After 150 years as a British colony, Hong Kong was returned to the sovereignty of the People's Republic of China. Although certain agreements have been reached that Hong Kong will be able to maintain its present lifestyle for the next 50 years, there is no guarantee that China's communist rulers will refrain from imposing a strict dictatorship on the colony. China's rulers have already said that they will not tolerate Hong Kong Christians taking literature or any assistance to mainland Christians after the handover.
Pray that the Churches will steadfastly stand for God and His Word and be true standard bearers during this time of transition of sovereignty.
Pray that the Christians will be courageous, faithful and true to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pray that the churches will continue to grow in grace and love toward each other and seize the opportunities that abound to preach the Gospel without interference and undue restriction.
Pray for a true sense of commitment, community and consecration to God and country.
Pray that Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region will enjoy the freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and the Basic Law, including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association and assembly. Also academic freedom, freedom of conscience fo
and religion.
Pray that the Rule of Law and an independent, impartial judicial system will be maintained to protect Hong Kong from corruption and abuse of power by those in authority.
Pray for the many opportunities to be realised and undertaken while there is still an open door.
Remember the very crowded situation in Hong Kong, the shortage of space and the very high cost to store materials. Pray that God will open new places to store the needed materials.
Pray for our workers as they endeavour to gather and distribute as much literature as possible.
Pray for their strength and health. Pray for wisdom as they distribute it. Pray that God will put His Words of Life into their mouths as they speak to people.
Pray for the ordinary Chinese people in Hong Kong who are experiencing a great fear of the unknown. So many have heard the Gospel, have rejected it, and now live in great fear of the future.
Pray that God will raise up workers and couriers. Much literature is available; much more is being printed and shipped. There are still many opportunities to help and encourage Christians in the house churches of China. But workers are needed for this. Pray that God will protect couriers as they move in and out of China. Pray that God will blind the eyes of officials who would seize this precious literature.
Pray for the opportunities for cooperation between Hong Kong and mainland churches to grow. Both have much to learn from each other and both have wonderful ongoing opportunities to serve the Lord and each other.
Pray for the very young Hong Kong church leadership in the local churches. After so many have left for other countries the average age of those in leadership -- shepherds, pastors, elders
-- is only 32 years of age.
Play for boldness to preach the whole Word of God -- the death, burial, resurrection and soon return of Jesus Christ as the Head, the Life and the Hope of the Body of Christ.
For more information on Bible studies available, visit the Churchlink site on the World Wide Web at http://www.churchlink.com.au/churchlink. Enquiries to: [email protected]
