Sam Brownback, US Ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, stated that the world needs to release people imprisoned for religious reasons in relation to the worldwide spread of COVID-19. “Small spaces like the prison is essentially a place where epidemics are likely to spread,” he stated, “North Korea has very many prisoners and they will be overly exposed to the virus.” He also mentioned Iran’s prison being infamous for overcrowded and unsanitary conditions and compared it to North Korean prison camps. We pray that the comfort of the Lord will be upon those who are trapped in prison camps with poor conditions and may prayers for them unceasingly be lifted up to God.
“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters… Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:1-3)
Lord, we lift up to you those who have been detained in North Korea’s various prison facilities. There are still North Koreans today who are dying in a crowded, unsanitary place, suffering from inhumane treatment, including forced labor and torture. Lord, we pray that you would visit those who are in the cold and dark prison camps and fill them with your light, peace, and comfort from heaven. Help us to continue to remember them and never stop praying for them as if we ourselves were imprisoned and tortured.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
