Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: May 28, 2022
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. (Acts 16:25-26)
Throughout this week, Christians from all over the world have been taking part in the Global Week of Prayer for China. Today is the last day of the week of prayer, but we won’t stop raising our voices for freedom and justice.
Join us by reading Acts 16 and praying through the words below.
Mighty God, who delights in setting captives free. We lift up to you all those in China who are imprisoned because of their religion or belief, or because of what their faith inspired them to do:
Citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, whose Christian faith led her to investigate the truth of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.
Pastor Wang Yi, the ‘house’ church leader who is currently serving a nine-year sentence.
Human rights lawyer Chang Weiping, whose belief in justice for all people inspired him to defend some of the most vulnerable communities in China, including Christians and members of the banned spiritual movement Falun Gong.
Tibetan Buddhist monks, who have peacefully called for greater freedoms for Tibetans, at the cost of their own liberty.
The staggering number of Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities detained in ‘re-education’ camps; their treatment bears the hallmarks of genocide.
Lord, we commit to you all these individuals and more, as well as every citizen whose right to freedom of religion or belief has been restricted in other ways.
Shake the foundations of injustice across the nation, causing those in authority to loosen their oppressive chokehold on human rights. Fling wide the cell doors of those who have been unjustly imprisoned and make a way to secure their freedom – once and for all.
Break every chain of fear and oppression, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
P.S. Some encouraging news for Pastor Lorenzo: the Cuban pastor has been given permission to attend religious services in prison for the first time since being imprisoned for peacefully protesting on 11 July. Thank you for praying! May this small victory inspire us to pray all the more for his release.