‘Every generation has its desperation, and every generation has its hope.’ – the China Human Rights Lawyers Group.

Earlier this year we released a new report, ‘China: The untold stories’, which sheds light on underreported violations of freedom of religion or belief. It reveals how the government’s new measures against sharing religious content online, introduced in March 2022, have taken the already suffocating crackdown to another level – for people of all religions or beliefs.

What’s more, at least 20 faith groups have been labelled xie jiao or ‘evil cults’ and banned under Article 300 – a law introduced specifically to ‘legally’ suppress beliefs.

Read more at csw.org.uk/UntoldStories

Sunday 11 December

People who follow the Falun Gong religious movement are just one of the groups banned as xie jiao, and are actively pursued by the police. ‘In [the police’s] eyes, Falun Gong practitioners are not human beings,’ says lawyer Jiang Tianyong. Pray for their encouragement and protection today, and for the anti-xie jiao laws to be revoked.

Monday 12 December

An independent scholar has warned that in Hong Kong there are early signs of religious freedom being restricted via ‘insidious’ means. This could include ‘corrupting Christian education and exerting total control on churches’. May God grant religious leaders the discernment and courage to hold tightly to the truth, no matter what lies are sown.

Tuesday 13 December

Children across China are forbidden to enter religious sites; this is monitored and enforced at some churches by government-installed surveillance cameras and loudspeakers. Pray for this ban to be lifted.

Wednesday 14 December

Pray for safety to surround China’s human rights lawyers as they persistently challenge violations of freedom of religion or belief. Dozens have been disbarred, harassed, evicted or even imprisoned and tortured in connection with their work.

Thursday 15 December

The demolition of mosque domes and minarets appears to be a steady trend. In June, local authorities attacked dozens of Hui Muslims who were guarding their place of worship in Yunnan province; others were detained. Pray that fear and destruction will give way to peace and restoration.

Friday 16 December

Read Philippians 4:19 and pray that God would meet all the needs of rural churches, particularly those in Yunnan province whose bank accounts have been frozen.

Saturday 17 December

Thank you, Father, that you already know and care about these under-reported or untold stories. May these voices be heard far and wide, so that the appalling violations can no longer be hidden, silenced or left unpunished. Amen.

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