[Prayer] Pray for the Chinese authorities to stop burning bibles and closing the churches.
The Chinese government is destroying the crosses, burning bibles, and forcing Christians to sign the document to abandon their faith. In addition, there are more suppressions on religious meetings in Beijing and many provinces. Despite recognizing religious freedom in the Constitution since 1982, the Chinese government is putting the most serious pressure on Christianity. Xi Jinping has strengthened the most powerful anti-Christian movement since Mao Zedong, who had brought millions to death. The Chinese government is forcing people to abandon their faith by threatening them, “If you don’t sign the document that says, you would burn your Bible and abandon your faith, you will be kicked out of school or lose pension benefits.” A church pastor in Henan Nanyang City said on September 5 that his church was raided, and crosses, bibles, and furniture were burned. Local churches and ministries that work closely with Cornerstone Ministries International are also in need of prayer due to the closure of the churches by the police who raided the churches and the difficulties of ministers being held captive. Prayer is also needed to stop the persecution over the churches from the Chinese authorities who harass Christians through economic exploitation, harsh sentences and violence by bureaucrats.
In 2 Corinthians 1: 6, God says, “If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.” I lift a situation in which the persecution of the authorities against the Chinese church is increasing day by day. Let the Chinese church endure the hardship by faith, but through this suffering, stand firmly in faith and clothe them with your righteousness and holiness. When that happens, the church of God will be strengthened and prosperous so that the Chinese authorities will tremble when they see it. Please protect the church that is closed and the believers who are also imprisoned and fill them with the Holy Spirit of God. May the evil deeds of the Chinese authorities who persecute the church be stopped. Break their prideful throne against God with your strong arms. May the Lord empower us to pray with the same heart so that the Chinese Church can stand by faith that the world cannot bear. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!
