Hong Kong Prayer Topics

Hong Kong, known as the Pearl of the Orient, has a population fo 6.5 million. Situated on the southern coast of China, it is made up of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon (both ceded perpetually to Britain) and the New Territories (leased to Britain in 1898 for 99 years). In the 1980s, uncertainties over Hong Kong's future began to surface, as nine-tenths of her territories were due to return to China in 1997. The question was settled in the Sino-British Joint Declaration in 1984, in which China promised "One Country, Two Systems" and a "high degree of autonomy" ("Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong") when she resumes sovereignty over all Hong Kong territory on July 1, 1997. The Basic Law that governs Hong Kong after the transfer of sovereignty in July specifies that there be no radical changes.

---May God's purposes be carried out in the change of sovereignty in Hong Kong. (Job 5:8-12; Ps. 33:11)
---Pray for the Chief Executive Mr. Tung (a Tai-chi practitioner and a firm believer in Confucianism) and other leaders of the future government. (I Tim. 2:1-3)

Since the 10th century, Hong Kong has been the southernmost Chinese settlement; a place of refuge for those who wanted to escape turmoil on the China Mainland. In the 19th century, the British government backed an illicit opium trade and waged war against China. In 1842, at China's defeat in the Opium War, Hong Kong was ceded to Britain. Though a British Crown Colony, Hong Kong's Chinese population, about 95% in recent history, has always clung to their Chinese roots. Betwen the two world wars, Hong Kong flourished as a trading post, an entrepot for China.

In 1941 Hong Kong fell to the Japanese. During the Japanese occupation, many died of starvation and brutal treatment, and many were deported to China. Among the older generation, bitter memories against the Japanese remain unhealed. In the 1960s and 70s Hong Kong evolved to an industrial and financial center of Asia. The 10-year Cultural Revolution in China caused unrest also in Hong Kong.

The relationship with China was tainted for a while by the Tiananmen Square event in 1989. Since then, more Hong Kong citizens have resorted to emigration. Yet the economy of Hong Kong continues to prosper.

---For reconciliation with the British and forgiveness of them for the Opium War. (Matt. 6:12; Eph. 2:14)
---For reconciliation with the Japanese, and forgiveness for their treatment of the Chinese in World War II. (Matt. 6:12; Eph.2:14)

Over 90% of the population are refugees and children of refugees from China. Memories of traumatic refugee experiences had scarcely faded when anticipation of July 1, 1997 began creating new anxiety and uncertainty for many individuals, families and for the Church. Christians in Hong Kong need the peace Jesus has granted to His children. Church leaders and all the people of God can trust Him and claim His faithfulness, peace and protection in the midst of all insecurity.

---That the Church and her leaders in Hong Kong will claim and receive the peace of Jesus Christ. (Jn.14:27; Ps.46:2-5)
---That all God's people would commit their cause to God. (Ps.37:5)
---Hong Kong's destiny is in God's hands. Pray that Christians will seek the Lord. (IIChron.20:3-4)

Hong Kong has about 350,000 Protestant Christians (6% of population). May the Holy Spirit bring conviction, confession and repentance of sin in the Church and in the society of Hong Kong. May the fear of the Lord be upon the Church so that idolatry, spiritual defilement, immorality and works of the flesh will be put away. Then the people of God will learn to live a life of holiness, be filled with the Spirit to bear much fruit for His Kingdom, and experience the fullness of Christ, that the glory of God may abound.

Buddhism and the Taoism are the two major Chinese religions. Hong Kong has the world's largest outdoor bronze Buddha, overlooking the harbour and attracting thousands of tourists and whorshippers. For one branch of Buddhists, salvation lies in good deeds. The annual 'Hungry Ghost Festival' in August highlights the misery of those who fall short. Merits earned by some deities, such as the Smiling Buddha and Guan Yin (goddess of mercy and compassion), find expression in geomancy, divination, charms and amulets, belief in fate, and the preoccupation with fear and anxieties. The Taoist yin-yang worldview influences the management of many activities in life.

