CSW Prayer Diary: April - July 2016

Prayer Diary APRIL–JULY 2016

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Prayer Diary APRIL-JULY

Welcome to your latest issue of the Prayer Diary!

It’s so wonderful to have you praying with us!. As the year goes on and we hear more stories of people around the world suffering because of their faith, I am increasingly reminded that our first response to the tragedy of a fallen world must be prayer.

Prayer underpins everything we do at CSW. That’s why we’re exploring the need to pray through the headlines at our upcoming Pursue Justice conference on 23 April. Andy Freeman from the Church Mission Society will be holding a practical prayer workshop, designed to help us respond prayerfully to the suffering we see in the world. You can get your free ticket to Pursue Justice 2016 by emailing admin@csw.org.uk or online at Creative www.csw.org.uk/pursuejustice I pray that God will continue to bless you throughout the year,

Mervyn Thomas Chief Executive

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prayer ideas

Keep a prayer journal!

Writing down your prayers allows you to look back and see how your prayer life has changed and reflect on how he has answered you, especially if it was in ways you didn’t expect.

Week

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17-23 APRIL

Pursue Justice!

It’s time for justice! Pursue Justice 2016 is taking place on Saturday 23 April and we’re looking forward to joining hundreds of CSW supporters for an inspiring day. We have many amazing speakers lined up, including Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi from Nigeria, the Rt. Hon Steven Timms MP, Andy Freeman, and Muyiwa Olarewaju, who will be leading worship. Please pray that it will be a fruitful and faith-building day for all who attend, and that our delegates will be convicted of the need for religious freedom around the world.

This week please pray:

Please Pray

• That God’s presence would be felt when we gather together at Pursue Justice • For safe journeys for our international speakers as they travel to join us • That many people would come to the event, and be refreshed and inspired by our workshops and speakers • For opportunities to form new friendships and relationships with attendees • Thanking God that we can meet together and share what our partners are doing • For energy, insight and inspiration for our speakers • For energy for Heather, CSW’s Events Coordinator, as she makes final arrangements for the event this week.

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Prayer Diary APRIL-JULY

Week

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24-30 APRIL

Week

Nigeria

Please Pray

• Thanking God for the return of Ese Rita Oruru who was abducted last August aged 13, and taken north to Kano State where she was obliged to marry, and change her religion and name • Ese is pregnant. Ask God to heal her of any emotional, physical and spiritual scars • For the return of the Chibok girls and all other women and girls abducted

by Boko Haram • That God would bring healing to all the women and girls abducted by Boko Haram, who, if returned to their communities, are often ostracised • For the release of Linda who was abducted from her school in 2015 and forcibly converted. Apart from one meeting in February, she hasn’t been able to see her parents • For the protection and release of every girl who has been abducted forcibly converted and married in shari’a states • That the issue of abduction and forced marriage and conversion would receive greater attention and that all perpetrators would be punished.

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Faith in Focus: Michelle Chaudhry

This month marked the second anniversary of the abduction of around 200 schoolgirls by Boko Haram – many of whom are still missing. But this group wasn’t an isolated case; over 2,000 women and girls have been abducted by Boko Haram in the last decade, although many have been freed by the Nigerian Army. And the issue of girls being kidnapped and subjected to forced conversion and marriage is one that goes largely unnoticed outside of northern Nigeria.

This week please pray:

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Michelle Chaudhry is one of CSW’s key partners. She is a prominent human rights campaigner in Pakistan, and founder of the Cecil and Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF).

Michelle set up CICF in memory of her parents, who worked to improve minority rights in the country. CICF continues her parents’ legacy, running programs and projects aimed at meeting the needs of religious minorities. We’ve worked closely with Michelle and her family for over 25 years and she is a valuable partner in Pakistan. At the time of writing Michelle and her team are working hard to support the survivors of the tragic bomb attacks in Lahore on Easter Sunday. Michelle and her team have visited survivors in hospital and are working to support the practical, emotional and spiritual needs of those who lost loved ones in the attacks.

