Pray for Eritrea
The capital of Eritrea, high on a plateau, known for its 1930s buildings.
Photo: Tigernssnowy7, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
About Eritrea
The capital is Asmara. People speak Tigrinya, Tigre, Arabic, English and other languages. Islam and Christianity are the two main faiths.
Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.
Prayer briefing for Eritrea
Last updated November 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.
Current events
Tension between Eritrea and Ethiopia remains high, and the two nations cut diplomatic ties on 1 October. On 19 October Ethiopia's Prime Minister warned Eritrea of severe consequences and accused it of being a launchpad for Ethiopia's enemies. On 21 October Eritrea's Foreign Ministry replied that its sovereignty is not negotiable, that its army is entirely within Eritrea's borders, and that it has no claims on Ethiopian land. No direct fighting between the two national armies has been confirmed.
We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.
Leadership and politics
President Isaias Afwerki, who led the armed struggle for independence, remains head of state. The US State Department notes that the country has been under a state of emergency since the 1998 war with Ethiopia. The government says Ethiopia's push for access to the Red Sea threatens Eritrea, and relations between the two nations now shape much of the region's future.
We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.
Economic health
The African Development Bank estimates growth of about 3% in 2025 and a little less in 2026, with inflation of about 5%. Mining, especially the Sheba mine, is a main driver of growth and exports. An estimated 53% to 60% of people live in poverty.
We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.
Social and cultural issues
All citizens aged 18 to 50 must do national service, which can be extended without limit during an emergency, and there is no alternative for those who object on grounds of faith. Lengthy service has long been linked to young people leaving the country. Many migrants face great danger on the journey, and in 2026 a Dutch court jailed a trafficker for torturing African migrants in Libya.
We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.
Spiritual landscape
There are no reliable figures, but a 2020 estimate put Eritrea at about 52% Muslim, mostly Sunni, and about 47% Christian, mostly Eritrean Orthodox. Smaller groups include Catholics, Lutherans, other Christians, Baha'is and followers of traditional beliefs.
We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.
Religious freedom
Only four groups are registered: the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Sunni Islam, the Catholic Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and no new group has been approved since 2002. The US State Department reported that in 2023 hundreds of Christians from unregistered churches, and some Jehovah's Witnesses, were detained, and some released detainees were asked to renounce their faith. Muslims were also among those held and released.
We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.
Historical wounds
In 1962 Ethiopia ended its federation with Eritrea and made it a province, and a long armed struggle led to independence in 1993. A border war with Ethiopia began in 1998, and the two nations stayed apart until Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed moved to make peace in 2018. Eritrea fought alongside Ethiopian government forces in the Tigray war, but relations soured after the 2022 peace agreement.
We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.
Let us pray together
Our Father, we come to You together for Eritrea. In this time of tension, keep the people safe and turn the region away from war. Give wisdom, integrity and justice to those in authority. Provide for every family, and bless honest work and stewardship of the land. Watch over young people in national service and migrants on dangerous journeys, and comfort families who are apart. Let Your hope and truth be known in every town. Protect believers who are detained or afraid, and give them freedom to worship. Heal the wounds of long wars, and lead Eritrea and its neighbours in forgiveness and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sources
- Mereja: Eritrea calls its sovereignty non-negotiable in reply to Abiy's warning (Oct 2026)
- Reuters via Daily Maverick: Eritrea severs diplomatic ties with Ethiopia (Oct 2026)
- The Rio Times: UN chief fears Eritrean troops in Ethiopia (Oct 2026)
- Wikipedia: 2026 in Eritrea
- African Development Bank: Eritrea economic outlook (2026)
- US State Department: 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom, Eritrea
- The EastAfrican: Eritrea will not shorten national service (2016)
More ways to pray
PrayerCast shares short prayer videos for the nations. Watch its video for Eritrea and pray along.
Watch the PrayerCast video for Eritrea
It opens on prayercast.com in a new tab. If it does not open the page for Eritrea, search for the nation on PrayerCast.
Is something on this page not right? Tell us
Share a prayer request for Eritrea
Is there something you would like us to pray for in Eritrea? Tell us, and we will pray with you. You choose whether we may publish it or keep it private.