Pray for China

(162) Population and the one child policy

As all the issues people have with China come to the fore more regularly than usual in the run up to the Olympics, it is inevitable that we think of the one child policy. I myself mentioned it a couple of days ago as one of the issues that have shaped this current generation. It is clearly an issue for informed prayer, and no better than today with these headlines appearing:

China plans the end of hated one-child policy in the Times

China's political leadership is considering ending the country's hated "one-child" policy because it is damaging the economy and creating a demographic timebomb, a senior minister admitted today. Zhao Baige, Vice Minister of the National Population and Family Planning Commission, revealed that there is concern at the highest levels that the policy is already tearing apart the fabric of society. "This has become a big issue among decision makers," Ms Zhao told reporters at a routine government press conference in Beijing. "We want incrementally to have this change. I cannot answer at what time or how."

I have had conversations with various people in China over the years on the subject - academics, church leaders, young people. The Time article says it right: no one likes it. They are though very concerned about their population. And I believe they are right to be. As we pray its right to pray for change; but horrible as the policy and sometimes its implementation is, in our concern as outsiders lets not judge without understanding the heart of those responsible to ensure the welfare of the society.

Ther is some mre background on the extension page.

(164) Getting to grips with pollution

Amidst all the issues we can pray on for China in this year, the issue of air pollution is one that concerns the athletes - who are, lest we forget, the reason the games exist - as well as Beijing residents.

China in Olympics pollution drive says the BBC today.  Olympic athletes look for a solution to Beijing's pollution is the IHT. This short BBC video is good:  Beijing Pollution

There is a lot more one could read. But forgive me if I sometimes sound like a broken and repeating recording. Before you criticise, or tell Beijingers they don't need so many cars, and that industry should slow down, put yourself in their shoes. Many families are only now able to afford their first car; one car, not the three or four per household so common in the west. Last summer I sat and listened to a CCTV9 (Chinese English channel) interviewer talking to a US delegation advising on environmental issues. They told him the Chinese government should stop people buying more cars. His response was simply something like this: "don't you have the highest per head population of cars in the world?" Yes. "Have you tried telling your people they should have less cars?" Answer: "No! We don't tell people that sort of thing. and it would slow down growth." His response was simply, "well, why do you expect us to do that?" 

That is not the whole answer. They do need to do something. They are. The problem is that life continues after the games, and they want growth to continue. So that means industry.

Please pray for wisdom. And supernatural intervention to give a good games, with a lot of fresh air!

(165) The Me Generation

The 'Me Generation'   The mindset of China's generation born after 1980 is a far cry from their parents. Self-centered and equality-driven, they chase the golden dragon

The cover story of the Beijing Review this week provides the entry to a generation in Chinese society that I have been wanting to get to pray for.  The BJ  Review calls them the 'Me Generation' - basically they are those born since the end of the Cultural Revolution, and more especially since 1980 when the one child policy became law.

There are three more stories that can be reached from the extension of this page - see below 

The Cultural Revolution left China badly battered. During the period 1966-1976 society in China was messed around fundamentally. Many families were separated for years at a time during this period; careers were shattered; distrust nurtured by the culture of betrayal that operated.  I will write more another day of those who suffered most during this time. When Mao Zedong died in 1976 it took four years from some degree of normality to return under the growing leadership of Deng Xiaoping. Families came back together, lives and careers were partially restored, and the economy began to be rebuilt.

And children were born. There was only one in most cases; as our articles point out the "One Child Policy" was enacted in 1979. And that has had enormous impact on the social structure and the lives of this generation. But consider also the families these children were being born into. Mum and Dad had had their lives severely messed around for ten years and more. Maybe they had just graduated and married in 1966; they would have spent much of the next ten years apart, with no opportunity to have children. Maybe they were teenagers during that time, and those crucial mind- and heart-shaping years were lost to them. And then they were able to have children.

Those children grew up in families that finally knew some stability and were able to make something of life economically. The children themselves had far more than ever their parents had done. They had no brother or sister to knock them around, to shape them through the rough and tumble of family life. They were the soul object of their family's attention; pouring out love and and attention and things, because they never wanted them to suffer as they had. "Little emperors" they call them in China today. And yet that love also came from people with huge personal need, who were barely able to talk about the pain of the ten years of hell from 1966 to 1976.

We know many of them. They long for more, for love and to know how to love. Many of them are now getting married and having their own children. That is the generation we are praying for today.

