Prayer Diary: January - April 2019

40 years of standing against injustice

prayer diary

Giulio Paletta/CSW

January-April 2019

Welcome

Your prayers are needed for Nigeria.

Week 1: 13-19 January

WELCOME TO A VERY SPECIAL ISSUE OF THE PRAYER DIARY, AS CSW MARKS ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2019.

I am amazed and delighted, when I look back over the decades, to see how far the Lord has brought us. The calling on us as an organisation remains strong – as we always have, we will continue to go forth and seek to bring freedom to those who are enduring harassment, discrimination, torture or worse, simply because of their beliefs. And as we always have, we will continue to be an organisation led by and underpinned by prayer.

I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to those of you who have been supporting us in prayer and action since the beginning, as well as to those who have joined us more recently. At our daily staff prayer meetings we often thank God for the courage and commitment of our supporters, and as we look forward to the next 40 years, I know that we cannot do it without your faithful, prayerful support.

As Samuel said when the Lord protected and guided the Israelites, ‘Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.’ (1 Samuel 7:12) I trust and pray that the Lord will continue to help us, to make the way straight before us, to open the doors in the UK Parliament and at the UN and the EU, and with all the governments of the countries we work on around the world. With your prayers behind us, nothing is impossible.

Mervyn Thomas Founder and Chief Executive

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‘We have become prey and sport. We have become like the northern Kingdom of Israel in the hands of the Assyrians…

And yet I will hope in the Lord.’ These words were spoken by Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi, Anglican Archbishop of Jos, following an outbreak of violence last autumn in Plateau State.

It began when gunmen attacked and killed 14 Christians in a suburb of the capital, Jos. Some youth reportedly killed a Muslim youth in retaliation; five non-Muslims were killed in further retaliation. Meanwhile, we’re approaching the one-year anniversary of the abduction of Leah Sharibu from her school in Dapchi in February 2018, along with 109 of her classmates.

Leah, the only Christian, refused to convert in exchange for her freedom; she remains in captivity along with Alice Ngaddah, a Christian nurse abducted a month later.

and that the defeated candidate would concede peacefully.

Thursday 17 January Pray today for renewed strength for Leah as she approaches one year in captivity. Her courage in the face of this ordeal is truly extraordinary. Pray for Leah and Alice’s safety and release, and for comfort for Leah’s parents, Nathan and Rebecca, and her brother Donald; and for Alice’s husband and children.

Sunday 13 January

Tuesday 15 January

Friday 18 January

Pray for the survivors of the violence in Jos. Muslim as well as Christian communities have been affected, and there is mistrust and fear between them. Pray that God would comfort those who grieve, and that the Spirit of peace would heal the divisions.

In 2018 a resurgent Boko Haram claimed the lives of many soldiers, with the al Barnawi faction killing over 70 in a single attack in Borno State and the Shekau faction attacking civilians in the capital Maiduguri. Meanwhile an Arabic-speaking militia has appeared in Sokoto State – a concerning development as this is not a local language.

Pray for soldiers to receive adequate weaponry, and for the defeat of every insurgency.

Today, pray for Reverend Yunusa Nmadu, CEO of CSW’s Nigeria office. Not only does he lead the CSW team, based in Kaduna, but he’s also General Secretary of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) denomination.

Thank God for his commitment and courage, and pray that God will continue to honour and bless him and his family richly.

Monday 14 January Pray for the Adara nation of southern Kaduna who are mourning the abduction and murder of their paramount ruler, the Agom Adara Dr Maiwada Raphael Galadima last October. In December the Kaduna state government allegedly abolished the chiefdom, causing great consternation. Pray for this decision to be overturned.

Wednesday 16 January Next month Nigeria will hold a general election. Recent state elections have been marred by violence, attempts to intimidate voters, and accusations of voter fraud.

Pray for peace to reign over the whole country before, during and after the election,

Saturday 19 January Lord of all, you see the pain and suffering across Nigeria.

You know each victim and you grieve with the survivors. We ask you to intervene to bring peace, justice and freedom to all communities, no matter what their beliefs, throughout the country; and to break every cycle of violence. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

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This week please pray for Indonesia.

