On 26 July, the world’s eyes will turn to Paris as the 2024 Summer Olympics—officially the “Games of the XXXIII Olympiad”—take place in the French capital. The best athletes in the world will gather to show their competitive spirit and demonstrate excellence in their chosen sport.
The Olympics is also a powerful opportunity to pray. All 50 countries on Open Doors’ World Watch List 2024—the annual ranking of the top 50 places where it’s most difficult to follow Jesus—qualified to participate in this year’s Games, along with a team of refugees. This year, as you watch, why not pray?
Here are 51 ways to pray as you watch this year’s Summer Olympics:
Afghanistan
Ask God to touch the hearts of the athletes competing, that they would have an opportunity to hear about the truth of Jesus as they visit Paris for the Games.
Algeria
Pray for Algerian Christians who are accused or suspected of breaking the regulation making it illegal to “shake the faith of a Muslim.” Pray these believers would not be unfairly targeted and that the unjust laws would be overturned.
Bangladesh
Pray for healing for Bangladeshi Christians who have been attacked or physically abused for their faith. Ask God to bind up their wounds, both physical and emotional.
Bhutan
Pray for Christians who found Jesus out of Buddhism. Ask God to protect them from pressure, discrimination, and persecution.
Brunei
Pray for Christians who struggle with laws that are biased against anything outside of Islam. Ask God to give His people grace and patience.
Burkina Faso
As the violence continues in Burkina Faso, pray for all those affected by abductions, sexual violence, and death. Ask God to heal their hearts and souls, and to comfort those who mourn.
Cameroon
Ask God to help the victims of violence find comfort and restoration. Pray they would know God is a healing Father who walks alongside them.
Central African Republic
The conflict in Central African Republic has lasted more than a decade—peace seems so far off. Pray that God would miraculously bring about a peaceful resolution to the constant fighting.
China
Pray for young people who are technically not allowed to attend church. Pray that God would strengthen their faith and give them—and their parents—courage.
Colombia
Colombia’s peace treaty with illegal armed groups is not yet a reality—and violence is still rampant. Pastors and church leaders often find themselves in the crosshairs of such groups. Ask God to protect church leaders and help them to serve Him, despite the danger.
Comoros
Comoros is sending a tiny team of athletes to this summer’s Olympics. Pray that even these few people will hear the truth of the gospel during the event.
Cuba
As Cuba’s social and economic unrest grows, pray that God would use the Olympics to bring openness to the people of God who want to worship Him. Praise God that his Church is growing, despite restrictions.
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
There are millions of refugees and internally displaced persons in the DRC—and there are many Christians among them. Ask God to provide for His people who have lost everything, and that He would create a way for them to find other believers.
Egypt
Pray that those Egyptians who feel and are treated like second-class citizens in Egypt will be comforted, even during the Olympics.
Eritrea
Christians are at risk of arrest and forced military service. Pray for grace for prisoners and those forced into the military against their will.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia is well-known for its excellence in long-distance running. This week, take a walk and pray for Christians in Ethiopia who risk everything to follow Jesus.
India
Pray that Hindu nationalists would accept Christians as fellow Indians and allow Indians of all faiths to flourish.
Indonesia
Though Christians worship freely in some parts of Indonesia, in other areas believers can be forced into the shadows. Ask God to protect these secret communities of Christians.
Iran
There were calls to ban Iran from the Olympics for their human rights abuses. Pray that God would use the international attention brought about by the Olympics to shine a light on His people’s situation in Iran.
Iraq
Praise God that rebuilding continues in historically Christian communities in northern Iraq. Ask Him to help churches and Christians continue to deepen their roots in Iraq.
Jordan
Ask God to make His presence known to Jordanian Christians who have followed Jesus out of Islam. Pray that these believers will know that they are not alone.
Kazakhstan
Pray that more believers in Kazakhstan would have access to Bibles and Christian literature to help them grow in their faith.
Laos
Pray for Christians and especially church leaders who are heavily monitored by the communist government. Ask God to give them wisdom and courage.
Libya
Libya remains deeply unstable, and parts of the country have little rule of law. This leads to danger for God’s people. Pray for stability and that order will come to Libya.
Malaysia
As you watch Malaysian athletes compete in this year’s Summer Olympics, pray for Malaysia to be more open and tolerant of Christian worship and public expressions of faith in Jesus.
Maldives
Maldives may be a paradise for vacationers from around the world, but for Christians it’s anything but. As Dhivehin people (those from Maldives) compete in Paris, pray God would soften hearts across the small nation.
