Pray for those in prison
Worship outside Eritrea’s four recognized religious bodies is treated as a crime. Although a group of detainees was released in late 2025, many Christian Believers remain imprisoned for their faith. Pray for their release, protection, and comfort, and for their families.
Lord Jesus, our Comforter, be near to every prisoner of faith in Eritrea. Sustain them, free them, and let no chain hold back Your Word.
Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.
Acts 12:5
Pray for the Church
Pray for Eritrea’s Christian Believers, both in the historic churches and in the congregations that meet in secret, for endurance, unity, and a faith that does not grow bitter.
Father, strengthen Your people under pressure, and let their faith shine through every trial.
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
1 Peter 4:12
Pray for young Eritreans
Many young Eritreans face years of compulsory national service, and many feel pulled to flee the country. Pray that they would find hope in Jesus Christ, and that God would raise up young Eritrean Christian Believers who will stay and serve.
Lord, hold the future of Eritrea’s young people in Your hands.
My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me.
Psalm 31:15
Pray for peace across the border
Relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia have deteriorated sharply. As fighting returned to northern Ethiopia in late 2026, the two governments accused each other of aggression, and fears of a wider war across the Horn of Africa have grown.
Father, turn the region back from war, protect civilians on both sides of the border, and give wisdom to all who seek peace.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
Psalm 46:9
Capital: Asmara
Religions: Christian approximately 49%, Sunni Muslim approximately 49%, other 2% (estimates vary widely; no census since 2010)
Languages: Tigrinya, Arabic, and the languages of nine recognized ethnic communities
People groups: 15
Unreached people groups: 10
Unreached frontier people groups: 7
Eritrea is a nation of highland plateaus and Red Sea lowlands on the Horn of Africa. It holds an ancient Christian heritage alongside some of the least-reached peoples in the region, and it is one of the hardest places in the world to follow Jesus Christ.
Eritrea is a study in contrasts.
Tigrinya
The highland people, who carry a Christian tradition stretching back many centuries.
Tigre
About 753,000 people in the lowlands, classified as frontier, with almost no followers of Jesus Christ.
Afar, Saho, Beja, Rashaida, and Nara
Muslim peoples of the coast and the western and northern borders, among whom there is scarcely any Christian presence in their own language and culture.
Eritrea recognizes nine ethnic communities, each with its own language and way of life. Tigrinya and Arabic are widely used, but many people hold their own heart language.
Of Eritrea’s 15 people groups, 10 are unreached and 7 are frontier, communities with almost no followers of Jesus Christ and no known movement toward Him. Around 1.6 million people, close to half the population, live in unreached groups.
Eritrea remains one of the most closed nations on earth. Christian Believers who gather outside the recognized bodies risk arrest and long imprisonment, and access to Bibles is tightly restricted.
Among the lowland peoples, faith is bound up with identity, and there is almost no Christian witness within their own language and culture.
Language matters deeply. Scripture in Tigrinya may remain out of reach for a Tigre, Afar, or Saho speaker, and several of Eritrea’s languages still lack full Scripture.
Pray for the Tigre
Pray for the Tigre of the lowlands, the largest unreached people in Eritrea, and for witnesses who can share the Gospel in their language.
Father, let the lowlands lift their voices in praise to You.
Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice, The villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing, Let them shout from the top of the mountains.
Isaiah 42:11
Pray for the Afar, Saho, Beja, and Rashaida
Pray for these Muslim peoples of the coast and borderlands, that God would prepare hearts, open doors, and raise up witnesses within each community.
Lord, let songs of praise rise from every people of Eritrea.
From the ends of the earth we have heard songs: ‘Glory to the righteous!’
Isaiah 24:16
Pray for God’s Word in Eritrea’s languages
Pray for Scripture and audio resources in every Eritrean language, and for safe ways to place God’s Word in the hands of those who seek it.
Father, let Eritreans discover the treasure of Your Word.
I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure.
Psalm 119:162
Pray for a movement of God
Eritrea’s need is far greater than human strength alone can meet. Pray for a movement of God among the lowland peoples, for a Church that grows even under pressure, and for whole communities to encounter Jesus Christ.
Lord, do far more in Eritrea than we can ask or imagine.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
Ephesians 3:20
Lord Jesus, our Comforter,
We pray for Eritrea, a nation of ancient faith and painful hardship, home to peoples who have known of You for centuries and peoples who have never heard Your name. You know every highland village, every lowland camp, every prison cell, and every person who has never heard the Gospel.
Sustain those who suffer for Your name, and free those held for their faith. Bring peace to the border and protect families on both sides. Give Your Church courage to cross every boundary, and provide Scripture in every language. Move among Eritrea’s young people, and awaken a generation that will carry the Gospel with hope and endurance.
For those who have never heard, send someone. Let churches be planted where there are none, let disciples multiply where You are not known, and let Eritrea become a testimony of Your grace among the nations.
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
