On February 6, athletes from around the world gathered together in Italy to walk in the opening ceremonies of the 2026 Olympic Games. People all over the earth will be watching events for the two weeks after the opening ceremonies, cheering on hometown heroes as they compete for Olympic gold.
At their best, the Olympic Games are a time for people from countries across the world to put aside differences and compete in a peaceful way, a reminder that all people share common humanity. For Christians, this can be extended—the Olympics can be a visible reminder that every human being is made in God's image.
This year, you can take that one step farther and use the Olympics in a potentially surprising way: to pray! This February, 14 countries participating in the Olympic Games are also on Open Doors 2026
World Watch List, the annual list of the 50 places where faith costs the most.
The 14 countries are:
Eritrea (5),
Nigeria (7),
Pakistan (8),
Iran (10),
India (12),
Saudi Arabia (13),
China (17),
Morocco (23),
Uzbekistan (25),
Mexico (30),
Kyrgyzstan (40),
Türkiye (41),
Kazakhstan (45),
Colombia (47).
Here are seven countries you can pray for:
Eritrea
Eritrea is among the most dangerous countries in the world for followers of Jesus, which is why it's
ranked No. 5 on the 2026 World Watch List. At the 2026 Olympic Games, Eritrea will have one athlete participating in alpine skiing. Shannon-Ogbnai Abeda was the first Eritrean to compete in the Winter Olympics as a skier, and he returns this year for his third Games.
In Eritrea, the government recognizes only four religious groups. Christians who worship outside state-sanctioned churches face intense surveillance, violent police raids and indefinite imprisonment—often in brutally shocking conditions. Converts from Islam or the Eritrean Orthodox Church also risk rejection by their families and social exclusion, in addition to state persecution.
People who are forcibly drafted into the military face an indefinite period of service. There is no leniency for anyone unwilling to serve, and Christians in the military caught worshipping are punished severely. Christians face a devastating dilemma: endure persecution and forced service or flee the country through routes made hazardous by trafficking, danger and the risk of torture.
Here's how you can pray with your family in Eritrea as you watch this year's Winter Olympics:
Father God, it's difficult to know how to even begin to pray for Christians in Eritrea. It's been such a difficult place to follow You for so long... and yet, we trust that Your plans will not fail, as You've promised in Your Word. Bring a sense of hope and understanding to Christians in Eritrea, that they may be filled anew with Your life-giving Spirit. Provide joy where there is sorrow, hope where there is despair, and light where there is darkness. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Nigeria
This is only the third Winter Olympics that Nigeria has participated in, and only one athlete is competing in Italy. But that shouldn't obscure the fact that Nigeria is the most populous and one of the largest countries in all of Africa. It's also No. 7 on the 2026 World Watch List—and the deadliest place in the world for followers of Christ.
Violent Islamic militant groups operate across northern Nigeria and into the country's central region. Some of these groups—including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), an offshoot of Islamic State—target followers of Jesus and any properties owned by Christians. Other Christians, particularly farmers in Nigeria's Middle Belt, are confronted by Islamic militants among the Fulani people, who disproportionately attack Christian communities with horrific violence.
In recent years, violence has increased and spilled into southern states. Much of it is perpetrated by Fulani militants hiding in the forests.
Through prayer, you can stand with God's people in Nigeria:
God, we grieve with our brothers and sisters in Nigeria who endure such unthinkable violence. Be a strong shield and a rock for those who are displaced; be a comfort to those who grieve the loss of loved ones; restore the hopes of those who have been the victims of sexual violence; pour out Your Spirit upon Nigerian Christians, that they would catch a glimpse of Your work in their hearts and in their lives. Change the hearts of those who attack Christians. Bring peace, O God. It seems like an impossible prayer, but we know You alone can do this. We ask this in the name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Pakistan
In the 2026 Olympic Games, Pakistan has a single athlete competing, in downhill skiing. This year's Games is a perfect opportunity to also remember the situation for Christians in Pakistan, which is
ranked No. 8 on Open Doors' 2026 World Watch List.
In Pakistan, Christians are exposed to many challenges, from everyday discrimination to the threat of deadly violence. Increasingly, Pakistan's notorious blasphemy laws are used to intimidate Christians and other religious minorities. Even an accusation can provoke mob violence against victims, as well as their families and the wider Christian community.
Christians from a Muslim background can face severe repercussions for choosing to follow Jesus. These threats come from families and radical Islamic groups who see conversion as a shameful act of betrayal.
Please pray:
Lord Jesus, our hearts are heavy at the dangers facing our family in Pakistan. Bring an end to false blasphemy accusations—expose the lies and hatred, and prompt changes to the law or its repeal. Protect young girls and surround them with environments that encourage their flourishing. Breathe hope and purpose into the hearts of those in bondage to poverty and labor and give them freedom. Soften the hearts of the authorities toward Christians. Amen.
Iran
Even as uncertainty reigns in Iran after protests and brutal repression have taken place, four Iranian athletes will take to the slopes in Italy this year.
