Although conditions for Christians in urban areas have improved recently, those in rural areas report harassment, discrimination, being forcibly evicted, and their land, livestock and property being destroyed. Some authorities still see Protestant Christianity as a foreign religion at odds with traditional culture, and Christians have been arrested for explaining the Bible to people of other religions.

Sunday 1 December

Decree 315, issued in 2016, requires religious groups to obtain official approval for religious activities and for aspects of the groups’ internal management. Pray that this Decree would be amended or repealed, so that religious groups can freely and peacefully practise their beliefs.

Monday 2 December

The Decree also instructs religious believers to promote the ‘beautiful culture of the nation’. This could result in ethnic minorities being accused of undermining the majority culture if they convert to another religion. Today, on Laos National Day, pray that the authorities would find ways to celebrate the nation without criminalising conversion.

Tuesday 3 December

In recent years Laos has been increasing its participation in world affairs and international organisations, and as a result we’ve seen some improvements in freedom of religion or belief – especially for Christians in urban areas. Praise God for this positive development.

Wednesday 4 December

Perhaps even more encouraging are reports that higher authorities have intervened in cases where church leaders had been detained without sufficient evidence. This helps to counteract situations where some local authorities ignore the law and impose their own restrictions on their communities. Thank God for this and pray that it continues.

Thursday 5 December

‘But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.’ 2 Chronicles 15:7. Pray these verses over Laos today.

Friday 6 December

In January Laos will have its next Universal Periodic Review (UPR) – the process whereby every UN Member State has its human rights record examined every four and a half years. NGOs like CSW submit evidence for a report which is debated during the UPR. Pray that Laos would take the report seriously and would take effective action to improve human rights.

Saturday 7 December

Sovereign Lord, we declare that yours is the Name above all Names. You hold the nations in your hand, and you see everything they do. We thank you that as Laos participates more in international affairs, there have been some improvements in human rights for its citizens, and we pray for more of this. Amen.