayer to students protesting the authoritarian Marxist regime of President Daniel Ortega. Vargas returned to Nicaragua in 2020 to resume the pastorate and has been routinely monitored and harassed by the police and other authorities. Since 2022, the Nicaraguan government has imposed increasingly harsh restrictions, seeking to intimidate Christian leaders into joining a government-controlled church association.

Write your own prayer for Nicaraguan Christians

  • Heavenly Father, I pray for Pastor Vargas & the other believers who were taken more than 3 months ago. I pray for their physical well being, asking You strengthen & protect each one. I pray for their spiritual stamina, that they not abandon their faith in the Lord. I also pray their family members & friends would find out the truth, and not lose hope.
    Curtis M - USA
  • Lord, please protect Pastor Vargas and the seven other Christians who have been taken. Bring peace to them and their loved ones as they wait for their release. Help them to be a light to their persecutors and all around them. Soften the hearts of the authorities and let justice prevail. I pray for religious freedom to return to this nation. In Jesus
    Cynthia H - USA
  • Father, please strengthen Your people in custody and their families, help them to lean fully on Your promises and love. Set Your face against this wicked leader and thwart his evil schemes. You said the gates of hell shall not prevail against Your church, so please may the church in Nicaragua grow mighty in You in love and strength. In Jesus' Name.
    Janie B - USA
  • Father, we may not know where these believers are, but you know exactly. They have never left your sight. I pray you strengthen and comfort them and their families. I pray you move on their behalf. I pray you would reunite them with their families. Use them, give them boldness, wisdom, peace, as they share the truth with their captors. Move, Lord, IJN
    Polly C - USA
  • Dear Lord,
    Please keep our Nicaraguan brothers and sisters strong in their faith as the government is becoming increasingly oppositional. I pray that you will be with Pastor Vargas and the other Christians in custody right now. Please guard them from harm and keep their minds free from anxiety. I pray that You will allow them to be released soon.
    Amen
    Jehosheba R - USA
  • Dear God & Father, I pray for believers in Nicaragua, particularly survivors of anti-Christian attacks: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong & united in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. Heal survivors in body & mind. Help believers stand firm & keep meeting. Bring attackers to Christ. Amen.
    Lisa D - USA
  • Father Lord,
    Please be strong with Pastor Rudy Palacios and the other Christians taken by police. Please keep them safe and comfort their families. Please also be with all Nicaraguan Christians. Use their witness to bring others to salvation in Christ. Please comfort and strengthen all Christians in Nicaragua. In Jesus name, amen.
    Scott P - USA
  • Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for bold witness of Pastor Vargas. Protect him and the others detained - give them the words you want them to speak and heal their wounds. Open the hearts of those who are interrogating them that they may understand the truth of your love and salvation as they hear the words of the gospel. Comfort and provide for the families
    Margaret H - USA
  • Psalm 136:23-24, "Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy endures forever. And rescued us from our enemies, For His mercy endures forever."
    Dear Lord, thank you that you remember your servants in their distress. Please release them from their enemies. Your mercy endures forever.
    Amen
    Gary H - USA
  • Father I am asking You to blind the eyes of this oppressive government to the activities of these Churches and return each person to their loved ones. Cause a fear of GOD to fall on Ortega & his henchmen. Protect each true Christian from government interference & that let the Gospel explode there. Send rich provision & angels to fight for the Believers
    William N - USA
  • Lord - the warnings about this government were true all along. Please help our brothers and sisters, men and women and little ones - please protect them and set them free to worship and live their lives for You. Please open the eyes of their enemies to the truth of the gospel and their own need for You. Please Father, hear our prayers today. Amen.
    Joshua U - USA
  • Dear Lord, may Pastor Vargas and other Christians detained in Nicaragua be set free and returned to their families. May their witness soften the attitude of the authorities and bend their ears toward the message of Christ. Amen.
    Tom H - USA
  • Thank you, Lord for Pastor Rudy's incredible faith. I can't imagine the terror of being detained and imprisoned. But you protected him from the terror of the night as you promised in psalm 91 and brought him back. And in faith, he continues to lead your children. Let enemies of Christ, see your salvation and turn their hearts to him. In Jesus name.amen
    Bob G - USA
  • Father God, we ask that Your hand be on the Christian brethen in Nicaragua like Pastor Vargas who endeavor to serve, worship, and obey You and Your Word despite being harassed and persecuted by government authorities. Continue to enlarge their influence for Your Namesake with them modeling Christ and leading their oppressors to know and accept Christ.
    Everett T - USA
  • Father help Nicaraguan Christian's to stand firm in their faith amidst government and military pressures. Let their faith and light help others to see the truth. Help them with Your Spirit to continue to preach and share the gospel. In Jesus' name. Amen.
    Ilene A - USA
  • Merciful Father , Abba,
    We pray for the Nicaraguan Christians who are being persecuted for worshipping you , Soften the hearts of their persecutors and have them be seen as useful and helpful members of the society in which they live. Bring your unconditional love to theses Christians and all of whom they come in contact with. In Jesus Holy name Amen
    Robert C - Canada
  • Father I lift up our brothers and sisters in Nicaragua. I pray that You will fill them with Your peace and cover them with Your divine protection. I pray for Your provision and encouragement. I lift up the President and those around him. I pray that the Mighty Name of Jesus will pierce their hearts and minds and that they might be saved. Amen
    cheri w - USA
  • Father I pray for Pastor Vargas.ay he and his congregants be set free from where ever they are. Strengthen them and their family during this difficult time.soften the hearts of govt leaders to draw them close to You. I'm Your Holy name I pray. Amen!
    Colleen S - USA
  • Dear Lord God, I pray for the safety and release of Pastor Vargas and the other 7 Nicaraguan Christians who have been detained by police and for peace and comfort for their families knowing that You are in control. I pray that government efforts to prevent the growth of churches and Christianity will be thwarted. In Yeshua's Name I pray. Amen.
    Allison R - USA
  • Dear God & Father, I pray for believers in Nicaragua, particularly leaders: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong & united in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. Free leaders & members from detention. Help all stand firm & keep meeting. Give them favor with authorities. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

