Prayer Diary: July - October 2019

40 years of standing against injustice

prayer diary July-October 2019

Women at a camp for internally displaced persons in Bauchi, Nigeria

Welcome

Praying for nations in times of turmoil and change has the power to transform the futures of individuals and communities in ways we couldn’t imagine.

In my own work on Cuba, the first part of this year has seen changes in the country that have the potential to alter the course for entire religious communities. I’ve witnessed an incredibly sharp increase in religious freedom violations related to the new constitution that was voted in in February.

So many church leaders and human rights activists have courageously spoken out against the restrictive and dangerous changes in the constitution and are being intimidated and harassed regularly as a result. Your prayers are invaluable to these courageous men and women – so please don’t stop praying!

My prayers for CSW’s work around the world always centre on two main areas. Firstly, I ask God to provide the unity and courage that church leaders and human rights defenders badly need. We’re so privileged to work with partners who offer so much expertise – I know that they find your prayers a huge encouragement, whether they are in Cuba or China. Secondly, I give thanks to God for each of them: their very existence and courage shows the blessing that God has given to our work. If you pray one thing for CSW with me over the next few months, please thank God for all of our partners on the ground. They truly are such a blessing.

Monica Latin America Advocate

Pray

Get weekly prayer updates by email at csw.org.uk/jointoday

All images by CSW unless otherwise stated.

Your prayers are needed for Cuba.

Week 1: 14-20 July On 24 February, a majority of the Cuban people voted in favour of a new constitution that severely limits freedom of religion or belief. Article 15, which covers freedom of religion, removes language explicitly protecting religious rights and replaces it with vague references to rights and responsibilities - which could facilitate further abuses by the government.

Sunday 14 July

Wednesday 17 July

The campaign against the new constitution was backed by different church denominations from all over Cuba – an unprecedented show of unity in the Cuban population. Give thanks to God for this unity, and pray that it will continue in the future.

Today, pray that the new constitution, especially Article 15, would be amended with clearer wording that fully protects freedom of religion or belief and other human rights.

Monday 15 July

CSW has a long history of campaigning for freedom of religion or belief in Cuba, and working with human rights activists who courageously speak out for the rights and freedoms of others. Pray for wisdom, insight and strength for our Latin America advocacy team members as they develop new strategies for our work on Cuba.

Many of the church leaders who spoke out against the new constitution experienced severe harassment both before and after the referendum. Some have even been branded counterrevolutionaries - essentially enemies of the state. Pray that God would grant them both courage and protection.

Tuesday 16 July Rev Hernandez publicly opposed the draft constitution, and received a call branding him a counterrevolutionary. He told CSW, ‘I have total confidence that, even in Cuba, God reigns. Pray for me and my family…my wife and I have spoken and prayed because at any moment they could take me prisoner.’ Pray that God would watch over Rev Hernandez and his family.

Thursday 18 July

Friday 19 July In the days following the referendum, one church leader told CSW, ‘It is horrible what is happening in our country...The terror of the ‘No’ [campaign] has made [the government] paranoid. A friend in my church was fired from his job. A 16-year-old student was questioned on how she was going to vote and because she said ‘No’ they issued a pre-arrest warrant against her and took the case to the municipal level...

There are many other [similar] stories.’ Pray today for all who are being targeted by the government because of their referendum vote.

Saturday 20 July Heavenly Father, we commit the future of the Church in Cuba to you, as it faces more restrictions on freedom of religion or belief. Thank you for the show of unity both before and after the referendum: we pray that it continues as the Christian community faces an uncertain future. Amen.

Read more about this referendum and the role of the Church in the latest issue of Response.

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This week please pray for Iran.

A church in Iran. Photo: Article 18

Sunday 21 July Church of Iran members Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, Mohammadreza Omidi, Yasser Mossayebzadeh, and Saheb Fadaie, were jailed in 2018 after receiving extremely harsh sentences on national security-related charges. Pray that these four men would be released and the charges against them dismissed.

Monday 22 July

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Your prayers are needed for our work in Vietnam.

