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.
