This week we’re asking you to lift up to God our work in Latin America! We work mainly in Colombia, Cuba and Mexico.

These are countries where Christians often have their rights systematically violated, but it’s not a situation that’s widely known about. So for us, one of the main challenges is to raise awareness internationally of what’s happening there.

In Mexico last year, more Roman Catholic priests were murdered or disappeared than in any other country in the world. Protestants have been evicted from their villages after refusing to renounce their faith, and have received death threats. Others have had their water supply cut off, and their children have been barred from attending school – all because of their faith.

• Pray that when victims in Mexico appeal their eviction, court processes would be conducted in a fair and transparent manner;
• Pray for Protestants who often find themselves the religious minority, and are pressured to take part in religious celebrations with the majority;
• Pray that local authorities would uphold religious freedom so that each community can celebrate its own religious festivals, and no one is forced to take part against their will;
• Ask God to move the hearts of authorities in Cuba, where Christians are often arrested on the way to church;
• Thank God for the courage of human rights and religious freedom defenders such as Mario Felix, who put themselves in danger to document human rights violations;
• Ask God to protect church leaders in Colombia who have received death threats because of their pastoral care for victims of human rights violations;
• Thank God for the progress we have seen, such as when courts upheld the right of a Christian man to conscientiously object.