Most Christians are aware of the struggle the church in Communist China has had with the government of that country. They have suffered from years of intense persecution and the limited ability to legally evangelize, gather to worship, or even teach their own children about Christ.
This increased further in 2019 when the Chinese government announced it would more strictly enforce a law that โprohibits religious groups from proselytizing or converting anyone under the age of 18โโincluding Christiansโ own children.
Chinese Christians canโt legally host Sunday school classes, bring their children to church, or teach their own children their Christian faith. Teachers canโt share their faith, and religious materials canโt be used as textbooks. Those who break the law can face fines or other consequences.
While this should sadden us and remind us to keep our Chinese brothers and sisters in prayer, it shouldnโt surprise us. Persecution has been the norm since the beginning of the church (just read the book of Acts!). Jesus told us to expect persecution, and thatโs certainly what weโve seen around the world throughout church history.
As anti-Christian sentiment grows across the West, including here in America, we can expect policies like those in China to make their way over here, eventually (unless something changes, of course). Actually, the foundation for such persecution and limitation of Christian freedom is already being laid in America and the entire Western world.
Itโs not surprising that China has spent years attacking childrenโGodโs plan is for faith to be transmitted to the next generation through godly parents (Deuteronomy 6:7, Psalm 145:4). And Jesus says that we must have the faith of a child to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). Children are generally very receptive to the gospel, and many Christians come to faith in Christ as children, living lives of devotion to him from a young age.
Pray for the direction of Western society. Pray for Chinese Christians. Pray for the parents in China and their children. No matter what the government says about our Christian faith, we must obey God and not men (Acts 5:29). Many parents bravely defy the government and share the good news of Christ with their children. Pray for their protection and boldness. Above all, pray that many peopleโincluding children of all agesโwill come to faith in Christ.
