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A Call To Prayer For The Persecuted Church

"Pray for us!" This is the plea of Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus. In Canada, where we have freedom to worship, let us remember those who are not so fortunate. On November 13, join us and others in a global prayer for the persecuted.

Today around the world over 200 million are suffering for their faith in Jesus Christ. Each year, Christians in over 130 countries stand in prayer with our persecuted sisters and brothers through the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). Join with us as Christians across Canada unite in prayer for our brothers and sisters who suffer because they declare their faith in Christ.

This year's IDOP Canada theme is "Victorious in Christ". FREE downloadable resources available at www.IDOP.ca focus on that theme which is based in Revelation 2:3 & 7:

3You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
7Whoever has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Please add IDOP Sunday on November 13th in your publication's list or calendar of upcoming events.  For more information about IDOP and the 2011 resource kit, go to www.idop.ca or www.dayofprayer.org.

WHY PARTICIPATE IN THE IDOP?

 Although religious persecution has existed for centuries, the persecution of Christians has become a humanitarian crisis unlike any other -- and it is rapidly worsening. As the church continues to grow in countries where anti-Christian hostility is fueled by politics or opposing extremist religions, hundreds of millions of believers remain at risk of being victimized by harassment, injustice, physical abuse, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or even martyrdom because of their faith.

The Bible is very clear about how we are to regard those who suffer injustice and oppression, especially fellow believers (Luke 12:29; Galatians 6:10; Hebrews 13:3). By actively participating in the IDOP, you can become an intercessor for Christians around the world who routinely suffer persecution for their faith. More often than not, the number one thing these brave men and women ask for is not for their persecution to end, but prayer to help them endure.

Sadly, most Christians in free societies have remained largely unaware of the terrible reality of persecution. By participating in the IDOP, however, you can help spread the word about the crisis of persecution and become a vital advocate for millions of afflicted Christians.

The 2011 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church will be held on Sunday, November 13. So, whether you'll be alone in a special prayer closet or among dozens of family or church members, be sure to save this important date and plan to join millions of other believers around the world on this powerful day of intercession.

"The cast iron factory was considered the most difficult place to work in the entire prison. Christians were usually sent there to work. Five or six elderly Christians were lined up and forced to deny their Christianity and accept the Juche Ideology of the State. The selected prisoners all remained silent at the repeated command for conversion. The security officers became furious by this and killed them by pouring molten iron on them one by one."

What is IDOP Canada?

The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is an annual event in churches around the world. IDOP Canada is a partnership formed in 1997 to encourage churches to observe the day of prayer. IDOP Canada partners work together to produce resources for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church for churches in Canada. The IDOP Canada partners include The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) Religious Liberty Commission, Open Doors with Brother Andrew (Canada), The Voice of the Martyrs (Canada), Intercede International and International Christian Response.

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