We are disturbed by the violence concerning the region of Tibet that has overflowed onto the streets of Lhasa and into neighboring provinces of China. We honor our relationship with our Chinese church partners-the China Christian Council, and stand with them in denouncing the violence and killings.  We call for calm and reconciliation and prayers for those who were injured and families who lost their loved ones. We welcome the action of inviting international media groups to visit Lhasa to share the truth to the world and we encourage the same to happen in the neighboring provinces of China.

The World Council of Churches' Ecumenical Prayer Cycle for the week of March 23-29, 2008 includes China for our shared intercession. Let us remember the people and lands throughout China in our prayers during this troubled time:

As we face this day, O God,
sing to us your song of encouragement,
paint for us your bright pictures of a new world
where people need not flee from wars and oppression,
where no one lacks a country or a home,
and where we are all part of your new creation.
For we long to be your people, in spirit and in truth.
We pray in the name of Jesus the Christ.

© Christian Conference of Asia, Hong Kong
SAR, China, Asia Sunday 2004

Rev. Cally Rogers-Witte, Co-Executive, Global Ministries
Rev. David Vargas, Co-Executive, Global Ministries
Rev. Dr. Xiaoling Zhu, Area Executive, East Asia and Pacific Office, Global Ministries