The city of Fuyang lies on the Central Plains of China. A third-tier city in Anhui province, Fuyang is a center for agriculture. Its population is large, yet it has not developed as quickly as other cities in China. In the 1880’s, Hudson Taylor’s China Inland Mission arrived in the city, planting the roots of the gospel. Today, there are still house churches in Fuyang. This month, we will spend time praying for their needs and challenges. Will you join us in praying for Fuyang this month?

This Week’s Prayer Guide May 31 – This month, we are praying for the city of Fuyang, an inland city located in the northwestern border of the Anhui province.  Pray that the gospel can take root in this city and extend its reach far and wide. June 1 – Fuyang, being a city in central China, doesn’t neatly fit the definition of a northern or a southern city.  “It’s quite marginal in that sense, with a certain inclusiveness.”  Please pray that the mix of cultures can be fertile ground for the gospel.  June 2 – Being a mostly agricultural city with relatively little manufacturing, Fuyang is not an economically well-developed city.  Nevertheless, may the Lord never overlook this city and have mercy on its 9 million inhabitants.  June 3 – Being a less developed city, not many highly educated people choose to stay in Fuyang, thereby depriving the city of talents and development opportunities.  Please pray that the people of Fuyang will develop a love for their hometown and work for the good of the city of their city.  June 4 – Wheat is a main agricultural product in Fuyang because the Huai River runs through the region.  May the agricultural identity of the region help its people connect and understand the many agricultural parables in Jesus’ teaching.  June 5 – Early evangelism in Fuyang often came from preachers in nearby Henan, many of them were part of rural house churches like Watchman Nee’s Little Flock.  Fundamentalist and moralistic teachings were quite common in that generation of revival.  May the Lord refine his church in Fuyang and let the beauty of the gospel shine through even imperfect teachings.  June 6 – The older generation of Christians in Fuyang had a passion for evangelism and left behind beautiful testimonies, may the new generations of Christians carry on the banner of faithfulness as they face a new round of persecution.

