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PRAYER CALENDAR    

In the news
 February 1: Heavenly Father, we know that in You all things are possible, and that You welcome our own modest efforts to alleviate suffering in the world. We pray that in all situations, you would build on our work to ensure peace, freedom and respect for human rights in all countries and circumstances.

February 2: Please pray for the family of Ajay Topno, whose body was found in a remote part of India. It is believed he may have been murdered under the orders of villagers who have been influenced by a Hindu extremist group. Pray for God’s peace to comfort and replenish them.

February 3:  Pray for the All India Christian Council (AICC) as they put pressure on state officials to ensure that the perpetrators of this crime are brought to justice. Ask God to bless their efforts to ensure justice is served.

February 4:  Please pray for 13 members of a Catholic Mission to Eritrea who have been expelled from the country under the dubious claim that the government wants to use local Christians instead of foreign nationals. Ask that in their absence, Eritrean Christians will continue their work.

February 5:  Please pray for the Catholic Church in Eritrea, which has come increasingly under fire from the government, despite being one of the few denominations which is permitted to operate. Ask that God would give the Catholic Church great wisdom in knowing how to respond to growing pressure from the authorities.

February 6:  Praise God that the European Commission has given a robust response to a recent decision of the Belarusian government to fine the young Christian prisoner Zmitser Dashkevich. Ask God to ensure that momentum continues in this case, and that international pressure will ensure his release.

February 7: Ask God to be a great source of continued encouragement to Zmitser, as he remains in prison, and ask that God would give both him and his family peace over his future. Pray for other Belarusian Christians who feel unable to speak up for their rights.

Winds of Change - Vietnam
February 8:  Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Church in Vietnam, and pray that they would know true freedom to follow You. We ask that You would strengthen those facing persecution, discrimination and restrictions, particularly among the ethnic minorities. As Vietnam develops rapidly, we pray that Christians will be able to play a positive part in shaping the future of the nation.

February 9:  Praise God for some improvement in Vietnam’s religious freedom, and pray for greater freedom for the Church across the country. Pray for the government of Vietnam to genuinely uphold religious freedom, and for the proper training of local authorities in this area.

February 10:  Pray for newly-registered churches and denominations; that they would be free from government intrusions and courageous in standing up for their rights. Pray for wisdom in their dealings with the government, and for unity across the denominations.

February 11: Pray for ethnic-minority Christians in the north and central highlands, whose religious freedom is severely restricted. Pray for local officials to respect the right of Christians to meet for worship and prayer. Pray especially for the children in Christian families who are stopped from attending church in Lai Chau and Lao Cai provinces.

February 12: Pray for Catholic Father Nguyen Van Ly and Protestant lawyers Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan to be released quickly, and to know God’s peace with them in prison. Praise God that the sentences of Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan were recently reduced by a year.

February 13:  Pray for all who are involved in advocacy for religious freedom in Vietnam, both inside the country and internationally.

February 14:  Pray for a genuine recognition throughout the Vietnamese government of the good influence which Christians can bring to society, if only they are allowed to do so.

A Himalayan Adventure – India
 February 15:  Father God, we thank you for providing us with opportunities to use what we have to help those less fortunate than ourselves. We pray that You would bless and inspire all those wanting to raise money for charity, that you would guide and uphold them in their efforts to help others.

February 16:  Praise God for the successful fundraising trip that involved a number of CSW-UK supporters. Give thanks for the fact that despite minor mishaps, the trek was a success, and that God protected each and every participant throughout their journey.

February 17:  Give thanks for the generosity of all those who sponsored people on the trek, whose donations amounted to over $100,000 towards CSW’s work on religious freedom. Pray that CSW will be able to channel this money into effecting positive change for those suffering for their faith.

February 18: Pray for all those who are considering embarking on a fundraising venture to raise money for CSW and other charitable organizations. Ask God to bless their efforts in committing themselves to helping those less fortunate than ourselves.

February 19: Pray for all the Christians and others in India who CSW supporters were able to meet on the 2007 trek. Ask God to continue building them up in faith and prosperity in their various situations. In particular, ask God to grant a special blessing on the Dalit villagers whose struggle is a particularly difficult one.