Iran ranks
No. 10 on the 2026 World Watch List. Christians in Iran are heavily and systemically repressed, as the authorities seek to root out what they see as a threat from the West to undermine their Islamic rule.
Converts are most in the firing line. House churches are commonly raided, often followed by arrests, interrogations, pressure to inform on other believers and long-term imprisonment. The conditions in prison are dire, and bail sums can be extortionately high, financially paralyzing families. For believers who are released, that typically comes with strict conditions, such as exile to another part of Iran, or self-censorship. They can also face hostility from families and local communities. Each year, thousands of converts flee Iran to escape persecution.
As you think of your Iranian brothers and sisters—who are enduring the same uncertainty as all Iranians on top of the normal persecution they face for faith in Jesus—please remember to pray:
Heavenly Father, as we remember our family in prison (Hebrews 13:3), flood their cells with Your presence. May they tangibly feel Your nearness—and open the eyes of guards and other prisoners to see it, too. Expose the arbitrary and unjust reasons for this oppression, compelling the authorities to release Christian prisoners and allow converts greater freedoms. Protect and grow house churches, sustain Your people, and heal those recovering from awful experiences. Amen.
India
India has two athletes competing in this year's Winter Olympics. But as you watch the exciting skiing events where Indians will be cheering on their countrymen, don't forget to pray for India, ranked
No. 12 on the 2026 World Watch List.
To religious nationalists in the country, to be Indian is to be Hindu, and that leaves no place for Christianity. The result is systemic discrimination and violence, particularly against converts. Social media is gravely exacerbating the problem, with accusations, disinformation and attacks often going viral and perpetuating false narratives around Christianity. Evangelistic activities are extremely risky. Another weapon increasingly used to target Christians and other religious minorities is the anti-conversion laws, currently enacted in 12 states and counting.
But during the next two weeks as you listen to the roars of the crowd, you can remember your family in India with this prayer:
Lord Jesus, we rejoice that countless people in India are encountering You, often through healings and miracles. As the church's presence and growth bring opposition, uphold our family with Your unfailing love. Meet every need and bring them through with an even stronger faith. We pray against the spread and misuse of anti-conversion laws and for a halt to other legal impediments to religious freedom. Locally and nationally, inspire greater protection of minorities. Amen.
Morocco
Morocco, which ranks
No. 23 on the 2026 World Watch List, has never won a medal at the Winter Olympics. This year, two Moroccans will be competing in Italy. As you watch them, here are some things you should know about the situation for believers in Morocco:
It's both rare and risky for anyone in Morocco to convert to Christianity—so unusual, that some Christians assume they are the only believers in their region or the entire country.
A huge challenge for Christians, both Moroccan and foreign, is that it is illegal to "shake the faith of a Muslim." That means that any conversation about faith can be fraught with risk, potentially leading to arrest.
Converts can encounter intense pressure to renounce their faith, with tactics including isolation, expulsion, violence and even superstitious treatments by imams (Muslim leaders). Converts can lose their jobs. Even if some judges do uphold the cases of converts in court, family pressures can often render their verdicts irrelevant. Understandably, many believers keep their faith secret.
But you can pray with Moroccan believers:
King Jesus, thank You that increasing numbers of people are encountering You in Morocco, often in supernatural ways. We pray for more! But we're conscious that for many, following You is very costly. Strengthen, encourage and protect them, provide opportunities for community with each other, and draw their loved ones to You. Equip and raise up leaders and give them favor with the authorities. Show Your power in Morocco today, we pray. Amen.
Türkiye
Though they've participated in the Winter Olympics since 1936 (with two exceptions), Türkiye has never won a medal during the Winter games. At this year's Olympics in Italy, eight athletes will try their best to change that fact.
As you watch one of the four events where Turkish athletes will be competing, take a moment to think about the situation for your brothers and sisters in the country. Türkiye ranks
No. 41 on the 2026 World Watch List. Persecution is often driven by the notion that to be Turkish is to be Muslim. Anyone who openly practices a different faith, especially if they convert from Islam, is often regarded as betraying and dishonoring their family and their nation. This results in widespread discrimination.
Converts from Islam are vulnerable to harassment, rejection and threats of violence from both family members and radical Islamic groups. Many feel compelled to hide their faith and lead a double life. However, others boldly and openly live out their faith, reflecting diversity both within the Turkish church as well as within Turkish society.
In general, Christians face limited access to state employment and can experience discrimination even in private employment. In areas with ethnic conflicts, historical Christian communities are caught in the middle and sometimes forced out of their homelands.
Pray with your family in Türkiye:
Lord Jesus, we raise our brothers and sisters in Türkiye before You. We pray You will help them to shine the light of Your love in their families and communities, despite the pressures they face. We ask You to bless their efforts to share the good news of the gospel. Please bring comfort to anyone who has been shunned, rejected or harassed because of their faith. Amen.
