The church after the cross was removed.
The church after the cross was removed.
Feb. 04, 2021 | China

House Church Pastor Given Five Years in Prison

[228] prayers in [20] nations have been posted for Pastor Li Juncai.

Chinese Communist Party authorities recently sentenced a Henan house church pastor to five and a half years in prison after he refused to let officials place patriotic slogans in his church. Pastor Li Juncai also received a fine of more than $7,000 USD. Pastor Li’s church, the Yuanyang County Central House Church, was established as a government-approved Three-Self church, but in 2013 gave up that status and merged with a local house church. Typically, 700-800 people attended services there weekly, and it was the largest house church in the area. When the government began oppressing house churches in 2018, they required the Yuanyang Country Central House Church to change a sign reading “Love God and People” to “Love Country.” They also told the church they must remove the cross on their steeple. The church refused to comply, and on Feb. 20, 2019, Pastor Li was arrested along with three others for obstructing government administration. The others were released, but Pastor Li remained in detention. In January 2021, officials finally handed down the five-and-a-half year sentence to Pastor Li. After the pastor’s arrest, the cross atop the church was forcibly removed, and the Christian sign was forcibly replaced. Continue to pray for Christians in China who are following their consciences rather than the government.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in China and learn how to pray.

Write your own prayer for Pastor Li Juncai

  • Thank you Lord that it doesn't matter what people do to your church, the gates of Hades will never prevail against it. Thank you that you are still victorious, that the power of the cross is not changed one bit by the removal of it. And yet it must sadden you what is happening God, please strengthen your people and bring in those who don't know you.
    Becky G - New Zealand
  • 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Continuing to pray for the Holy Spirit to strengthen Pastor Li Juncai and family and Christians in China.
    Patrecia J - USA
  • Dear Jesus, thank you for Pastor Li Juncai's courage. Please let his suffering not be in vain. We beg for his protection even in prison. Guard his life. Help him not to despair. Protect and comfort his family. Help the guards and other prisoners come to know You, Jesus. Soften the hearts of the officials to allow him to be released.
    Patrecia J - USA
  • Heavenly Father I lift up my brother Li, father I pray that he is blessed with strength through this hard time. Lord I pray that brother Li is filled with the Holy Spirit so he can be an effective witness even in prison. Lord I pray that Li's family and congregation is blessed with peace and strength, in Jesus name I pray amen.
    Addison L - USA
  • Dear Lord, We pray for Pastor Li Juncai, that you will bless & strengthen him, giving him wisdom, opportunities to work for you and guiding him. If it be your will, may he be released. And please bless all our brothers and sisters in China. We praise you for their faith and faithfulness. Amen
    Susan G - Australia
  • Praying pastor Li will remain faithful in following Jesus. Praying his strength comes from the Lord. Praying for his family that they receive the provisions they need. Also praying for his church family that they remain faithful in following Jesus.
    Denise O - USA
  • All mighty father God creator of heaven and earth give your servant Pastor Li Juncai the strenght and wisdom to do your will.Holy Spirit fill Pastor Li Juncai with your love and peace.Help him to preach the Gospel for the forgiveness of sin and the salvation throught Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.Lord protect Pastor Li Juncai and his family.
    Ivan C - USA
  • Dear Pastor,
    I have been praying for you since I heard you stood up for the cross.I will keep praying! Now you have a new ministry a new mission field, a new congregation. Show them Jesus Pastor Li!!
    JoAnn I - USA
  • Praying for you Pastor that you will continually feel God's presence around you and that He will put His words in Your mouth to speak His truth to others and change their hearts. I pray in Jesus name that you will be strengthened in the power of His Holy Spirit and remain true to Jesus who loves you and will never leave you in Jesus name Amen
    Susan E - USA
  • They took down the steeple cross,, but the pain & the triumph of the cross resides in every Christian's heart & soul.
    Pastor Li Juncai is a brave & steadfast man of the cloth. Sending this good man to prison will only strengthen the faith & will of Christ's true followers. The CCP are acting from fear & weakness. God's Power is stronger than tyranny
    Gary G - USA
  • Oh God, bless Pastor Li in supernatural ways as he serves this unjust, hard sentence. Help him to know Your presence, and to be inspired by the faithful words of the apostle Paul as he wrote from prison. Lord I pray for the disempowerment of the CCP, and freedom for the oppressed people in China. Keep building Your Kingdom there, and in every nation!
    Jocelyn L - USA
  • Dear Lord, I pray you give comfort, encouragement and strength to this pastor and his followers. Wrap them in a hedge of protection as they share Your light to all. Soften the hearts of their persecutors so they may see Your light through Your faithful followers. God bless and comfort them. In Jesus' precious name we pray. Amen
    Tracy H - USA
  • Beloved,don't be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you,as though sth strange were happening to you.But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings,that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.If you're insulted for the name of Christ,you're blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rest upon you.
