MY ACCOUNT
At A Glance
Many believers around the world follow Christ in places where discovery could have serious consequences. And their greatest request from the global Church? "Pray for us." Among 11 ways you can pray for secret believers:
- Boldness to obediently follow Jesus, encouragement in navigating a double life, and protection for secret gatherings
- Comfort. healing, and joy for those who have lost everything, community for the isolated, and needs to be met
- Wisdom for effectively reaching the lost, and God's revelation of Himself to secret seekers
What would it be like to follow Jesus in secret?
Imagine hiding your Bible. Pretending to follow another religion. Whispering prayers where no one can hear. Gathering for church only when you’re certain no one is watching.
For many believers around the world, this isn’t imagination – it’s daily life. These secret believers follow Christ in places where discovery could mean imprisonment, violence, or death. And their greatest request from the global Church is simple: "Pray for us."
Here are 11 ways you can pray for secret believers around the world.
Pray for ...
Boldness to Choose Christ and Preach the Gospel
Khadija is a secret believer in the Middle East who chose to follow Christ despite the threat of being killed. Conversely, Pastor Ibrahim is a secret believer in Chad who faces daily insults for sharing the Gospel.
Let us pray for boldness – both for those who are afraid and have yet to follow Christ and also for those who are now proclaiming the Gospel to their hostile communities.
Encouragement for Those Navigating a Double Life
Due to the grave consequences of becoming a Christian in her country, Khadija hides her decision of faith from her family and community. “If they found out, I might be killed,” she explained. In the Middle East, some families perform “honor killings” on members who have turned to another faith, and governments have blasphemy laws with severe punishments. Khadija still performs the daily Muslim prayers and wears a hijab, but she attends underground church meetings where she can remove her hijab and be herself.
Pray that these believers stay strong and encouraged as they walk this line between life and death every day.
Protection for Secret Gatherings
Whether it’s to hide their faith from their family, prevent mob violence from their community, or evade surveillance from their government, most secret believers have to meet in secret for their gatherings and services. Secret believers like Khadija need God’s protection as they risk their lives every time they attempt to congregate underground. As David cried out for protection, let us also intercede for the protection of the secret church: “Keep [them] safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked; protect [them] from the violent ….” (Psalm 140:4)
Revelation for Secret Seekers
Before Khadija chose to follow Christ, she was a practicing Muslim from a devout family. She began to question her faith after secretly watching videos by Christian apologists who challenged Islamic teachings.
Similarly, Kashif is a secret believer in Pakistan whose journey of faith began while on Facebook when he saw a picture of Jesus on the cross. As a Muslim, he had never heard of Jesus and began to seek for answers in secret.
Let’s pray for secret seekers, that God would “open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.” (Acts 26:18)
The Holy Spirit to Do Miracles and to Encounter Seekers in Dreams
Kashif recounts: “I had a dream where Jesus appeared to me in my room while I was sleeping. Light filled my room. I woke up suddenly and began to cry.” He prayed to Jesus for the first time and soon met a pastor online.
Khadijah also had a dream of a man dressed in white who said to her, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” She researched this phrase and found that Jesus had said it in John 14:6.
Pastor Ibrahim from Chad explained, “Muslims need to see miracles. When they see miracles, they know this is good." Let’s pray the Holy Spirit continues to do miracles and encounter Muslims in their dreams so many will reach out to know Christ.
Comfort for Those Who’ve Left Everything
Kashif decided to follow Christ after being discipled by a pastor on Facebook. Once his parents found out, they forced him to leave the house and took away his savings. Consequently, he was left with nothing and had to live on the street for some time. Through one of Global Christian Relief’s (GCR) partners, Kashif was able to find support and new purpose in life.
Let’s remember Hebrews 13:3 – “Remember those … who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Let’s pray for believers like Kashif who need comfort in the midst of losing family and basic needs.
Community for the Abandoned and Isolated
Besides losing contact with his family, Kashif also stays hidden among the population due to Pakistan’s strict blasphemy laws. His government-issued ID shows him as Muslim, and if someone were to find out he is now Christian, they could hand him over to the authorities. Again, a GCR partner was able to assist Kashif with finding community, and now he enjoys reaching out to Muslims online who, like he once did, are searching for answers and need discipleship.
Pray for those abandoned by family and isolated in society that God would find them a refuge of community and godly fellowship.
Wisdom to Reach the Lost Effectively
The secret church must use wisdom in ministering to outsiders who are showing interest to become a Christian. Besides discerning if they have true intentions to know Christ, the church must prepare these new believers for the drastic changes and costs that will accompany their decision. Pastor Ibrahim from Chad says, “Going from Islamic faith to church would be a very big step,” so they often disciple a believer outside the church to become strong enough for the possible challenges of full church integration.
Pray that secret believers live out Colossians 4:2 – “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”
Healing for Those Who’ve Encountered Rejection and Violence
Besides the emotional and relational trauma of being rejected by family and society, some secret believers also have experienced physical violence for their witness to Christ. Pastor Ibrahim from Chad says, “I received persecution regularly. In our country … people would call us ‘wicked Christians’ and … spit on us.”
Another evangelist in Chad named Zayd said that when he started speaking up about his faith, “lots of people injured me.” Ask God to heal both the emotional and physical wounds of His people who have suffered for His name.
Joy to Suffer on Christ’s Behalf
Despite the grave injustice and atrocious acts of violence, many secret believers are grateful, even joyful, that they could suffer on behalf of Jesus Christ. In response to those who persecuted him, Zayd from Chad declared, “When they injured me, I just laughed.”
A believer in the Middle East named Abu Sami lost all business to his shop due to the community discovering that he is a Christian. Despite having no income, he said, “I am very happy to be persecuted because of the name of Christ.”
Let’s ask God to grant joy to all secret believers who are being persecuted, just as the apostles rejoiced when they were flogged, “because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” (Acts 5:41)
Needs to Be Met
Secret believers have shared with GCR that their top priorities are discipleship, community, and safety. They not only want to endure persecution but also help others who are seeking to convert to Christ. They need things like discipleship training, emergency supplies, safe houses for new converts, the Scriptures in their own language, and underground networks to provide all of the above.
Let us pray for these resources to reach our persecuted family, and that they may believe “God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
Secret Believers When Faith Must Stay Hidden, Hope Must Not
Across the Muslim world, men and women are encountering Jesus in hidden places – through a dream, a late-night search, or a quiet conversation with a local believer. But when someone chooses to follow Christ in secret, the cost of their decision can be immediate: family rejection, social isolation, and real danger.
Learn more about how you can support secret believers and help ensure no follower of Jesus ever stands alone.
