Xiao Hongliu, the wife of an imprisoned Early Rain Covenant Church elder, wrote a plea for prayer.
Xiao’s husband, Qin Defu, is serving a four-year prison sentence for his involvement with the church. He was taken into custody on 9 December 2018, along with approximately 100 others, during a mass crackdown on the church. He was later charged with “illegal business operations”.
During his trial, it became apparent that the charge related to Christian books used by the church.
In her letter, Xiao begged other Christians to pray for her. She described the intense pain she has undergone since she lost contact with Qin in March, saying it, “makes my heart worry.”
Xiao’s letter can be read below.
Dear brothers and sisters,
My name is Xiao Hongliu, I am Qin Defu’s wife. I am begging for intercessory prayers for my family and me. Defu has been in jail for more than six months.
I had received his phone calls from the jail at the beginning of his sentence. Although the calls were only two or three minutes long, as long as I could hear his voice, I knew he was safe and alive.
Although I could not see him personally, I knew he was alive somewhere, where God could see him. However, since the end of March, I have not received his calls anymore. I have lost contact with him for more than 70 days, which makes my heart worry.
My reasoning makes me believe he is still alive, and God is with him. However, not hearing from him is like an enemy. It hurts me so much that I suffer every day.
Normally, my husband would be managing the church, busy before and after, and I would merely hope for him to return home a bit earlier each night. Now, my hope is causing me pain. Every day, I just want to receive one three-minute call from him, but this apparently has become an extravagant hope.
Dear God, please let me follow behind you, pulling on the hem of your clothes, because I am no better off than the women who suffered from a blood issue for 12 years.
I know my weakness, so I am begging for my brothers and sisters to pray for me and Qin Defu.
God, please, out of charity, give us mercy. We are so lowly we cannot bear it!
Qin’s wife
Source: China Aid
- Uphold our brethren Xiao, Qin, their children, loved ones and church family. Ask the Lord to give them His strength.
- Pray that Xiao will experience His ministering presence and know the comfort that comes from believers all over the world praying for her and her family.
- Pray Xiao will receive word from her husband soon.
Post your prayer in the comments below.
Tags: china, christian persecution, communism, imprisoned
Praying God’s mercy…. He is faithful and good. You are not alone!
Lord God! Answer Xiao’s cry for prayer and mercy. Flood her life with your mercy God! Be with Qin in the midst of his trial – God give him strength to stand tall for the gospel of salvation, and to not be trampled down by the enemy. Father renew Xiao’s hope and faith in You, and your church’s dedication to intercede for those who suffer. God strengthen Xiao and her children, and quiet doubt and fear from speaking in their hearts. You speak to them daily, revealing Yourself to this family in their time of need. Give Qin and Xiao… Read more »
There are people praying for you in Australia. May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him.
Gracious Father in Heaven, ‘the defender of widows and orphans, the deliverer of those held captive, the one who places the lonely in families’, come to the aid of Xiao Hongliu and her husband Qin Defu recently imprisoned for being Christ’s follower. Give them the experience espoused in David’s words, ‘For you have upheld my right and my cause, sitting enthroned as the righteous judge. You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.’ (Psalm 9Vs4-5) We give thanks for their faith and the faith of their fellow labourers for… Read more »