Sunday, November 7, 2021 is the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians.
According to Open Doors, in just the last year there have been:
- Over 340 million Christians living in places where they experience high levels of persecution and discrimination
- 4,761 Christians killed for their faith
- 4,488 churches and other Christian buildings attacked
- 4,277 believers detained without trial, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned
More from Open Doors:
- 309 Million: In the top 50 World Watch List countries alone, 309 million Christians in the world experience high levels of persecution and discrimination for their choice to follow Christ.
- 1 in 8: Christians worldwide experience high levels of persecution
- 4,761: Christians killed for faith-related reasons in the top 50 WWL countries.
- 4,488: Christians detained without trial, arrested, sentenced and imprisoned in the top 50 WWL countries.
- 4,277: churches or Christian buildings attacked in the top 50 WWL countries.
- 2.7 times: the amount the number of Christians killed has risen in sub-Saharan Africa, year over year.
- 20:Consecutive years North Korea has ranked No. 1 as the world’s most dangerous place for Christians.
Every single day our brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering around the world for following Jesus. Many will lose their lives. These are the heroes of the faith. We won’t see them on social media. They probably won’t write books. Yet they are warriors for God. These precious unsung Christians are my personal heroes. Their courage, faith, and love for Jesus is inspirational.
To suffer and even die for the name of Jesus Christ is an honor. Jesus himself suffered greatly in his short time on earth. We too will suffer for the cause of Christ.
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats: do not be frightened. 1 Peter 3:14, NIV
For those of us who live without this intense persecution we have an obligation to pray. To share the Gospel because we can, freely. To talk about Jesus, show His love to others, and be His hands and feet in this hurting world.
Join me, and thousands of Christians around the globe, as we pray for the persecuted church this Sunday November 7th. It’s also encouraged to pray for the persecuted church the entire month of November.
One of the most powerful things we can do is pray.
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16b, NIV
You can pray by country. You can pray for specific missionaries that you know of, or maybe missionaries that your church supports. Pray that our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ stay encouraged. Pray for their protection. Pray that the Gospel will be spread in these hostile countries. Pray that God is glorified. There are countless ways to pray for the persecuted church. Both The Voice of the Martyrs, and Open Doors have great resources of how to pray, and other ways you can help.
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galations 6:2, NIV
Let’s lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ every day.
Love you all,
Meghan
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV
The Voice of the Martyrs global prayer guide.
https://www.persecution.com/globalprayerguide/?_source_code=WHPB20C
Open Doors
Thanks for sharing this information; it is greatly needed.
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It’s so important to remember our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you friend!
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Very true
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☺️
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Thanks for sharing this. It is so important to remember those who face persecution for the sake of Christ.
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Thank you so much for your encouragement. God bless you!
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Thank you for this, Meghan. How are y’all doing?
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Hi Mandy! We are doing well. Thanks for asking. I hope you and your husband are doing well too. Blessings to you!
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I didn’t realize it was the international day of prayer for persecuted believers today. I’ll have to tell my hubby so we can pray together a little later today. Thanks for the info!
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Thank you Colleen!
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