As in previous years, the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) Religious Liberty Commission (RLC) calls on the church worldwide to unite for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Christians (IDOP).

“The reality of persecution today is sobering. In the past year, around 5,000 Christians were murdered simply because of their faith. Over 14,000 Christian properties were attacked, and more than 4,000 have been detained, often in harsh and inhumane conditions”, says WEA Ambassador for Religious Freedom, Godfrey Yogarajah.

For Yogarajah, “in a world where religious freedom is under threat, our prayers are more crucial than ever. We stand with our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ, encouraged by their example and committed to supporting them in their time of need”.

“Courageous faith”

The IDOP 2024 is taking place on November 3 and 10, under the theme “Courageous faith”, inspired by Deuteronomy 31:6.

Organisers call on Christians to “commit to praying fervently for them, asking God to strengthen and sustain them in their trials”, and “consider how we can actively support them, through advocacy, raising awareness, and providing practical assistance, where possible”.

They urge “churches, ministries, and believers around the world to use these days to educate and mobilize your communities to amplify the voices of those who are often unheard, and stand as one body, united in Christ, against the injustices they face”.

“May our prayers be a source of strength to those who suffer, and may we, too, be inspired to live out our faith with courage, knowing that the Lord our God goes with us”, concludes Yogarajah.

The IDOP webpage offers several resources “in English, Spanish, French, Russian and Portuguese designed to help churches effectively pray for the persecuted”.

IDOP around Europe

The UK Evangelical Alliance (EAUK), along with Open Doors, CSW and Release International, already celebrated IDOP on Sunday 3 November in an online event where they “share stories from persecuted believers across the world and pray together for Christians who courageously risk everything to follow Jesus”.

In Spain, the Spanish Evangelical Alliance (AEE) and Open Doors will host a jointly event on November 10, that will be specially focused on persecuted Christians in Africa.

Open Doors France have joined forces with the French Evangelical Alliance (CNEF) and the French Protestant Federation to organise the IDOP on November 10, with a theme based on Romans 8:35-39: "Nothing will separate us”.

Having the theme in mind, they have prepared resources for the worship services, and for children, with activities adapted to each audience.

Open Doors Switzerland and the Swiss Evangelical Alliance have set apart Sundays November 10 and 17 for the IDOP. They will focus “on Burkina Faso, Iran and North Korea”.

The Evangelical Alliance in Germany (EAD) has also invited churches to gather on November 10 in local meetings to pray fort the persecuted Christians in Burkina Faso, Iran and North Korea.

The organisers encourage evangelicals to participate because “prayer moves the arm of God and can therefore bring about real change”, said EAD board member Reinhardt Schink.