On November 8, 2009, Christian churches throughout the globe will focus on prayer and support for 100 million brothers and sisters who are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. The International Day of Prayer (IDOP) is one of the largest prayer events in the world -- an estimated half a million churches in 150 countries -- and has heightened awareness of persecuted Christians since its inception in 1996. It crosses all denominational lines.
“The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church presents a tremendous opportunity for millions of people to make a difference in the lives of those being persecuted – especially children – for their faith in countries like North Korea, Nigeria, Iran, and many more,” says Open Doors USA President/CEO Carl Moeller.
An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. (want to learn more visit http://tinyurl.com/yl87glq)
A perfect example of a brutal and murderous regime for believers in Jesus Christ is North Korea. Christians living in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea have suffered government-sanctioned persecution since the brutal communist regime first came to power.
North Korea's Stalinist system of implementing a Communist economy is based on "total devotion" of the individual to an ideology promoted by the late leader Kim Il Sung and his successor and son, Kim Jong Il, according to observers who visited the isolated nation.
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