Pray for protection where violence continues
Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. In the year to September 2025, 3,490 Christians were killed in Nigeria, more than seven in ten of all Christians killed for their faith worldwide. Attacks on farming communities in Benue and Plateau States continued through 2026, along with abductions from homes, schools, and churches.
God of refuge, protect families living in dangerous places. Guard children, churches, aid workers, and community leaders, and bring an end to the violence.
He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge;
Psalm 91:4
Pray for displaced families
More than 3.6 million people are displaced inside Nigeria, driven from their homes by violence, flooding, and economic hardship. Displacement can leave families without steady homes, work, schooling, or the support of a local church.
Lord, remember every displaced family. Provide food, shelter, education, and protection, and lead them to a safe place to live.
And He led them forth by the right way, That they might go to a city for a dwelling place.
Psalm 107:7
Pray for reconciliation
Nigeria has known deep divisions between religions, ethnic groups, and regions. Pray that Christian Believers would refuse hatred and become people of forgiveness and peace.
Lord Jesus, heal communities divided by violence and suspicion, and make Your Church a visible picture of reconciliation.
Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
2 Corinthians 5:18
Pray for Christian workers
Pray for pastors, missionaries, evangelists, translators, and ordinary Christian Believers serving among communities where the Gospel is not yet well established.
Father, give Your workers wisdom, humility, courage, and endurance, and let their work bear lasting fruit.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:6
Pray for a Church with a heart for the unreached
Nigeria has many Christians, but the call to make disciples reaches far beyond the places where churches are already strong.
Lord, give Nigerian churches a heart for those who have never heard, and make them communities of prayer, mission, generosity, and discipleship.
For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4:15
Capital: Abuja
Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and more than 500 others
Major religions: Christianity, Islam, and traditional religions
People groups: 531
Unreached people groups: 48
Unreached frontier people groups: 5
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation and home to a remarkable mix of peoples, among them the Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo, Kanuri, Tiv, Ibibio, Edo, Nupe, Gbagyi, Idoma, Ijaw, Efik, Jukun, Berom, Bachama, Tarok, Urhobo, and Itsekiri. Behind these well-known groups are hundreds of smaller communities, each with its own language, history, and culture.
Peoples of the north
The Hausa, Fulani, Kanuri, and many smaller peoples, most of them Muslim, among whom the Church is small.
Peoples of the south and Middle Belt
The Yoruba, Igbo, Tiv, Ibibio, and many others, among whom the Church is large and active.
Smaller peoples
Hundreds of communities, some following traditional religions and some with little access to Scripture in their own language.
For many Nigerians, faith is closely tied to family, community, and identity, shaping marriage, education, friendships, celebrations, and daily life.
Nigeria also faces deep humanitarian needs. Conflict, displacement, economic hardship, food insecurity, and flooding place heavy burdens on vulnerable communities.
Of Nigeria’s 531 people groups, 48 are unreached and 5 are frontier. These unreached groups hold around 74 million people, nearly a third of the population.
Nigeria has both large Christian communities and peoples who have not yet been reached. Some communities have churches, Christian families, and the Bible. Others have only a small Christian presence, and in some places there are very few local churches able to share the Gospel in the local language and culture.
With so many languages, reaching one community does not mean another has been reached. Having a Bible somewhere in Nigeria does not mean every community has Scripture in the language they speak best.
In some places, faith is bound up with family and culture, and following Jesus Christ can bring serious social consequences. Insecurity and displacement have disrupted communities, schools, and churches, and remote areas often have few trained Christian workers.
Some people have heard the name of Jesus, but hearing a name is not the same as hearing the Gospel. In some communities, people grow up, marry, and raise children without ever meeting a follower of Jesus Christ who can explain the Gospel in a way that fits their culture.
Pray for the unreached peoples of the north
Pray for the Hausa, Fulani, Kanuri, and other communities where there are few or no established churches.
Father, let Your name be great among every people of Nigeria, and let no cultural or geographical barrier keep people from Jesus Christ.
For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles;
Malachi 1:11
Pray for those searching for truth
Pray for men and women asking questions about God, eternity, forgiveness, and the meaning of life, and for trustworthy followers of Jesus Christ to cross their path.
Lord, meet those who are searching, and let them find the knowledge of God.
If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 2:4–5
Pray for Nigeria’s children and young people
Nigeria has a very young population, and the faith of today’s children will shape the country’s future. Pray for safe homes, good education, and godly mentors.
Father, raise up young Nigerians who know Jesus Christ and courageously live for Him.
O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.
Psalm 71:17
Pray for Scripture in every language
Pray for Bible translation, distribution, and discipleship in the many languages of Nigeria, and for translators and teachers.
Lord, let the Gospel be heard in every language of Nigeria, and let Your Word become living truth in every community.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:14
Father,
We bring Nigeria before You. You know every city, every village, every language, and every people. You know those who worship You and those who have never heard the good news of Jesus Christ. You know every family that has lost a loved one, every child taken from home, and every community living with fear.
Protect Your people. Bring an end to violence, comfort the grieving, and provide for the displaced. Raise up workers, protect those who serve, and strengthen Your Church. Give courage to Christian Believers who face opposition, and make them people of forgiveness and reconciliation.
We pray especially for communities where the Gospel has not yet taken root. Open doors that seem impossible to open, give wisdom to those who translate Your Word, and awaken a generation of Nigerians who will carry the Gospel across every cultural and linguistic boundary. May the name of Jesus Christ be heard where it has never been heard, and may people from every tribe and language worship You.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
