JAN 31 | CHONGQING
Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown. – Mark 4:20
Chongqing, located in southwest China, has a long history tracing back to the ancient Ba Kingdom, which existed during the Zhou Dynasty (11th century–256 BCE). It later became a key strategic and trade hub during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Chongqing served as the provisional capital of China during World War II, from 1938 to 1946, and played a vital role in the resistance against Japanese aggression. It was heavily bombed but remained a symbol of resilience.
Today, Chongqing is a major economic center in western China. It has become a manufacturing hub, producing more automobiles than any other Chinese city. Also manufactured in Chongqing are motorcycles, mobile phones, and laptops. Its rapid industrial growth has been driven in part by the Three Gorges Dam. However, like many Chinese cities, migration from rural areas has led to a noticeable wealth disparity, with nearly a million low-wage workers earning an average of 50 yuan ($6.85) a day.
Culturally, Chongqing is renowned for its fiery spirit, reflected in its signature hotpot cuisine and bold flavors. The city blends traditional Chinese heritage with modern urban development, featuring historic sites like Ciqikou Ancient Town and the Dazu Rock Carvings alongside its dramatic skyline and vibrant nightlife. Its unique geography, surrounded by rivers and mountains, has shaped its identity as a city of resilience and innovation.
Church growth in Chongqing is steady, solid, and significantly faster than even the rapid
population growth of this booming region.
HOW YOU CAN PRAY
- Pray for continued Christian outreach and presence in this spiritually needy city.
- Church growth in Chongqing is steady, solid, and significantly faster than even the rapid population growth of this booming region. Pray that God will raise up strong spiritual leaders and stable, mature believers who are desperately needed for a city in flux.
- Pray for those who reach out to this city’s younger generation. Pray they can come up with effective, relevant and engaging materials and programs to help the next generation remain rooted in faith.
