Burkinabe Christians, like these being baptized, are regularly threatened by Islamists in many areas of the country.
Burkinabe Christians, like these being baptized, are regularly threatened by Islamists in many areas of the country.
Jul. 23, 2026 | Burkina Faso

Islamists Kill 21 Christians, Including Pastor

[205] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Burkinabe Christians.

Villagers from the town of Kokoana, in far western Burkina Faso near Mali, request prayer after Islamists killed 21 people in an attack on May 11, 2026, in which Christian leaders were deliberately targeted. “The terrorists went to the home of Pastor Etienne Keïta and murdered him in front of his family,” said a front-line worker. “They then proceeded to two neighboring Christian households and killed the heads of those families as well.” Christians in Burkina Faso have been repeatedly attacked by Muslim extremists in past years, and Islamists have killed hundreds and displaced hundreds of thousands more. “Please pray for the family of Pastor Keïta, the other grieving families and for the Christian community that has been deeply affected by this tragedy,” said the front-line worker. He also asked for prayer for all who mourn, strength for believers, and protection for vulnerable communities in Burkina Faso.

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

Write your own prayer for Burkinabe Christians

  • In the name of the omnipresence of Jesus, our heavenly Father, Omnipresent, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we worship You for the watchful eyes of Burkinabe Christians. We ask for Your presence, a hedge of protection, heavenly angels to encamp around and minister to them. Amen
    Gary F - USA
  • Lord God, I pray for the family of this precious brother, that they would know Your comfort and trust that You are with them, that You are the God who hears their cries, who sees their suffering, who knows all that they endure for the sake of Your Name. Please strengthen them to remain faithful until the end.
    Danielle H - USA
  • Lord, Thank You for our brothers and sisters in Burkina Faso and their steadfastness in following Jesus despite intense persecution. I pray for the family of Pastor Keïta and the families of those who were killed by Muslim extremists. Please comfort all who mourn and give them strength. Please protect these vulnerable communities in Burkina Faso.
    Lysander S - USA
  • Father, I lift up my brothers & sisters in Kokoana to You. Please comfort them deeply as they have mourn the loss of loved ones. Bring healing & peace to their hearts & minds, as they witnessed horrific violence. Please be their hope. Sustain them through each day and wave of grief. Provide for the families who lost loved ones. Strengthen Your Church.
    April D - USA
  • In the faithful name of Jesus, our heavenly Father, Faithful and True, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we praise You for great faith of family of Pastor Keita, Christians in Burkina Faso. We ask for continued great faith, for provision, hedge of protection, heavenly angels to encamp around and minister to them. Amen
    Gary F - USA
  • Dear Lorrd we pray for all of the Burkinabe Christians who are being threatened by the Muslims. We ask that You help the grieving families by strengthening their faith. Help the Muslims to see that no matter what is done to the Christians, that their faith will never falter & that their love for others will superceed the evil. Help them to be saved!!!!
    Donna H - USA
  • O God, for your precious children in Burkina Faso, I pray comfort them in their hours of deep sorrow. Amidst the darkness, may they experience your peace. Increase their faith in Jesus and provide their every need. O God, please grant protection from such violent extremists. Somehow open eyes of Muslims to see Jesus and be saved. Amen Pat US
    Patricia S - USA
  • Lord, I pray for the Christians in Burkina Faso and pray for your comfort, healing and protection over them as they witness these murders and attacks and threats and displacements. Please have mercy on your people and be with them and help them. We look forward to your coming, Jesus, as you are the only answer and Hope. In Jesus name, amen.
    Nancy G - USA
  • Lord I pray that under Your fathering and Your leadership, somehow these households and cities would become even more faithful and powerful in word and deed. I pray they would flourish under Your leadership and become stronger. I pray for healing, care and safety for those who lost fathers and I pray for other men to step in to care and protect them.
    Joy H - USA
  • O God thank You that we can call on You. Please comfort the family of Pastor Keïta, the other grieving families and the entire Christian community affected by the murders. Please bring life where the enemy kills. Please give strength to believers, and protection for vulnerable communities in Burkina Faso. In Jesus's Name. Thank You. Amen.
    Christienne D - USA
  • Father, to be a follower of Jesus means there are people in this world who hate us. In this case the hate is so strong the haters mean great harm against Your children. May You grant Your children hope in the face of the persecution. May the power of Your strength overwhelm them with hope, peace and persistence in walking with Jesus. Amen.
    Bruce B - USA
  • Dear LORD I pray for the Burkinabè Christians. How beautiful is their baptism testimonies & those willing to baptize them & those in attendance. Thank You LORD for their faithfulness. I have NO EXCUSE. May we serve You well wherever we are, whatever You have called us to do, give us miracles today. We love You so much.Thank YIn Jesus Mighty Name, Amen
