CSW Prayer Diary: China

Zhang Zhan

Source: CSW

The courage of individuals to stand against injustices perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party - whether pastors, journalists, human rights lawyers, or family members of those taken - is hugely inspiring. Their willingness to place themselves in danger by speaking out encourages us to stand alongside them in prayer and solidarity; and to cry out to God that their calls for justice will finally be heard. Find out more at: www.csw.org.uk/our_work_country_china.htm

Sunday 11 July

Lift up Zhang Zhan, the Christian citizen journalist imprisoned following her investigations of the COVID-19 outbreak. Thank God for her determination to make the truth known, fuelled by her faith, and ask God to keep her strong, despite her partial hunger strike.

Monday 12 July

Thank God for the courage displayed by 'house' church members who continue to meet in small groups, despite the risk. Pray for wisdom for the leaders who are still free, as they consider how to keep their congregations safe, while also exercising their right to worship freely.

Tuesday 13 July

Pray for Pastor Wang Yi, who was sentenced in 2019 to nine years in prison because he spoke out for churches and Christians in China. Ask God to protect and strengthen his family, giving them everything they need to continue to stand strong.

Wednesday 14 July

Our hearts break when we hear about the horrific abuses experienced by the predominantly Muslim Uyghur ethnic group, and other violations against Muslims in China. Uyghur families are torn apart, as parents are sent to 're-education' camps and children are taken away to state orphanages. We thank God that there is growing awareness in the international community about this crisis, and pray for strong, effective international action to bring an end to this tragedy.

Thursday 15 July

We thank God for the success we've seen so far in our campaign as part of the Coalition to End Forced Labour in the Uyghur Region. Marks & Spencer signed the brand commitment; pray that others would follow them and commit to ensuring they don't use forced labour.

Add your voice to our forced labour campaign at csw.org.uk/campaigns

Friday 16 July

'How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?' This is David's cry in Psalm 13. As we pray for China this week, let's keep crying out to God for all those who feel their pain won't end, that their enemy would never say 'I have prevailed over him,' but instead that justice would break forth.

Saturday 17 July

In Acts 16 Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and then the prison doors opened and the chains of every prisoner fell off. Not all those prisoners were Christians, yet they were all freed by God's power. Father, we ask that you will do the same miracle today in China - that as your people pray and praise, you will bring freedom not only to them but to all who are currently detained unjustly.

LINK
CSW China - www.csw.org.uk/our_work_country_china.htm