Week 2: 20-26 January Indonesia’s long-standing tradition of tolerance and religious pluralism is increasingly under threat. Churches have been targets for violence and local authorities have used blasphemy laws to attack religious minorities. In North Sumatra, a Buddhist woman was jailed for 18 months just for asking a local mosque to turn down its loudspeakers.

Sunday 20 January Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo, has chosen Ma’ruf Amin, a 75-yearold Islamic cleric with a history of intolerance, as his running mate in this year’s election. Pray that, if elected, President Widodo would be able to do more to counter extremism and intolerance, and defend religious pluralism.

Monday 21 January In a recent visit CSW heard from a partner who had asked his 12-year-old son what he’d learned at school: ‘We learned about kafir [infidels],’ his son replied.

When his father asked what they had learned about infidels, his son said simply, ‘We learned that they must be killed.’ Pray against the promotion of hatred in Indonesia’s schools.

Tuesday 22 January In May 2018 three churches in Surabaya were hit with a coordinated suicide bomb attack. The perpetrators all belonged to the same family: the youngest was just six. Thirteen people 4

were killed and dozens injured. Pray for healing for the congregations of Diponegoro Indonesian Christian Church, Surabaya Centre Pentecostal Church, and Santa Maria Catholic Church.

Wednesday 23 January Following the attacks, Father Aloysius Widyawan, a priest at Santa Maria Tak Bercela Catholic Church, told us that the consistent message from his parishioners was, ‘We must love others, we forgive the attackers, we do not want revenge.’ Pray that this attitude of peace and forgiveness prevails.

Thursday 24 January Indonesia used to be an example to the international community of

Your prayers are needed for our UN work. harmony and pluralism due to its founding principles known as Pancasila, which promote tolerance and acceptance. Pray that Indonesia would return to its founding principles.

Muslims and other religious and ethnic minorities across the country, including in Xinjiang Province. Pray for closer UN scrutiny, and that any necessary action would be taken.

Friday 25 January

Thursday 31 January

CSW has travelled regularly to Indonesia over the last few years and is uniquely positioned to face the rising intolerance. Thank God for our contacts with human rights defenders and churches across the country, and ask God to grant us wisdom and provision as we develop strategies to combat the current intolerance.

Praise God that the international community is acting on the grave findings of the UN’S Fact Finding Mission to Burma (Myanmar): in September the HRC passed a strong resolution ensuring continued investigation into the human rights situation in the country, particularly the persecution of the Rohingya Muslims.

The United Nations

Week 3: 27 January-2 February The United Nations forms one of the key parts of CSW’s work. For many years we have been working at the Human Rights Council (HRC), one of the main ways the UN works for human rights. Our ‘consultative status’ allows us to present our latest research and witness testimonies to decision makers who have the power to make a real difference in the lives of ordinary people.

Saturday 26 January

Sunday 27 January

Lord, today we commit the nation of Indonesia to you. We pray especially for the congregations of Diponegoro Indonesian Christian Church, Surabaya Centre Pentecostal Church and Santa Maria Catholic Church following the attacks last May, and ask you to give them comfort and healing.

Amen.

At the time of writing negotiations are underway for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to open an office in Sudan. While this might seem like good news, the opening of an office would bring an end to the mandate of the Independent Expert on human rights in Sudan.

Pray that the HRC continues to give sufficient and regular attention to Sudan until the situation improves.

Monday 28 January Ms Daniela Kravetz was elected last year as the new Special Rapporteur on Eritrea. Many of the countries we work on have been assigned Special Rapporteurs – these are experts who

work voluntarily for the UN, conducting independent research on human rights and reporting back to the UN. Pray for Ms Kravetz as she takes up this role.

Tuesday 29 January Eritrea is one of the worst countries in the world for human rights, where almost every right is violated regularly.

Yet the country has just been elected to a seat on the HRC. Pray today that Member States will continue to pressure Eritrea to improve its appalling human rights record.

Wednesday 30 January China has a lot of influence at the HRC, but it is important that the world does not shy away from shining a light on the situation for Uyghur

Friday 1 February This resolution is a significant step towards justice, as evidence will be collected for future criminal prosecution of those responsible for crimes committed under international law. Pray that compelling evidence will be gathered, and that justice will be done for everyone who has suffered in Burma.

Saturday 2 February Heavenly Father, thank you for the way you have enabled CSW to have influence at the UN, promoting freedom of religion or belief in the world’s largest international organisation.

