China

Capital: Beijing

Major Language: Mandarin

Area: 9.6 million km2

Population: 1.4 billion

HDI Rank: 85 of 189

Major Religion:

Buddhism: 224 million (16%)

Other Religions:

Catholic: 14 million (1%)

Protestant: 40 million (2.9%)

Islam: 25 million (1.8%)

Other: 1,100 million (78.3%)

General Information:

China's historical civilization dates back to 1600 B.C. The imperial era began in 220 B.C. and lasted until 1911 when China became a republic. However, the republic was beset by division, warlordism, foreign occupation and civil war. Though the country enjoys relative internal peace, the government exerts a tight political control over its citizens. Renowned for the iconic Great Wall of China, the country is home to one of the world's largest populations. China’s railway lines put together, can loop around the earth two times. Table tennis and badminton are China’s top sports.

Religious Background:

China is a multi-religious country. Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Protestantism, and Catholicism have all developed into culture-shaping communities throughout Chinese history. Buddhists make up the largest religious communities. Protestantism was introduced during the 1930s, with the arrival of a large number of missionaries. Evangelicals are increasing, and most meet in house churches (unregistered churches). A huge population practice Chinese folk religion, which is characterized by prayer to ancestors, and other pagan beliefs and rituals.

Catholic background:

Legend has it that St. Thomas traveled to China from India and converted some Chinese. Catholicism was widely embraced in China in the year 635 during the Tang dynasty (618 - 907), but the enthusiasm soon waned. Franciscan missionaries arrived in 1245 bringing the Catholic faith to China, followed by Jesuit missionaries in the 16th century. The presence of the Catholic Church in China has a long but checkered history. The Church is composed of 20 archdioceses, 95 dioceses and 2,335 parishes. Patron saints: Joseph, Francis Xavier, Mary, Queen of China.

Prayer Points

1. Chinese to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior

Pray that everyone will get an opportunity to hear the gospel and come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

2. Catholics to know Christ

Pray for the salvation of 14 million Catholics in China.
The Catholic Church is influenced and controlled by the government. Pray that Catholics will have freedom to commit their lives to Christ and follow Him.
Ask the Holy Spirit to grant freedom to preach the gospel to Catholics with boldness.
Nominalism and syncretism are widespread among Catholics. Pray that the veil on their eyes will be removed with God’s power, and that they will come to know Christ in large numbers.
Pray for all the Catholics attending the 2335 parishes to come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Pray for the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, 4,559 priests, 1,933 brothers and 6,079 sisters.
Ask God to reveal the gospel to Catholics in the way they understand. Pray for the development of tools and methods to present Christ in a relevant way to them.

3. Evangelicals to grow and multiply

The growth and survival of Evangelicals in China is nothing short of a miracle. At the same time, Christians endure intense persecution, and imprisonment. Pray for continued church growth and sound biblical teaching amid growing persecution. Pray that there would be greater awakening among Evangelicals to take the gospel to the entire nation.

4. Social evils and issues in the country

The communist nation is plagued with a high rate of abortion and suicide. Human trafficking, government cruelty and tight control are other matters of concern. Pray that the Chinese people will be set free from every oppression and control.

5. Other Religions

Along with the practice of Chinese folk religions, there are Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Taoists and the followers of Confucianism. Pray for the gospel to take root in the culture and expose all false religions, and draw many to Christ.