Over the years China has been infamous for its persecution of Christians. Many will remember the work of all the uncles' of the Chinese Church as they served with endurance. But the situation today is much more complex.

Depending on which part of the vast country they live in, Christians may live in relative freedom or face gruelling oppression. Many Christians in major cities like Beijing are able to buy Christian literature and participate in low profile evangelism, generally with little opposition from the authorities. In other parts of China where political control intersects with religion, minority faiths such as Christianity face oppression and hardship. There are things to thank God for; however, much more needs to be improved.

This week please:

• Pray for children caught up in religious conflict; pray for their strength, protection and growth;
  
• Pray for the efforts of Christians in China who are working to have a positive impact on their communities through social and charity work;
  
• In particular pray for Christian lawyers, whose faith inspires them to stand up for the rights of others;
  
• Thank God for the 'uncles' of the faith, and all those who have tirelessly prayed and continued to work for freedom in China;
  
• Pray for religious minorities in Xinjiang, Tibet and Inner Mongolia as they continue to practise their faith despite the resistance they face from government officials;
  
• Thank God for the relative freedom enjoyed by many Christians in major cities like Beijing;
  
• Pray for CSW's work in China as we continue to bring the truth about religious freedom in all of China to light;
  
• Pray that the international community will continue to hold China to account when incidents of religious freedom violations are reported.