Archived prayer concerns:

December 20
· Praise God for the continued fruit that is resulting from evangelistic efforts. A Christian worker in China reported that 17 new believers resulted in only five days' time from the witness of a recent volunteer team. Another Christian worker reported the fruit of her team's effort to be 26 new believers in October and 74 in November. Yet another told of five families who accepted Christ in one village, and six in a neighboring village. All glory to Him!  

· "I love to read my Bible. When I open it I see God's face," said a new Chinese believer. Praise God for all who are faithfully teaching and distributing the Word of God throughout China, helping others to see God's face and to know His heart for them.

· Praise God for the many creative ways in which the gospel of Christ will be shared in China this Christmas season. Pray for the many Christians who will host parties in their homes, give evangelistic gifts, show the Jesus film, present Christmas dramas, tell the Christmas story, sing songs of Christmas praise, and otherwise make the name of the Savior known this Christmas. Pray that each effort made on His behalf will bear fruit.

· Several dozen teams of U.S. university students will travel to China this Christmas to share Christ through relationships and specialized ministry opportunities. Ask God to prepare their hearts and to protect them as they travel. Pray that their witness will result in many new believers. Pray that the ministry experiences will lead the U.S. students to deepened relationships with the Father.

December 10
· Even though leisure travel was banned as recently as seven years ago, Chinese tourists now account for nine percent of tourists worldwide. Twenty million Chinese residents traveled overseas last year, and according to the World Tourism Organization, tourist departures from China will continue to expand, reaching about 100 million in 2020. Pray that Christians all over the world will be sensitive to the spiritual needs of Chinese tourists, and that through ongoing literature distribution projects as well as other creative outreach efforts, many thousands of Chinese tourists will come to know Christ even before year’s end.  

· Following several years of concerted evangelism, there are now about 1000 believers among a previously unreached ethnic-minority group in China. Recently some of those new believers convened a meeting to discuss how to train all of the new believers so that the gospel can go forth to those within their minority group who still have not heard. Praise God for their determination to see their people reached. Pray that they will follow His leading, and will see thousands and thousands more of their people come to know Christ. Pray that they will also look beyond their own ethnic boundaries to see the spiritual needs of other ethnic groups.

· Still reveling in its strong showing in the 2004 Summer Olympics, China is looking forward to showcasing not only its athletes, but also its beauty and culture when it hosts the 2008 Olympics. Pray that the international Christian community will consider wisely how best to reach Chinese people for Christ through the incredible opportunities that will be present throughout the preparations leading up to the worldwide event. Pray that all evangelistic efforts will be directed toward long-lasting church growth.

· Thank God that many teams of American university students will share the true meaning of Christmas with Chinese people this December. Pray that all who are preparing to journey to China for this purpose will seek the Father’s heart in all of their preparations.

November 18
· Pray that Southern Baptists will give generously once again to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering so that extensive Christian efforts in the country where she gave her life will be ongoing. Thank God for all of the modern-day "Lotties and Lots" who are serving selflessly to share the gospel of salvation in China, the world’s most populous nation.

· Christian workers throughout China rely on God-ordained "people of peace" to ease their entry into target communities and to smooth the road for the presentation of the gospel. Pray that as God provides these human gospel bridges, Christian workers will have the wisdom to recognize them and to relate to them in ways that will bring great glory to the Father.

· Pray for the many orphans in China, many of whom have been disowned by their birth parents due to gender or some physical imperfection. Pray that God will provide compassionate people to love and care for these little ones. Pray that these young orphans will come to know Christ as Savior and will find their true home with him as they become His children through spiritual adoption.

· Praise God that the church in China is growing at an estimated three to seven million Christians per year. But even that phenomenal growth rate is not keeping pace with the overall population growth. Pray that Chinese Christians and international workers who labor with them will be even more fervent in witness to the end that every Chinese man, woman, and child can hear of the Savior’s love. Pray that others who hear God calling them into the harvest will respond with obedience.

October 26
· Thank God that the Jesus film is constantly being translated into various languages of the many ethnic-minority groups in China. Although 93 percent of China’s 1.3 billion people speak Mandarin, there are still millions who communicate primarily in other heart languages. Pray that God will guide and protect these ongoing efforts to the end that all the peoples of China will be able to hear the gospel in their own language while viewing the powerful film. Please lift up today translators, editors, technicians, and voiceover actors who are involved in these evangelistic efforts. Thank God for all who are committed to this task.