We ask you to continue to bless our staff as they meet UN Ambassadors and staff, and open doors for them wherever they go.

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Pray for China.

Your prayers are needed for India.

Week 4: 3-9 February Since the introduction of new Regulations on Religious Affairs last year, Chinese churches have experienced growing harassment. Many churches, even those registered with the government, have experienced increased intimidation, closures and demolitions; as well as the forced removal of religious items from church buildings and a ban on children attending services.

Sunday 3 February Early Rain Church is an unregistered church in Chengdu that has experienced intense harassment. A police raid was launched in the early hours of 9 December last year.

Over 100 church members were arrested, including the pastor and the leaders, and seminary students. Pray that God would watch over Early Rain Church and protect them.

Monday 4 February Pray for healing for Pastor Yang Hua, the leader of Living Stone Church, who was released from prison in June. His health has suffered severely from his time in detention: in March 2017 his lawyer had reported that Pastor Yang was ‘on the verge

of paralysis’ as a result of severe inflammation in his legs. He is also suffering from skin complaints that began in detention.

Tuesday 5 February Pray for freedom for Pastor Su Tianfu of Living Stone Church, who was sentenced in April 2018 to one year in prison suspended for two years, with a further six months of ‘residential surveillance’. Prior to his sentencing, Pastor Su had been under house arrest for three years.

Wednesday 6 February In September, officials in Beijing shut down one of the largest unregistered Protestant churches in the city after months of pressure.

Pray that the congregation of Zion Church would find a safe way of meeting together and worshipping.

Thursday 7 February

Early Rain Church

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Many human rights defenders in China face daily harassment and intimidation from the government as they go about their work: they can be followed, arrested, and

even beaten and tortured simply for defending the rights of others. Thank God for their work, and pray for their protection.

for those making difficult editorial decisions about freedom of speech versus hate speech.

Thursday 14 February

Friday 8 February The government recently issued draft regulations stipulating that those wishing to disseminate religious teachings and information online must apply for a licence and meet certain requirements. The draft also contains broadly worded prohibitions against undermining national unity and social stability, and inciting minors to participate in religious activities. Pray that these regulations will be overturned.

Saturday 9 February Heavenly Father, we lift the churches of China to you. We pray that you will grant the congregations of churches that have been shut down or harassed courage and protection, watching over them as they worship you.

Amen.

A family in Uttar Pradesh

Week 5: 10-16 February Over the past couple of years the state of Uttar Pradesh has seen a huge surge in violence against Christians, mostly stemming from allegations of forcible or fraudulent conversions. Pastors have been arrested along with their families during Sunday services; some have even been woken up in the middle of the night and arrested. Meanwhile, the police have failed to take action against the rising tide of violence; and hate speech is rife, with one government official quoted as saying, ‘Muslims have no business being in India.’

Sunday 10 February Pray that strong action would be taken against officials who fuel animosity towards religious minorities, including Bharat Singh, the MP who claimed that Christian missionaries are a threat to the unity and integrity of the country.

Monday 11 February Ask God to protect pastors and their families throughout Uttar Pradesh from actual and threatened violence, and to give them a spirit of peace

as they lead their churches during this time.

Tuesday 12 February Pray that the government would speak out against incidents of violence targeting religious minorities, to send a strong message that extremism will not be tolerated.

In 2018 India’s Supreme Court passed comprehensive directions detailing police action to protect religious minorities against mob violence. Pray that the police would act in accordance with the new directions, to prevent and prosecute such violence.

Friday 15 February ‘Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.’

Deuteronomy 31:6. Pray this verse over India today.

Saturday 16 February Lord, today we lift the nation of India to you and thank you for its beautiful diversity and extraordinary history. We pray especially for your protection over the pastors and their families in Uttar Pradesh: give them a strong sense of your peace, and stem the tide of arrests and violence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Wednesday 13 February Newspapers and other media have played a part by giving a platform to those who seek to incite violence. Pray for wisdom and great courage 7

This week please pray for Eritrea.

Week 6: 17-23 February

Week 7: 24 February-2 March

After decades of tension between the two countries, Eritrea and Ethiopia signed a peace agreement last year. Much has been made in the media of the rapprochement, but we have yet to see any concrete improvements for Eritrea’s citizens, who live in one of the worst countries in the world for human rights. There’s been a surge in Eritreans leaving the country following the opening of the border; according to the UN’s Refugee Agency 9,905 Eritreans, mostly women and children, arrived in Ethiopia between 12 September and 13 October, and the number continues to rise.

