"If I believe that Jesus is God, they will kill me."
– Jamila*, a Saudi Christian woman
The majority of the Christians in Saudi Arabia are foreign workers. They are heavily restricted from sharing their faith or gathering for worship. Any actions outside of the norm can lead to detention and deportation. Many of these workers come from low-income countries and are often abused and subjected to horrific working and living conditions.
The few converts who are Saudi Arabian are usually forced to live out their faith in secret, risking divorce and violence.
In Saudi Arabia, leaving Islam is one of the greatest sins a Muslim can commit. Christian women from a Muslim background are exposed to considerable pressure and risk physical violence, verbal harassment, and being forcibly married to strict Muslims.
Saudi Arabia’s strict Islamic society also means any deviation from standard behaviour is quickly noticed. Men risk being publicly shamed, beaten, imprisoned, thrown out of their homes, threatened, and denied financial support.
– Pray for foreign Christian workers to be protected from abuse and to find a Christian community.
– Pray for secret Saudi believers, that God will show them they aren’t alone.
– Ask God to soften the hearts of religious leaders and the monarchy to allow freedom of religion.
