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Struck Down but Not Destroyed

To the church suffering under the heavy weight of persecution, Yeshua (Jesus) says, “Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10) In 2022, over 5,600 Christians were faithful to the point of death. In addition, millions more endure severe persecution as their lot in life. The International Day of Prayer is a time for Christians worldwide to unite in prayer for our persecuted family in Christ.

by William L. Nowell

International Days of Prayer (IDOP) 2023

  • Mark your calendars:
    • International Days of Prayer (IDOP) for the persecuted church:
      Sunday, November 5 and November 12, 2023
    • Suffering Church Action and Awareness Week (SCAAW): November 5 – 12, 2023

We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

Christians worldwide face persecution as a routine part of daily life. No less than 360 million followers of Christ know what it means to suffer for their faith. More than mockery and ridicule, many of the faithful suffer extreme persecution. Christians experience the trauma of physical assaults, unwarranted arrests, and torture with no end in sight. Furthermore, every day, somewhere in the world, a Believer mourns the death of another brutally murdered brother or sister in Christ.

Yeshua (Jesus) forewarned His disciples of coming persecution. He told them in no uncertain terms that they “will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, other relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all people because of My name.” (Luke 21:16-17) Yeshua's (Jesus') warning was not only for The Twelve but for all disciples throughout the ages.

The World Watch List is Open Doors' annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution. Their interactive watch list lets you focus your prayers on specific countries.

Let's Pray and Work

Though prayer is vital to the well-being of our beleaguered family in Christ, they need practical and tangible help. Therefore, as much as possible, as opportunities present themselves, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10) Let's demonstrate our love for the suffering church by doing what we can to help them.

Ministries to the Persecuted

Related Articles

Below is a list of previous IDOP articles and related topics.

Remember the Persecuted Church

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)

Three Crosses