In 2016 the Colombian government signed a peace agreement with the guerrilla groups that control some parts of the country; yet religious groups in some areas still face many dangers. New converts to Christianity, churches and church leaders are regular targets for extortion and kidnapping by armed groups, and violence is common.

Sunday 17 February Despite all this, Eritrea has just been elected to the UN Human Rights Council. Pray today that UN Member States will continue to put pressure on Eritrea, and that its new position as a member of the HRC will not enable it to end the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Eritrea.

Monday 18 February Give thanks for the work of the Special Rapporteur Sheila Keetharuth, who championed justice for the many victims of human rights violations. Pray that her successor Daniela Kravetz will come up to speed quickly and make a similarly positive impact on the human rights situation in Eritrea.

Tuesday 19 February Pray for 73-year-old Berhane Abrehe, imprisoned last September for writing two books challenging dictatorship. His wife has been detained since early 2018 in reprisal for one of their children leaving the country.

Pray today that God will keep 8

Your prayers are needed for Colombia.

REUTERS/Ed Harris

his hand of protection over them and the thousands of others who are detained in appalling conditions for spurious reasons.

their churches. Ask God for a miracle today, for all the prisoners to be released.

Wednesday 20 February

Worryingly, many who crossed the newly-opened border to Ethiopia last year were told that the country is no longer accepting Eritrean refugees; this may be due to the media fanfare about the rapprochement. Until there are concrete improvements in human rights, it’s vital that countries continue to offer safe haven to refugees from Eritrea. Pray that the truth will be known, and it will convince governments to accept these people in their dire need.

Mr Abrehe was arrested the day before the 17th anniversary of a huge crackdown in 2001, when pro-reform government officials were forcibly disappeared, independent media outlets were shut down and journalists were jailed. Many are rumoured to have died in the harsh conditions they endured.

Pray that Eritrea will release the remaining officials and journalists, and allow freedom of the press.

Thursday 21 February Initial reports of Eritrea releasing 400 Christian prisoners, soon after relations with Ethiopia began to improve, turned out to be false. In reality only 35 people were released, a full four years after signing a document they’d been told would guarantee their freedom – a document where they promised to leave

Friday 22 February

Sunday 24 February Pray for God to comfort the wife and five adult children of Pastor Elfren Martínez Pérez, who was shot and killed on 16 September 2018 outside his home in Antioquia by members of an illegal armed group.

Monday 25 February Changes to the original peace agreement are both a concern and a potential setback to peace. Pray that

the Colombian government and the FARC would adhere to their commitments under the agreement.

Tuesday 26 February With an increase in extortion and other threats from illegal armed groups in many parts of the country, pray for the protection of religious leaders who live and work under constant threat.

Guilherme Romano

Pray against corruption and for strengthened rule of law in rural areas. Pray for protection over communities, and pastors who are often de facto community leaders, who face forced displacement and violence at the hands of illegal armed groups.

Thursday 28 February Pray for God to protect indigenous people who convert away from traditional religious beliefs: converts are sometimes threatened with forcible displacement from indigenous lands or excluded from receiving certain benefits by traditional authorities.

Friday 1 March Pray that the Colombian government would recognise the rights of indigenous peoples and put in place legislation that will protect the right to freedom of religion or belief for all Colombians, including those living on indigenous lands.

Saturday 2 March

Saturday 23 February Almighty God, we call on your mighty name to ask you to act powerfully in Eritrea, setting prisoners free and reuniting families. At the UN, let the truth about the country be known, and move the hearts of those in power to take strong action where it’s needed. We trust in you to bring freedom and justice throughout the nation. Amen.

Wednesday 27 February

Father God, today we pray for lasting peace in Colombia.

Move in power in the hearts of the government and the leaders of the illegal armed groups; protect those who are working for peace and justice in the country and bless their efforts richly. Amen.

REUTERS/John Vizcaino

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Pray for Inspirational women.

Your prayers are needed for Mexico. told us, ‘God gave me a new song.’ Thank God for her extraordinary courage.

