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Bishop Jude Arogundade of Ondo, Nigeria, visits a victim of an attack on St. Francis Xavier Church in Owo on Pentecost Sunday June 5, 2022. At least 40 people were killed and scores more injured by bullets and explosives used by several gunman in the attack. Victims ranged in age from 2 to 85.
OSV News photo/courtesy Aid to the Church in Need
October 29, 2024
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Christians from around the world are called to "Remember Her" on Nov. 3 as this year’s International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church focuses on the impact of religious persecution on women and girls.
Observed each year on the first Sunday of November within the liturgical period of Allhallowtide, the Intentional Day of Prayer (IDOP) marks a time to remember, support and pray for Christians experiencing religious persecution and hardship.
Open Doors Canada, an organization that works in over 70 countries to support Christians who suffer because of their faith, is one of many partner organizations for the initiative.
Open Door’s Gender Specific Religious Persecution Report from 2024 reveals the complex, hidden and violent oppression many Christian women face across the globe.
For Christian women, incidents of violence are high in Nigeria, Egypt and Afghanistan, with stories of abuse, abandonment from family and even death being shared through first-hand accounts collected by Open Doors staff working in the field. One entry tells the story of a woman named Mary from Nigeria.
“My village in Nigeria was attacked by Fulani militants. Perhaps because I am a young woman, that day, they kidnapped me. They said if we didn’t go with them, they would kill us. They beat us as we walked. Some nights, I was forced into the militants’ beds. Eventually, they released us. But the pain wasn't over. I couldn’t be around people. I couldn’t sleep. The pain wouldn’t end,” her account read.
“This focus on women and their struggles is about bringing them to light. Unfortunately, we hear stories like these far too often,” Amaya said. “Still, we need to recognize and pray for women living faithfully and who refuse to stop following the Lord.”
Overall, the 2024 World Watch List indicates upwards of 365 million Christians in more than 70 countries face high levels of discrimination, with 4,998 Christians murdered last year, a rate of 13 people each day. Open Doors ranks North Korea, Somalia and Libya as three most dangerous places for Christians.
“While we are not sure exactly why persecution is increasing, it is increasing not only in the number of believers being affected but also in the severity of the persecution. Every year we are seeing higher levels of mistreatment,” said Christelle Amaya, the advocacy and engagement officer at Open Doors Canada.
To mark the Day of Prayer, Open Doors Canada along with IDOP Canada partners are hosting an online event where Canadians across the country can join together in prayer. The stream will be available on Open Doors Canada’s YouTube channel at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 (youtube.com/watch?v=7EG4VeZEP28).
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