Persecution

Chinese authorities demolish well-known evangelical church - AP
The AP reports: "Authorities in northern China’s coal country have demolished a well-known Christian mega-church, underscoring long-standing tensions between religious groups and the officially atheistic Communist Party. [...] The church, with a congregation of more than 50,000, has long clashed with the government. Hundreds of police and hired thugs smashed the church and seized Bibles in an earlier crackdown in 2009 that ended with church leaders receiving long prison sentences. [...] There are an estimated 60 million Christians in China, many of whom worship in independent congregations like the Golden Lampstand. Millions of Christians, Buddhists and Muslims also worship in state-sanctioned assemblies."

Comment: Please join me in praying for the persecuted church in China, that they will persevere in steadfast faith and demonstrate Christian values expressed in obedience to the civil authority (Romans 13:1-7) and living in peace and harmony with their neighbors (Romans 12:18).