Editor’s Note: Hao Ming, a member of the Early Rain Covenant Church (formerly an elder of the Deyang Qingcaodi Church, who joined the Early Rain Covenant Church after retiring in early 2021), was detained on November 17, 2021, by the Deyang Public Security Bureau on suspicion of “fraud.” He was later arrested with the approval of the procuratorate and has been detained in the Deyang City Detention Center since then. We pray for the Lord to protect Elder Hao Ming’s health and strengthen his faith. The following is a prayer request shared on Weibo by Elder Hao Ming’s wife, Sister Yang Yufeng, along with a devotional article written by Elder Hao Ming in prison.
Dear family, peace be with you!
I am Yang Yufeng, the wife of Hao Ming. Thank you all for your continued prayers and concern for Hao Ming. The case of Hao Ming and Wu Jianan was transferred to the Jingyang District People’s Court of Deyang City on December 2, 2022. It has been over 7 months without a trial. According to legal regulations, first-instance public prosecution cases should be judged within two months after acceptance, and at the latest, not exceed three months. Clearly, the Jingyang District Court has severely violated the law. Therefore, please continue to pray for Hao Ming.
Hao Ming: Reflections from Prison
Sometimes, physical walls can be deceptive, just like the deceptive nature of the flesh, which knows the face but not the heart. Similarly, in sociology, there is a concept called “anonymous behavior,” suggesting that people might act without conscience in anonymity. Indeed, within these high walls, if the flesh remains silent, how could anyone see the incomplete faith portrait of the famous Catholic nun in India if she had not left diaries?
However, Christians believe in a spiritual world beyond what the eye can see, consisting of God, angels, the spirits of saints in heaven, and demons, all of which can see through the physical world. For our concern, Christians bound by demonic forces within these walls, their true mental state might be unknown to those outside, but it’s transparent in the spiritual world. In fact, every word, thought, strength or weakness, joy or sorrow of theirs is clearly seen by God. If a Christian is constantly surrounded by sorrow or frustration within these walls, it certainly shames God and allows the devil to repeat the trick he played in the Old Testament Book of Job.
The focus now is, within these high walls, in places unseen by brothers and sisters, have I glorified God with true joy? Let me express it more clearly: It’s not that I made a helpless choice in desperation, but rather, on the basis of my existing faith and a very clear vision of God using me, have I truly glorified God with joy? Is that so?
Like Job’s journey, I didn’t see God’s vision at the beginning, so my heart wasn’t initially filled with true joy. I must admit, at least for me, I do not belong to those naturally born to suffer. I don’t think this is consistent with human nature, nor with the true human nature that needs the grace of mercy.
I was born in a family with daily access to a nanny, “Reference News,” milk, and eggs. Now, life involves changing green tea three times a day after retirement, apart from reading and contemplation. In fact, I also went through the initial disbelief and shock (I remember angrily protesting to the “national security” with handcuffs raised), the strong desire to escape, and the unimaginable harsh environment in the cell. After many hellish experiences on earth, I suddenly realized that this is God’s calling, His use of me, God’s testimony of Daniel’s vision in China today, and the prison is the lion’s den of yesteryear.
I also finally realized that God did not accept my retirement from the church. He also wants to test my qualifications as an eternal citizen of the kingdom of heaven in this way. I finally realized that only this explanation for my imprisonment fits the supreme and good intentions of the Most High.
When I finally understood the spiritual secret of my imprisonment, my eyes were suddenly enlightened, and my heart was suddenly broadened. The indescribable pain and heavy sorrow gradually ceased to exist.
Of course, I still have emotional pains and troubles. For example, every time I learn that the “disciplinary” officers monitor my reading and thoughts in various ways, burn my letters, and warn new inmates about communicating with me, I get upset and sad. But each time, I comfort and motivate myself by seeing the spiritual warfare in all its aspects, thus gaining firmness and joy.
As I spent my 66th birthday in prison, I have increasingly realized the preciousness of being used by God, which has also made me determined to cherish it. At this moment, I cannot be sure how long I will stay behind these walls, two years? Or an unexpectedly longer sentence? Regardless, I will not accept the accusation that the church’s voluntary “tithe offering” as taught by the Bible is fraud. This concerns my loyalty or betrayal to the church, my loyalty to the faith in God.
I can now be certain that within these walls, I possess a joy that pleases God. This is a true joy.
Now I can come boldly to the throne of grace and say to God without fear: Holy and loving Heavenly Father, I have not shamed your name, I have not let down the prayers of my church brothers and sisters. Loving Father, I know that in the future, I will inevitably have emotional weakness and sadness, I might even bow my head and cry uncontrollably, and at night, loneliness might still attack me, but because the Holy Spirit always lifts me up, sadness will never be the main theme of my soul, and amidst brief sadness, I will be even more amazed: Christ my Savior, the one at the right hand of the Father, you know how much I need grace, how much I need your intercession in the heavenly sanctuary mentioning my name!
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