“We are not only hurt and grieving but also very angry over the loss of so many innocent lives. Just one year on from the Youhanabad attacks, the Christian community has been hit at the heart of our nation. We are again compelled to pick up body parts of our loved ones and prepare for mass burials.”

Michelle Chaudhry, CSW partner & Founder of CICF

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This week please pray:

Please Pray

• Thanking God for Michelle Chaudhry and her commitment to the needs of Pakistan’s religious minorities • That God would provide resources for the CICF to run more projects and programmes to help the people of Pakistan • For protection for CICF staff as they go about their work • For good health, energy and safety for Michelle and her family • For God’s blessing on the work of Michelle and the CICF • That Pakistan would become a nation where people of all faiths can live in safety and peace • Thanking God for the opportunity we have to partner with Michelle and for all the fruit this has borne for his kingdom, past and present.

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Prayer Diary APRIL-JULY

Week

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8-14 May

Week

This week, we would like you to pray for Burma. While the election of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party in November was an amazing victory, the military – who for decades controlled the country – remains very powerful. This means that the NLD government needs to find a way of cooperating with a military regime that has led decades of oppressive rule. It’s going to be a real challenge steering the country from decades of oppression to true democracy, so let’s petition the God of miracles to secure Burma’s future as a country of peace.

Please also pray for Cardinal Bo, Archbishop of Rangoon, who is a dedicated defender of human rights, especially freedom of religion, and long-term friend of CSW. He will be visiting the UK this month.

Please Pray

• For Burma’s new president, U Htin Kyaw, as he takes office as the first civilian president in over 50 years • For wisdom for Aung San Suu Kyi in her capacity as Burma’s new Foreign Minister and the ruling party’s ‘state counsellor’ • Asking God to strengthen and encourage political prisoners who are paying such a high price for expressing their views.

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15-21 May

China

Burma

This week please pray:

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In January, we asked you to pray and campaign for Zhang Kai, a Chinese human rights lawyer who was being detained in an unknown location. Over 1,300 of you signed letters to your local Chinese embassy asking for his freedom, and we’re pleased to report that he has been released, but at the time of writing the conditions of his release are unknown.

Many of Zhang Kai’s colleagues and fellow human rights defenders remain in detention, some of them with serious convictions that mean they’ll spend years in prison. The impact of the Chinese government’s crackdown on human rights defenders is still being deeply felt, and they urgently need your prayers.

This week please pray:

Please Pray

• Thanking God for Zhang Kai’s release • That any conditions on Zhang Kai’s release would be dropped and he wouldn’t face any charges • That Zhang Kai would recover physically, emotionally and spiritually from his time in detention

• That restrictive laws on freedom of religion or belief would be repealed before they can further harm freedom of religion or belief in Burma.

• For the release of Zhang Kai’s colleagues who remain in prison: particularly Li Heping, Tang Jingling, and Wang Yu, who featured in our #300toomany campaign

• Please pray for health, strength, energy and wisdom, and continuing courage and protection for Cardinal Bo.

• For courage and protection for human rights lawyers who still operate in China despite government harassment

• That this time of transition would mark the beginning of a new era of peace in Burma

• For a change in the government’s attitude to human rights, particularly freedom of religion or belief

• Thanking God for the changes that have already taken place in Burma.

• For safety for China’s religious minorities, especially in light of the crackdown on human rights lawyers.

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Prayer Diary APRIL-JULY

Week

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22-28 May

Week

Eritrea

This week, we’d like you to pray for our fantastic ambassadors and fundraisers. We’re so grateful to everyone who decides to support CSW, whether it’s through prayer, fundraising or representing us in churches. Summer is when a lot of our fundraising activities often take place, so it’s a good time to pray for our fundraisers and ambassadors.

Many of the refugees that are currently making headlines are Eritreans fleeing a government that ruthlessly persecutes ordinary citizens, and imprisons tens of thousands of them, including thousands of Christians.

Please Pray

• That God would comfort the families that lost loved ones in the incident in April and protect those who managed to escape • That the upcoming UN Commission of Inquiry on crimes against humanity, which is due in June, would bring real change for the people of Eritrea

At the end of this week (4 June) our Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas, will be abseiling down the tower of Guildford Cathedral along with some other volunteers, to raise money for CSW. Let’s thank God for their willingness to go ‘over the edge’ for religious freedom!

