Prayer Request 4/26 -- 5/2

Tuesday
College students are worshipping at Beijing’s “Sleeping Buddha Temple” (“wo fu shi” which in Mandarin sounds similar to “office”) to seek divine blessing for employment after universities. Nearly 50 % of college grads (estimated 1 million) will not find jobs immediately and join the mass of unemployed millions. The first week of May is the national long holiday, nearly all the universities will have student retreats. Let us pray for their safety and preparing young believers whose devotion for the Lord will not wane after graduation .

Wednesday
China refuses to apologize for weeks long of anti-Japan riots. Tens of thousands demanded boycott of Japanese products in many cities. Prime ministers from Japan and China will meet in Indonesia to discuss the recent deterioration of relationship. We take this time to pray for all the churches and believers in Japan. Japan ranks as one of the least evangelized nation in the world. Let us pray for raising up of Chinese nationals willing to go to Japan as missionaries .

Thursday
Marriage introduction service is a huge business. In Nanjing, there are thousands of such businesses fighting to tap the city’s 400,000 divorcees and nearly 1 million marriageable young people. But, only 170 are legally registered. Young people now look for mates in bars, coffee houses, Internet café and clubs. For Christians, finding a believing mate is often difficult, because female out numbers males.
Let us remember all those who seek to God’s will in selecting their future mate and especially those who remain single to serve the Lord .


Friday
Government used 30 million Yuan (3.6 million USD) from the lottery proceeds to fund 84 homes for homeless children in 2004. These homes provide temporary shelter. There is an estimated 150,000 such children, ranging from 10-15 years old, coming from impoverished villages and are universally illiterate. Let us pray for some believers who will be moved to reach out to this forgotten population with the love of God.

Saturday
A survey of those who were born in the “1980’s” revealed that 97.2 % “plan to marry” and the average age of “planning to have a child” is 29.7 years old. About half said, that having a child adds “enjoyment to family life”. Believers with small children, often find no accommodation or program for the children in church. One hardly sees small children in church meeting. Let us pray for this usual phenomenon and the lack of children care.

Sunday
Young people with drug addiction have suddenly become a major social problem. Five ways youth are tempted to start drug use, “one try will not cause addiction”, “free sample”, “improve health”, “status symbol” and even “weight loss”. Police recorded 850,000 cases in 2000, 80% was young offender. Let us pray for what churches can do to combat this social ill. We too remember several Christian drug rehabilitation programs in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Monday
Nearly 4 of 15 millions Beijing residents are from other places. A survey shows that 2/3 said their “lives improved” and 1/2 consider the capital as “open and tolerant” despite of low wages and less-than-satisfactory housing. Only 26% consider Beijing as “cocky and inhospitable”. Beijing churches have experience growth in recent years. But, churches remain mostly confined to well educated. Let us pray for more churches opening their doors to minggongs and those who immigrated to the cities.

星期二
北京的臥佛寺因音似英文的公務員 “Office”而廣受高校生的膜拜，希望沾點福氣能在大學畢業後順利找到工作。約有近50%的畢業生(據估有一百萬人)畢業後將因無法立即找到事做而成待業青年，加入新失業群的行列中。五月第一個星期是全國長假，幾乎所有大學都有學生退修營會，讓我們為青年信徒禱告，求主保守他們的安全也裝備青年信徒向主委身，畢業後不致流失，靈命繼續進深。

星期三
許多城市仍有上萬的群眾示威遊行，抵制日貨，中國政府拒絕為反日遊行向日本道歉，兩國總理將會晤於印尼處理日漸惡化的兩國關係。讓我們特別為日本的所有教會和信徒禱告，日本人不易接受基督信仰，被列為福音硬土之一。求主的真理與恩典能澆透人心，也感動更多中國人回應神國度的呼召，願意到日本宣教。

星期四
在中國，開婚姻介紹所是個熱門行業。南京市有170多家各式婚介所搶食市埸上40萬離異人口和1百萬未婚適齡青年的大餅，其中僅有不到10家擁有合法的執照，其餘皆為「黑市」，服務品質堪憂。現在年輕人流行到酒吧、茶吧、網吧和俱樂部找對象。在教會中姊妹的人數遠超過弟兄，要想覓得主內佳婿很不易。讓我們記念所有願意在擇偶上尋求神旨意的肢體。

