Midland, Texas – Dr. Bob Fu, founder and president of ChinaAid, has launched a 7-day prayer challenge calling on believers worldwide to join him in one-minute daily prayers for China. The initiative coincides with President Donald Trump’s scheduled May 14–15, 2026, summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The challenge, announced through ChinaAid’s social media, invites participants to pray for persecuted Christians, specific prisoners of conscience, and the two world leaders. “One minute a day can unite believers around the world in hope, faith, and compassion,” Fu stated in the campaign launch. 

Ongoing Challenges to Religious Freedom 

China remains designated a Country of Particular Concern by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in its 2026 Annual Report for systematic violations of religious freedom. The report, alongside documentation from ChinaAid and human rights monitors, highlights continued surveillance, arrests of underground church members, and restrictions on independent faith communities. 

China’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religious belief, yet official policy emphasizes “sinicization,” requiring religious groups to align with Communist Party ideology. Implementation has led to documented gaps, including pressure on house churches and detention of leaders. 

Cases Highlighted in the Prayer Challenge:

• Day 1: Pastor John Cao’s healing (long-time friend of Fu, previously imprisoned for gospel ministry). 
• Day 2: Release of Gao Zhisheng, the human rights lawyer who disappeared since August 2017—now missing for nearly nine years. ChinaAid and international advocates continue pressing for answers. 
• Day 3: Strength for Pastor Ezra Jin of Zion Church, Elder Li Yingqiang and Pastor Wang Yi of Early Rain Covenant Church, and other house church leaders facing surveillance and detention. 
• Day 4–5: Wisdom for Presidents Trump and Xi, plus salvation for Xi Jinping. 
• Day 6: Release for Dr. Wang Bingzhang, a U.S./Canadian permanent resident imprisoned since 2002. 
• Day 7: Protection for citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, rearrested in 2024 and resentenced to four years in September 2025 on charges of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” 

Dr. Fu’s Call to Action

Fu, who fled China as a religious refugee in 1997 and founded ChinaAid in 2002, has testified before Congress and USCIRF on these issues for over two decades. The challenge frames prayer as a non-political response rooted in Scripture’s call to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2). 

A Global Invitation

As the Trump-Xi summit approaches, the 7-day series—shared via short videos— encourages viewers to comment “AMEN,” tag friends, and share within church networks. ChinaAid reports that consistent, focused prayer has historically mobilized international attention to individual cases.

How to Participate Join the 7-Day Prayer Challenge and follow along for critical updates from China: 

• X: https://x.com/chinaaid 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChinaAidAssociation
• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/chinaaid/ 

Write a letter to a prisoner in China: https://chinaaid.org/write/ 

The organization urges subscribers to its newsletter and supporters to contact elected representatives on verified religious freedom initiatives. 

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