Zhang Yi-Nan

Mr. Zhang Yi-Nan:

"A man nothing like me."

Mr. Zhang Yi-nan is a Christian. Boy, would I love for that to be said of me! Let me tell you why. You see, I am a Christian. I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. I witness to others sometimes, I pray with others often, I even have a "house church" in my home, like Mr. Zhang Yi-nan did, but . . . I am nothing like Mr. Zhang Yi-nan. Let me tell you about him.

Mr. Zhang Yi-nan was arrested in China recently. His crime: he kept a prayer journal. He prayed that "the atheistic strongholds in China would be destroyed". His crime was prayer! Mr. Zhang Yi-nan did not pray my typical "God bless my family" prayer that I utter as I hurry to get my family up and running for the day. Mr. Zhang Yi-nan prayed earnestly for his country. He did not plant bombs or advocate for anyone to do so. He prayed and he prayed earnestly. He prayed everyday and he prayed for a long time. He prayed with his family and he wrote down what he prayed for. When he was arrested, his prayer journals were confiscated - he had more than one - I am assuming the Chinese officials took boxes of prayer journals from his home. My prayer journal is composed of exactly one and one half small spiral notebooks, the latest of which has not been written in since September! I am nothing like Mr. Zhang Yi-nan!

What if I prayed as fervently for my country as Mr. Zhang Yi-nan prayed for his? I would certainly not be imprisoned as he was, but would it not have made a difference? What if we all prayed as fervently as Mr. Zhang Yi-nan? What would happen to America? to China? to the World? Oh, Lord, change my heart so I pray as fervently as Mr. Zhang Yi-nan! Change all of our hearts and rescue Mr. Zhang Yi-nan from the labor camp and provide for his family as long as he is imprisoned.

The Lord says, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14). Also, in James 5:16, He says, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." The Lord even tells Israel to pray for the nation that took them into exile in Jeremiah 29:7: "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." And finally, 1 Timothy 2:1-3, says: "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior." This is what Mr. Zhang Yi-nan was doing. He was not inciting people to riot or to plant bombs. He prayed that the hearts of the leaders in China would be changed. Let me be as faithful as Mr. Zhang Yi-nan! Pray for him and pray for our Nation and pray for China, Israel, all the nations of the World. Jesus can make a difference in all these nations. Look what He has done in your heart!

To read more about Mr. Zhang Yi-nan visit the Voice of the Martyrs web site at: http://www.persecution.com/news/index.cfm?action=fullstory&newsID=290

To get personally involved with Mr. Zhang Yi-nan's case, here is contact information:

The Chinese embassy in Washington DC can be contacted at:

Ambassador Yang Jiechi

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China

2300 Connecticut Ave NW

Washington DC 20008

Tel:(202) 328-2500 Fax:(202) 588-0032

Director of Religious Affairs: (202) 328-2512

Email: chinaembassy_us@fmprc.gov.cn

Finally, here's what the Chinese government said about Mr. Zhang Yi-nan: “Zhang doesn’t have a criminal problem. He has a mind problem. He is too superstitious.” To the Chinese leaders Mr. Zhang Yi-nan is "crazy" - let's all get that "crazy" today as you pray for him! May God bless you all!

29 Sep 2005 Update: Mr. Zhang Yi-nan has been released.

~Gary~