Our Christian family in parts of central China say it is now ‘dangerous’ to be a believer – amid arrests, cross removals and intense persecution in Henan.
The focus of the authorities’ crackdown is apparently churches in Luoning County: many have been detained and Christians say they are now too scared to meet together. Preaching and gathering for worship are said to have been banned.
Please pray that God will give wisdom to His people in Luoning to know how to respond to this wave of persecution.
The prompt for the campaign of violence appears to have been new Regulations for Religious Affairs which came into force last month and which relate to registering church activities.
House churches in Luoning have had windows smashed and property confiscated. One video (below) shows a local official demolishing a tile mural depicting Jesus on a private home.
Preachers have been prevented from giving sermons in several districts of Luoning. In Shangqiu district, four crosses on the historic Nantang Church were removed last Friday: officials also cut off power to the church and arrested its pastors.
‘It feels like another Cultural Revolution,’ said one believer from Shangqiu.
- Pray that the Sovereign Lord will come in power to this area of central China ‘with a mighty arm’ (Isaiah 40:10). Ask Him to sustain and encourage His people there.
- Pray that our Christian family in Luoning will find new, creative ways to fellowship and encourage one another in their faith.
- Pray for a radical change of heart among Henan officials: may they see the folly of repressing religious liberty and trying to silence the word Of God. Read more about our #Pray50 campaign.
- Praise God for Bob Fu’s visit to the UK: Bob is the founder and President of our partner China Aid, a former house church leader and former prisoner of faith. Join us at a lunch meeting in London tomorrow (Saturday, March 15th) to hear Bob talk about ‘Christian persecution in China’: 12.30-3.30pm at St Michael’s Church Chester Square. Book your place today, or find out about his other speaking engagements here.
(Source: China Aid)
UPDATE
Please pray for our brother
Pastor Andrew Brunson (pictured) who remains in prison in Turkey on false charges. On Tuesday (13 March 2018), the prosecutor charged him with being a lead actor in the Fetullah Gulen terrorist group. The official indictment demands that he be imprisoned for life and, if it is accepted, his case will go to trial. Ask God to strengthen Andrew and his wife, Norine: pray his case will be thrown out.
Please also pray for our Iranian brothers
Eskandar Rezaei and
Suroush Saraei who were each sentenced on December 28, 2017, to eight years in prison. They are now appealing their sentences: pray their appeals will be heard swiftly and be successful.
(Source: Middle East Concern)
16.3.18
