This week marks 200 days since the crackdown on lawyers and other human rights defenders began in China. Over 280 lawyers and human rights activists, as well as those connected to them such as friends and family members, have been detained by the Chinese government since 10 July 2015. This is roughly half of all human rights defenders in China.

One of the people arrested is Zhang Kai, a human rights lawyer and Christian who is currently in prison in an unknown location. Zhang Kai has been defending the rights of religious minorities since 2004, and has been subject to harassment and intimidation many times.

This week, please pray:

• That Zhang would be quickly released, and in the meantime would be protected from harm;
• For God’s comfort for Zhang’s wife and children, as they wait to hear news of Zhang;
• For other lawyers who are in jail (for example, Wang Yu, Li Heping, and Tang Jingling), that God would keep them safe and that they would know his presence;
• For peace and safety for other human rights defenders in China who are being targeted by the authorities;
• That God would effect powerful change in China’s policy toward religious minorities;
• That God would support all those in China who face harassment for their beliefs;
• That those human rights defenders who remain free would be able to carry out their vital work fearlessly, and that God would protect them.