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During the month of November, we encourage you to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ across the globe who are persecuted for their faith. Below are stories from India, Nepal and Nigeria. Please note, the names and identities of these individuals and families, as well as specific locations, have been omitted to provide additional protection and safety. Grieving from Terrorist Attack – Nigeria In an area of the Northeast Annual. Conference, a community noticed smoke rising nearby. As neighbors gathered to determine the cause, they saw people running and shouting, announcing that terrorists had launched an attack and were burning houses and murdering villagers. The submitter of this testimony was able to escape with a few others. “God spared our lives,” he said. More than 40 lives were lost. When the terrorists fled, the survivors returned to bury and mourn the loss of friends and family. “We see this as the work of the devil trying to wipe away Christian community in [our region] and other neighboring communities. We need your prayers, we need your encouragement that God shall come for our rescue to heal us from the trauma of the incident.” Pastor and Land Dispute – India A pastor in India is involved in a court case regarding property lines. His land has been encroached by villagers because he is a pastor involved in converting people to Christ. The pastor filed a court case and paid Rs. 25000/- to the advocate handling the case. The advocate belongs to a a fanatic Hindu group. The advocate shows willingness to solve the problem, but it is complicated. Two acres of land belongs to the pastor and the opponents have no proof to show otherwise. The pastor and the believers are of the firm belief that God will help him to get the land back. Join us in praying for this pastor, that his needs would be met and that the Lord was protect him from persecution. Lost Home – Nepal Residents in Nepal were recently expelled from their family home as a result of their Christian faith. They have since been living in great difficulty, without proper shelter and support. Their hardships have increased further due to the recent passing of a close family member, and the upcoming memorial service has left them in a very vulnerable emotional and social position. They urgently require assistance to sustain themselves and live with dignity. Faithfulness During Loss – Nepal A woman, a devoted follower of Christ, along with her husband and their children, have faced severe hardship due to their faith. They were forced to leave their home and are currently living in extremely insecure conditions in a buffalo shed. Despite extreme poverty, social discrimination, and lack of basic resources, the family continues to serve faithfully in their local church. Two of her children are actively involved in church ministries, including children’s and youth fellowship programs, and have completed one-month Bible school training. Another child is eager to pursue further Bible education. Support in the form of shelter, educational opportunities, or prayerful encouragement will not only help them survive but also enable them to continue serving the Lord with hope and dignity. Pastor Testimony – Northern Nigeria Thousands of terrorist attacks have occurred across northern Nigeria and the North Central region, also known as the Middle Belt. Entire communities have been wiped out by terrorists, with thousands of lives lost. These attacks have primarily targeted Christian communities. "Personally, I have survived multiple terrorist attacks, though I was never a victim myself, except for the brutal killings of my friend and my brother at the hands of these barbaric individuals," a pastor said. "I could write a documentary about many of the terrorist incidents and the communities affected in Nigeria." Be in prayer for Nigerian Global Methodists who are living in these vulnerable communities. -- November 2 is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). Join us in praying for these faithful Christians as they navigate these challenging situations. Learn more about the Global Methodist Church's participation in IDOP.

"A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria...But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went." - Acts 8: 1, 4 NLT The Global Methodist Church invites you and your church to join in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) on Sunday, November 2, 2025. This is a unique opportunity to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world as we lift our voices together. The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is a time each year set aside to pray for Christians who stand as bold witnesses in the world’s most difficult and dangerous places to follow Christ. During this time, we enter into fellowship with these brothers and sisters by praying for their families, their needs and their ministries. We encourage the GMC family to set aside Sunday, November 2 to observe IDOP corporately during worship services and individually during personal prayer. Many of those that live daily with persecution are found in the 10-40 window of the globe. This land area is between 10 and 40 degrees north latitude, stretching from West Africa to southeast Asia and includes the majority of the world’s population of Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. This is a part of the world where there is much poverty and difficulty in living day to day. Being a Christian here is dangerous, yet those who live here share their faith passionately with non-Christians knowing what it could cost them. More than 380 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith. 1 in 7 Christians are persecuted worldwide. 1 in 5 Christians are persecuted in Africa. 2 in 5 Christians are persecuted in Asia. More Christians were killed in the 20th century for their faith in Jesus Christ than in the first 19 centuries of the Church. Christians around the world are targeted for persecution more than any other religious group. Resources are available to help you and your church observe IDOP. Prayer guides, small group studies, sermon outlines, slides, bulletin inserts, videos and more are available at: Global Christian Relief https://globalchristianrelief.org/resources/idop-2025/ Open Doors USA https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/getinvolved/resources/idop-resources/ Voice of the Martyrs www.persecution.com/idop/ Join us in a prayer for the persecuted church: Gracious Lord, We thank You for our Christian brothers and sisters around the world who accept the risk of bearing witness to Your love and grace and of faithfully leading and teaching Your people in the world’s hardest places to be a Christian. May these Christian leaders, who are often the first targets of persecution, know the power of Your presence both in times of victory and in days of weariness and loneliness. Bring them reminders from Your Word and love from Your people to sustain them in their work and worship. As they bear the yoke of leadership in the church, we pray that they will experience the lightness of a yoke shared with You, and will find peace and refreshment as they rest in You. May their courage and faithfulness be a vivid example to the churches they lead and to the persecutors who seek to wound Your Church. Lord, through Your love and grace, encourage the hearts of these church leaders today, strengthening them in every good work and word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.