星期五
民政部於2004年籌集福利彩票公益金3千萬元，資助了84個流浪兒童救護機構。這些庇護所成為街頭流浪兒童暫時安身的避風港，據估全國有15萬這類的流浪兒，他們普遍是文盲，年齡都在10至15歲之間，來自經濟落後的農村地區。 讓我們禱告神能特別施恩憐憫，興起更多有負擔的肢體，願意秉承神的大愛照管這批迷路的羊群。

星期六
一份針對「80年代人」的調查指出：97.2%的人打算結婚，要孩子的平均年齡是29.7歲。一半的人生育孩子的目的是「增添家庭的生活情趣」，傳統的「養兒防老」觀念遠遠落在第6位。國內有幼小孩童的信徒在教會中往往找不到相關的兒童看顧和主日學活動，聚會幾乎看不到幼小孩子。讓我們為此普遍的缺乏仰望神，求主親自開啟育苗固本的聖工。

星期日
青少年吸毒問題已成世界級的危機。毒販引誘無知青少年的五大毒招分別是「吸一兩次不會上癮」、「免費嘗試」、「吸毒治病」、「吸毒是有錢人的標幟」、甚至「吸毒可以減肥」。2000年登記有案的吸毒人數有85萬之眾，83.6%是青少年，有的還不到10歲。求神感動眾教會有愛心和策略參與「反毒爭戰」，成為防堵社會破口的勇士。讓我們也為香港、臺灣許多戒毒更生事工禱告。

星期一
北京1千500萬人當中，將近400萬是外來人口。据民調顯示，有2/3外來戶表示生活改善了；縱使工資低、住屋條件差，仍有1/2認為首都是個「開放和寬容」的城市。僅有26%覺得北京人「神氣活現、不友善」。近年來北京的教會成長很多，但絕大多數會眾是受過良好教育的菁英群，讓我們為這些蒙福的肢體禱告，願主感動更多教會能敞開神家的大門，為主接待也是祂所鍾愛的民工群和外來戶。

Prayer Request 4/19 -- 4/25

Tuesday
Severe frost and wind gust caused severe agricultural damage in Xinjiang, where grapes, melons and cotton are most famous. There are 8 million Turkish-speaking Muslims residing in Xinjiang. The East Turkistan Islamic Movement, a little known Uighur exile group, is listed as a terrorist group by China and USA. Recent government efforts to eliminate the terrorist activities have caused strain in this area of predominantly Muslim minorities. We covet your prayer for all the outreach effort to the students and the safety of all the converts .

Wednesday
The stereotype of Chinese teenagers is one of emphasis on discipline and academic excellence. But, government warns that majority of the rural children, especially those left behind in the country and whose parents work in the cities, these troubled teenagers, have become the “No schools, no accomplishment and no jobs”. Rural churches in China face the big challenge of losing the younger generation and are unable to offer any substantive program for the younger ones. Let us pray for this great need .

Thursday
Yearly, nearly 10,000 Chinese are sentenced to death, and about 3000 are executed. “How much of crime mandates the death sentence?” In the past, the punishment for corruption and bribery has been one-year sentence for every 10,000 yuans (1,250USD). Recent cases of wrongly executed cases have rekindled the debate of the death sentence. Resentment toward corruption is widespread and the public demands justice and order. Jesus died for all of our sins, demonstrated His mercy. Let us pray for all those who are incarcerated, for an opportunity for them to know the God who forgives

Friday
After 25 years of United Nations sponsored food aid to China, the last shipment of grain arrived in China last weekend. China has become the largest producer of grain, but also the largest exporter of many kinds of foodstuffs. Recent revelation that 3000 tons of moldy corn entered the general food supply stunned the public. Let us pray for the churches undergoing destruction by the cults, and also that China will soon become the exporter of “Bread of Life” by sending workers abroad .

Saturday
Ads featuring “Repair of Hymen” and “Natural Restoration of Virginity” are common in Chinese media. The popularity of such procedures or products, especially targeting high school and college students, underscore a paradoxical social trend and moral standard. The widespread teen and premarital casual sex is epidemic. Once again, we pray for the guarding of hearts and the will to refuse to compromise among young believers.

