Prayer diary: Peru

Christians in the Andean highlands of Peru suffered persecution at the hands of both far-left guerrilla groups and the military over two decades of internal conflict. The militantly atheist Shining Path guerrillas considered Christians and especially church leaders to be enemies of the revolution; while the military, sent to fight the Shining Path, unfortunately used many of the same tactics against the civilian population as the terrorist group.

Almost 30 years after six Christian men were massacred by the military in the village of Callqui, the National Criminal Court admitted this April that the state was responsible for this crime, and sentenced two of the attackers. This was a landmark decision, from a moral, symbolic and spiritual point of view. However, many other cases remain unresolved, and the victims are still waiting for justice.

Prayer points this week…

• Thank God that the Peruvian courts have acknowledged the state’s responsibility for the Callqui massacre;
• Thank God that the families of the victims have been able to forgive those responsible, and pray that their actions and words would serve as an example to others;
• Pray for Peace and Hope, our partner organisation, who offer victims and their families legal, psychological and spiritual support;
• Pray that those in Peru who committed human rights atrocities during the internal conflict would take responsibility for their actions;
• Pray for the families of victims of forced disappearances, and ask God to reveal what happened to their loved ones;
• Ask God to move those responsible for the 1984 massacre in Putis to admit their involvement;
• Pray that God would raise up leaders of integrity, and that these men and women would commit to creating a democratic, just and prosperous Peru.