This Week’s Prayer Guide

July 12 – This week we are praying for the Chinese diaspora in Australia.  There are 1.4 million Chinese in Australia out of a total population of just over 27 million, about 5.5%.  Pray that each one of them will have a personal encounter with the gospel of Christ.

July 13 – About one million of Chinese in Australia are first-generation migrant workers looking for a better place to live, better education, and also a better future.  May the Lord lead them to the hope of Christ as they live as strangers in a foreign country.

July 14 – Encouraging these first-gen Chinese immigrants to open up has been challenging because they tend to stay within their own ethnic circles and not engage with mainstream culture.  Pray that they will feel secure and comfortable to get to know people from other cultures and other races and skin colors.  

July 15 – Chinese churches in Australia, and in most other places around the world, tend to operate in silos and are independent from each other.  Please pray for opportunities to make meaningful and deeper connections with Chinese leaders of various denominations and traditions to create a gospel movement.

July 16 – Please pray that the Chinese churches in Australia can pull their resources together for a healthy support movement — not just among the Chinese churches and Chinese leaders, but that they are willing to collaborate and work with other churches and people of other races.

July 17 – Please pray for more new Chinese church plants in Australia.  Local leaders are praying for 70 more Chinese church plants before 2030.

July 18 – Give thanks to God for the pastors and church leaders who are currently ministering to the Chinese diaspora in Australia.  Please pray that God will continue to protect their families and encourage them to continue to faithfully preach the gospel.

GAN CHINESE

The Gan people group live in several inland provinces of China, such as Hunan, Fujian and Anhui. They number 40 million, but less than 1% of them follow Christ. Continue to pray for the establishment of growing Gan fellowships.

Recently the Jesus film has been translated into the Gan dialect, please pray that this would be widely shown and bear much fruit.

Most Gan would be classed as Atheist, but recently there has been a surge in interest in Buddhism and Daoism, please pray that the gospel would make great strides amongst this people.

HAINANESE CHINESE

Hainan island is the playground of China, it is a place for pleasure seekers. It is an island that needs the gospel. Please pray for revival in the church, which numbers around 100,000.

Recently many new fellowships and many new Christians have come into the church. Please pray that they would be properly guided into all truth.

The Hainanese Chinese have no full bible in their own dialect, please pray that this would happen.

This Week’s Prayer Guide

July 5 – This week we are praying for diaspora Chinese in Thailand. Most Chinese in Thailand are there for business, to retire, or their children’s education. Pray that Chinese from each of these groups will encounter others who wholeheartedly follow Christ.

July 6 – Bangkok has many international schools, so many Chinese go to Thailand for their children’s education. However, these families are transient, and tend to leave once children graduate high school. Pray for these families to become connected with and rooted in local Christian community.

July 7 – Many families in Thailand for their children’s schools can only afford to send one parent, while the other parent (usually the father) stays in China to work. There is a lot of financial stress, and the separation takes a toll on the marriage. Pray for God to work through this loneliness to help people see the belonging and community found in Jesus.

July 8 – The people of Thailand are outwardly warm and welcoming, but their hearts are resistant to the gospel. Less than 1 percent of Thai are Christian. Pray that Chinese Christians in Thailand will bee able to break through cross-cultural barriers and share Christ with their Thai neighbors.

July 9 – Pray for a Chinese church plant working near an international school near Bangkok. There are about 40 Chinese families in the area, few of whom are Christians. Pray for the Chinese seekers whose hearts are open to Jesus while they are in a foreign land.

July 10 – Many Chinese churches in Thailand are clustered around Christian schools. Pray for Chinese believers to plant churches in areas where there are not existing Mandarin-speaking congregations.

July 11 – Most Chinese in Thailand are not settling long-term, so ministry is very transient. Churches invest in believers or share with seekers, but the population is constantly changing as some people leave. Pray for churches to have stability among leadership teams, and to find long-term supporters as they serve a migrating population.

HAN CHINESE CANTONESE PEOPLE GROUP

These number over 65 million and are largely concentrated in Guangdong province and Hong Kong, they are open to the gospel as they have been evangelised for over two hundred years, ever since Robert Morrison landed in China in 1807. Please pray that this openness would continue.

Many churches have been formed amongst them , but there is much formalism and legalism. Please pray for deep and powerful revival to vibrate through the Cantonese church and may they become more mission minded.

Cantonese have moved to many countries especially Singapore, UK, USA and Thailand. Here they are open to the gospel, please pray that they would be reached in these countries and active churches formed.

HAN CHINESE

DAN PEOPLE GROUP

These people also live in Guangdong province and are called the Boat people, as they live on the water. They number around 4 million  and have only a few thousand Christians amongst them.

As they travel around by water, it is very difficult to establish fellowships and do discipleship amongst them.

There are ministries located in Hong Kong that specifically target these people, they will enter the boats and share the gospel. Please pray that this would lead to the forming of church family groups and that relevant and dynamic resources, would be available, they are able to understand both Mandarin and Cantonese.

Fuyang: How to Pray

China Partnership: How can we pray for your church and your families?

Pray for Faithfulness

Song Xile: First, pray we keep learning, that we stay open to truth and don’t close ourselves off. Even in this pressure-filled city, theological equipping and learning are still necessary. Studying God’s word opens spiritual strength within us. Whatever form it takes, pastors need to keep learning and being equipped.

Second, pray for pastors’ faith and hope. When our church was going through such a hard time and I was sick, I genuinely considered leaving. But I could never bring myself to make that decision, because it never felt like God’s leading. That struggle revealed the real fear we have in the face of persecution. We don’t want to absorb so much pain. Pastors’ hearts need to be shepherded, too. The hope we need can only come from a deepening relationship with God. We need faith and hope to overcome the fear in our hearts.

Third, pray we remain faithful and can continue to shepherd believers. So many things scatter our attention: persecution, the needs of individual believers, economic pressure, marriage crises, all of it. Sometimes we lose hold of the power of the gospel, ministry’s most central thing. Pastors need prayer to keep coming back to the realization that God did not give us a calling to fight or wrestle with the government, but to shepherd Fuyang believers. That cannot be changed or covered.

Pray we remain faithful and can continue to shepherd believers. So many things scatter our attention.

