The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) 2012
Sunday, 4th November 2012 is the IDOP for the Persecuted Church. However, you are free to
choose another date in November if you wish to join in this global, annual day of prayer for the
persecuted Church.
The IDOP is a time set apart for us to remember thousands of our Christian brothers and sisters from
around the world who suffer persecution, simply because they confess Jesus Christ as Lord.
In the traditional church calendar, “All Saints Day” and “All Souls Day” stand out in the month of
November, set apart to remember the saints of the church and the souls of those who departed
this world. It is fitting, then, that the modern church has set apart the month of November to
remember and pray for the persecuted church, through the International Day of Prayer for the
Persecuted Church (IDOP).
There are many countries in the world today where Christians are martyred for their faith.
Believers in Afghanistan are facing death threats; Christians in Uzbekistan, Nigeria and many
other countries all around the world face violence, imprisonment and even death. There are
other places in the world such as North Korea where acts of persecution take place, but we
don’t see or hear of it. Brother Andrew of Open Doors once said, “Our heroes are not with us
simply because they are in prison.”
The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) gives us the privilege of
joining together with over half a million churches in 150 countries to pray for the suffering
church. It plays a vital role in encouraging and strengthening the persecuted church and also
awakening churches in places where there is no persecution.
We hope you will join Christians worldwide in praying for persecuted Christians this November.
You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.
Psalm 10:17
Prayer for Iran Population: 74.2 million Capital: Tehran Government: Theocratic republic *Religion: Muslim 96%; Zoroastrian 2.6%; Christian 0.58%; Other 0.82% *Freedom for all faiths other than Shia Islam is very limited, despite constitutional guarantees of
religious liberty.
*Evangelising Muslims is banned and the official penalty for apostasy (conversion from Islam) is
death, although the sentence is rarely carried out.
*Most Christians are discriminated against in education, employment and property ownership
those from a Muslim background paying a particularly high price for their faith.
*Most Christians arrested are held for less than a month, although bail demands can be very
high (up to £160,000). Many leave the country after being released from detention.
******* Lord God, majestic in power, we pray that today Your precious family in Iran may know You as the Father
of compassion and God of all comfort.
Please strengthen and protect your family which faces persecution and hardship for the sake of Jesus.
Give wisdom to Your church in Iran, as they meet both publicly and in secret.
Encourage those who have been detained or imprisoned, and who are now separated from their loved
ones. Please guard their hearts and minds with Your peace which transcends all understanding.
We pray for believers from a Muslim background who often face the greatest challenges. Please help
each one to walk closely with You, to find fellowship with other secret Christians and to grow strong in
Your Word of truth.
Thank you for each and every believer in Christ in Iran: may Your love surround them and Your power
protect them from the evil one.
In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
PRAY FOR CHRISTIAN PRISONERS Pray for Christians in prison where treatment can be brutal; prisoners can be subjected to torture and rape. At least 20 believers (mostly from a Muslim background) remain detained across Iran because of their Christian faith and activities. PASTOR YOUSEF NADARKHANI: RELEASED Detained from October 2009 and sentenced to death for apostasy (converting from Islam). Pastor Nadarkhani refused to recant his faith, and was released on September 8 after the charge of apostasy was dropped. Pray for him as he re-­‐adjusts to life with his family. PASTOR BEHNAM IRANI Serving a jail term in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, since May 2011 for ‘anti-­‐
government activity’. Pray for healing as he has suffered mistreatment and ill health in jail. FARSHID FATHI His six-­‐year prison sentence for 'acting against national security' and 'religious propagation' has been upheld at an appeal court. Farshid is detained in the notorious Evin prison in Tehran. Pray for his early release. MARYAM JALILI Maryam is a Muslim-­‐background believer who was sentenced to two and a half years in December 2011 for being a member of an ‘illegal group'. She is understood to be in Evin prison, Tehran. Pray for God’s protection. MASOUD DELIJANI Given a three-­‐year sentence in February in Kermanshah for holding illegal house church gatherings, evangelising Muslims and action against national security. He was allegedly denied the right to choose his own advocate or defend himself. Pray for strength to stand firm. Remembering the persecuted "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners and those who are
mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" - Hebrews 13:3
Almighty God, who has taught us through your Son, Jesus Christ, that those who follow Him
may be persecuted: strengthen, comfort and encourage all those who suffer harassment,
violence, imprisonment and even death for being followers of Jesus.
We pray for those who persecute your people; may their hearts be turned towards you through
the faithful witness of those they persecute. Protect members of the families and church
communities of those who are persecuted and bless the work and ministry of Release
International and its partners as they support those who are suffering and seek to be a voice for
persecuted Christians.
Lord God, heavenly Father, give us the courage of the martyrs to bear witness, without flinching,
to Your great love for us.
Give us their confidence in the resurrection of Your Son, Jesus, and give us that same power
and reassurance of the Holy Spirit as You give them, so that we too may fearlessly bring Your
good news to a needy world.
This we ask in the name of Him who was crucified for us and who called us to take up our
crosses and to follow Him, even Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with
You and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
We request for the prayers that the church would continue to serve the nation
inspite of innumerable suffering and pray also for those who are persecuting that
they may experience the love of Christ.