Christian funerals are being forbidden in some areas of China, as authorities begin enforcing new regulations to ensure the conducting of so-called “civilised” ceremonies.
In the state of Zhejiang, funerals are only allowed to take place in government-approved church buildings. While clergy may be permitted to visit families of the deceased in homes, they are forbidden from conducting any religious ceremonies or services of prayer. If mourners do gather in a home, there can be no more than ten family members reading Scripture or quietly singing hymns.
Similar policies have been adopted elsewhere. In a village of Hunan province, officials threatened to arrest a man unless he conducted a secular funeral for his father. “My father had been a believer for several decades,” the son explained. “He is persecuted even after death.”
Sources: Bitter Winter, UCA News, Christian Post
- Remember those who are not only mourning the loss of loved ones but now must also contend with these added burdens in the midst of their grief.
- Pray that China’s church leaders will have discernment as they determine the best ways to help those under their care.
- Thank God that He continues to grow the church in China, in spite of the opposition.
Post your prayer in the comments below.
Is anyone doing anything about China?
There is some pressure from the UN and other governments, although like all restricted nations there is nowhere near enough.
Good question! And of course I encourage you to continue to pray and encourage all of us to ask the Lord to teach us afresh how to pray. Interestingly, Os Guinness believes that China’s Marxist ideology is dead and will be replaced by either the Christian Faith, Confucianism, nationalism, materialism or Buddhism. (Impossible People IVP 2016)
We pray for the Chinese people and their leaders. God of all creation, your word announces clearly and repeatedly that your Son was the first to rise from the dead, that he will one day return and when he returns he will raise his servants to a resurrection life like his own and indeed raise all people for the final judgement. We praise you for the faith of your people and ask that as they face increased discrimination and outright persecution you might strengthen and embolden them giving them wisdom and grace to witness faithfully to you. As our God of mercy and comfort show mercy and comfort to your people in their grief.
Jesus said “I am the resurection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” JOhn 11:25,26