China

There is an increasing pressure for churches and Christians to demonstrate total allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party and President Xi Jinping, above any commitment to Jesus Christ and the Bible. Pray for church leaders and individual believers that they will hold firm to the truth of God's Word and in obeying the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray also that they will experience God's protection as they do so.

Bibles are very much needed in China. Despite the printing of Bibles in the country, these only reach the registered churches. The majority unregistered churches and individuals have nowhere to go to buy Bibles. Pray for each person wanting a Bible to get one. Pray for the organisations who send Bibles in, who provide Bibles in digital formats to be used on phones and computers, that their work would continue. Pray that each seeker and new believer can access the Word of God to enable them to grow in their faith.

As around nine million new graduates emerge from university courses looking for jobs, they face big obstacles. The unemployment rate in China for 18 - 25-year-olds is about 20%. So, there is huge competition and much disappointment. Pray for these young people and ask that as they search for work, they will be prepared to search for what really matters in life and find that in Jesus. Pray also for the Christians who face further challenges as they are discriminated against because of their faith. Pray they will know God’s peace and provision.

Despite all the tension between China and many other countries, there continues to be a large number of Chinese students who travel abroad for A-level and university studies. Please pray that these students will encounter Christians while they are abroad and that these encounters will provide opportunities for them to hear about Jesus and that many would want to follow Him. Pray that they will then grow as Christians and be able to share their faith when they return to China. Pray also that UK Christians will be welcoming and ready to share their faith.

China’s population has started to shrink, and the proportion of older people is increasing. This creates problems in providing pensions and caring for the elderly. Although there have been some church initiatives in caring for older citizens, the directives for churches to ‘stay in their buildings’ prevents them reaching out. Pray for provision of care for older residents especially the lonely and frail. Pray that the elderly would not be abandoned or deemed worthless. Pray that Christian compassionate care will be seen in a positive light.

Following the rapid lifting of Covid restrictions, it is estimated up to 80% of the Chinese population contracted Covid. Although many cases were mild, it appears that many older people died as a result, especially in rural areas. Pray for Christians who have lost family members and for those who offer support and help to neighbours. Pray that their care would also be a witness. The targeting of Christians continues, and more church leaders have been falsely accused, often of financial mismanagement. They face unjust imprisonment or detainment. Pray that they and their families know peace and God’s presence.

The Dungan of Central Asia: The Hui Chinese may have first become Muslims in the Kansu and Shensi provinces of north-western China. They have since spread across the whole of China and as far as Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, where they are called Dungan. They still speak a dialect of Mandarin Chinese and are primarily arable farmers. Pray for the development of ministry to Dungan communities and for open hearts for the gospel. Pray too that God will give creative ideas to local Christians living in these countries, as they seek to reach the younger Dungan generation, who are more open to change.

Rongba Amdo Tibetans: The Rongba Amdo live in the Tibetan regions of China and adhere to Tibetan Buddhism. There are only a few Christians among the Rongba Amdo (0.01% of the population) and they have historically proven to be a difficult group to reach with the gospel. Pray for a breakthrough among them, and that God will draw attention to what is different in the Christians they encounter.

Sichuan Mongols in China: About 29,000 Mongols live in the area of Youngning, and follow Tibetan Buddhism. Though Mongolian in nationality, they have their own unique language and culture, different from the rest of the Mongolian peoples. Pray for Christ to speak directly to this people in signs and visions, and for conversions to take place.

Zhuang people of China: The Zhuang (including the Yongnan, Dai, Nong, Yang, and Zuojiang) are a collection of related Central Tai-speaking groups who have been clustered with the Northern Zhuang under China’s official ‘Zhuang’ nationality. Within that designation, there are many ethnic groups and clans. They have many superstitions and are careful to avoid offending the spirits that surround them: spirits of water, forest, mountains and so on. Pray for these people to be freed from their fears through the good news of Jesus Christ!

Ersu people of China: The Ersu people number around 44,000 in the People’s Republic of China and are 98% Buddhist. Though they are included by the Chinese Government as part of the Tibetan nationality, they want to be recognised as a separate minority. There is no record of a church or Christian believers among the Ersu. If there have been in the past, they are known only to God. Pray for God to change that by giving someone a heart for these people!

As new school terms start in China, every year group is receiving new textbooks aimed at teaching that the leader and the Communist party are the only source of correct belief and practice. Children are being taught that the party can do no wrong. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move across China and prompt a seeking for real truth that is found only in God. Pray also for Christian parents seeking to help their children use these textbooks and yet also keep their faith alive and well.