INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
NOVEMBER 3, 2024
Persecution of Christians happens over there – wherever “over there” is. If we pay attention, we may hear of atrocities in Nigeria or North Korea. We may hear of life being made difficult for believers in India or Iran or Nicaragua or Cuba but that is all “over there.” But for the people “over there,” the persecution is very real, and the incidents of violence are not so easily dismissed.
Once again, North Korea is the most dangerous place in the world for Christians. Being discovered as a follower of Jesus is effectively a death sentence. It is estimated that out of a population of 26 million there are only 400,000 followers of Jesus. Those discovered to be Christians are either killed on the spot or put in forced labor camps that few survive.
According to Open Doors, 365 million people (1 in 7) Christians face high levels of persecution for their faith. Most Christians murdered for their faith in 2023 were killed in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria accounted for nine out of 10 religiously-motivated murders. In China, at least 10,000 churches were closed. In India, Christian properties were raided by violent mobs. And in Algeria, where there were 46 official Protestant churches, only four remain open and they are now under intense pressure (according to Open Doors).
There are multiple stories of mass persecution and more stories of individuals who have faced the loss of life, loss of job or rejection by their families simply because they put their trust in Jesus
We know that there are segments of our own country that are hostile to the Christian faith and religious freedoms are being tested regularly. Whether it is censorship or having our children forced to receive instruction that violates Biblical principles, there are forms of persecution in this country. Some fear there is more overt persecution coming our way.
NOVEMBER 3 is International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. We encourage churches to take some time that day or on another day in the year to pray for those who are being persecuted.
Go to https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/ and click on the tab for the “World Watch List.” Adopt a country that your church can cover in prayer over the next year. Perhaps your small group or Sunday School class could adopt a country. Learn as much as you can and pray for the believers in that country that God will give them boldness to stand for their faith and that He will comfort those who have lost so much. Pray they will always remember that their hope is in Jesus.
Then pray for the non-believers. Pray that God will make himself known in the country you have adopted. Pray for a great harvest.
NOVEMBER 3, 2024 is INTERNARTIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH. The link below will take you to information on how to pray and resources to promote this important day. https://releaseinternational.org/idop/#:~:text=International%20Day%20of%20Prayer%202024,be%20on%20Sunday%2C%20November%203.