CSW Prayer Diary - October 2015

Prayer Diary OCTOBER 2015 – JANUARY 2016

Get the Prayer Diary by email!

Sign up for your weekly prayer email and get urgent prayer news, reflections and our prayer diary delivered weekly to your inbox!

Sign up at www.csw.org.uk/prayerdiary

www.csw.org.uk

/cswuk

@csw_UK

Prayer Diary OCT 2015 - JAN 2016

Welcome to your latest issue of the Prayer Diary!

Thank you for joining us for another issue of the Prayer Diary!

We have a mighty God who works in mysterious, yet also tangible ways. Here at CSW we can testify to that each and every day, as we hear the news of answered prayer in countries where change didn’t ever seem possible.

So let’s cling to this awesome truth as we pray for situations where the intervention, restoration and hope that only God can provide is needed. Let’s remember that the same power that enabled Christ to conquer the grave is available to us, whether we’re praying for an end to oppressive governments, the protection of the Church or the safety of persecuted Christians. And as you pray, may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, as you trust in him.

Thank you so much for your ongoing commitment to CSW and for those without a voice. We are deeply grateful!

Week

1

18-24 October

Eritrea

In June 2014 the UN Human Rights Council set up a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate human rights in Eritrea. The CoI identified widespread gross attacks on human rights, including violations of religious freedom – some of which may be crimes against humanity. The Commission is now investigating whether or not the Eritrean authorities have committed crimes against humanity.

Despite the appalling violations catalogued by the CoI, some European countries seem to be more concerned with reducing the number of Eritreans fleeing to their borders than with tackling government repression – the root cause of the exodus.

European Union officials recently outlined plans to deport Eritreans who flee to Europe, and to fund development projects in Eritrea. But Eritreans are not economic migrants. They’re fleeing a government that ruthlessly persecutes ordinary citizens, and a country where thousands of Christians are in prison.

We’re committed to seeking justice for the people of Eritrea. On 20 October, we held an event in the UK Parliament to raise awareness of the real reasons Eritreans flee their country – please pray that this would lead to better understanding of the situation.

This week please:

Please Pray

• Thank God for the Commission of Inquiry and the UN’s perseverance in bringing to light the violations of human rights in Eritrea; • Pray for the softening of hearts in the Eritrean government towards the report, and those attempting to disrupt the COI; • Ask God for further action to be taken against the attacks on human rights, and specifically on religious freedom; • Pray that the event on Eritrea we held in the UK parliament last week would bear strong and effective fruit; • Give thanks for CSW’S Sub Saharan Africa team and pray for continual breakthrough in Eritrea;

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive

2

• Lift up in prayer the people of Eritrea, and the Christians facing persecution; • Pray for an end to the injustice, and for God’s peace throughout Eritrea.

3

Prayer Diary OCT 2015 - JAN 2016

Week

2

25-31 October

Week

China Religious activity is kept under close watch in China, sometimes creating tension between believers and the state. Despite Protestantism and Catholicism being officially recognised religions, restrictions and attacks on church buildings, pastors and ordinary Christians alike are not uncommon. To add to this instability, over 280 activists and lawyers, many of whom have defended Christians and other religious communities, have been detained or disappeared since July.

Last week President Xi Jinping made his first state visit to Britain, a milestone moment for relations between China and the UK. Although the visit focused mainly on developing commercial ties, we have faith that it can mean more than that.

President Xi’s visit could mark the start of conversations with British politicians that challenge the state of human rights in China and work towards its improvement.

This week please:

Please Pray

• Pray that President Xi’s visit to Britain will be the start of a fruitful new relationship with the UK, which will delve into matters of human rights and make a positive impact; • Thank God for the concern that is being expressed by the UN, and the unity of CSW and 45 other organisations that demanded an end to the illegal detention of lawyers and citizens; • On International Religious Freedom Day, 27 October, remember especially the many Christians in China who cannot worship freely; • Ask God to intervene and bring an end to the Chinese state’s ill-treatment of lawyers and activists in cases such as the reported kidnapping of Gao Zhisheng last month, and pray for the safe and quick return of those detained; • Pray for spiritual and physical protection for the Church in China and their leaders and pastors. May no harm come upon them; • Pray for the renewal and revival of churches in Zhejiang province which had their buildings demolished and crosses torn down last year; • Ask the Holy Spirit to bring a spirit not of timidity and fear, but of power and courage to Christians in China.

