Pray for the Persecuted Church — Acts 12:1–25
Oct 31, 2026 8
James was killed. Peter was imprisoned. Herod used his power against the church. Acts 12 calls us to pray for the persecuted church today.
Acts 12:1–5
[1] About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. [2] He killed James the brother of John with the sword, [3] and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. [4] And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. [5] So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. (ESV)
Herod killed James and arrested Peter, guarded by four squads of soldiers (Acts 12:1–4). The church prayed earnestly (Acts 12:5), and God sent an angel to free Peter (Acts 12:5–17). After Peter escaped, Herod ordered the guards put to death (Acts 12:18–19). Then Herod himself died, but the word of God continued to increase and multiply (Acts 12:20–24).
Acts 12 doesn’t promise that every believer will be rescued from persecution. James died, while Peter was released. But it does show us a church that brings its persecuted brothers and sisters to God in prayer.
[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
Open Doors Australia shares this account from a Sudanese church leader: “My house is burnt and everything we had is completely gone. Even the church is burnt.” Open Doors reports that Christians in Sudan face severe crisis and displacement amid the civil war.
Open Doors Australia’s Sudan prayer points invite us to pray:
- For God to protect believers forced to flee or who have no choice but to stay.
- For a peaceful resolution to the war, and for the church to be peacemakers.
- For the future of the church in Sudan, and wisdom for its leaders.
This Sunday, 1 November, is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.
Pray with your church this Sunday, and keep praying throughout the year.
Follow Open Doors Australia’s prayer updates. You can also sign Open Doors’ petition calling for an end to violence against Christians across Sub-Saharan Africa.
If you’re outside Australia, visit Open Doors International to connect with your national office.
The Good News is…
Jesus also faced violent opposition. He was killed, but God raised him, and he is alive. His gospel cannot be stopped. So we pray for our brothers and sisters: that God would protect them, help them remain faithful, and make Christ known through their witness.
Like and share so others can see Jesus clearly.
Further reading: Acts 12:1–25
Reflection
Take a few minutes to pray for believers in Sudan, using the Open Doors prayer points above.
Rev. Dave Miers
President, Good News Unlimited
Open Doors Australia lists this year’s International Day of Prayer on Sunday, 1 November, and provides the Sudan prayer points and petition details used above. opendoors.org.au