Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: September 5, 2026
In June, we asked you to pray for Bishop Jylman Red Jurado Farfán in Venezuela. He was approaching five years in prison, and there were serious concerns for his health.
Today we can share the good news that Bishop Jurado Farfán was released on 14 August, alongside 80 others.
He had a personal message of thanks for you — the CSW community — whom he called ‘beloved brothers and sisters in the unity of the body of Christ’.
‘Thank you for your prayers, thank you for accompanying me in the midst of that captivity... I have no words to thank you for your immense love.’
We stand with him in praise and thanksgiving, just as we stood with him in our prayers for freedom. Now we ask you to continue praying for his full recovery, and for others like him facing injustice in Venezuela.
Before his arrest, Bishop Jurado Farfán helped provide free legal assistance to political prisoners and helped run community soup kitchens for those in need. Authorities characterised these activities as ‘political confrontation’.
On 30 July 2021 he was arrested, and subsequently accused of terrorism, criminal association and conspiracy.
The years that followed took a heavy toll.
The bishop’s health deteriorated severely in prison. He suffered from multiple serious medical conditions, and specialists even warned about possible cardiac arrest. However, prison authorities ignored at least six court orders for him to be urgently transferred for medical evaluation.
Bishop Jurado Farfán was also mocked for his faith, denied spiritual support, and punished for defending the religious rights of other inmates. He endured isolation, degrading treatment and torture, and sadly lost both his mother and grandmother while in prison.
Even after years of profound suffering, he speaks with gratitude of the faithfulness of God and of those who stood alongside him:
‘The Lord broke the chains of oppression, of fear, of torture, and gave us freedom,’ he said. ‘Every morning He showed His mercy, and everything that has breath praises the God of justice.’
So let us pray today with renewed faith: the God of justice is listening.
- Give thanks for the release of Bishop Jurado Farfán, alongside 80 others.
- Pray for the bishop’s health and full recovery after all he was made to suffer.
- Ask God to grant strength, encouragement, and ultimately freedom to all who face injustice because of their beliefs.
P.S. Tomorrow marks the start of the Global Week of Prayer – an invitation from 24-7 Prayer to see non-stop prayer in every nation.
We’ve partnered with them to create a prayer guide, which you can download at csw.org.uk/GlobalWeekOfPrayer