Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: December 5, 2020
But he [the Lord] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’…That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9a,10)
These famous words written by the Apostle Paul are quite staggering, particularly when we consider the hardships and persecutions that he himself endured. As Christians, we’re called to recognise our need for God, to rely on him for everything, and to trust that his grace will sustain us no matter what challenges we face. Still, I imagine most of us would struggle to declare with Paul: ‘I delight in … hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties’.
Two years ago this Wednesday, over 100 members of Early Rain Church in Chengdu, China were arrested. On 9 December 2018, police launched a crackdown on the independent church, searching church members’ homes and arresting dozens of leaders and seminary students. Among them was the church’s pastor, Wang Yi.
Most of those arrested, including Pastor Wang’s wife, Jiang Rong, have since been let go or released on bail. But Pastor Wang remains behind bars. And on Boxing Day last year he was sentenced to nine years in prison, charged with ‘inciting to subvert state power’ and ‘illegal business operations’.
In reality, Pastor Wang’s only ‘crime’ was speaking up for unregistered churches, like Early Rain, who were being targeted by the government.
Knowing that a time would likely come when he’d be arrested for speaking out, Pastor Wang wrote a declaration which was to be published by his church should he be detained for more than 48 hours. In it he writes with the same moving display of courage and conviction as Paul:
‘Separate me from my wife and children, ruin my reputation, destroy my life and my family – the authorities are capable of doing all of these things. However, no one in this world can force me to renounce my faith… He [Jesus] is my king and the king of the whole earth yesterday, today, and forever. I am his servant, and I am imprisoned because of this.’
In summary, please pray:
- That the Lord’s grace would sustain Pastor Wang Yi while in prison, and that he would be released quickly.
- For strength and hope for all members of Early Rain Church and those of other independent churches in China.
- For protection for all those who speak out against the Chinese authorities’ treatment of Christians and other religious groups.
- That everyone in China would be free to practise their religion or belief of choice, without fear of harassment or imprisonment.