· “English Corners” are a longstanding tradition on many university campuses in China. Purposed to help Chinese-speaking people improve their English conversational skills, the gatherings are usually quite popular. Some of them are quite informal, with no set format other than to allow for a time of discussion. Other English Corners are designed to allow for maximum sharing of the good news. Please pray today for all who are sharing Christ in China through English Corners this semester. Ask God to guide in each presentation and discussion so that many can hear of the Savior’s love.

· Praise God that despite official bans on Sunday School for children, many Chinese Christians are intent on teaching God’s Word to children. During one hot week in August, 120 peasant farmers representing over 40 different village churches camped out at a church in northeast China to receive training in how to start Sunday Schools. They returned to their homes on Friday afternoon with the intention of beginning the first Sunday Schools in their communities. Pray that God will guide them in teaching entire generations of children about the Savior’s love. Pray that He will protect them from those who would seek to stifle their ministry.

· As China’s 50 Olympic gold medalists continue to revel in their Summer 2004 victories, Beijing has moved preparations to host the 2008 Summer Olympics to the front burner. An English-language Olympics primer has just been released in the capitol city and, in reaction to Greece’s extravagance; the government has just announced that some of its more elaborate building plans will be curtailed in favor of more modest spectator venues. Pray that Christians from around the world will embrace opportunities to share Christ in China as they travel in and out of the world’s most populous country during these busy years of Olympic preparations. Pray that Chinese Olympic athletes and coaches who have accepted Christ will be bold in their witness to those around them.

October 11
· Recently a Chinese student wrote an e-mail to the grandmother of the Christian worker who has been ministering to her. “One day I went to (her) home and she told me that you were praying for me.  At that time, I was moved very much. Because I know at the other side of the word, there was somebody loving me.”  Praise God for all who pray for the salvation of the Chinese people, loving them from the other side of the world.  

· Pray that God’s hand of protection will be over the thousands of Chinese babies and children that are being abducted or purchased from poor families every year. Parents with more than one child are often willing to sell their babies to childless couples.  Girls are sometimes stolen or sold to be brides for those living in rural communities with fewer women.  Largely as the result of the one-child policy, babies and children are treated as marketable commodities rather than as unique individuals made in the image of God. Pray that each one of these misplaced children will grow to know just how much the Father loves and treasures them.

· The rural poor in China are defined by authorities as earning a maximum of 637 Yuan (about $80) per year.  Considered the poorest of the poor, they make only one-fourth of what farmers earn, and considerably less than what the average city dweller earns.  Pray that those who live in poverty in China will know the spiritual riches that can be found only in relationship with Christ Jesus.

September 6
· A worker in China used the word "tsunami" to refer to the spiritual changes that are taking place in the city where he labors to make the gospel know. Praise God for the faithful committed service of he who wrote, "I believe that just as a tsunami is caused by an undersea earthquake deep in the ocean where no one can see it happening, we have had our own unknown shaking of the earth here in our city. That is, our 40 days of prayer. No one but you all and those here who participated with me knew about what we were doing. The people of the city didn't know. The government didn't know. Even most of the Christians here didn't know. But God knew and He was about the work of shaking the earth below the surface and setting in motion great things! We are going to see many people believe, many churches started, many lives changed, and much glory to God. It will continue to build slowly but it will happen. I believe it!"

· Supposedly fueled by the so called the "Golden Triangle" of Laos, Burma, and Thailand, China has a growing drug problems. There are now one million known drug addicts in China, most of them young, unemployed, and uneducated men. Pray that God's hand of protection will be on the young men of China. Pray that the good news of Jesus Christ can permeate all the communities of China so that those who are seeking relief or escape from the pains of life can find hope in Christ, and learn to rely on Him alone.

August 24
· Reports of spiritual victory are being shared as summer volunteers return from China. Many new believers have entered the Kingdom this summer because of the witness of international Christians who have served in China to tell others of the Savior’s love. Praise God for every new life. Praise Him for allowing these American Christians to have rich cross cultural and spiritual experiences.

· Persecution of Christians in China is ongoing, and in some locations has been particularly harsh in recent days. Within the last two months, there have been at least two mass arrests of believers in two different provinces. Well known house church leader Samuel Lamb of Guangzhou was also detained briefly for the first time in 14 months. Pray that during the current crackdown, Christians will remain strong in their faith and fervent in their testimony. Thank God that the church of China continues to grow and flourish.

· Several decades after imposing the one-child policy, China’s government is now discussing how best to address the serious gender ratio imbalance that has resulted. With only 100 females for every 120 males nationwide, China has the highest gender ratio imbalance in the world. With what is now considered to be a nationwide shortage of 30 million women, China is understandably concerned about major social repercussions. Pray that God will grant heavenly wisdom to those who are seeking resolutions to the problem, helping them to understand that abortion, infanticide, and mandatory sterilization are sinful acts that cannot possibly be honored by the Creator of life.