How can we pray for churches in Zhengzhou? Believers are weary and worn, exhausted by the challenges of everyday life and the additional difficulties of following Jesus in China’s restrictive environment. Pray for church leaders to experience God’s strength, for the Spirit to move, and for Christians to preach the gospel to themselves. Praise God that he rules and reigns, and ask him to move in Zhengzhou for the glory of his name.Zhengzhou: Praying for the ChurchChina Partnership: How can we pray for your church and your families?A Move of the SpiritPastor Cui: Pray for my spiritual state and for my wife and children. Even in this challenging environment, may we still rely on the Lord. May we have strength and a steady, settled resilience.As for the church, I keep thinking: when God revived the rural church in Henan [in the 80s], that was the mighty work of his Spirit. So, pray for the churches. Pray that they will be led by the Spirit. Pray that once again, through the preaching of God’s word and through pastoral ministry, the spiritual lives of believers would be revived. Pray for believers to have spiritual hunger and a willingness to keep growing. Some of them really do want to grow, but in this fast-paced urban life, with work and family and children, time and energy are really limited.Pray for the churches. Pray that they will be led by the Spirit. Pray that once again, through the preaching of God’s word and through pastoral ministry, the spiritual lives of believers would be revived.Pray also for seekers in our church, that they would come to know God and turn to faith.Serving in Peace and JoyPastor Wu: Pray for my family to be able to serve in an atmosphere of peace, steadiness, and joy.I consciously try to shield my wife in church life, because I hope she can simply be an ordinary believer. May she offer what she is able and willing to give in caring for other believers, and not feel crushed by the expectations of others. When she is under pressure, that affects both of us, and then we end up raising our children under that same weight. I don’t want our children to grow up watching their father and mother constantly anxious and burdened because of the church. So, pray for our family to serve more freely, in the freedom of the truth, carrying the calling as we serve.Pray that the Lord would help our church grow together in our hunger for the truth and our understanding of the gospel. May the gospel not only be preached to unbelievers, but to every one of us believers. When we meet challenges in life and work, may we respond to those challenges through the gospel, applying it with our eyes fixed on Christ rather than looking for solutions outside of him. More than anything, may we seek the help of the Lord Jesus Christ.A Giving ChurchPastor Lu: Over the past two years, I have often prayed together with these other laborers here that our church would be a more blessed church. As Paul says in Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”When we meet challenges in life and work, may we respond to those challenges through the gospel, applying it with our eyes fixed on Christ.Over the past years, God has led our church to focus on children’s education and on passing on our faith to the next generation. It has become clear that we can’t just fix our eyes on our own family or our own small flock.Our church’s ultimate vision is to become an Antioch-style church, an outward-facing church. We’ve been praying for that continually. When others ask how to pray for us, this calling is always what I tell them about. May we become a church that is able to give – not just a church that stays in this city, but a church that reaches beyond the city. True blessing is in giving; pray that we would become a church that can give.As for my family – well, ministry is a lifelong calling. As Joshua said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” That has always been our heart’s desire.“Restore Us, O God”China Partnership: Our final, bonus question: is there a passage of Scripture that represents Zhengzhou?Pastor Cui: Psalm 80 comes to mind. In verse 3, then again in verses 7 and 19, there is this refrain, that is like a prayer and a cry: “Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!”As I get to know Zhengzhou and its churches, this is a very personal prayer before God.Pastor Wu: I think about the development of the gospel in Henan over the years.An article describes the Henan church by saying, “Henan is both for the true and for the false.” Over the decades, Henan has had many true believers, but it has also produced many cults and been deeply affected by heresies. Over the years, God has continued to work in this province, and has continually built up the churches.John 15:2 says: “Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” Heresies arise and challenge the faith, pressing gospel-rooted churches to dig deeper in theology and build on pure truth. There is also external persecution, and the cultural and economic challenges today’s urban church faces. I think that, when God allows these challenges, he is pruning and shaping us so we can bear more fruit.Pastor Lu: When I was in student ministry, we often used to say that China is a populous nation, Henan is right at China’s center, and Zhengzhou is Henan’s central city. Zhengzhou is a city God pays attention to. In Paul’s missionary work, he also placed special emphasis on strategic center cities, because the gospel radiates outward from the center.In light of what this city has gone through over the years, I think of Psalm 60:4: “You have given a banner to those who fear you, that it may be raised up for the truth.”[1]There is external persecution, and the cultural and economic challenges today’s urban church faces. I think that, when God allows these challenges, he is pruning and shaping us so we can bear more fruit.We have mentioned this: “Henan is both for the true and for the false.” There have been many failures, but God has also raised up many people. An army needs a banner to rally around after defeat, and they need it even more before going into battle.CP: Thank you! Pastor Cui, would you close with a benediction?Pastor Cui: Loving Heavenly Father,Thank you for giving us this precious time to reflect on the city of Zhengzhou, the current state of churches in Zhengzhou, and to see your heart for this place. We remember the works you have been displaying here all along. Although there are many challenges – like serving in a modern city, or working within China’s religious environment – we believe you are still the God who reigns. Lord, you are able to renew your people and enable them to bear witness for you in this very environment.So, we pray for you to have mercy and compassion on Zhengzhou. Please strengthen every church, every pastor, every laborer, and every believer. If it’s your will, we pray that you would once again revive your church in Zhengzhou, and use the churches here to become a greater blessing in your kingdom.We pray all this in the name of Jesus, Amen. [1] The translation of this verse varies from version to version. The ESV says: “You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow.” However, Pastor Lu is quoting the wording in the Chinese Union Version, which focuses on raising a banner for the truth.

Pastor Cui, Pastor Wu, and Pastor Lu are pseudonyms for house church leaders in Zhengzhou, Henan Province.

