Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: June 27, 2026
Today we stand with the people of Venezuela, still in the aftermath of this week’s devastating earthquakes.
The damage has been severe, especially in the northern state of La Guaira and the capital, Caracas. At least 920 people have been killed and thousands injured. Hospitals are overwhelmed and struggling to cope with a critical lack of medical supplies. Many have been left homeless, and search efforts continue in the rubble.
Even as we struggle to understand the full impact, let us turn to the Lord in prayer:
Call on the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth, who gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak (Isaiah 40:28-29).
Call on the God who is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
Call on the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3).
Call on the Lord who provides and cares, who knows our needs before we even ask (Matthew 6:8).
Call on the Lord our shepherd, who is with us even in the darkest valley (Psalm 23).
Call on the Lord who is Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Call on the Holy Spirit — the same power that raised Jesus from the dead — who brings life, healing and freedom (Romans 8:11).
In Jesus’s name, we bring all our prayers and requests to God, knowing it is only by his grace that we can approach his throne.
And as we pray for the wider crisis, we do not want to forget people like Bishop Jurado Farfán. He has been held in prison for nearly five years, and there are serious concerns for his health.
Last week we reported he is currently suffering from atypical pneumonia, intercostal neuritis, and both upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Specialists also warned of possible hypovolemic shock or cardiac arrest.
However, prison authorities have ignored at least six court orders requiring his urgent transfer for medical evaluation.
He is also experiencing severe depression after losing both his mother and grandmother while in detention.
Bishop Jurado Farfán is currently held in Rodeo III prison in Miranda State, not far from Caracas. He has been mocked for his faith and restricted from accessing religious materials and spiritual support.
He was even confined in an isolation cell for ten days after defending the religious rights of other inmates, where he was subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment.
Before his arrest in July 2021, the bishop led an active social ministry. This included providing free legal assistance to political prisoners and managing community soup kitchens — activities that the authorities characterised as ‘political confrontation’.
Please pray urgently for Bishop Jurado Farfán’s health and freedom.