February 20:  Pray for our local partners in India, the AICC, as they seek to highlight the plight of all those suffering in India. Ask God to continue strengthening CSW’s relationship with the AICC, that we may find plenty of opportunities to work together.

February 21: Please pray for the nation of India as it becomes an economic superpower. Ask that economic progress would not be at the expense of those living in poverty. Pray that the Indian government would prioritize the dignity and rights of its people before financial gain.

Hidden Agenda – Uzbekistan
 February 22:  Father, we pray for the nation of Uzbekistan, and ask that Your hand would be on that nation, working to improve the lives of the oppressed. We ask that Your light and joy would flow throughout the region, bringing peace and freedom to Your people.

February 23: Pray for all the families who were affected by the Andijan massacre in 2005. Ask that God would alleviate their grief, filling their hearts with His peace. Pray that God would strengthen these families in unity and love.

February 24:  Pray for the government of Uzbekistan, and in particular, President Islam Karimov, asking that he would not see religion as a threat and would restore social, political, media and religious freedom to his people. Ask for God to work in his heart, encouraging him to want the best for his people. 

February 25: Pray for religious minorities in Uzbekistan who are under significant pressure. Pray for full religious liberty to come to that country, so that Uzbeks are free to practice their faith freely. Ask God to strengthen inter-faith relationships to avoid possible friction.

February 26: Pray for wisdom for the United States and the European Union when negotiating with Uzbekistan. Pray that the US and EU would reinstate sanctions and that increased international pressure would lead to the improvement of human rights in the country.

February 27: Ask God to bless the efforts of those working to improve Uzbekistan’s human rights record. Pray for more opportunities to support Christians and others who are suffering under this oppressive regime.

February 28:  Pray for full religious liberty to come to Central Asia, and that the media would be active and honest in representing human rights abuses going on in the region.

Eritrean Refugees
 February 29:  Father, we praise and thank You that Your timing is perfect, and that You remain faithful to those fleeing persecution in search of refuge. We pray that Your hand would be on all situations where individuals and families are forced to leave their country, and that You would protect and guide them to safety.

March 1:  Pray for at least 2,000 Christians and thousands of political prisoners detained in appalling conditions and without trial for their beliefs in Eritrea. Pray for compassion from the wardens and an end to torture, as well as their swift release.

March 2:   Pray for 15,000+ Eritrean refugees in Shimelba Camp in a remote part of Ethiopia, recently visited by CSW staff. Ask God to bless and uphold the many Christians who have built a simple church and are reaching out with love to all refugees, as new ones arrive every night. Pray for aid to solve the shortages of food and clothing and for permission for them to travel elsewhere to seek refuge.

March 3:   Pray for the huge numbers of endangered Eritreans, many of them Christians, who have fled to Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and other African countries, most living in camps or hiding in city slums with insufficient food and no real safety. Pray for humane treatment by the authorities, for international aid to reach them, and their refugee status to be recognized.

March 4:   Remember in prayer Gospel Singer Helen Berhane who was incarcerated in a shipping container in scorching heat and freezing cold for many months, without washing and toilet facilities. Praise God that Denmark has given her and her daughter refuge. Pray for her physical and mental healing.

March 5:   Pray for the thousands of endangered Eritrean refugees who have reached countries like Italy and Greece, where they are given no support. Pray for the authorities to recognize their urgent need for refuge, the dangers of returning them to Eritrea, and for them to be permitted to work to support themselves.

March 6:   Praise God that His church survives and thrives in Eritrea, in spite of persecution. Pray that rights would be restored to Eritreans and that the bold witness of those who endure the suffering would change the heart of this country.

Spiritual Battlegrounds
March 7:  Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for providing us with opportunities to hear directly from the persecuted Church. Thank You that their experiences inspire us to be a voice for those who are still suffering around the world.

March 8:  Give thanks for the honest and powerful testimony of Marie-Thérèse Nlandu. Give thanks that despite experiencing doubt during her time in a Congolese prison, God continued to sustain and strengthen her. Pray that He would continue to be her rock and refuge.

March 9:   Continue praying for other human rights defenders around the world who have been imprisoned for their work. Ask God to fill their hearts and minds with His presence, offering them safety and peace in their confinement.