Week 8: 3-9 March CSW is privileged to work with many inspirational women across the world. Freedom of religion or belief is an issue that touches on many of the human rights challenges that women, specifically, face: including forced marriage and conversion, lack of access to education, and lack of job opportunities.

Sunday 3 March Today, the Ladies in White of Cuba will attend Mass dressed in white, then silently walk through their town to remind the government that they are still awaiting the release of their unjustly detained family members.

Many of them will be harassed, beaten or detained to stop them from attending church. Pray for their protection.

Monday 4 March Female human rights defenders in Pakistan regularly face harassment and online bullying both for their work defending the rights of others and because of their gender. Please pray that the government would create safe spaces in which they can work, and that God would protect them and bless them with much needed resources.

Tuesday 5 March Michelle Chaudhry is one of our long-standing partners in Pakistan. As the president of the Cecil and Iris Chaudhry foundation, she advocates for the rights of religious and ethnic minorities in the 10

Friday 8 March

country: pray for her safety, and wisdom and courage in her work.

Wednesday 6 March Tran Thi Hong is a member of the NGO Vietnamese Women for Human Rights. She reported several incidents of ‘intolerable harassment’ against her and her family in spring 2016, including beatings during interrogation sessions. Hong is now with her husband in the US, but female activists in Vietnam still face severe harassment.

Pray for protection over all the courageous women who campaign for human rights in their countries and abroad.

Over the past two years, CSW has trained many Cuban women from across the island on how to recognise and document violations of freedom of religion or belief occurring in their communities. Pray for God to strengthen and protect them, and provide them with the resources they need for their work.

Saturday 9 March Lord, we work with so many inspiring women: thank you for their courage, their wisdom, and their tenacity in speaking out for human rights. Give them the physical and spiritual resources they need to do their work, and keep them safe, we pray.

Amen.

Thursday 7 March In 2017 many of you heard Eritrean gospel singer Helen Berhane speak powerfully at Pursue Justice Live about how her faith in God kept her going through the most horrific conditions imprisoned in a shipping container in her country. Beaten, starved, freezing cold at night and boiling hot in the day, Helen

Week 9: 10-16 March Across Mexico, but especially in rural regions, basic services of water and electricity to members of minority religions are being cut off, in an attempt to force them to convert to the majority religion. Meanwhile, children are excluded from school – denying them their right to an education – if they or their parents belong to a minority faith. Elsewhere children are forced to participate in religious activities at school against their will, under the guise of ‘cultural education’.

Sunday 10 March One of the most difficult days in the school year for religious minority children is the Day of the Dead, which falls on 2 November and is thought to have roots in Aztec goddess worship. Many parents protest their children being encouraged to build shrines to deceased family members. Pray today for an end to the practice of forcing children to participate in religious activities at school against their will.

Monday 11 March

for Mexico to improve its human rights situation. Pray today that the government would act on these recommendations.

Wednesday 13 March Many religious minority families have had their water and electricity cut off, as the members of the majority faith attempt to force them to convert. Pray that these basic services would be restored to everyone who has been denied them, and that God would move in the hearts of the perpetrators to cease this practice.

Mexico’s new government took office in December. Pray that the newly elected officials would act with integrity and wisdom to uphold the country’s secular constitution, and to ensure justice for all citizens regardless of their religion or belief.

Helen Berhane

Village authorities in Ranchera Yocnajab in Chiapas State blocked local Protestants from burying one of their dead in the village cemetery last September, in response to their refusal to contribute to a Catholic festival. The 17 Protestant families were forced to bury Mrs Consuelo Méndez Hernández in the municipal capital. Pray that burial rights will be protected for everyone, regardless of their religion or belief.

Friday 15 March Mexico remains the most dangerous country in the world to be a Catholic priest, with four murdered in 2017 and seven in 2018 (accurate at press time). They are killed often because they refuse to cooperate with criminal groups or because of their social work.

Ask God to bless, honour and protect everyone who decides to follow this calling, despite the very real dangers.

Saturday 16 March

Tuesday 12 March The last time Mexico underwent its peer review of human rights at the UN, in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), Member States made several recommendations

Thursday 14 March

Schoolgirls in Mexico

Heavenly Father, you are the father and creator of all who live on earth. Bless the children of Mexico, whatever their religion or belief. We ask that they would all be able to attend school in safety and freedom, enjoying their right to learn. In Jesus’ name.

