Every year in the month of November, the international Christian community recognizes the International Day of Prayer (IDOP) for the Persecuted Church. Events are held in many of the major free countries around the world, including the United States. Events in the US are organized by Prayer for the Persecuted Church (PPC), and resources are available through Open Doors. This year's main events will be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but churches all over the country will be participating by making their congregations aware of the problem of Christian persecution.

Prayer for the Persecuted Church

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According to PPC: (from the PPC website)

The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is a global day of intercession for persecuted Christians worldwide. Its primary focus is the work of intercessory prayer and citizen action on behalf of persecuted communities of the Christian faith. We also encourage prayer for the souls of the oppressors, the nations that promote persecution, and those who ignore it. 

We believe that prayer changes things. Exactly what happens is a mystery of faith. God invites us to present to Him our requests and to pray without ceasing. Persecuted Christians often plead for prayer to help them endure. The most we can do is the least we can do — pray.

How did the IDOP get started?

The IDOP began in 1996 through the efforts of the World Evangelical Fellowship (WEF) in cooperation with a variety of denominations and faith-based organizations. From a core group of approximately 7,000 churches, the IDOP has grown to be the largest prayer day event of its kind in the world. The IDOP is a rallying point for Christians and others to stand behind those who suffer for their faith by providing prayer support and appropriate advocacy.

In 1998, Prayer for the Persecuted Church, Inc. (PPC) took oversight of the IDOP organizing efforts in the United States while WEF continues to coordinate the IDOP internationally. PPC is an independent, nonprofit, nonpolitical organization whose primary agenda is informed and active prayer.

What are the goals of the IDOP?

The goals of the IDOP and Prayer for the Persecuted Church are to:

Increase awareness of the persecuted Church worldwide. 

Lead in prayer on behalf of the persecuted Church. 

Promote ongoing and appropriate action on behalf of the persecuted Church. 

Why doesn’t the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church pray for all persecuted people regardless of their religious, political, or social affiliation?

As a human rights issue, the persecution of Christians dwarfs all other forms of religious injustice. It is beneficial to take advocacy for fellow believers who suffer for their faith as a starting point, as Christians living in free societies have been largely unaware of or silent to this increasing tragedy. As we gain a deeper understanding of the plight of our Christian family, we can also grow in knowledge about human rights issues affecting all people. A Christian’s compassion is not reserved only for fellow Christians, but is to be given to all who suffer injustice and oppression (Luke 12:29) and to those whose dark consciences press them to perpetrate evil (Matthew 5:44). Christians are encouraged to “do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10).

What have been some results of the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church?

Prayer is a mystery and difficult to measure. However, we can look at some of the changes occurring in the past and draw inferences from them.

Over 100,000 U.S. churches, representing nearly every U.S. denomination, are estimated to have taken part in the IDOP. 

Christians in over 130 countries remembered the persecuted on the IDOP. 

Christian churches are growing in awareness of the problem and coming together in unity to pray for fellow believers. 

Christian leaders in restricted nations report that they are experiencing a new boldness in their witness to others. 

There has been increased media coverage of the problem of persecution in both secular and Christian publications. (In the U.S., such publications include The Denver Post, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Focus on the Family with Dr. James Dobson, Christianity Today, and Message of the Open Bible.) 

IDOP/USA staff participated in over 100 radio/TV interviews, reaching more than 7,000 stations nationwide. This does not include stations reached through associated organizations which also promote the IDOP in their radio addresses. 

Public Service Announcements (PSAs) have aired on radio stations nationwide featuring Bill Bright, Chuck Colson, James Dobson, Shirley Dobson, Tony Evans, D. James Kennedy, Joseph Stowell, and Ravi Zacharias. 

Christian freedom groups experienced record increases in funding and participation and continue to see growth in church awareness and advocacy.