Prayer Alert, July 14th, 2015
Release International
China Aid warns that the wording of the new national security law is 'intentionally vague' and may prompt greater 'persecution and abuse based on perceived threats to national security'. Among its provisions are further restrictions on 'foreign influences' and 'cults'.
The law also expands China's restrictions on religion into Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Some Hong Kong-based pastors fear that they might be penalised for activities such as serving mainland Christians via the internet, hosting their visits or even preaching to people from mainland China living in Hong Kong.
On July 1, the same day the new law was enacted, Hong Kong pastor Wu Xiaohe was summoned by the Religious Affairs Bureau in Shenzhen city on the mainland, and was told he could no longer invite mainland Chinese Christians to Hong Kong for training. Officials told him that 'at least 300 more religious leaders' would receive similar summons.
Please pray for our brothers and sisters in all parts of China. Pray that officials will begin to see the church as a force for good, not a threat to national security.