International Day of Prayer, 2008
Tomorrow, 9 November, is International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. IDOP is observed each year on the second Sunday of November to remember and lift up in prayer the hundreds of millions of Christians around the world who suffer because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
IDOP Canada has chosen as this year’s theme “Pray for the Persecutors”, based on Romans 12:9-21.
When was the last time you prayed for President Hu Jiantao of China? Or for Premier Kim Jong Il of North Korea? Or for the Muslim militants who tortured and murdered three Turkish Bible publishers in March 2007?
The call for the follower of Jesus is to pray for all people. This year, please Pray For the Persecutors. Pray specifically for the kings and leaders of persecuting countries and for all those who harass, imprison and even kill Christians throughout the world.
The four focus nations this year are Eritrea, India, the Maldives, and North Korea.
Here is a responsive reading for IDOP 2008.
Leader: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them (Rom 12:14).
All: For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly (Rom 5:6). God proves His love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). While we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son (Rom 5:10).
Leader: But now the righteousness of God has been disclosed. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are now justified by His grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Rom: 3:21-24).
All: Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the one against whom the Lord will not reckon sin (Rom 4:7,8).
Leader: Beloved never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Rom 12:19).
All: For He will avenge the blood of His children and take vengeance on His adversaries; He will repay those who hate Him, and cleanse the land for His people (Deut 32:43).
Leader: O God do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still O God! Those who hate you have raised their heads. They lay crafty plans against your people (Psalm 83:1-3).
All: O my God make them like a whirling dust, pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your hurricane. Fill their faces with shame so that they may seek your name O Lord (Psalm 83:13- 16).
Leader: Turn to me and be saved all the ends of the earth! For I am God and there is no other (Isaiah 46:22). To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear (Isaiah 46:23).
All: For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered (Isaiah 65:17).
Leader: Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom 12:21).
All: If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads (Rom 12:20).
A resource kit with over a dozen information sheets and a PowerPoint presentation may be downloaded via this page.
More information and resources can be found at the international IDOP site, including a map showing where Christians are persecuted.