This week please pray:

Please Pray

• Thanking God for all our ambassadors and the great work they do in churches up and down the country

• That Eritrean refugees would find somewhere they are able to live peacefully

• That they would have lots of opportunities to talk about religious freedom

• That prisoners in Eritrea would know God’s peace and comfort even in the midst of their suffering

• Thanking God for all our fantastic fundraisers, past and present • For safety for everyone abseiling on 4 June

• Thanking God for the many opportunities CSW has had to speak up about the situation in Eritrea before the UN

• That God would bless the efforts of our fundraising team and give them energy, creativity and persistence

• For perseverance , wisdom and strategy for CSW’s Africa and Middle Team and our partner Human Rights Concern Eritrea, particularly regarding future initiatives at the UN

• Thanking God for everyone who has raised money for CSW so far this year

• For an end to the injustice, and for freedom and peace throughout Eritrea.

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29 May-4 June

Ambassadors & fundraisers

This week, we’re praying for Eritrea: a country with one of the worst human rights records in the world. Young people flee in large numbers to escape indefinite national service. Reports in April alleged security forces in Assab shot at conscripts who tried to escape from a truck that was carrying them to undertake forced labour with a road construction company, killing eleven people, including a woman and child who were passing by, and injuring several conscripts. The security forces were conducting house to house searches for those who escaped.

This week please pray:

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• For wisdom: that we would use the money raised wisely and for God’s glory.

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Prayer Diary APRIL-JULY

Week

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5-11 June

Week

Faith in Focus:

Recently, Mario Felix spent three days in prison and his family was put under surveillance. He had gone outside of his house in protest after state officials surrounded it ahead of President Obama’s visit to Cuba, stating ‘my home is not a prison’.

Though he’s back with his family, Mario Felix remains at risk due to his courageous commitment to freedom in Cuba.

This week please pray:

12-18 June

Parliament Focus

Mario Felix Lleonart Barroso and Yoaxis Marcheco Suarez Mario Felix Lleonart Barroso is a Baptist pastor in Cuba and a prominent human rights activist.

Together with his wife, Yoaxis Marcheco Suarez (who is herself a dedicated blogger and activist), he has fought tirelessly for religious freedom in Cuba, which has brought him to the attention of the authorities on the island.

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Please Pray

• For safety for Mario Felix, Yoaxis and their two young daughters.

• That they would not face further harassment from authorities • That the Cuban government would no longer see Christians as a threat • For the emotional wellbeing of Mario and Yoaxis’ daughters, who are being targeted at school because of their parents’ work • For protection for other church leaders who speak up for human rights in Cuba • Thanking God for the determination and bravery of Mario Felix and Yoaxis • For courage and perseverance for Mario Felix, Yoaxis, their family, and all the other church leaders and activists who defend human rights in Cuba.

Last year, there were three significant visits to the UK: one from the President of China, and the first official visits of the President of Egypt and the Prime Minister of India. All three countries have significant human rights challenges that were not publicly raised during these visits. We believe that human rights shouldn’t be downplayed in the UK’s international relationships in favour of prosperity and trade. Please pray with us that human rights would be a priority for the UK Government.

This week please pray:

Please Pray

• That the UK government would make human rights a priority in foreign policy • For opportunities for MPs to raise religious freedom concerns in Parliament • For a real sense of God’s presence at the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast on 14 June • That the UK government would raise human rights concerns consistently in any bilateral and multilateral meetings and forums • That the prayer breakfast would be well-attended and lead to many productive partnerships and initiatives • For wisdom for the Prime Minister and Foreign Office Ministers in balancing trade and human rights priorities • Thanking God for all the opportunities CSW has had to raise freedom of religion or belief concerns in Parliament.

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Prayer Diary APRIL-JULY

Weeks

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19 June - 2 July

Real change for refugees

According to the latest figures from the UN Refugee Agency, almost five million Syrians have been forced to flee during the time that conflict has ravaged the country. Another six million have been internally displaced. In April, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement describing the plight of Syrian refugees as “the biggest refugee crisis of our time”, and said that more needs to be done to provide resettlement and other answers to their predicament.

