Sunday 3 August
Most Protestant Christians in Laos live in rural areas where village chiefs operate semi-autonomously and are free to harass, evict and arbitrarily detain them with no accountability. Pray for greater collaboration between provincial and national officials to uphold freedom of religion or belief.
Monday 4 August
Lift up churches across Laos that have had their registration denied or revoked by the Ministry of Home Affairs, or that are still waiting for approval. Ask God to encourage and sustain them, regardless of their status in the eyes of the authorities.
Tuesday 5 August
Last year, six Christians were detained for over a month in Khammouane Province. They had hosted a small church service which was deemed ‘illegal’ as the church is not officially registered. Please pray that they would be protected from further harassment.
Wednesday 6 August
‘And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:20b). Pray that Christians in Laos would be inspired by these words of Jesus today.
Thursday 7 August
Pray for justice for the families of Pastor Sy Sengmnay, who was murdered in October 2022, and 40-year-old Pastor Thongkham Philavan, who was shot dead in his garden in July 2024 by gunmen wearing motorbike helmets. No arrests have been made to date in either case.
Friday 8 August
Please pray for Ng Shui-Meng. She is the wife of Sombath Somphone, a leading democracy activist who was disappeared at a police checkpoint in Vientiane more than 12 years ago. Ask God to bring her comfort and answers as to her husband’s whereabouts.
Saturday 9 August
Lord Jesus, thank you that recent years have seen some improvements in the situation of freedom of religion or belief in Laos’ urban areas. We ask that this would now spread to Laotians of all religions and beliefs across the country. Amen.
Find out more at csw.org.uk/laos