Beninese churches, especially those located in the north, have been facing increasing pressures by Islamists.
Beninese churches, especially those located in the north, have been facing increasing pressures by Islamists.
Nov. 20, 2025 | Benin

Pastor, Elders Abducted

[203] prayers in [12] nations have been posted for Christians in Benin.

On Sunday, July 27, 2025, Islamists entered a church building in northeastern Benin near the end of the service and abducted its pastor and three elders. Persecution is prevalent in the northern part of Benin, where Christians are beaten and sometimes killed and church buildings are routinely destroyed. A senior Beninese pastor requested prayer for the abducted church leaders and that Christians in Benin will remain bold witnesses to Christ amid persecution.

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

Write your own prayer for Christians in Benin

  • Dear Father, it is so difficult to hear of the hardships our brothers and sisters in Christ face in Benin and around the world. I specifically pray for those who are beaten and abused for the gospel and ask you to strengthen them. May the gospel be spread through their persecution and many come to know you because of their faithfulness to you! Amen
    Jennifer T - USA
  • Father, I lift up my dear brothers & sisters in Benin. May they feel all the prayers going out for them. May they be released & come safely home to their loved ones. Would You increase the holy boldness there & may fear be far from them. Speak to the hearts of the persecutors & may they turn to You in Jesus Name! May those abducted & LO be inPeace
    Lisa T - USA
  • Lord God, I do pray for these men, that You would physically protect them, that You would strengthen their spirits, and that they would keep their minds firmly fixed on the hope that cannot be taken from them. Please comfort and provide for their families and for their church, and I pray that they would be released.
    Danielle H - USA
  • In the faithful name of Jesus, our heavenly Father, Ha'El hanne'eman, God Who is faithful, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we adore You for trust of Benin Christians. We ask for bold witness, for healing, hedge of protection, heavenly angels to encamp around and minister to them. Amen
    Gary F - USA
  • Father, safely deliver the abducted elders from captivity. Release the great power of the Holy Spirit into this situation; cause miraculous circumstances and changes of heart among Islamist decision makers. Release new insight and respect for the followers of Jesus among Islamist leaders. Open their eyes. Soften their hearts. Change minds! Be exalted!
    Danae V - USA
  • In the name of Lord Jesus Christ, our heavenly Father, Adonai, as brothers and sisters in Christ we praise You for faithfulness of Benin Christians who share Your Word. We ask for release, for provision, hedge of protection, heavenly angels to encamp around and minister to them. Amen
    Gary F - USA
  • Holy Father, I pray for believers in Benin: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong & united in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. Praise You for them! Console, protect & sustain them amid persecution & attacks, especially abducted church leaders. Bring their attackers to Christ, resulting in hope.
    Lisa D - USA
  • Holy Father, I pray for believers in Benin: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong & united in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. Praise You for them! Console, uphold & strengthen them amid attacks & persecution, especially abducted church leaders. Bring others around them to Christ. Amen.