Sunday
Buying antiques is a risky proposition in China. Few items are ever as old as the buyer thinks or the seller claims. An archeologist in Sichuan University spent 400,000 yuans on 75 antiques, which all turned out to be fake. Many churches encounter the problem of visiting teachers that teach false doctrines and cause division. We call for your prayers for the countless churchese victimized and still not recovering.

Monday
Heroin abuse has become an epidemic among the ethnic minorities in Yunnan. Young people from ages 17-36, constitute nearly 3/4 of all addicts. AIDS is now a serious problem, with all 3 kinds of transmission modes, sexual, maternal-children and heroin abuse. Ethnic minorities have been receptive to the Gospel, but nearly all the churches are impoverished and lack workers. Let us pray for all the community relief, especially the need for HIV awareness and training of leadership in this region .



星期二
新疆吐魯番以盛產葡萄、瓜果和棉花馳名，該地發生10級大風和霜凍災害，農作損失慘重。新疆八百萬回民講突厥話，維吾爾分離組織「東突厥斯坦伊斯蘭運動」已被中國和美國列為暴力恐怖組織。目前反恐措施造成回教少數民族和政府關係日趨緊張。讓我們迫切為當地所有的學生事工和信徒安全禱告。

星期三
「勤學守規矩」是一般人對中國青年的印象。但是對父母到城市打工，散居農村的廣大留守青少年來說，疏於親人管教，大多數淪為無學上、無業就、無事做的所謂「三無」問題少年，成為頭疼的社會問題。農村教會普遍面臨流失年輕一代信徒的困境，針對此留守青少年的特殊需要，也無相對應事工。讓我們為此屬靈斷層恆切禱告，求主賜給眾肢體充足的智慧和能力，群策群力培植敬虔的後裔。

星期四
中國每年有10萬人被判死刑，3,000人被處死。「犯多重的罪才判死刑？」過去對貪污賄賂判刑是以每1萬人民幣，判一年為準。近來發現多起已伏刑的錯判冤案，再度燃起對量刑標準的爭議。基於痛恨貪污腐敗，人們冀望社會能建立起公義和秩序。耶穌為所有人的罪而死，彰顯神對世人的憐憫，讓我們為所有在監獄的人禱告，求神讓他們能有機會聽到赦罪得永生的福音。

星期五
聯合國對中國貧民25年的糧食援助，終於劃上句號，最後一船糧援已於上週運抵。中國是世界最大榖物輸出國，但也是各類食品的最大輸入國。最近3,000噸玉米因倉儲管理不當而霉爛案引起大眾的非議。隨著經濟的大幅成長。求神潔淨霉腐教會日甚的異端，也呼召自己的工人回應，讓中國早日成為「生命糧」輸出大國，成為一個有能力「給」的國家。

星期六
「處女膜再生」，「童貞自然重建」一類的廣告，在傳媒上隨處可見。此類婦科手術和相關產品，特別鎖定高中和高校的學生為目標，突顯出詭誂的社會潮流和道德標準。今日年輕人之間性行氾濫，讓我們再次為年輕的弟兄姊妹禱告，求主保守心懷意念，不隨從流俗或私慾的牽引，願意堅守聖潔，過得勝的生活。

星期日
在中國買古玩的風險極大，少有貨品的年份賣家所宣稱的。四川大學的一位考古系教授花40萬人民幣買的75件古董，竟然全是贗品。許多教會都曾遭遇來訪的教師傳講謬誤的教義，甚至引起教會分裂。我們求神遏止這些假教師在教會中的攪擾，也求神賜眾信徒有分辨的靈，在神話語上紮下深根，能將麥子粺子區分出來。

星期一
毒品氾濫在雲南的少數民族當中，且吸毒人口有低齡化趨勢。有四分之三的嗜毒者屬於17到36歲青壯年，嚴重危害社會生產力。當地的愛滋病蔓延也相當嚴重，經由性行為、孕婦傳染新生兒和吸毒等傳播模式，使防治工作更加困難。雖然當地少數民族頗能領受福音，但教會在人力和物資上非常缺乏。讓我們為雲南整個區域來禱告，特別是HIV的防治和教會領袖陪訓事工的需要。

Prayer Request 4/12 -- 4/18

Tuesday
Japan’s bid to be a permanent U.N Security Council member and the recent revision of Japanese school textbooks that “whitewashed” her WWII military campaigns. China is Japan’s largest trading partner. But, China has a love-hate relationship with Japan, enjoying Japanese electronics but deeply suspicious of its onetime aggressor. The same is true for Korea. In order for the Chinese churches to engage in cross-cultural mission, it has to come to terms with this deep-rooted resentment of its neighbor. Let us pray for divine healing .

