GFA: Pray for persecuted in India and '10/40 Window' on Nov. 4

A leading ministry focused on reaching the unreached people in Asia is urging Christians to pray for those persecuted in India and "10/40 Window" over the past 10 years.

With Nov. 4 being the annual International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP), Gospel for Asia (GFA) is asking churches to devote the entire worship time to prayer for the persecuted church individually, collectively and in small groups than making an announcement or spending a few moments in prayer.

The 10/40 Window is an area of the world that contains the largest population of non-Christians in the world. Eighty-five percent of those living in the 10/40 Window are the poorest of the world's poor.

For those who have not experienced persecution, understanding what it means to have their lives threatened, homes destroyed, rights violated and loved ones imprisoned, all because of embracing faith in Jesus Christ is difficult, says KP Yohannan, Gospel for Asia (GFA) founder and president.

"In the 14 countries we serve, persecution of this sort has become a normal way of life, especially for those directly involved in mission work," he noted.

"The increase of this kind of persecution should not be surprising where the Gospel is going forth in unfriendly world areas," said Yohannan. "Jesus sent His disciples out as sheep among wolves (Matt. 10). Historically and biblically, persecution is an anticipated part of serving God."

The biblical response of the church to persecution is immediate and urgent prayer. Believers in remote parts of the world who feel alone in their struggle are divinely strengthened and encouraged by the prayers of others to remain faithful in the face of extreme persecution, Yohannan said.

GFA is encouraging Christians to make International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church more than a "nod" to persecution. The ministry is urging people to fast as well as pray. Rather than waiting for Sunday's one-day emphasis, those who can take a day off work could be alone or together as a family in a full day of prayer.

To facilitate this prayer effort, GFA has prepared a free downloadable video for churches to view together on Nov. 4. The video and other print resources are available at www.gfa.org.

"Suffering is forced upon our brothers and sisters. To those of us not experiencing the normality of persecution, Jesus is asking that we participate willingly in their suffering and chains," said Yohannan. "Through our prayers, we can be agents of God's divine healing, hope and help."

Christians in more than 130 countries will join the international prayer event, which is supported by prominent evangelical organisations such as the World Evangelical Alliance, Open Doors, and International Christian Concern.

"IDOP gives us the privilege of joining together with over half a million churches to pray for the suffering church. It plays a vital role in encouraging and strengthening the persecuted church and also awakening churches in places where there is no persecution," Godfrey Yogarajah, Executive Director of The Religious Liberty Commission of World Evangelical Alliance wrote on the IDOP website.