    Lisa D - USA
  • Holy Father, I pray for believers in Benin: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong & united in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. Praise You for them! Protect, console & sustain them, especially abducted church leaders, the grieving & those with closed church buildings. Bring peace & hope! Amen.
    Lisa D - USA
  • God, You have often given courage and boldness to those who are persecuted. Let holy boldness, unshakeable faith, and great wisdom abound in Benin. Let Your kingdom come, Your victories abound, Your church grow. Protect those that were taken, and given them songs of joy. Let even their captors turn to You. Comfort those who remain, and let them trust.
    Kesse R - USA
  • Father, please walk beside our Beninese brothers and sisters as only you can. Bless them with your courage, your strength your grace and your forgiving heart. Thank you, in Jesus' name with an abundance of the Holy Spirit.
    paige m - USA
  • Father, please intervene in Benin and let thy Gospel be proclaimed in peace.
    Margaret D - USA
  • Father, you love your dear children in Benin. You know the difficult situations they are enduring. Please give them comfort and encouragement and may they not live in fear. May they trust Jesus fully, recognizing that these tragedies are not of you. You have promised that our home will be with you someday where there will be no pain, evil, or tears.
    Vicki Y - USA
  • Holy Father, I pray for believers in Benin: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong & united in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. Praise You for them! Protect, console & strengthen them, especially abducted church leaders. Bring others around them to Christ, bringing peace & hope. Amen.
    Lisa D - USA
  • Our Father, be with Your children in Benin. Empower those who have been abducted, and for their friends and family who are praying for them and waiting for them to be returned. Give them strength and endurance. Surround them with others who love You and who will comfort and encourage them. In Jesus' name, Amen
    Elizabeth S - USA
  • Holy Father, I pray for believers in Benin: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong & united in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. Praise You for them! Protect, sustain & console them amid persecution & dangers, especially abducted church leaders. Console the grieving. Reopen closed churches. Amen.
    Lisa D - USA
  • Dear Heavenly Father and Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus, Thank You for being with Your people, thank You for providing for Your people, thank You for being Mighty on behalf of Your People. Please give them Your Holy Comfort and Strength.
    christine s - USA
  • Dear Lord, You are with each believer going through the persecution so prevalent in Benin Those abducted & those vulnerable to persecution need You. You are with them. May they sense Your Peace in all circumstances. May each believer stand firm in faith, proclaiming Jesus is Lord. Amid the terror may Your Presence enfold them in Your strength & love!!!
    Sharon G - USA
  • Holy Father, I pray for believers in Benin: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong & united in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. Praise You for them! Console, protect & sustain them amid dangers & persecution, especially abducted church leaders. Bring Islamists to Christ, bringing peace. Amen.


    Lisa D - USA
  • In the sanctifying and unifying name of Jesus, our heavenly Father, Jehovah M'Kaddesh, Lord Who sanctifies, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we praise You for faithfulness of Benin Christians. We ask for unity, for purity, a hedge of protection, and heavenly angels to encamp around and minister to them. Amen
    Gary F - USA
  • Father, allow these persecuted brothers to remain faithful to you and to continue to be a testimony for you and your name, in spite of the hardship and persecution. Keep them safe and especially give them assurance of your presence.
    Mark R - USA
  • Father, thank You for these faithful saints. Grace them with Your presence and boldness as they are detained and enduring severe trials. Open the eyes of their tormentors that some can repent and come to You. Sustain their families as they are separated. Let them know they are loved.
    Craig R - USA
  • Dear God & Father, I pray for believers in Benin, especially abducted church leaders: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong & united in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. Praise You for them! Protect, strengthen & guide them amid dangers & persecution, especially the church leadership. Amen.

    Lisa D - USA
  • Dear God & Father, I pray for believers in Benin, especially the abducted church leaders: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong & united in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. Praise You for them! Protect, console & uphold them amid persecution & dangers, especially the church leaders. Amen.


    Lisa D - USA
  • Lord God, be a rock and shelter of relief for the Benin church leaders. Let them stay strong in their witness and have a good conscience before you.
    Rachel Albro H - USA
  • Dear Heavenly Father I amen these previous prayers. All the prayers I've ever lifted up for Benin I lift up to You again, praying earnestly for the revival of the nation's people for You Jesus. Remove the veil from blinded Muslim eyes; let miracles follow in the wake of these abducted. Bring the assailants to repentance. In Jesus' Mighty Name amen.
    Johnathan K - USA
  • Dear Lord, we lift up our fellow Christians in Benin especially those who were most recently abducted from a church service. Please help them to seek You first and above all else. Give them the strength they need to overcome their circumstances and continue to preach the gospel to their captors. Help the those who do not know You to accept You as Lord
    Donna H - USA
  • Dear God & Father, I pray for believers in Benin, especially abducted church leaders: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong & united in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. Praise You for them! Sustain, strengthen & guide them amid dangers & persecution, especially the church leaders. Amen.
    Lisa D - USA
  • Lord,
    We cry out to You for this pastor and the elders. May You be with them in this time of distress and use all things to work together for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose for them. May they be soon released and returned to their families. May their families be provided for and may You be glorified in this.
    Lysander S - USA
  • Lord I ask for supernatural strength and provision for the Christians in Benin who are weary and scared. I pray Your Spirit in them would give them hope and power to remain steadfast. I pray for those abducted to be quickly returned home and be reunited with their families. I pray for the witness of those who follow You to grow stronger
    Joy H - USA
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