Jul. 13, 2023 | Eritrea

Eritrean Christian Burials Delayed or Denied

[162] prayers in [11] nations have been posted for Pastor Tesfay.

Pastor Tesfay Sium Yihdego died in early April at the age of 58 after serving ten years and two months in an Eritrean prison because he was a faithful Christian minister. He suffered from a brain tumor that developed while he was incarcerated. Prison officials decided to release him early after it became clear that he would not survive his condition. Upon his death, government security officials, community leaders and approved religious authorities refused to allow Pastor Tesfay a proper burial. Front-line workers say obtaining permission to bury Christians is a frequent challenge in Eritrea. Occasionally, funerals are held in the location where the person died. After 14 days, Pastor Tesfay’s family was finally able to bury him in a cemetery, but only eight people were permitted to attend the service.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Eritrea and learn how to pray.

Write your own prayer for Pastor Tesfay

  • Oh, dear Lord, I ask Your divine comfort and peace that passes understanding for this bereaved family. I pray they can rest in Your assurance that Pastor Tesfay is with You now, free from all pain, sadness and suffering for eternity! Amen.
    Lynne W - USA
  • I pray this to thy glory and the joy of thy body in Eritrea. I pray in the name of the LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ, amen.
    Devin C - USA
  • body may be persecuted even in death, the soul can be saved with the resurrected body for all eternity. I do pray the persecutors in Eritrea would realize their sins according to thy word in the King James Bible and repent of them. I pray they would believe on thy word unto salvation by thine increase and bear fruits meet for repentance.
    Devin C - USA
  • Dear LORD, no matter where this man was buried, I pray he was saved and that he will rejoice in thy presence for eternity rather than have a proper burial for his earthly body affect him. For thou hast said to live is Christ and to die is gain. I pray those who knew him would understand stand this and that it would be a strong witness that though
    Devin C - USA
  • Dear LORD, I pray for my Brothers & Sisters in Christ to hold fast the Word of Life & never deny Jesus no matter the situation. Please allow for the burial of Christians & keep their hearts full of forgiveness for their enemies. Miraculously provide for their every need & sustain the people trapped in the shipping containers! Give them victory in Jesus
    Mary K S - USA
  • Lord God, I pray that You would enable Christians in Eritrea to stand strong amid hostility and persecution. I pray Your blessings on them and on the nation of Eritrea, especially for imprisoned Christians, pastors, and their families. Provide for their everyday needs. Thank You for Eritrean Christians' faith. IJNA
    Allison F - USA
  • Lord let this insult abound to thy glory, through Christ who has overcome the world.
    Margaret D - USA
  • Jesus, please comfort those who knew & loved Pastor Tesfay. Please inspire approved religious leaders to advocate for greater freedom in Eritrea, & give them and others wisdom in doing this. Thank You for Pastor Tesfay's life & testimony to You. Please be a Shepherd to Your people in Eritrea and bless the country & those imprisoned for Jesus. IJNA
    Allison F - USA
  • Oh God, please comfort those who knew and loved Pastor Tesfay. Please bring fruit for Your Kingdom from his sacrifice for the Gospel. Please be with Eritreans currently in prison. Strengthen them with Your Word and prayer. Please soften the hearts of those in power to create a just and free society and release innocent people from prison. IJNA
    Allison F - USA
  • Father, continue to work on the behalf of your people in Eritrea. Provide for and protect them. Thank you. amen.
    Vicki Y - USA
  • Father, continue to work on the behalf of your people in Eritrea. Provide for and protect them. Thank you. amen.
    Vicki Y - USA
  • Dear Jesus, please comfort the family of Pastor Tesfay. Thank you for his faithfulness to You. Thank you for his willingness to serve You. Please bring many to know You because of him and his sacrifice.
    Patrecia J - USA
  • Oh Lord Jesus Christ, so many people are in trouble and turmoil around the globe! Please ask The Father to close down this age quicker, please help and heal and protect and deliver all of Your people!
    christine s - USA
  • Lord, the death of your saints is precious in your sight (Psalm 116). your enemies think they can shame, but they do not know all of your benefits to us (verse 12). Help the people of Eritrea to be able to praise you publicly, in the presence of all the people. Hear your people as they call on your name (17,18). Allow comfort for the grieving.
    Rachel Albro H - USA
  • O Lord, how much grief Your children in Eritrea must experience. Lord, bless them mightily with strength& grace. You know their names; You feel their pain; You died for their sins & the sins of their oppressors. Lord, pour Your richest blessings on Eritrea and imprisoned pastors there. Bless them with freedom, justice, & strength in weakness. Amen
