The pastors you prayed for last week aren’t an isolated case, sadly.

This is all part of a pattern of ongoing repression of religious minorities – President al-Bashir has vowed to create a Sudan which is ‘100% Islamic’. At the end of June, a group of 12 women leaving a church service were arrested on public indecency charges. The women, who were wearing skirts and trousers, were taken to a police station and forced to remove their clothes, which were submitted as evidence to the prosecutor. As we go to print the women have been released on bail and are awaiting trial.

• Pray for the women who were arrested, that they would not face any further harassment or arrests;
• Pray that the charges against them would be dismissed, and that they would be released unconditionally;
• Thank God for the incredible, inspiring faith shown by Christians under fire in Sudan, including Meriam, who last year refused to renounce her faith even to save her life;
• Pray that God would speak to and encourage those who are facing harassment, arrest or worse because of their faith;
• Thank God for the past successes we’ve seen as a result of prayer, campaigning and advocacy – such as Meriam being released from death row;
• Thank God that he has a plan for Sudan’s future, and that CSW supporters and staff all have the privilege of being part of that plan
• Pray that advocacy, campaigning and prayer would result in a Sudan where all its citizens are recognised as equal before the law, and everyone is free to hold and practise their beliefs.