    Teresa R - USA
  • In the loving name of Jesus, our heavenly Father, Yahweh Tsuri, God our Rock, as brothers and sisters in Christ we praise You that Burkinabe Christians follow Jesus. We ask for comfort, for pastors, hedge of protection and heavenly angels to encamp around and minister to them. Thanks for hearing our prayers. Amen
    Gary F - USA
  • Heavenly Father, I lift up the families of Pastor Keita and the others who were targeted for their faith, and the Christian community in Kokoana. I pray formYour comfort for all who are mourning, and Your protection. Strengthen them as only You can, Lord. May their hope remain in Yoy. In Jesus' name, Amen.
    Michelle B - USA
  • God, bring comfort to each person who lost a loved one, who saw evil take a terrible toll. Give them strength to grieve; provide for each family. Give them also a witness; please let the blood of these martyrs bring person after person to the faith, in ways that leave the family astonished and thankful. Comfort those who remain. Amen.
    Kesse R - USA
  • Father, we lift up these beloved families who are grieving the loss of their loved ones. And we pray for each brother and sister who lives in fear of future attacks. Please stand for the cause of the widow and fatherless and bring a swift end to violence against your people. We would delight to see these perpetrators be transformed by Jesus.
    Brenda M - USA
  • Holy Father, I pray for believers in Burkina Faso: 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 them, especially all violently persecuted. Open hearts around them to You, saving Burkina Faso, bringing peace & hope! Amen.
    Lisa D - USA
  • Almighty God, I ask that you will comfort those who mourn the loss of these Christians. Please push back the evil in Burkina Faso and shine the light of your gospel so that many will come to faith in Jesus Christ. I pray for the terrorists that they will repent and seek forgiveness. I ask that you will strengthen the faith of your people.In Jesus' name
    Julia F - USA
  • Holy Father, I pray for believers in Burkina Faso: 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 them, especially all violently persecuted. Open hearts around them to You, saving Burkina Faso, bringing peace & hope! Amen.
    Lisa D - USA
  • Dear Heavenly Father I amen these previous prayers. I join with my brothers & sisters praying for Your hand of Peace over their troubled hearts. I pray You will give the mourners strength to carry on & remember the price they must pay but more so the reward that awaits them. Send Your angels to protect the vulnerable here. In Jesus' Mighty Name amen.
    Johnathan K - USA
  • Father, comfort those who mourn, give strength to all believers, protect vulnerable communities in Burkina Faso. Bring healing to wounded hearts. Fill them with love, forgiveness, & compassion. Provide for the families of these murdered men in such a way as to bring glory to your name & a strong witness to the persecutors.
    Elizabeth M - USA
  • Jesus please intercede for these thy brothers and comfort the afflicted.
    Margaret D - USA
  • Loving Father, God of Justice, Comfort those who have lost loved ones. Help them to be willing to at least ask You to help them forgive all people their trespasses. We don't know how we would face their situation but help all faced with unforgiveness to depend on You to make the right decisions. I pray for Pastor Keita, the grieving families; protect.
    Jim E - USA
  • Father God, I lift up Pastor Keïta and his family. Please grant them joy in the midst of suffering. Please give them supernatural love for their enemies, as well as legal and other forms of protection. Please bring an end to all violence and let Your light and love shine out through them. Provide for their physical needs. In Jesus Name
    Aaron M - Japan
  • Holy Father, I pray for believers in Burkina Faso : 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 them, especially all violently persecuted. Open hearts around them to You, saving Burkina Faso, bringing peace & hope! Amen.
    Lisa D - USA
  • Lord God, we lift up the believers in Burkina Faso, and especially pray for the family of Pastor Keïta, the other grieving families and for the Christian community that has been deeply affected by this tragedy. Please bring healing. Please bring protection. Please bring boldness to continue to spread the gospel to those who don't know you yet. In Jesus
    Jeanne R - USA
  • Our Father, rise up and scatter those who want to hurt Your children. Wrap Your arms, and hold those who are grieving, close to Your heart. Bring those who hurt and kill Your children to repentance. May Your children remain strong, and faithful to You. In Jesus' name, Amen
    Elizabeth S - USA
  • Holy Father, I pray for believers in Burkina Faso: 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 them, especially the violently persecuted. Open hearts around them to You, saving Burkina Faso, bringing peace & hope! Amen.
    Lisa D - USA
  • Lord, we lift up those who mourn, as we remember them in our prayers, (Romans 12:15). I pray that the brethren "Don't fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" Matt 10:28 Open the eyes of the Islamist that they may see the wickedness of their ways and repent!
    A B - USA
  • Holy Father, I pray for believers in Burkina Faso: 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 them, especially the violently persecuted. Open hearts around them to You, saving Burkina Faso, bringing peace & hope! Amen.
    Lisa D - USA
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