Week 2: 21-27 July

Week 3: 28 July-3 August

In Iran, religious identity is a defining factor which impacts the everyday lives of Iranian citizens: it determines their rights, opportunities and social status, and dictates how the state sees them. Christians, especially converts, are seen as a threat to the power of the state.

Harassment, intimidation and surveillance are a part of daily life for some of Vietnam’s most vulnerable religious minorities, including Catholics, Protestants and Hoa Hao Buddhists. They can also experience arrest, torture and extra-judicial killing.

In April the UN Human Rights Committee urged Vietnam to prevent ‘all acts of undue interference’ with freedom of religion. CSW raised similar concerns in a report criticising the use of arbitrary detention and torture against those who defend freedom of religion or belief.

service he was leading in February this year. When Islamic Revolutionary Guard members entered the church they confiscated Bibles and mobile phones belonging to the attendees.

They also went to the pastor’s home, where they confiscated his books and his wife’s phone. Pray for courage and strength for Pastor Haghnejad, who has been arrested and tried several times in the past.

Wednesday 24 July

The Assyrian pastor Victor Bet-Tamraz is currently appealing a ten-year prison sentence. His wife is appealing a five-year sentence, and their son is appealing a four-month one - all on similar charges relating to national security and ‘illegal church activities’. Ask God to protect and guide this courageous family, and for their convictions to be quashed.

Two judges in particular are notorious for miscarriages of justice, including in the cases involving Christians.

Judges Babaee and Zargar are also alleged to have played prominent roles in the crackdown on freedom of expression, and were among several officials deemed responsible for or complicit in serious human rights violations. Pray that God would move in the hearts of these judges and draw them towards unbiased verdicts.

Tuesday 23 July

Thursday 25 July

Pastor Matthias Haghnejad, a Church of Iran pastor from Rasht, was arrested towards the end of a church

Recognised churches which used to hold Farsi services have been shut down by the government, essentially

criminalising the practice.

As a result many Persian converts gather in house churches, which are often raided by the authorities.

In a recent interview SeyedHashem Bathaee, a member of Iran’s Expediency Council of religious leaders implied that Muslims who convert to Christianity were susceptible to ‘religious corruption’ and said apostates deserved the death penalty – whether ‘man or woman, boy or girl’. Ask God to protect converts, even as they worship in secret.

Friday 26 July We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

Psalm 33:20-21. Pray these verses over Iran today.

Sunday 28 July Various countries and institutions are seeking closer trade ties with Vietnam - pray that they will take every opportunity to raise freedom of religion or belief issues with the Vietnamese government, and press for real change.

Monday 29 July ‘I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!’ Psalm

116:1-2 NLT. Pray this verse over Vietnam today.

Tuesday 30 July Pray for wisdom for religious minorities experiencing discrimination, harassment and worse; that they will know how best to respond in order to keep themselves safe while standing up for their rights.

Wednesday 31 July Ethnic minority Catholics and Protestants can experience denial of access to education and public services after conversion; some are evicted from their homes or detained and tortured. Pray for their protection today.

Thursday 1 August Most Christians who experience problems are ethnic minorities living in rural areas such as the Central Highlands. Pray that these isolated Christians will be able to learn about their rights and stand up for them.

Friday 2 August Thank God for the UN Human Rights Committee’s review earlier this year of Vietnam’s human rights situation, and the Committee’s strong recommendations. Pray that this will lead to decisive action and tangible improvements for all Vietnam’s religious communities.

Saturday 3 August Lord of all, we know that you are everywhere - even in places which are remote and hard to reach for us. We ask you to spread your wings of protection over ethnic minority Christians in the Central Highlands, and restore their access to education. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Saturday 27 July Lord God, we ask you to watch over all those who have been unjustly charged, sentenced and imprisoned in Iran, including for exercising the right to change their religious beliefs. Ensure justice for the oppressed and set the captives free in Iran today, we pray. Amen.

Boats in Halong Bay, Vietnam

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Pray for Sudan.

Your prayers are needed for Pakistan.