4

3

1-7 November

UN work CSW is privileged to work with the United Nations on many of its investigations into freedom of religion or belief. We have contributed at the the Human Rights Council and in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process (where each country’s human rights are regularly reviewed) – and when there’s a debate on religious freedom, you’ll find us front and centre! Last week, we were in UN meetings ahead of the upcoming UPRs for Nepal and Burma, and earlier this month we submitted written statements highlighting our religious freedom concerns in Sudan, as part of Sudan’s UPR. This is an exciting time because it could prompt the UN to further action to improve the situation. God has often used these reports to further the cause of religious freedom – so let’s pray that God moves in power again!

This week please:

Please Pray

• Thank God for the tireless work of our Public Affairs team in London – Sini Maria, Claire, Mike and Kiri; • For wisdom and perseverance for the team as they continue to raise religious freedom issues with decision-makers; • That as a result of our advocacy, November’s UPRs on Nepal and Burma would accurately reflect the importance of promoting religious freedom in these countries; • That following these reports, the governments of Nepal and Burma would take strong action to improve religious freedom and human rights; • Thank God that our work at the UN has in the past brought significant changes to situations that seemed hopeless at the time; • For further opportunities for our UN team to discuss religious freedom issues with the people who have the power to make a difference; • For God to continue to work through the UN to promote the cause of religious freedom around the world.

5

Prayer Diary OCT 2015 - JAN 2016

Week

4

8-14 November

Burma After 50 years of oppressive military dictatorships, the first reasonably free elections in 25 years will be held in Burma this week. It’s an incredible step of progress for a country that has for centuries been torn apart by civil war.

However, Burma’s still got a long way to go. President Thein Sein introduced a series of political reforms in 2011 that gave the hope of change, but this reform process has completely stalled and in some respects reversed. Consequently, constitutional reform has yet to happen, preventing the leader of the National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, from standing for the presidency. In the midst of this, hostile intolerance towards Muslims is increasing as militant Buddhist nationalists grow ever more powerful. If there was ever a time to pray for God’s peace and stability in Burma, it’s now.

This week, please:

Please Pray

• Pray for the elections on 8 November, that the peace of God would rest powerfully upon all the proceedings and create a stable atmosphere in Burma; • Give thanks for the elections and pray for a smooth transition in government; • Ask God to lift all restrictions and obstacles preventing the political reforms from progressing; • Pray for the integration of Muslims into Burmese society, and for an end to their marginalisation, dehumanisation and persecution; • Ask the Holy Spirit to bring powerful protection to the Kachin people, a majority Christian group who have been subjected to atrocious violence by the military; • Pray for a supernatural change of hearts in Buddhist militants, that their violence would stop and they would work alongside citizens of other beliefs; • Ask God to bring an atmosphere not of violence and hatred in Burma, but one of peace, joy and God’s presence.

Week

5

15-21 November

JUSTICE PRAY persecuted for the

International Day of Prayer for the persecuted Church (IDOP) How incredible is it that God not only hears the prayers of one, but the prayers of many! This week we have the amazing opportunity to join over half a million churches in 150 countries in prayer, as we take part in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). It’s a time for us to remember the millions of Christians around the world who suffer because of what they believe.

For Christians in countries such as North Korea, Sudan and India, living out their faith comes at a heavy price. Christianity is often not recognised as an ‘official’ religion, causing Christians to be seen as outside of the law and outside of society. As a result, church buildings are destroyed, leaders are imprisoned and believers are the targets of horrific violence and torture. But we know that God is devoted to his Church, and likewise we must stand with our brothers and sisters in Christ as they suffer.

