Last year a three-phase plan to eradicate unregistered house churches began (See Prayer Alert 17-2012). Since then persecution has risen by 42%. 442 of the arrests were clergy. The three-phase approach arose because the government sees house churches as a hostile group of dissenters. The government intends to force Christians to join the official Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) church system. In last year’s first phase the state secretly investigated house churches across the country and created files on them. This was followed by a wave of crackdowns on house churches which has continued into 2013 as part of the second phase. Some house churches have registered to avoid arrests and harassment, but most object to TSPM theological beliefs and state controls. The number of Protestant house-church Christians has been estimated at between 45 million and 60 million.

Pray: against the tactics of banning and sealing churches, may there be a tsunami of Christian evangelism and conversion in China. (Is.11:9)

More: http://au.christiantoday.com/article/persecution-rising-as-chinese-government-plans-to-eradicate-hous

‘There is no room for religion among the members of the Chinese Communist Party.’ said the vice president of the United Front. There is a real concern within the United Front that many members of the party, disillusioned by the fall in ideals, corruption, and materialism are discovering or rediscovering a religious dimension. It is not unusual for at least one third of party members to visit a Buddhist master on weekends, or meet up with a Catholic bishop, or start praying in a Protestant community. Some believe the Maoist tone of the above comment regarding religion is a sign of an internal power struggle ahead of the imminent change of leadership of the Communist General Secretary and Premier of the People's Republic of China.

Pray: that Chinese politicians will not use religion to gain attention and orchestrate agendas in the lead up to elections next year. (Ps.107:16)

More: http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Get-behind-me-Satan:-No-religion-for-the-Chinese-Communist-Party-members-23491.html

Floods caused by torrential rains in southern and eastern China since this month have left at least 175 people dead and another 86 missing and has affected over 36 million people with 1.6 million displaced. In Zhejiang province 8,400 houses collapsed and many highways were closed. A total of 241,600 hectares (597,000 acres) of farmland have been destroyed and 1,846 factories have suspended operations in one of China’s leading manufacturing centres. The rain-ravaged people await the next crisis of a steep rise in food prices; vegetable production has already come down by 20% and pushed prices up by as much as 40%. China has mobilized troops to rescue stricken farmers and distribute food, but some villagers from the Zhejiang province said more could have been done to prevent the flooding in the first place.

Pray: for God to be at work in the midst of China’s tragedy, and for Christians to know God’s provision as they reach out to their neighbours. (Ex.23:20)

More: http://www.christianpost.com/news/massive-china-floods-kill-175-affect-36-million-people-51380/

China's system of labour camps, established in the 1950's, have been used for decades to imprison 'dissidents' for up to three years without trial. Christian pastors and members of un-registered house churches have been sentenced to these camps in the past with little or no trial. One such pastor was the deputy director of the Chinese House Church Alliance who spent six months there in 2011. On January 8th 2013 government critics said they remain sceptical that the government will improve standards within the justice system, following an official announcement on the 7th that labour camps would be overhauled. An underground Catholic Bishop who wishes to be quoted anonymously said, 'The end of re-education through labour would make little difference to religious freedom in China.

Pray: that this step towards religious freedom in China would turn out to be the first of many in the same direction. (Jer.34:17a)

More: http://www.persecution.org/2013/01/08/christians-say-chinas-pledge-to-end-labor-camps-will-make-little-difference/

The Chinese government and the Catholic Church have long been at odds over the ordination of new bishops. The state administered Catholic Church in China often ignores Vatican authority and ordains new bishops without permission. Priests who speak out against the government instigated ordinations are arrested or forced to attend training classes until their views more closely reflect the government’s official stance. Last Friday bishops defied a warning from the Vatican and attended the ordination by Chinese officials of a new bishop for the Harbin diocese without approval from the Holy See. Bishop Joseph Yue Fusheng, a vice president of government backed Patriotic Association, was ordained. Five Vatican approved bishops attended. Shortly after the service police released three priests who had been arrested just before the illicit ordination because they opposed the ordination, as had many of the faithful in Harbin.

Pray: for protection over Gods chosen leaders, and may they recognise all the authority given to them by the Lord and be empowered as they serve Him and the nation. (Mat.28:18,19a)

More: http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=14847

Chinese authorities raided a house church in Shaanxi Province where twelve believers were gathered for Sunday worship in the village of Ma'an. A local police chief and two officers broke into the home, confiscated Bibles and other Christian literature, then took all the believers into police custody. Ten were released that evening. Two believers Weng and Zhang Yongkuan remain detained. See: Also on April 3rd at Beijing’s 1,000 strong Shouwang Church, worshippers prayed before facing eviction by authorities wary of losing control over religion. Several worshippers were crying after being told by the landlord that they can’t worship at the ‘Old Story Restaurant’ with walls covered in pictures of Chinese Party leaders shaking hands with former US presidents. The church refused to register with the government, saying its congregation belongs to God alone.

Pray: for Weng and Zhang’s release and for all Chinese church leaders to be strong in the Lord as they face increasing opposition. (2Ch.14:11)

More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/16390-beijings-largest-house-church-facing-eviction

Five ‘underground’ priests from Suiyuan diocese in Inner Mongolia were ‘taken away’ by police on Monday from Erenhot city (near the border with Mongolia). The sources said the priests have no affiliation with the government-sanctioned ‘open’ Church. They were Father Joseph Gao, - diocesan administrator, Fr Joseph Ban, - seminary rector and three parish priests surnamed Ding, Wang and Zhao. They were holding a meeting at a layperson’s home discussing the transfer of parish priests when about 30 policemen and government officials stormed the house and took them away. The officials did not give any explanation for the arrests and other priests and lay leaders have called for prayers for their safe return. The underground community in Suiyuan has led a peaceful existence in recent years with about 30 priests usually living in laypeople’s homes and doing pastoral work secretly. The underground community refers to itself as Suiyuan diocese, covering central and south-western part of Inner Mongolia.

Pray: God’s protection on China’s underground church and for the safe return of the priests. (Ps.5:11)

More: http://www.ucanews.com/2012/01/31/officials-arrest-underground-priests/