This Week’s Post from China Partnership

Editor’s note: Just like others in their city, Christians in Zhengzhou struggle to balance work, family, children’s education, and struggles between traditional mindsets and the modern world. Believers face another challenge, too: continuing to follow Jesus in a society that alienates or even persecutes them for their faith. Zhengzhou: ChallengesChina Partnership: What are some common challenges, fears, and struggles that you and your church encounter as you minister to people in your city? How can we pray for you?Challenge: Evangelism and ShepherdingPastor Cui: We face two main challenges: outreach, and shepherding the church.Evangelism is a big challenge. Although traditional churches like ours emphasize building up life and missions, gospel understanding isn’t a full part of life. We often try to rely on law, merit, and moralism for sanctification. When someone’s spiritual life doesn’t have the vitality it needs, it’s even harder to evangelize.Outside the church, as cities develop, you see something that probably happens all over the world: people are colder to each other, it’s hard to build trust, and strangers hardly speak. Believers are also consumed with the pressures of city life. Just staying above water and steadily participating in the church’s teaching, worship, life, and service is already a lot. So, people don’t have much motivation to evangelize.On top of that, because this is China and religious policies are what they are, people can pay a price for sharing the gospel. A lot of people feel a kind of shame about the gospel. It’s fine for them personally to believe, but it becomes very hard if they’re going to pay a cost, or face persecution, or get called in and questioned by officials and have their family and co-workers see them differently. Evangelism has always been tough.Believers are consumed with the pressures of city life. Just staying above water… is already a lot. So, people don’t have much motivation to evangelize. On top of that, because this is China and religious policies are what they are, people can pay a price for sharing the gospel.Right now, motivation is weak, and fear keeps us from being bold. But in the church, we’re always re-thinking this. Everyone wants to share the gospel – but it’s hard to break through these weaknesses.The other challenge is shepherding. I come from a traditional house church background. We were mainly trained as evangelists, not shepherds. So, once we started church planting and pastoral ministry, I’ve been challenged to grow in my shepherding capacity: preaching consistently week after week; giving counsel in life, family, work, and raising children. All of that is shepherding. You also need to build the church into a healthier community.Pray for us. We need the Holy Spirit, through worship and preaching, to revive his church and the spiritual lives of believers. May Christians willingly put down roots for God, so they will again be ignited by the gospel and respond to God’s love with power. May they not be fearful, but join in the Great Commission.Pray for each pastor. May they be given vision and strength in service. Amidst all kinds of challenges, may they be made resilient in the gospel and be faithful to the ministry God has given them.Challenge: “The Loneliness of City Life”Pastor Wu: We are trying to plant a church, and our church is pretty young. The upside is they’re full of energy, but our weakness is our faith isn’t yet stable and mature. That feels like a big challenge.On one hand, we have job pressure. On the other, everyone has a deep relationship hunger. The loneliness of city life makes us long even more for connection. On top of all that, Henan is an inland province where the underlying culture is heavy on human relationships. So, in the church, it’s a big challenge to handle interpersonal dynamics, to respond to the different expectations people have of their pastors, and to help brothers and sisters well.With employment pressure and relational expectations, brothers and sisters have shaky commitment.On top of all that, with employment pressure and relational expectations, brothers and sisters have shaky commitment. Layer together education and employment pressures, finances, pastoral expectations, plus the fact that in the city it’s really hard to plant your feet anywhere, and it’s very hard to stabilize numbers as the church grows. Spiritually, believers are also going through real struggles, both in the workplace and in general.As we serve the city, my wife and I are prepared to say to do our best to shepherd this church, but we don’t know how long the church will last. At some point, our church might fail. Of course God gives us hope, but sometimes we still feel anxious. Brothers and sisters move around all the time, and we’re never sure who will stay. People come and go. That’s just how it is.Challenge: “Internal Friction”Pastor Lu: Zhengzhou is highly mobile, and that creates a big challenge for pastoral ministry. Because this city is shaped by railroads, people constantly move in and out. Another issue is the exhausting internal friction [内耗 nèihào, “internal friction”] in Zhengzhou. Zhengzhou has “996” work rhythms [working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week], and this province is also known for intense gaokao [China’s college entrance exam] pressure, much heavier than many others places. So, the pressure of work and anxiety surrounding children’s education leave many believers worn out.The same things are true inside the church. Under the weight of competition and a depleted culture, many people serving in ministry are close to empty. As faith presses against so much pressure, faith can easily get pushed to the margins. That creates real difficulty in shepherding.Because people are mobile, it is especially important – and especially tough – to build relationships. We often feel we can’t keep people with us. The continuity of long-term ministry is constantly interrupted, and that easily produces fatigue. This is a major challenge.At an even deeper level, there’s also tension between traditional assumptions and the city’s pluralistic culture. People come to Zhengzhou from every direction, but most have the traditional family culture of Henan and the Central Plains. That creates shepherding tension. You have to navigate the influence of secularism and the traditional thinking of the older generation.Because people are mobile, it is especially important – and especially tough – to build relationships. We often feel we can’t keep people with us.So, how can a pastor be balanced? How can we care well for the older generation? They’ve already done their part, and now they need us to care for them. At the same time, how do we shepherd the younger generation amid the pressures of secular emptiness and nihilism? How do we keep older and younger generations from living in tension? How do we bring them into a healthy balance? These are great challenges, and pastors feel a lot of pressure.Add to this the uncertainty of the broader environment. There is another layer besides just church life. As space keeps shrinking, we never know when our meeting place or even our ministry pattern may need to change. We may have to relocate or shift course at any time. We simply have to watch where the Lord places us. That uncertainty puts real pressure on the heart – especially for people who are more sensitive to the broader environment.When I think about prayer, I think of praying honestly into these things. I also think of John 8. We long for brothers and sisters to be set free in the truth, not drained dry by the pressures of survival and education. We want them to see that God called them to this city, and their being here is not in vain. How do we help them know this?I want to pray for Zhengzhou in the spirit of Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:17: may he give us “the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation.” Then, in the face of pluralism, in spite of the powerful pull of a secular, nihilistic culture and the pattern of exhausting internal competition, may we build up the church and serve this city well.

