Dear Pastor/Church Leader: 

Persecution because of our faith cuts to the core. It is painful. 

In some parts of the world, choosing to follow Christ can be dangerous, and even life-threatening. Simply practicing one’s faith can lead to physical harm, loss of livelihood, arrest or even death. Persecuted believers live with the added burden of feeling isolated and cut off, possibly even from friends and family. Maybe with the small taste we have had of those kinds of restrictions with Covid-19, we can empathize even just a little bit more with our brothers and sisters isolated and living with persecution. 

These brothers and sisters have already learned to live with isolation and have a powerful message to us: There is power in HOPE, and Hope does not disappoint! (Romans 5:5) 

Yet, in Christ, while those who are persecuted may be isolated, they are not alone. God is indeed with them and we, the body of Christ, are also one with them. As scripture says – “if one suffers, all suffer” (1 Corinthians 12:26). 

Today, more than 260 million Christians are suffering and persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. 

Here in Canada, while our beliefs face increasing marginalization, we still enjoy the freedom to hold and live out those deeply held beliefs. Our different circumstances and our geographical location can leave us feeling separated and unsure of how to help these, our brothers and sisters. 

Around the world, Christians in more than 130 countries stand in prayer with our persecuted sisters and brothers through the Canadian International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) every year. 

IDOP Sunday 

IDOP Canada 2021 will take place Sunday, November 7. The Canadian IDOP partners have produced quality, free downloadable resources, including a new video to help congregations, groups, and individuals pray effectively for the persecuted church. Be sure to register to access those resources. 2020 resources will be posted by September 1st.

Please consider leading your church, home group or gathering of believers in setting aside an informed time of prayer for our brothers and sisters. This year we identify in a unique way – isolation. We pray this will lead many to identify also in prayer and in HOPE. 

You might choose to set aside a whole service to focus on the issue of global Christian persecution, or a time of specific prayer for this year’s focus countries (India, Cuba and Algeria). Alternatively, you might decide to pray for another country that is of current concern to you and your group. 

If you are unable to participate in IDOP Sunday on this date, we encourage you to choose a time on another day to remember our persecuted brothers and sisters. The important thing is to PRAY. We hope you and your people will join us. 

Together with you, for them, in HOPE and in prayer, 

The IDOP Canada Team