John’s first pastor was like a father. This pastor would lead him and other believers in Bible study that took place between 5-7am and before 10 pm they would meet again for prayer and worship. While John was in Xian in 2013, he heard someone preached about missions. John was challenged and dreamt that one day he would become a missionary. He would like to go to the Middle East and do mission work there. In October 2014, he left China and migrated to another country. While waiting on God’s timing, John is preparing himself to be a vessel to honor and

serve the Master. He is learning English, attends discipleship and leadership training, to increase his capability so that he, being a man of God, may be equipped for every good work. Pray for John and for those overseas Chinese who are being used by God to extend His kingdom here on earth.

“… he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

A Prayer Guide on Access-Restricted Nations in Asia produced by Ethnos Asia Ministries

Printed on 21 July 2016

China is the world's most populous state, with a population of over 1.4 billion. Outside of China, there are over 50,000,000 people of Chinese birth or descent who are scattered across 130 countries. While short incidents of Chinese migration can be traced b ack t h r o ugh h i s t o r y , t h e phenomenon generally referred to as the “Chinese Diaspora” only dates back to the mid-19th century. Economic and religious reasons have historically been the major factors that have driven Chinese people abroad. Here is a testimony of a young Christian Chinese man who now lives outside China: John is 34 years old and finished his 4-year college degree in business and management. In November 8, 2003, he heard the gospel by a stranger on the road in Xian. God gave him these verses from Isaiah 55:10-11: "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and

China

Achieving God’s purposes

PRAYER FOCUS Issue No. 232 August 2016

Inside China alone, over 900 million are under 35 years of age...

achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” John became a Christian, and started going to church. In July 2005, he was baptized in water. In 2011, his parents became Christians. John attended a church of 50 – 70 people in N.E. China. From 2007-2008 he was in Xian and then he moved to Chengdu. He is a hardworking young man. He dealt goods from South Korea to and from China, travelling long distances by train. Eventually he went back to Chengdu to work in a ‘bearings’ company.

Ethnos Asia Ministries G.P.O. Box 2821

Bangkok, Thailand 10501 Phone (66 2) 258 5808 / Fax (66 2) 661 2917

Email: info@ethnos-asia.org www.ethnosasia.org

1 (MON) CHINA The young generation is affected by western values through the

internet and other by-products of globalization, yet without moral roots they are turning to individual existence and survival by all means. Pray for opportunities to instill Christ’s righteousness.

2 (TUE) CHINA In Xinjiang Province, Uighur and Han children attend separate schools,

and only Han are allowed to learn English. Pray for God’s love to touch these children.

3 (WED) CHINA Over 60% of people living in Xinjiang Province are Turkic, related to the

tribes of Central Asia. Pray for unique new ways of introducing the Gospel there.

4 (THU) CHINA Pray for the Chinese Diaspora, creating Chinese communities

around the world, that, as they discover Christ in their new home, they would witness to their relatives in mainland China.

5 (FRI) NORTH KOREA There is evidence that government-sanctioned forced labor

occurs in an extensive system of prison camps. Women are subjected to forced marriage and sexual exploitation in China and neighboring states. Pray for those caught up in such slavery, working in horrendous conditions, without hope.

6/7 (SAT/SUN) NORTH KOREA Pray for those who have accepted Jesus as

Lord and returned to North Korea. Pray that they will continue to grow in faith, and to share the Gospel with their families.

8 (MON) PAKISTAN A group of Muslims abducted a 14-year-old Christian girl in

Faisalabad and later killed her father when he tried to bring her home two months ago. Pray for this girl’s protection, for her faith in Jesus to remain strong, and for her safe and quick return home to her family.

9 (TUE) PAKISTAN Pray for peace and stability in Pakistan and for many in this

nation to have life-changing encounters with Jesus and come to faith in Him.

10 (WED) SRI LANKA A SOW for the Harvest (Basic course) training in an

urban area was held last month with 55 trainees attending. Pray that these trainees will in turn be able to disciple others.

