Children of minority faiths are often barred from school, in attempts by local authorities to enforce religious conformity, and even though this is illegal state governments rarely take action. Local leaders have also violently expelled many minority faith families from their communities, and the children of these families are then unable to enrol in a new school. On 30 April, Children’s Day in Mexico, we made a noise that the Mexican authorities couldn’t ignore. We brought Alma, one of the affected children, to the capital to tell her story to government officials and foreign embassies. She was even able to take part in a special Children’s Day breakfast hosted by the president! Meanwhile, youth groups and churches around the world held ‘solidarity parties’, writing letters to their local Mexican embassies to press for action on this issue.

Sunday 22 September

‘They discriminated against us, they swore at us, but I never thought they were going to destroy our houses.’ In December 2017 Alma’s family was thrown out of their village in Jalisco State, because of their faith. She’s always wanted to be a nurse, but her education has been interrupted by this traumatic experience. Pray that she’ll be able to resume school soon.

Monday 23 September

‘To be a doctor, I need to return to school…’ Kevin, from Chiapas State, has a story similar to Alma’s. ‘Seeing them destroying our houses, I felt very sad.’ Pray for Kevin’s mental and emotional healing as he and his family try to rebuild their lives following this trauma.

Tuesday 24 September

‘If you don’t take part in the Day of the Dead celebrations, I’ll give you a bad grade on your test.’ Oscar, from Hidalgo State, is just one of countless children who have heard similar words from teachers pressuring Christian children to take part in religious activities against their will. Ask God to move the hearts of the teachers towards tolerance.

Wednesday 25 September

‘That has been my biggest desire, to be able to study, to go ahead and do something in life.’ Delfino was just 12 when his family was expelled from the community of Yashtinin in Chiapas State, along with 27 other families whose homes and property were all destroyed. Pray that the community leaders will have a change of heart and allow the Yashtinin families to return home.

Thursday 26 September

‘I want to study to be able to teach other children.’ Florinda is Delfino’s sister, and she was 11 when their family was thrown out of Yashtinin. The paperwork she needed to enrol in a new school was left behind, and they could not return to get it because of threats of violence. Pray that she would be able to make up for the education she’s missed out on.

Friday 27 September

‘My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!’ Psalm 56:9 NLT. Pray this verse over Mexico’s children today.

Saturday 28 September

Lord of all, your Son said that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to people who are childlike. Today we commit to you all the children named above, and ask you to grant them healing, freedom and the chance to resume their education. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.