    Jonathan C - Hong Kong
  • 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
    Layne N - USA
  • Father, thank you for the courage displayed by Pastor Li. Please protect him. Provide for whatever needs that he has. At just the right time, release him please. May the love of Jesus flow through him and others be drawn to Jesus. Provide the leadership that the church needs in his absence. May Pastor Li fully trust Jesus and experience peace and joy.
    Vicki Y - USA
  • I praise You for Pastor Li's courage to stand for You despite persecution. Please give him encouragement and hope as he begins this prison sentence and I pray that You would provide for his family while he is separated. May the church continue to grow and be established in Your truth and the Christians hold fast to Your word.
    Danielle H - USA
  • O Lord, May Pastor Li be returned to his family. Protect his body, mind, and soul with your power and might. Provide the funds for the fine. May those around Pastor Li be awed by your works. May your name be exalted in China. The government is weak compared to your power. The government cannot prevail against a Your plans. Strengthen your people. Amen
    SM D - USA
  • Dear Lord
    I pray for Pastor Li Juncai. We praise You for his steadfast faith even in the face of persecution. Be with him, Jesus, in powerful ways. Fill him with peace and courage; may his heart and joy stay strong! We pray for all the house churches that are so willingly suffering for the sake of the Gospel. We ask that Your Spirit would be with them!
    Madison F - USA
  • Lord, we praise you for many brothers and sisters in China who refuse to bow their knees to men, but who honor you as the King of Kings. Please give them continued courage and strength. May they always trust you and know that you will never leave them or forsake them. Give courage and help to their families, and may officials come to know you as well.
    Jackie V - USA
  • In the victorious name of Jesus, our heavenly Father, the Overcomer, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we praise You for the faithfulness of Pastor Li. We praise You for this victory. We continue to ask for a hedge of protection on them and angels directly from heaven to minister to them. Amen
    Gary F - USA
  • Dear Father, I ask for encouragement for my brothers and sisters in China. Let them know we around the world pray for their oppression and freedom. Our heart breaks for them and the destruction of their books and Bibles. Those taken to prison, may they not be afraid. Give them courage and opportunity to share the hope they have in you. Amen
    SM D - USA
  • God we praise You for Pastor Li. I pray for an early release God. I pray over the people who did not stand God and gave into the pressure a and fears that man imposed on them. I pray for peace, your guidance and protection for Li. May he feel the prayers for him and may he even more feel the presence of Christ tangibly while in jail. Bless him O God.
    Amanda W - USA
  • Father God, please be with Pastor Li's family while he is away. Give him strength and his family strength and courage. I pray that this persecution will result in steadfast faith in all involved. I pray the believers in this church stand firm and grow together in the Lord.
    Teresa W - USA
  • Dear Jesus, please comfort and strengthen Pastor Li in prison and protect him from all evil that comes against him including physical harm. Please cover him with your protection and soften the hearts of those guards who do not know you so they become followers of Christ. Father sustain him, encourage him with your Word & bless his faithfulness to you
    Miranda B - USA
  • Holy Spirit of Jesus, I pray for Pastor Li's safety while in this prison, may it be short but an opportunity for him to secretly minister to those who may need it. Lord I know there's always a reason why things happen, I just pray that his treatment is gentle, giving him strength, courage, meeting all of his and his families needs. In Christ
    Pat D - Canada
  • Lord I pray for this church that it would remain steadfast and be kept by You. I pray Lord that they would hold You closely and not stray to the right or to the left. I pray for leadership to be rooted in the Gospel and for it to hold fast to the Word. I pray for the release of Pastor Li and for him to be in step with the Holy Spirit as he serves You.
    Joy H - USA
  • O Lord, be near to your servant Pastor Li. Protect and provide for his needs and those of his family and congregation. May he raise the 7k for the fine. Thank you that they stood strong against the slogans, and gov't propaganda. Give them encouragement and faith to walk in your ways. May they feel your presence with them. In Jesus, Amen
    SM D - USA
  • Father God, I am thankful for Pastor Li Juncai and his courage and faithfulness to you in the midst of this strong persecution. Please protect him in prison and bless him and his family. Lord let your good news spread throughout China bringing many to faith in Jesus. Let the gospel be heard far and wide. I pray that you will give blessing and strength.
    Julia F - USA
  • Dear Lord, thank You for Pastor Li Juncai and these other believers. Keep them safe and give them wisdom and courage for each situation they face. Strengthen their faith in the face of persecution. Soften the hearts of their persecutors so that they too may know the love of Jesus and focus on eternal life--not just life on earth.
    Betty A - USA
  • In the loving name of Jesus, our heavenly Father, the Great Shepherd, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we praise You for faithfulness of Pastor Li and church. We ask that You will shepherd them and they will shepherd others. We ask that a hedge of protection be on them and angels directly from heaven minister to them. Amen.
    Gary F - USA
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