International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
Sunday, 1 November 2026
Worldwide
Light in The Darkest Places
Sunday, November 1 marks the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, and we want to encourage your church to remember those who are shining the light of Jesus in darkest places.
The resources on this page will help you mark the day. They can be used during a church service, prayer meeting, homegroup or special IDOP event any time during the month of November.
Resources for your church
IDOP equips you with practical tools to lead focused, meaningful prayer. These resources are built around the theme Light in the Darkest Places, drawing on Scripture and real stories from the field. They are designed for church services, small groups and personal use. Giving you confidence to engage with what is happening and respond with clarity.
Film
FILM
Despite being attacked by his own father and losing all his possessions, Sultan’s faith is bringing light in the darkness. He has seen many people come to know Jesus and is planting churches in areas where none existed before.
Our 6-minute IDOP feature film tells the inspiring story of how God’s people are shining light in Ethiopia. It will be available to download from October 23. In the meantime, you can watch and share the trailer.
IN YOUR CHURCH
PRESENTATION
Our ready-made IDOP PowerPoint presentation includes challenging stories of believers in Kenya, India and Ethiopia; a Bible reading; prayer points; and a call to respond.
You can use and adapt the presentation to shape your IDOP service or event.
BIBLE TALK
This structured Bible talk outline is based on John 1:1-5 – ‘the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.’
It can be used and adapted to suit your IDOP service.
Prayers
IDOP is all about prayer – praying with our persecuted brothers and sisters. These prayers focus on Kenya, India and Ethiopia and can be used to help guide your IDOP service or event.Type your paragraph here
Pray for Christians from different faith backgrounds in Ethiopia, like Sultan and Sophia. They face violent opposition from their families and the wider community. Pray that God will protect them and sustain their faith.
Give thanks that despite the risks, Sultan has been emboldened to share the gospel and has seen many people come to faith. Pray for the growth and protection of churches being planted in towns and villages in this region of Ethiopia.
Pray for Somali believers like Alif in Kenya who face the double blow of rejection from the Somali community and exclusion from indigenous Kenyan churches. Pray that they will find fellowship and encouragement in their faith.
Give thanks for the power of God’s word to transform lives. Pray for Alif as she works together with others to translate the Bible into local languages in Kenya. Pray that the Bibles can be freely distributed and read by many people.
Pray for pastors like Rajendra in India who face violence from extremists and criminalisation under the unjust anti-conversion laws. Pray for all those who are currently in prison or awaiting trial.
Give thanks for Rajendra’s ability to forgive his enemies and his desire to continue sharing the gospel, even with those who hate him. Pray that he will not face a further prison sentence and that many people will come to know Jesus through his work.
Pray that we would be inspired by the example of our persecuted brothers and sisters and look for more opportunities to shine the light of Jesus in our own communities.
Give thanks that the darkness cannot overcome the light, and praise God for the opportunities that persecuted Christians have to show the love of Jesus in some of the least reached parts of the world.
Group Discussion
You may want to go deeper and extend your IDOP focus into small group discussions. The discussion questions below are based on Voice of Persecuted Christians’ IDOP 2026 theme: Light in the darkest places. They are designed to be used in small groups after watching the Ethiopia film and reading John 1:1-5.
The Word Became Flesh In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
What sort of response do you get when you tell other people about Jesus?
What is the connection between light and life in verse 4?
Why is there darkness in the world and why does it resist the light?
From what John writes in 1:1-4, why can we be confident that the darkness will never overcome the light?
Persecuted Christians have a unique opportunity to share the gospel in some of the darkest places where we could never go. Does this challenge the way you view them and how you pray for them?
How can testimonies of Sultan and Sophia inspire you to shine the light of Christ more effectively in your community?
Stories
The stories of our persecuted brothers and sisters are powerful. They demonstrate God’s faithfulness and inspire us in our own walk of discipleship. You can share these stories of believers from Kenya, India and Ethiopia during your IDOP service or event.
Testimony 1 – Alif, Kenya
Alif was a Somali Muslim who was trying to convert a local Christian pastor in Kenya. They were reading the Bible together when Alif came across Galatians 5:1, ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.’ She was so impacted by this that the next day she gave her life to Jesus.
Since then, things have not been easy. She faces rejection from the Somali community as well as from ethnic Kenyans, who do not welcome Somalis into their churches. She and other Somali background believers face economic oppression and struggle to gain legal recognition. There is also the constant threat of violence.
But despite the risks, Alif works tirelessly to translate the Bible into local languages and to reach out to Muslim women with the gospel. She said: ‘If one verse changed my life and showed me the truth, how much more [impact can it have] if I translate this Bible and take it to the community?’
Testimony 2 – Rajendra, India
Back in 2016, Pastor Rajendra and his brother were attacked with swords, axes and metal rods as they returned home from leading a church service. Both miraculously survived but continue to live with pain. Instead of legally pursuing his attackers, Rajendra forgave them and chose to continue ministering in the village.
Last year, he was attacked again, this time by a mob who burst into his home where he was leading a prayer meeting. Many were injured, including Rajendra and his mother who required hospitalisation.
Rajendra was not only charged with breaking anti-conversation laws but also with causing the wounds that the mob had inflicted upon his mother. He spent six months in prison and is still awaiting trial.
But even now, Rajendra continues to travel and minister to local churches, preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. He said, ‘The Holy Spirit gives us strength in our lives. In the church we all fellowship, praise and worship God together, and go to the villages to preach in his name. God has kept me alive because the work entrusted to me is not yet done.’
Testimony 3 – Sultan, Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, when Sultan’s father discovered he had become a Christian, he attacked him with a metal bar and a knife. Sultan was later surrounded by an angry mob who beat him and burned his Bible, his clothes, and all his property. Sultan’s life continues to be at risk.
But the darkness cannot keep him quiet. Since his conversion Sultan has devoted his life to sharing the good news of Jesus. And although persecution is severe, he has seen many people come to faith. He is planting churches in areas where none existed before, and one of the people who previously beat him has now himself become a passionate preacher and follower of Jesus.
Sultan said, ‘If I carry this burden for the gospel, then the gospel can reach the whole world… We are full of joy even though there is persecution.’
What can you do to raise their voice?
KEEP ON PRAYING
Prayer is often the first thing persecuted Christians ask for. They believe in the power of prayer, and they want us to cry out to God on their behalf.
Follow our daily prayers and subscribe to stay in touch so you never miss out.
SHARE THEIR STORIES
Christians need to hear the voice of our persecuted brothers and sisters. And you can play a part in sharing their voice.
Could you share our social media posts, give out copies of our Voice magazine to your friends, or look for opportunities to share their stories more regularly with your church?
GIVE GENEROUSLY
Your giving provides practical support, resources and encouragement to believers facing persecution.
Through your giving, churches are strengthened, leaders are equipped and persecuted Christians are supported to shine the light of Jesus in the darkest places.