Mali
Pray for the athletes from Mali, that their participation in a global event will help grow Mali’s commitment to protecting all its people, including Christians.
Mauritania
Please pray that converts will be encouraged to press on in their faith, despite the challenge and dangers.
Mexico
Pray for the protection of Christians vulnerable to hostility from criminal gangs. Pray that leaders of indigenous groups will see the value of Christians in their communities.
Morocco
Please pray that Christians will be given opportunity and ingenuity as they seek to share their faith, despite the dangers. Pray that believers from Muslim backgrounds will be empowered to stand firm amid hostility from their community.
Mozambique
During these Olympics, pray for peace in Mozambique and a new openness to the truth of Jesus. Please pray for courage and protection for Christians living under the threat of attacks by Islamic extremist groups.
Myanmar
Ask for an end to the civil war. Pray that the ruling military will do more to bring justice and freedom for all. Pray for the protection of churches and Christians, and that believers will be given wisdom as they respond to different challenges.
Nicaragua
Ask God to soften the hearts of President Ortega and his government and cause them to stop targeting Christians. Pray that church leaders under surveillance will be given wisdom and courage as they serve their congregations and communities.
Niger
Niger’s instability contributes to the difficulties facing Christians. Ask God that, even during the weeks of the Olympics, Nigerien leaders would be able to work toward lasting peace and protect their people from extremist groups.
Nigeria
This will be Nigeria’s largest Olympic team ever. But the country remains incredibly divided. Pray that these Games would be a time when Nigerians could come together and work for peace and stability.
North Korea
North Korea is known as the “Hermit Kingdom” because it is so closed to the world. As North Korean athletes engage with people from all over the world during the Olympics, ask God to open their eyes and hearts to His perfect love—and then share what they’ve found with their countrypeople.
Oman
Please pray that converts will be strengthened to withstand the pressure they may feel from their family and society.
Pakistan
Pray that Christians will be protected from false allegations of blasphemy. Pray that believers will hold on to their identity as children of God as they live in a society that often demeans them.
Qatar
Sport has become an important way for Qatar to interact with the rest of the world. Ask that athletic competitions like the Olympics would open the hearts of Qatari people to the hope of the gospel.
Refugee Olympic Team
These people have no home state—they are displaced. Pray for all of the world’s Christians displaced by violence and conflict.
Saudi Arabia
Dunya Abutaleb is the first Saudi woman to qualify directly for the Olympics. She competes in taekwondo—even though she previously had to train at home because the taekwondo club didn’t allow women. It’s a reminder of how much pressure Saudi society places on minorities like women and Christians. Praise God for Dunya’s example, and ask that her time in Paris would remind Saudis that every person matters.
Somalia
Somalia had only one athlete competing in Paris, in the men’s 800 metres, but he has since been barred from participating. As you watch this event, pray during the 105 or so seconds the race will last. Pray for Christians in Somalia who are constantly in danger for their faith in Jesus.
Sudan
Please pray for an end to the violence in Sudan and for provision for Christians who have been displaced. Pray for strength and protection for brave believers who risk so much to serve others during the conflict.
Syria
Pray that the Holy Spirit will give relief and refreshment to Syrian Christians who have endured so much over the last decade.
Tajikistan
Tajikistan’s national sport is called gushtigiri, which is a form of wrestling similar to judo. During the Olympics, watch a judo event, and take the time to pray for Tajik believers who risk so much to follow Jesus. Please pray that the government would ease their tight grip on religious freedom.
Tunisia
Please pray that isolated converts will be connected to other believers and draw comfort from knowing they have a family in the global Church. Pray for those who take risks to meet together—that they would know the peace only Jesus can give.
Turkey
Please pray that Christians will be seen as valued members of Turkish society, rather than a threat. Pray that believers will be given boldness, wisdom and protection as they follow Jesus in an increasingly hostile society.
Turkmenistan
This month, as athletes gather in Paris, pray that both the athletes and spectators from Turkmenistan will have an opportunity to hear the gospel.
Uzbekistan
One of the most popular sports in Uzbekistan is boxing, and the country has been very successful in the Olympics. This year, as fighters square off in the boxing ring, pray for Uzbek believers who are targeted for their faith.
Vietnam
Pray for Christians from ethnic minorities—that God would protect and strengthen them to stand firm in their faith.
Yemen
Ask that converts from Islam would have wisdom and courage to share their faith, and that the underground church would grow.
