China (MNN) ― China is now in the final year countdown to the Beijing Olympics. The Games will be held August 8-24, 2008.
Open Doors USA is also marking the one-year mark by officially launching its "One Minute/One Year/One Country" prayer campaign. The goal of the campaign is to unite believers in the West to pray for their persecuted Chinese brothers and sisters in faith.
Compass Direct News is reporting that Christians throughout China fear tough restrictions on their freedom to worship in the coming year. This follows a government crackdown that's being associated with the Olympic Games 'cleanup' effort.
There are reports of ongoing house church raids and arrests, and scattered reports of foreign Christians who have been expelled from China since the first of the year.
That's why Open Doors is asking for prayer support. There are concerns this situation will likely continue and possibly escalate as the actual Games draw near.
Christians joining the prayer campaign are asked to pray for at least one minute each day; if possible at 8 p.m. Beijing time. The current time in Beijing as well as a countdown clock to the start of the Olympics are featured on the Open Doors USA Website. Participants will also receive a monthly prayer email calendar and a daily email brief. Both will include updated information on China and specific prayer requests.
Already over 500 prayer warriors have signed up to participate in the campaign. Click here if you want to participate.