This week please:

Please Pray

• Pray that God will do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine with the prayers that are said to mark IDOP; • Ask God that we will see much fruit come from these prayers and particularly fruit in the work we are doing in countries where the Church is under heavy persecution; • Pray for the Holy Spirit to comfort and bring peace to the thousands suffering in prison camps in North Korea. May they know the love of God that surpasses all as they face horrific conditions; • Pray that God would give courage to churches whose buildings were destroyed last year, and an ability and boldness to still meet, particularly in S udan; • Pray that the anti-conversion laws in India, which are being used to justify violence towards Christians, will be miraculously lifted and replaced with inclusive and tolerant legislation; • Thank God for the unity of his Church throughout the world, and pray that it will continue even in the face of persecution; • Pray for the Church worldwide, that we may have hope in the truth that God will build his Kingdom, and the gates of hell shall not prevail.

6

7

Prayer Diary OCT 2015 - JAN 2016

Week

6

22-28 November

Egypt President al-Sisi has now been in office for over a year, and we’re hearing more and more reports of Coptic Christians having their land seized and their businesses and homes being attacked, while many are tried in the courts for insulting religion. After violent incidents government officials and local dignitaries convene ‘reconciliation meetings’, which often contradict the court ruling in each case, imposing restrictive and often unconstitutional conditions on the victims of the violence. An overwhelming number of these victims are Christians.

Meanwhile, many churches were destroyed in 2013 and still haven’t been rebuilt, leaving their congregations without a place to meet and worship together.

There are 10 million Coptic Christians in Egypt – it’s the biggest Christian community in the Middle East, and one of the oldest in the world. As Egypt enters its election period, let’s remember the Christians who suffer government discrimination and harassment and pray for God to watch over them and effect powerful change in Egypt.

8

This week, please:

Please Pray

• For the Coptic Christian community as they face daily harassment and intimidation – that God would watch over them and use their present suffering to strengthen their faith; • That Christian communities whose churches were destroyed would find safe places to worship; • That the elections would usher in a parliament that prioritises religious freedom for those of all faiths and none; • For kidnapped Copts to be returned safely to their homes; • That the wave of violence we’ve seen in Upper Egypt would come to an end so that the communities can live in peace; • Thank God for the enduring presence of one of the oldest Christian communities in the world and the rich history of his people in Egypt; • Pray for reconciliation between the different religious communities in Egypt, that they would be able to live peacefully side-by-side.

Week

7

29 Nov - 5 December (advent)

Peace

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Peace is a constant theme at Christmas: the promise of peace between man and God that was fulfilled in Jesus’ death and resurrection. The angels at Jesus’ birth promised ‘Peace on Earth’, a foretaste of the heavenly kingdom. Unfortunately, peace on Earth is still a distant promise for Christians in many parts of the world. At the beginning of Advent, let’s draw alongside those who are praying for peace.

This week please:

Please Pray

• Pray for peace in Mexico, where violent criminal groups commit crimes with impunity and frequently target churches and church leaders who refuse to support them; • Pray for peace in Syria, where ethnic and religious minorities face the daily reality of surviving in a war-torn state; • Pray for peace across the Middle East and North Africa, especially in areas controlled by or under threat from Daesh (Islamic State); • Pray for Christians who face increased harassment from governments around Christmas time; • Pray that God would draw alongside those Christians who desperately need God’s peace in the face of harassment every day – that they would have a sense of His heavenly peace with them; • Pray that God would open the doors to more effective means to peace through more conversations, agreements and talks; • Thank God that he is a God of peace who watches over His people.

9

Prayer Diary OCT 2015 - JAN 2016

Week

8

6-12 December (advent 2)

Week

Justice

In the week of International Human Rights Day, on 10 December, we’re focusing on justice. Justice can seem pretty far away for many Christians living around the world. In many situations, Christians are living in countries where their government is either indifferent or actively hostile to them. For example, in Indonesia, the government routinely closes or demolishes churches, and in China, many human rights defenders have been imprisoned or harassed by the police.

This week, let’s remember those for whom justice is not a privilege taken for granted but a deeply-felt need, and thank God for delivering his justice in many of the cases we’ve been working on.

