Welcome to day 1 of the 2026 One With Them Challenge.
In North Korea, owning a Bible is illegal. If you happen to own a Bible, you keep it hidden. Perhaps you bury it in your garden and dig it up at night. Or you have a secret hiding spot in your closet. What matters is you are not seen with it and that it isn’t found.
If you are caught with a Bible, you and your family are likely to be thrown into prison. Several years ago, a North Korean family was discovered to have a Bible. The whole family, including their two-year-old child were thrown into a labour camp.
Today, an estimated 60,000 Christians are imprisoned in North Korea. Kept in horrendous conditions, subjected to intense labour, little food and “re-education.” Prisoners may even face torture.
In North Korea, the Bible isn’t just any book – it’s the most dangerous book a Christian can own.
When we have such easy access to Scripture and can read the Bible without fear or retribution, it can be hard to remember that Jesus’ story is revolutionary. It is changing hearts and lives all over the world, even when it carries the risk of prison.
Today's Challenge
As an act of solidarity with our North Korean sisters and brothers, today’s challenge is to keep your Bible hidden all week.
Every time you want to read it, go get it out of hiding, read it and then put it back in its hiding place. Use this opportunity to remind yourself to pray for Christians who are imprisoned because of God’s word.
Pray
Take time today to pray for North Korean Christians who have limited access to Scripture. Ask God to strengthen their memory of His Word, protect them in the labour camps, and bring miraculous moments of encouragement and truth.