Pastor Cui, Pastor Wu, and Pastor Lu are pseudonyms for house church leaders in Zhengzhou, Henan Province.

This Week’s Prayer Guide

May 24 – This week, pray for personal requests from pastors in Zhengzhou, for their families and their churches. Pray for God to be with their family and church relationships.

May 25 – Pastor E shared, “I come out of a traditional house church background, where we were mainly trained as evangelists, not as stable shepherds of a church. Once we moved into church-planting and pastoral ministry, I’ve felt a lot of challenge in needing to grow my shepherding capacity: things like preaching consistently, giving people counsel in all of life, building the church into a healthier community.”  Please pray that God will equip Pastor E with skills and resources to meet these pastoral challenges.

May 26 – Pastor H shared, “We really emphasize personal relationships here in Henan; the underlying culture is heavy on human relationships. Handling interpersonal dynamics and different expectations believers place on pastors is a really big challenge for me. Plus, because of employment pressure and relational expectations, the stability of commitment among our brothers and sisters is also shaky.”  Pray that the brothers and sisters in Pastor H’s church will grow in their love for each other, and give Pastor H patience and grace.

May 27 – Being at the intersection of traditional house church and pluralistic urban environment, pastors in Zhengzhou have to balance caring for the older generations with more traditional thinking, and caring for the younger generation who are under the influence of secularism.  Please pray that the pastors can have the wisdom to preach to both types of audiences, and may the gospel defeat the idols in both camps.  

May 28 – Several pastors shared the desire to shield their families from the pressure and expectation of the congregations, so that their wives and children can participate in the life of their churches as ordinary believers.  Pray that the Lord can grant these pastors’ families with space, rest, and renewal in the Spirit.

May 29 – One pastor expressed that one of the biggest concerns is passing their faith to the next generation, “Many young people who came out of college fellowships stayed in this city, got married, and had children. What matters more is not just pastoring adults in the midst of pluralism, but also how we pass on the faith to the next generation.”  Please pray that the Holy Spirit will work in the hearts of the church’s children, that they will come to know the Lord from a very young age.  

May 30 – Pastor C shared, “What’s become clearer to me is that we can’t fix our eyes only on our own family or on our small flock. We want to become an outward-facing church. Pray that we would truly become a church in this city that is able to give, that is an Antioch-type church, that we not only stay in this city but reach beyond it.”  Amen.

SUNDAY

SHAANXI PROVINCE

LOCATED IN NORTH/CENTRAL CHINA

EVANGELICALS 7%  POPULATION 40 MILLION

Christianity gained it’s first foothold in China in the 6^th century in this province. Please pray for a return to God in this vital province.

Poverty exists all over this province and much fruit has been gathered in by the loving response to this by the church. Please pray for the church to continue to witness in power.

Although the church numbers over 3 million, there is a lack of good strong bible preaching, which leaves individual christians and whole churches prone to error. Please pray for the calling and training of godly men.

X’ian is a centre for education with over one million students, some come to faith, but when they leave university, they go back into the world. Please pray for fruitful student ministry and that the fruit would grow and impact all China.

X’ian was the capital of China , a thousand years ago and today, millions are drawn to it’s massive city walls and world famous Terracotta army. Please pray that as many minority people from around China flock to the city, they would be reached.

ADI RAMO

These people number 200 and live on the Chinese/Indian border. Their counterparts in India, have come to faith, but not so in China. Please pray that this small group, would have a strong thriving church.

NAZA

These people do have some knowledge of God, as they worship the sun, moon and stars, but this is mixed with worship of ancestors. These beliefs have kept them bound for centuries, please pray that believers from other people groups, would go to these people.

