|
Dear Friend
When the angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, they sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.”
Christmas time is all about peace - but we know that this is just a distant dream for thousands of Christians in many different countries. Please join us as we pray, lifting up to God our persecuted brothers and sisters who are not able to worship God freely and peacefully this Christmas.
Nigeria
Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi is facing another death threat. Pray for his continued protection and for those behind this threat to be quickly exposed and brought to justice.
Eritrea
Pray for the protection of refugees, and especially for those in Sudan, Libya and Egypt who face abuse, discrimination and forcible return.
Sudan
Pray for peace to hold between north and south where the build up of tension before the election, and new violence by militias and the Lords’ Resistance Army in particular, is a cause of real concern. Pray for an end to the suffering of the people of Darfur.
Somalia
Pray for the protection and deliverance of Somalia’s Christian community, over twelve of whom have died this year at the hands of the al Shabaab militia.
Iraq
The city of Mosul in Iraq has witnessed 5 bomb attacks on church buildings in the past month. Church leaders in Baghdad have been warned by the authorities that further bomb attacks on church buildings might take place over the Christmas period. Please pray for the protection of believers as they meet together this Christmas and that peace might at long last come to the people of Iraq.
Iran, Turkey and Egypt
Please pray for all believers who will spend Christmas in prison this year. Pray that state governments might uphold universal standards of international freedom, and put an end to the direct and indirect persecution of believers. Please pray especially for Muslim-Converts who have lost family and friends for their new faith, and for all those who support and protect them.
North Korea
Pray for those who suffer intense persecution for their faith, and for all who endure torture and extraordinarily harsh conditions in the prison camps.
China
Pray for Gao Zhisheng whose whereabouts remain unknown. Pray also for Alimujiang Yimiti, for whom this Christmas marks the beginning of a 15 year prison sentence on trumped up charges. Pray for house churches who have been forced to leave their buildings.
Cuba
Pray for Reverend Rodriguez and his family, who have had to move to another city because of fears for their safety.
Pakistan
Pray for protection for the church in Pakistan who have received threats indicating that violence on Christmas Day is possible. Whilst we cannot verify the threats please do hold the church in your prayers, and particularly those individuals who work for religious tolerance and social harmony.
Sri Lanka
Pray for the whole process of post-conflict reconciliation; for a fair political settlement after the conflict; for presidential and parliamentary elections in early 2010 and for the promotion of inter-religious harmony in the midst of this.
And finally - download a prayer written specially for CSW supporters by Archbishop Cheenath of Orissa. He has asked us all to use this prayer to uphold the people of Orissa on Christmas Day.
Thank you so much for standing together with CSW in 2009. With your support we have achieved much this year. Together, we will continue to strengthen our voice as we speak up for the voiceless and stand in solidarity with the persecuted throughout 2010 and beyond.
We wish you a very happy, blessed and above all peaceful Christmas and New Year!
Yours
The CSW Team
|