    Allison F - USA
  • Father please help your children in Eritrea to continue in faith in spite of the difficulties of life. May they know your supernatural joy.
    Rebecca H - New Zealand
  • Thank You for the faithful testimony of Your servant Pastor Tesfay Sium Yihdego, and the eventual release of his body for burial in a cemetery. Although the number of attendees was limited by the government to 8 people, we know that the angels in heaven celebrated, and we thank You that our real reward is not on this earth, but is given by God Himself.
    Toni D - USA
  • In the name of Jesus our hope, Miqweh Yisrael, God of hope, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we praise You that family of Pastor Tesfay hopes in name of Jesus. We ask for a hedge of protection and angels direct from heaven to encamp around and minister to them. Amen.
    Gary F - USA
  • Lord I pray for the family of Tesfay as they grieve and mourn and seek to keep living. I pray for those in Eritrea in power to come to kindness and for them to realize Your Lordship and goodness over their lives. I pray for those who are persecuted to stay firm in their faith and see Your provision in their lives.
    Joy H - USA
  • Thank You Lord for removing Pastor Tesfay from this worldly persecution. We thank You that his family was able to get final closure at the burial knowing that their loved one is now with You in Heaven. Eritrea is one of the most difficult places to be in captivity, please help all the Christians with this suffering & not to forget the Great Commission
    Donna H - USA
  • In the name of Jesus, the light of the World, our heavenly Father, Jehovah Ori, Lord is our light, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we praise You for faithfulness of Pastor Tesfay family. We ask their light will shine, a hedge of protection and angels direct from heaven to encamp around minister to them. Amen
    Gary F - USA
  • Lord, please comfort the family of pastor Tesfay Sium Yihdego as well as the wider Eritrean believing community who are mourning the loss of this dear beloved minister of the gospel, who were deprived of the privilege of celebrating his home going. Grant believers boldness in carrying on Pastor Tesfay's ministry in this prison and draw many to Jesus.
    Forrest B - USA
  • Thank You, Holy Father, for Your abundant lovingkindness to all who call upon You. Please hear our prayers for the many prisoners in Eritrea as we plead with You for their release. Thank You for providing a proper burial; comfort pastor Tesfay's family & provide for their physical, spiritual, & emotional needs as You glorify Your name in Eritrea
    Julie C - USA
  • Lord God, I pray for the family of this faithful pastor, that they would look to You for comfort and believe Your promises, looking to the world that is to come and trusting that the rewards there will be better than this suffering on earth. May they grow in faith and hope and know that You see them in their suffering.
    Danielle H - USA
  • In the omnipresence of Jesus, our heavenly Father, Jehovah Shammah, as brothers and sisters in Christ we praise You that You are there for and with family of Pastor Tesfay. We ask for a hedge of protection and angels direct from heaven to encamp around and minister to them. Amen
    Gary F - USA
  • Precious Lord, help us all to realize the birth pangs of these end days, more painful and frequent. Help us to read Your word, learn more of You and pray for those who persecute Your children. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. MARANATHA!
    Della H - USA
  • Father God, I pray for the family of Pastor Tesfay, and ask that you would bring them comfort and the peace that passes understanding. Please use his life and sacrifice to bring other to faith in Jesus Christ. I pray that there would be much fruit from his life.Help those in Eritrea to hear the gospel and to receive eternal life through faith in Jesus
    Julia F - USA
  • Dear God. Thank you for the ministry of Pastor Tesfay. Through him others have been saved and I pray they will be a blessing to others so that his ministry continues even after his passing. Protect the believers in Eritrea and give them Holy Spirit courage to minister and witness to others. In Jesus Name. Amen.
    John S - USA
  • God I pray for Pastor Tesfay's family that you would comfort them in their time of grief and give them great hope that he is healthy and restored in your presence. For the remaining believers in Eritrea would you give them stamina to endure the persecution they face and show them your grace in tangible ways. Please strengthen the body there in faith.
    Emily D - USA
  • Dear Heavenly Father and Saviour, our brothers and sisters in Christ need you now. Please help them to stand strong because their reward is great in heaven. Touch the hearts of their persecutors. Even so come quickly. Amen.
    Susan R - USA
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