Week 4: 4-10 August In April Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, saw the largest protests in decades, with some estimating that over a million people took part. The protests began last December, triggered by a government decision that tripled the price of bread. Citizens took to the streets to demand democratic reforms and the removal of President al Bashir. Muslims and Christians alike have joined the protests, demonstrating the inclusive nature of the uprising.

Al Bashir was deposed on 11 April and a Transitional Military Council took over. As we go to print the protests are still ongoing, and negotiations continue for the creation of a civilian-led administration. Check csw.org.uk/sudanprotests for the latest updates.

Sunday 4 August Pray that the Transitional Military Council hands over power soon to a civilian government, and that the power transfer takes place smoothly and peacefully.

Wednesday 7 August

At least 65 protestors have been killed since the demonstrations began, and former president al Bashir and others have been charged with inciting and participating in these deaths. Pray that the case will proceed quickly, and that true justice will be done.

Ask God to pour out his healing power on the Sudanese people, who have suffered so much for so long, and pray that there will be genuine accountability for the crimes committed during al Bashir’s presidency. He is wanted by the International Criminal Court for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes for his alleged role in Sudan’s abusive counterinsurgency campaign in the Darfur region.

Tuesday 6 August

Thursday 8 August

The country remains in a state of emergency and protesters have maintained their presence in the streets of the capital while the negotiations between the military and the protesters continue. Please pray for the negotiations, and for the swift transfer of power

On the day after the coup, Christians stood arm in arm to protect Muslim protestors from the military while they participated in Friday prayers at the sit in.

Monday 5 August

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from a military council to an inclusive civilian administration.

Thank God for the spirit of hope and inclusivity that has characterised the protests so far, and pray that it will continue.

Friday 9 August Church leaders were given the opportunity to address the Transitional Military Council, who responded positively to calls for the protection of freedom of religion or belief. However, these positive interactions need to be followed up with concrete action. Pray that the new political leaders will address the injustices the Church in Sudan has faced in the past and make the legal and policy changes necessary to protect freedom of religion or belief.

Saturday 10 August Sovereign Lord of all, please stretch your protective hand over all the Sudanese people during this turbulent time. As people of all faiths come together to stand for democracy and human rights, we ask that the inspiring spirit of inclusivity we’ve seen in the protests so far continues, and that true justice and peace reign over Sudan. In your holy

Protests in Khartoum.

Photo: Amgad Salah

Week 5: 11-17 August Religious freedom concerns include discriminatory legislation, institutional and social discrimination, and targeted violence against the country’s religious minorities – Christians, Hindus, Shi’a Muslims and Ahmadis. Religious minorities are regularly treated as secondclass citizens, with many facing discrimination in employment and education, and through electoral procedures. This situation is exacerbated by terrorist attacks, sectarian violence and the state’s failure to hold perpetrators of violence to account.

Sunday 11 August

Tuesday 13 August

In recent years there has been a rise in the number of Christian and Hindu girls being forcibly converted to Islam and forced into marriage. Between February and March 2019, within the space of 45 days, 17 girls were abducted and forcibly converted in Sindh Province alone. Today, on Pakistan’s National Minorities Day, pray for a change in legislation to protect girls from forced conversion, for the release of these girls, and their swift return to their families.

Today pray for Asia Bibi, who was falsely accused of blasphemy and sentenced to death in 2010. She was finally acquitted in October 2018, and she and her family have been granted asylum in Canada. Thank God for the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold her acquittal, and pray that the hearings of others unfairly accused of blasphemy might also be successful.

Monday 12 August Shafqat Masih and Shagfta Kousar were falsely accused of blasphemy and sentenced to death in April 2014.

Despite being illiterate, the Christian couple was accused of sending blasphemous text messages to a local cleric and lawyer. Shafqat is very ill and their appeal hearing has been repeatedly postponed.

Pray for Shafqat’s recovery, and that the couple would be swiftly acquitted.

Wednesday 14 August Job adverts often discriminate against religious minorities, with many roles for cleaners and sanitation workers stipulating that applicants must be Christian.

Pray that government departments would remove such adverts and that the state wouldn’t perpetuate the already widely-held view that religious minorities should only undertake low-paid, dirty or dangerous work.