Fourth, pray for wisdom in how we relate to the government and handle relational tension with officials. Though these years have given us insight, it’s still not enough. When we face those who persecute us, it’s really hard not to harbor anger and resentment. We need calm, Spirit-given wisdom. How do we find a way forward in an environment that seems impossible? The specific wisdom for that must come from God’s leading. We do not need to fight head-on, but we also don’t need to passively let them dictate everything. What is the balance? We need spiritual wisdom, so our hearts aren’t bound up in bitterness while we serve.

All these things are also tied to our families. Our wives especially bear a great deal of pressure. Our children have also struggled with tics and other psychological struggles. We entrust all these things to God; they are real and difficult.

Pray for Persecution

Zhang Ping: Pray for our church as we face persecution. It also seems government officials genuinely misunderstand our church and faith. Pray that, through all this, we would be able to truly explain what we believe and why we believe in Jesus in a way that clears up misunderstanding. Officials don’t seem to understand what faith really is. I hope they can come to know we simply believe in Jesus, who bore our sins to redeem us and save us from wrongdoing. Pray that, as we come before officials and the watching world, we might truly be a light, a city on a hill, so others would more clearly know our faith.

Government officials genuinely misunderstand our church and faith. Pray that, through all this, we would be able to truly explain what we believe and why we believe in Jesus.

As for my own family, my son is grown and will soon be wanting to get married. Economic realities come with that. Second, there’s ministry itself. If we can’t meet our financial needs, that has an impact; and if faith isn’t growing and relationships aren’t being shepherded well, that also has an impact. If families are truly united behind the ministry and are being pastored, service goes much better.

Pray for Sound Doctrine

Hu Laiyang: Pray for our faith community to put into practice the sound doctrine and teaching we have received. May we live by it, build our families by it, and raise our children by it. May all our church members have a fervent, lived-out faith. Pray that God will guard the next generation’s bodies and souls. May he open doors for them.

Pray for God to give ever-growing faith and faithfulness to our pastors and their families. May they come and serve God. Pray for government and law enforcement officers here in Fuyang. As we intercede for them, may God turn their hearts.

Finally, I’m grateful for my wife. She carries so much at home: keeping the home, watching and waiting, all the daily managing. She also has some physical weaknesses – please pray for her.

Pray for Unity

Wu Huizhi: First, pray for the unity of the church. Although we have had outside pressure, we have been very united. In the past I’ve been through church splits and tensions, so I ask God to continue guarding our church’s unity.

Second, pray for those whose hearts may have been wounded under sustained pressure. Many brothers and sisters struggle with depression. That may partly be “urban sickness,” a by-product of city life – and it may partly be caused by ongoing tension with the government. Pray for the hearts of these Christians.

Third, pray for believers in public employment, working in schools or civil service. Their situation is particularly difficult. In recent years, they have had lots of government scrutiny: they are called in for regular talks, and might lose promotion opportunities, benefits, and so on. Because of that, some believers have a somewhat distant relationship with the church: they’re not fully in or out. May God have special mercy on them and give them strong hearts.

Pray for those whose hearts may have been wounded under sustained pressure.

Fourth, pray for the children as they learn. It’s really hard for them, especially with such a long stretch of online classes. Sometimes I feel hopeless. Ask God to guard the hearts of teachers and students.

As for my family, one of my children went through a serious illness in the midst of this, which was basically a psychological response to all the stress. Now that child is essentially recovered. However, we don’t know what education environment to put them in now. All my children have been home with my wife for many months. Pray for her, because she carries much of what needs doing at home, in addition to homeschooling our children. Her personal pressure is great. There are times when her heart is heavily burdened, and she asks, “Why are we living this way? Why?” Pray for her.

This Week’s Prayer Guide

June 21 – This week, pray for personal requests from pastors in Fuyang, for their families and their churches. Pray for God to be with their family and church relationships.

June 22 – The church leaders that we interviewed for Fuyang were mostly deacons because many elders and pastors have been detained by the government. Please pray that the Lord will protect these church leaders and empower them to carry on the work at their churches. 

June 23 – Church leaders are finding shepherding a house church more challenging as people deal with “psychological wounds of modern life” – marriage problems, infidelity, dissatisfaction, materialism.  Shepherding now demands more time and counseling knowledge.  Please pray that God will equip church leaders with adequate time and skills to shepherd their sheep.

June 24 – Church leaders in Fuyang have received updates that their pastors have been sharing the gospel with other prisoners during their detention, and these efforts have been met with surprising openness.  “when they hear the Gospel, it’s as though they’ve found a lifeline.”  Please pray that God will save many souls through the faithful preaching of these pastors even while they suffer for the gospel.

June 25 – One of the leaders of the churches is seeking to balance ministry, seminary study, and work. Please pray that God and the church can continue to support him financially and spiritually through this period of studies. 

June 26 – Thanks be to God, he has blessed one of the church leaders in Fuyang with twins.  However, parenting in the midst of persecution has also been extremely difficult as Christians have limited options to educate their children in faith, and many children have developed mental illness due to pressure.  Pray that the Lord will protect these children, and let the little children come to him.

June 27 – One Fuyang leader described their generation of Christians as “Christian education generation.”  Passing on their new theological understanding and worldview to their children has become a priority.  May the Lord bless the new Christian academy that his church established in the last 15 years, and may the children in Fuyang grow up to carry on the faith of their parents and grandparents. 

HEILONGJIANG PROVINCE

SITUATED IN THE FAR NORTH OF CHINA NEXT TO RUSSIA

POPULATION 40 MILLION

EVANGELICALS 7-8%

Praise God for the dynamic church in this province.

Great revivals have taken place, but there is much to be done, with growth comes challenges. Many new believers need good training in the Scriptures. Please pray for the calling and equipping of many pastors who can teach the Word of God with clarity and passion.

This province is home to the Manchu, many are resentful about losing their homeland. Please pray for a powerful work of the Holy Spirit, amongst these people.

Harbin, the capital is famous for its ice sculptures, which bring millions of tourists, from inside and outside China. Please stand in prayer for this needy province, there has been much blessing, but it needs fervent intercession. Parts of the city has Russian styled buildings, and this province is also known for its fertile land and agricultural production.