August 2
· One out of every five people in the world lives in China, and within this most populous of all nations, one out of every four people lives in a city. By the end of last year there were 338 million city dwellers in China! There are 172 cities in China with more than one million residents, compared to nine U.S. cities of more than one million. Praise God that even in these crowded pools of humanity, He sees and knows every individual. Pray that appropriate strategies can be identified and implemented to allow the good news of Christ Jesus to spread like wildfire throughout these cities. Pray that as Christians tell others about His saving grace, His purposes will be written on the hearts of millions of urban dwellers this year.

· Although the vast majority of the China populous speaks Mandarin Chinese, there are many ethnic-minority groups that communicate in other languages. Pray today for ongoing evangelistic efforts among many of the more than 400 minority groups in China. Ask God to give special empowering to those who are seeking to translate Bibles, videos, and others materials into the languages of the peoples. Pray for enabling for all who are studying minority languages for the purpose of sharing Christ. Pray that culturally sensitive means and methods can be identified to reach ALL of the peoples of China.

· Pray for ongoing efforts both inside and outside China that allow Christians and seekers to have Bibles. Amity Press, the government sanctioned printing house, is only permitted to print two million Bibles this year. However, if church growth continues at the present rate of 10,000 or more believers per day, there could be four to five million new believers this year. Praise God for the innovative and intentional efforts that are ongoing to allow for continuous distribution of Bibles in China. Pray that God’s protection will umbrella all of these endeavors to the end that His Word can go forth.

July 19
· A university student at an elite institution recently said, "All my life I was taught to scorn religion. But recently I have come to believe that there must be truth to Christianity. I want to know about Christ." The heartfelt hunger that he expressed is fairly typical among many of China’s eight million university students. Pray today that every believer on campuses throughout China will be faithful in sharing Christ with others. Pray that Jesus will be proclaimed in dormitories and classrooms and in research papers and discussions. Pray that Christian students can be inspired and trained to lead other students to the Savior.

· Persecution is a reality for many Christians in China. Although many of the purported 60 to 100 million believers in China experience sustained periods of relative freedom, government crackdowns are always a possibility for those worshipping in house churches rather than in state controlled churches. Many pastors and lay leaders have been imprisoned repeatedly for telling others about Christ. China Aid Association, a reliable human rights watch group, reported that the Communist party has recently issued new directives aimed to curb the spread of Christianity and to promote the spread of atheism. Praise God that He is building His church and that the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Pray today for all who are incarcerated for the sake of Christ. Ask the Father to be near to each of them, and pray that through their suffering, Christ will be glorified.

· China is growing old! Although it has long been recognized as having the longest continual civilization of any existing cultures, it can now lay claim to having more old people than any country on the face of the earth. With an overall population of 1.3 billion people, China now has 134 million people over 60 years old. That’s more than one out of ten. One of several significant factors impacting the aging of the population is the one-child policy that was adopted in the 1970s. Other factors include a constantly improving standard of living, and the increased tendency for many young couples to either delay pregnancy or to forgo parenthood altogether. Thank God for the long lives of many millions of Chinese seniors. Pray that those who are Christians will be faithful in sharing the gospel with other seniors, and that those who do not yet know Christ will soon hear of the Savior’s love and receive Him into their hearts.

July 8
· Please pray for Christian teachers who are serving in places all throughout China this summer for the purpose of sharing the good news of salvation through Christ. Pray that many of their students will meet the Savior this summer, and will in turn lead many others of their own countryman to Christ.

· The 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident passed relatively quietly this summer. But for many who lost their loved ones in the government crackdown, as well as for those who are still being punished for their involvement in the uprising against authority, it was a painful observance. Many questions, suspicions, and memories continue to divide the nation when events of June 4, 1989 are recalled. The government has never made a full disclosure of details related to the tragic event, and discussion is strongly discouraged. Pray that all who are still suffering from the loss incurred that day will find true peace and hope through relationship with Christ Jesus.

· For the second consecutive year, one half million Hong Kong residents marched for democracy on July 1, the anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover to China. Apparently responding to increased threats to basic freedoms during the past year, marchers endured record-breaking high temperatures and dangerously high air pollution readings to demonstrate peacefully for several hours. Almost every age group and every socio-economic was represented. Pray that, if God so wills, the relative freedoms that Hong Kong residents now have can continue, and that regardless of what happens to the basic rights of individuals, the seven million people of Hong Kong can find true freedom through personal relationships with Christ.

