How I Prayed for Forgiveness

Hurting the Feelings of the Chinese People

Have you ever hurt someone’s feelings? What an absurd question; of course you have. We all have. This month, my attention was grabbed by a proposed amendment to Chinese law. This amendment would make dress or speech that “hurts the feelings of the Chinese nation” illegal, and punishable by prison time or fines. Offend the wrong person, hurt the feelings of someone in power, and you could end up in jail.

This same month, China Partnership has been praying for the exact opposite: that Chinese Christians would not nurture (often justified) frustration or resentments, but hold fast to forgiveness. When they are wronged, when someone offends them, we are praying they would radically and completely forgive. (Although I’m not addressing the issue fully in this short article, I do want to pause and briefly note that forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same thing.)

This amendment would make dress or speech that “hurts the feelings of the Chinese nation” illegal, and punishable by prison time or fines. Offend the wrong person, hurt the feelings of someone in power, and you could end up in jail.

There are many reasons Chinese believers, in particular, might need to forgive someone else. Recently, instead of charging them with illegal worship, Chinese officials have chosen charges that make Christians look like cheaters and thieves. In the last few years, the most common legal charges against Chinese believers and church leaders have been for “fraud” or “illegal business operations.” Officials levy these charges because churches, including small, poor house churches, collect tithes and use these finances to provide for their pastors and workers, as well as to give charitably in their local communities. Many pastors have faced this; members involved in overseeing their church’s finances have also faced these types of charges.

It is unlikely that unbelieving friends and relatives – not to mention future employers or society at large – understand the nuance of the charges. All they see is that this person has been labeled an untrustworthy thief. Not only has a Christian had to face persecution and pressure, but because they followed biblical practices, their good name and reputation has been sullied. There is not really much they can do about it.

Some more things Chinese Christians might need to forgive? They are unable to worship openly and freely. Especially in recent years, when they try to do this outside of government churches, or seek to evangelize and let others in their area know about the hope of Christ, the pressure has come. A year of this would be frustrating. But think of a lifetime stretching out in front of you like that. It would be easy to nurture anger and resentment at your lack of access to a simple, basic human right.

While I’ve started by listening dramatic, government-led offenses, for most people, the biggest opportunities to practice forgiveness happen in more intimate circles. Father sins against daughter; wife against husband; pastor against parishioner. There is no lack to the normal strife and tension of living in a world full of other sinful people – including within your own church and family. For most people, including Chinese Christians, these daily hurts and legitimate wounds offer plenty of opportunities to practice forgiveness.

The biggest opportunities to practice forgiveness happen in more intimate circles. Father sins against daughter; wife against husband; pastor against parishioner. There is no lack to the normal strife and tension of living in a world full of other sinful people.

Real Forgiveness Has a Cost

The proposed amendment, the one that would make “hurting the feelings of the Chinese people” punishable by law, has been panned by many Chinese netizens. Many Chinese have pointed out this law could easily be misinterpreted and applied for all sorts of ridiculous offenses, according to the whims of anyone with a modicum of power. It’s easy to mock a law that asks an entire nation to nurture their grudges and foster offense. That is only setting oneself up as a victim, and is clearly using victimhood as a cudgel with which to pummel someone less powerful.

Yet real forgiveness has a cost. What about when it’s not just your feelings that have been hurt? What about when you yourself have been violated, your good name lost, your reputation shattered, and your most cherished relationships broken? In that case, a little resentment seems more than reasonable; it feels just. But the Bible says we are to: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

While China might make offensive clothing illegal, Christians are to wear humility and meekness. Every believer is called to radical forgiveness, because Jesus has forgiven us of much greater wrong.

While China is considering making offensive clothing illegal, Christians are to wear humility and meekness.

I’ve seen and heard of many examples of Chinese Christians who love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. I’m sure there are also countless examples of Chinese house churches and believing families who have been torn apart by bitterness and unforgiveness. Forgiveness is hard; very likely, it is the most difficult of all the commands Christ has given us. None of us have the power to forgive in and of ourselves. It is probably even harder when your entire society is encouraged to hold onto grudges and hurt feelings. But believers are to walk in Christ’s footsteps, and forgive.

So that’s my prayer today: may Chinese Christians have courage and power to lay down their anger and their righteousness. May they hold tight to Gods’ justification of them, and may they forgive, radically and completely, even when it costs them everything. And as they do say, may they become the aroma of life to a nation that – perhaps – is beginning to realize the rankling cancer that holding onto hurt feelings can create inside one’s soul.


E.F. Gregory is a mom of three. She lives in the San Gabriel Valley on the border of East Los Angeles, where her husband pastors a small PCA church. 

Pray for Chinese Christians to forgive those who sin against them.

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LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA

With rising pressure and persecution in China, there are two challenges imperative for church leaders. The first challenge is for current leaders to love Christ above all else, and not to stray into legalism or love of the world. The second challenge is to raise up the next generation of leaders, who will humbly model Jesus even if current leaders are arrested.