Please Pray

• Those in prison awaiting verdicts or reprieves in their cases, that God would ensure that justice prevails; • Pray for lawyers and human rights defenders in China, many of whom are imprisoned or disappeared; • Thank God for the release from prison of Chinese human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, and pray for his continued safety; • Pray for Christians who have no safe place to worship as the government has closed or demolished their church; • Ask God to protect Christians who face harassment every day from governments who force them to choose between their citizenship and their faith; • Thank God for justice in the case of the Sudanese pastors Rev Yat Michael and Rev Peter Reith, who were released following their imprisonment earlier this year; • Pray for Christians who are imprisoned on charges of blasphemy, which is often used to discredit them with little evidence, and in many countries often carries the death penalty.

10

13-19 December (advent 3)

Righteousness

But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! Amos 5:24

This week please:

9

The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. Psalm 33:5 Righteousness may seem like an odd theme at Christmas, but Jesus’ righteousness was evident in the way his birth was celebrated! He was hailed as a king and a righteous deliverer of his people. However, this righteous deliverer also started life as a refugee, as his family fled Herod’s persecution.

This week, let’s remember that ‘no one is righteous, not even one’ (Romans 3:10), by praying for those that the world often looks down on and considers ‘unrighteous’: the refugees, the persecuted, and the dispossessed.

Please Pray

This week please: • Pray for refugees from Eritrea, many of whom are Christian and fleeing violent persecution in their home country; • Pray for Rohingya Muslims in Burma, who are considered non-citizens in their own country though they have lived there for generations; • Pray for refugees arriving in foreign countries, that they will be able to find peace, security and true freedom at last; • Pray that CSW will have more opportunities to raise the profile of religious freedom, the lack of which is a major cause of the refugee crisis;

• Pray for religious minority communities in Mexico, who often face discrimination and are forced to leave their homes because of their beliefs; • Thank God for the success of our parliamentary events equipping UK MPs to speak up for religious freedom and about the plight of many persecuted religious groups; • Pray for refugees starting their journeys, that God would watch over them and keep them safe, and that one day, no one will have to choose between their faith and their home.

11

Prayer Diary OCT 2015 - JAN 2016

Week

10

20-26 December (advent 4)

Week

Christmas gift It’s nearly time for presents! For many people – especially children – this is their favourite part of Christmas, and it’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement of giving and receiving presents. This is just a small reflection of the joy God feels at giving good things to his people – but the presents God gives can often be something a bit less material and a lot more spectacular. This year, God has delivered people from prison, raised the profile of religious freedom, and empowered us to work at the very highest political levels.

• Thank God for the 850 people who signed up to pray during the China Week of Prayer; • Praise God for the release of other prisoners, such as Gao Zhisheng in China and Pastor Ksor Y Du in Vietnam;

12

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 2016 has arrived! At the start of a new year, we can come before our God with confidence knowing there are new mercies for us today. As we celebrate all that is new, let’s also pray for a renewal in strength, vigour and courage for all our CSW staff and supporters. We have much to thank God for with what he has done in 2015, but we also know there is a long way to go when it comes to protecting the right of freedom of religion throughout the world.

This week please:

As we head towards the home stretch to Christmas, let’s thank God for the gift of his grace in the cause of religious freedom this year.

• Thank God for the success of our lobbying actions: one third of UK MPs in the House of Commons were lobbied by their constituents to attend our religious freedom toolkit launch;

27 December-2 January

New Year

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:8-10

This week, please:

11

Please Pray • Thank God for the thousands who prayed and campaigned for the Sudanese pastors imprisoned earlier this year, after which they were released; • Thank God for the recent Latin America conference that saw many people encouraged and informed by sharing their experiences of persecution; • Praise God for the opportunities CSW has had this year to speak at the UN about freedom of religion or belief; • Thank God for his provision in 2015, and for the knowledge that he has even better things planned in 2016!

Please Pray

• Thank God for our CSW Advocacy staff, many of whom are working on countries which are at war. Pray for their continual protection, a renewal of strength from the Holy Spirit and for God to guide them in the delicate and dangerous situations they face; • Pray for a miraculous change of hearts in the leadership of oppressive governments, and an end to the violence and terror they perpetrate; • Ask God for human rights to take priority on the UK government’s agenda; • Pray that British people will take a fresh interest in human rights, with new audiences being made aware of the violations of religious freedom throughout the world; • Ask God to bring new life and new guidance to difficult situations in countries where change hasn’t seemed possible; • Thank God for the many doors he opened for us in 2015, and pray that 2016 would be filled with more divine appointments, speaking engagements, conferences, and meetings with influential figures; • Pray that 2016 will be a year where we will continue to see persecuted people set free, refugees returned home and the right to worship God protected.

