By Open Doors SA
Open Doors’ International Days of Prayer (IDOP) is a global movement of intercessory prayer for the persecuted Church. From the 1st until the 8th of November 2015, Open Doors, and Christians around the world, will unite in prayer for the persecuted Church worldwide, with a special focus on the secret Church this year.
Millions of believers around the world meet in secret, pray in silence and worship undercover – because following Jesus in their societies hostile to Christianity, could lead to violence, imprisonment or even death. If we were to go to Brother Ugyen’s* underground church in Nepal, we would make our way to a house under the cover of darkness. We would go up the creaking steps and give three knocks on the door. The grey-haired doorkeeper would peek out, and as he recognises us, he’d bow with hands clasped together and say, “Jaimashi” – a Nepali expression meaning “Praise the Lord”. Inside, songs would quietly be sung, the Bible would be studied and a meal would be shared. This secret church meets every Thursday, but only once a year in this house. They change houses every week. This is a church which is always on the move…
During our International Days of Prayer (IDOP) from the 1st to the 8th of November 2015, we would like to invite you to experience something of what it is like to be a fellow member of Brother Ugyen’s church by praying and worshipping as secret believers do.
Brother Andrew, founder of Open Doors, said the following about prayer: “Our prayers can go where we cannot… there are no borders, no prison walls, no doors that are closed to us when we pray.” A few ways in which you can participate in IDOP 2015 are to:
- Hold a secret Church Bible study, or find a secret Church venue. You can also participate in secret Church communion, worship and pray the secret Church way, and take a secret Church selfie. Make use of our free Enter the World of the Secret Church resource.
- Download the November Prayer Force Alert and pray for the persecuted Church during your personal time of devotion.
- Invite an Open Doors representative to come and share testimonies of how our persecuted brothers and sisters are standing strong in the storms of persecution at your next Sunday meeting.
For more ways in which you can take a stand for the persecuted Church or to download the IDOP resources, visit www.opendoors.org.za. You can also contact 011 888 9341 or southafrica@od.org for more information.