Pray for the Underground Church as they keep meeting together
As believers of the underground Church continue to live out Hebrews 10:25: "not giving up meeting together", their courage and commitment to gather together reminds us that God is still building His Church, strengthening His people and growing faith even in the most difficult circumstances.
You have a vital part to play in helping the underground Church stand firm as they come together where faith is forbidden.
How? By praying.
Through your prayers, you can support them by bringing them before God and asking Him to continue to give them courage, protection and strength as they continue to meet together and follow Christ.
Step into an underground church meeting, and it would probably feel similar to your own church, with Bible readings, worship and prayer. But the difference is, these believers fear every knock at the door. Because what they’re doing is illegal and highly dangerous…
Today, pressure on unregistered churches in China and Laos is intense. Not so long ago, especially in China, house churches were tolerated by the authorities. But now Christians risk arrest, surveillance, harassment, intimidation and punishment. Their churches can be closed at any moment.
There are state-approved churches in China and Laos, but these are tightly controlled. Christians face a choice between going to a legal church where teaching must align with Communist Party policies, for example, and government permission is needed for everything from worship services to printing Bibles – or going underground.
Our brothers and sisters in these nations share our faith but not our freedom. They need your prayers.
Pray for underground Christians, that they will have the courage, wisdom and resilience to keep growing in faith. Ask the Lord to provide creative ways for believers to meet and share faith.
Pray for church leaders, including those in prison. Pray for endurance and protection, and courage to always speak with humility. Pray too for their families during times of hardship.
Pray for those who persecute Christians, that the Lord would open their hearts to the gospel and they would encounter God’s loving kindness and saving grace.
Pray for China and Laos, that misconceptions about Christianity will be uprooted, and seeds of the gospel will be spread instead. Pray that hearts and minds will be open to Jesus.
*Names changed for their protection.
