In July 2022, we are looking at how the Psalms speak to ministry in the city. Cities in China are on the rise, and in their midst is a growing gospel movement. Below, you will find week-by-week guides to help you use the Psalms to pray for the church in China in the midst of their cities.
A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
1 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised
in the city of our God!
His holy mountain, 2 beautiful in elevation,
is the joy of all the earth,
Mount Zion, in the far north,
the city of the great King.
3 Within her citadels God
has made himself known as a fortress.
4 For behold, the kings assembled;
they came on together.
5 As soon as they saw it, they were astounded;
they were in panic; they took to flight.
6 Trembling took hold of them there,
anguish as of a woman in labor.
7 By the east wind you shattered
the ships of Tarshish.
8 As we have heard, so have we seen
in the city of the Lord of hosts,
in the city of our God,
which God will establish forever. Selah
9 We have thought on your steadfast love, O God,
in the midst of your temple.
10 As your name, O God,
so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth.
Your right hand is filled with righteousness.
11 Let Mount Zion be glad!
Let the daughters of Judah rejoice
because of your judgments!
12 Walk about Zion, go around her,
number her towers,
13 consider well her ramparts,
go through her citadels,
that you may tell the next generation
14 that this is God,
our God forever and ever.
He will guide us forever.
Prayer Requests
July 3 - This July, we are using the Psalms to pray for Chinese cities. Pray for Christ to be magnified in China’s cities!
July 4 - Pray that the church would be ambassadors of the City of God in the midst of China’s cities. (Ps. 48)
July 5 - Pray that people moving into China’s cities will encounter Christians who will show them Christ.
July 6 - Pray that Chinese Christians would not trust in earthly kings or cities but in King Jesus and the City of God. (Ps. 48)
July 7 - Pray for more Christ-centered church communities to take root in Chinese cities and be a light for Christ.
July 8 - Pray for urban churches to love and care for their communities, being good neighbors to those around them.
July 9 - Pray for churches in southwestern Chinese cities to know the love of Christ in the midst of pressure.
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord!
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised!
4 The Lord is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens!
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!
Prayer Requests
July 10 - Pray that the servants of the Lord in China would continuously sing the praise of his name. (Ps. 113)
July 11 - Pray for church plants in Chinese cities to bear witness to the love and glory of God within their communities.
July 12 - Pray that the church in China would take part in the Lord’s work of lifting up the poor and needy. (Ps. 113)
July 13 - Pray for Chinese church leaders to make prayer even more central to their lives and ministries.
July 14 - Pray for Chinese Christians who are in prison, that they would be Christlike witnesses in chains.
July 15 - Pray for Christian families in China to know the joy and love of our good Father.
July 16 - Pray for continued translation of resources and training material to equip the Chinese church.
1 Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 “As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”
7 I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Prayer Requests
July 17 – Continue to pray for Chinese cities: that God will be known, honored, and obeyed.
July 18 – Pray that Chinese Christians will rest in God’s rule and reign in their cities.
July 19 – Pray for Chinese cities: may those in authority do good with their God-given authority and not treat people violently.
July 20 – May Chinese Christians be salt and light in their city, standing for peace and against evil.
July 21 – May Chinese unbelievers see the living testimony of the gospel and be drawn to it with peace and joy.
July 22 – Pray for Chinese pastors and church leaders to live humbly and joyfully at home, at work, in the church, and in public.
July 23 – Continue to pray for imprisoned Chinese Christians. Several believers have upcoming trials; pray for justice.
When you join our prayer team, you will receive a weekly prayer email with the Psalm for the week and a prayer request for each day. You will also receive a monthly newsletter. Additionally, you can text Text “pray4china” to 33222 to receive the prayer requests by daily text.
