The Nicaraguan government has forcibly shut down more than 5,000 independent civil society organisations since April 2018, including over 1,300 religious organisations.

Find out more at csw.org.uk/nicaragua

Sunday 30 November

Give thanks and pray for the brave individuals both in Nicaragua and in exile who, despite great risk, carry out vital first-hand documentation of violations of freedom of religion or belief. Without them, CSW’s work would not be possible.

Monday 1 December

Pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas is a prominent Protestant pastor and an outspoken critic of the Nicaraguan government. In July, the pastor and several family and friends were unjustly arrested and transferred to maximum-security prison. Pray that the charges of treason and conspiracy would be dropped, and everyone would be set free. Tragically, one of them – political activist Mauricio Alonso Petri Sr – died in custody in August.

Tuesday 2 December

Pastor Palacios Vargas’s church (La Roca de Nicaragua Association) was arbitrarily stripped of its legal status in 2019. Pray that this would be reinstated and ask God to protect the congregation from further targeting.

Wednesday 3 December

Pray today for the religious leaders across Nicaragua who have been subjected to what the government refers to as ‘precautionary measures’, requiring them to submit all their activities to police for approval on a weekly basis. Pray that they would be able to work freely and effectively.

Thursday 4 December

We continue to pray for the immediate and unconditional release of Pastor Efrén Antonio Vílchez López. The Protestant pastor is serving 23 years on trumped-up charges due to his history of criticising the government’s repression.

Friday 5 December

Two Roman Catholic lay leaders, Carmen and Lesbia, have been arbitrarily detained for over a year now, with no confirmation of their wellbeing or whereabouts. Neither woman has committed any crime. Please pray once again for proof of life, and ultimately for their unconditional release.

Update-On 29 November, Carmen and Lesbia were released into house arrest. They were believed to be being held in La Esperanza women’s prison, but were denied any contact with their families or lawyers – including proof of life – for the duration of their detention.

They have not been charged, tried or sentenced for any crime.

Saturday 6 December

Lord Jesus, we ask you to bring miraculous change to Nicaragua today. May political prisoners be released; may churches and civil society organisations be permitted to operate freely; and may every Nicaraguan enjoy the fundamental right to freedom of religion or belief. Amen.

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