"Persecution is simply the clash between two irreconcilable value systems." ~ John Stott
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP)
November 1st, 2026
This coming Sunday, November 1st, Christians around the world will unite in prayer on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing persecution. This year's theme, Do You Know Our Suffering?(2 Timothy 3:10-11), reminds us of the call to stand with those who suffer for their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Emphasizing the importance of prayer for the persecuted church, Floyd Brobbel, CEO for Voice of the Martyrs Canada, stated: "IDOP should be an important date on every church calendar. On this day, Christians across Canada set aside time to pray intentionally for their persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. Through intercession, we ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen and sustain them for the sake of Christ, providing for their every spiritual and physical need. We also pray in solidarity with them, seeking the grace to remain obedient to God's will when we face suffering for His name, so that He may be glorified through our lives."
For informative promotional materials, prayer resources, and helpful ways in which you can participate, see IDOP.ca.
A pastor was killed, and his son has been wounded, while travelling to a church in Nigeria's Plateau State on Sunday, September 20th. This attack was one of many violent incidents throughout the state that have claimed dozens of lives in recent weeks.
In January, Ms. Park Tae-Yeon was planning to return to her home country of South Korea after compassionately ministering to children for many years in eastern Russia as a missionary. However, one week before her scheduled departure, Ms. Park was detained by Russian authorities and charged with immigration-related offences. (See more information on her arrest.)
Pastor Vladimir Rytikov Photo: Council of Churches Baptist via Forum 18
Pastor Vladimir Rytikov was born and raised in the Luhansk region of Ukraine. Ordained during 1995, he has faithfully served in ministry within this area for more than 30 years. Despite this, the pastor now faces deportation to an unknown location following Russia's occupation and subsequent annexation of the region. Apparently, Russian officials refuse to recognize Pastor Vladimir as a citizen due to his ministry involvement with an unregistered church.