Pray for China
Ancient walls and towers that stretch thousands of kilometres across northern China.
Photo: Severin.stalder, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
About China
The capital is Beijing. People speak Mandarin Chinese. Many people hold no formal religion, and others follow Chinese folk traditions, Buddhism, Christianity or Islam.
Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.
Prayer briefing for China
Last updated November 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.
Current events
On 22 October a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near Nagqu in Tibet, killing at least 16 people, injuring 76 and bringing down at least 339 homes. More than 5,000 rescuers were sent, more than 12,000 people were moved to safety, and tents, prefabricated homes and winter clothing were delivered in freezing temperatures. From 26 to 29 October the Communist Party Central Committee met in Beijing for a plenum on strengthening party discipline, ahead of the national party congress expected in autumn 2027.
We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.
Leadership and politics
China is a one-party state led by the Chinese Communist Party. Xi Jinping is the President and the party General Secretary, and has led since 2012. Li Qiang is the Premier. The October plenum is the fifth since the current Central Committee was formed in 2022, and the next national party congress, held twice a decade, is expected in 2027.
We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.
Economic health
The economy grew about 4.7% in the first half of 2026, but growth slowed to about 4.3% in the second quarter, the slowest pace since late 2022. Retail sales are growing only slowly and investment fell in the first half. Officials speak of strong supply and weak demand. Unemployment among young people in cities rose to about 19% in August, the highest in a year.
We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.
Social and cultural issues
China is home to more than 1.4 billion people. About nine in ten are Han Chinese, and the state recognises 55 minority peoples, among them the Zhuang, Uyghur and Hui peoples. Many young graduates are struggling to find work. Minority peoples, including Uyghurs and Tibetans, face close controls on their language, culture and faith, according to international reports.
We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.
Spiritual landscape
Most people in China do not belong to a religion. In a 2018 national survey about one in ten adults said they had a religious affiliation, and about 7% did in 2021. About a third of adults say they believe in Buddha or Buddhist deities, and folk traditions such as honouring ancestors are widely kept. Estimates of Christians vary widely, from about 20 million to more than 90 million. There are about 17 million Muslims.
We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.
Religious freedom
Religious life is shaped by the state policy known as the Sinicization of religion. In 2026 the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said conditions had not improved and again recommended Country of Particular Concern status. Unregistered house churches face closures and detentions. In October 2025 the founder of Zion Church and 17 other church leaders were detained, and the founder was later released and left China in July 2026. Open Doors ranks China 17th on its 2026 World Watch List.
We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.
Historical wounds
In the 1800s the Opium Wars and the unequal treaties that followed left lasting pain. Japan occupied Manchuria in 1931 and invaded the rest of China in 1937, and the war brought immense suffering until 1945. After the civil war the People's Republic was founded in 1949. The famine that followed the Great Leap Forward from 1958 cost around 30 million lives, and the Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976 brought a decade of violence and upheaval.
We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.
Let us pray together
Our Father, we come to You together for China. Comfort and protect families hit by the earthquake in Tibet, and give shelter, warmth and help to all who need it. Give wisdom, integrity and justice to those in authority as they meet and plan for the years ahead. Provide work for young people and daily bread for every family. Protect minority peoples and the vulnerable, and bring peace between all who live in this land. Draw many hearts to Your hope and truth. Keep believers safe, give courage to those who face pressure, and grant freedom to worship. Heal the wounds of war, famine and upheaval, and lead the nation in forgiveness and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sources
- Daily Sabah: earthquake kills 16, injures 76 in Tibet as rescue continues (Oct 2026)
- Outlook India: Xi tightens party discipline at plenum ahead of 2027 congress (Oct 2026)
- Reuters via Internazionale: Central Committee plenum set for 26 to 29 October (Sept 2026)
- Inside Asian Gaming: China GDP grows 4.3% in Q2 (July 2026)
- Trading Economics: China youth unemployment (Aug 2026)
- ChinaAid: USCIRF 2026 Annual Report on China (2026)
- Church Times: Pew Research on religion in China (Sept 2023)
More ways to pray
PrayerCast shares short prayer videos for the nations. Watch its video for China and pray along.
Watch the PrayerCast video for China
It opens on prayercast.com in a new tab. If it does not open the page for China, search for the nation on PrayerCast.
Is something on this page not right? Tell us
Share a prayer request for China
Is there something you would like us to pray for in China? Tell us, and we will pray with you. You choose whether we may publish it or keep it private.