Pray for China

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Editor’s note: In recent weeks, our blog has been full of articles about how Chinese Christians practice and think about prayer. We would be remiss if we did not end this focus on prayer by inviting you to prayer. You can serve and bless the church in China, and you can start today: pray for them. Join us as we partner with the church in China in prayer.

At China Partnership, we believe prayer is active, not passive. Prayer is the means by which God’s kingdom is being built in China. Prayer is partnership, and it brings us into fellowship with Chinese believers.

China Partnership’s goals are inherent in our name: we desire to encourage global Christians to partner with Chinese believers through learning about, praying for, giving to, and encouraging the Chinese church. Through learning about China, we are empowered to knowledgeably pray for the needs of the people and society. By praying, we bear their burdens. As we give (of our time to learn and pray, our financial resources, and our emotions), we receive much more than we have poured out. Through prayer, we encourage Chinese believers to remember that they are not alone, but are loved and remembered by their heavenly Father and their earthly church family.

Our goal is not just to get “more” prayer; our desire is a different kind of prayer, prayer that is informed by the challenges and triumphs Chinese Christians actually face.

Prayer is spiritual labor in which every believer—those who are themselves Chinese and those who have never visited China—can be intimately involved. As Christians, we know we ought to be people of prayer: repenting, giving thanks, and bringing our own needs and those of others before the Lord. These are troubled times in the West, and there is much to pray for in our own lives and circles, but God’s world is vaster than any one neighborhood or nation. If we have a holy passion to see God’s name made known among the peoples, we ought to pray, not only for ourselves, but also for our siblings across the world who are the people of God in Christ.


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Prayer helps us love God’s world. As a pastor’s wife in Nanjing said, “Prayer helps us see from the Lord how he loves not only one nation, but he wants us to love the neighbor far away,” And, “There is no way you can, through your own eyes, see another country. You can only see your neighbor, next door. But God also wants you to love the neighbor you can [only] fly to.”

But don’t just add praying for China to your to-do list. I love China and the people of China, and I believe that right now the Holy Spirit is being poured out in China in a special way. I long to be involved in the revival I see happening there. I also know that the hearts of so many Chinese believers are troubled, and I desire to share their burdens. This call to prayer is not a guilt trip and not a new burden for your busy life, but rather an opportunity to joyfully share in the lot and life of other Christians.

A pastor in Chengdu once shared, “Serving the Lord can be hard at times, especially in China. When one faces some difficult, complicated social situations, it is easy to have Elijah’s attitude, feeling very alone, wondering, ‘Am I the only one here who is fighting for the Lord?’ When people gather to pray, God takes away those feeling of loneliness and tragic heroism…this is also the process of our being healed and forgiven.”

We pray for our Chinese brothers and sisters according to the needs they share with us; we pray for them because, as we share in their tribulations, so we also share in their joys. As we pray for the Chinese church, we also pray with them. Because of the world’s digital interconnectedness, we can know many of the actual daily needs of Chinese believers, and we can specifically and intentionally bear those burdens.

As we pray for and with Chinese Christians, those of us who are not part of the Chinese church learn and grow. When we pray with their words, we enter their world. Praying with and for the Chinese church gives us the opportunity to see the world through their eyes. It helps us to learn from them about prayer, and to interact with God in a way that we might not think to do were we led solely by our own concerns or graces.

Carrie (a pseudonym) is a Chinese believer in the States who works to support house churches in Mainland China. Although she is usually aware of various situations that are happening in churches across Chines, she said that, through prayer, she invites the Holy Spirit to do something that she cannot. “Prayer helps my emotions and thoughts be more connected,” she said. “The more I pray for someone, the more I am connected with him or her. The burden is much heavier if you pray for a person, if you pray for a city, if you pray for a church.”

Join us at China Partnership in praying for our Chinese brothers and sisters. There are many ways to do this. Get our weekly prayer emails, or sign up for daily text messages with specific points about how to pray for and with Chinese Christians. Read with intention; people cannot pray for what they do not know. In order to pray well, find out as much as you can about the lives of those for whom you are praying. This blog is a great place to start, and there are other sites with hundreds of articles and resources for learning about China. Read our archives to find out about and pray for specific Chinese cities or particular topics, or join one of our local prayer events to unite with others in prayer for brothers and sisters in China.

I’ll close with Carrie’s words. She said, “Prayer is the only thing I can do for Chinese Christians. I cannot physically be there. Even if I could physically be there, I am not God, I am only a person. I cannot control the situation. But what I can do—the least but actually the most—is pray.”

Please, join with us in prayer to partner with Chinese Christians.

FOR PRAYER AND REFLECTION

-Pray for more global believers to partner with the Chinese church in thoughtful, intentional, specific prayer.

Our blog exists, not just to transmit information, but to resource the global church to share the joys and burdens of the Chinese church. Our hope is that everything you read here will lead you to intentional, knowledgeable prayer for the Chinese church.

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Further Reading

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The J-Curve: Suffering Because Of Sin
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Xi'an: Rich Cultural Heritage
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The J-Curve: Suffering with Jesus
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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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Stories from Chongqing

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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Stories from Guangzhou

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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Stories from Shenzhen

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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Stories from Beijing

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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Stories from Shanghai

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