---That people will know that Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (Jn. 14:6)
---May God raise up laborers for the harvest in Hong Kong and China. (Matt.9:37-38)

Folk religion is a prominent phenomenon in Hong Kong. People worship scores of folk deities which are spirits of deceased heroes, natural forces and inanimate objects, to ensure material well-being, avoid disaster and gain knowledge of the future.

One of the most popular deities is Tin Hau, the goddess of the sea. Tin Hau was a lady in the 10th century, attributed to be kind and able to protect fishermen from dangers at sea. After she died, she was worshipped as a deity. Tin Hau worship has spread all along the Chinese coastline. Hong Kong has 20 Tin Hau temples. Wong Tai Sin, a Taoist deity, is enshrined in a very large temple in Hong Kong and commands the largest crowds of devotees on a daily basis.

Individual families worship different deities of their own choice. Small red altars are placed in homes for regular worship and as a means of blessing. Restaurants, shops and offices also have altars for various deities. Symbols and altars are visible everywhere.

---That the Chinese Christians will repent for their own former involvement, and confess the sins of their forefathers in folk religion practices. (Deut.27:15; Dan.9:20; Neh.1:6,9:2)
---Pray against the deception of the enemy in Hong Kong and China.(IICor.4:4; IICor.10:4-5)

Hong Kong's Church needs truth and power to witness for God---biblical truth to be proclaimed without compromise, godly direction for China ministries and wisdom in their implementation, new and divine visions for all types of Christian ministries, and spiritual discernment in times of doubt. Pray for God's empowerment and grace on the Church to exercise spiritual authority to overcome evil forces, to minister with the love of Christ, to be faithful to God in all situations, and to receive God's manifold blessings and protection in all circumstances.

---For Hong Kong's Christians to be filled with the Spirit of Truth. (ICor.2:12-13; Jn.16:13)
---That the Church would know God in His greatness and love. (Is. 35:3-7; Col.1:9-16)
---For special grace to be given to church leaders to lead. (ISam.10:1,7; IPet.5:2-3)

These are known as the Three Curses of the Chinese society. Prostitution, though officially illegal, is widespread, disguised in different establishments. Pornography is a big business for both local consumption and export. A century ago, Hong Kong became an all-season port for the infamous opium trade. Today, it is still active in both the use and transit of the drug. Gambling is the 'national sport' of the city. The amount of money poured into one single horse race on Chinese New Year's Day surpasses that of the entire season of a race track in Britain. Triads and gangs operate many forms of illegal gambling in many neighbourhoods. Most of the city's crimes are related to the Three Curses.

---That people under these bondages will be freed from their addictions. (Is.61:1-2)
---That Christians will rise up to take authority against the evil forces behind the vice establishments. (Eph. 1:19-22)

A favorable geographical location, excellent communications, and the absence of restrictions on capital flow in and out of the territory have contributed to the development of Hong Kong into an important international financial center. Its stock market ranked eighth in the world in 1995. Hong Kong comes within the world's top ten largest trading economies, and is the world's busiest container port. China is Hong Kong's largest trading partner, while Hong Kong is a gateway to China for business and tourism, and an important source (three-fifths) of direct external investment in China.

But high success brings high stress. Hong Kong also excels as the city of the highest stress level---with the longest working hours of any city in the world. Many hold multiple jobs. Mental disorders and suicide rates are on the increase.

---That Christians in Hong Kong would repent of their love of the world, materialism and covetousness. (IJn.2:15-17)
---That people will be set free from the spirit of competition and the refugee mentality, and trust the Lord for His security. (Ps.46:10; 144:2)
---That Hong Kong's affluence will become a blessing to the poor and needy, and that Christians will give generously. (Is.58:6-9)

Hong Kong's high population concentration enables it to support 70 newspapers, many periodicals, 15 radio stations and 24 TV channels. Hong Kong has long enjoyed freedom of the press and of expression. However, censorship of show business and pornographic material has been loose, causing damage to public morality. Hong Kong is the Hollywood of the Chinese communities around the world. Its movies, videos and music tapes influence millions of young people and children through the values and attitudes communicated. Pray for high moral standards in the materials produced for entertainment and education for the Chinese communities worldwide.

