International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church 2026: What It Is and How to Take Part
On Sunday 1 November, congregations around the world will pray for Christians who suffer for their faith. Here is where the day came from, who is behind it, and a simple plan for your church, small group or family
The short answer
The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is an annual day when congregations worldwide pray for Christians persecuted for their faith. It is held on the first Sunday of November, so in 2026 it falls on Sunday 1 November. It was started by evangelical and Catholic bodies including the World Evangelical Alliance and the Southern Baptist Convention, and is promoted by ministries such as Open Doors, Voice of the Martyrs and International Christian Concern. Over 100,000 congregations have been reported taking part.
Every year, on one Sunday, churches that will never meet each other pray for the same people: Christians who are arrested, attacked or shut out for following Jesus. In 2026 that Sunday is 1 November.
What Is IDOP?
The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church — usually shortened to IDOP — is an annual observance held on the first Sunday of November. It sits in Allhallowtide, the season around All Saints' Day when churches have long remembered the martyrs.
"The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church falls on the first Sunday of November — Sunday 1 November in 2026. Name a country, tell one true story, pray what persecuted believers ask for, and keep praying afterwards."
Click to copy and shareThe day was created by a coalition that included the World Evangelical Fellowship (now the World Evangelical Alliance), the National Association of Evangelicals, the Southern Baptist Convention and the U.S. Catholic Conference. Today it is promoted by ministries such as Open Doors, Voice of the Martyrs and International Christian Concern, and over 100,000 congregations have been reported taking part.
Why It Still Matters
Open Doors' World Watch List 2026 estimates that more than 388 million Christians — about 1 in 7 — face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.
Behind the number are names. In the last few weeks alone we've reported a funeral attack in Jordan, a pastor killed in Colombia and a Bible convention attacked in West Bengal — and answered prayer too, as 13 believers walked free in Rajasthan.
This Year's Focus
Open Doors offices set their own emphasis. For 2026:
- Open Doors UK & Ireland has built its free church prayer pack around its Arise Africa campaign.
- Open Doors Canada is hosting an online prayer event on 1 November at 7pm EST / 4pm PST.
A Simple Plan for Your Church
You don't need a special service. A few minutes, well used, is enough.
- Name a country. Pick one or two from the World Watch List and say them aloud from the front.
- Tell one story. A real, sourced story — like the ones linked above — makes prayer specific.
- Pray what they ask for. Persecuted believers most often ask for courage, faithfulness and the salvation of those who persecute them — not just for rescue.
- Give thanks too. Answered prayer belongs in the service: releases, shelved laws, churches still growing.
- Keep going. Put a country on your church's prayer list for the next month.
For the words to use, our guide on how to pray for the persecuted church walks through what Scripture asks of us, and how to start a prayer meeting helps if you want to keep meeting after 1 November.
For Families and Small Groups
Light a candle at dinner and pray for one country. Read Hebrews 13:3 together. Find the country on a map with your children. Learn what the underground church is — and why so many believers meet in secret.
The Heart Behind It
Scripture doesn't treat persecuted believers as strangers. "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it" (1 Corinthians 12:26). IDOP is one Sunday a year when the whole body says so out loud.
The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church falls on the first Sunday of November — Sunday 1 November in 2026. Name a country, tell one true story, pray what persecuted believers ask for, and keep praying afterwards.
Biblical Perspective
"Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" (Hebrews 13:3). "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it" (1 Corinthians 12:26).
"Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."
— Hebrews 13:3 (NIV)
Pray With Us
Lord, on this day of prayer we remember our brothers and sisters who suffer for Your name. Give them courage, keep them faithful, provide for their families, and save those who persecute them. Teach us to remember them not just one Sunday but every week. In Jesus' name, amen.
Declarations to Speak
- ›We remember those in chains as if we were with them!
- ›When one part suffers, the whole body suffers!
- ›The church will not be silenced!
Take Action
- 1Ask your pastor whether your church will mark IDOP on Sunday 1 November.
- 2Choose one country from the World Watch List and pray for it daily this week.
- 3Download a free prayer pack from your national Open Doors office.
"Sunday 1 November is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. 388 million Christians face high persecution. Here's how to take part."
Pray & Speak Life Over This Story
Don't just read — respond in faith. Click below to declare that you have prayed over this story and spoken life into it. Our prayers and words have power to change the world.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue." — Proverbs 18:21
Your Prayers & Words Have Power
Every time you pray over a story and speak life, you are partnering with Heaven to see God's Kingdom come on earth. When believers around the world agree in prayer, mountains move. Keep praying over these matters — your consistency in intercession is changing the world.
"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." — James 5:16
Prayer Is Powerful — So Is Action.
You've prayed. Now take it further. Join or start an outreach group in your area and take the love of Jesus to the streets. Every act of love, every meal shared, every prayer prayed in person is the Kingdom advancing in your community.
"Faith without works is dead." — James 2:26
Questions people are asking
When is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church in 2026?
+
Sunday 1 November 2026. IDOP is held on the first Sunday of November each year.
Who started the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church?
+
It was created by a coalition including the World Evangelical Fellowship (now the World Evangelical Alliance), the National Association of Evangelicals, the Southern Baptist Convention and the U.S. Catholic Conference. Ministries such as Open Doors, Voice of the Martyrs and International Christian Concern now promote it.
How can a church take part in IDOP?
+
Name one or two countries, share a real, sourced story of a persecuted believer, pray for what persecuted Christians ask for — courage, faithfulness and the salvation of their persecutors — give thanks for answered prayer, and keep a country on your prayer list afterwards. Open Doors offices publish free prayer packs.
How many Christians are persecuted today?
+
Open Doors' World Watch List 2026 estimates that more than 388 million Christians — about 1 in 7 worldwide — face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.
Sources & further reading
- 1.International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted ChurchWikipedia
- 2.International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted ChurchOpen Doors UK & Ireland
- 3.International Day of PrayerOpen Doors Canada
- 4.Report: More than 388 million Christians worldwide face 'high levels' of persecutionOSV News
About the Author
Daniel Ziedins
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Daniel Ziedins is the founder and editor-in-chief of Thy Kingdom News. A passionate believer with a heart for revival, missions, and seeing God's Kingdom advance across the earth, Daniel created this platform to report on what God is doing in the nations — the stories the mainstream media won't tell. He is also the creator of LoveOnTheWorldMap.com, a global initiative to map acts of God's love worldwide. Daniel believes that every testimony, every revival report, and every prayer answered is evidence that the Kingdom of God is here and advancing.
"Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."
Hebrews 13:3 (NIV)
Get encouraging Kingdom news, testimonies, and prayer points weekly.
Related Stories
How to Pray for the Persecuted Church: A Practical Guide
Most of us want to pray for persecuted believers and do not know how, so we pray vaguely and stop. This is a practical method — with the numbers, the countries, and the specific requests the persecuted church actually makes.
Three Signs of Hope for India's Christians: Goa Shelves Its Bill, Rajasthan Frees 13, a Court Questions Chhattisgarh's Law
Goa's proposed anti-conversion law was taken off the Assembly's agenda, 13 Christians arrested at a Rajasthan worship convention were granted bail after four months, and Chhattisgarh's High Court has given the state three weeks to answer a challenge to its Freedom of Religion Act.
What Is the World Watch List? How Christian Persecution Is Measured — and the 2026 Top 50
The World Watch List is Open Doors' annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution. In 2026, North Korea ranks first, more than 388 million Christians face high levels of persecution, and 4,849 were killed for their faith. Here's how the list works and the full top 50.