This is day 1 of 32. Throughout April, we will be posting daily. We invite you to learn about Chinese Muslims and pray with us for God’s glory to be made known among them. If you would like to read other posts in this series, you can find them here.
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. (2 Corinthians 1:8-11 ESV)
For over a century, followers of Jesus have planted their lives among Chinese Muslims and proclaimed the Gospel. Yet, today there are less than 1,000 followers of Jesus among the Hui, Salar and Dongxiang, and only a few small house churches. Praise God that today men and women and families from around the world (including Chinese believers) continue to intentionally live among Chinese Muslims and proclaim the Gospel. Praise God Chinese Muslims are hearing the Gospel and some are believing. Praise God some Muslim-background believers (MBBs) are meeting in groups and forming house churches. However, there are others who are isolated and do not know other believers to join with in worship.
During this Easter weekend, as we remember how God delivered us from eternal punishment by sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and then rise from the dead, we encourage you to join us during the next month in learning more about Chinese Muslims and intentionally praying daily for them. We ask that you help us through prayer so that as God works among Chinese Muslims, many around the world will give thanks for the blessings that He is granting through the prayers of His people.
Today, we ask you to meditate on the passage above, 2 Corinthians 1:8-11, and pray for the work among Chinese Muslims as God speaks to you about the passage.
Pray for Chinese Muslim-background believers. They experience persecution from their families, communities and the government because of their beliefs. Some carry great burdens and lack a community of believers to encourage them. Pray that the Spirit will encourage and guide them. During this Easter weekend may they be encouraged as they worship the God who raises the dead. May they be encouraged as they remember that Jesus understands their sufferings. Pray for God to comfort them and strengthen them to boldly live for him.
Pray for Chinese Muslims. Many Muslims share that they believe following Jesus is a death sentence. Ask God to open their eyes to the truth that they are dead. They have received a death sentence, and Jesus, the one who died on the cross and rose from the dead, is their only hope. Pray that thousands of Chinese Muslims will hear the Gospel this year and that it will be their beginning of life in Jesus!
Pray for harvesters (followers of Jesus who live among Chinese Muslims). Jesus calls us to pray for God to send harvesters out into his harvest (Matthew 9:38). Please earnestly pray for God to send more and more harvesters to live and work among Chinese Muslims and boldly proclaim the Gospel because God has a harvest among the Hui, Salar and Dongxiang that is waiting to be gathered! Pray also that harvesters will not rely on themselves but on God alone who raises the dead. God is our hope for Chinese Muslims. Through the movement of the Holy Spirit the number of Chinese Muslim-background believers will begin to multiply and churches will be formed and reproduce. Thank you for joining us in praying for Chinese Muslims!
Did You Know? The Hui, Salar and Dongxiang people are Muslim people groups that live across China, and these three ethnic groups number more than 13 million. Most trace their roots back to Central Asia. Today, the majority have their homeland in northwest China, stretching from Ningxia through Gansu over to Qinghai province. However, Hui families are scattered all over China in every province. It is said that a Hui person can be found in almost every county in China.