2 Thessalonians 3

Finally, brothers,[a] pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honoured,[b] as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.[c] 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

Sunday

Please pray that the Chinese church, would be filled with purity, power and boldness as it meets today. Please pray for the pastors as they preach, for boldness and empowerment. Please pray for the protection of all services.

Monday

Please pray as the church is 80-90% women. Men need to be challenged and activated into leadership. Please pray that each church would have a group of godly men, who fear nothing but God, and who are prepared to sacrifice themselves for the gospel.

Tuesday

Please pray for the next generation, most of the church is made up of middle-aged people. Please pray that there would be an influx of young people and children into the church. The next generation is only interested in the latest fashion and cell phone. Please pray for the children of China, who are under severe pressure to achieve a good score at school.

Wednesday

Persecution is real, but we can and do share the gospel. Please pray that God would open up opportunities to share the gospel. People are in great need. Many people have mental problems, the society seems stable, but people are hurting very deeply. Please pray that the church, would be salt and light.

Thursday

140 million are unreached. The size of the task is huge, to walk down a street is to be overwhelmed by this mass of humanity. Please pray that every person in China, would hear the gospel.

Friday

Many millions are trapped in Buddhism (500 Million), Communist Ideology (130 Million) and Atheism (500 Million). These ideologies are deep strongholds for the Chinese people and can only be dismantled by fervent and persevering prayer. Especially pray for the leader of China and the members of the CCP.

Saturday

Please pray for Revival of the church in China, it is only the power of the gospel, that can release China from the power of darkness. Consistent and fervent prayer is needed, please pray that the Chinese church would be filled with power and boldness and would by the preaching of the gospel, CHANGE MANY MILLIONS OF HEARTS IN CHINA.

Are you willing to join us?

These requests are guidelines, please use the books Operation World and Operation China for more detailed information.

For news of persecution in China, please go to 

Voice of the Martyrs and Open doors

2 Thessalonians 3 

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

In part 1, we made lots of general comments, but now we want to help you pray in a specific way.

What should you pray for:

THE CHURCH

The church overall is mostly women, so the major prayer point, is that men take a greater leadership role.

God’s work must be done in God’s way Titus 2 and 1Timothy 3, and so this is a really important focus for your prayers.

Also prayer is needed for unity between churches, this is also a major focus.

THE CITIES

Many cities have grown up over the last thirty years, such as Shenzhen and Chongqing, the flow of people into the cities is amazing and ongoing.

PRAY FOR COMMUNITIES

Each community has many complexes, our area has up to 30-40 complexes, our complex has up to 600 flats.

Please pray that each community, has it’s own Bible study, led by people from it’s own complex.

PRAY FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE

Many of the churches in the vast countryside have been stripped of their best church coworkers.

In past years, this is where revival started, so please pray that God would do it again.

PRAY FOR THE PEOPLE CLUSTERS

China has hundreds of minority people, but the main peoples are the Han Chinese.

Specific focus has to be given to the Han Chinese, God is moving in the Han Chinese and when the Han people turns to Christ entirely, they can evangelise the other groups.

PRAY FOR CHINA’S CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE

Children in China, are exposed to atheism/humanism from an early age. Not only that but parents and grandparents, place great pressure to gain a high score in exams and to gain a good job/marriage.

There is much more, but I will stop there and let David say a few words:

I grew up in China and was born in Wuhan, China. China has a lot of people. I became a Christian in the USA while a student at Cornell University, in 2010. Now it’s my 14^th year as a Christian. I would say that the greatest challenge facing Chinese churches today is forsaking the love that we had at first. (“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” Ephesians 2:4) Yes, we have had great revivals in the past. We have had exponential church growth. But today, many people’s love has grown cold because they have seen much lawlessness. (“and because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:12-13) Many house churches are bitterly divided over tiny theological issues or over personal differences. Please pray that there will be unity within the house churches in China. Please also pray that churches may be grounded theologically, as there are many heresies in China. Please also pray that the Chinese church may partake in foreign missionary work as well, as many Chinese gospel workers have gone overseas to many Muslim nations. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)

HOW TO PRAY FOR CHINA PART 1

1 THESSALONIANS 1 

2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.

7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

We hear every day about China, we hear about church growth in China, and we want to pray effectively and help the Chinese church.

