98,152,000

Christianity

93,396,000

DRC is a semi-Presidential Republic led by President Felix Tshisekedi. DRC has experienced conflict for more than 50 years between a plethora of armed rebel groups. The weak rule of law has enabled violence, including abductions, detentions, and murders of journalists, to continue with impunity. Following a long-delayed and disputed election, Felix Tshisekedi was sworn in as president in January 2019. Although the President promised to guarantee the respect of fundamental rights and released most political prisoners, fighting between security forces and armed groups, as well as militia attacks on civilians, has continued to increase. Despite being rich in natural resources, DRC struggles with inflation and corruption. A 2023 report by Freedom House presents the persistent challenges that DRC has been facing for decades:

“The political system in DRC is paralyzed due to the manipulation of the electoral process by political elites. Citizens are unable to freely exercise basic civil liberties, and corruption is endemic. Physical security is tenuous due to violence and human rights abuses committed by government forces, as well as armed rebel groups and militias in many areas of the country.”

In the east, where the ADF is the most prominent group, the situation has been exacerbated by interference from neighboring countries. The ADF is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States State Department.

In the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), notably in North Kivu, the situation for Christians has become increasingly perilous due to the presence of armed groups like the “Alliance for Democratic Forces” (ADF-NALU). This group, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS), has been particularly aggressive in targeting Christians. The scale of attacks is alarming: Christian villages have been burned down, pastors, priests, and lay Christians have been abducted, and untold suffering has been inflicted on Christian communities by the ADF and other armed factions. Women and girls remain especially vulnerable to incidences of sexual and gender-based violence at the hands of armed groups. Men and boys are vulnerable to forced recruitment into militias, as well as abductions and killings. Pastors are specifically targeted by jihadists.

The area is a hotbed for more than a hundred different armed groups, making it extremely dangerous for anyone who speaks out against these organizations. Additionally, converts from Islam as well as indigenous religions face societal and familial pressures to engage in non-Christian religious activities. Representatives from the Catholic Church, who have publicly called on the government to respect constitutional electoral deadlines, have also experienced verbal harassment and various forms of interference due to their advocacy.

Other minorities

Muslims in the country have voiced complaints about not receiving the same privileges and treatment as Christians.

1. Support Christian men and boys, especially leaders, facing forced recruitment, torture, and killings. Pray for their safety and provision for families crippled by economic loss.
2. Ask for comfort for thousands of displaced Christians, whose villages and churches have been destroyed by militias. Pray for resources and refuge for those in need.
3. Pray for youth struggling with limited education and job access due to violence. Ask the Church to guide them with faith and purpose to resist militia influence.
4. Seek restoration for churches looted and vandalized in Kinshasa, Kasai, and North Kivu. Pray for safe spaces where believers can worship and serve.
5. Uphold converts from Islam and indigenous religions, facing family pressure and violence in North Kivu. Pray for their safety and support to live out their faith in secret.
6. The DRC’s government under President Tshisekedi grapples with corruption and impunity, ranked 169th on the 2023 Corruption Index. Pray for just leadership to protect all citizens.
7. Pray for Muslims and other minorities facing unequal treatment. Ask for harmony and fairness, that Christians may build bridges while sharing the Gospel.
8. Celebrate the faith of 93,396,000 Christians, nearly 95% of the population, standing firm despite violence. Ask for strength to remain a beacon of hope.
9. Praise God for the Church’s resilience in sharing the Gospel amid hostility. Pray for boldness and opportunities to reach hearts in troubled regions.
10. The DRC ranks 35th on the 2025 World Watch List, with persecution driven by Islamic militias and corruption. Pray for courage and clarity for Christians facing threats in North Kivu and Ituri.
11. Lift up pastors targeted with abductions and intimidation by groups like ADF-NALU. Ask for their protection, wisdom, and endurance to lead their flocks through danger.
12. Pray for Christian women and girls in eastern DRC, vulnerable to abduction, rape, and forced marriage by armed groups. Seek their safety and healing from trauma and shame.
13. Thank God for the DRC’s vast land and its 98,152,000 people. Pray for healing and peace to overcome decades of conflict and division.