This week we are going to focus on getting you ready for the big event this Sunday.  In case you forgot, this Sunday is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church and there are a whole lot of ministries and churches that are taking part.

If your church isn't participating yet, never fear because you still have time to get them involved.

Why should you join in and participate in the IDOP? 

I have three great reasons to begin with.  Obedience, compassion and zeal for the kingdom of God.

Out of obedience?

Yes: Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.  Hebrews 13:3 (NIV)
See also Galatians 6:2; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Ephesians 6:18

Out of compassion?

Yes: Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:30 (NLT)
See also 2 Corinthians 1:8-11; Matthew 22:39

Out of zeal for the kingdom and glory of God?

Absolutely! Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.' Matthew 6:9-10. (ESV)
See also Psalm 22:27; Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 42:1-4 & 55:10-13; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Hebrews 10:13

Let's gear up this week and pray up.  I'll be praying you join me.

Comments

[Jacob S.]

11-7-2005

Dear VOM:
I am a 17 year old young man. I have been working with your ministry since 9th grade. I have spoken to some friends that I worked this summer with at a camp, about IDOP. I didn't get the kit, but I have written them a letter, with information about a prisoner, embassy address, and about VOM. Thank you, so much for letting us in America help the Suffering Church around the world.

In Christ's Name,
Jacob S.

[Stacy L Harp]

Jacob,

Thank you for being such a blessing to us!

Stacy

[Daniel Bartsch]

Hi everybody,

I'm looking for the following statistics for use in my IDOP presentation this Sunday:

1. The total # of Christians who live under the daily possibility of persecution (I have read that this # is 200 million, but have never seen who originated this #, nor how it was calculated)

2. The total # of evangelical Christians who live under the daily threat of persecution (a subset of #1)

3. The total # of people who are working and praying to help persecuted believers (I believe this # will be quite low, proportionally -- I think VOM only has like 200,000 on their mailing list)

4. The total # of persecutors, would-be persecutors, and willing-to-be persecutors. Obviously, not all Muslims, Hindus, and Communists are willing to enforce their ideologies by force, but I would like to know how many of them are.

Thanks for whatever help anyone can provide...

My goal is to show how great the need is, and how many western Christians are totally ignorant of it.