Thursday 15 August Over the last few months, human rights activists have experienced a rise in threats, break-ins and state monitoring.

Today, pray for their safety, and that God would give them the encouragement they need to continue to fight for justice and equality for people of all faiths.

Friday 16 August The Ahmadiyya community is the most widely persecuted religious group. The penal code criminalises the practice of their faith and, in order to vote, Ahmadis must sign a certificate denouncing their faith and their founder.

Pray that this group, which numbers around four million, would be treated equally and would enjoy the full rights of citizenship.

Saturday 17 August Lord Jesus Christ, you teach us the importance of showing compassion and love for our neighbours, whoever they may be. We ask you to bring about a lasting change in the nation of Pakistan; to bring an end to the religious prejudice that currently pervades all areas of life. Help the people of Pakistan to see the faces of their neighbours in all their compatriots, whatever their religion. Amen.

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This week please pray for North Korea.

Week 6: 18-24 August

Wednesday 21 August

In March we held an event at the UN in Geneva where we heard the testimony of Heyeona Ji, a North Korean Christian currently living in South Korea. Between 1998 and 2007 she fled the country three times and was repatriated three times. During this time she endured unimaginable suffering, including torture, human trafficking and forced abortion.

Sadly, her story is not unique - countless others have had similar experiences.

Even as its leader engages in talks with world leaders from South Korea and the US, the North Korean regime remains infamous for its brutality and oppression. Every single aspect of daily life is controlled, and religion, or anything else that could be seen as a threat to the stranglehold of the state, is harshly punished.

Sunday 18 August It is estimated that over 200,000 North Koreans are held in kwanliso prison camps, where they experience horrific torture and sexual violence and are forced into slave labour. Pray for the permanent closure of these brutal camps.

Monday 19 August Pray for all who, like Ms Ji, endure repatriation, torture and imprisonment because of their faith. Even the slightest indication during interrogation

Your prayers are needed for India.

that Ms Ji was a Christian would have meant being sent to a political prison camp or being executed. Ask God to grant strength, endurance and faith to all those who face such suffering today.

Tuesday 20 August While recent meetings between the US and North Korean leaders have given rise to hope for a more peaceful future, human rights have not been a feature of these talks.

Pray that future discussions would place human rights firmly on the agenda.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans 8:35. Pray this verse over North Korea today.

Thursday 22 August China has a long-standing policy of returning North Korean refugees to their country of origin, regardless of the danger in sending them back. Pray that this policy would end and that China would instead allow them to cross safely into South Korea.

Friday 23 August North Koreans suspected of having contact with South Korean or other foreign missionaries in China, and those caught in possession of a Bible, have been known to be executed, often in incredibly brutal ways. Pray for safety and protection for North Koreans who profess Christianity and practise their faith in secret.

Saturday 24 August Lord God, you see everything that is hidden from us and you know each person suffering in North Korea by name. We lift them to you, God, and ask you to protect them and grant them a future of peace for both themselves and their nation. Amen.

Street scene in Pyongyang, North Korea. Photo: Random Institute

Week 7: 25-31 August In 2014 the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power.

Since that time the dominance of Hindutva ideology, a Hindu nationalism which seeks to impose Hinduism on all aspects of Indian society, has led to a marked increase in communal and targeted violence against religious minorities. By refusing to speak out against the violence, Prime Minister Modi appears to condone it, and many groups have felt emboldened to act with impunity and ignore the rule of law entirely. The Christian community in particular has been aggressively targeted and prevented from freely practising their faith. In May Modi’s government retained power in a landslide electoral victory.

Sunday 25 August

Tuesday 27 August

Today marks the 11th anniversary of the 2008 Kandhamal District attacks, the worst anti-Christian violence since India’s independence. The attacks

by Hindu fundamentalists resulted in the deaths of at least 90 people, the burning of 5,600 homes and the destruction of approximately 300 churches. Pray for the survivors of that tragedy and for the victims’ families, many of whom are still awaiting justice.

