Earlier this year CSW released a major new report on persecution in Cuba. Our report highlights a sobering trend: that more brutal and public methods are now being used against religious believers, as part of an increasing political crackdown on freedom of religion.

Last year the number of reported violations of religious freedom tripled. This doesn’t even include the dozens of Catholics who were arrested and imprisoned while the Pope visited Cuba, to stop them attending any of the Masses or other events planned. Christian children can face being expelled from school because of their faith. And for many, their daily lives consist of ridicule and harassment from the authorities.

This week please:

• Ask God to give courage to Christian children at school who know that taking a stand for their faith could get them expelled;
• Pray that those who are regularly detained would remain strong in their faith despite their experiences;
• Ask God to protect Christians from physical harm while they are in prison;
• Pray that the Government would stop imprisoning Christians linked to human rights and democracy groups on a Sunday to stop them attending church;
• Pray for healing for Pastor Reutilio Columbie, who suffered brain damage after a violent attack last year;
• Thank God for the bravery of the many Christian leaders, including priests and pastors, who stand up for the right of all Cubans to practice their faith;
• Pray that God would bring freedom and justice to the nation of Cuba.