Ethnic and religious minorities in remote parts of Vietnam continue to experience violence, as restrictive legislation couched in vague language allows law enforcement free reign to harass and target whoever they please. When he visited the UK in 2019, Vietnamese human rights lawyer Nguyen Van Dai urged us to keep praying for young human rights defenders in Vietnam as they continue to work in this increasingly dangerous situation. Find out more about Vietnam at csw.org.uk/Vietnam

Sunday 26 January

Yesterday was the beginning of Tet, Vietnamese Lunar New Year, and the most important holiday in the calendar. Pray that the coming year will be one of justice and peace for Vietnam’s religious minorities.

Monday 27 January

Nguyen Bac Truyen is a Hoa Hao Buddhist who gives free legal assistance to people facing religious persecution. He’s currently serving an 11-year prison sentence, and went on hunger strike last year to protest the mistreatment of a fellow prisoner, Nguyen Van Hoa, a Catholic activist. Ask God to sustain them.

Tuesday 28 January

Pray particularly for strength, healing and protection for Nguyen Van Hoa. In May 2019, Hoa’s former cellmate reported that Hoa sustained bruises and abrasions, and had been choked and beaten by a prison guard.

Wednesday 29 January

Pastor Nguyen Truong Ton has been in prison since 2017 as a result of his tireless defence of human rights. He’s being held in a facility very far from his home, which makes it difficult and expensive for his wife to visit him. Pray for God to bless them both with comfort and endurance.

Thursday 30 January

‘[My wife] told me she received many cards from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland…It made me feel like I was part of a big family.’ These were the words of human rights lawyer and former prisoner Nguyen Van Dai, speaking at our conference last year. Give thanks for everyone who campaigned and prayed on his behalf.

Friday 31 January

Nguyen Van Dai asked us: ‘Please pray for young people in Vietnam to come together to work for towards democracy.’ Join us in praying this today.

Saturday 1 February

Lord God, we thank you for the many human rights defenders in Vietnam who risk their freedom and safety for the rights of their fellow citizens. We commit them to you and ask you to be their vigilant protector and deliverer in the coming year. Amen.

Descargue una copia imprimible del Diario de Oración de esta semana.