Nigeria ranks 12th in 2019 Open Doors report on "The 50 countries where it’s most dangerous to follow Jesus"

Open Doors USA has published the 2019 World Watch List which details the "The 50 countries where it’s most dangerous to follow Jesus."

Nigeria is ranked number 12 on this list. According to the report, the source of persecution is Islamic Oppression. The report goes further to say "Nigeria’s score for violence has stayed as high as possible, primarily due to the increased attacks on Christian communities by militant Fulani herdsmen."

"These attacks claimed the lives of hundreds of believers during the reporting period, and villages and churches burned to the ground. Additionally, in parts of northern Nigeria, Christians are treated as second class citizens. Christians from Muslim backgrounds face persecution from their own families."

The report also recommends this prayer points for Nigeria:

• Pray for Christians in the middle of Nigeria, who are facing increased hostility and attacks from Hausa-Fulani Muslim militant herdsmen. 
• Pray for Fulani militants, the members of Boko Haram and other extremist groups. Pray that God will touch their hearts with His truth. 
• Often, the government of Nigeria has been accused of being slow or unwilling to address attacks against Christians. Pray for courage and for peace.

The World Watch List is an annual report on the global persecution of Christians ranking the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith. Released at the beginning of each year, the list uses data from Open Doors field workers and external experts to quantify and analyze persecution worldwide.

Countries are ranked by the severity of persecution of Christians, calculated by analyzing the level of violent persecution plus the pressure experienced in five spheres of life - Church Life, National Life, Community Life, Private Life and Family Life

According to David Curry, CEO of Open Doors USA, "The rankings and the numbers are important. But please remember these numbers represent real people and every data point represents Christians, like you and me, who are following Jesus—and suffering because of it."

"This year, we noticed how Christian women are especially targeted around the world. Often, they are culturally discriminated against because they are women—and when it’s discovered they follow Jesus, the suffering can be even worse. These numbers don’t always show us their stories; we promise to bring you these important testimonies throughout 2019," he added.

In over 60 countries, Open Doors supports persecuted Christians by providing Bibles, emergency aid, discipleship training, vocational instruction, trauma counseling, advocacy and many other kinds of support.

The goal is to let Christians know they’re not alone. Open Doors exists to allow the church, no matter where it is, to be the Church.

Click here for the full report.