A joyful noise: worship in the persecuted Nigerian church

When more than 6,000 Christians have been killed in northern Nigeria in the last 5 years and more than 2 million have lost their homes following terrorist attacks, it would be easy for persecuted Christians in Nigeria to lose hope.

Yet, many of the displaced Christians that Global Christian Relief met have made the remarkable decision to choose hope over despair and joy over sorrow. They shared that worship in the persecuted Nigerian church can bring hope and encouragement, even in the face of terror and death.

When Brian Orme, CEO of GCR, spoke with persecuted and displaced believers in Nigeria, he was moved by their boldness and resiliency.

“The songs I heard in Nigeria were more than melodies; they were anthems of defiance against the darkness,” he said. “In a place where faith can cost everything, their worship is a courageous reminder that their hope in Jesus remains unshaken and their spirit, unconquered.”

“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands,” writes King David in Psalm 63:4. No stranger to persecution himself, David chose to lift his voice and sing words of praise to the Lord in the midst of his hardship, just as many Nigerian believers do today. Worship songs often provide a source of hope and encouragement to persecuted Christians, some of whom shared their stories and their songs with us.

Worship in the persecuted Nigerian church

Maria recalled hearing gunshots in the distance as the terrorists approached. Although she tried to hide, she was eventually taken prisoner by Boko Haram, a militant Islamic organization responsible for much of the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. By the grace of God and with tremendous courage, Maria was able to escape before she was forcibly converted to Islam.

She shared one of her favorite worship songs with GCR: “‘Everything in this world, should be left. The problems of this world, oh women, leave them aside. Everything of this world, leave them behind.’”

“It strengthens one,” Maria added. “Everything of this world, we leave them behind. We put only the words of God forward.”

As a displaced believer, Esther has witnessed the pain of terrorism firsthand. Although she was forced to flee her home due to attacks from Boko Haram, she now shares messages of hope with her students, fellow displaced Christians. When GCR encountered Esther at the camp where she lives and teaches, she sang a worship song in the Hausa language.

“It says, ‘God, there is no one like You on Earth,’” Esther said. “There is no one like You in Heaven. The glory and honor belong to You.’”

Watch and share this Instagram reel where Esther tries to teach our GCR team a Nigerian worship song!

When Liatu was just eight years old, terrorists from Boko Haram stormed her village, forcing her to escape into the wilderness without her family. She remained separated from them for four long years. But still, Liatu finds hope in Christ and sings His praises.

“‘There is something about my God,’” she quoted. “‘He gives me everything. My cup overflows.’ That is a song I love to sing. This song says, ‘Jesus give me joy.’ And He’s doing that. He gives me hope all the time.”

Elizabeth lost her young son to cholera caught during an outbreak among prisoners of Boko Haram. She, her husband and their surviving children managed to escape and eventually found safety in a camp for displaced Nigerians where GCR met her. Even though her life has been filled with hardship and persecution, Elizabeth thanks God for bringing her to where she is now.

She quoted a song that brought her hope during her tribulation: “‘How are we following Jesus? How are we following Jesus? Are we following Jesus outwardly, or are we following Jesus in our hearts?’”

Worship in the persecuted Nigerian church has been a source of strength for these believers. They come from a long tradition of worshipping God despite opposition and violence from a hostile culture.

A biblical example

Acts 16 tells the story of Paul and Silas, who were preaching in Philippi when Paul cast a demon out of an enslaved woman who had been harassing them. The woman was a fortune teller, and when her owners realized that she could no longer earn money for them, they brought Silas and Paul before the authorities. The two Christians were beaten and thrown in jail—persecuted for their faith.

But the story does not end there. According to Acts 16:25-26, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.”

Paul and Silas chose not to escape. The jailer was so moved by their faith that he and his entire household were baptized.

“The Nigerian church offers a powerful lesson to the world,” said Brian Orme. “Even amidst the ashes of persecution, faith can flourish, and joy can be a revolutionary act. Their unwavering devotion in the face of such adversity is not just inspiring, it’s a profound reminder of the true cost and incredible power of discipleship.”

Persecuted Christians in Nigeria are following in the example of Paul and Silas when they worship God, singing out songs of praise and hope in the midst of violence and injustice. May we also choose worship over despair as we pray for peace for our persecuted brothers and sisters. 

About the author

Chandler Peterson is a writer and editor for Global Christian Relief where she shares stories of Christian persecution. Read the latest Christian persecution stories on our website and learn more at GlobalChristianRelief.org.