Through their blows, the persecutors and the persecuted came to know one another. This is an important gain for both of us, as we continue to walk through persecution. This is what it means when we Chinese say: “Out of blows, knowledge grows!”
There will always be conflicts for people who grow up in a traditional Chinese education, because a Chinese education is an atheistic education. But I never doubted the existence of God. The existence of God was as natural to me as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. It was as natural to me as getting up in the morning.
I am a subversive patriot because, despite the progress we have made as a nation, America is not my best hope for "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." My ultimate allegiance is to a King who gave up his own life, liberty, and happiness to redeem us from the tyranny of sin.
I’m praying they will stay the course. I pray they will realize that “in repentance and rest you shall be saved.” I pray they will not think the difficulties they face give them merit; that they will not be prideful in what they see the Lord do among them; that they will not lose hope when circumstances appear insurmountable.
Read MoreThe practices of our parents shape and form us, but we have a perfect Father who has loved us completely. May that love be the defining force in the lives of Chinese believers. May they hold tight to him and rest in his perfect love for them – even when they fail.
Read MoreI want to encourage you that many in the American church are praying for you. Yes, we are praying your safety and peace. But above all, we are praying his steadfastness would enable you to praise him in all circumstances, knowing that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Read MoreChinese believers are different ages, different ethnicities, different sexes, and hail from different socio-economic groups. Some are rural, uneducated grandmothers who remained faithful through years of trial; others are urbane intellectuals. Yet no matter their differences, who they are in Jesus is more important than anything else about them.
Read MoreOur own human weaknesses only provide opportunity for God’s glory to shine through. I am praying that Chinese believers will have the supernatural strength and grace to rejoice and give thanks in all of their weaknesses. God has Chinese believers in this season because he wants to use their difficulties to show his own greatness and goodness.
Read MorePray with me: may Chinese believers truly realize that they have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. The king they serve is with them, is living, and his rule cannot be overcome.
Read MoreAfter three years of intermittent lockdowns, Christians want to come together. But because of tight controls, many churches are finding this goal all but impossible. My friend said her church is meeting in small groups, with a few families in each group....Pray for God to give pastors and believers in church bodies like this bravery to face their reality, and also patience as they persevere in difficult circumstances.
Read MorePraying for you has strengthened our resolve to follow Christ regardless of the cost. Your courage, endurance and joy through suffering regularly moves us to repent of preferring comfort to discipleship. When we learn that you pray for us, we cry out, “How long, O Lord?!” until we can worship with you together some day in heaven.
Read MoreI live just outside the border of Monterey Park, within walking distance of a dance studio where, last weekend, a 72-year-old gunman shot and killed 11 people and wounded nine others. Usually, when I sit down to write a monthly “how I prayed” piece, China is the forefront of my mind. But this week, it is hard to tear my thoughts away from my own community, which is in shock after the tragic shooting.
Read MoreWhen you endure hardship, you are proclaiming that Christ is all in all, he is my sufficiency. You are not boasting in yourself. Our hope is that, eventually, Christ and the Spirit will deliver us. How can we boast or hold fast? By prayer. We have no external resources, only prayer.
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