Three reasons to pray with the persecuted church

This November, millions of Christians around the world will join together to pray for the persecuted church.

On 1 November, there is the opportunity to join our persecuted church family and millions of others around the world through the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). You can order a free Arise Africa IDOP pack to help your whole church pray for persecuted Christians in sub-Saharan Africa.

Why is prayer so important? When you speak to persecuted Christians, prayer is the one thing that they always ask for. It is as fundamental to their existence as food and drink. It changes things.

Prayer is powerful.

In the Arise Africa IDOP pack, you’ll find stories of our brothers and sisters – such as Pastor Josiah from Nigeria (pictured above). His community is one of many attacked by Islamist extremists. “Don’t think your prayers are not being felt – they are,” he says. “Through them, I have understood the love of believers. Prayers reach anywhere. There is power in prayer.” Prayer changes things.

Prayer is connection.

Through prayer we enter into the lives of our persecuted church family. We become connected. In your IDOP pack, that connection can be even more personal: each pack has ‘I’m praying for…’ cards with the names of real, displaced Christians in sub-Saharan Africa for people to take home and keep praying.

Prayer is resistance.

Prayer is an act of sacred resistance. Through prayer we speak out against the powers of hate and darkness. Prayer cannot be kept out by guards or shot down by soldiers. It can change the hearts of enemies and offer hope to the most isolated believers. It is an affirmation that God has the victory, and that forgiveness and love will always win.

IDOP 2026 – A crucial moment of prayer

This year’s IDOP event takes place just days before the presentation of the global Arise Africa petition. So please join us in this crucial moment. Our free Arise Africa IDOP prayer pack contains everything you need, including written prayers, prayer information and inspiring testimonies.

We pray, above all, because our persecuted church family ask us to.

“I am pleading and praying that you keep on supporting through your prayers and help,” says Pastor Josiah.

So please join us this November to connect with our family, to stand against the powers of darkness, and to change the world.