HENAN PROVINCE

POPULATION 100 MILLION

EVANGELICALS 14 MILLION

Henan is the driving force behind the explosive church growth of the last fifty years, many revivals and miracles have purified and stirred the Church. But now it needs a fresh wave of revival. New leaders are taking over from the men and women, who led the Church through the revival period. Please pray that they would be committed to the Word of God and prayer, the things that helped Henan, become a beacon for the Church in China.

Although massive church growth has taken place, this leaves challenges:

How to disciple such a great number of new converts? Cults are very active here. Please pray for the pastors. They are very overworked. Please pray that more and more lay people will volunteer to lead.

Gender imbalance- Churches are overwhelmingly led by women, please pray for the calling and training of effective men for ministry. Please pray for the establishment of more Christian homes, many Christian men cannot find Christian women to marry because even though there are more women than men in churches, many Christian women do not want to marry someone who is inferior to them in education and income.

Persecution against the church is active, please pray as many church leaders are now in prison.

The migration of many young people to the cities, leaves many churches full of old people. Please pray that young people would be called to the ministry and stay to nurture the church in Henan.

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

My dear friend David, has been a university student, in both China and the USA.

Here are his prayer requests:

There used to be many Christian fellowships run by students in Chinese universities. But with COVID restrictions and tightening political control, a lot of these Christian fellowships have ceased to exist or gone underground. Please pray that the campus Christian fellowships continue to grow.

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Before I left China in 2023, there were a few college students in my house church in China and some coworkers from my church were trying to start a fellowship solely for college students in Guangzhou. My wife’s church in Shanghai is also focused on student ministry and has many students from local universities. Please pray for house churches with student ministries. 

GANSU PROVINCE

Situated in the northwest of China

Population 28 MILLION

Evangelicals 3-5%

There is great growth in this largely poor and isolated province through work by Chinese evangelists and radio broadcasts, Praise God for this.

Pray for godly and gracious leadership to be raised up who are servants, who will lead the church in humility and grace. Many sects are seeking to break into the church, please pray the church would be well taught.

The Dongxiang and Bonan people are numerous in the province, but they remain largely unreached, please pray workers would be called to these harvest fields.

The Muslim Hui people are turning to Christ in large numbers, please pray that a strong and vibrant church would be founded amongst them.

Over 600,000 Buddhist people live in Gansu, but there is only one active church. Please pray for the needy people who are desperately seeking hope and peace, that they would find it in Christ.

SHANXI

NORTHEAST CHINA

POPULATION 34 MILLION

EVANGELICALS 6%

The people of Shanxi are kept under strict control, but this hasn’t stopped the church from growing. Continue to pray that spiritual leaders would be raised up, who would lead 

The province has many so-called holy mountains, dedicated to various false religions and ideologies, thousands flock to these mountains, spiritual warfare needs to be waged to transform people’s mindsets and lead many to Christ. Mount Hengshan dedicated to Daoists and Mount Hutai to Buddhism are the biggest.

Shanxi was once the industrial powerhouse of China, but its like a bygone age, please pray that the people of Shanxi, would turn to the true and living God despite strict government control.

HUNAN PROVINCE

CENTRAL CHINA

POPULATION 66 MILLION

EVANGELICALS 2%

Hunan is probably the most isolated of all the provinces and is very resistant to foreign influence. It is centrally controlled and the gospel needs fervent prayer if any further advances are to be made.

Great advances are being made, but most churches are overwhelmingly still made up of women, and the few pastors are overworked and have to deal with up to 5-10 churches at once. Please pray for the calling of more men into ministry.

Changsha is where Hudson Taylor is buried, it has between 50-70,000 believers out of a city population of up to 6 million. This city is tough going for the gospel, but there are small fellowships dotted around the city. Please pray for these dedicated churches.

The Tujia do not have a written language and they number nearly 10 million, despite this up to 2% of them have found salvation in Christ. Please pray for the establishment of a strong Tujia church, that will reach the rest of their people.

Many minorities have yet to be reached:

Wunai

Ghao-xong

Mozhihei

These people and more need people to go, please pray for mature workers to go to them.

To do this, the church in Hunan needs to grow and become spiritually mature. Please pray for spiritual breakthrough, this province is very dark. Please pray for the binding of all evil and demonic forces.

INNER MONGOLIA NEI MONGOL.. A VAST GRASSLAND AND DESERT AREA BORDERING RUSSIA AND MONGOLIA

POPULATION 24 MILLION

EVANGELICALS 7%

There is a small and growing Mongolian church, which numbers around 40,000. Many Han Chinese believers have come to the province as it is booming in economic terms. Please pray for sensitive and dynamic ministry to be fuelled by God’s spirit.

Praise God for the effective radio ministry that is broadcast and for many to come to faith through it. Thanks God for the translation of both the old and new testaments and the development of new worship music to fit the Mongolian church. Although church growth has been rapid, cults such as Eastern Lightning have taken over some churches, please pray that all churches would be grounded in the word.

There are many nomadic groups in this area, please remember in your prayers:

Evenki

Oroqen

Little has been done to reach them.

There is a deep hunger for the word of God, many Han believers have several Bibles: but many minority groups do not.

Please pray for the calling of skilled translators to translate the word of God into Chinese. More opportunities are now becoming available because of the onset of AI technology. Please pray the Chinese church would make use of this.

QINGHAI PROVINCE

WESTERN CHINA

POPULATION 5 MILLION

EVANGELICALS 3%

This province is a vast province and is dominated spiritually by Buddhism and Islam, but there is a growing and active church.

There are nearly 250,000 believers. Please pray that they would be well taught and able to reach out.

Tibetan peoples are strongly linked to Buddhism and are very resistant to the gospel.

There needs to be fervent prayer for these people groups, these include the Mongour, Oirat and Tu.

The Muslim Hui are numerous and God has worked amongst them.

The Muslim Salar and Bonan are in dire need of the gospel.

Please pray.

SICHUAN PROVINCE 

WEDNESDAY 

THE PANDA PROVINCE IN WESTERN CHINA

POPULATION 88 MILLION

EVANGELICALS 2.5%

Sichuan has the lowest percentage of believers in the Han Chinese speaking provinces, there is much resistance to the gospel.

The province is surrounded by high mountains and it seems that these mountains have to be taken down by prayer.