Wednesday
In a campaign to promote a more “civilized” society, several coastal cities have promoted cremation and have achieved nearly a 80% rate. The government now forbids the formation of funeral processions and caravans. Only simple funeral arrangements are encouraged. Only the memorial services of the pastors are held in church. Usually, believers gather at homes for funeral service for their loved ones. Let us pray that even in these settings, the Gospel maybe shared and witnessed to their unbelieving families .

Thursday
Chinese Catholics held services for Pope John Paul II while the official media ignored the death entirely, except for its protest of Taiwan’s President attending the funeral in Rome. China’s Catholics were ordered to severe ties with the Vatican in 1951. Official count of Chinese Catholics is 4 millions, but 12 million more are believed to worship underground. In China, the same officials rule over all religions. Let us pray for favor and sympathy for all the churches that are not registered .

Friday
The government says that 4000 couples divorce daily which is an increase of 282,000 over 2003. In the past two years the divorce rate has increased by 20% a year. Experts say that the changing social dynamic, lowering of moral standard and a severe lack of marriage counseling are some of the reasons for this problem. Divorce among believers has seen an equally rapid increase as well. Let us remember the four thousand families that are newly broken up as well as the single parents who are in the churches .

Saturday
In the Forbes Magazine, two Chinese made the list of new billionaires. The media is abuzz and fascinated with their rise to this astronomical wealth. Beijing alone boasts of forty-three Bentley super-luxury cars and Armani expects to open thirty stores in China to cater to the estimate 10-13 million high-end customers. The Chinese economy is expected to grow at 8% a year in the next five years. In general, Chinese believers have been behind in charitable giving. Let us pray for the raising up of Christian volunteerism and philanthropy .

Sunday
China has banned a sexy satire on Mao Zedong. The Novel “Serve the People” was Mao’s most famous slogan. During the Cultural Revolution, defacing Mao’s image was punishable by death. Even today, Mao’s image is used as a lucky charm for many Beijing taxicabs. The public display of the cross and of Jesus’ image means very little spiritually to the common Chinese. But, many believers mistakenly see the crucifix as a source of magical power. Let us pray for the true meaning of Jesus Christ to be made known among these believers.

Monday
According to the Vatican, China has 12 million Catholics. There are a total of 5200 nuns (1700 in underground churches) and 120 aging bishops (average 74 years old). The average age of pastors in China is probably about the same. They have experienced the trying time during the Cultural Revolution. We praise the Lord for their dedication and faithfulness. But let us pray for a smooth transition of leadership and the raising up of a new generation of Joshuas .

星期二
反日情緒繼續在中國和韓國白熱化。示威者反對日本成為聯合國安理會常任理事國，也抗議新編教科書篡改二次世戰日本侵略歷史。中國雖是日本最大的貿易伙伴，但對日本是既愛又恨，愛的是日本電器產品，又對這昔日的侵略者深具戒心，韓國人也持類似的態度。我們懇求主在裝備中國教會跨文化宣教時，能先拔除仇恨鄰舍的毒根，學主的樣式「免了別人的債」讓創傷得到神全然的醫治。

星期三
在一項名為「打造文明社會」的殯葬改革運動中，有些沿海城市提倡火葬率已高達 80%，政府現禁止奢豪的喪禮和出殯儀式，只允許舉辦簡單的葬禮。在教會中通常只有牧師主持的追悼會，信徒為所愛的亡者在家中聚會並行喪禮。讓我們禱告即使是在簡單葬儀中，神仍幫助信徒透過追思和感恩見證將福音分享給未信的親屬。