    Lisa D - USA
  • Help our brothers and sisters in Christ stay faithful and strong despite persecution. Help find their fellow missing disciples.
    Debbie V - USA
  • Lord, in Jesus name, I pray for those that have been taken and their friends and family, help them persevere through this trial. I pray for those that are persecuting them that don't know Jesus as Savior and Lord, that they would come to know him through this. Lord bless these Christians for their faith, give them what they need to stand firm in their.
    Brandon L - USA
  • Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing us every day, we pray for Pastor Rudy and the other missing brothers and sisters. Praying for their soon release. A hedge of protection and necessary resources to sustain health and life for all involved in Jesus name.
    john o - USA
  • DearJesus, I lift up Nicaraguan Christians to you now,Father ; specifically Pastor Vargas and the other seven Christians, who were taken and are in exile Lord bring them the comfort of your word and your Holy Spirit ; Father I pray for their family members who have very little information about them. Comfort their hearts,, and give them peace.!!
    Katherine R - USA
  • Heavenly Father God in Jesus Christ Name I pray that Nicaraguan Christians will not fear! For Elohim SHOMRI, their protector is with them. I pray Holy Spirit You bring to their hearts courageous scriptures and Bible stories! I pray that they will walk in love and peace and mercy! I pray they will not worry or doubt You! Or the situation, Amen.
    Mariah Ki'erra D - USA
  • Father, protect, encourage and give hope to the Nicaraguan Chrisitans during this difficult time. Show them your love, comfort and bless them. Help them to share the good news of Jesus Christ and be bold in their witness of you. In Jesus name.
    Rhonda F - USA
  • Father God, I trust Pastor Vargas, & these others in Your hands. It is much easier for me to pray than for their families. You know their hurts & fears. Holy Spirit, be their comfort as they wait unknowing and fill their hearts with a peace & faith that is beyond human understanding as only You can. Bring these people back home safely please. Amen.
    Jason R - USA
  • Father, You know where Pastor Rudy and these 7 other Christians are. Protect them and let them be released immediately. Give them and their families confidence in Your faithfulness and evidence of Your presence. Thank You for answered prayer. In Jesus name I pray. Amen!
    Vicki A - USA
  • Immanuel, Remind Pastor Vargas of the example of Pastors Richard & Sabina Wurmbrand putting their trust in the Lord amidst being tortured for Christ. May he realize God's grace is sufficient for him. Holy Spirit, if needed grant him the gift of faith. Encourage his church to follow him as he follows Christ. Grant boldness to pray & preach the gospel.
    Jim E - USA
  • Padre, sabemos que eres poderoso, mas que cualquier gobierno o autoridad, y que nada escapa de Tu poder. Por eso pedimos en esta hora por Tus siervos en Nicaragua, el Pastor Rudy Palacios y aquellos 7 cristianos desaparecidos despues de su arresto, para que sus familias puedan encontrarlos, y vean Tu libertad. Sustenta a todos los perseguidos. Gracias.
    Gonzalo Felipe M - Chile
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