Prayer Diary: Egypt

Though Egypts president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, has made encouraging gestures towards the Christian community and spoken up about the need for tolerance, the actual situation in Egypt with regards to human rights (especially religious freedom) is still very difficult and in need of much prayer.

Prayer Diary: Refugees

This week well mark UN Refugee Day. Nearly 60 million people worldwide are currently refugees because of conflict, violence and persecution the highest number since the Second World War. Violations of religious freedom are one of the key reasons why people are forced to leave their countries, so our work at the UN and beyond has never been more relevant or more in need of your prayers!

Prayer Diary: Ambassadors

Janet is our Ambassadors Coordinator. She says, In the words of the apostle Paul, I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. I thank God for all our Ambassadors and ask that God would continue to inspire and enthuse each one.

Prayer Diary: Sudan

Sudan has been on our minds a lot with the case of Reverend Hassan Abduraheem, Reverend Kuwa Shamal, Petr Jaek and Abdumonem Abdumawla, all of whom were on trial for unjust charges last year. Though Rev Kuwa was released in early 2017 and Mr Jaek received a presidential pardon in February, the other two men remain in prison. This, of course, exists in a much wider context of extreme pressure on Christians in Sudan: lets pray through the things theyre facing this week.

Prayer Diary: Mexico

Imagine having your water cut off because youre a different religion to your neighbours. Thats the reality for many Christians in Mexico, where some community leaders force out those from the minority religion. This week, please join us in praying for Mexico, and the Christians who have had to leave their homes.

Prayer Diary: Eritrea

Eritrea is one of the most repressive regimes in the world. Members of non-government-sanctioned religions experience extreme repression: theyre jailed and beaten in attempts to get them to renounce their faith.

Prayer Diary: India

Though India officially guarantees religious freedom for all its citizens, the election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought with it a rise in Hindu nationalism that sees Hinduism as the only true religion of India. Add to this vaguely defined anti-conversion laws that can be used to punish religious minorities, and a climate of increasing danger for human rights defenders, and we have a situation that desperately needs your prayers.

Prayer Diary: China

In a recent issue of Response we told you about Living Stone Church, a community of Christians in China who are experiencing extremely severe harassment from the government. Sadly, this is the reality for many Christians and other religious minorities in China: please remember them in your prayers this week.

Prayer Diary: Endurance

In the latest issue of Response, we talked to Pastor Tanka from Nepal about how he perseveres in prayer when change seems a long time coming. Its something Pastor Tanka knows a lot about, through years of working for human rights in his country. Recently he helped the eight Christians in Charikot who were on trial for giving out comic books about Jesus in a school. Though they were eventually released, the trial took a long time: read the full article in Response or online to find out more.

Prayer diary: Burma

Over the years weve been working on Burma, weve seen many developments: none more dramatic than the elections in 2015, the first reasonably free elections in 22 years. But while these elections led to a change in government, genuine change will be a slow and lengthy process.

Prayer diary: Cuba

Our recent report on Cuba highlighted again that theres more to this island country than paradise beaches and classic cars. Weve gathered stories of everyday life on the island that show what its like to live under the oppressive rule of Cubas communist government. From their lives come stories of threats of eviction, harassment, imprisonment, beatings and unfair criminal charges.

Prayer Diary: Easter

Happy Easter! We cant help getting excited: with its themes of freedom, deliverance and justice, Easter is one of our favourite seasons here at CSW. This week, lets bring before God some situations that reflect the central themes of Easter.