Discover the top 50 countries where it's most difficult and dangerous to follow Jesus.
About the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
Each year, for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP), Christians throughout the free world band together in solidarity with believers who live out their faith in the face of harassment, attacks, false imprisonment and even death.
This year, we stand together in lifting up those who follow Jesus in North Korea, the country that has ranked #1 on the Open Doors World Watch List for 17 consecutive years indicating that it is the most difficult place in the world to be a Christian.
It is our hope that 100,000 Christians around the world will pledge to pray for the state of North Korea for IDOP this year.
Download FREE Church KitPray with Them: North Korea
In more than 60 countries around the globe, 215 million believers face high levels of persecution because of their decision to follow Jesus in places that are hostile to Christianity.
People like Hea Woo from North Korea risk so much to follow Jesus. Hea Woo endured torture and persecution inside one of North Korea’s infamous prison camps. Hea Woo's husband was killed for his faith behind prison walls but, miraculously, Hea Woo survived and escaped the country. Today, she uses her story to encourage Christians all around the world to pray for the underground church in North Korea.
Watch her story and consider sharing it during your worship gathering on Sunday, November 4.
Download the Free IDOP Kit!
To make it easy for you to join this critical day of prayer, we've created these free resources for you and your church:
- Videos
- Sermon Outline
- Poster
- Bulletin Insert
- Infographic
- Prayer Points
- And more
International Day of Prayer Online Global Prayer Gathering
Join thousands of believers as we hear and learn from North Korean Pastor Min-Soo. Min-Soo escaped to China in ‘90s and for three years was discipled in an Open Doors safe house. He now serves North Korean refugees in South Korea.
Open Doors CEO David Curry will interview this pastor as he shares firsthand what it’s like to be a Christian in the isolated country—and how God is using him to reach North Koreans. You’ll also have the opportunity to share your own prayers for our persecuted brothers and sisters in North Korea and throughout the world.
Praying Specifically with North Korean Believers
- Pray with North Korean Christians for their protection, strength and endurance. They face persecution from state authorities and their non-Christian families, friends and neighbors.
- Pray that North Korean President Kim Jong-un and his regime will come to know the one true God and open his country to the gospel for healing and restoration.
- Pray that God will move on Kim Jong-un to release the estimated 50,000 Christians who are unjustly held in detention centers and prison camps throughout the country.
- Pray that the underground church would grow in boldness and be ready for widespread evangelism efforts when the opportunity arises.
- Pray that Kim Jong-un will allow for the creation of new churches where North Koreans can freely worship.