In January 2019 alone, 12 cases of communal violence against Christians were reported in Uttar Pradesh, including that of Pastor Selva Kumar and six other Christians from Full Gospel Pentecostal Church. They were verbally abused and physically assaulted by hardline groups while giving out gospel tracts.

Pray for them today.

Monday 26 August Over the past two years there has been an increase in attacks against Christians in Uttar Pradesh state. Some Hindu nationalists have spread a false narrative claiming that Christians are attempting to convert people forcefully, which has fuelled the rise in violence.

Pray for protection for Christians, and that lies and hatred would be overcome by truth and peace.

Wednesday 28 August On 7 February six Christians were seriously injured when a group of 25 Hindu militants ambushed a prayer meeting in a private home in Uttar Pradesh. The meeting was attended by about 40 Christians. Pray for those who were injured and all those who witnessed the attack, for healing, courage and hope.

minorities, anti-conversion laws operate in eight of the 29 states. These laws cause insecurity among Christians, and raise mistrust among the Hindu population. Pray that these laws would be repealed, and that religious minorities would be able to enjoy the freedoms their constitution guarantees them.

Friday 30 August Today, thank God for human rights defenders in India like Nehemiah Christie, bravely speaking up for Christians and those belonging to other minority religions. Ask God to bless their work, protect them and increase their number.

Saturday 31 August Loving heavenly Father, we lift before you the nation of India.

We pray today that hearts would be softened throughout the country. Send your Spirit of peace and love to dispel the current climate of bitterness, hatred and violence.

Amen.

Thursday 29 August Although India’s constitution protects the rights of religious Nehemiah Christie

Your prayers are needed for our UN work.

Week 8: 1-7 September

Week 9: 8-14 September

The United Nations is made up of 193 Member States and tackles a whole host of issues ranging from peace and security to climate change and food production. NGOs like CSW provide credible evidence and research in their particular field of expertise, Ms Ji at the UN. Photo: Permanent Mission of the Republic of Poland to the UN which is vital to the UN’s work. CSW is privileged to hold Special Consultative testimony at the UN and gave Status, allowing us to speak more directly to the UN on issues insight into the situation for relating to freedom of religion or belief. The main forum we Christians in her country. engage with is the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva.

Thank God for Ms Ji’s tremendous courage, and Sunday 1 September – have recently had their pray that the UN officials who Universal Periodic Review listened to her story would be In order to operate (UPR). The UPR is a peermoved to secure real change effectively at the UN, it is review process which assesses for North Koreans. essential that CSW maintains the human rights record of good working relationships Friday 6 September each member state every four with UN staff, other NGOs, and a half years. Pray that Today, pray for Claire and members of country these countries would action Denman, CSW’s UN Officer, as delegations, both in Geneva the recommendations they’ve she continues to build on the and New York. Pray that God received, and take clear steps successes of previous HRC would continue to bless and to protect religious freedom in sessions, and prepares for develop these relationships. their respective countries.

CSW’s participation at future Monday 2 September sessions and builds and Wednesday 4 September maintains relationships with Pray today for Dr Ahmed In March CSW participated key advocacy targets. Pray in Shaheed, the UN Special in the 40th Session of the particular for favour, wisdom Rapporteur on freedom of HRC in Geneva. During and energy. religion or belief. (Special this time we spoke at nine Rapporteurs are experts Saturday 7 September dialogues and debates, appointed by the UN to met with a number of Lord God, we thank you for the examine and report back on country representatives incredible opportunities you a specific country or area of and hosted an event on have given CSW at the UN. We research.) Ask God to bless religious freedom in North ask you to continue to bless Dr Shaheed and his staff as Korea. Today thank God for a our work in this international they carry out research and successful HRC session and body, so that we would be report to the UN on freedom for the many opportunities effective advocates for justice of religion or belief around that have come from our for people of all faiths around the world.

Special Consultative Status. the world. Amen.

Tuesday 3 September Thursday 5 September

Under President Sisi there have been some advances in freedom of religion or belief, but only for the Christian community. However, while Christians have received greater support from the presidency, discrimination and violence persist at a local level, particularly in Upper Egypt.

