Pray for China on Sunday July 15, 2012
Prayers for China: Mark 6:14-29
Mighty God, we thank you for being a companion to those who challenge injustice and immorality in this world. We lift up those in China who, because of their work, face harsh punishments from petty officials. We ask that you be with them and their families as they endure these hardships.
We give thanks for the work of the Amity Foundation and Christian’s throughout China who work tirelessly to bring justice for those in the margins. We ask that you protect these projects from interference and let their impact spread your glory. The task before these volunteers may seem insurmountable, but they take comfort in knowing that with You all things are possible.
Lord we lift up AIDS prevention activists in Hunan and Henan who find themselves muzzled in public spaces, rights lawyers in Beijing fighting for equal access to education for the children of migrants workers, and rural congregations who are facing forced relocation. We also lift up government officials who have partnered with Chinese Christians to create positive changes in their communities, and we pray for more open hearts to this possibility.
Amen
Mission Stewardship Moment from China:
During our past five years in China, we’ve had the opportunity to meet with congregations throughout the country. It always impresses me when see that the previous generations of mission personnel have not been forgotten, and in many cases their work has grown far beyond the original vision. Even though many churches were shuttered or destroyed in China’s turbulent years under Chairman Mao, the congregations have persisted.
A few months ago we had the opportunity to visit an enthusiastic group of believers in Hunan province. Their current building was on the same grounds that the mission had been constructed on, and the old foundations were still visible. They believed strongly that this place was truly sacred ground. In the last few years, this church had launched hospice care projects, AIDS prevention resources, support for families raising handicapped children (which included a school for hundreds of hearing impaired children); these projects involved hundreds of volunteers and were supported by our partner, The Amity Foundation. It was immediately apparent that the Spirit was doing amazing things in this place.
Sadly, they had recently been told by the local government that there was a plan to redevelop the neighborhood, and this congregation would be relocated. Before we left, I told the congregation that I had been doing research on the early mission personnel to China, and that their current efforts would have surely made their founding preacher more proud than words could describe. Being able to lend our support of their work in person during this troubled time helped to reassure them that a church was far more than a building or a piece of land.
Through Global Ministries work with the Amity Foundation, Chinese Christians have the financial and technical support they need to continue spreading not only the Word of God, but the Love of God in their communities.
(Prayer and Mission Moment by Lynnea and Tom Morse)
Video Resources for China:
Tom Morse: Amity Foundation
Global Ministries International Partners in China:
- Amity Foundation: Read about the work of Amity as it responds to the Sichuan earthquake at: http://www.amityfoundation.org/wordpress/index.php
- China Christian Council: To read about the work of the Protestant Churches in China, click here: http://www.chineseprotestantchurch.org.cn/english/
More info about partners and projects in China: http://globalministries.org/eap/countries/china/
Global Ministries Personnel in China:
Tom & Lynnea Morse: Tom serves with the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital assisting the Hospital in their English communications. Lynnea serves the Amity Foundation of China through Church World Service as an English teacher.