June 21, 2004
· To reach business professionals in one China city, Christian workers invited a small group of Christian factory and business owners to meet for a time of fellowship. They were amazed when 25 persons showed up. Before the gathering had ended, each one of the entrepreneurs had committed to planting a church in their place of business. In another location, a group of Chinese Christian professionals has committed to reaching 2000 business leaders for Christ in the next two years. One Christian worker wrote, “In a society known for corruption, God is moving professional leaders to seek integrity and to bless their companies with His truth.” Praise God for the ways in which He is working among business professionals in China to bring others into fellowship with Christ.

· Hong Kong residents are increasingly concerned about the future of the former British colony. Seven years after it reverted to China’s rule, there are signs that basic freedoms are under increasing threat. China’s central government ruled in late April that Hong Kong citizens will neither be allowed to elect its chief executive in 2007, nor to elect legislators in 2008. Although the issue is up for review at some later date, hopes have been dashed that Hong Kong will retain autonomy. Pray that Christians living in Hong Kong will be diligent in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the bustling city of more than 7 million people. Even though Hong Kong is generally regarded as a base for Christian groups working in China, less than five percent of the Hong Kong people profess to know Christ.

· Pray for thousands of Chinese children who have been orphaned by AIDS. As the dread disease has spread rapidly throughout entire impoverished villages in China, many children have lost both parents. Unless drastic measures are taken, it is estimated that there could be as many as 260,000 AIDS orphans in China by 2010. Pray that authorities and health workers will address this problem in the best possible way so that many thousands of children can be spared from this great loss.

· Opportunity for higher education is not a "given" in China. Aspiring scholars must pass national placement exams in order to have opportunity for university study. Those who don’t pass generally enter the workforce, and often find their opportunities for advancement limited. Please pray today for the young adults in China, asking that whether they test into colleges or enter directly into the workforce after high school, each one of them will find the one true purpose of life in relationship with Jesus Christ.

· One Christian worker in China recently wrote, "Many times during the day I plead with Father—what is your plan? Why haven’t we encountered people prepared by You for harvesting? What do we need to be doing?" Pray that as this worker and many others like him continue to seek, they will find all that the Father has prepared for them. Thank God for their faithfulness in service. Pray that they will not be discouraged, but will use this time of "waiting" to prepare spiritually for opportunities that God will certainly place in their path. Thank God also that many Christian workers in China are seeing incredible results as they minister in His name.

June 7, 2004
· Please continue to pray for short-term workers who are serving in China this summer. Ask God to protect them from illness or accidents and to use them greatly in His Kingdom’s work. Thank God for all who have stepped out in faith to serve in China. Praise Him for all that He is allowing them to experience as they touch lives for eternity.

· Praise God that record numbers of people are listening to gospel programs being broadcast in China. In 2003 alone, more than 20,000 listeners responded by letter, fax, or e-mail to one of the major Christian broadcast programs in China. That was a 26 percent increase over the program’s 2002 response. Although 70 percent of those who responded had at least a high school education, it is also highly likely that many, many more listeners were uneducated people in the countryside who – despite being unable to write a letter – heard a clear presentation of the gospel over the airwaves. Pray that Christian broadcasting efforts will continue to be effective and fruitful. Pray that the God who created time and space will protect these radio broadcasts.

· Several dozen babies in China have died from malnutrition after having been fed fake milk formula. At least 200 more babies are ill from having been malnourished from birth as unsuspecting parents bought the powder, believing that it would contain the necessary nutrients for their babies. Many in China have been shocked by this seemingly wanton act targeting newborns. A government investigation is underway, and preliminary reports indicate that those responsible were deliberate in selling the inferior milk formula, reasoning that it was the only way to earn money! Most of the babies affected belonged to countryside farmers who eke out a living on an annual equivalent of $240 U.S. Pray that God will comfort those who have lost babies. Pray that His hand of protection will be upon all of the babies in China. Pray for the babies who are still recovering from “big head syndrome” and other symptoms resulting from this maltreatment. Pray that those who have committed such deplorable acts will come to know the Savior who can forgive the sins of all who turn to Him.

· China has owned up to its billowing AIDS-infected community by offering free AIDS tests to anyone who thinks they might be infected. Treatment is also available for many of the 840,000 HIV-positive residents*, 80,000 of whom have full-blown AIDS. (*This is an official government estimate that is considered by some to be quite conservative.) China is hopeful to stem the tide of infections as the United Nations Aids agency has estimated that without aggressive prevention efforts, China could have 10 million people infected with AIDS by 2020. Many of those initially infected in China contracted the disease from dirty needles as they sold blood to help supplement their income. The most heavily affected areas are Yunnan, Guangxi, and Xinjang provinces and many of those most affected are underprivileged ethnic-minority groups. Pray today that those who are suffering can find relief, and that this growing epidemic can be stemmed through education and prevention. Pray that Christians will be faithful in sharing with the sick and dying the hope that can be found in Christ.