How can this be done, in this article, with the help of my dear Chinese brother David, who has lived in China and the USA, both of us have a unique vantage point.

First of all you must have a deep concern for China:

God alone can place that burden on your heart, ask him to put that burden on your heart.

Secondly, you must be PROPERLY informed. Knowledge of the harvest field is wonderful and up to date information is better, we need information that is effective and from the voice of the Chinese people themselves.

Before you start to pray effectively, you must understand these three things:

YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT CHINESE CULTURE IS DIFFERENT

The gospel is the power of God to all who believe to all the nations.. amen.

But in a different cultural setting, it must be refined, note I said refined, not changed.

The Chinese culture is one based on benevolence, they believe that they are basically good. So confronting them with sin and stating that they are a sinner, is a difficult concept, for a Chinese person to understand.

Christ addressed several seemingly good people in the gospels, such as Nicodemus and Zaccheus. Paul spoke to Lydia and to Cornelius, who were good religious people.

Chinese people from an early age have been told that there is no God and that there is no morality.

Atheism is a thin veneer for all kinds of sin as Paul stated in Romans 1, we have witnessed to many Chinese and had to explain the existence of God.

Pray that God would move mightily in the hearts of the Chinese people, many who are saved come out of a life of atheism and Buddhism and they need a complete washing and renewing of their minds, as there are many alien concepts to them.

PRAY THAT THE CULTURE WILL BE CHALLENGED

2 CORINTHINS 10 

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

Christianity in China, is still seen to some extent as a foreign religion, so the best things western Christians to do is to pray.

As mentioned earlier Chinese culture is based on Confucius teaching and atheism, it has to be challenged by the gospel.

Women in the home are seen as dominant and this along with other unbiblical ideas, must be challenged.

The word of God is God’s agent of challenge, but many of the things that it says and makes clear are alien to the Chinese and go against Chinese culture.

So there is a great need for a move of the Holy Spirit, in the hearts of the Chinese people. Many people including my Chinese wife come from a Buddhist background, so their minds must be washed by the word.

This may take years, that’s why we need prayer warriors to pray, leading a Chinese person to Christ, is the easy part, now begins the difficult part, as the discipleship process starts.

Please pray that the Church, would be able to disciple in a biblical way and that God’s people would grow in grace and love for his Word.

PRAY THAT THE CULTURE WOULD BE CHANGED

China is seeking to erase corruption from the country, this is virtually impossible, but there is a way that it could be, by changing people’s hearts with the gospel.

The first six chapters of Daniel, show how a society, can be challenged by four men, who stand truly for God.

We are not here to change the government, only God can do that, that is something which is in God’s hand Psalm 2.

How can we do this:

TRUE CONVERSION

Pray that people would come to be born again, like Paul, Nicodemus, Lydia etc.

Sad to say, many millions, have said the sinners prayers are still living in sin, because of false teaching such as The Shack and Purpose Driven Life. Pray that the true gospel, would be preached.

TRUE CLEANSING

There has to be deep repentance Psalms 32/51, many people come to Christ, carrying so much baggage from their past, such as the burning of paper money to ancestors and other occult practices.

Again these things have to be addressed and defeated by prayer.

TRUE COMMITMENT

In the parable of the Sower, only one seed bore fruit, pray that the seed of the gospel brings forth fruit and that this fruit grows. To do this, it must be watered by fervent intercessory prayer.

TRUE CHANGE

What is our aim by praying for China, it is to see not just the culture challenged, but people to be converted and changed. Only then can the culture be changed.

People hearts need to be changed and the only agent of change is the gospel, I hope you will join us as we pray for China,

In the second part of this article, we will be getting down to what we can pray for in specific terms.

For now, I am going to hand over to my friend David, who will add  his personal words of wisdom.

Over to you David

My thoughts (from David, a Chinese Christian living now in the USA):

First of all, thanks for reading this. There are a lot of Christian information around, and your time reading this is appreciated. I will keep it short.

As to prayers for the church, please pray that the house church leaders can petition the government to make house churches legal in China. This is an overdue issue. Some new laws need to be passed. Some prisoners released.

You should visit China. The western media paints China in a negative way. Therefore, come visit. Go to places like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen and taste Chinese food. Unlike people in the west, Chinese people are generally more friendly towards foreigners. But please do not come in a condescending manner. Respect local customs.

I wish you all very well. God bless you.

David