Religious Persecution is on the Rise: Remember Her
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is November 3, 2024
WATERLOO, Ont., October 22, 2024—The 2024 World Watch List indicates that religious persecution is on the rise. More than 365 million Christians in more than 70 countries are facing high levels of discrimination because of their faith in Jesus. On November 3, 2024, Christians will come together for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. This annual movement brings individuals and churches together in prayer for Christians living where faith costs the most.
This year’s theme, Remember Her, focuses on how religious persecution impacts women and girls. Open Doors’ 2024 Gender Specific Religious Persecution Report reveals that for women and girls, persuasion is complex, hidden, and violent.
Women and girls commonly experience persecution within the private sphere, often behind closed doors or perpetrated by those already known to them within their existing community and relationships.
“When my husband found out that I was reading the Bible, he became furious. He beat me up, and I fell and injured my head. I got 17 stitches in the hospital. As I was laying there, the very thing I feared most happened – Rashid, my husband, handed me divorce papers, took the children, and disappeared,” Sarah, Egypt.
Persecution leaves many women feeling unseen and isolated.
“My village in Nigeria was attacked by Fulani militants. Perhaps because I am a young woman, that day, they kidnapped me. They said if we didn’t go with them, they would kill us. They beat us as we walked. Some nights, I was forced into the militants’ beds. Eventually, they released us. But the pain wasn’t over. I couldn’t be around people. I couldn’t sleep. The pain wouldn’t end,” Mary, Nigeria.
Persecution robs many women of their families.
“One night, my husband went missing after visiting a Bible study group. It was late in the evening, and my anxiety grew. I had the feeling something was wrong. Two days later, we learned that he was found dead, bearing signs of torture,” Khada, Afghanistan.
“This year’s IDOP theme is inspired by the story of Hagar and Genesis 16:13, “She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me,’” said Christelle Amaya, Open Doors Canada Advocacy Officer.
Special Online Prayer Event
On the evening of November 3, 2024, Open Doors Canada, in collaboration with IDOP Canada partners, will host a special online event where Canadians across the country will join together in prayer. The stream will be available on Open Doors Canada’s YouTube channel at 7 p.m. EST. While some of the stories shared during this event will be hard to hear, they show us just how God is working faithfully in growing His church around the world.
“These women are incredible examples to us, showing us what it really means to hold onto Jesus no matter the cost. On IDOP Sunday, we want to acknowledge that the cost is so great,” said Christelle Amaya. “Our brothers and sisters in Christ may feel they’re suffering alone, in silence, and feel unheard. Often, they are women. This year, on November 3, 2024, we invite you to remember her.”
Toolkit and Resources
Open Doors Canada has developed free resources to equip Canadians and churches as they pray for those risking it all to follow Jesus. Resources include videos, posters, children’s activities, song lists, country profiles, and bulletin inserts. Download the International Day of Prayer kit here.
For more information about Open Doors Canada’s special online prayer event, click here.
Interviews with Christelle Amaya, Open Doors Canada Advocacy Officer, are available. Contact Paola Theaker, at paola@grafmartin.com or (519) 342-3703
About Open Doors Canada
Open Doors Canada is affiliated with Open Doors International, a global ministry that has supported and strengthened persecuted Christians in more than 70 countries for over 65 years. Open Doors provides practical support to persecuted Christians such as food, medicines, trauma care, legal assistance, safe houses, and schools, as well as spiritual support through Christian literature, training, and resources. For more information, visit: https://www.opendoorscanada.org/
About Christelle Amaya
Christelle Amaya serves as the Advocacy and Engagement Officer at Open Doors Canada, where she dedicates her efforts to raising awareness about the persecuted church. Christelle believes in the power of storytelling to inspire action, mobilize prayer, and encourage churches and policymakers in Canada to stand in solidarity with believers around the world. Through her work, she aims to build connections that strengthen the global body of Christ and make a lasting impact on the lives of persecuted Christians.