‘We’re still homeless.’
In 2020, 21 Christians were evicted from their villages in southern Laos because they refused to renounce their faith. Local authorities then destroyed their homes. Although they were promised new homes, over a year later nothing had been built; at the time of writing, it’s not clear whether there has been any progress.
But there is also some good news: across the country, the number of people arrested because of their religion has actually been decreasing over the past decade. Thank you for your prayers for the people of Laos!
Find out more at csw.org.uk/laos
Sunday 10 April
Thank God for the decrease in the numbers of people arrested for their faith. Although much remains to be done, there have been some positive reforms which have come about in part because of the advocacy of groups like CSW.
Monday 11 April
Pray that the authorities will build the promised new homes for the Christians evicted from their villages in Saravan province, so that they can return home. Pray also that God will provide for all their needs as they wait.
Tuesday 12 April
Authorities in rural areas often demand that Christians abandon their faith. One Christian said, ‘Those who renounce their faith will be left alone, but those who refuse will have to leave their villages, and their homes will be destroyed…’ Pray that this practice will cease completely.
Wednesday 13 April
Although rural areas are seeing these forced evictions, some Christians in the capital, Vientiane, are now freer to practise their faith. Thank God for this, and pray that these churches would stand in solidarity with the congregations in rural areas.
Thursday 14 April
‘“I will comfort those who mourn, bringing words of praise to their lips. May they have abundant peace, both near and far,” says the Lord, who heals them.’ (Isaiah 58:18b-19 NLT) Today, on Laos New Year, pray this verse over all the country’s religious communities.
Friday 15 April
Sombath Somphone, a human rights activist, has been missing since 2012. He was last seen being forced into a vehicle at a police checkpoint in Vientiane. Pray that he will return home to his wife very soon, and for answers and justice for the many other victims of enforced disappearance in Laos.
Saturday 16 April
Sovereign Lord, thank you for the good news that some Christians in the capital of Laos are now freer to practise their faith. We pray now that those freedoms will cover the whole of the country, and that by this time next year there will have been no more reports of forced evictions. To God be the glory! Amen.