International Day of Prayer

History of the IDOP

In 1996, the World Evangelical Fellowship (WEF) coordinated the efforts of thousands of churches and faith-based organizations to hold the first International Day of Prayer. Two years later, in 1998, Prayer for the Persecuted Church, Inc. (PPC) took the reins as the U.S.-based organization, while the WEF remained an international coordinator of the event.

Since then, the IDOP has become one of the largest annual prayer events in the world.

Over the past 15 years, the IDOP has grown to include over 100,000 participating U.S. churches, with media coverage in publications such as The Denver Post and The New York Times and on more than 7,000 radio stations.

A Call to Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Every November, millions of Christians in over 130 countries around the world collectively bow before the throne of God on the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). Thousands of churches, of all denominations, spend much of their time and resources to come together in prayer for Christians who suffer under the burden of persecution in North Korea, Egypt, Pakistan, Iraq, Indonesia, and many other countries.

The IDOP is a global day of intercession that focuses on:

• Fervent prayer for oppressed and persecuted Christians everywhere, as well as for the salvation of their oppressors;
• Raising international awareness of the growing crisis of persecution; and
• Promoting ongoing advocacy and action among free Christians to increase support for the persecuted church.

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.

How CFI Helps

As part of its mission to assist the suffering church, CFI makes available free and informative IDOP resources for you and your congregation. Our downloadable flyers and bulletins are valuable tools that can help you prepare for this special day of prayer with family, friends, and church members.

CFI also works actively to educate and inform others about the persecuted church through e-mail alerts, website articles, newsletters, and social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter. By receiving timely news and information regarding persecution in many countries, you will develop a better understanding of the many prayer needs of thousands of suffering brothers and sisters in Christ.