International Day of Prayer 11.9.03
The world prays for the persecuted church November 9-16, 2003
The International Day of Prayer for The Persecuted Church 2003 will happen on November 9 and 16. Let’s join in one voice and raise our prayers to God so that the persecuted churches around the world can be liberated.
Global IDOP (International Day of Prayer) coordinator Johan Candelin wrote the following letter to all believers:
“Dear sisters and brothers in Jesus Christ,
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I would like to share with you at least a small part of something very beautiful that is happening in November. It will happen on 9 and 16 November 2003, and during the week between those two Sundays. It will be a beautiful view not only from a human point but I truly believe that it will be something very beautiful in the eyes of God.
As a father it touches my heart when I see my children love each other and care for each other. How much more will this beautiful event touch the heart of God who is our heavenly Father when he sees love and support for each other demonstrated by millions of his children?
So what is happening in November?
The answer is that Christians from Norway and Iceland in the north to Chile in the south and Vladivostok in Russia in the east to Los Angeles in the west will pray for all those who suffer for the name of Jesus Christ. Brothers and sisters will pray in the jungles of Burma, house churches in China, cathedrals in England, gypsy churches in Bulgaria, house groups in Saudi-Arabia, out-door meetings in Sudan, prayer groups in Belarus and in many other parts of the world. This is a beautiful and wonderful event!
We do not ask what churches or denominations these suffering sisters and brothers come from. As long as they suffer for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we will pray with them and for them.
We will also pray for those who persecute them that they would come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Through prayer things change. Either circumstances change or we are changed and God is glorified in all this.
After having seen the International Day of Prayer (IDOP) for the Persecuted Church from the inside for many years I can only say, it's a miracle! It is probably the world's biggest prayer group and it is strengthening the persecuted part of the church and awakening churches where there is no persecution. This is also beautiful because the church of Jesus Christ is one. Any revival in the world is your revival and any persecution in the world is your persecution.
This is why it is such a joy for me to invite you to be part of the beautiful thing happening in November.”
What can I do?
1. Join a prayer group in your church and make an effort to attend during those days.
2. Organize a prayer meeting among neighbors, friends, and relatives. Designate houses where you can meet each of the prayer days or schedule one day where all of you can meet, have table fellowship over dinner, and hold a prayer meeting afterwards.
3. Set a time in your schedule to pray for the persecuted churches. Say “On Nov. 9, I will pray from 2-3pm; Nov. 10, I will pray from 11-12…”
For more information on IDOP, visit : www.idop.org
