The situation for the church in China has changed sharply in the past six months. There are 129.7 million professing Christians in China and there has been an explosive growth in people coming to Christ. Earlier in the year the Chinese leader Xi Jinping was elected President for life, this makes him the most powerful leader politically since Mao. He is using that added power to persecute all non- communists in the nation. A huge expansion in surveillance technology makes Xi’s capacity to watch and impede his “enemies” unprecedented. Many house church leaders have been forced into hiding and hundreds are missing with unconfirmed reports that up to 300 have been killed.

The BBC has reported the terrible plight of the Muslim Uyghurs with a heavy military presence on the streets and up to one million placed in Chinese correction camps. Many church leaders in that region have also been taken away.

Across the nation crosses are taken down, Bibles burned and government facial recognition devices have been placed in many churches. Landlords who rent property to churches are finding themselves with huge fines, forcing many to evict congregations and church gatherings. Police can stop and search anyone on the streets to look for threats to society. These threats include bible apps and communications with Christian websites. Oppression is growing and we will be monitoring the situation carefully.

Pray for great wisdom and love for church leaders. Pray this persecution will be widely reported. God is King of Kings and Lord of Lords so in the midst of persecution, we pray for the fire of God to fall on China and for miracles of protection, provision, and healing.

Steve Botham, Director of World Prayer Centre

Yesterday, I was in a meeting and talking to a friend of mine. He had been prayed for at a global conference and told to go to Big Ben and declare it was time for God to move in our nation. He did this two years ago, soon after he was walloped with a host of issues and challenges. I felt I should ask him whether he needed to go back to the call and see if there was unfinished business. Later in the afternoon, we were concluding the meeting when a colleague suddenly said to my friend, “I think God is telling you to revisit your call to Big Ben”. My friend said “That’s interesting because I am just revisiting the prophetic word on my laptop.”

I believe this is a season to revisit our dreams. We may have lost faith, focus, or belief but God tells us to hold onto that word, one season of prayer may not be enough. We need to have persistent faith to see the fullness of the promise coming through. Waiting is an important spiritual discipline. Abraham had to wait for God’s promise. Joseph had many setbacks as he waited for his dreams to be fulfilled. Moses and Israel had to wait before entering the land of promise. David sets himself to wait patiently for God to fulfil his promise of kingship. In waiting we humble ourselves, we let go of our plans and wait on God’s. We become more aware that only a sovereign work of God can really deliver the fullness of the promise.

In a time of spiritual drought there are few dreams, “In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.” 1 Samuel 3:1. When the spirit falls “Your old men shall dream dreams and your young men shall see visions.” Acts 2:17. I believe we are in a time of awakening when God is going to fill many of us with a deep passion to see past promises fulfilled (and is stirring up many new dreams). It may be the return of a prodigal, it may be for a breakthrough, it may be to see the fire of God move in your church.

One thing is at the heart of this. Intimacy with Jesus. He is the author and perfector of our faith. He guides and inspires our prayers. Let us hear His words of preparation to the disciples at the last supper, “I tell you this timeless truth; the person who follows me in faith, believing in me, will do the same mighty miracles that I do – even greater miracles than these because I go to the Father! For I will do whatever you ask me to do when you ask in my name.” (John 14: 12 – 14 – Passion). Intimacy enables us to bring our dreams to Jesus, and to fully align with His purpose. Be open to even greater miracles!

Steve Botham, Director of World Prayer Centre