(167) Bibles at the Olympics

This was carried by ChristianToday. China won't ban Bibles at Olympics, assures Palau

Many of you may have heard the story back in November: "China bans Bibles during the Olympics". I have outlined the story in the extension to this post. Do read it if you have time as gives some good insight for prayer.

The Palau story is encouraging - even though Palau's encouragement was saying what had already been made clear by the Chinese.  Luis Palau is someone who has honoured the Chinese authorities, and won a place of trust with them. He has even had a best seller released in China:  A Friendly Dialogue Between an Atheist and a Christian: by Luis Palau and Zhao Qizheng.

Be clear: Bible are allowed.  Be quick to give thanks in prayer for this, pray for them to be well used, and also pray for the full truth to be upheld as everone seeks to get their views across in this challenging year.

(168) Lantern Festival - End of the New Year

Stories from China as it gets back to normal - normal life at the end of the New Year Holiday, marked by the traditional Lantern Festival. And this year normal life after snow storms athat have had some areas in darkness for over three weeks.

China embraces Lantern Festival with joys after snow disaster

For more on the Lantern Festival (take note, the yuanxiao or rice dumplings filled with a sweetish pastes are just too good!) And see here for more colour and understanding.  Its worth googling some pictures - it really is a feast of colour!

Its been a very difficult season for China and its people. Pray for them as the last of them return to work

(170) Pray for Chinese Men and Women

I sat and watched these two old men in Shanghai for what seemed ages a year or two back. What stories they could tell you. Listen to father telling you a little of their lives, and bless them.

(171) Pray for China and Taiwan

A couple of weeks ago I commented: "We need to pray for peace in East Asia this year. It is likely that this year will be one in which regional relations regularly come into view in the press."  (186) Pray for Peace in East Asia this year   The issue then was the Spratley islands. (To see where they are follow the link!)

This time its over the declaration of Independence by Kosovo.  I have written about it here on my ReconciliationTalk blog.  China and Taiwan predictably disagree over Kovovo's Independence

The issue of the validity or not of Taiwan's independence from China is of course a subject that needs consideration here. Another day. For now please pray for Peace in the region, and a Games that increase relationships and build confidence betwwen nations.

(172) The power of being nice!!

I realise I am calling people to pray in this blog in a way that may need a bit more explanation. Let me share a little background, and can I simply ask you today to show you how to pray for China?

Some years ago I was walking the streets of Shanghai agonising over the way that we felt God had called us to work in China. I had arrived the night before from England. Before leaving a friend had called to tell me of some Christians who they had heard were suffering for their faith.  The same evening the news carried a report on another similar issue in China. The words I had heard stayed with me.

Yet God has said nothing to us about campaigning on issues like that. Why not?  That was my question to God that morning. Had I heard God wrongly? Yet as I walked I was reminded of a Bible passage I had been reading just before I left home.  Luke 6. 47-48, 51-52. “Don’t judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn ... Forgive ... Give lavishly.” Jesus went on to say, rather than look at your brothers problem, take a good look in the mirror at yourself.

God then spoke directly to my heart; I have seldom heard him as clearly.

“You are here in China to make friends! You are not here to judge or condemn. You are not here to take sides. You are not here to bring your own ideas and issues, and you are certainly not here to bring your own problems. You are not here to take up human rights issues. You are here simply as a follower of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, to be peacemaker, to encounter China, to love China, to walk in humility through China, to bring a message of apology for the historical sins of your own nations.”

Immediately the focus changed. For me, the issue is not about what we think about China or the church in China. Its about us and what we and our nations have done in China.

I have walked the way now for seven years. It is liberating. And it opens doors. (read on ...)

(173) Pray for the Catholic Church in China

Two encouraging reports on the Catholic Church in China and Hong Kong over the past few days give us good cause to pray for the church in China this year.

China repents and seeks to woo Pope - Times Online.

Church leader to search for closer ties with China

The relationship has been up and down this past year, but there has been a lot more up than down. Pray it continues, and sets a trend for this year. Pray also for the many Catholics in China.

Update:  Catholic China: Beijing woos the Pope, a new bishop for Hong Kong and a nun's gay crusade

Some links to recent movements in the relationship are on the extension.

(174) Changing China

Two striking pieces from Time highlight just a little part of the story of China's development, in this case the development of the suburbs. Take a look, a read or both, and pray for China's people. 

Life in China's Suburbs   is a striking photoessay on the contrast of new Beijing suburbs and the life of those who build it.

The Short March.  is the associated essay in Time.