INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

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Remember that - Sunday, November 11 is the IDOP for our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters. We should be praying for all Christians on a regular basis, but this day has been set aside as an international event. Remember those who are in prison or being persecuted for their faith. As time goes on the list of nations that persecute or restrict Christians from following their faith in Jesus Christ is growing. We do not know how long our own nation will enjoy religious freedom. We need to be aware that there are thousands, if not tens of thousands who are being restricted, imprisoned and even murdered for their faith in Christ. The following link will take you to one of the websites   http://www.idop.org/  

Pray that those who are being persecuted and/or imprisoned will remain faithful to the Lord.
Pray that they will be released from their prisons and that the laws regarding religious freedom will be changed.
Pray that they will be a witness and example to those who persecuting them as they continue to count it a joy to suffer for the Lord.
Pray that the families of those imprisoned will be provided for. Many families are left without a husband/father to provide for them. Many times the widow must be trained or re-trained to make a living.
Pray for the widows and the children left behind.
Pray for the pastors who have been imprisoned that their churches will continue on in spite of the opposition. Pray that the rulers of those nations will have their hearts softened and will open their doors to Christianity or at the very least have human compassion for the prisoners. 
Pray that the Lord will heal their physical and emotional wounds.

There are many other things we can pray for. Ask the Lord to open up your heart as you reach out in prayer to your brothers and sisters in prison.
Hebrews 13:3-- "Remember the prisoners as if chained with them-those who are mistreated-since you yourselves are in the body also."

Ephesians 6:19-20-- "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly as I should."

Colossians 4:2-4--"Devote yourselves to prayer--praying at the same time for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak."

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