Chengdu is a city, where much progress has been made for the gospel, but only has 100,000 believers amongst its 10 million citizens.

Revival needs to take hold of the church. Please pray for this.

Groups such as the Qiang and Miao people need the gospel.

NOSU PEOPLE

The Nosu need sensitive ministry, the Jesus film is translated into their language.

Many Han Chinese believers have gone to these people, but they have gone in zeal and had no results.

Please pray for wise and sensitive ministry to break down spiritual strongholds.

GUANGDONG PROVINCE

Robert Morrison came to this province in 1807, but Christianity is still seen as a foreign religion. Please pray that this attitude would be broken and that the Christian population of 4% might increase.

The major cities of Guangzhou and Canton need reaching, although there are many believers in these cities, the church is still small. Please pray for the pastors, who are under pressure.

The Cantonese Chinese are some of the richest people in the world and are open to the gospel.

Please pray for the people of Guangdong, who are barely reached with the gospel, these include the Bien Mien Yao, Zaomin Yao and Shaozhou Han.. see below.

Biao Mien

This small minority group numbers 34,000 and lives in Ruyuan province in Guangdong province, they are rural farmers, but they cannot grow enough food to feed themselves, this is not their major problem.

This is a spiritual problem, they worship and pray to worship of their ancestors. The church is very small and not mature.

Please pray that there would be a viable and growing Biao Mien Church.

Zaomin

Away from the major cities live the Zaomin people who number 47,000. A few of them have come to Christ, whilst living in the cities and returned to lead some to Christ. May this be the start of the Zaomin Church.

They worship a mixture of Daoism and Buddhism, dedicated workers need to be called to reach out to them.

Shaozhou Han

These are among the most powerful Han peoples in China and although they number under 1 million, they are found in every position of influence in China.

They have been very resistant to the gospel and they have the lowest percentage of all the Han Chinese people. Please pray for a deep work of the spirit of God.

Dan Chinese

These people are called the water borne people, they live on the water and this makes reaching them difficult.

It also makes forming churches amongst them difficult. Please pray that churches would be founded and that these churches would be grounded in the truth.

Dan Chinese continued

They number 7 million and mostly live in Guangdong province, the Christian population numbers nearly a million. Please pray that the church would grow in grace and the church discipled.

Pray for the ministries that reach out to these people, especially in the Hong Kong area.

GUANGXI ZHUANG

POPULATION 48 MILLION

NEAR VIETNAM

EVANGELICALS 1%

Pray for this province, it is the least evangelised province in all China. Please pray workers are called to this province.

The Zhuang people number nearly 20 million, their Christian population is less than 1%.

Radio broadcasts are creating interest, but there needs to be an authentic and active church amongst them.

Please pray that this would be a reality.

Please pray for its capital, Nanning and for the other minority peoples in this province.

Please water this province with your tearful prayers.

GUIZHOU PROVINCE

POPULATION 38 MILLION

EVANGELICALS 3%

Thank God for the growth of the church from small beginnings to over 2 million today, but much more needs to be done.

Please pray for a relentless revival to be upon the church and for the Holy Spirit to blow through the church with great power and authority.

The Miao people are the largest minority grouping in the province, God has graciously moved in some of these groupings, but over half have no known believers.

Please pray for a vision for all Christians to reach out to these people.

Pray especially for groups, such as the 3 million Bouyei, who are less than 0.5% Christian and urgently need reaching.

Other groups such as the A-hmao and Gha-mu have large Christian minorities, please pray that workers would be called to go and share the gospel with the Bouyei.

Please pray for the churches in these provinces, these two provinces are probably the hardest for the gospel to penetrate.

Please pray for the believers that they would be salt and light in very difficult circumstances.

Please pray for the lost generation that had their youth taken in the years 1966-76. Many of these people are now in their older years. Please pray for them, that they would come to faith before it’s too late. Pray for my mother-in-law, who is 85, she needs Christ.

The Chinese military is one of the largest in the world, soldiers, sailors etc. are not allowed to have any religious belief. Please pray that God would break into this closed section of Chinese society.

The police number in the millions, but they have very few believers amongst them. Again please pray for a move of God amongst them.

Young people are taught atheism and humanism from an early age. Many of them are then pushed by parents and extended family to obtain high scores at school. Many children are now experiencing depression, mental health problems and even suicide. Young people are obsessed by cell phones, the latest fashion etc. Please pray for a deep move of the Spirit amongst this generation.

Please pray that parents would train up their children in the faith. Many parents still think that academic study is more important than spiritual things. Please pray that Christian parents would train up their children in the nurture of the Lord. Please pray for the restoration of the family altar in every Christian home.

Please pray that every church would have a programme for children, through Sunday school. Please pray for the establishment and protection of Christian schools.

OVERSEAS CHINESE

Chinese live in virtually every country in the world, they are numerous in many western countries and God has worked to establish many thousands of Chinese churches. Please pray that thousands of Chinese would be reached through the Chinese churches that are in these countries such as USA and Canada. In the UK, the Chinese churches are the fastest growing in the UK.

TIAJIN

POPULATION 12 MILION

CHRISTIANS 3%

The church is tightly controlled here, as this is the port city of Beijing. Continue to pray for a move of God in this place. Many church leaders are quite old, so there needs to be new godly leaders come and take over. Please pray for this.

MONDAY 

TIAJIN 

As there is in Beijing, there are a large number of foreign nationals. Please pray that they would be able to reach out to the Chinese people, they come into contact with.

TUESDAY 

Achang

40,000 people situated on the border, between China and Myanmar. Praise God that 2,000 + are now saved and now offered training by the more active Achang grouping in Myanmar. Continue to pray for the growth of this church.

WEDNESDAY  

ACHANG HUSA  

A small offshoot of the main group, this group of 7,500, have just one hundred believers. Thankfully they are surrounded by groups, that are strong in the faith and they are offered training by the Achang in neighbouring Myanmar.

THURSDAY  

A CHE  

These people believe in a creator, but say that because their communication with him was broken, they are now unable to enter heaven. Please pray that they would hear that they  can now enter heaven through Christ. There are no known believers among this group., they number 45,000 and are extremely isolated. Will some take five minutes to pray for them?

