This year’s IDOP theme in Canada will be ‘Remember Her,’ focusing on the suffering bride of Christ around the world, and specifically the way persecution impacts women and girls.
Godfrey Yogarajah, Ambassador for Religious Freedom with World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) sent this letter out to encourage Christians around the world to participate in IDOP 2024.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
As we gather for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) on the 3rd [in Canada] and 10th of November 2024, I invite you to unite with millions of believers across the globe to stand in solidarity with our persecuted family.
The theme for this year, ‘Courageous Faith,’ inspired by Deuteronomy 31:6, calls us to remember the strength and resilience of those who, despite facing intense opposition, hold firmly to their faith in Jesus Christ.
The reality of persecution today is sobering. In the past year, around 5,000 Christians were murdered simply because of their faith. Over 14,000 Christian properties have been attacked, and more than 4,000 believers have been detained, often in harsh and inhumane conditions.
An estimated 316 million Christians worldwide live under significant persecution, facing daily threats to their lives, livelihoods and freedoms. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent our brothers and sisters – men, women and children who courageously endure suffering for Christ.
Persecution is intensifying around the world. From the Middle East to Asia, from Africa to Latin America – and even in some regions of the West – Christians are increasingly being targeted for their faith. They are marginalized, oppressed and silenced. Yet, in the face of this adversity, the faith of many remains unshaken. Their courage is a testament to the power of God at work in the midst of suffering.
Deuteronomy 31:6 exhorts us to “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
This promise was given to the Israelites as they stood on the brink of entering the Promised Land, facing formidable enemies and uncertain futures. Today, it resonates deeply with those who stand firm in their faith despite the threats and dangers they face.
This year, as we observe the IDOP, let us be inspired by the courageous faith of our persecuted brothers and sisters. Let us commit to praying fervently for them, asking God to strengthen and sustain them in their trials. Let us also consider how we can actively support them – through advocacy, raising awareness and providing practical assistance, where possible.
I urge churches, ministries and believers around the world to participate in IDOP 2024. Use these days not only to pray but to educate and mobilize your congregations and communities. Let us amplify the voices of those who are often unheard and stand as one body, united in Christ, against the injustices they face.
In a world where religious freedom is increasingly under threat, our collective prayers and actions are more crucial than ever. We stand with our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ, encouraged by their example and committed to supporting them in their time of need.
May our prayers be a source of strength to those who suffer, and may we, too, be inspired to live out our faith with courage, knowing that the Lord our God goes with us.
In Christ,
Godfrey Yogarajah
Ambassador for Religious Freedom
World Evangelical Alliance
Godfrey Yogarajah
Godfrey Yogarajah is the Ambassador for Religious Freedom, World Evangelical Alliance, as well as the Chair of Asia Evangelical Alliance.
A graduate of Union Biblical Seminary in Pune, India, he was bestowed the title ‘Deshamanya’ by the government of Sri Lanka – the second-highest national honour – for meritorious service to that nation. He and his wife Roshani Irene Jayatilleke reside in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
For more than two decades, the World Evangelical Alliance has organized the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP), as a global event that unites millions of Christians in prayer for the persecuted Church.
Go here to contact IDOP in Canada. There will be a live online event at 4 pm November 3.