Editor’s note: Why should we pray for China? The question is so simple and the answer so obvious, we almost hesitate to ask. But although prayer is simple, it’s certainly not easy. Too often, we as believers don’t pray at all. If we do pray, we pray for the needs right in front of us, and forget to pray for Christians around the world. Their needs are hidden from us, and we forget that Christians are part of one family and one kingdom. To help overcome this, in 2025 we are focusing on 11 more cities across China. Today, we spoke with a Chinese prayer leader about why she craves the prayer of the global church, about how prayer blesses Chinese believers, and how it has impacted her own prayer life. This is the first of a two-part conversation.

Prayer for a Time Like This

China Partnership: Why do you want to encourage Christians everywhere to pray for Chinese cities?

Sister Bao En: China is a vast country, and it’s currently facing a very difficult political and economic situation. At a time like this, it really requires a lot of support for the church to serve this country and the cities we live in.

Secondly, right now, there are still very few gospel-proclaiming churches compared to China’s population. A city like mine has eight or nine million people – but there might only be one or two thousand in the true church. That ratio is incredibly small. To serve this city, we need a lot of God’s grace, and a lot of churches standing firm. There are many souls to care for. We need to care for their lives, illnesses, jobs, and everything. Our human strength feels so inadequate! Because of this, we need more churches from other countries to pray for China.

China is a vast country, and it’s currently facing a very difficult political and economic situation. At a time like this, it really requires a lot of support.

There are still 1.4 billion people. The population is enormous, but the church is still limited and weak. Relying on our own strength, what we can do is very limited. So, we pray for more grace and more resources to help the Chinese church.

CP: Is there anything about this particular time period that especially calls for prayer support?

Sister Bao En: For the Chinese church to have faith and depend on God in prayer. God doesn’t necessarily need a lot of people. Maybe he can use 300 or 7,000 – that might be enough. But each person needs to be very strong and rely on God’s power. We should pray for the strengthening of the Chinese church’s faith, and for them to believe in God’s great power.

Hidden Gospel History

CP: How can the gospel history of individual cities help us better understand the patterns and problems the church faces in different places?

Sister Bao En: When pastors reflect on the history of the gospel in their city, they recall God’s grace and work in that city. It keeps them from losing heart. They remember that, more than a hundred years ago, God already planted the seeds of the gospel here – and we are the beneficiaries. If it weren’t for those gospel seeds planted a hundred or 200 years ago, we today might not have heard the gospel.

As we reflect on God’s work here and look at our work today, we see that God has never left our city. We – these churches – are continuing to write history. When future generations look back on the history of our city, today’s churches will be part of what they give thanks for and remember.

The main point is to see how wonderful and powerful God’s work is. This is a great encouragement to the church and to the pastors, so they don’t feel alone. God is with them, and Jesus, the victorious King, is helping us.

It’s harder for me to pray for other cities, cities I’m not in, because I don’t know them well. But through these pastor interviews and prayer requests, I’ve learned something about these other cities, and I’ve started praying for them every day.

CP: Why do Chinese Christians need so much encouragement now?

Sister Bao En: In China, a lot of our history is hidden, not told to everyone. We’re not exposed to the gospel history of the city. The government has concealed information, like which missionaries came to this city and what God did during that time. If you don’t specifically dig and search, many believers don’t know. They don’t realize missionaries came here over a hundred years ago, that God was already working here. They just don’t know.

CP: This is not easy to discover. How are you able to find out this history for specific cities?

Sister Bao En: It’s an amazing thing. Each city has its own archives, and they record this history in there. It might not be complete, but the history is there. But many believers don’t know to look in the archives. You can also find some information online, in archives, and in museums.

“I’ve Started Praying For Them Every Day”

CP: How do you yourself pray for cities across China? How do you hope to encourage others to pray?

Sister Bao En: I have daily prayer items for how to pray. Since there are so many cities, you can’t possibly pray for each city every day. I pray more for the city where I live because my family and friends are there, and I experience a lot of things there. But it’s harder for me to pray for other cities, cities I’m not in, because I don’t know them well. But through these pastor interviews and prayer requests, I’ve learned something about these other cities, and I’ve started praying for them every day.

As for encouraging others to pray for Chinese cities? We are all in God’s kingdom. We need to support each other and have a kingdom mindset.

As for encouraging others to pray for Chinese cities? We are all in God’s kingdom. We need to support each other and have a kingdom mindset. At least you can learn more about the characteristics of a place and its needs, and then start praying for those. Just pray for each other more! Maybe people haven’t been to these cities and don’t know them, but through these prayer requests, they get their first glimpse of these cities. Maybe eventually, they’ll have a chance to go to that city. Gradually, our vision and our hearts will become broader.

Sister Bao En (a pseudonym) lives in a city in southern China. She loves to pray and to share the vision of prayer with others.

Today, pray for Chinese Christians to remember that God has not forgotten them or their cities. Pray they will connect with the gospel history of their locality, and will be encouraged by God’s faithfulness through the years.