Pacific Rim Prayer Emphasis for January 2006 –
Ethnic Chinese of Cambodia

“How long, O men, will you turn My glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself; the LORD will hear when I call to Him.” Psalm 4:2-3, NIV.

Most (85%) of the ethnic Chinese in Cambodia live in large urban areas like Phnom Penh. They highly value education and are seen by the greater culture as disciplined, rich, and powerful. Most of the Chinese are middle to upper middle income and fill a wide range of employment niches within Cambodia’s economy. The Chinese mainly call themselves Buddhist, but in practice they follow the rites of ancestor worship. Less than 1% of the 350,000 Chinese living in Cambodia are followers of Jesus.

The Cambodian Chinese greatly fear death. Their funeral rituals last for seven days. Descendants of the deceased burn a paper house at the burial site to ensure a prosperous after-life. The rural poor will often make their own house to burn. In Phnom Penh, a specialty shop makes intricate house models ranging from simple two-storey houses to elaborate villas with Mercedes parked outside. These and other burial rites underscore the key cultural values of filial piety (honoring parents and elders) and ancestor worship.

The two largest dialects among the Cambodian Chinese are Cantonese and Teochew - both of which have the Jesus Film and Bible translations available.

Pray that:

The Lord will call out workers with a heart to reach the ethnic Chinese of Cambodia.

Thousands of intercessors will labor for the souls of Chinese in Cambodia until a church planting movement sweeps across this people group.

Stereotypes of power and wealth will not keep believers from seeing the physical and spiritual needs of the Cambodian Chinese.

The abundance of Christian materials available will allow believers to broadly sow the gospel among the Chinese in Cambodia.

Christ’s life giving power will break the great fear of death among these Chinese people.

The Chinese will see that being a follower of Jesus includes honoring their fathers and mothers.

Many Chinese believers will become burdened to share the gospel with the Cambodian Chinese.

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