Editor’s note: Prayer metabolizes the gospel, enacts the gospel, and transforms and empowers gospel movements. Prayer is and must be the heartbeat of China Partnership’s work to serve, train, and resource Chinese house church leaders. As believers in China face increased pressure from a hostile world and an inhospitable government, we ask you to join with us and kneel before God in praise and petition for our brothers and sisters there. 

Bryan Chapell is a pastor, author, and president emeritus of Covenant Theological Seminary. This prayer comes from China Partnership’s prayer event at The Gospel Coalition 2019 in Indianapolis.

As you read, we invite you to pray with us for the Chinese church as she navigates new and uncertain times.

Oh God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come. Be thou shelter from the stormy blast, and for our brothers and sisters in China, eternal home. Oh God of all nations, you made Abraham a father of nations; sent Jesus, the desire of nations; and gave the Holy Spirit to bring people of every tribe, people, tongue, and nation to the throne of the Lamb who was slain. 

Hear us as we pray for the suffering, the imprisoned, and the slain of the church of China. In our humanity, we ask for relief from pain, and refuge from persecution. But in loyalty to our Redeemer, we ask you to do whatever is needed to bring glory to Jesus, to bring humbling to the proud, to bring hope to the lost, and to bring salvation to millions, so that the Chinese church would bless the world. We want more and more to bend the knee to Jesus. For this purpose, make us and our Chinese brothers and sisters willing to bow their heads to the crowning purposes of the kingdom of God. 

Humble us to save many. Make us selfless, to make us useful to the Savior. Enable us to welcome the suffering that proclaims the worth of our salvation. May our songs in suffering demonstrate that these afflictions are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Give us a vision for the kingdom that maintains hope. Give us a filling of the Spirit that maintains power, and give us Jesus for the joy that would motivate us for unflagging hearts in the purpose of the Savior and the King of the world, who rules over China and us and all the nations he shall reach for the glory of his name. 

This we pray in the name of Jesus, Amen. 

Heavenly Father, we pray for these who, by loyalty to the Savior and with courage for Christ, are willing to minister in a land where the gospel is being resisted and yet flourishes at exactly the same time. Would you use their gifts, their talents, their heart, and even their weaknesses in such a way that Christ shines through? May the Savior be known through these, give them a heart for Jesus that makes his name known. 

We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.  

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, go in the name of and for the glory of King Jesus. Amen. 

Want to pray for China, but uncertain how or for what to pray? We would love to help guide you.

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