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Month of prayer to protect China's persecuted believers during Olympics

by Jenna Lyle
Posted: Wednesday, August 6, 2008, 8:47 (BST)
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With the Olympics just days away, persecution watchdog Release International is inviting Christians the world over to join in a month-long strategic prayer campaign to protect the unregistered church in China as it faces the prospect of even greater persecution during the Games.

Release warned that the Chinese Government is pursuing a tough crackdown on "illegal religious activities" under the guise of preventing disruptions to the Games.

The group has put together a prayer guide to cover the month of the Olympics, highlighting the Chinese Government persecution of underground Christians trying to help in the aftermath of the Sichuan earthquake, the persecution in particular of the Uyghur ethnic minority Christians in Xinjiang province, and the arrest and detention of numerous house church leaders and Christian rights campaigners.

Release recommends that believers offer a prayer a day over 31 days for the situation of China's underground believers.

"Release is inviting Christians to stand with the persecuted Church in China. We want people to intercede for freedom of worship and Christian revival in this vast communist nation - to see the Kingdom of God extended in China," said the head of Release, Andy Dipper.

The finishing touches are being added to the site of this year's Olympics in Beijing, China, just days ahead of the official opening ceremony on Friday.

Other agencies supporting persecuted believers in China have also complained of a government crackdown ahead of the Olympics.

China Aid Association published a report on Tuesday detailing the increase in arrests and detentions of house church members in the last few months.

CAA said that persecution of Chinese believers was taking place "daily" and accused the Chinese Government of being "hypocritical" Olympic hosts.

The sentiment is one shared by the head of Open Doors USA, Carl Moeller.

"Unfortunately, there has been a crackdown on house church leaders in wake of the start of the Olympics," he said. "It's a travesty that hundreds of Christians sit in prisons while the Chinese Government pats itself on the back for its hosting of the Games."



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