International Days of Prayer for Persecuted Church marks 20 years

International Days of Prayer for Persecuted Church marks 20 years

The International Days of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) was started because there was “a great need of prayer for the increasing persecution being suffered at the time by our brothers and sisters in Christ,” according to idop.org.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of IDOP and Alabama Baptists have another opportunity to pray for believers around the world through IDOP on Nov. 6 and 13 with the theme “Sorrow and Triumph.”

According to some sources, persecution is something more than 100 million Christians face daily. IDOP serves as a platform to “highlight their stories and advocate against the plight.”

Godfrey Yogarajah, executive director of the World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission, said on idop.org, “We believe that God uses the prayers of His people to strengthen and deliver suffering saints. Based on Scripture, we also are convinced that though sorrow may be the present reality for those suffering for Christ, triumph is their ultimate reward.”

According to Christianity Today, believers across the world face worship restrictions, public humiliation and social isolation, facing violence and sometimes death.

100 million Christians

The Alabama Baptist frequently features stories of Christians enduring persecution in the name of Christ in the Persecuted Church column.

According to the 2016 World Watch List (countries where it is most dangerous and difficult to be a Christian), the 10 most dangerous places include North Korea, Iraq, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Iran and Libya. Yemen, Egypt, Myanmar, Kenya, Turkey, Indonesia and Jordan also made the list.

To participate in IDOP, visit idop.org for church resources, videos and articles about the persecuted Church. (TAB)