Every year, more than 100,000 Christians are killed for reasons related to their faith. Broken down, that means approximately 11 believers are killed every hour for following Christ.
According to the International Society for Human rights, “Eighty percent of all acts of religious discrimination in the world today are directed at Christians. Statistically speaking, Christians are by far the most persecuted religious body on the planet.”
The global body of Christ is suffering, and it needs our prayers.
- In North Korea, believers are executed or given life sentences in labor camps.
- In Cuba, house churches are targeted and members are harassed.
- In Nepal, religious extremists are known to inflict brutal public beatings on any Christian who crosses their path.
- In Egypt, churches are attacked and destroyed. Christians are often arrested or publicly humiliated.
- In Syria, Christ followers are running for their lives—forced to leave everything behind to avoid death.
Tomorrow is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. As Christ followers, we each have an important part to play. As one body and one family in Christ, we have the beautiful opportunity to care for our members with love and support.
The Bible is clear about the certainty of persecution for Christ followers.
These can be hard truths to accept. But with them comes our responsibility and privilege to pray for those living out these truths. Tomorrow, November 3, we ask you to spend intentional time in prayer for our Christian brothers and sisters.
Pray for comfort, encouragement, and renewed strength. Without support, spiritual and emotional exhaustion can kill ministries. Pray for endurance and joy, so that these believers can continue to pursue God’s will for their lives.
Pray that God’s love will shine through their examples of faith. How many others are being impacted by these men and women? As they draw their strength from God, they pour the light of the Gospel into hurting people.
Pray that lives will be changed. As we support persecuted Christians with our prayers, ask that this encouragement will overflow into the lives of those who have not grasped the Gospel for themselves. “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Visit worldhelp.net/prayer and read more about the plight of the persecuted church. While you’re there, download our free informational insert. It’s designed to fit perfectly inside a church bulletin, and we hope you will take advantage of this strategic resource.
Thank you for joining this global outreach of prayer tomorrow. We have faith that God will hear our prayers, Christians will be strengthened . . . and lives will be impacted for eternity.