The Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) and the National Alliance and Central Network of Evangelicals in India called on the Christian community to observe the Nov 24 as the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). “An estimated 100 million Christians face persecution daily in the world today. In India according to the database kept by the Religious Liberty Commission of EFI, this year itself, over 250 instances of hate crimes and violence have taken place against Christians till the last October,” said Reverend Vijayesh Lal, EFI general secretary.

“Let us stand in solidarity and prayer with our persecuted family. Let us join our sisters and brothers worldwide in praying together,” he said. India, rich in its diversity of religions, languages and cultures, faces several incidences of persecution. Reverend David Fernandes from Commission Church Mumbai, said, “Pray that the Lord will comfort, protect and guide persecuted Christians and others and the Church would remain strong even amid all the persecution and opposition. That there will be a decrease in anti-Christian and anti-minority violence in India and we will respond in love towards our persecutors. Pray that the constitutional guarantees will remain.”