March 10:   Give thanks also for Cecil Chaudhry, and the work he does in supporting religious minorities in Pakistan. Ask God to multiply his efforts to improve the lives of so many suffering in that country, especially in the midst of political turmoil.

March 11:  Praise God for all the supporters who have remained loyal to CSW and to God’s commandment to remember our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. Ask God to bless and grow them, encouraging them to pray, protest and provide regularly for the persecuted Church.

March 12:  Give thanks for all those on Capitol Hill who keep human rights issues at the forefront and keep an open ear to CSW and other advocacy organizations. Ask God to build up more senators and representatives who are concerned about human rights and religious freedom issues.

March 13:   Pray for future CSW events in 2008, asking God to bless the preparations. Pray that CSW will be able to inspire and equip many more people in 2008 and beyond.

Youth
March 14:  Father, we thank You for the vibrancy and energy of young people, and pray that You would mobilize young Christians throughout the US to support our work in human rights. We pray for vulnerable young people around the world and ask Your blessing on our work to support them.

March 15:   Ask God to bless the launch of  CSW-UK’s new youth program, and ask that young people around the UK will feel inspired to get involved in CSW’s work for the persecuted Church. Pray for a huge impact in churches around the country. Pray that similar programs would become viable in the US.

March 16:   Pray for young Christians in Nigeria who are at risk from abduction. Ask God to protect these young people and their families. Ask God to be very near to parents who do not know the whereabouts of their children.

March 17:   Pray for organizations like the Stefanos Foundation who work to reunite abducted Christians with their families. Ask God to bless their efforts in rescuing young people and supporting them in their rehabilitation.

March 18:   Pray for children in Burma and elsewhere who are forcefully conscripted into the army. Ask God to protect them from harm, particularly those who are forced into combat, and pray that they would find a way to escape. Ask God to comfort the families of children who have been forced into the army.

March 19:   Pray for Zmitser Dashkevich, who was arrested and sentenced to eighteen months in prison for his participation in a youth pro-reform movement. Pray for his swift release, and for God to sustain him and his family while in prison.

March 20:   Pray for young Christians around the world, that God would instill in their hearts a passion for justice and a desire to support work for the persecuted Church.

Torture
March 21:   Father God, we grieve over the prevalence of torture in the world today, and pray that you would call all those responsible for such horrific behavior to repent. We ask that in Your love for all people, You would work to end all forms of torture, and help to rebuild the lives of those who have been affected.

March 22:   Thank God that Christian leaders like Archbishop Sentamu have spoken out against torture. Pray that many more Christians will speak out against all cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, including water torture, shackling in stress positions, long-term sleep deprivation and extended periods of solitary confinement.

March 23:   Pray for repentance by those in power for torture committed in prisons, and that all those responsible for torture will be brought to justice, not just the low ranks committing it, but those who authorized it. Pray that those committing torture in Pakistan, Congo and Turkey will not go unchallenged and unpunished, but will be called to account.

March 24:  Pray for all who work for Christians against Torture, which supports CSW, and for all in authority to recognize that torture, which is often used to extract confessions, does not necessarily produce the truth.

March 25:   Praise God for the wonderful work of the Medical Foundation for Victims of Torture, which leads the world in expert legal documentation and healing therapies to help victims. Pray for generous financial support to meet its urgent shortfall in funding.

March 26:   Interrogation of prisoners regularly involves torture: pray for an end to beatings with clubs and guns, suspension from the ceiling, water torture, electric shocks, rape, deliberate burns and all other tortures. Ask God to be very close to victims and uphold their faith.

March 27:    Three British men were tortured by security forces to extract false confessions in Saudi Arabia, as was innocent Indian Christian Brian O’Connor. Pray for current prisoners and for an end to such violence as nail-pulling, electric shocks, burnings, beatings with metal cables while suspended upside down, and punishments of 250 lashes. Pray that leaders in the UK, USA and EU will not find it easy to ignore such torture because of trade and defense links.

FAITH FOCUS: Orissa State, India
 March 28-31:  

© 2008 Christian Solidarity Worldwide