North Korea is the most isolated, secretive and repressed nation on earth. Although what we know about the country is very limited, one thing we are certain of is that freedom of religion or belief is non-existent. Anybody who expresses opinions or beliefs which differ from the regime’s ideology faces severe punishment. Over 200,000 people are estimated to be detained in prison camps, where they endure dire living conditions and horrific torture. Many are Christians. Find out more about North Korea at csw.org.uk/northkorea

Sunday 20 December

Today is Constitution Day. The current constitution was adopted in 1972 and established the country’s first leader, Kim Il-sung, as President, paving the way for the totalitarian ruling dynasty. Pray today for the current leader, Kim Jong-un – that his heart would be completely transformed and he would grant his citizens the freedoms they deserve.

Monday 21 December

In recent years US President Trump and South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in have each met Kim Jong-un. Yet, on these very rare occasions, human rights have been sidelined or altogether ignored. Pray that those in power would use their positions to address the country’s human rights record.

Tuesday 22 December

In 2014 a UN Commission of Inquiry found the government had committed crimes against humanity, and that ‘the gravity, scale and nature of these violations reveal a State that does not have any parallel in the contemporary world’. Six years on, very little action has been taken. Pray that the report’s findings would be considered again, and that world leaders would hold perpetrators to account.

Wednesday 23 December

The inquiry found ‘an almost complete denial of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion’, and that Christianity was considered a particularly serious threat to the regime. Ask God to grant strength and hope to all Christians harassed, detained or tortured for their faith.

Thursday 24 December

Some aspects of daily life have changed over the past decade. Many people now have a greater awareness of the outside world, as flows of information into the country have increased. However, there has been no improvement whatsoever in freedom of religion or belief or other human rights. Pray that citizens would have their fundamental freedoms restored and be able to practise a religion or belief of their choice without fear.

Friday 25 December

‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ (John 1:5) As this year draws to a close, pray that 2021 will see Christ’s transformative light overcoming the darkness of the North Korean regime.

Saturday 26 December

Heavenly Father, we may never know the full extent of the suffering that North Koreans endure at the hands of their leaders. We ask you to pour out your mercy on this nation today and bring deliverance. As your Son taught us, we pray: your will be done. Amen.

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