May There Be Revival Among the Churches
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.
Julius Kim is a pastor, author, and dean of students at Westminster Seminary California. 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.
Father, we know we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Would you help us and our brothers and sisters in China to take up the whole armor of God, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm? To fasten on the belt of truth, to put on the blessed breastplate of righteousness, to be ready with the gospel of peace, and, in all circumstances, to take up the shield of faith, with which we can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; to take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the invincible word of God. Will we continue to pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication, to be alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, especially for the saints, our dear family members in China, that in these circumstances, they would continue to open their mouths boldly, to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which they are ambassadors in chains? And that, indeed, we would stand together with them in chains, that we would also declare boldly, that Father, you are true, you are good, and you are beautiful, despite our circumstances. (Eph. 6:12-20)
We pray for the church in China, that through all the changes, good and bad, they will anchor their hope in Christ, our warrior. We pray that, in light of many uncertainties, they would know that you are good, that you are sovereign, that you are in control. We pray for your patience, perseverance, and even persistence in the gospel for them. Would you protect them against worldliness, the temptations of secularism and materialism, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life? We pray that your Spirit would move anew and bring revival to the churches for the Lord. We know that the blood of the martyrs is a seed of the church. You have shown, time and time again, your goodness to the church in the midst of suffering.
Father, we believe you can do this: help our unbelief. Would you give our brothers and sisters strength, courage, and compassion for the lost? We pray that, as they preach boldly, in their words and in their deeds, that as the church grows and matures, it would be to the honor of your name, to the glory of Christ, and to the extension of your kingdom.
We pray this in Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Want to pray for China, but uncertain how or for what to pray? We would love to help guide you.
You can subscribe to a weekly email with CP’s prayer points, or sign up for daily text messages with a prayer point for the day.