Prayer for Contemporary Martyrs’ Day – 15 February 2026

Prayerful solidarity with victims of religious persecution on Contemporary Martyrs’ Day

Since the 15th February was designated by the Coptic Orthodox Church as Contemporary Martyrs’ Day this commemoration has provided an important occasion for ecumenical prayer, dialogue and witness in solidarity with the persecuted Church, and for advocacy for Freedom of Religion or Belief for all and an end to religiously-motivated persecution.

Inspired by the martyrdom of 20 Coptic Orthodox Christians, together with their Ghanaian friend, at the hands of ISIS in Egypt in 2015, Contemporary Martyrs’ Day has been embraced by Christians of different traditions and nationalities as a moment of prayerful engagement with the theme of religious persecution and an expression of our concern for all those who suffer as a result of this violence.

This is an important area of work for CTBI and one that is very close to the hearts of our members. Throughout the year we will be returning to this theme in partnership with member churches and faith-based organisations working in this area.

Let us pray:

God of justice and God of love,
Hear your people
Who cry daily for peace, safety and security.
May the solidarity of your eternal presence
be close to those who suffer because of their faith in you.
May the strength and comfort of your grace
surround those who fear for their lives.
Give hope and home
to all who flee their homes because their discipleship
makes them targets of violence.
And strengthen us in our faith
that we may show our solidarity
to our sisters and brothers in Christ
and who suffer for their faith.
This we ask in the name of Christ
who was condemned, suffered and died
that we might all have life in its fullness.
Amen.