13

Prayer Diary OCT 2015 - JAN 2016

Week

12 3-9 January

Week

CSW leaders

So this week, let’s cover the leaders of CSW in prayer, that God would protect them and empower them as they continue to guide CSW, and that he would give them wisdom as our work expands across the globe!

Please Pray

• For CSW’s Strategic Leadership Team, that they would be guided by God in their decisions as they work to guide CSW into the future; • For CSW’s many high-profile trustees who help spread awareness of the work that we do and why we do it; • Thank God for the way CSW’s work has grown since it was founded; • Pray that our work would continue to grow in the future, with more prisoners released, unjust laws overturned, and freedom regained; • That CSW’s leaders would be presented with new opportunities to expand our work at home and abroad; • For wisdom and protection for CSW’s regional advocacy leaders as they go about their work, often in dangerous and difficult situations; • For wisdom and perseverance for the leaders of our fundraising team as they work to secure funding for all this to happen!

14

10-16 January

Colombia

This week we’re focusing on CSW itself in the form of our fantastic leaders!

We’re privileged to have a number of talented people working for us here at CSW, and we’re thankful for all that they do to promote the cause of religious freedom, whether it’s here in the UK or abroad.

This week please:

13

Last September we saw a massive answer to prayer in Colombia, when the government and the leftist rebel group the FARC announced that they will sign a peace agreement in March 2016. This was a huge breakthrough for Colombia, a country which has been devastated by civil war for over 50 years.

However, it’s still fragile ground for a Christian in Colombia at present. Churches, church leaders and new converts to Christianity are regular targets for far-right neo-paramilitary groups and leftist rebels. Even worse, in some areas indigenous Colombians are severely restricted in their human rights, including religious freedom. As a result, these citizens face having religious conformity forced upon them or a worse fate of imprisonment, death or extradition.

So while we give thanks for the peace agreement announcement, we also have faith that God has more in store for Colombia; for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Throughout this week, please:

Please Pray

• Praise God for the announcement that a peace agreement between the FARC rebels and the Colombian government will be signed, a long awaited answer to prayer;

• Thank God for the courageous Christians in Colombia and pray that Christ may dwell in their hearts, and be a source of strength and hope in the face of persecution;

• Ask God that the final date for a peace deal will go ahead, and that the FARC will follow through with their promise to put down their weapons;

• Pray for a change of hearts in the Colombian government, that they would recognise the indigenous Colombians as deserving of the same rights as the rest of the population;

• Pray for a miracle, that other military criminal groups will follow suit and end their violence; • Ask God for justice to be served for the victims of the long-running conflict, especially with the new special tribunals that have been set up to put the perpetrators on trial;

• Ask God that the Holy Spirit would protect churches and their leaders from persecution, and pray for God to soothe and comfort those who have already been subjected to violence and ill-treatment.

15

JUSTICE PRAY persecuted for the

Come to a Pray Justice event near you! Register youR free PLACE at

www.csw.org.uk/prayjustice

Monday 9 November

Friday 13 November

St George’s Church, Ashtead, Surrey

St George’s Tron Church of Scotland, Glasgow

Tuesday 10 November

Saturday 14 November

St Mary’s Church, Guildford, Surrey (students and young adults)

Perth Baptist Church, Perth

Wednesday 11 November

Sunday 15 November

Elim Church Selly Oak, Birmingham

Edinburgh (tbc)

Order your Pray Justice pack to get your church pRaying for the persecuted Church this November!

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.

Acts 16:25-26

Find out more, register or order a pack at

www.csw.org.uk/prayjustice Christian Solidarity Worldwide is an organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.

PO Box 99, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 3YF, United Kingdom T: +44 (0)845 456 5464 F: +44 (0)20 8942 8821 E: admin@csw.org.uk www.csw.org.uk /cswuk @csw_uk Registered Charity No. 281836