Imprisoned Chinese Christian, Alimujiang Yimiti, has unexpectedly had his family visits cut. The wife of the house church leader was told that her monthly visits will now be reduced to one visit every three months.

On Wednesday 23 January, Mrs Yimiti went to visit her husband but was refused entry to the prison. Their last meeting, in November 2012, lasted just 15 minutes. Since then she has spoken to her husband only once, by phone on New Year’s Day.

Alim was sentenced to 15 years in prison for illegally providing “state secrets” to foreigners. It’s believed, however, that he was actually detained because he had been speaking to Christians outside China. The UN has declared his detention “arbitrary”, stating that it contravenes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

China recognises five official religions, but people like Alim who worship in unofficial ‘house churches’ are often at risk of imprisonment and torture.

This week please:

• Pray that Mrs Yimiti would be allowed to visit her husband more frequently, as before,
• Pray that Alim would be released from prison, and the unjust charges dropped,
• Pray that other prisoners of conscience are not forgotten, and that God would strengthen them.

Take action:

Please write to encourage Alim in prison, using our Connect and Encourage address booklet. Download it at www.csw.org.uk/connectandencourage or call us on 0845 456 5464 for a printed copy.