May 24, 2004
· Government statistics show that due largely to the rising standard of living in China, 10 percent of children in China are obese! Yet the staggering poverty of less fortunate Chinese children is all too evident in many of the large cities where children of rural migrants congregate around bus stations and other public venues to beg for coins. Even more tragic than the physical deprivation, however, is the spiritual deprivation. Sunday Schools are prohibited in China, and baptism of anyone younger than 18 is illegal. Pray today for all of the children of China, asking the Heavenly Father to look down with compassion on those with plenty and those in want. Pray that His love will be made known to each little one in the vast country of China.

· Please pray today that Christians in Hong Kong and in Taiwan, two locations where religious freedom presently continues, will be diligent in witnessing to others. As China’s central communist government continues to lean on Hong Kong’s Special Administrative Region government to make changes in its basic law; and as it continues to threaten Taiwan with military invasion, there is some question of how long Christians will be able to share the gospel openly in each of these locations. Hong Kong, a city of seven million people, reverted to China’s rule in 1997, but has been allowed to retain many freedoms until the present. However, there are strong indications that some of those liberties are slowly slipping away. Taiwan has been autonomous for more than 50 years, but is still considered by China’s government to be a “province” of China. Taiwan residents have known for decades that China may someday launch military action to reclaim control of the island that has grown to a population of more than 22 million people.

· Many house church leaders in China are hungry for spiritual training opportunities. Thank God for those who are willing to risk harassment from authorities as they travel to discreet locations to share Biblical teachings and church growth methodology with Chinese believers. Pray today for the safety of those who are laying their health and well being on the line for the sake of the gospel. Ask God to empower them and to use them mightily to encourage, inform, and inspire Chinese men and women who are intent on reaching their people for Christ. Thank God that, despite incredible challenges in sharing Christ in China, the church of China continues to grow at a rate of more than 10,000 new believers a day.

May 10, 2004
· Visa requirements for U.S. citizens entering China are being altered in response to the U.S. government’s fingerprinting of Chinese visa applicants. Initial reports indicate that future travels in and out of China might be more challenging as length of stay restrictions are tightened and as visa applicants are subject to personal interviews. Thank God that none of these changes will escape His watchful eye. Ask Him to intervene according to His will. Pray that peace will reign in the hearts of Christian workers in China as they wait to see how these changes may impact their work.

· Praise God that so far this year, there have been few reported cases of SARS, the epidemic that swept throughout Hong Kong and China last year. Please continue to pray that government authorities and medical personnel will be diligent in efforts to eradicate the disease that resulted in hundreds of deaths worldwide and brought tourism to a standstill in China for several months last spring.

· Many volunteers have committed to serving in China this summer. Pray for those who are preparing to teach English, backpack into rural areas, live in Chinese communities, train Christian believers, and serve in many other ways to make Christ known. Pray that all who are called by God into China’s fields of spiritual harvest will respond with joyful obedience.

· Many of the families who live in China for the sake of sharing the gospel are still in early stages of family formation. Pray today for all of the young married couples who are in various stages of pregnancies and caring for newborns and toddlers. Pray that Christ will rule in the heart of each young mom and dad who is serving Christ in China today. Pray that He will be victorious in their homes. Pray that every child born to Christian workers in China will someday come to know and love the Christ who has led their parents to overseas service.

April 26, 2004
· Praise God that for the first time in more than half a century, two new Christian church buildings are being erected in Beijing. This will mark the first new Christian church construction since the Communist takeover of China in 1949. Construction began in December of 2003 and is expected to be complete by December of 2004. The facilities will be used by government-sanctioned "registered" churches. Existing registered church buildings in Beijing and other locations throughout China are filled to overflowing almost every time worship services are held. There is also tremendous church growth taking place among the unregistered house church congregations that are not sanctioned by the government. Praise God for the 10,000 to 20,000 new believers that enter the Kingdom daily in China.

· A Christian worker in China has one of the best possible problems. People are coming to Christ faster than he knows what to do with them! He feels overwhelmed with the two dozen discipleship groups he is already leading. Pray that he will grasp a vision for training others to lead groups, trusting in the presence of the Holy Spirit and the truth of God’s Word to equip new believers.

· One Christian worker recently wrote, "During the past few months, tens of thousands of people heard the old, old story of Jesus and His love for the very first time. Many responded with open hearts and eagerly received the good news. Some asked why they had not heard the story before and wondered if it was too late for them to know Him." Pray that every man, woman, and child in China will have opportunity to hear of the Savior’s love before it is too late.

