Persecution & Prayer Alert

"For the Lord loves justice;
He will not forsake His saints…."
~ Psalm 37:28 ESV

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
November 2nd, 2025

Each year, churches around the world set aside a specific day to pray for our Christian brothers and sisters who are encountering persecution for their faith. This year, the designated date is Sunday, November 2nd, and the selected theme is United in Prayer. We encourage you to join along with thousands of other believers that day by prayerfully raising your voice to God – either individually or corporately with the members of your church or prayer group.

For more information, and/or to download free resources that will help increase awareness of the prayer needs represented by our persecuted family in Christ, visit IDOP.ca.

Believe AND Follow


Photo: "Do you Believe?"

I met my husband when I was 15. His parents, Klaas and Nellie Brobbel, are the founders of The Voice of the Martyrs Canada. This mission and ministry to the persecuted church have been an integral part of our lives together.

Truthfully, though mission-minded and verbally saying to the Lord, "Here I am, send me!" I pretty much ran from VOM in the beginning. The cost faced by those in hostile countries was frightening and, at times, gruesome. I wanted Jesus on my terms. He was welcome to inspire me, even interfering in my life -- to a point. 

I came to realize that making a decision about Jesus is not the same as following Him. We need to both believe and follow. These two are the air and water of faith...one is meaningless without the other. It seems to me the North American church has put the "lion’s share" emphasis on convincing people to believe, without clearly calling them to follow. 

Our main speakers for the September East Coast receptions hail from Iran -- modern-day Persia -- the land of Esther. It is a land rich with history; a history that has repeatedly pressed God’s people to choose between simply believing, and actually following. Come and be reminded, motivated, and moved to follow God using all that He has given you, For Such a Time as This.

By Vanessa Brobbel