11 (THU) SRI LANKA Pray for the Sri Lankan government to bring in measures

to protect minorities and to work for peace and freedom of worship in this country.

12 (FRI) MALDIVES Believers in Maldives face uncertainty in knowing when to

Prayer Calendar August 2016

speak the truth in love and when to demonstrate love through actions. Pray for wisdom and boldness upon them. Pray that they will not be silenced by fear or doubt.

13/14 (SAT/SUN) BANGLADESH Pray for Bangladesh as it

comes to terms with the attack on the Dhaka café. Many non-Muslims fear for their future with the rise of Islamic extremism. Pray for peace in their hearts and minds, and for this nation.

15 (MON) BANGLADESH Pray for those who have received threats and demands

from the extreme Islamic group. Pray for their protection, especially as many are choosing to ignore the demands.

16 (TUE) BHUTAN More than 80 pastors and youth leaders from all over the

country came to the 10th anniversary celebration of the Bhutan Evangelical Alliance. There are now more than 200 churches and at least 40 thousand believers in Bhutan where Christianity is still not official.

17 (WED) NEPAL Over a month ago, 8 Nepali Christians were arrested on

charges of distributing Christian literature to more than 800 children at two schools. They were released after 9 days. The charges have not been dropped and calls remain for the group to be punished. Pray for them and their families, and for justice.

18 (THU) NEPAL Pray for the government to heed the call to for freedom of belief

for all people, and to continue to allow funding access for religious projects in Nepal.

19 (FRI) N.E. INDIA According to a reliable source, hundreds of thousands of

Christians across India are faced with the ultimatum of hiding their faith, or risk harassment and even death. Pray for Christians to be strong, united and a beacon of light in this nation.

20/21 (SAT/SUN) N.E. INDIA Pray for India as it struggles with

growing Hindu nationalism. Pray for wisdom for the government and for measures to protect India’s Christian population.

22 (MON) MYANMAR Drug abuse has been reportedly rampant for at least two

decades in Kachin and Northern Shan State and there is little evidence that the situation is improving. Pray the government to take action against drugs as this has now become a nationwide challenge.

23 (TUE) MYANMAR The transition to democracy in Myanmar is still far from

complete. The writing of the most recent constitution took 17 years, and it is still not democratic in many respects. Pray that

democracy and economic progress that the country has long needed will happen.

24 (WED) MYANMAR Pray that the government and the people in Myanmar

would dare to dream and join all efforts to achieve the necessary change they want to happen in the country so that the next generations will enjoy peace in the land.

25 (THU) LAOS Persecution in Laos is worse than most Islamic countries.

People are starving spiritually. Many souls are walking in darkness. Pray for Laos.

26 (FRI) LAOS When people in Laos are struggling with hardship or sickness,

they believe they are possessed by evil spirits. They go to a temple to wrap something given to them by monks around their wrist or neck. This is influenced by shamanism and Buddhism, along with low educational standards. Pray that they would encounter God and be delivered from false beliefs.

27/28 (SAT/SUN) VIETNAM Pray the young people that attended the

youth camp last month would grow in their intimacy with God and prepare to be able leaders in the next generation.

29 (MON) VIETNAM While the Vietnamese government legally allows religious

freedom, in reality, the government is reluctant to see Christianity spread in the nation, and there is still a lot of oppression and surveillance towards churches and missionaries. Pray for protection upon believers and churches in Vietnam.

30 (TUE) CAMBODIA Pray for the Functional English Center in Siem Reap.

Pray that more children around the community would be encouraged to join and learn English and also hear the Gospel.

31 (WED) CAMBODIA Cham people can be found in nearly every province of

Cambodia, generally where large river systems are located. Their current population is approximately 400,000 and they are actually followers of Sunni Islam. Very few of them have heard or understand who Jesus is. Pray for this people group in Cambodia.