On 6 and 19 November, millions of Christians around the world will unite in prayer for the persecuted church. Approximately 100 million Christians globally face persecution daily. They face routine harassment and often suffer in silence and isolation. Over the years, the IDOP has been a platform to highlight their stories, advocate their plight, and encourage prayer; this brings solidarity and encouragement to persecuted Christians by reminding them that they are part of a larger, global family of believers. We can join millions this Sunday and again on the 19th, and ask the God of the nations to strengthen and deliver His suffering saints. Today we can pray for even more people this year to hear about this initiative, and for those in sorrow to experience triumph in the face of the enemy. Pray that in spite of persecution, wherever they are in the world, our brothers and sisters in Christ will be strong in their faith, holding on to God and His promises.

The Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, flagship of the Russian fleet, entered the Mediterranean last weekend, with a long stream of media interest. It is a symbol of Russia’s intention to influence events in Syria, with its land-based aircraft already there. Between 8 November and 20 January, there is a danger that power in Washington will be at a standstill. It is the time between the next presidential election and his/her inauguration. Key international decisions will not be made during that period. If the US administration changes, its non-interventionist policy may also change. Hillary Clinton supports a no-fly zone over Syria. Donald Trump has many friendly contacts in Russia. We can pray for Russia to resist the temptation to take advantage of America’s season of change, and not to act more aggressively in the region of Aleppo. If the next American president decides to act more forcefully, they could deploy an aircraft carrier to the region within a few days.

23% of the world’s population cannot exercise their most basic rights of expressing views, assembling peacefully or organising meetings independently. Citizens who assert their rights suffer harassment and imprisonment, and are subjected to physical or psychological abuse. In Belarus, President Lukashenko is Europe's last dictator, showing no sign of bowing to Western pressure to relax his grip on the country. Chechnya: former rebel Ramzan Kadyrov heads the Republic and is personally implicated in instances of torture and murdering those opposed to him. In China, human rights activists face imprisonment, detention, torture, commitment to psychiatric facilities, house arrest, and intimidation. Cuba’s government represses individuals and groups who criticise them or call for basic human rights. Other countries which are ruled by force or laws that put unreasonable limits on people’s freedom are Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Laos, Libya, Myanmar, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tibet, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Western Sahara, and Zimbabwe. In almost all of these countries Christians are persecuted, and are often treated worse than any other citizens.

Our American brothers and sisters in Christ are praying for the coming election next Tuesday. Since early voting started last month, there has been a prayer surge through National Prayer Conference Calling, partnering with Christ for Revival. There have been weekly Saturday morning joint prayer meetings across the USA, with the heart of John 17:20-23. Intercessors across America have been making three-hour national conference call prayers in advance of Election Day. We can also cover this election in prayer, interceding for the election of President, members of Congress, the Senate and other elected officials. The apostle Paul linked these prayers to the peace of a nation, ‘that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness’. See also

Against all financial and economic logic, the Zimbabwean government is about to introduce bond notes into the financial system. Many believe this will wreak havoc with the economy, and that the poor and downtrodden will suffer. Zimbabwe imports 75% of all industrial, manufacturing, agricultural and food requirements. The governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, in his monetary statement published a few days ago, admitted that the state of the country’s financial health is very depressing and disturbing; he stated that it has less than one month’s import cover by way of foreign currency reserves. It will take many, many years before Zimbabwe will be able to re-introduce its own currency. He said, ‘Our national financial situation is dire’. The staple food is maize meal. To import it and other essential goods, hard currency is needed. Bond notes are not hard currency. Some Zimbabwean business-people have decided to take legal action against the introduction of bond notes.

Operation ‘liberate Mosul’ has freed many districts and villages of Nineveh province. People are praying for unity in Iraq in a post-IS era. For the Christian minority residing there, a majority in some areas, the future is uncertain. People are asking whether Christians can survive there, in view of what has happened in neighbouring countries such as Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. That is why some are calling for an autonomous region in the Nineveh plain, traditionally an area where people of different minority faiths have lived in coexistence. The emphasis is on the fate of Iraqi Christians. It is their homeland, and they are not only an indigenous group in the area but one of the oldest - living continuously on their land.

One correspondent writes: ‘Seleka rebels have changed the course of CAR’s history, through sheer barbarity. Many people expected UN forces to put an end to the suffering, since there is no longer a national army to provide security, but there have been incidents where UN soldiers opened fire on protesters. Our part of town was deserted last night, everyone having fled. It's like being in a battlefield, with sustained gunfire and rockets exploding all around. In one district, there have been clashes between different factions of the Seleka, with leaders killing each other. It's like a story in the Bible where God caused the enemies of Israel to turn their swords against each other. But we do not despair! A number of teaching and training sessions have been held recently in different places, to strengthen the church. The latest was attended by hundreds of church leaders, Christian workers and government authorities. International speakers provided input. The work of rebuilding the CAR church on new spiritual foundations continues.’

Where is the greatest church growth today? In Iran. Even though Open Doors USA includes it in the top ten hardest countries to be a believer, last year Iran saw a 19.6% increase in the number of Christians, more than any other country. Authorities are working hard to eliminate Christianity, particularly Muslim conversions, and most registered churches are closed. But Iran house churches are growing the fastest. Iranian Christians say the greatest missionary there, the greatest evangelist they’ve had, was the Ayatollah Khomeini. When he took power he converted Iran to the Islamic Republic saying, ‘We’re going to run our country according to the Qu’ran.’ More than thirty years later Iranians are rejecting Islam precisely because of that philosophy. However, we need to pray for protection and comfort for Christians in prison for their faith, and for the deep hunger for the Bible to continue.

A missionary writes, ‘During a prayer seminar in one Christian church about 300 people attended. It poured with rain all day, and with it God’s spirit really descended. They were challenged to begin 24/7 prayer. They now have prayer each evening from six until midnight, many early morning prayer meetings, 24/7 prayer one day a week and once a month three days devoted to 24/7 prayer. There was training for children and now their prayer groups are expanding into other villages. They had built a church to house 350 people. Now they have outgrown the church and have a congregation of 1500. They are debating if they can get the money to buy adjacent land for expansion. God is at work; miracles are taking place; people are being healed; evil spirits are being driven out. Many converts are from the majority community who now put their trust in Jesus Christ.’

A missionary writes, ‘During a prayer seminar in one Christian church about 300 people attended. It poured with rain all day, and with it God’s spirit really descended. They were challenged to begin 24/7 prayer. They now have prayer each evening from six until midnight, many early morning prayer meetings, 24/7 prayer one day a week and once a month three days devoted to 24/7 prayer. There was training for children and now their prayer groups are expanding into other villages. They had built a church to house 350 people. Now they have outgrown the church and have a congregation of 1500. They are debating if they can get the money to buy adjacent land for expansion. God is at work; miracles are taking place; people are being healed; evil spirits are being driven out. Many converts are from the majority community who now put their trust in Jesus Christ.’