· "Dinks" (double income/no kids) are not only on the increase in China urban centers, but they are receiving more social acceptance. Surveys indicate that as many as 12 percent of families in Shanghai and 10 percent of Beijing families are "dinks." More remarkable, however, is a 64 percent approval rating expressed by those surveyed. This reflects a dramatic shift in societal values. In the past, child bearing was -- almost without exception -- highly valued by Chinese families. Now many young Chinese couples opt out of parenthood, viewing children as a potential threat to their career and preferred lifestyle. Pray that married couples of childbearing age in China will make wise choices. Pray that Christian homes in China will be strengthened, and that Christian families can be a strong witness to those around them.

· Teams of Christian workers are seeking to reach China cities of millions for Christ. They are praying for short-term volunteers and long-term workers to join them in sharing Christ with those who have never heard. Pray that as God calls workers to China, His children will respond in obedience.

April 9, 2004
· Thank God that the Risen Lord was worshipped and proclaimed in many Christian services over the Easter weekend. Praise God that many came to know the Savior as His name was exalted in Easter observances in both registered and house churches in China. Pray that Chinese Christians will share Christ boldly with friends and acquaintances. Pray that God’s spirit will continue to move mightily throughout China.

· Sometimes it takes a long time to lead someone to Christ. But in China, many are willing to receive Him as soon as they have heard a clear presentation of the gospel. One worker recently shared, “It was a beautiful day for a picnic in the park. One of the new believers began to tell the story using the Gospel Cube. When she finished, five young women said they wanted to give their hearts to Jesus right then.” In another location, a Christian worker observed the following. “An invitation for Christian service was given. One by one they stood, willing to obey Him at all costs. Later we realized that five newcomers had just received Christ during the meeting and stood up to surrender their lives to Christ!” Praise God for all who have recently accepted Christ. Pray that they will grow in Him daily.

· Ecological experts say that a severe water crisis is looming in China. Surging water consumption in China’s growing cities and towns, coupled with irresponsible industrial and agriculture use, is straining the nation’s water supply and setting the stage for disaster. Within the next 25 years, water consumption is expected to triple while the country’s’ water supply dwindles to a dangerously low level. Pray that those in positions of responsibility will take necessary measures to counteract a worst case scenario. Pray also that the international Christian community will be faithful in championing China for Christ, recognizing that all who come to Him will never again be spiritually thirsty.

March 29, 2004
· Pray that those who are preparing to serve in China this summer will know that the safest place to be is in the center of God’s will. Rarely does a volunteer season come and go without the threat of some exotic disease or the impact of some international crisis. Yet as many volunteer workers travel to and from China each summer to share Christ, serious illness or accidents are extremely rare. Pray that anyone who is hesitant to follow God’s leading because of fear will be able to trust entirely in the God of the universe who longs for all of the lost one billion Chinese people to know Him through salvation in Christ.

· Frequent travelers in China are often amazed at the continual rate of progress. One very apparent indication is the ongoing growth of the transportation infrastructure. In 1989 there were only 271 kilometers of highway expressway. By the end of 2002 it had grown to 25,200 kilometers! Even more important that the physical highways that are being constantly added, however, are the spiritual inroads that God is building to mega cities and rural communities throughout the land as His people are faithful in sharing the gospel of salvation. Thank God for all who are placing their trust in Him today. Pray that they might be strengthened in their walk and prepared to reach others with the Good News.

· Continued calls for theological reconstruction by the government-sanctioned China Christian Council have made many within the evangelical Christian community increasingly alarmed. Pray that the true believers in the Three-Self church of China will speak the truth in love to those who are seeking to distort the scriptures and misrepresent the basic tenets of Christianity in order to appease the government. Pray that all Chinese believers, whether assembled in house churches or in “official” churches, will resist attempts to thwart the will of God and will seek to glorify Him by following His teachings obediently.

· Pray for Hong Kong, the former British colony that reverted to China’s rule in 1997. At present there is relative religious freedom in the city of seven million. Because of its proximity to the rest of China, it serves as a base for many Christian groups who minister in China. But in January of this year, China’s Communist leaders made it clear that the pace of political reform in China will be controlled by the Central Government of China. China had already begun drastic reforms in Hong Kong when one half million HK residents took to the streets on July 1, 2003 to protest peacefully. The turnout was so astonishing that talk of further reform was shelved for a short time. However, a subsequent mass demonstration on January 1 of this year did not deter the China Central government in its plans for the city. The reforms are back on the table. The primary concern of Christian workers in Hong Kong is that religious freedoms may eventually be denied and that it may become increasingly difficult to launch Christian efforts in China from the special administrative region. Pray that God’s purposes for Hong Kong will prevail.