Amen.

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Your prayers are needed for Iran.

Pray for Pakistan.

Week 10: 17-23 March An official campaign against Muslim converts to Christianity has been escalating over the past decade, and has at times been accompanied by a rise in anti-Christian rhetoric from anti-government officials. The Baha’i community, which remains unrecognised officially, and the Dervishes, have increasingly been targeted with hate speech. They face a range of discriminatory and repressive policies including regarding their education.

prison, on national security charges after she participated in Christian seminars abroad.

Pray that her sentence would be overturned at her court date later this year, and that she would be released.

Sunday 17 March

Any gathering of Christians, including social gatherings such as birthday or engagement parties, is seen as potential house church activity and a threat to national security. Pray that this attitude would change, and that Christians would be allowed to gather peacefully in public and in private.

Political opposition members, human rights activists and journalists continue to be arrested on spurious grounds. At least 746 people are detained on account of their religion or belief. Pray for divine protection and provision for everyone who is in prison because of their beliefs or because they spoke out against oppression.

Monday 18 March The Baha’i community have long been particular targets of the regime, with seven Baha’i leaders serving 20-year prison sentences. An estimated 317 Baha’i are imprisoned because of their faith, while senior government officials continue to use anti-Baha’i rhetoric. Pray that all Baha’i imprisoned unjustly would be swiftly released.

were banned from travelling for two years. Pray that their appeals would be successful and these sentences would be overturned.

Wednesday 20 March These people were all sentenced by Judge Mashallah Ahmadzadeh, a judge who is notorious for handing down excessive sentences to Christians who appear in his court on unfounded national security charges. Ask God to work powerfully in Judge Ahmadzadeh’s heart so that he would act with justice and impartiality.

Thursday 21 March In January 2018 Judge Ahmadzadeh sentenced Shamiran Issavi, Pastor BetTamraz’s wife, to five years in

Tuesday 19 March In July 2018 Pastor Victor Bet-Tamraz, Hadi Asgari and Kaviyan Fallah-Mohammadi were sentenced to ten years in prison each, Amin Afshar-Naderi was given a 15-year sentence, and all 12

Xxxxx xxx xxx

Friday 22 March

Saturday 23 March O Lord of all, thank you for the courage and faithfulness of your people facing discrimination, harassment and worse in Iran. We ask that you would release all those who are unjustly imprisoned, especially the seven leaders of the Baha’i faith. Amen.

Week 11: 24-30 March From biased textbooks teaching children to hate, to harsh blasphemy laws that are used to settle personal scores, Pakistan’s religious minorities face daily harassment and intimidation in almost every part of their lives.

Sunday 24 March Just over eight years after his assassination on 2 March 2011, join us in remembering the life and work of human rights activist and politician Shahbaz Bhatti. He dedicated his career to minority rights, religious freedom and social justice. He was Pakistan’s first Minister for Minorities’ Affairs at the time of his death. Pray for all those who speak out, often at great personal risk, for justice and freedom.

Monday 25 March Last October we got the amazing news that Asia Bibi was acquitted by the Supreme Court. Asia Noreen, also known as Asia Bibi, is a Christian mother of five who was sentenced to death for allegedly committing blasphemy (insulting the Prophet Mohammed). She was on death row for eight years, and many of you have been faithfully praying for her. Praise God for this wonderful answer to prayer!

Tuesday 26 March

Pastor Nadarkhani

The government faces continual pressure from religious hardliners: pray that they will not bow to this pressure and will uphold the

rights of religious minorities, as well as take bold steps to amend the blasphemy laws and promote a tolerant society.

Wednesday 27 March Pray for continued healing and protection for the families affected by the suicide bombing in Lahore on Easter Sunday 2016, which claimed over 70 lives – including many women and children – and injured hundreds. Pray for unity for the local community, and full restoration for those who were wounded.

the government will enact crucial reforms to make textbooks fair and unbiased, and create an educational environment that promotes respect and understanding among all faith groups.

Saturday 30 March Heavenly Father, today we lift the nation of Pakistan to you, especially those human rights defenders who risk their lives daily to improve life for minorities. Protect and provide for them with wisdom, courage and resources for their work, we pray. Amen.

