The Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) has invited churches, Christian organisations and individuals across the country to observe the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) on 1 and 8 November 2026. The fellowship has asked believers to set aside time on these Sundays to pray for Christians who suffer because of their faith, both in India and around the world.
EFI is the national alliance of evangelical churches, denominations and Christian organisations in India, and is a charter member of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), a global body representing evangelical Christians. The WEA started IDOP, and for more than three decades it has brought churches across the world together in prayer every November. EFI promotes the observance in India.
In a letter dated 19 October 2026, Rev. Vijayesh Lal, General Secretary of EFI, set the tone for this year’s observance with a passage from the Bible: “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings … In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:10-12)
The letter states that the verses remind Christians that following Christ calls for faith, patience, love and endurance, even in the face of persecution and suffering.
EFI described persecution as a painful reality for millions of Christians who face threats, violence, discrimination, imprisonment and restrictions on religious freedom. Citing some estimates, the letter said the number of Christians facing persecution could be as high as 380 million, or roughly one in seven Christians worldwide. According to EFI, persecution is worsening in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Latin America and even parts of the West.
Turning to India, the fellowship said Christians in the country have, over the years, lost lives and livelihoods and suffered damage to property. Many have spent time in prison, the letter noted, as hostility toward missionaries, pastors, priests and ordinary believers has grown.
EFI’s Religious Liberty Commission had documented close to 435 incidents of violence and hate crimes against Christians in the country as of 15 October 2026. These include threats, disrupted prayer meetings, physical assaults, social boycotts, and arrests on charges EFI says were false. In the Indian context, a social boycott usually means a community cuts off a family or group from shared resources, trade, employment or village life, often to pressure them into giving up their faith.
“Behind the 435 incidents our Religious Liberty Commission has recorded so far are real people: believers who have been threatened, falsely accused, beaten or jailed, and congregations whose prayer meetings have been disrupted,” Rev. Lal told Chrisitan Today India. “Yet they remain steadfast in their devotion to Christ. IDOP gives the Church in India and around the world an opportunity to remember them, pray with them and stand with them.”
Christians make up a small minority in India, a country of over 1.4 billion people where Hindus form the majority.
“EFI appeals to churches, organisations, and individuals across India to organise special IDOP services dedicated to praying for the persecuted Church on 1st and 8th November 2026, at their convenience,” the letter said. EFI encouraged congregations to use the occasion to pray, make others aware of what persecuted believers endure, and show solidarity with them. It urged churches, house groups, fellowships and organisations to take part.
“We believe that as we pray together, we stand with our brothers and sisters who are suffering for their faith and remind them that they are not alone,” Rev. Lal wrote.
Along with the appeal, EFI released a list of 17 prayer points. They ask Christians to pray for religious freedom worldwide, so that all people may practise, profess and share their faith freely, and for world leaders to take decisive action against the persecution of Christians. Other points call for strong and resilient churches, for God’s comfort upon those who suffer, and for justice, early release and restoration for those imprisoned for their faith.
Several prayer points focus on the inner life of persecuted believers. They ask that those who suffer may find strength to forgive and love their persecutors, remain joyful despite hardship, and grow in spiritual maturity and boldness. The list also includes prayers for the families of persecuted Christians, for organisations and individuals who support them, and for the oppressors themselves, that God may open their eyes to His love.
The final points call for unity among Christians of all denominations in supporting the persecuted Church, peace and reconciliation in regions where religious conflict is common, and wisdom for the international community as it responds to religious persecution.
EFI has made posters and pamphlets available on its website and Facebook page to help local churches create awareness and organise prayer. It also offers monthly prayer calendars to help Christians pray for the persecuted Church.
The fellowship said it would be honoured to send a representative to IDOP observances on request. It also invited churches and groups to share reports, testimonies and photographs of how they observed the day, saying such stories could encourage others across India to join in prayer.
In addition, EFI invited those who wish to back its work of assistance and advocacy for Christians affected by persecution in India to consider partnering with it financially.
“We encourage you to unite in prayer and strengthen the suffering Church,” Rev. Lal wrote.
