In the next 2 weeks tens of thousands of Christians worldwide will be gathering to unite in prayer and intercession for North Korea. 24-7, along with many other prayer organisations, encourage you to join in this global cry for the liberation of an oppressed people.

North Korea is widely regarded as having the worst human rights record in the world today. It is said that North Koreans are ‘among the world’s most brutalized people’ and nearly 1% of the population of 24 million are living in concentration camps where torture, starvation, rape, medical experimentation and forced labour are common. Genocide Watch asserts that there is ample proof that genocide has been committed and mass killing is still underway in North Korea. Christians are among the most severely persecuted. With the recent death of Kim Jong – il prayer and protest is intensifying for a new day of liberation for Korea. Below are some practical ways that you can get involved…

• Friday 20^th January 2012  - Prayer, Petition and Protest at the North Korean Embassy

Release International are organising a procession from Acton tube Station in London to the North Korean Embassy on Gunnersbury Avenue. The Procession will carry a coffin symbolising the death of freedom in North Korea and be followed by an hour’s prayer vigil and the presentation of a 48,000 signature petition.

The event takes place during Friday morning. The numbers agreed with police for the event are severely limited, so if you want to go, it is important that you contact Release International for final details and to see their powerpoint about North Korea. The event organiser Paul Thomas. Call him on 01483 278096 or email pthomas@releaseinternational.org

• Friday 27^th January 2012 – The ‘Every 27^th Initiative’ prayer, do join in!

This ‘Every 27^th Initiative’, coinciding with the date when Auschwitz was liberated, is a worldwide prayer and fasting day for the liberation of North Korea. Organised by the Global Justice Prayer Network hundreds of groups around the world will be praying and fasting, with many also protesting at North Korean or Chinese embassies; it is expected that 5000 will be gathering at the Chinese embassy in Seoul.

We will again be gathering to pray at the North Korean Embassy on Gunnersbury Avenue in London on Friday 27th January, to pray at 3 pm.

Please email rebecca.swarbrick@24-7prayer.com for full details.

Please pray for North Korea on both these days, either alone or with friends in your Church or University group, 24-7 Prayer’s Phantom Intercessor gave some helpful prayer pointers recently. As well as Release International, Open Doors also provide information for prayer, do check out their website.