A number of the countries we work on – Eritrea, Vietnam, Mexico, China and Nigeria 10

Your prayers are needed for Egypt.

Pray today for Ms Heyeona Ji, a North Korean Christian, who shared her powerful

Sunday 8 September In December 2018 the Prime Minister approved the legalisation of 168 churches and buildings belonging to the Coptic Orthodox Church and Evangelical Church.

Praise God for this wonderful news, and pray that these churches would be a blessing to their local communities.

Monday 9 September Today, please pray that the progress in freedom of religion or belief enjoyed by the Christian community would be extended to other religious minorities. Pray for those of all faiths who have been unjustly targeted by laws against blasphemy and contempt of religion, and ask God to bring an end to the use of discriminatory and restrictive policies as a way of targeting nonmajoritarian faiths, atheists and secularists.

Tuesday 10 September Human rights defenders experience official harassment, including travel bans, being summoned for questioning by the authorities, and having their personal, family and organisational

assets frozen. Despite this, many persist in their vital work. Give thanks for their courage, and petition God to provide for them both physically and spiritually.

Wednesday 11 September While the Christian community has been the only non-majoritarian religious community to see an improvement in their circumstances with regard to freedom of religion or belief, attacks still occur and many Christians experience discrimination in daily life. Pray for all attacks to be properly investigated, and for perpetrators to be brought to justice.

Thursday 12 September Today marks the beginning of the Orthodox New Year. Join us in praying that the grace of God would sustain members

of the Christian community in times of trial, granting them peace and quietness of mind.

We join them in praying for peace for their country and for God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven.

Friday 13 September Terrorism continues to occur, albeit less frequently.

Although the majority of attacks occur in northern Sinai, there have been several elsewhere targeting police, government officials, tourists and Christians. On 19 May several South African tourists were injured when their bus hit a roadside bomb near Giza. Pray for a permanent end to this threat.

Saturday 14 September Father God, we bring Egypt before you and pray you would bring an end to every terrorist threat. We ask for your protection over your Church, and for your blessing upon the human rights defenders who persist despite unimaginable pressure. Grant them courage to endure their harassment, and provide for all their needs.

Amen.

Your prayers are needed for Laos.

A night market in Laos. Photo: Adli Wahid

Week 10: 15-21 September

these are often undermined Xxxxx xxx xxx by weak rule of law in remote places. This means that religious minorities in these areas – including Catholics and Protestants – are often prevented from practising their faith freely. Pray for a strengthening of the rule of law at all levels, so that all people can practise their religion of choice freely.

Laos’ constitution guarantees its citizens the right to ‘believe or not to believe in religions’. However, the document limits state protection to ‘lawful activities’ by Buddhists and followers of other religions, and provides no clarification of the term ‘lawful activities’. The process for registering religions contains many bureaucratic obstacles, and weak rule of law at the local level also undermines the rights of the country’s religious minorities.

Sadly, the international community often overlooks religious freedom violations in Laos.

Thursday 19 September

Sunday 15 September

In August 2016 the Lao government issued Decree 315, which requires citizens to receive governmental approval for various religious activities. The decree uses ambiguous language meaning that it is open to abuse, and the registration requirements are restrictive.

Pray that this law wouldn’t be abused by local authorities and that religious groups would be able to publicly manifest their religion.

Christians are often targeted, as some officials consider Christianity to be a foreign religion at odds with traditional Lao culture. In recent years, Christians in some areas have reported cases of arbitrary detention, forced evictions, confiscation of land and livestock, destruction of property, harassment and discrimination. Pray for God’s protection over all Christian communities throughout the country.

Monday 16 September Converts to Christianity often find themselves in a particularly precarious situation. We’ve received reports of some new Christians who have been evicted from their homes and 12

Pray for Mexico.

harassed by neighbours and local leaders. Pray today for courage and safety for all new converts whose communities oppose their conversion.

Tuesday 17 September The religious freedom situation in Laos has seen some positive changes in recent years. For some religious communities in urban areas there are more opportunities for religious gatherings.

Moreover, the last decade has seen a reduction in the number of long-term Christian prisoners of conscience.

