Linfen Covenant Home Church Prayer Request Letter

Three young brothers from the Linfen Covenant Home Church, Li Jie, Han Xiaodong, and Wang Qiang, have been detained since August 19, 2022, for over 300 days on suspicion of “fraud.” They are currently held in the detention center of Yaodu District, Linfen City. The Yaodu District Procuratorate’s prosecutors, Wang Lixian and Wei Bingbing, have charged them in the Yaodu District Court. The procuratorial authorities regard these three brothers as a “criminal group,” with the involved amount reaching as high as 780,000 yuan.

The families and fellow church members of these three brothers were not only extremely surprised but also disagreed with the charges. The constitutional protection of citizens’ religious beliefs has been distorted into religious deception and fraud by the Yaodu District Procuratorate in Linfen City. The church, which believes in God, has been slandered as a “criminal group,” a situation unheard of since the establishment of New China. We earnestly request your prayers:

1. Pray for mercy on the rulers of Linfen City, Shanxi Province. They hold the sword of authority over this land. Pray that these officials, especially the prosecutors and judges handling the case of Linfen Covenant Home Church, will fear the power of the sword they wield. May these leaders view matters of faith correctly and demonstrate righteousness.
2. Pray for a way out for China’s home churches. Through the trial of this case, may more authorities recognize the objectivity of religious beliefs. Pray for the health of all lawyers handling this case and for wisdom and courage from Christ to speak out for justice and defend the innocence of the three brothers.
3. Pray for the members of the Linfen Covenant Home Church to rebuild their relationship with God after persecution, to understand the true meaning of the cross, and to respond to persecution with the Gospel. May the strong not fear the threat of power, and the weak not be accused by the devil. Revive this church to shine like a bright light in this city. May the Lord’s merciful heart bring the light of dawn from the high heavens to us, illuminating those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, and guiding our feet into the path of peace.
4. Pray for the faith of Li Jie, Han Xiaodong, and Wang Qiang to be strengthened. Let them wait patiently in the detention center, maintaining a healthy spiritual life without fear of sin and power. Christ will fight for them; whether free or not, everything is under God’s sovereignty. In time, may the three brothers be freed and released. May God’s will be done.
5. Pray for the healing of Han Xiaodong’s parents, who have been troubled by illness in the past half month. His father suffered a cerebral infarction, and his longing grows daily. May the Lord comfort his soul. Pray for Xiaodong’s mother to emerge from her sorrow of missing her son and to have continuous hope in Christ.
6. Pray for the wives of the three brothers, sisters Li Shanshan, Chen Ying, and Wen Huijuan, to have faith, joy, and peace while waiting for their husbands to return home. Prepare them to be glorious helpers for their husbands.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV)