1 Way to Pray for China this Week

This week, take a glimpse into the prayers on the hearts of Chinese church leaders. The following comes from a regular prayer newsletter sent out by a church network. It opens with scripture and closes with the needs of those in the network. Use it as a guide to pray along with these Chinese Christians – and be encouraged that they are praying for you at the same time.

A Chinese Prayer Guide

You are my King, O God;
    ordain salvation for Jacob!
Through you we push down our foes;
    through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.

For not in my bow do I trust,
    nor can my sword save me.
But you have saved us from our foes
    and have put to shame those who hate us.
In God we have boasted continually,
    and we will give thanks to your name forever.

       Psalms 44:4-8

Hear my prayer, O Lord;
    give ear to my pleas for mercy!
    In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!

       Psalms 143:1

Dear Heavenly Father, gracious Lord, we praise you and thank you. We are so disobedient and do not deserve to come near you, our holy and just Lord, because of our sin. Thank you for your mercy and grace; through the price Jesus Christ has paid for us, we can bow to you with breath, offering our deep worship in prayer.

In this disorderly and perverse generation, filled with the noisy sounds of postmodernism, at the crossroads of human exploration, and in a fierce transitional period for house churches, our Lord is still sovereign. In the [church] movements, which have been used by the Lord in the recent years, we trace the gospel truth rediscovered, live out resurrection lives, and are living sacrifices of worship to God and [thankfulness for] his blessings to China.

Even in face of rough persecution, we still hold in faith that our Lord leads his church, and sanctifies his church. We know in depth that the beautiful and perfect will of our God, will be fulfilled in us through prayer. Our prayers bring us into deep worship. And worship and prayer grant us new power for deeper and wider prayers.

The church is built on its knees. Spiritual works are not done by human efforts, but by God. Only when a crowd of weak and humble people kneel down, after hearing the gospel, can they worship God, honor God, seek God, obey God, and experience God as one man. The church serves in prayer and prays in service. The Holy Spirit leads us to walk in accordance with the will of God, and leads us to return to the gospel call, broadening God’s kingdom. The war is not possible to be fought relying on the fleshly weapons, but through prayer, community with God, and seeking God’s power. Let us fight together for the kingdom of God.

Pray with gratitude:

· Give thanks for the recent trainings on Christ-centered worship. Ask God to use this training, helping us to be worshipping people, worshipping churches, so that Christ may be seen in worship.

· Give thanks for theological training. Ask God to help theological trainings around the country.

· Give thanks for the healing of [a pastor’s young son].

Pray for the kingdom:

Kingdom of the gospel and cities of grace!

Let us carry on to renew God’s church through prayer, preaching, baptism and holy communion – the gracious paths God set [for us] himself.  We are willing to let Christ be the Lord of our lives, experiencing the renewal of our churches and of our own lives through the power of Holy Spirit.

We strive for the work of church planting in our cities, for the building gospel-centered churches, for sharing the love of Christ – to renew the city, to bless China, so that the glorious grace of God would be praised.

Our prayers:

And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

       Luke 10:2

· Pray for God’s spirit to wakes us up! Ask that weak and tired Christians and churches will be revived. Pray that faithless humans hear the gospel of Christ’s love and sacrifice.

· Pray that the gospel being preached in churches is the right one; pray for more and more churches to share the vision of church planting; pray for more and more couples to be called, assured, and trained.

· Pray for church trainings; [ask God to] guard the teachers and [remember before him] the huge work of translators. Open trainees’ hearts so that they can finish their two years of learning and be a blessing to local churches.

· Ask God to train us to grow in prayer, and may God’s will be done.

Others’ prayers:

· Pray for the recovery of normal order from the typhoon in Xiamen. Let the gospel be the hope of people in difficulties.

· Pray for the laws regulating religion in our country. Ask God to have mercy on this country; pray for leading churches to focus on God’s kingdom, be strong in their faith, and stand firm in truth.

· Pray for [a pastor and his wife who recently had his property seized]. Ask God to help them and to continue using them to save people out of darkness.

· Pray for [the network’s efforts to participate in celebrating the 500-year anniversary of the Reformation]. Pray for God’s will to be done, and for more and more churches to return to the heritage of the Reformation, returning to the gospel.

· Pray for the training of ministers and elders.

· Pray for the revival of prayer services around the country. Let humans be praying humans, and churches be praying churches.

· Pray for Christian education around the country. Ask God to help the [Christian] schools in difficulties.

· Pray for families of the pastors and [church leaders], who have not believed in Jesus Christ yet.

· Pray for the recovery of many [in our midst] suffering from illnesses.

· Pray for churches that are facing difficulties and need fulltime workers to be called. Pray for God’s assistance for them.

· Pray for the arrested lawyers and their families.

· Pray for the justice of God to rule the country, and to block the erosion [caused by] corruption and bribery.

· Pray for the presidential election of the USA.

· Pray for the safety of the USA, and for the people and the churches in that country be more in God.

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Further Reading

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Guangzhou: Raising Gospel Soldiers
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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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Stories from Shenyang

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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Stories from Qingdao

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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Stories from Xiamen

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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Stories from Nanjing

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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Stories from Changchun

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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Stories from Kunming

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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Stories from Chengdu

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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