Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: December 10, 2022
At CSW, we often hear stories of grave injustice and of unimaginable suffering. The two countries which are particularly on my heart this season are North Korea and Eritrea – two of the hardest places in the world to profess any kind of faith, and where severe violations of human rights are commonplace.
Yet as I read and encounter these stories, I pray with hope, remembering that with God all things are possible.
Join me as we pray Isaiah 61 over the situations and individuals facing injustice in North Korea and Eritrea.
- Lord, we pray for those who are unjustly imprisoned, mistreated, and suffering ill health from their experiences, like the prisoners of conscience in Eritrea, and those detained in North Korea’s ‘re-education’ camps. Together, we ask you to proclaim freedom for the captives.
- We ask you to change the hearts and minds of those perpetrating injustice, from dictators to brutal prison guards. We pray that you will release from darkness those bound to systems of injustice.
- As we celebrate Christmas in relative peace and security surrounded by family and friends, we recognise this is not a privilege all enjoy. We pray you will comfort those who mourn the loss of loved ones and those grieving a separation, for those who have lost siblings, or children in the Eritrea-Tigray conflict, and for families desperately seeking answers about loved ones ‘disappearing’ in North Korea. Draw close to them this Christmas.
- And finally, for the CSW team. Pray we will continue to work together towards making God’s kingdom of peace and justice a reality for all people. Pray we will continue to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour for all who face injustice because of their religion or belief.