All across Mexico, religious freedom violations are on the rise. Although it’s a secular state, in many parts of Mexico traditional law takes precedence over the constitution. This happens especially where there are large indigenous populations, and Protestant Christians in particular are often targeted. Their water and electricity is cut off, their children are blocked from attending school, and they often face violent attacks and eviction from their villages. Many victims have now waited years for justice, only to see their cases ignored or even archived by the officials who should be helping them.
- Pray that the government would take action to protect religious freedom and for an end to impunity for those who commit criminal acts targeting religious minorities;
- Pray that those who have been forced out of their villages because of their religious beliefs would be allowed to return home safely;
- Ask God to bring harmony and reconciliation in communities divided by tensions between different religious groups;
- Pray that community leaders and government officials would intervene to ensure all children’s right to an education is respected, regardless of their faith;
- Ask God to protect church leaders and their families under threat from illegal criminal groups, and give them wisdom and discernment;
- Pray for criminal groups who attack religious leaders. Ask God to bring them to repentance and for true transformation in Mexican society;
- Thank God for the national conference on religious freedom in Mexico organised by CSW and our partners Impulso 18 in the first week of November, and pray that it would have a real long-lasting impact.