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‘Only in religious faith can the inherent depth and height of [the] human heart, its joy and sorrow, its behavior, destiny and protest, the development of human nature, and the significance of human conscience be grasped in a meaningful way.’ These are the words of Gao Zhisheng, a Christian human rights lawyer in China who was disappeared last year. Imprisoned and beaten multiple times for his work defending human rights, Gao’s case is just one example of the dire state of human rights, especially freedom of religion or belief, in China.

Gao Zhisheng remains missing, and it’s feared he is detained in a secret location: his family and lawyers have no idea where he is or the state of his health. Please pray that Gao would be released soon, and for strength and courage for his family as they try to get news of him.

Last October CSW had the privilege of hosting Gao’s daughter Grace as she visited the UK to raise awareness of her father’s situation, and to talk about her experiences growing up while her family was being targeted by the government. Give thanks for Grace’s extraordinary courage and pray that her awareness-raising efforts in the UK will bear fruit.

Please keep praying faithfully for Living Stone Church, whose case we asked you to pray about last year: they’re still experiencing government harassment and can no longer meet together in one group. The leader, Pastor Yang Hua, remains in prison and though his health has improved somewhat, please keep praying that he would be released soon.

“The church may experience persecution, but we still give thanks to God and trust in His will. We have pressure and trouble from outside the church, but that is not our biggest problem. The problems inside the church are the hardest thing to bear.” These are the words of Wang Hongwu, Pastor Yang’s wife. Pray that God would grant the members of Living Stone Church a spirit of unity and courage.

Today, please pray for God’s powerful presence to grant Wang Hongwu strength and peace in her husband’s absence, and hope that he’ll rejoin her soon.

In our last issue we asked you to pray for Alimujiang Yimiti, a Christian from Xinjiang Province who was unlawfully arrested in 2008. He is serving a 15-year sentence. Today, please pray that God would grant faith and strength to Alim as he serves his sentence, and move the hearts of the authorities to allow his family to visit him more often.

Father God, even though people like Gao and Alim are hidden from the eyes of the world, you see them and are alongside them in their trials. Please fill them with your strength and courage as they face an uncertain future, and reunite them with their families soon. Amen.