International (MNN) — The first two Sundays of November, Christians worldwide unite for the International Day of Prayer to intercede for persecuted believers — this year, especially for those in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” — James 5:16
Over 310 million Christians globally face severe persecution. Todd Nettleton from The Voice of the Martyrs USA says this day of united prayer deeply matters to those suffering for their faith: “Every time we ask, ‘Hey, how can we help you?’ the first thing they say is, ‘Pray for us.’”
World from space (photo courtesy of NASA via Unsplash)
Across the globe, churches will gather to lift up the persecuted believers.
“They are lifting up our brothers and sisters and our Christian family in hostile and restricted nations. They [persecuted Christians] know they’re being prayed for, and it is an encouragement to them,” added Nettleton.
Each year, the International Day of Prayer highlights a specific nation or situation to help believers intercede more personally and fervently.
This year’s focus is on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where believers face relentless violence from armed groups.
“There are over a hundred armed rebel groups active in DRC. Many of them are motivated by Islamist ideology that says Christians are the enemy. [They say] ‘We want to create a caliphate.’ And so the level of violence of some of these attacks is just mind-blowing,” shares Nettleton.
These brutal attacks leave Congolese communities grieving and struggling to heal. Yet the story of God’s presence and restoration shines through.
Photo courtesy of VOM USA
The VOM USA promotional video focuses on how God is helping persecuted Christians recover from trauma.
“He is using Christians to come alongside our brothers and sisters in DRC, to listen to them, pray with them, and affirm them. Help them realize that even in suffering — even in violent suffering — God is still present, and God still has a plan,” adds Nettleton.
Free digital resources are available on the Voice of the Martyrs USA website for churches and Bible studies. Pray for persecuted Christians around the world — and remember the Congolese believers.
“It is a prayer for faithfulness in the face of persecution, in the face of suffering,” adds Nettleton.
Join this year’s global intercession for persecuted believers! Visit Voice of the Martyrs USA
to access resources.
Header photo: Prayer slide from downloadable materials, courtesy of VOM USA.
