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The government severely restricts all civil and political rights, including the rights of religious minorities. Earlier this year the government responded to citizen protests following an economic downturn, by arresting hundreds of protesters and opposition politicians. Meanwhile churches continue to be demolished without notice, religious leaders face arrest and judicial harassment, and in Khartoum Christian schools are facing unfair restrictions.

Noura Hussein, a young Sudanese woman, was sentenced to death in May after fatally stabbing the man she’d been forced to marry, during his second attempt to rape her. This horrific case highlights the discrimination Sudanese women face every day: they have very few rights and are, essentially, seen as property. Please pray that Noura’s sentence would be overturned.

During the government crackdown earlier this year human rights defenders, including those who work on freedom of religion or belief cases, were arrested or faced severe intimidation. Pray for God to continue to strengthen and protect all those who bravely stand up to defend human rights in Sudan.

In Khartoum State the Ministry of Education has supported an order that forces Christian schools to open on Sundays, thereby preventing Christian teachers and pupils from attending church. Both Muslim and Christian parents have demonstrated against the discriminatory practice. Pray that this order would be overturned.

As we go to print, leaders of the Sudanese Church of Christ are due in court charged with criminal trespass after they refused to hand over the affairs of the church to an unelected committee backed by the government. The government has been harassing this church for a number of years – pray that the church would be allowed to manage its affairs independently.

In February a church belonging to the Sudanese Evangelical Presbyterian Church (SEPC) denomination was demolished by security agents. Police trucks arrived at the church without notice moments after the service had ended, and security personnel confiscated chairs, Bibles and musical instruments before demolishing the church. Pray that the government would provide the congregation with a new place of worship.

The UN’s Independent Expert on human rights in Sudan will this month report to the UN Human Rights Council, giving them his assessment of the situation over the previous 12 months. Pray that his mandate will be renewed for another term, and that his report will encourage strong international action on human rights abuses in Sudan.

Lord God, today we pray for the nation of Sudan, especially for the situation of the many Sudanese women like Noura who face layers of discrimination. Bring about change, we pray: deliver heavenly justice for them. Amen.