International Day of Prayer (IDOP) - Voice of Persecuted Christians

IDOP 2026 - Theme: Pastors Under Pressure

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Sunday, 1 November 2026

Worldwide

Pastors Under Pressure

The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) brings Christians together to stand in prayer with believers facing hostility for their faith.

This year’s theme, Pastors Under Pressure, highlights church leaders serving in some of the most challenging environments on earth. Through IDOP, churches unite to pray for persecuted Christians, shaped by what Scripture teaches about persecution and by what is happening among believers today.

On IDOP, the UK church prays with the persecuted church, not just for it. Our brothers and sisters under pressure are praying too. Often for us.

IDOP Resources for you to use

Resources for your church

IDOP equips you with practical tools to lead focused, meaningful prayer. These resources are built around the theme Pastors Under Pressure, 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.

Play Video

Video - 6 Mins

Pastors Under Pressure - the IDOP 202 film

Introduce your church to this year’s theme through a short film featuring pastors living under pressure. It helps your church connect with the global body of Christ. Watch the video to begin your time of prayer together.

Presentation - PPTX

Ready-made IDOP service presentation

A ready-made presentation to guide your church through IDOP. It includes key teaching points, Scripture and structured prompts to support corporate prayer. Download the presentation and use it in your service or group.

How do I pray for persecuted Christians?

Pray for pastors under pressure

IDOP focuses on standing with believers through prayer. These points are designed to guide your prayers during IDOP, with a focus on this year’s theme: Pastors Under Pressure. Root your prayers in Scripture, drawing from what the Bible teaches about persecution and the reality facing church leaders serving in difficult contexts today.

Pray for strength under pressure

01

Ask God to sustain pastors carrying responsibility in challenging environments. Pray for resilience, faithfulness and renewed strength. For Christian pastors like Akashan in Sri Lanka, that they will have courage to continue their work despite the threats and intimidation.

Pray for boldness in leadership

02

Lift up those leading churches in hostile settings. Pray that authorities in Sri Lanka would act justly. Approving new church building applications, making proper provision for Christian burials and following up cases of harassment against Christians.

Pray for protection and safety

03

Ask God to guard pastors and their families and give them wisdom in situations of risk. For Christian pastors like Mohan in India. Pray that they will not be silenced or intimidated by the threat of fundamentalist mobs. Pray against the expansion of anti-conversion laws. Pray that pastors who have been arrested will get the legal help they need.

Pray for spiritual endurance

04

Use Scripture to pray for perseverance, hope and deep trust in Christ. For Christian pastors like Wang Yi in China. Pray for those currently in prison or awaiting sentencing. That God will give them courage and confidence in Him. That they will find opportunities to share the gospel with their fellow inmates and guards. And that the Lord will provide for their families.

Pray for their families and churches

05

Remember those connected to them. Pray for encouragement, unity and strength within their communities. For Christian pastors in many other countries. Iran, Eritrea, Nigeria, Laos, Algeria. Who face daily discrimination, threats of violence and arrest. Pray that God will sustain their faith and protect their churches.

Pray with ongoing commitment

06

Let IDOP shape a rhythm that carries beyond one day. Pray too for the church and its leaders here in the UK. That we would make the most of the freedom we have to worship God, share the gospel and grow our church communities.

Use our prayer guide to help you pray with clarity and consistency.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (NIVUK)

Talking Points

For your small group

These talking points will help your group reflect during IDOP. They connect what Scripture teaches about persecution with what believers are living through today. Use them after watching the video and sitting with the theme Pastors Under Pressure.

01

What stands out in Scripture?

Which elements of persecution in the Bible reflect the experiences of believers today?

02

How does this connect to real situations?

In what ways do these themes mirror what is happening among Christians under pressure around the world?

03

What do we learn about God’s work in hardship?

How does Scripture shape our understanding of faith, endurance and dependence on God?

04

Which passages guide our response?

What Bible passages help us pray with clarity?

05

What does unity look like in action?

How can we stand alongside persecuted believers as part of the global church?

06

What will we do next?

How will you continue to pray for persecuted Christians beyond IDOP?

Download discussion questions to use with your group.

Stories & Testimonies

Believers who keep going

Believers around the world continue to follow Christ in the face of pressure, restriction and danger. Their stories reflect courage, faith and perseverance and help us pray with greater understanding.

Still In Detention

Liang Qin

Country

China

Arrested

Arrested 2016

Sentence

10 years imprisonment

Read Liang Qin Story

Still In Detention

Country

China

Arrested

Arrested 2016

Sentence

13 years imprisonment

Read Ju Dianhong Story

Released

Zhang Shaojie (Released)

Country

China

Arrested

November 2013

Sentence

12 years imprisonment

Read Zhang Shaojie (Released) Story

One way to answer what you've just read is to give

Your gift to the IDOP appeal funds pastoral support, legal help and emergency aid for the leaders you’ve just been praying for.

Supporting Resources

Go further beyond IDOP

These resources help you go further, equipping you to continue beyond IDOP with deeper understanding and consistent prayer. Each one is designed to support churches, groups and individuals.

Bible Talk - PDF

Bible talk outline

A structured teaching guide that works through persecution in the Bible. Key passages, clear themes, space for reflection, discussion and prayer. Download and use in your next service or study.

Testimonies - PDF

Read first-hand testimonies

First-hand accounts from believers experiencing persecution today. Read and share them to help others pray with greater understanding.

Children - PDF

Children's prayer sheet

A simple, engaging resource to help children take part in IDOP. Designed for children’s groups or family use at home.

Support persecuted Christians today

Your giving provides practical support, resources and encouragement to believers facing persecution.

Through your support, churches are strengthened, leaders are equipped and Christians under pressure are reminded that the rest of the body has not forgotten them.

Voice of Persecuted Christians carries the needs of the persecuted church to the UK church. Your gift today is how we answer.