International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

On Sunday, Christians globally came together for the annual International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, focusing their prayers on believers facing persecution due to their faith. Todd Nettleton, vice president of Voices of the Martyrs and a radio host, underscored the necessity of empathizing with those who are suffering.

“It’s crucial to imagine ourselves in their situation,” Nettleton stated. In Hebrews 13:3, it says, “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them, and remember those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”

“If I were in prison, I’d like to know that there are people praying for me and caring for my family,” he continued. “And I’d want awareness raised, saying, ‘This person isn’t a criminal. They should be released.'”

Nettleton shared experiences from his recent trip to Asia, where he met Christians from countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. He recounted the story of an Indian pastor who had spent four months in jail, someone he met earlier during a trip with the organization’s mission team aimed at supporting persecuted Christians.

“Initially, the pastor was optimistic and felt God’s presence,” Nettleton recalled. “Remarkably, he ended up next to a Muslim inmate who defended him against other prisoners, saying, ‘Leave him alone.’ It felt like a divine intervention, and he was thrilled by what God was doing.”

However, during his time in prison, the pastor struggled with isolation from his family and the harsh conditions, even praying for fellow pastors to join him in detention.

“Another pastor was assigned to the bed across from him,” Nettleton recounted. “They were the only two Christians in that facility. The newcomer reassured him, ‘Keep your faith; God will see you through,’ which bolstered his resolve to endure his suffering with faith.”

According to Nettleton, the experiences of these two pastors, both of whom have since been released, emphasize the value of community and fellowship.

“Going through hardships—whether it’s persecution, illness, or job loss—reinforces how vital it is to maintain connections with other believers,” he mentioned.

He also shared a powerful narrative from India, highlighting miraculous occurrences attributed to God’s intervention. “When you witness God’s power, it really drives you to follow Jesus wholeheartedly,” he said.

As noted in the 2025 Open Doors World Watch List, India ranks as the 11th most dangerous country for Christians. There is a prevalent Hindutva ideology in the country which advocates that all Indians should be Hindus.