April Prayer Calendar

The April Prayer Calendar for the people of Yueyang, China is available for viewing and download. Please take a minute to download this month’s calendar and to print it out and post somewhere where you will be reminded daily to pray for the people of Yueyang!

The beginning of April marks the “Tomb Sweeping Day” holiday (清明节) in China.

For the Chinese, it is a day to remember and honor one’s ancestors at grave sites. Young and old pray before the ancestors, sweep the tombs and offer food, tea, wine, chopsticks, (joss) paper accessories, and/or libation to the ancestors. The rites are very important to most Chinese and especially farmers. Some people carry willow branches with them on Qingming, or put willow branches on their gates and/or front doors. They think that willow branches help ward off the evil ghosts that wander on Qingming. Also on Qingming, people go on family outings, start the spring plowing, sing, dance, and Qingming is a time where young couples start courting.

For Christians in Yueyang, holidays that involve ancestor worship and other animistic superstitions and practices present a difficult challenge.  The pressure to show respect and love for one’s family without violating their Christian conviction to only worship the Most High God is intense.  Please remember your brothers and sisters in Yueyang who are facing these challenges right now.  Ask that this challenge might turn into an opportunity for the gospel to be proclaimed and for the Kingdom to grow!

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Prayer makes a difference. Will you be involved?