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While the world watched the G20 summit in China this summer, the place where it was held, Zhejiang, has been the focus of a government crackdown on Christians. Since 2014 the government has been removing crosses from church buildings, demolishing churches, and detaining church leaders. The government says the cross removals are part of a campaign against illegal buildings, but many Christians feel they are being targeted.

Human rights lawyer Zhang Kai was released on bail earlier this year, after being arrested and imprisoned during the crackdown on human rights lawyers. Since then he’s made comments supporting the government during the trials of other human rights lawyers: but now it seems he was forced into saying those things as a condition of his bail. Please pray for safety for him, as admitting he was forced into making those statements could lead to his re-arrest.

Keep praying for Zhejiang province, which has seen crosses torn down on hundreds of churches. Christians were injured and sometimes arrested in these incidents. It’s part of a local government campaign against ‘illegal buildings’ – a campaign that’s believed to be targeting Christians. Pray for safety and perseverance for church leaders and congregations.

Li Heping is a Christian human rights lawyer who has been in prison since last year. He has a wife and two children, including a six-year-old daughter Jiamei, who all miss him terribly. Please pray that Li Heping would be reunited with them soon.

Last year saw a severe crackdown on human rights defenders in China: over 300 lawyers, their friends, families and associates were arrested or disappeared. Though some of the lawyers have been released on bail, they still face harassment from the government. Pray for their protection – and give thanks for their bravery.

Alimujiang Yimit has been in prison since 2008. He’s a Christian from the Uyghur ethnic group, where he used to lead a house church. His wife, Gulinuer, only gets to see him every few months, if at all. We heard recently that his case may be reviewed, so please pray for strength for Alim and Gulinuer, and that he’d soon be unconditionally released.

Father Yang Jianwei went missing in Hebei Province on 15 April, the third Catholic priest to have disappeared, suspected to be detained by the authorities that month. He’s still missing. Please pray for Father Yang Jianwei today, and for his congregation as they try to carry on without him.

Lord, we bring the nation of China to you in prayer. Thank you for the bravery of its human rights defenders; we pray that you would protect them, as well as all those who live in fear of the consequences for practising and living out their faith. Amen.