Day 18
NOVEMBER | 2023
Vietnam
PRAYER FOR THIS COUNTRY
When a family came to know Christ, their relatives responded angrily and expelled them from their home. The local Church responded by building the family a new home, but insufficient funds prevented them from finishing. The community mocked the Christians, saying that God didn’t seem to be looking after them. After praying, donations came in, and the congregation saw that God did indeed provide. Pray that God strengthens the Christian Believers. Pray that communities may see tangible evidence of God’s love, care, and provision for those who follow Jesus Christ (The Bible, Genesis 16:13).
Source: How Vietnamese Christians are keeping the faith despite losing their homes and churches (Open Doors)
MORE ABOUT THIS COUNTRY
Vietnam is a former French colony. It is also one of the last Communist strongholds in the world. Like in all authoritative regimes, corruption and persecution are rampant. Some traditional churches are allowed to operate freely. Any Church that attempts evangelism or tries to engage in social service faces severe persecution not limited to prison sentences. Christian Converts are usually from minority tribes. This factor increases their persecution level more than others in Vietnam. China is the key trading partner for Vietnam despite maritime border disputes in the South China Sea.
CHIEF OF STATE
President Vo Van Thoung
HEAD OF GOV.
PM Pham Minh Chinh
POPULATION
104,799,174
CHRISTIANS
1%
EVANGLICAL CHRISTIANS
0.3%
DOMINANT RELIGION
Buddhism
PERSECUTION RANKING
25
REFUGEES
35,475
LIFE EXPECTANCY
75.79 yrs
LITERACY RATE
95.8%
POPULATION BELOW POVERTY LINE
6.7%
Day 18
NOVEMBER | 2023
Yemen
PRAYER FOR THIS COUNTRY
Yemeni armed groups have warned the U.S. amid the Israel-Hamas war to refrain from helping Israel. These Yemeni armed factions connected closely with Iran have warned that they will attack American assets if the United States gets involved in supporting Israel in the Gaza conflict. They voiced this threat as solid support by the United States for Israel’s response to the attacks and a pledge to provide additional munitions and deploy a carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean. The armed Yemeni groups were allegedly attacking U.S. bases in Iraq. The influential Houthi Movement leader warned that the group would respond to any U.S. intervention in Gaza with drones, missiles, and other military options. Pray for no escalation of war that will hit humanitarian conditions and loss of lives. Pray for God’s protection over the persecuted Church and His strengthening grace to His people not to be hopeless (The Bible, 2 Chronicles 20:17).
Source:
MORE ABOUT THIS COUNTRY
Yemen jumped two places in the Persecution Index to finish third in 2023. The ongoing civil war opened new methods to discriminate and persecute Christians. The humanitarian aid distribution system operates through government-controlled mosques or Houthi-established camps. Both give preferential treatment to “devout Muslims” only. Indigenous Christians and Christian Converts cannot avail of this aid. Christian Believers face physical and sexual torture for their beliefs. Al Qaeda and the remnants of the Islamic State also persecute Christian Believers in Yemen. Furthermore, young Christian girls face the constant threat of abduction and forced marriages to Muslim men.
CHIEF OF STATE
President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi
HEAD OF GOV.
PM Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed
POPULATION
31,565,602
CHRISTIANS
0.2%
EVANGLICAL CHRISTIANS
0%
DOMINANT RELIGION
Sunni Islam
PERSECUTION RANKING
3
REFUGEES
686,217
LIFE EXPECTANCY
67.83 yrs
LITERACY RATE
70.1%
POPULATION BELOW POVERTY LINE
48.5%
