Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: July 23, 2022
‘We’re here today to stand with Pastor Lorenzo. We’re here today to stand against all injustice in Cuba. And we ask the Cuban government to release Pastor Lorenzo immediately.’ – Mervyn Thomas, CSW Founder President
A whole year has passed since spontaneous peaceful protests swept across Cuba on 11 July 2021, in the context of Cuba’s ongoing and severe economic crisis, a record surge in COVID-19 cases, and an ongoing crackdown on human rights and pro-democracy movements. Many who joined the call for freedom were arrested, including Reverend Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo, who is still in prison today.
Last Monday we marked the anniversary of Pastor Lorenzo’s arrest by holding our own protest outside the Cuban Embassy in London. Below are three prayer points from the protest, which is available to watch on Facebook.
Pray for Pastor Lorenzo’s freedom and his family
Although his seven-year sentence was upheld on appeal in June, we continue to pray in faith for Pastor Lorenzo’s release. We also lift up his wife Maridilegnis, his son David (18) and daughter Lorena, who turned 13 last Sunday.
In the words of CSW supporter Rev Paul McVeagh, ‘May he and his family know your peace, Heavenly Father, and your comfort at this time. May he know your protection in prison.’ Amen.
Pray for a change of heart within the Cuban authorities
‘Lord, bless this embassy and open their hearts… to see this cruelty which is being imposed not only on Lorenzo, but on many others.’ – Robert de Berry, CSW supporter
We pray for hearts of the Cuban authorities to be transformed; that they would free Pastor Lorenzo and all those who have been targeted in the ongoing crackdown over the past year.
Give thanks that 8,322 emails and signatures were sent to the Cuban Ambassador by over 5,000 people
Our Head of Campaigns closed the protest with a message to Maridilegnis, who was watching online: ‘We’re standing with you and we’re going to continue standing with you for justice.’
We give thanks for your ongoing support and your refusal to stay silent. Let’s pray that the Cuban government will be moved to action as our voices ring out: ‘Free Pastor Lorenzo!’