“Pray For Me”

This is the call of imprisoned Christians everywhere — be they the imprisoned pastor, the tortured Christian service worker or the mother of a slain African missionary. Fellow believers who endure unimagined horrors at the hands of fleshly enemies who are themselves held captive by the evil one.

On Sunday, November 8, 2009, the global church will be coming together in prayer to intercede on behalf of brethren who are being persecuted for their faith in Orissa, China, the Sudan, and elsewhere. Suffering believers who are holding firm, yet weary…who love the Lord, yet are hungry or thirsty…who want to endure until the end, yearning to behold their Savior’s face.

On that day, known as the International Day of Prayer, Christians from every tribe, tongue and nation are being called to unite in prayer. Open Doors, a non-denominational Christian ministry founded by Brother Andrew in 1955, is working diligently to get the word out to churches about this year’s event.

To that end, Open Doors has developed an International Day of Prayer (IDOP) prayer kit which it would like to get into the hands of followers of Jesus Christ. The kit, which can be sent to US addresses at no charge (donations accepted), contains the following materials:

• Two compelling 4-minute videos

• Simple & relevant activities to prepare your congregation for prayer

• Bulletin Inserts profiling the moving stories of persecuted believers

• PowerPoint slides to instruct & inspire your church or small group

• A special opportunity to send Bibles to persecuted believers using a simple text message

Of course, you don’t need a kit to do what everyone must do — intercede on behalf of persecuted Christians, but it can serve as a powerful reminder for your fellowship to pray.

As the apostle Paul wrote:

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

Personally, I know that it is difficult to put myself in the shoes of the persecuted church. But, the day may come when to even speak the name “Jesus Christ” could result in the devil’s wrath being poured out on our own heads. I don’t think we’re too far removed from that day as darkness quickly descends upon our land as well.

If you’re interested in ordering an IDOP kit, please visit the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church website for more information. Carnal weaponry won’t make a difference in the lives of those who are suffering for their faith, but your prayers most certainly will.

Source: Open Doors Ministry

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