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Mahed*, one of the few Christians in Yemen, knows that his days of freedom are limited. He is preparing himself for the day when Yemeni authorities will arrest him and will likely confiscate his Bible. “I know it’s coming,” he says. “In the meantime, I’m trying to memorize as many Bible passages and verses as possible. I want to be a walking Bible, so that wherever I’m taken, I can share about Jesus.”
For millions of Christians like Mahed, God’s Word is a source of strength, discipleship and endurance; it can even serve as a lifeline, especially when pressure mounts. Believers have shared with us how even one copy of the Bible brought comfort and courage to an entire community. Without access to Scripture, persecuted believers are cut off from vital hope, and the future of the church suffers.
This is what Christians in the 10 countries where the Bible is most restricted face. Where they live, simply owning or carrying a Bible requires great courage and risk. They persevere under government bans, extremist violence and daily social pressure.
According to research for the Bible Access List launched in October 2025 by Open Doors and several partner organizations, the Bible is “extremely restricted” in 15 countries—the places where Christians face the greatest barriers to accessing Scripture, including importing, printing, storing, distributed and owning a Bible, and how safely people can access the Bible on the internet.
Not surprisingly, all 15 countries in the “extreme restrictions” category on the Bible Access List are also on the 2026 World Watch List, which ranks the top 50 countries where it’s most difficult to live as a Christian. Seven nations rank in the top 10 of both lists.
Below, we’re sharing the top 10 places where the Bible is banned or extremely restricted, the risks Christians must take to access Scripture and how you can pray—primarily based on research for the Bible Access List.
In Somalia, there are only a few hundred believers. Under a strict interpretation of Sharia law, it is illegal to print, import, store or distribute Bibles. Christians who possess Christian materials put a target on their backs. Even accessing Scripture online is a life-or-death risk. Somali authorities reportedly monitor internet usage; any small sign of engaging with Christian content can be perilous.
Pray that God would guide organizations, ministries and individuals to innovate new strategies for getting the Word of God into Somali believers’ hands and hearts.
In Afghanistan, only a few thousand Christians remain in the country. Bible access is nearly impossible. Experts estimate that fewer than one-third of Afghan Christians have any access to Scripture. After the Taliban took power in August 2021, the government has tightened restrictions, actively monitoring online activity. As a result, even reading the Bible on your phone is a dangerous move.
Ask God to open doors for digital access to God’s Word. Pray for the wisdom and boldness to reach Afghan believers.
In Yemen, Bible access in the country is little to none. Estimates show that less than one-third, and likely even fewer, of Yemeni Christians have access to a Bible. If a Christian’s Bible is discovered—printed or digital—they can face execution, imprisonment or eviction.
Pray for the safety of believers and for bright minds as they memorize Scripture in preparation for being imprisoned for their faith. Pray for Open Doors local partners as they minister and discreetly provide access to God’s Word.
According to research for the BAL, the Bible is not just banned in North Korea—it’s feared. The Kim regime forbids the possession, importation, printing, storing or distribution of Bibles. Under the country’s Anti-Reactionary Thought and Culture Law, these actions can bring execution or life imprisonment. Even children have been indoctrinated to report their own parents if they see them with a Bible.
Pray that God would intervene and we would intercede for our North Korean sisters and brothers. Pray that God would keep His hand on the hidden Bibles in North Korea, that they would remain invisible. Pray the prayer that Open Doors’ founder Brother Andrew prayed as he smuggled Bibles behind the Iron Curtain—that God would “make seeing eyes blind.”
Mauritania’s Christian population makes up a small and deeply marginalized minority in this North African Islamic republic. According to the BAL research, access to the Bible in Mauritania is not simply limited; it is almost entirely restricted. The importation, printing, storing, distribution and even public display of Christian materials is prohibited. Anyone caught trying to share a Bible could face the death penalty for proselytism or apostasy.
Pray for those working to get print and digital Bibles into Mauritania. Ask God to bring them partners and creative ideas to overcome barriers to Bible access.
In Eritrea, an estimated 1.7 million people identify as Christians. Yet, estimates show that not even 40% of believers have access to a Bible due to extreme restrictions. The government is a dictatorship led by Isaias Afwerki for the last 32 years, and it permeates nearly every aspect of religious life. Bible ownership, distribution, and even private reading are severely restricted under Eritrean law. According to research for the BAL, Christian materials accessed online are considered “subversive content.”
Ask God to bring unity to the Eritrean church, uniting believers and encouraging them to share the limited Bibles they have. Pray for Eritrean leader Afweki … that he would ease restrictions and would come to know Jesus.
In the North African country of Libya, having a Bible is illegal and a life-or-death decision. Both Libyan nationals and expatriates are forbidden from bringing or possessing a Bible. According to the BAL, the possession, importation or distribution of Bibles, especially in Arabic, is a serious offense with fatal consequences. Even viewing Scripture online can bring arrest or worse.
Pray for protection over Libyan Christians. Ask that God would keep His hand on them as they seek access to Scripture. Ask God to do the impossible and bring religious freedom to this fractured and troubled nation.
BAL research estimates that in the North African nation of Algeria, less than a third of Algerian Christians have consistent access to Scripture. Under the country’s Ordinance 06-03, printing, distributing or possessing religious materials outside government-approved channels are criminal acts. The Algerian Bible Society is technically allowed to import Scripture, but that is only in theory. Reportedly, no new shipments have made it through customs since 2018. The country has seen a systemic closure of churches, which has forced some Christians underground. With increased monitoring and heightened fear of arrest, many Christians are left isolated, cut off from the Word of God that sustains their faith.
Pray for Algerian believers, especially new Christians, to find strength and encouragement through underground fellowship and digital resources. Pray for the safety of those facing threats from both state and society. Ask God to reopen doors to churches and make a way for Bibles to be imported, printed and distributed.
In Iran, Christians represent a small fraction of the population, estimated at just over 800,000 believers. According to the BAL, rough estimates suggest that only around three out of four believers have access to a Bible. The government attempts to squelch the growth of the gospel by prohibiting Bibles translated in the country’s official language of Farsi—spoken by most Iranians. And websites offering Farsi Bibles are routinely blocked.
Ask God to protect Iranian Christians as they take great risks to own and share Bibles. Ask God to strengthen believers and shield them from police raids and walk with them in interrogations. Pray that God would miraculously bring Scripture to Christians imprisoned for their faith.
BAL research estimates that no more than half of Turkmen believers have access to Scripture, All Christian materials, especially Bibles, must be approved by the state. As with Iran, Bibles are frequently confiscated during police raids on homes and churches. Those who are caught storing, distributing or importing Bibles face hefty fines, arrest and imprisonment. For non-Orthodox Christians, especially converts from Islam, owning a Bible can lead to interrogation, harassment, physical beatings and isolation.
Pray that Christians in Turkmenistan would gain access to Scripture through governmental change and creative ways we can’t even imagine. Pray for the country’s leaders … that God would soften their hearts and they would allow the distribution and possession of Bibles.
