Heavenly Father we pray for the authorities in Cuba, in particular Raul and Fidel Castro, and ask You to transform the hearts and minds of those in authority, in order to bring Your good purposes for Cuba into being.

This week, please:

• Pray for the courageous 'Ladies in White', who have faced beatings, arrests and harassment in order to attend religious services and pray for prisoners of conscience and other victims of injustice.
  
• Pray for Pastor Omar Gude Perez and his family, who have been granted asylum in the USA. His wife Kenia and their two children have been granted exit visas, but at the time of writing, Omar has still not been granted his.
  
• Pray for Catholic dissident Caridad Caballero and hundreds like her who were imprisoned during the Pope's visit and subjected to brutal treatment. Pray that they will be allowed to attend religious service free from government interference and harassment.
  
• Pray for leaders of all religious groups, including Cardinal Jaime Ortega and leaders of Protestant denominations in and outside of the Cuban Council of Churches. Ask God to give them wisdom and integrity in all they do.
  
• Pray for strength and protection for Baptist pastors Mario Felix Lleonart Barroso, Yuri Castellanos, and Francisco Rodriguez and their churches which have all been targeted for persecution by the authorities. Praise God for the support of their denomination despite government pressure.
  
• Pray for CSW's advocacy work on Cuba, that those we lobby will truly listen and take action to bring religious freedom in Cuba.