"The rejection was painful, but I never abandoned my faith." Eight-year-old Aicha in Burkina Faso radiates the joy of Jesus. It shines through her, even as she has been beaten and discarded by her wider family. Meet Aicha: bit.ly/4zJTKR4

A letter to the church in the UK from Pastor Suleiman* of Nigeria The Bible says that if one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers with it (1 Corinthians 12:26). Since as Christians we are one body in Christ Jesus, please see our pain and suffering as your own pain and suffering. To empathise with us. To come together in solidarity. To speak for us. So many horrible things are going on, and unfortunately much of it is not being reported. Every week, a church is being burnt down in Nigeria. Every week. So many people are being killed every day. Families are grieving, people are displaced from their homes, communities are living with trauma and uncertainty. Yet so much of this suffering remains unseen by the rest of the world. Sometimes it feels as though our pain is happening in silence. That is why I am asking you to not look away. It is always good to pray – we need your prayers. But it is also good to stand with us and to speak for us. To help ensure that what is happening to our brothers and sisters is not ignored. To contribute to sheltering those who have been displaced. To help provide trauma counselling and care for those who have been affected. When one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers with it. This is not only our burden to carry. We are one body in Christ Jesus. Please see our suffering. Please remember us. Please stand with us. Thank you, my friends. *Name changed for security reasons #ariseafrica #trendingthe12

When Aicha in Burkina Faso became a Christian, her relatives reacted violently. “My uncles used to beat me because of my faith,” she says. She was only eight years old. Her parents later became Christians too, and now the whole family face rejection and financial hardship. When Open Doors local partners heard about their situation, they came alongside them to provide food and medical support. “Our whole family is so glad today, thanks to the support that gave us hope and made us more confident for standing firm in our faith,” Aicha says. Meet Aicha: bit.ly/4stFb1Y

Please pray – nine Christians have been killed and 34 injured in a shooting at a church in Jordan. The incident happened during a funeral service at St George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Hmoud village, Karak governorate, last Friday (23 October). The authorities have since arrested three armed men. Further details, including motive, are yet to emerge. On Sunday, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, visited some of those injured. He also led the funeral at St George’s for eight of the victims, which was attended by thousands. Jordan is number 49 on the World Watch List. While there is a relatively high amount of religious freedom in the country, Christians can still encounter hostility from extremists groups, families and communities, and the authorities. Please pray - For the families and loved ones of those killed, asking God to comfort them in their grief, and for complete recovery for those injured - For the local Orthodox Christian community and church leaders as they support families and respond to the tragedy - For the safety of Christians and all communities in the area, for wisdom and diligence among authorities investigating the shooting, and for those responsible to be identified and brought to justice. Read more: bit.ly/47FKDoM

"May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion." (Psalm 20:1-2) #VerseOfTheDay These words from Psalm 20 have become a source of strength for Amelia* as she faces the difficult circumstances of life in Cuba. During a visit by Open Doors local partners, Amelia read this Psalm and shared how much these times of fellowship and visits strengthen Christians in this nation. In the midst of shortages, economic hardship and uncertainty, she has found comfort in these words and hopes they will bring the same strength and encouragement to other believers.

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'" (Romans 10:14-15) #VerseOfTheDay

"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'" (Daniel 3:16-18) #VerseOfTheDay

"A person finds joy in giving an apt reply – and how good is a timely word!" (Proverbs 15:23) #VerseOfTheDay

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." (2 Peter 1:3) #VerseOfTheDay

Get your International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church Prayer Pack! Mark the annual event at your church on 1 November with our free resource. It includes prayer cards, presentation, videos and a children's activity sheet. Order today: bit.ly/46lDpqg

Christians affected by brutal violence in Nigeria last year are starting to heal, thanks to your generosity. In June 2025, radicalised Fulani militants attacked the Christian village of Yelwata, Benue State, killing hundreds and displacing thousands. With your support, Open Doors local partners have provided emergency relief aid to many displaced Christians, as well as trauma care. “I was so bitter, and with the rage I used to feel inside, I would hurt others without even knowing,” Mary says (not pictured). “I always thought God had treated me badly. But after the trauma care programme, all the bitterness, anger and overthinking faded away. I finally found peace. “I truly see God’s hand upon my family. Without Him, we wouldn’t have survived. He continues to provide for us and protect us every day.” Please pray - Praise God for this life-giving provision of physical, emotional and spiritual support - That all those affected by last year’s attack will continue to heal, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide and encourage each one in the days and weeks ahead - For the effectiveness and growth of all projects run by local partners in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa. opendoorsuk.org/news/nigeria…

“I baptise you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire." (Matthew 3:11) #VerseOfTheDay

In really good news from India, plans to introduce an anti-conversion law in the state of Goa have been shelved. However, there are concerns that it could still be implemented in the future. If pushed through, Goa would have been the 14th state to introduce an anti-conversion law, with a version that was possibly among the harshest in the country. A major issue is whether such legislation is really needed in Goa, with evidence showing no widespread or systematic practice of forced religious conversion in the state. "Introducing a new law with wide and possibly severe clauses could result in fear, suspicion and harassment of minority religious groups, pastors, leaders and ordinary citizens," says Open Doors local partner 'Anita Patil'. Please pray - Give thanks that the Bill has been shelved - That voices against the Bill will remain strong to ensure it’s not revived in future - Against the misuse of anti-conversion laws in India. opendoorsuk.org/news/latest-…

"David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: 'The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation.'" (2 Samuel 22:1-3) #VerseOfTheDay

Good news from Iran – Hannah Gholami has been released from prison! The 36-year-old convert begun a two-year sentence for involvement in a house church in November 2025. Earlier this year, she spent four months outside of prison for medical reasons. In August, she was told the remainder of her sentence could be served outside of jail, by reporting daily to work at a government-run factory. However, earlier this month, Hannah was pardoned as part of a general amnesty of prisoners and released from her sentence. Praise God for Hannah’s release and protection, and please pray for her complete healing and restoration. Source: Article 18

Please pray – Christians in DRC and Nigeria are suffering the ongoing effects of extremist violence that is upturning communities and displacing hundreds “On Tuesday 6 October 2026, the ADF burned a vehicle and took a resident hostage, although the person later managed to escape,” shares Pastor Kasereka Biloko of a Baptist Church in Mambasa, DRC. Tragically, this kind of story is not unusual for believers in the DRC, and it is only the latest attack in the Mambasa area after months of intensifying insecurity. Entire villages are being displaced, believers driven further into poverty and families robbed of their loved ones. Over in Nigeria, the situation is similarly grave. Most recently, a village was made the target of a violent attack by radicalised Fulani militants. “At least nine bodies have been recovered so far from Biliji and neighbouring villages,” shares a local Open Doors partner. “However, several residents remain unaccounted for, raising fears that the death toll could rise as search-and-rescue efforts continue in the surrounding bushes.” The violence is only worsening, and our brothers and sisters urgently need your prayers. Please pray - For the healing and comfort of all believers traumatised by these attacks - That the Lord would provide refuge, food and water to all those displaced, and enable families to bury their loved ones properly - For the attackers to meet the Lord and turn from their violence, and for justice and restoration for all affected by extremist violence across sub-Saharan Africa.opendoorsuk.org/news/latest-…

"May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14) #VerseOfTheDay

'Ernesto' in Mozambique faced terrible persecution that left him physically scarred and financially bereft. Thanks to the help and prayers of Open Doors supporters, he has a home, a business and new hope for the future. youtube.com/watch?v=JB9rQmQR…

"Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you." (2 Corinthians 13:11) #VerseOfTheDay