Lord, today we pray for the people of North Korea. Move powerfully to protect them and grant them true freedom, peace, justice and opportunity. Amen.

North Korea is a closed, isolated and repressive country. The violations of human rights perpetrated there, including the right to freedom of religion or belief, are among the worst in the world. 

Individuals caught or suspected of religion or belief affiliation face harsh punishment, including detention in North Korea's brutal political prison camp system, torture, forced labour, and even execution. North Koreans who manage to escape the country are vulnerable to harassment, trafficking, and forced repatriation by China.

Praying for North Korea can sometimes feel impossible, given the gravity of the widespread human rights violations in the country. But we believe in a God who can move mountains, part oceans and – even more incredibly – move human hearts. 

If you want to learn more you can listen to our new podcast series on North Korea or watch our short film 'We cannot look away' (above)

Use the following prompts to pray for North Korea today:

‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ (John 1:5) Pray that Christ’s transformative light will overcome the darkness of the North Korean regime. 

Pray for the protection and safety of those who have been forcibly returned to North Korea or who remain at risk in China. Pray that countries like China would have a change of heart and stop repatriating refugees. 

Many North Koreans have a window to the outside world through foreign media smuggled into the country, including by radio and on USB sticks. Pray that God would keep these information flows open and secure. 

In 2014 the UN Commission of Inquiry reported that there was no parallel in the world to the human rights abuses happening in North Korea. Today, the situation is even worse. We thank God for those who are shining a light on the grave abuses taking place in the country, and pray that the international community would not shy away from holding North Korea to account. 

The inquiry found ‘an almost complete denial of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion’. Pray that citizens would have their fundamental freedoms restored and be able to practise a religion or belief of their choice without fear. 

Many Christians end up in kwanliso (prison camps) in conditions that are, as you can imagine, utterly appalling. Though these Christians have vanished from the eyes of the world, pray they would know and feel that God’s presence is with them. 

At CSW, our vision is a world free from religious persecution, where everyone can practice a religion or belief of their choice. We believe God uses the power of prayer to bring change. 

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