FRIDAY  

LISU   

Numbering nearly 1 million, these people are key to the whole of western China.

Among them are growing and active churches, that have reached to many other peoples throughout Yunnan Province. Please pray that the church, would be filled with Holy spirit boldness and missionary fire, as it seeks to reach out.

SATURDAY  

LISU  

Although the church is thriving, it continually needs a fresh touch of the Spirit to awaken a new generation. Please pray that the church, would continue to reach out to the current generation and that the Lisu church, would be continually renewed and revived.

ZHEJIANG

SOUTH OF SHANGHAI

POPULATION 52 MILLION

EVANGELICALS 12%

One of China’s most prosperous provinces, much wealth is in this province. Please pray for the main cities of Hangzhou, Wenzhou and Ningbo.

Wenzhou is a centre of evangelical activity and has seen much persecution.

Several areas of Zhejiang are over 50% Christian, but this can lead to complacency and also alert the attention of the authorities, where there is growth, there is the opposition of the enemy. Please pray for a vibrant expression of biblical Christianity in this province.

Many of Zhejiang’s Christians are very wealthy business owners and they travel around setting up businesses and fellowships as they go, this is a blueprint for the rest of China. Please pray that this method, would be greatly used of God.

Pray for deep, powerful and long lasting revival in Zhejiang

YUNNAN

NEAR THE VIETNAM/MYNAMAR BORDER

POPULATION 46 MILLION

EVANGELICALS 4 %

Yunnan is a melting pot of thousands of peoples, languages and cultures.

Please pray for the main city of Kunming..

Praise God for the work done amongst the Lisu, Wa and Jingpo, these people are central to reaching the peoples of Yunnan.

There are peoples with a large number of Christians, such as the Eastern lipo and Lawa, but many peoples have no believers at all.

Pray that every people group, would have the chance to hear the gospel.

Thursday

Pray that every people group, have the bible in their own language in either written or spoken form, this is long and painstaking work. Please pray for the ministries doing this such as Gospel recordings network and Far east broadcasting company, who are some of the many involved in this work.

The Lisu people are the results of sacrificial ministry over many years from missionaries such JO Fraser and the Morse family they now number 300,000 believers and have thousands of active believers. Please pray for a deep missionary vision and powerful revival to grip this people group, so that they would be deeply moved to go to the rest of Yunnan’s peoples. This work amongst the Lisu is so blessed, because it has been watered by the prayers of the saints, will you water this work with your tearful prayers?

Situated near the golden triangle, leaves Yunnan susceptible to many evils, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking and HIV aids. Please pray that this province is known for its love for Jesus. Many of these people groups, are under 10,000, we think, well do they matter?

Well: Yes, because it says that round the throne in heaven, will be people of every nation, tongue and culture.

Please pray for YUNNAN

PLEASE PRAY THAT EVERY PEOPLE GROUP WOULD BE REACHED AND HAVE THE CHANCE TO HEAR THE GOSPEL IN ITS OWN TONGUE

SHANGHAI

The booming centre of China, it is its largest city and port and is a magnet for millions seeking work, pleasure and tourism.

Shanghai has many registered churches, not enough for the demand and thousands of unregistered ones, but many need a fresh touch of the holy spirit, what happens spiritually in Shanghai will affect the rest of China.

Many foreigners call Shanghai home and there is a thriving church community amongst them, again pray that these foreigners would come into contact with Chinese people.

Many of them are professional people such as business owners, lawyers, teachers and doctors, please pray for many opportunities to reach out in love and care.

Many in Shanghai are grey, that means they are of an older generation. These older people need loving and careful evangelism to reach out to them. Many are very lonely, there are lots of widows, please pray the church would reach out in compassion.

Millions of Chinese come seeking work, many minority people, who can’t be reached in their own province come to the city. This is an open door, please pray the church would reach out.

There are many universities in the city, please pray for the faithful outreach to the young people in both the universities and schools.

It costs to be a Christian at school or university in China.

Please pray for the pastors, that they would be focused on the word of God and teach sound doctrine.

Please pray for a dynamic revival to take hold of the church in Shanghai and that it may spread throughout China.

WU CHINESE

There are up to eight million Wu believers in China, but many lived in poverty and have no real training in the scriptures. Please pray that the wu church would be based on the bible and founded soundly on strong Christian principles.

There are many Wu people in Shanghai, please pray that many would hear the true gospel and that strong churches would be founded amongst them.

Please pray for a work of grace especially amongst the men of this people group, many men in China see Christianity as a religion for women.

ADI

Located near the China-Indian border, you will not find this people group anywhere else, but on here. This is the people group, that is in the most remote part of China, and although some of the Adi people in India have heard and responded to the gospel, the Adi in China, never have.

Please take a few moments to pray for this people, they number 1200 needy souls.

HAINAN ISLAND

SUBTROPICAL ISLAND FACING VIETNAM

POPULATION 8 MILLION

EVANGELICALS 4%

Hainan is the pleasure island of China, but it is also a place of great need.

Please pray for the church in this place, that it would be a dynamic force for good and that the glory of the gospel would shine forth through it.

Continue to pray for unity amongst the churches, there are divisions, which hinder evangelism and teaching.

Please pray for many tourists, both Chinese and foreign, who flock to the island, that amongst them would be active Christians, who could encourage the church.

HUBEI PROVINCE

POPULATION 58 MILLION

EVANGELICALS 3%

TUESDAY

Please pray for Wuhan, the capital, this is a strategic city for the gospel, what happens here, truly will impact the whole province.

Please pray for the church and for the pastors in this city.

Church growth has been substantial, but persecution of the church is virulent, this is an ideological battleground.

Please pray that the power of the gospel would shape this province.

Many minorities, such as the Northern Dong and Tujia are relatively unreached, they worship nature, their ancestors etc, so it may be easy to bring them to Christ, but even more difficult to rid their minds of this false teaching.

This is deeply ingrained into many people’s hearts in China.

Saving a person in China is easy, but then the difficult process of sanctifying them starts.

Please pray for Godly men to be raised up.

ATHEISTS

In China, there are between 400-500 million atheists, please pray for them, it is very difficult for a person, who has been brought up through the school system to hear and respond to the gospel.

It needs a transforming move of the Holy Spirit to shake the foundations of this ideology.

