IDOP 2011 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

2. IDOP 2011 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

3. Every five minutes a Christian is killed for his faith.

4. Every year 105 000 Christians are martyred.

5. At least one million of the Christians enduring persecution in the world are children.

6. Christian communities in the Middle East face the danger of dying out due to emigration, fleeing persecution.

7. The most closed countries to the Gospel today:

8. North Korea 1.48 % Christian

10. Up to 100 000 Christians are in prison or labour camps

11. North Korean Christians aren't simply killed for their faith in Christ. They are tortured, maimed, raped and objects of experimentation in biological warfare.

12. PRAY! • that Christians will be able to share the Good News • with trusted friends and family. • for grace, mercy and perseverance for persecuted • Christians. • for those in prison camps. Pray that God would • convict the hearts of prison guards and pour down • his grace on those suffering in harsh conditions. • that non-Christian prisoners would be struck by the • faith of Christian prisoners.

13. Iran 98.64% Muslim 0.51% Christian

15. Iranian courts have the right to impose the death sentence on male converts and life imprisonment for females.

16. PRAY! • that the Body of Christ will continue to multiply • and mature despite persecution • for the families of the martyrs and those in • prison that they may be comforted, for • perseverance & for Gods provision • that the government will be open to change • and allow full rights and protection for non • Muslims

17. Afghanistan 99.85% Muslim 0.05% Christian

19. One of the least reached countries in the world. 48000 mosques – not a single official indigenous church

20. Muslim extremist groups Al-Qaeda and Taliban shoot videos of the murders, slaughters, and suicide attacks on Christians, Jews and NATO forces and then broadcast them through the internet or air them by other means

21. Christians residing in Afghanistan are viewed as agents of US government agencies, and therefore they are tortured and interrogated in an inhumane manner, and finally slaughtered.

22. PRAY! • for the restoration of • political peace and • stability to Afghanistan • that strong local • churches will be planted • among the Afghani • people • that believers will remain • faithful and that fear will not • take hold in their hearts

23. Saudi Arabia 92.41% Muslim 5.43% Christian

25. Christians face the death penalty and execution for their faith in Christ

26. Yearly over 2 million Muslims make a pilgrimage to Mecca, required of all Muslims.

27. PRAY! • for God’s protection and wisdom for • Saudi Christians • that Saudi Arabia would stop • deporting Christians • that the Lord would open the eyes • of the millions of pilgrims who visit • Mecca each year

28. Somalia 99.67% Muslim 0.33% Christian

30. Besides drought, hunger and starvation, Christians in Somalia also face violent persecution.  Islamic radicals kidnapped a Christian and then beheaded him in early September 2011.

31. Christians are hunted down and martyred by radical Islamist groups. Many are also denied food & medical aid because of their faith.

32. Pray: • for Gods provision and comfort for His children in • these famine and war stricken areas • that Christians will not compromise their faith for • physical sustenance • for those serving as missionaries; for protection, • health, provision, strength and faithfulness • The greed and fighting between Islamic groups • contributed to civil war. Some are turning to more • radical Islamic groups but others are totally • disillusioned with Islam. Pray that they would • find Jesus.

33. Uzbekistan 84.93% Muslim 0.75% Christian

35. It is illegal to own a Bible or pray together

36. Christians are threatened, fined, assaulted, beaten and imprisoned

37. PRAY! • that imprisoned Uzbek Christians will be • released • for continued strength for Christians facing • charges and harassment from Authorities • that the government of Uzbekistan will allow • Christians to worship freely in the country

38. Laos Communist persecution of Christians 3.38% Christian

40. Persecution of Christians is worst in the rural regions among the tribal people.

41. Christians are fined, imprisoned, raped and killed. Some communities have been forced to leave their villages without food, water or medical care.

42. PRAY! • for strength and courage for Christians as • they continue to face • pressure and • imprisonment for their • faith. • for the government —that those in power • will continue to improve policies and • activities, recognizing the need for • freedom for all their citizens.

43. Pakistan 95.8% Muslim 2.45% Christian

45. Many Christians have been denied aid distribution because of their faith, unless they convert to Islam. Christian girls are kidnapped and sometimes forced to marry Muslim men and convert.

46. Christians face imprisonment, torture, abuse and even death. School children are harassed and ostracized by their peers.

47. PRAY: • That Christians will repay prejudice • with forgiveness and violence with • Love • That they will continue to minister • in spite of the risks that they • already face • That the lost will come to know • Jesus

48. Eritrea 50.26% Muslim 47.31 Christian

50. Today, it is estimated that between 2,000 and 3,000 Christians are in Eritrean prisons. Believers face horrific conditions, including torture. Many are held in metal shipping containers with no ventilation or toilet facilities.