---That news personnel, media professionals and organizations can continue to enjoy freedom of the press and to perform their monitoring function for the community.
---That all media will be conducive to the moral building up of society and not move people away from righteousness. (IICor.4:4)

The Hong Kong Police force is 28,000 strong. They face much uncertainty and stress during this transition period. Nevertheless, 1996 recorded the lowest crime rate in the past 15 years, a 14% drop from 1995. In the beginning of 1996 several hundred intercessors from the church in Olmos Prison of Argentina organized the first large-scale intercessory effort for Hong Kong and its safety. Some Christians in Hong Kong have also begun to intercede for the police stations in the city's different districts.

The police and the four other disciplinary forces have a tradition of worshipping Guan Di, a historic hero representing justice. There are at least three altars for Guan Di in each police station. Worship activities are included in official functions during office hours. Resorting to the assistance of supernatural powers is a common practice.

---That law and order will be maintained in Hong Kong.(Lev.26:6)
---That members of the police force will come to depend on God for protection and wisdom. (Ps.44:3)

In the last 20 years since China opened her doors, about 1.5 million new Chinese immigrants have entered Hong Kong. The new arrivals are confronted with tremendous financial and social difficulties, as well as vast dialect differences. Lack of full-time employment, children's adjustment at school, and the lack of resources have shattered their dream of a city of promise and freedom. Yet the new immigrants have demonstrated more openness to the gospel than their Hong Kong-born compatriots. Their close ties with their kinsmen back in China could make them good communicators of the gospel.

People of lower socio-economic standing in Hong Kong have tended to shy away from the Church, regarding it as a middle-class institution. At the same time, their number has been increasing rapidly because of : (1) the continuing influx of new immigrants, and (2) the aging population who live on savings, as Hong Kong has no social security. Besides the new immigrants, some people groups are:

---That the new immigrants will come to know Christ and witness to their relatives in China. (Acts 16:31)
---That more churches will reach out to the grassroots people groups. (Phil.2:10-11)
---Pray for the Christian fellowships which now minister to the needs of the above people groups. (Col.1:28-29)

Hong Kong has about 1,200 churches from 59 denominations and over 100 Christian organizations. Pray that the Hong Kong Church will have the unity of the Spirit to be one in Christ. The lack of love and compassion for one another and some uneasiness towards certain charismatic influences have kept churches fragmented.

Since 1995, pastors from several districts of Hong Kong have started to pray together for unity as a strategy to reach the whole city.(Jn.17:20-23) We ask for God's mercy to bestow love and humility, to overcome jealousy, strife, pride and sectarianism. Hong Kong has long enjoyed freedom of evangelism in schools (public and private) and in public places. Many Christian organizations are reaching out, yet Hong Kong needs sound strategies for a big harvest. Hong Kong has sent out more than 150 missionaries and tent-makers to 20 places/nations in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Today, Hong Kong is still center of the Chinese Christian mission movement (30% of churches financing and praying for missionaries), and a training ground of missionaries for Chinese communities worldwide.

---That the Hong Kong Church will become one in Christ.(Jn.17:20-23)
---For the love of Christ to fill His children. (IJn.4:8; Rom.5:5)
---That all pastors and Christian leaders, missionaries and evangelists may have the compassion of Christ for lost souls. (Lk.15:4)
---That those who are spiritually blind and unbelieving will come to see the light of the gospel. (IICor.4:4; ICor.2:9)
---For open doors for evangelism to continue. (Col.4:3)
---That the Hong Kong Church will have vision for the harvest in Hong Kong and China. (Matt.8:19-20)

God has called many intercessors worldwide to pray for Hong Kong and China, but Hong Kong itself desperately needs its own intercessors and watchmen over its 19 districts. May God raise up many men and women of prayer and intercessors who have the understanding, faith, spiritual authority and power to pray and subdue all spirits of darkness. May the Hong Kong Church become a house of prayer!

---That the Hong Kong Church will seek the Lord in prayer and learn to depend completely on God. (Zech.8:21; Jn.15:5)
---For God to raise up intercessors and watchmen in Hong Kong. (Ezek.22:30; Neh.1:4; Is.62:6-7)

Thanks to Hong Kong Revival PrayerLink for sharing this prayer schedule.

Thank you for praying for Hong Kong

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