March 19 , 2004
· Numerous reports of increased surveillance are emerging from locations throughout China. Many Chinese Christians, as well as some Christian workers from other countries have been questioned by Chinese authorities recently. Pray that those in authority in universities, cities, townships, and provinces all over China will look with favor on Christians who are living out God’s love in the Communist-governed country. Pray that, inasmuch as possible, God will protect His servants. Pray that when He allows them to undergo persecution, they will rely totally on Him and will cling to Him is a way that will show forth His glory.

· Praise God for His continued working in locations all throughout China. People are turning to Christ in homes, factories, university dormitories, church gatherings, and even on the streets. Thank God that, despite continued attempts to control Christianity, 10,000 or more are entering God’s Kingdom daily through salvation in Christ. Pray that the numbers will increase until even the most ambitious projections will pale in comparison to what God is doing in China.

· Summer English-teaching programs in China provide one of the best opportunities for overseas Christians to share Christ. Many hundreds of teachers are needed this summer. Thank God for all who have already committed to spending the summer of 2004 in China. Pray that God will prepare them in every way for the vital task that lies ahead. Pray also that those who are sensing God’s call to China this summer and have not yet responded will soon do so.

· Recent reports indicate that the atheistic Communist Party is achieving success as it renews efforts to recruit university teachers and students into its ranks. Lured by attractive government incentives and promises of success, an estimated one-half of all college teachers are Communist Party members. Seven percent of undergraduate students and 30 percent of graduate students have joined the party. Pray that God will prevail in the quest for the souls of China’s professors and university students. Ask God to empower and use every Christian teacher and student in China to reach those around them with the good news of salvation.

· University student enrollment in China should reach four million this year. Please pray today that all of those students will have the opportunity to hear of the love of Jesus during their final formative years before taking responsible roles in society. Thank God that revival is sweeping throughout selected campuses in China. Pray that Chinese Christian students and teachers, as well as overseas Christians who work beside them, will be used greatly to lead the leaders of the future to faith in Christ.

March 1 , 2004
· Rapid urbanization in China is causing great concern for rural house churches already suffering from a lack of leadership. With 20 million peasants emigrating from the countryside to the cities every year, it is estimated that by 2015, half of the entire population of China will live in the cities. House church leaders indicate that almost all of the Christian young people in rural congregations have left to find jobs in the cities, leaving the rural churches without any trained leadership. Pray that each rural Christian in China will seek the will of God in his or her particular situation, and whether moving or staying, will do so in obedience to Him. Pray that the worldwide Christian community will be diligent in providing training opportunities for rural church leaders. Pray that God will supply the needs of the church in China.

· With one self-inflicted death every two minutes and eight failed attempts during that same time frame, suicide has become a major health issue in China. Rural Chinese women are most likely to take their own lives, utilizing the ingestion of agricultural poison as the most likely means. One expert was recently quoted as saying that in China, there are no strong legal or religious prohibitions against suicide. Pray that those in China who are suffering to the degree that they are willing to kill themselves will realize how precious they are in the sight of God. Pray that they will find purpose in life through relationship with Christ Jesus.

· Even in Tibet, thousands are accessing the world through internet. One young Tibetan referred to the web as "a treasure chest" that connects him to a whole new world. Pray that as entrepreneurs take advantage of the internet to sale their goods in China, Christians will be even more diligent in using this tool to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

February 16, 2004
· All throughout the year there are scattered and reliable reports of house church members and leaders in China suffering greatly for their Christian walk and testimony
. . . a 33-year old woman who died in police custody last October
. . . a Christian man badly beaten in November
. . . a group of Christians arrested during a Christmas Eve worship service
. . . and many, many more. Pray today for all in China who are suffering incarceration, beatings, interrogations, and other forms of ill treatment. Pray that in their suffering, Christ's peace and enabling will envelop them, and that His love will shine forth through them.

· Air pollution is a serious concern for residents of many megacities in China. Yet many overseas Christian workers willingly settle in these cities with dangerous levels of pollution in order to share the love of Christ. Pray today for the workers and their children, asking God to protect them from allergies, chronic illnesses and other hazards of unclean air. Pray that through their sacrifice, many will come to know Jesus.

· With the number of AIDS cases in China is growing at an alarming rate, there is great concern that by 2010, there could be tens of millions of Chinese people infected by the deadly illness. Since 1998, the disease has spread rampantly throughout China, growing at an annual rate of 30 percent. Presently there are 840,000 AIDS cases in China, and 150,000 have died from the disease.

