International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church 2026
STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH IN THE MIDDLE EAST
REVELATION 3:2
“STRENGTHEN WHAT REMAINS.”
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Emmanuel, God with us.
You saw us in our need, you loved, and you came to bear our burdens.
Help us to look upon the needs of our brothers and sisters and not turn away.
Help us to love, so we can bear their burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Amen
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HANAN
ELIAS
MEET ELIAS
AND HANAN,�FROM SYRIA
This is their story…
Millions of Christians have left the region since 2000
In Iraq, 1.3 million believers have fled since 2003
In Syria, 1.5 million believers have fled since 2011
KEY
Extreme levels of persecution
Very high levels of persecution
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“A CHURCH DEPRIVED OF ITS YOUTH�IS A CHURCH WITHOUT A FUTURE.”
FATHER BASHAR LAHAM, SYRIA
Fida, Iraq
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RESPOND TO FATHER BASHAR. SAY TOGETHER:
We join with our brothers and sisters�in Syria in prayer.�
Give us – together – today our daily bread.
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RESPOND TO SAHAR AND MARYAM. SAY TOGETHER:
Our prayer is from Romans 15:13.�
“May the God of hope fill every Christian in Iran with all joy and peace as they trust in Him, so they may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
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RESPOND TO IRANIAN CHURCH LEADER, MOUSA. SAY TOGETHER:
Breathe your breath in these dry bones, Lord, and call them to life, that the people of Iran may know that you are Lord.
Representative image
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RESPOND TO HANAN. SAY TOGETHER:
Lord, keep your people in safety,�so they and their children may indeed live beautiful lives for you.
We pray also for their deep inner healing from every trauma of�the attack.
RESPOND TO ELIAS. SAY TOGETHER:
Father, chase away this cloud of darkness. Be glorified among your people�in Syria.
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RESPOND TO ELIAS. SAY TOGETHER:
Father, when one part of the body suffers, all suffer.
Today we stand with our brothers and sisters in Syria and across the Middle East.
Today, we feel their pain.
Tomorrow, as the memory fades, help us to continue to watch and pray.
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RESPOND TO HANAN. SAY TOGETHER:
Lord, we bind our suffering brothers and sisters to our hearts. We will remember them.
COULD YOU DO MORE THAN PRAY?
Give to strengthen the church in the Middle East.
Go to the Open Doors website:
https://www.opendoors.org.hk/en-US/