CSW - Prayer Needs.

Prayer needs for this week - Saturday 13 July

Dear All, ‘He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?’ Romans 8:32 When we pray for God to provide for us or others, it’s good to remember the reason that we can pray confidently – that God has already given us the greatest gift he ever could, through the death and resurrection of his son Jesus. Because of this, we can commit ourselves to wholeheartedly pray ‘big prayers’ of provision for ourselves and others, no matter where they are. Please pray for God’s provision in Eritrea as we receive more reports of violent and restrictive measures taken against Christians in the country. On 13 June Said Mohammed Ali died in detention following torture. On 23 June, a church gathering in Eritrea’s second largest city, Keren, was raided by security officers. A number of the members of Faith Missions Church were arrested, including children, pregnant women, and at least one entire family. Property at the venue belonging to the church was confiscated, and arrests have continued. Then on 2 July, several Catholic nuns were evicted from the health centres where they worked and lived, and property belonging to the centres, including beds, bedding, cupboards, chairs and tables, was confiscated. Local sources reported that following the evictions the nuns were left to ‘fend for themselves’. At least one woman is reported to have died due to pregnancy complications following these closures. In summary, please pray: For comfort and justice for the family of Said Mohammed Ali and for the family of the woman who died due to complications. That the remote communities that were served by the health centres would still be provided for. For the imprisoned members of Faith Missions Church, and all other prisoners of conscience, to be released. For protection for church members from further raids and arrests. This week’s Prayer Diary: Cuba On 24 February, a majority of the Cuban people voted in favour of a new constitution that severely limits freedom of religion or belief. Article 15, which covers freedom of religion, removes language explicitly protecting religious rights and replaces it with vague references to rights and responsibilities - which could facilitate further abuses by the government. Sunday 14 July The campaign against the new constitution was backed by different church denominations from all over Cuba – an unprecedented show of unity in the Cuban population. Give thanks to God for this unity, and pray that it will continue in the future. Monday 15 July Many of the church leaders who spoke out against the new constitution experienced severe harassment both before and after the referendum. Some have even been branded counter- revolutionaries – essentially enemies of the state. Pray that God would grant them both courage and protection. Tuesday 16 July Rev Hernandez Armas publicly opposed the draft constitution, and received a call branding him a counter- revolutionary. He told CSW, ‘I have total confidence that, even in Cuba, God reigns. Pray for me and my family...my wife and I have spoken and prayed because at any moment they could take me prisoner.’ Pray that God would watch over Rev Hernandez Armas and his family. Wednesday 17 July Today, pray that the new constitution, especially Article 15, would be amended with clearer wording that fully protects freedom of religion or belief and other human rights. Thursday 18 July CSW has a long history of campaigning for freedom of religion or belief in Cuba, and working with human rights activists who courageously speak out for the rights and freedoms of others. Pray for wisdom, insight and strength for our Latin America advocacy team members as they develop new strategies for our work on Cuba. Friday 19 July In the days following the referendum, one church leader told CSW, ‘It is horrible what is happening in our country...The terror of the ‘No’ [campaign] has made [the government] paranoid. A friend in my church was fired from his job. A 16-year-old student was questioned on how she was going to vote and because she said ‘No’ they issued a pre-arrest warrant against her and took the case to the municipal level... There are many other [similar] stories.’ Pray today for all who are being targeted by the government because of their referendum vote. Saturday 20 July Heavenly Father, we commit the future of the Church in Cuba to you, as it faces more restrictions on freedom of religion or belief. Thank you for the show of unity both before and after the referendum: we pray that it continues as the Christian community faces an uncertain future. Amen.