International (MNN) — Over 4,800 believers died for their faith in 2026, according to Open Doors. More Christians face high levels of persecution this year compared to last, bringing the total to 388 million worldwide.

“There are more than 70 countries where persecution is a regular part of following Jesus,” Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs USA says.

“Now, that doesn’t mean every single Christian in every one of those 70+ countries is going to go to jail or be beaten, but it is kind of an expected part of, ‘Hey, I’m a follower of Jesus, I’m going to have trouble.'”

This outlook challenges the emphasis on comfort or prosperity familiar to many Western Christians.

“That (perspective) seems strange to us as American Christians, but that’s really New Testament Christianity. Jesus said, ‘The world hates Me. The world will hate you, too, if you follow Me,” Nettleton says.

“We don’t often experience that in America, but for Christians in places like Iran or Nigeria or China, that’s just part of the job. And yet they continue to choose to follow Jesus.”

Prayer: a first request

We may not be able to end their suffering, but we know the One Who holds persecuted Christians closely. This Sunday, November 1, is the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians, or IDOP.

Pray for front-line workers, like Jampa and Dronma, to be encouraged and strengthened as they face rejection and isolation to advance God’s kingdom.
(Photo, caption courtesy VOM USA)

“This is what persecuted Christians ask us in the free world to do for them: to pray,” Nettleton says.

“Just picture yourself suffering. Picture yourself in prison. How would you want people to pray? You’d want them to pray for God’s protection. Pray that you would be strengthened, that you would be able to endure another day.”

VOM USA is hosting a special 24 Hours of Prayer event across multiple social media platforms, sharing a new prayer request from persecuted Christians each hour. This year’s IDOP video features Bassam’s story of faith amid persecution.

“Bassam’s faithfulness in spite of so much loss and so much suffering [is eye-opening]. His willingness to say, ‘Yeah, they beat me up. Yeah, my wife kicked me out, but I will not stop talking about Jesus,” Nettleton says.

“As we pray for Christians like him, there’s a lot of inspiration for us as well.”

Prayer beyond Nov. 1

Churches can participate even if they cannot set aside time on November 1.

“Our hope here at Voice of the Martyrs is every single church in America praying for persecuted Christians on November 1, but that day is not sacred,” Nettleton says.

“Maybe your church has already planned that service, so you could do it on November 8. You could do it later in the month, but every church praying for persecuted Christians [is the goal].”

Download free digital resources from VOM USA here to help your church or small group pray more effectively for persecuted Christians.

 

Header image depicts Samir* and his family, a group of believers in Iraq. (Photo courtesy VOM USA)