Please pray for these people entrenched in this ideology, that many would break free.

Christian marriages

You can go to a certification place and as long as you have the correct documents, the state considers you married, thousands every day get their certification, God has been taken out of marriage.

Please pray that true biblical marriage would be restored in China and that many Christian marriages and homes would be established.

The Chinese need to see the beauty and power of dynamic Christian marriages and homes.

Please pray for the millions of sisters and brothers that have unconverted spouses.

In our church at least three co-workers have unconverted spouses.

ANHUI PROVINCE

LOCATED IN CENTRAL CHINA

Next door to my province of Jiangsu is Anhui province, you can tell you are in Anhui by the white houses that predominate every village and small town.

Nearly a fifth of the population claim to be Christian, several revivals in the early days of church growth, brought a lot of godly leaders into the church, but now as a new generation starts to take over the leadership of the church, a fresh outpouring of the holy spirit is needed. Please pray for this.

Persecution of the church is very active with many leaders being arrested, but also unity amongst church networks is an issue, as many disagreements over small points of doctrine and how church is organized have arisen, leading to many leaving the church

The church needs to be trained well, there is a lack of trained leaders, and so many church members are open to error, many pastors have to look after 5-7 churches and are overworked and unappreciated,

I heard of a seminary class of 50, now there is one person actively serving God, many go back into the world to seek to earn more money.

Please pray for a deep and powerful outpouring of the Holy spirit 

CHONGQING CITY

LOCATED IN SICHUAN PROVINCE

Of all the cities, I have been to, this is the most amazing, I visited back in 2024, trains going into houses, railway stations in blocks of houses, subways at 300 metres below ground, this city certainly has the wow factor.

Given all these things, there is a growing and vibrant church in this place.

Please pray for the church to be strengthened and increased, again blessing in the past, does not mean blessing in the future. The ground must be watered with the prayers of the saints.

Many people are flocking to Chongqing, not just for work, but as a tourist must see,  please pray that the church would reach out in dynamic power to the people who live in Chongqing and come to visit.

Continue to pray for the city,  it is becoming strategic for the gospel. 

Thanks, may many come to faith in both Anhui and Chongqing.

MANDARIN CHINESE

920 million Han Chinese mandarin speakers, this is the largest people group in the world, although 50-75 million have professed Christ, that leaves well over 800 million without Christ.

Please pray

MANDARIN CHINESE

They have moved to every country on earth, and travel all over the world. They are no longer a closed door, but an open one, please pray that the churches in the west, would reach out to the millions of Chinese overseas.

Pray for a deep missions vision, that not only, would they reach out to the millions of Mandarin Chinese, but also to the many minority groups.

JIANGSU PROVINCE

Coastal province , west of Shanghai

Population 90 million

Christians number between 8-10%

This is the province, I live in.

Please pray as although there is great progress for the gospel, there are also severe challenges. We cannot meet in person so all meetings must be virtual Please pray that creative ways to get round these restrictions are found.

Please pray that whatever the persecution, the gospel goes forward on a daily basis and that God would call many Chinese people into his kingdom.

Please pray for the major cities of this province especially Nanjing (my home), Wuxi, Suzhou and Yancheng. Please pray that the church would be revived in these places.

Please pray that the church would become mature and purified during this severe period of persecution.

Jiangsu is relatively prosperous, the danger for Christians to be drawn into the world is obvious. Please pray that the church would be salt and light to their communities.

Continue to pray for deep and powerful revival to touch every area of this province.

Please pray that every housing complex, would have it’s own bible study.

CHINESE OVERSEAS

There are Chinese in virtually every country on earth and in many western countries, there are large Chinatowns especially in North America and Europe.

Please pray that the western church would fellowship and share the gospel with the many Chinese, who are open to the gospel.

Please pray for the growth of many Chinese churches, for example in Calgary in Canada, there are thirteen Chinese churches, please pray that these churches would not just impact the Chinese community, but the whole of Canada.

STUDENTS

Millions of Chinese students study overseas and are an open door to the gospel, please pray that many would be reached with the gospel. Please pray that they would be befriended by local Christians and churches.

Students from many countries are now flocking to China, many Christians amongst them, please pray for divine appointments as they seek to share the gospel on a personal level with fellow students.

The Chinese love to travel, they love to experience new cultures, as they travel, may many be confronted with the truths of the gospel. If there is a scenic spot in your area during the summer, you are sure to find Chinese people there, please get hold of Chinese gospel literature, you can source this on the net AND GO AND SHARE THE GOSPEL.

FOREIGNERS IN CHINA

There are great challenges, but also great opportunities, the challenges are the language, which I find difficult, but there are tremendous opportunities, the Chinese are fascinated by foreigners. I was in a park talking to a group of Sri Lankans and a group of boys, who spoke very good English approached us, they are so interested and are very friendly and open, they will smile and are happy to see you.

The Chinese people are a wonderful people, they have given me, more love and been genuinely kind, than most people in the west, I’m sad to say this.

Finally, you need to come to China, you need to come to China, you need to eat their food, you need to ride on their subways, you need to go to their markets, come and see for yourself.

Be moved for China, the need is beyond words.

This Week’s Prayer Guide

June 14 – This week, pray for the needs of churches in Fuyang. Pray for churches in Fuyang to be transformed by the gospel of Christ.

June 15 – Christianity arrived in Fuyang earlier than most other places in China.  One of the church leaders shared that he himself is a third-generation believer.  His grandfather came to faith at the age of twenty and has been a believer for over seventy years.  Give thanks to God for giving Fuyang such deep gospel roots, and may the people in Fuyang come to appreciate their gospel heritage. 

June 16 – Reformed theology arrived in Fuyang in the last two decades, bringing clear confessional statement, theological structure, and formal church polity to some of Fuyang’s local churches. While we give thanks to God for these new blessings, these churches have also attracted more government attention. May the Lord sustain these churches and give them courage to persevere in their new calling.  

June 17 – With the rise of modernization and political control, persecution of churches in Fuyang has also escalated to a level not seen since the Cultural Revolution. In-person gatherings have become increasingly rare and difficult. May the Lord give churches creative ways to hold in-person gatherings regularly, and help these churches continue to practice the ordinary means of grace of Word, prayer, sacraments together. 

