Pray for Hong Kong on Sunday November 21, 2010

Pray for Hong Kong on Sunday November 21, 2010

Lectionary Text and Prayers for Hong Kong: Luke 23:33-43

O God, through your Son Jesus Christ, we have a foretaste of the beauty of your Kingdom where true peace and justice reign. We know that this vision of Paradise was bought with a price, the death of our Lord and Savior. In the Cross, you prove that nothing can separate us from your love except our own pride and foolishness. We give you thanks for what you have accomplished through the churches of Hong Kong and China and pray that they will continue to boldly witness in word and deed to your amazing grace. As we conclude the church year and prepare for Advent, we too ask that in the name of Jesus, you will remember us when you come again in glory. May your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!

Prayer Concerns:

  1. Thanks for the growth of Christianity in Hong Kong with 50 new Protestant churches established and an increase of over 75,000 people in weekly worship in the past 5 years.
  2. Thanks for the strong outreach of the churches among youth and young adults who comprise almost 40% of the membership.
  3. Thanks for the ministry of the churches to new arrival families from mainland China, Asian and African asylum seekers and refugees, Southeast Asia ethnic minorities, and migrant workers from Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and India.
  4. Pray for Hong Kong ministers who carry heavy pastoral loads with many parishioners facing work-related stress and concerns about their children’s education.
  5. Pray for the church’s holistic ministry in the community through its sponsorship or management of many Christian schools, social service agencies and hospitals.
  6. Pray that churches will become more aware about social issues in Hong Kong such as the huge gap between the rich and the poor; political and civic affairs; environmental pollution; health care; and preservation of cultural heritage.
  7. Pray for unity and peace among:
  • Evangelical, Ecumenical and Charismatic churches
  • Protestant, Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches
  • Hong Kong and mainland China churches
  • Christians and people of other major faiths in Hong Kong including Buddhists, Taoists, Muslims and Confucianists

(Prayer by Judy Chan)

Global Ministries International Partners Hong Kong:

  • Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs: http://www.asiapacificymca.org/ – Federation of YMCA movements in 27 countries in the Asia and Pacific region, with programs for global citizenship and social responsibility, peace with justice and sustainability for life.
  • Asian Human Rights Commission: http://www.ahrchk.net/index.php – An independent, non-governmental body, which seeks to promote greater awareness and realization of human rights in the Asia region, and to mobilize Asian and international public opinion to obtain relief and redress for the victims of human rights violations.
  • Christian Study Centre on Chinese Religion and Culture: http://www.csccrc.org -Ecumenical research institute for study of the religions and culture of China, including Hong Kong.
  • Chung Chi College Divinity School: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/theology – Ecumenical seminary providing theological education for church leaders and laity. The school is supported by mainline churches and is part of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
  • Hong Kong Christian Council: http://www.hkcc.org.hk – Ecumenical body of mainline churches and Christian organizations. It works for a united Christian witness and mission in Hong Kong society.
  • Hong Kong Christian Institute: http://www.hkci.org.hk/ – Christian center for education and advocacy on issues of social concern.  The organization promotes human rights, democracy and justice in Hong Kong.
  • Hong Kong Christian Service: http://www.hkcs.org/index_e.htm – One of HK’s largest social service agencies. It was started by mainline churches and provides Christian Service for “The Healing and Growth of People.”
  • Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China: http://www.hkcccc.org (Chinese version only) – Hong Kong church denomination with historic Congregational and Presbyterian roots. The Council has 65 congregations and is the sponsoring body for more than 50 elementary and secondary schools.
  • Hong Kong Women Christian Council: http://www.hkwcc.org.hk/en – Organization to fight for social justice and women’s rights, to promote feminist theology and to stand with marginalized communities.∩╗┐

Global Ministries Missionaries in Hong Kong:

  • Judy Chan is a Global Ministries missionary serving with the Hong Kong Christian Council in communications.  She is in charge of ecumenical radio broadcasting ministry, English publications and ecumenical partnerships in Hong Kong and overseas.
  • Bruce Van Voorhis serves as missionary with the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs in Hong Kong. He work as their Coordinator for Interfaith Programs since July 1, 2009.