INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

More than 380 million Christians suffer persecution and discrimination. Will you stand with them?

Novemeber 2nd is set apart to remember and pray for those persecuted for their faith in Christ. We call this day the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP).

The suffering of persecuted Christians is very real and intensifying by the day in places such as North Korea, India, Pakistan, and Nigeria. Sadly, though brothers and sisters in the Lord share our faith, they do not enjoy our freedom.

This day is more than just an annual event—it is a powerful call to action for Christians worldwide to unite in prayer and stand with those who suffer for their faith. As believers, we are called to remember that the body of Christ is global. When one part of the body suffers, we all suffer (Hebrews 13:3). This day reminds us of our responsibility to pray, act, and advocate for our persecuted brothers and sisters.

A woman with short hair, wearing a blue checkered shirt, raising her fists in the air with a determined expression. Text overlay reads, "stand with the persecuted."

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In the most challenging environments, where over 350 million Christians face daily persecution, we stand with leaders who are called to bring light to the darkest places.

WHY we PRAY?

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 13:3 to “remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering”.

Can we pause our busy lives today and think of those enduring persecution for the sake of the Gospel? Let us remember those who have not eaten for days because they are given nothing to eat … those languishing in prison … Christian families who have watched their homes burn to the ground … pastors beaten and tortured for their faith, enduring physical pain … Christian families and children living in constant fear of violence … those who have lost loved ones … those facing death, even right at this moment, for refusing to denounce Christ…

If you or I were in such a situation, what would you ask your wider Church family to do for you?

Every time I ask a persecuted Christian what we can do for them, the answer is always the same: “please pray for us.”

On a visit to India, a team met several widows of Christian leaders who were killed in the Orissa violence in the summer of 2008. They had lost everything: their homes, possessions, and husbands. “We have lost everything except our faith,” someone told the team, clutching her baby. “Pray that we stay strong and bring up our children in the faith for which their fathers gave their lives.”

The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) gives us the privilege to join together with over half a million churches in 150 countries to pray for the suffering Church. It plays a vital role in encouraging and strengthening the persecuted Church and also awakening churches in places with no persecution.

Let us unite in prayer for the persecuted Church in the spirit of oneness that Christ commanded: “For, if one suffers, we all suffer.”

*Statistic from Open Doors International.