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 ...)