The government has only recently acknowledged the problem, and is now establishing 124 treatment centers in seven of the hardest-hit provinces. It is purported that many of the AIDS sufferers in China were infected either directly or indirectly through an early 1990's government sponsored program that allowed people to sell their blood. Pray that Christians in China will reach out to those who are infected and share Christ with them. Pray that the government will be diligent in preventing further widespread infection. Pray that through this crisis, many will turn to Christ.

The government has only recently acknowledged the problem, and is now establishing 124 treatment centers in seven of the hardest-hit provinces. It is purported that many of the AIDS sufferers in China were infected either directly or indirectly through an early 1990's government sponsored program that allowed people to sell their blood. Pray that Christians in China will reach out to those who are infected and share Christ with them. Pray that the government will be diligent in preventing further widespread infection. Pray that through this crisis, many will turn to Christ.

· Several significant and inter-related trends are being detected among educated young adults in China.
(1) Expanding universities are turning out more people than the job market can absorb, and thus more than one-third of this summer's university graduates in major cities such as Guangdong are still out of work. Since 1980, China has produced 12 million university graduates, compared with just three million in the 30 years preceding that.
(2) Despite the continued call for reform within the Communist Party, an increasing number of university graduates have indicated a desire to join the party. Their interest is based not so much on ideology, but rather on hopes for job advancement, according to a Stanford University scholar.
(3) The number of Chinese students taking the TOEFL to apply for advanced studies in the U.S. has fallen sharply this year, with only 10,000 sitting the test in Beijing this year, down from 30,000 last year. This has largely resulted from U.S. visa restrictions that were imposed after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
(4) A sharply increasing percentage of Mainland scholars are returning to their homeland after studying in the U.S. and other locations. The rate of student returns has increased by an annual rate of 13 percent over the past five years. Pray for the educated young adults of China who will be the leaders in coming generations. Thank God for the openness among many of them to hear about Jesus. Pray that, whether in China or studying abroad, many more millions of young Chinese intellects will accept Christ into their hearts this year.

February  6, 2004
· Pray that every Christian worker serving in China will make personal piety and devotion priority this year. Ask God to guard their minds and hearts in Christ Jesus and to protect them from the attacks of the evil one. Pray that He will preserve the sanctity of each Christian marriage and home, and will guard the testimony of each Christian husband, wife, and single. Pray that no Christian worker will depend on their own strength to withstand the wiles of the devil, but that all will depend entirely on Christ within them.

· Praise God for all who received Jesus into their hearts as the gospel was shared throughout China at Christmastime. Pray that new believers will be nurtured and will continue to grow in Christ. Pray that they will soon discover the joy of sharing their faith with others. Thank God for all who were faithful in telling others about the true meaning of Christmas.

· Pray that authorities in China will remain vigilant in resisting a recurrence of the SARS epidemic of last year. Thank God that there have been very few cases reported thus far this year. Pray that a cure may be discovered in a way that will bring glory to God.

January 5, 2004
· China-related Christian workers will begin a strategic annual meeting within a few days time.  There will be extensive travel involved in this gathering.  Please pray for the safety of all involved.  Pray too that God's spirit will anoint the gathering and that all in attendance will be keenly aware of His presence.  Pray that through times of worship, fellowship, and training, all who attend will be greatly strengthened for continued ministry.  Ask God to make His highest purposes known to those who are seeking to make Him known throughout China. 

· Praise God for volunteers who shared Christ in China over the Christmas break.  Thank God for all the many Chinese people who accepted Christ as U.S. students utilized drama, music, backpacking into remote areas, prayer walking, and other means to tell others about the true meaning of Christmas.  Pray that as the U.S. students return home to resume their studies, they will continue to bear the needs of China in their hearts.  Ask God to use them to communicate with others what God is doing in China.

· Chinese New Year, which is based on the ancient Lunar calendar, will fall in late January this year.  Millions will be traveling to their home towns to observe the traditional holiday with their families.  Pray that during long and arduous journeys, Chinese Christians will take advantage of many opportunities to share their witness with those around them.  Pray that they will be faithful in sharing Christ with friends and family in the places where they visit.

· The coming of 2004 gives Christian workers in China an opportunity to reflect on God's blessings and to seek renewed vision for the future.  Pray that all who serve Christ in China will seek constantly to give God their very best and will remain consistently focused on leading others to Christ and facilitating new church starts.  Pray that they will have discernment to prioritize their time, wisdom to accomplish all that God places before them, and the appropriate mixture of boldness and sensitivity needed to share Christ effectively in China.