International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

In Africa, North Korea, China, India, the Philippines, and other nations, Christians face worship restrictions, public humiliation, and social isolation. Many encounter violence; some face death. Church buildings are burned and vandalized. The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is charged with raising awareness of such circumstances and lifting the most pressing instances of global persecution up in prayer. Held annually in mid-November, traditionally a month devoted to remembering the saints and martyrs of the church, the event is supported by prominent evangelical and humanitarian organizations including the World Evangelical Alliance, Open Doors, and International Christian Concern.

Barbed wire in the shape of praying hands on a black background.

How to Pray for Persecuted Christians

Compiled by Peirong Lin

Leaders from Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa offer guidance on interceding for believers suffering for their faith.

Jesus' hand and his feet with holes from the nails

Jesus Is Still Right About Persecution

David Platt

Nine truths believers need to understand to pray well for the suffering body of Christ.

Schoolchildren participate in a peace rally against ethnic clashes in Manipur state.

Pray for the Persecuted Church. But First Learn About It.

Sofía Castillo

Amid rising persecution to Christians in the world, here are some stories that can guide your intercessions.

The UK government's Truro Report on the persecution of Christians was presented at The Church House on July 15, 2019 in London, England.

News

Interview: The Growing British Concern for Religious Freedom for All

Jayson Casper

Bishop of Truro continues advocacy after groundbreaking UK government report on the persecution of Christians wins wide acceptance.

How the Persecuted Church Wants You to Pray

Compiled by Morgan Lee

Leaders in six countries explain how Christians can best support and rejoice with fellow believers suffering for their faith.

Flags at a 2020 rally outside the White House in support of the persecuted Uyghurs.

Stop Praying for Persecuted Christians Only

Knox Thames

We don’t demonstrate such exclusionary self-focus in other ministry spheres. Opening our aperture is biblical and aids our advocacy.

An icon of Christ damaged by shelling at St. Ignatius (Bryanchaninov) Church in Donetsk, Ukraine, seen in April 2017.

Prayers for ‘Where the Church Suffers the Most’ in Europe

Thomas Bucher

Six reasons the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, controlled by pro-Russian rebels, needs Christians to pray for peace and religious freedom.

Sunday morning worship revolves around the Zabur, or Punjabi Psalms, at this local church in Pakistan.

Special Psalms Help Pakistani Christians with Persecution, Pandemic, and Disunity

Yousaf Sadiq

The heart of Christian worship in Pakistan is the Punjabi Zabur, a century-old model of how to successfully contextualize Scripture.

Easter service at Mar Yohanna Church in Qaraqosh, Iraq, in April 2017 after Iraqi forces recaptured nearby Mosul from ISIS.

November’s Holy Week: A Modest Proposal for the Persecuted

Knox Thames

From All Saints’ Day to the International Day of Prayer, let’s honor beleaguered believers by following three rules in advocating for religious freedom for all.