June 18 – One deacon in Fuyang shared, “We’ve become more and more scattered: from a rented space with a small group inside, to two or three families together, to single families worshiping online—atomized by pressure, again and again.” Pray that God will give the churches in Fuyang safe space to worship and gather, and that he will encourage the brothers and sisters to worship freely.  

June 19 – Fuyang has a seminary that has been in operation for over twenty years, which has given the younger generation of preachers an opportunity to receive the theological training that their fathers and grandfathers lacked.  Please pray that these seminary graduates can hold fast to the faith and persevere in their ministry. 

June 20 – One church leader shared, “The government uses the ‘cult’ label to spread false propaganda, and that propaganda effectively covers mainstream house churches too. As a result, many people have built up a strong wariness toward Christianity.” May the Lord dispel the lies of the government, and let the truth of the gospel shine brightly in Fuyang.

FUJIAN PROVINCE 

Population of over 75 million

Evangelicals 10%

Sunday 
One of the first provinces to receive the gospel, Fujian has many believers, but the church needs a powerful move of the Spirit to shake the church from its lethargy and to revive it again.

Chinese ancestor worship is seeing a real surge in interest, please pray that the church would respond to this challenge.

Many workers come to Fujian because it is prosperous. May the church reach out to the many who come, especially those from minority peoples who otherwise would be unreached.

Wednesday 
The She people number 400,000, have begun to turn to Christ from idols, but this is a young church. Please pray it would have its own leaders, Bible and church structure.

HEBEI PROVINCE /

Population 72 million

Evangelicals 4%

This province is policed very strictly, but in spite of this, the gospel goes forth. Please pray for continued growth of the church.

This is the heart of the Catholic Church in China, please pray that many Catholics would come to a biblical faith based on the Bible.

This province is very strategic for the gospel. It is a battleground where the truth of the gospel meets head-on with Communist and Catholic ideologies. Please pray for great courage for the pastors and Christians in this hostile environment.

SHANDONG PROVINCE 

NORTHERN COASTAL PROVINCE， CHINA LARGEST POPULATION PROVINCE, NEARLY 100 MILLION EVANGELICALS 4%

This province is relatively prosperous, please pray for the gospel to spread throughout the province, the church needs to reach out.

This province was the birthplace of Confucius and his influence is still deeply felt. Mount Tai’an is a holy mountain to them and prayer should be focused on breaking down this stronghold.

Please pray for the growth of Christianity in this province, hindrances to this include doctrinal error,  cults and materialism.

Pray for the major cities, such as Jinan, Xintai, Linqing and Zibo

CANTONESE CHINESE 

Robert  Morrison came to China in 1807 through Canton, thank God for over two

hundred years of witness to these special people and thank God for over 6 million Cantonese coming to faith in Christ.

Of all the Han Chinese people, the Cantonese are the most open to the gospel, most homes have spirit altars and Buddhism and Daoism is very strong.

Please pray for the breaking of these bondages, even when people come to faith, it is very difficult for new believers to break these bondages.

The Cantonese Chinese are experts in trading and have moved to many countries all over the world, including Malaysia and the United states.

Please pray that these people would remain open to the gospel and that many would come to faith.

NINGXIA HUI REGION

Located North China

The Hui region is home to one of the biggest minority peoples in China, they are Muslim by nature and tradition and yet, God is doing a great work among these people.

Resources are being translated and adapted to fit their needs, but this is a time consuming and difficult work.

Hui people move all over China, they are found everywhere, please pray they would hear the true gospel as they travel around China.

Pray for the formation of a Hui church, this will take dedicated prayer warriors.

Beijing

Capital of China

China’s capital is a tourism hot spot, with millions of tourists coming to view its treasures, millions come from the provinces of China and across the world to view the great wall and forbidden city, may they be reached with the gospel. 

The church is tightly controlled, but it is growing steadily. Please pray that this growth will continue and speed up.

Please pray for wisdom for the government, that many in the government, may be reached with the gospel, especially pray for the influence of the gospel on professional people and university students.

Continue to pray for strong godly Christian marriages, most of the church, is made up of sisters, please pray that the power of godly homes may be seen not only in Beijing, but throughout China.

A’OU PEOPLE

These people number less than 3,000 and are poor farmers, they believe strongly in the spirit world and revere and pray to their ancestors.

There are no believers amongst them, so please pray that gifted workers would be called and that a truly A’ou church would be formed.

A-HMAO

There are over 300,000 believers amongst this group, they have been used to reach out to many other groups. Continue to pray that they would be used to reach out to many unreached groups and that they would be a powerful witness.

Having such a large proportion of the group as Christians is great, but it can lead to nominalism. Please pray for deep and powerful revival and for each and every generation to be impacted by the gospel.

Please pray that the people would be defined by joy, prayer and discipleship.

Please pray for the pastors, may many be raised up.

Jilin province

This province is located in the north of China, it is one of the provinces of the once all-powerful Manchurian empire.

It has around 2 million Christians, mainly Korean, but many Han Chinese.

The largest city is Changchun with around 3 million people, but this city and others do not have a large number of believers.

The province is strategic for North Korea, in prayer and witness. Please pray that the church would be ready if this country falls.

Please pray that the gospel would go forth in power, their are many cults operating in this province.

Jiangxi province

A province of around 44 million , with a Christian population of 5%. 

The party still holds great sway in this province, as this is where the long march started, but there has been much growth in the church, but large areas and people groups, remain unreached.

Many believers are farmers and live in poverty and are untrained. They are liable to fall into false teaching, so there needs to be sound biblical teaching in this province.

There is great need in this province, please pray that the Lord, would send pastors and church workers to train up church members in sound theology and practice.

ACHANG

Praise God that there are some believers in virtually every Achang village in China, the Achang is Myanmar have turned to Christ in large numbers and many Achang in China, have been blessed by discipleship classes run by Believers across the border.

ACHANG

The church is now planted and now it needs to mature, it needs to train it’s own leaders, as many of the younger generation only believe in atheism. 

Please Pray that there will be continuous revival to stir the Achang and that the Achang bible, which was completed for the Achang in Myanmar, would be distributed to the Chinese Achang.

ACHANG HUSA

2 % of the Husa people are saved, please pray that they would grow into an active and vibrant church.