Thursday 28 March Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are frequently used to punish religious and ethnic minorities, the vague definition of ‘blasphemy’ ideal ammunition for settling personal scores or business disputes. Pray that these laws would be amended and eventually repealed.

Friday 29 March The education system promotes mistrust and prejudice between communities from an early age, through biased textbooks and psychological and physical abuse. Pray that

Asia Bibi

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This week please pray for Egypt.

Week 12: 31 March-6 April

Week 13: 7-13 April

In 2017 terror attacks claimed over 100 Christian lives, and Egypt’s government has responded to the rising terror threat by introducing measures that repress human rights. These measures include a crackdown on NGOs and human rights defenders that has drawn criticism from the UK, the US, Germany and the UN.

Though we may envisage the North Korean people as downtrodden and uniformly oppressed, our report Movies, Markets and Mass Surveillance shows their hunger for news from the outside world. The influx of information has fuelled a dissatisfaction that prompts many of them to seek better opportunities elsewhere. Meanwhile, the regime’s severe repression of its people continues, as it seeks to control every aspect of its citizens’ daily life.

Sunday 31 March

Wednesday 3 April

Saturday 6 April

In August 2018 a mob gathered in the village of Demshao Hashem, following rumours that a building belonging to the local Christian community was going to be converted into a church. The attack resulted in three people being injured and four properties being damaged. Pray for ongoing physical and emotional healing for the survivors, as well as for reconciliation between communities.

At least seven people were killed and eleven injured in a terrorist attack on 2 November 2018, when attackers opened fire on a bus taking Christians to visit a monastery in Minya, Upper Egypt. The Coptic community has been the target of numerous attacks in recent years. Pray for God’s hand of protection and blessing over them.

Heavenly Father, your name is sovereign over all rulers and authorities. We thank you for the improvements we’ve seen for Christians in Egypt recently, and ask you to move the hearts of the Egyptian authorities to extend these protections to all citizens. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Monday 1 April

Under President Sisi there have been some advances in the enjoyment of freedom of religion or belief, but only for the Christian community. Pray that all Egypt’s people will be able to practise their religion or beliefs without fear of violence or harassment.

Egypt has approximately 15 million Sufis, whose practices are considered blasphemous by ultra-conservative branches of Islam. Over 300 people were killed when gunmen attacked a Sufi mosque in November 2017, and in March 2018 IS beheaded two elderly Sufi men, accusing them of sorcery.

Pray that violence against Sufis will cease completely.

Tuesday 2 April In 2016 parliament approved a law aimed at making it easier to build and restore churches, and 53 churches and service buildings received official approval for carrying out religious rituals. Thank God for these developments.

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Pray for North Korea.

Thursday 4 April

Friday 5 April

Thursday 11 April

Sunday 7 April

Tuesday 9 April

While the increased dialogue between Kim Jong-Un and other world leaders is welcome, North Korea remains one of the most repressive regimes in existence today. Pray that we would also see improvements in the human rights and living conditions of ordinary North Koreans.

Many North Koreans attempt to escape across the border with China. Pray that China would end its policy of sending these people back, and allow them instead to pass safely into South Korea.

Monday 8 April Pray for the release of the tens of thousands held in the kwanliso prison camps, and for an end to the horrific torture, sexual violence and slave labour perpetrated in these camps.

Wednesday 10 April In researching our latest report on North Korea, we were told, ‘In the beginning, people defected because they were starving. But it is different now. [Now] more and more people want freedom, opportunities and hope.’

Pray God would protect all defectors from North Korea in their quest for a better life.

You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked. Psalm 12:7.

Pray this verse over North Korea today.

Friday 12 April Pray for the future of the talks between North Korea, South Korea and the United States. Pray for wisdom and guidance for the international community as they engage in dialogue with the North Korean government, and for genuine progress towards peace.

Saturday 13 April Lord, today we pray for the people of North Korea as they learn about a world very unlike the one they live in, and hunger for peace, justice and opportunity. Move powerfully to protect them and grant them true freedom, we pray. Amen.

‘And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.’ Luke 18:6-8. Pray this verse over Egypt today.

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Our manifesto #13

We believe in the power of prayer to bring change.

CSW is a human rights organisation advocating for freedom of religion or belief, and as Christians we stand with everyone facing injustice because of their religion or belief.

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