"Pray for us." That's the request of persecuted Christians around the globe.

 This Sunday Canadians will join to do just that in churches across the country.

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is an annual day meant to urge "churches and groups around the world take time to remember to pray for Christians who are suffering persecution globally," IDOP Canada says.

The IDOP Canada says that around the world there are 200 million Christians that face persecution for their faith.

The theme of this year's day of prayer is from Romans 8:31-32:

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (NIV)

IDOP Canada also suggests that Christians here in Canada can take action by contacting Citizenship and Immigration Canada to find out more about refugee sponsorship.