INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
NOVEMBER 6, 2022
A woman in India watches as her sister is dragged off by Hindu nationalists. She doesn’t know if her sister is alive or dead.
A man in a North Korean prison camp is shaken awake after being beaten unconscious; the beatings begin again.
A woman in Nigeria runs for her life. She has escaped from Boko Haram, who kidnapped her. She is pregnant, and when she returns home, her community will reject her and her baby.
A group of children are laughing and talking as they come down to their church’s sanctuary after eating together. Instantly, many of them are killed by a bomb blast. It’s Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. https://www.opendoorsusa.org/
The Persecution of Christians is one of the biggest human rights issues of this era. Over 360,000,000 people live in places where they experience persecution and discrimination for their faith. And 6,000 were killed for their faith in 2021. Places of worship are regularly destroyed. Family members are threatened when they accept Christ as Savior.
This part of the body of Christ is in desperate need of support from the rest of the body. Following are just some of the ways we can pray for the persecuted church:
Pray that they will feel the comfort and encouragement of the Lord.
Pray that their persecutors will come to know Christ.
Pray that in the midst of persecution, the church will be strengthened and continue to grow.
Pray that these believers will have access to God's Word.
Pray for protection for those experiencing active persecution.
Pray for provision of resources.
Pray for those in prison that they will be strengthened and that they will be released to minister again in their communities.
Pray that jailors will come to know Jesus.
Pray that believers will find favor with national and local governments so that the Gospel message might spread.
Pray for a global awakening to the good news of Jesus Christ.
Consider adopting a country on the World Watch List to intercede for.