Charities across the UK are urging Christians to join in prayer for the persecuted Church later this month.

The International Day of Prayer comes after a year when more than 7,000 people have been killed for reasons related to their faith.

Special advice on how to pray has been put together by the Evangelical Alliance, Open Doors, Release International and Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

Release International is inviting churches to stand with the church in Sri Lanka by dedicating their Sunday service on November 20 to pray for persecuted Christians in that country.

The charity reports: "The church in Sri Lanka, which is rarely on the agenda of Christians in the UK, is under pressure as local authorities use a 2008 government circular to target churches and intimidate pastors."

On November 20 the charity will launch a petition calling for the withdrawal of this circular by the government in Colombo.

"Please use your church service on November 20 to collect as many signatures as possible from your Christian family. And let's pray for the petition's success so that churches in Sri Lanka can continue to be bold and shine the truth of the gospel into their local communities," says Release International.

In separate resources pack, the charity Open Doors, which compiles the annual World Watch List of countries that persecute Christians, says: "Islamic extremists are intent on eradicating the church in the Middle East, but many courageous Christians are determined to stay and serve their communities. They're crying out to us - their global church family - for support."

One church leader working with displaced families in Iraq said: "We need prayer, every day. When we see pictures of ISIS on the television, we're afraid. When we hear that ISIS has been driven back, we regain hope. Every day our feelings change. So please pray for us every day."

Christian Solidarity Worldwide quotes Archbishop Ben Kwashi of Jos, Nigeria: "One thing I can bring to you is the voices of those who are saying thank you for praying for us. We have survived and will survive on the wings of prayers from those around the world whom we may never know until we meet at the feet of Jesus."

Paul Robinson, chief executive at Release International, said: "We thank God that the gospel is bearing fruit around the world, but it is coming at a high cost for many of our brothers and sisters.

"They often choose to pay the price even with their lives, knowing their sacrifice will help to grow the Kingdom of God, but they need our help and prayers to do so. That is our responsibility and one we must take seriously."

Mervyn Thomas, chief executive of CSW said: "We're passionate about prayer; it's the foundation on which the rest of our work is built. We've been so privileged to see some incredible answers to prayer: from nation-changing developments through our work at the UN, to the release of prisoners, and everything in-between.

"At the same time, there are still many prayers we're yet to see answered. That's why, together with the other members of the RLC, we're calling for an outpouring of prayer for the persecuted Church this November.

"We know that our prayers have the power to change the course of history."