Thank God for these encouraging developments.

Wednesday 18 September While government efforts to improve religious freedom have been felt in urban areas,

Pray the following verse over the people of Laos today: ‘How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!’

Psalm 133:1 Friday 20 September

Saturday 21 September Heavenly Father, we lift up the country of Laos to you today. We ask that you would bless its leaders with wisdom, compassion and a sense of duty to all citizens, and we pray that you would protect all religious minorities throughout the country. Amen.

Week 11: 22-28 September Children of minority faiths are often barred from school, in attempts by local authorities to enforce religious conformity, and even though this is illegal state governments rarely take action.

Local leaders have also violently expelled many minority faith families from their communities, and the children of these families are then unable to enrol in a new school.

On 30 April, Children’s Day in Mexico, we made a noise that the Mexican authorities couldn’t ignore. We brought Alma, one of the affected children, to the capital to tell her story to government officials and foreign embassies. She was even able to take part in a special Children’s Day breakfast hosted by the president! Meanwhile, youth groups and churches around the world held ‘solidarity parties’, writing letters to their local Mexican embassies to press for action on this issue.

Sunday 22 September

Tuesday 24 September

Thursday 26 September

‘They discriminated against us, they swore at us, but I never thought they were going to destroy our houses.’

In December 2017 Alma’s family was thrown out of their village in Jalisco State, because of their faith. She’s always wanted to be a nurse, but her education has been interrupted by this traumatic experience. Pray that she’ll be able to resume school soon.

‘If you don’t take part in the Day of the Dead celebrations, I’ll give you a bad grade on your test.’ Oscar, from Hidalgo State, is just one of countless children who have heard similar words from teachers pressuring Christian children to take part in religious activities against their will. Ask God to move the hearts of the teachers towards tolerance.

‘I want to study to be able to teach other children.’ Florinda is Delfino’s sister, and she was 11 when their family was thrown out of Yashtinin.

The paperwork she needed to enrol in a new school was left behind, and they could not return to get it because of threats of violence. Pray that she would be able to make up for the education she’s missed out on.

Monday 23 September

Wednesday 25 September

Friday 27 September

‘To be a doctor, I need to return to school…’ Kevin, from Chiapas State, has a story similar to Alma’s.

‘Seeing them destroying our houses, I felt very sad.’

Pray for Kevin’s mental and emotional healing as he and his family try to rebuild their lives following this trauma.

‘That has been my biggest desire, to be able to study, to go ahead and do something in life.’ Delfino was just 12 when his family was expelled from the community of Yashtinin in Chiapas State, along with 27 other families whose homes and property were all destroyed. Pray that the community leaders will have a change of heart and allow the Yashtinin families to return home.

‘My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!’

Psalm 56:9 NLT. Pray this verse over Mexico’s children today.

Alma in her village

Saturday 28 September Lord of all, your Son said that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to people who are childlike. Today we commit to you all the children named above, and ask you to grant them healing, freedom and the chance to resume their education. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

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This week please pray for Nigeria.

Pray for Bangladesh.

Week 12: 29 September-5 October Religious freedom violations have been taking place in northern Nigeria for decades. Since 2015 the situation for ethno-religious minorities in central Nigeria has deteriorated significantly, and during the first quarter of 2018 CSW documented 106 attacks on communities in this region, claiming a total of 1,061 lives. Although the Nigerian constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief to all citizens, these rights continue to be widely and regularly violated in shari’a states.

Religious minority groups continue to face discrimination in the law, in society and in their treatment by enforcement agencies. A series of attacks between 2013 and 2017 resulted in the deaths of several atheists and religious minorities - a worrying indication that anyone holding an opinion contrary to the state may be at risk. Land grabbing is also a pervasive problem, affecting mainly Hindus, Christians and indigenous groups. Around 75% of the country’s three million pending court cases relate to land disputes.