They are offered training by the neighbouring Kachin people, pray that they would be able to understand it.

Most of them are stepped in Buddhism and Daoism, but now the younger generation are atheist. Pray for the breaking of these bondages.

TIBET

3 MILLION PEOPLE

Christians NUMBER 2-5000 IN SMALL HOUSE FELLOWSHIPS

This area is a contentious political issue for decades, but we are not here to talk about that. We need to pray for this area is it permeated by Buddhism, which is ingrained into the whole fabric of society. There are still many monasteries and thousands of Buddhists monks. They have remained resistant to the gospel, so it needs the powerful and anointed prayers and tears of the saints to break this down.

This is a spiritual stronghold, but can be defeated by prayer 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Although the church is small, it has and is experiencing small signs of growth. These despised believers, who have long met in secret are now coming out into the open, they now have their own worship and leaders. Continue to pray that this church, would continue to flourish.

Please pray that materials in every Tibetan dialect, would become available. Radio broadcasts are every day, the JESUS film is available etc, but they need the bible in their own language.

Han Chinese are pouring into Tibet, amongst them many believers, please pray they would have a vision for reaching the Tibetan people.

Pray for the Tibetan’s who live outside of their own country, in places such as Nepal, Bhutan and other places, that they would be reached.

There is growth in tourism, westerners are now encouraged to come to Tibet. Please pray for the opportunities this brings.

XINJIANG

POPULATION 21 MILLION

CHRISTIANS 500,000 (ESTIMATE)

 Another touchy area, but one we need to pray for.

This is the home of the Uyghur people and many other Muslim people.

Pray for the church here, it is a hard place to be a believer, but there are active churches here, please surround these precious believers with your prayers.

Please pray for the Uyghur peoples, there are less than 1,000 believers in the world and yet  they number in the millions. Please pray that these precious believers, would grow into a thriving and growing church, with it’s own worship and bible resources.

Virtually, all the believers are Han Chinese. Please pray they would have a vision for reaching out to the Uyghur and other Muslim peoples. There was once a thriving church in Xinjiang, may this be revived.

Other groups, such as the HUI and the Kyrgyz are seeing growth in their churches. Continue to sprinkle your prayers upon these people, so that many can rejoice with us, round God’s throne.

COMMUNIST PARTY MEMBERS

They number upwards of 100 million and are atheist in their thinking and action.

Please pray for them, they are trapped in a wrong mindset, many of them, haven’t heard the gospel. 

Please pray for the Youth league members, these young zealots are taught that atheism is all there is from an early age.

Please pray that the 500 million of no religious affiliation, would be reached with the gospel.

I have a real burden for these people, please join me as I pray for them. 

Liaoning Province

Southern most of the three provinces of Old Manchuria, bordering on North Korea.

Thank God that he has worked mightily in this province, with the church growing much recently. Continue to water these roots with prayer..

Korean believers make up a large proportion of the church, continue to pray that the work amongst the Korean diaspora.

Liaoning is on the frontline for people escaping from North Korea, please pray for all those refugees that they would find safety and most importantly Jesus.

MANCHU PEOPLE

The Manchu number over 13 million, they ruled China for 300 years, they are a proud people, who have lost their identity. Please pray that many would come to faith in Christ.

Nanjing

This is the city I live in, it is a beautiful city and is the old capital of China.

It is surrounded by wonderful city walls, that are very wide, they overlook Xuanwu lake, which I love to walk around.

Beyond that beauty, there are many Christians and much gospel ministry in this city, the Government TSPM seminary is here as is the Amity press which publishes bibles.

Please pray fervently for Nanjing.

Our area of Yao Hua men is very large, we have over 50-60 complexes in our area, the complex which we live in has 700 flats and ours is not the largest.

Please pray that every complex, would have an active bible study group.

Pray for the other areas of Nanjing, such as Xianlin, which is closest to us, this is a university area, with some foreigners.

Other areas of Nanjing are Jiangning, Xuanwu, Gulou, Yuhuatai and Qinhuai, please pray that solid bible believing churches would be raised up.

Please pray for the many universities in Nanjing, there are many students who come to faith, whilst at university, but go back into the world when in work.

Please pray as there is a lack of godly families in the church, many men are consumed with work.

Please pray for more men to be called to preach.

Although Nanjing is less persecuted than other areas of China, persecution still exists, so please pray for this city, that the work of the Lord would prosper.

This Week’s Prayer Guide

June 7 – This week, pray for the needs of the people of Fuyang. Pray for the church to be a Christlike witness to their friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members.

June 8 – Being a third-tier city in China with few universities, many young people leave Fuyang for education or work in bigger cities and do not return.  This causes not only a talent drain for the city overall, but also within churches as young people do not stay to help disciple others.  Please pray that God will give young people alternative options and opportunities to stay and prosper in Fuyang. 

June 9 – Locals used to joke that “There’s no Communist Party in Fuyang” because the city was relatively undeveloped.  But political indoctrination has intensified in recent years and propaganda slogans infiltrate every level of society.  May God give the people of Fuyang critical eyes to distinguish lies from truth, and give people a hunger for God’s Kingdom. 

June 10 – In recent years, there has been noticeable modernization and material improvements in Fuyang.  But as in other places in China, culture and politics are completely intertwined.  May the people in Fuyang recognize the idol of materialism and find true fulfillment in the Kingdom of God. 

June 11 – As in other parts of China, modernization also leads to tightening controls.  More surveillance cameras were installed around the city, local communities adopted stricter social management, which made it increasingly difficult for Christians to gather.  As Christians grow nervous about government surveillance, may the Lord give them comfort that He is also watching over them and protecting them. 

June 12 – The government is growing increasingly concerned about children’s education.  The local government keeps checking to make sure all children are enrolled in public schools, drawing more scrutiny to families who choose to pursue an alternative education model for their children, such as Christian schools.  May the Lord continue to protect the children in Fuyang, particularly children in Christian families, and give them excellence in their studies as Daniel excelled in Babylon. 

June 13 – After COVID, the economic bubble began to deflate in Fuayng. Housing prices have fallen significantly, which is a major indicator of the economic health of a region. May the Lord give people Fuyang hope in their future, and may the people who hunger for material wealth find riches in the gospel instead. 

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