Christmas Prayer

Watch our short prayers for Advent

Around the world, countless people face injustice every day because of their religion and beliefs. Together, we can make a difference by praying over the Christmas period for those who are discriminated against because of their faith. 

In countries such as China, North Korea and Afghanistan, believers, religious leaders, and those who speak out against their government, are currently facing injustice because of their religious beliefs.  

During the Christmas period, we ask you to light a candle at least one evening and say a Christmas prayer for people around the world whose belief in Christ puts them in danger. Pray that the light of justice would continue to push back the darkness of justice. 

'When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."' - John 8:12

Thank God that the Incarnation and everything it means to humanity, inspires millions around the world to dedicate their lives to Christ - even when they face injustices because of their beliefs. 

Download our daily prayer guide for inspiration and read the stories of those facing human rights injustices across the world. 

At CSW, we work to defend, uphold and promote the right to freedom of religion or belief in over 20 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Through our advocacy, we challenge world leaders to fulfil their duty to protect religious freedom and human rights.


 Examples of religious injustice across the world:


Pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas is a prominent Protestant pastor and an outspoken critic of the Nicaraguan government.  He is the founder of La Roca de Nicaragua Church Association, which was arbitrarily stripped of its legal status.  


In July 2025, the pastor and several family and friends were unjustly arrested and transferred to a notoriously overcrowded maximum-security prison ‘La Granja’. None of them should be behind bars. Their detention is unjust, unlawful — and must end.


Leah Sharibu was just 14 years old when she was taken from her school in Dapchi, northeast Nigeria, in February 2018. She was the sole Christian among a group of 110 girls abducted by members of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). 

The surviving girls were returned home a month later following negotiations, but Leah was not among them. She had refused to convert in exchange for her release and has been in captivity ever since. 

Pastor Wang Yi was detained along with over 100 other members of Early Rain Church on 9 December 2018, in a large-scale crackdown by the authorities. 


He is serving a nine-year prison sentence for ‘inciting to subvert state power’ and ‘illegal business operations’. 

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#2 CSW manifesto

We believe no one should suffer discrimination, harassment or persecution because of their beliefs