Sunday 6 October

Wednesday 9 October

Sunday 29 September

Tuesday 1 October

Between 9 February and 16 March 2019, at least 130 people were killed in Kajuru in a series of attacks by militia from the Fulani tribe on communities in the Adara chiefdom of southern Kaduna state, with 12,480 displaced between February and April. Pray for protection for the communities still recovering from the attacks, and for comfort for all those mourning their loved ones.

A proliferation of small arms has caused a rise in general lawlessness. Insecurity has increased with kidnappings for ransom rising across the nation. As Nigeria celebrates its Independence Day today, pray the following verse over all who fear for their safety daily: ‘Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me.’ Psalm 59:1

Conservative Islamist groups such as Hefazat-eIslam have demanded that secular content be removed from school textbooks and replaced with Islamic material. The government’s concessions to these groups were criticised as attempts to win votes ahead of the 2018 elections; pray that the government would resist such demands.

Hate speech on television is on the rise, amid concerns about the Waz Mahfil (Islamic gathering) sermons preached by radical Islamic clerics, often containing hate speech against religious minorities.

Pray that the government would take decisive action to combat hate speech.

Monday 30 September Easter was marred by violence.

On Palm Sunday, 17 people were killed in a militia attack on a baby dedication service in Nasarawa State. On Good Friday, a British aid worker was one of two people murdered by kidnappers who attacked their hotel and abducted several people in Kajuru, Kaduna State. On Easter Monday the annual Boys Brigade march in Gombe State was rammed by a security officer, killing 8 and injuring 37.

Pray for comfort for all who are mourning, for an end to every source of violence and for reconciliation.

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Week 13: 6-12 October

Wednesday 2 October In shari’a states, non-Muslim girls are often prevented from continuing their education as a result of abduction by local men, forcible conversion and forced marriage. Pray today that state authorities would make every effort to secure the return of abductees to their parents and bring perpetrators to justice.

Thursday 3 October Since February 2018, Christian schoolgirl Leah Sharibu has been held by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists for refusing to renounce her faith. On 14 May, CSW supporters gathered outside the Nigerian High

Commission to mark her 16th birthday; this is the third protest for Leah we have organised. Pray that the hearts of the Nigerian authorities would be softened, and that they would act to secure Leah’s immediate release.

Friday 4 October In February 2019 the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ordered the Nigerian government to investigate the 2016 Fulani militia attacks in Benue State in which around 500 people died, to prosecute the perpetrators and to compensate the victims. Thank God for this ruling, and pray that the government would enact it.

Saturday 5 October Almighty Father, we pray today for an end to all religiously-motivated violence in Nigeria. We pray for those carrying out the attacks, that they might undergo a profound change of heart.

And we pray that Nigerians of all faiths might live together in harmony, and have the freedom to practise their faith without fearing the repercussions. Amen.

Monday 7 October Cases of forced marriage and conversion are on the rise, mainly targeting underage Hindu girls. Pray that God will protect the hundreds of girls and their families who are affected by this every year.

Pray that this discriminatory and damaging practice would cease.

Friday 11 October ‘You will be secure under a government that is just and fair. Your enemies will stay far away.’ Isaiah 54:14 NLT. Pray this verse over Bangladesh today.

Thursday 10 October

Saturday 12 October

The Enemy Property Act was historically used to strip Hindus of their property rights. Although the law has been repealed, land grabbing remains a serious issue that leaves countless religious minorities suffering daily from land insecurity.

Heavenly Father, you know the name of every girl who has been kidnapped and forced to convert and marry. Protect these girls, we ask, return them safely to their families, and grant them physical, mental and emotional healing as they rebuild their lives. Amen.

Tuesday 8 October The Ahmadiyya community has been experiencing increasing harassment. Their annual three-day gathering, Jalsa, was cancelled in February after opposition from an Islamist group, Khatme Nabuwat Bangladesh and since then, police have been instructed to conduct surveillance on Ahmadis nationwide. Pray for the protection of the community.

Participants at training workshops in Bangladesh

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. As Christians we stand with everyone facing injustice because of their religion or belief.

T +44 (0)20 8329 0010 @CSW_UK /CSWUK csw.org.uk Registered Charity No. 281836

PO Box 99 New Malden Surrey, KT3 3YF United Kingdom