This week please pray:

This week please pray:

Please Pray

• For all Syrians who have been forced to flee their homes because of the conflict

• Thanking God for the opportunities CSW has had to make recommendations for tackling the refugee crisis

• For many refugees who are now living in ‘unofficial camps’, often with no sanitation, running water or basic services

• That the Real Change for Refugees campaign would be successful in highlighting the need to tackle the refugee crisis at its roots

• That God would grant wisdom to the UNHCR as they handle requests for resettlement

• That the UK , US and French governments would use their positions in the UN Security Council to push for an international investigation into allegations of genocide against religious minorities in Syria and Iraq

• For fair treatment of all refugees in the resettlement process • For Mayss and her family who were forced to flee and are still awaiting resettlement over a year later • That God would open the way for Mayss, her family and other long-term refugees to establish a new life in a safe third country • That the ceasefire in place in Syria would strengthen and hold; that extremist forces would be defeated, and that peace with justice would return to the war-torn nation.

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Please Pray

• That the UN would take appropriate and decisive action on behalf of Syrian civilians • For the release of all of the women and young girls from religious minorities who have been abducted by Daesh (Islamic State) • That God would bring an end to the violence being committed by Daesh across the Middle East and North Africa • For peace, hope and safety to return to every nation affected by extremist violence.

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Prayer Diary APRIL-JULY

Week

12 3-9 July

Prayer for CSW: Training and capacity-building One of the ways in which CSW works to help those who are working on the frontlines of religious freedom is through training and capacity building.

What that means in practice is that our advocates train lawyers, church leaders, activists and journalists, giving them the tools they need to document religious freedom violations and advocate for themselves.

It’s also a great opportunity to link up like-minded people, with similar experiences, so that they can share best practice with each other and gain encouragement from knowing that they’re not alone. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to equip and support grassroots activists and leaders who are working to bring change in their own country.

This week please pray:

Please Pray

• Thanking God for the talents, gifts and passion of our advocates who work tirelessly for religious freedom • That CSW’s training and capacity building work would continue to bear fruit • Thanking God for all those who have been equipped and trained by CSW, and who are now working to advance religious freedom in their own countries • Thanking God for the opportunities we’ve had to train over 450 people in the last 18 months • For further opportunities to train, equip and support those who are dedicated to campaigning for religious freedom in their own country • That God would continue to use the people we support and train for His glory

13 10-16 July Prayer for CSW: Campaigns and events

Week

It’s the Brighton Marathon this week! Over the years, we’ve been privileged to have an incredible number of staff and supporters run this marathon to raise funds for CSW. We’re so grateful for all of you! And it isn’t just running, either - we’ve had supporters fundraise in many interesting and exciting ways, from drinking only water for a year to the more traditional (but delicious) bake sales.

We always thank God for each and every one of you who decide to fundraise for CSW, so this week we’re covering every single one of them in prayer and giving thanks for all they’re doing to help raise funds. Please also remember our fundraising team in the office, who work every day to raise money for our vital work for religious freedom.

This week please pray:

Please Pray

• For energy and perseverance for Heather and all those who are volunteering to help with our summer events programme • For God to use our campaigns to help bring real change for the people for whom we work • That there’ll be many opportunities to speak to people about freedom of religion or belief over the summer • Thanking God for everyone who’s committed to be part of our summer events team • Thanking God for his sovereignty: he already knows who we’ll meet and what we’ll say!

• That our events would ultimately bring glory to God • That we’d be able to look back and see real fruit from this busy summer.

• That the activists who attend our training would be refreshed and inspired by what they learn.

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THE BEST WAY TO SAVE THEM FROM DROWNING IS TO SAVE THEM FROM FLEEING

Join us in calling on the UN to take decisive action against the atrocities in Syria. Because real change can’t happen until we tackle the root.

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 @csw_uk /cswuk Registered Charity No. 281836

TAKE ACTION NOW AT CSW.ORG.UK/REALCHANGE