WILL YOU JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA? PRAY FOR:

  1. Current leaders to grow in their daily walks with Christ
  2. Current leaders to shepherd and raise up new leaders
  3. New leaders who love Christ and will model him to the world
  4. New leaders to love and care for the church

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ABOUT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

About Shenyang

Shenyang is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Liaoning Province. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, including the Shenyang Imperial Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shenyang is also a hub for China’s heavy industry, with companies such as the China First Automobile Group and the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation having their headquarters in the city.

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About Qingdao

Qingdao is a city located in eastern China and is famous for its beaches, beer, and seafood. The city is home to several landmarks, including the Zhanqiao Pier and the Badaguan Scenic Area. Qingdao is also a major port and has a thriving economy, with industries such as electronics, petrochemicals, and machinery.

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About Xiamen

Xiamen is a city located in southeastern China and is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful coastal scenery, including Gulangyu Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is also a hub for China’s high-tech industry, with companies such as Huawei and ZTE having research and development centers in Xiamen.

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About Chongqing

Chongqing is a city located in southwestern China and is a major economic center in the region. The city is known for its spicy cuisine, especially its hot pot dishes, and is also famous for the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam. Chongqing is also home to several historic sites, including the Dazu Rock Carvings, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

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About Nanjing

Nanjing is a city located in eastern China and is the capital of Jiangsu Province. It is one of China’s ancient capitals and has a rich cultural history, including the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the Nanjing City Wall, and the Confucius Temple. Nanjing is also a modern city with a thriving economy and is home to several universities, including Nanjing University and Southeast University.

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About Changchun

Changchun is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Jilin Province. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and is home to several historical landmarks such as the Puppet Emperor’s Palace and the Jingyuetan National Forest Park. Changchun is also a hub for China’s automotive industry, with several major automobile manufacturers having their headquarters in the city.

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About Guangzhou

Guangzhou, also known as Canton, is a city located in southern China and is the capital of Guangdong Province. It is one of the country’s largest and most prosperous cities, serving as a major transportation and trading hub for the region. Guangzhou is renowned for its modern architecture, including the Canton Tower and the Guangzhou Opera House, as well as its Cantonese cuisine, which is famous for its variety and bold flavors. The city also has a rich history, with landmarks such as the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. Additionally, Guangzhou hosts the annual Canton Fair, the largest trade fair in China.

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About Kunming

Kunming is a city located in southwest China and is the capital of Yunnan Province. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its mild climate, Kunming is a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty and cultural diversity. The city is home to several scenic spots, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Stone Forest, Dian Lake, and the Western Hills. Kunming is also famous for its unique cuisine, which features a mix of Han, Yi, and Bai ethnic flavors. The city has a rich cultural history, with ancient temples and shrines like the Yuantong Temple and the Golden Temple, and it’s also a hub for Yunnan’s ethnic minority cultures, such as the Yi and Bai peoples.

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About Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a city located in southeastern China and is one of the country’s fastest-growing metropolises. The city is renowned for its thriving tech industry, with companies such as Huawei, Tencent, and DJI having their headquarters in Shenzhen. The city also has a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, art galleries, and parks. Shenzhen is also known for its modern architecture, such as the Ping An Finance Center and the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Despite its modernization, Shenzhen also has a rich history and cultural heritage, with landmarks such as the Dapeng Fortress and the Chiwan Tin Hau Temple.

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About Chengdu

Chengdu is a city located in the southwestern region of China, and the capital of Sichuan province. It has a population of over 18 million people, and it is famous for its spicy Sichuan cuisine, laid-back lifestyle, and its cute and cuddly residents – the giant pandas. Chengdu is home to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where visitors can observe these adorable creatures in their natural habitat. The city also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous temples, museums, and historical sites scattered throughout its boundaries. Chengdu is a city of contrasts, with ancient traditions coexisting alongside modern developments, making it an intriguing and fascinating destination for visitors to China. 

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About Beijing

Beijing is the capital city of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 21 million people. The city has a rich history that spans over 3,000 years, and it has served as the capital of various dynasties throughout China’s history. Beijing is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in China, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. The city is also a hub for political, cultural, and educational activities, with numerous universities and research institutions located within its boundaries. Beijing is renowned for its traditional architecture, rich cuisine, and vibrant cultural scene, making it a must-visit destination for travelers to China.

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About Shanghai

Shanghai is a vibrant and dynamic city located on the eastern coast of China. It is the largest city in China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 24 million people. Shanghai is a global financial hub and a major center for international trade, with a rich history and culture that spans over 1,000 years. The city is famous for its iconic skyline, which features towering skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower. Shanghai is also home to a diverse culinary scene, world-class museums and art galleries, and numerous shopping districts. It is a city that is constantly evolving and reinventing itself, making it a fascinating destination for visitors from around the world.

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