By Carl Stagner

Count the cost. Recorded for us in Luke 14:28, the nugget of wisdom comes from Jesus himself. Christians whose lives are in danger across the globe simply because of their allegiance to Christ understand this cost, whether sharing their faith or simply gathering for worship. Depending on the source, the numbers of believers imprisoned, tortured, and/or killed may vary, but one thing is clear—the need for our prayerful support of the persecuted church is great. Many may not recall, but it was only five years ago when the General Assembly proposed that all local Church of God congregations would annually set aside a Sunday each November to pray specifically for the persecuted church around the world. In conjunction with the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (observed on the first or second Sunday of November), this posture of prayer is once again attracting the attention—and involvement—of the Church of God movement.

Citing the 245 million Christians internationally who face serious persecution (well over 300 million today), General Assembly 2019’s “Motion Five” outlined the statistics on persecution, scriptures that instruct believers to demonstrate concern and care for the suffering and mistreated, and concluded with a resolution to pray and educate. Following discussion on the floor of the General Assembly, it was determined that any Sunday each November could be selected by local congregations to set aside for the purpose of prayer. Read the full text of the motion here.

But prayer is only the beginning. The resolution approved by the General Assembly further asks that “congregations and leaders make an effort to educate the church about Christian persecution during the month of this event.”

Jim Lyon later reflected on the resolution in a post-Convention article. “The statistics are sobering, the suffering is real, the cost of following Jesus can be very high,” he writes. “…Think about marking your November calendar this week to embrace and follow through with this call to the whole Movement.”

The Scripture emphasis for the IDOP initiative is 1 Corinthians 12:26: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (NIV).

Godfrey Yogarajah serves as ambassador for religious freedom for the World Evangelical Alliance, which coordinates the effort annually. “This year, as we observe the IDOP,” he writes, “let us be inspired by the courageous faith of our persecuted brothers and sisters. Let us commit to praying fervently for them, asking God to strengthen and sustain them in their trials. Let us also consider how we can actively support them—through advocacy, raising awareness, and providing practical assistance, where possible. I urge churches, ministries, and believers around the world to participate in IDOP 2024. Use these days not only to pray but to educate and mobilize your congregations and communities. Let us amplify the voices of those who are often unheard and stand as one body, united in Christ, against the injustices they face.”

Resources to aid the local church in the official observation of the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church are readily available for download. Learn more at https://idop.org/. Learn more about the international presence and work of the Church of God at www.chogglobal.org.