星期四
中國天主教徒們低調的為教宗若望保祿二世舉行了追思彌撒。官方媒體對教宗逝世消息並沒著墨，但顯著的報導抗議教廷同意臺灣總統出席追思彌撒的新聞，自1951年起，天主教徒被要求切斷和教廷的聯繫，據官方統計中國有4百萬的天主教徒，但實際上未公開的教徒高達有一千兩百萬以上。在新實施的宗教管理辦法，適行於所有其他的宗教。讓我們為所有未登記的教會禱告，求主施恩憐憫他們。

星期五
民政部統計每天平均有4,000對夫妻離異，比2003年增加2.8萬對。過去兩年來，離婚率以20%的增幅攀升。專家表示 - 社交結構的改變、道德輿論力量式微和缺乏婚姻諮詢輔導是關係破裂的主要原因。信徒間的離婚率也迅速的提升，讓我們為肢體們能堅守盟約，尊重神設聖潔祭壇來禱告，也記念婚姻失敗的家庭，願教會能有愛心和策略來關懷幫助。

星期六
有兩名中國人躋身富比士雜誌億萬首富排行榜，媒體競相報導他們的迅速崛起與傲人的財富。預計未來五年中國經濟將以每年8%速度持續成長。看準國人超強的購買力，北京車商推出43輛勞司萊斯豪華車，著名的亞曼尼精品店也打算在中國開第30家分店。與財富能力相較而言，中國信徒在愛心施予方面落後許，讓我們為基督徒在生活中能有好施憫人的好見証禱告。

星期日
政府查禁了一部以嘲諷毛澤東的風流性史小說。小說題為「為人民服務」乃毛最出名的政治口號。在文革期間，不尊敬毛的肖像甚至會被處死，如今毛主席像仍是許多北京出租汽車最愛的幸運符。十字架和耶穌像在公眾場合也常見，但對一般人來說少有屬靈的義意。對很多信徒而言又誤認十字架含有神奇法力。讓我們禱告信徒能正確體認耶穌基督救恩的真理，注重靈命的進深和生活的操練。

星期一
根據梵蒂岡的資料，中國目前有1千200萬天主教徒，5,200個修女，(其中1,700人屬地下教會)和120位平均74高齡的老主教。基督教牧師平均年齡也與天主教神父相若，他們共通之處都曾在文革命中遭嚴峻試煉，我們為老傳道人們的堅忍委身和屹立不搖的信心讚美主。求主呼召更多如約書亞般新一代的傳道人出來，承續福音的大使命。

Prayer Requeat 4/ 5 --4 /11

Tuesday
The offical Three-self Catholic Church had a memorial service for the deceased Pope John Paul II. Most Chinese do not pay much attention to the death of the Pope. The news media in China also take it as ordinary news. Nowadays, there are 6000 Catholic churches and 1600 Catholic priests in China. Many western countries were found on the foundation of Jesus Christ. When the Chinese long for the culture of the western countries, let us pray that God also lets them see the benefits of believing in Jesus Christ and abolish the idea that Christianity is a western religion.

Wednesday
The protest in Shenzhen began as a signature campaign but turned into a march when dozens took to the streets chanting "Oppose Japan's membership of the U.N. Security Council" and "Boycott Japanese goods. Demonstrators broke into some of the Japanese owned supermarkets. A company in Beijing also refused to process the applications to study in Japan. Animosity toward Japan has risen to new highs recently. Christ calls us to forgive. Let us pray for the strength of churches in this difficult lesson.

Thursday
To become an airline stewardess is the dream of many young girls in China. Recently a thousand people applied for only ninety positions. The starting monthly salary averages at about 200 yuan but can climb to 10,000 yuan for international flights. The aspirations and goals of a majority of young female believers can only be tied to the earth since they must work in a factory or be a housewife married most likely to a non-believer. Let us remember the millions of them, their faith in Christ and their future

Friday
Nearly 10% of China’s 1.3 billion people watch prime time soap operas. The government forced a censure of two episodes of “General Ma” because it prominently featured and glorified an extra-marital affair. Television plays a tremendous role in teaching morality and what is acceptable ethically. Believers take the same cues from secular media as well as non-believers. Let us pray for strong teaching and insistence on Biblical standards in the churches .

Saturday
Recently gas prices spiked all across China—only the second time since August 2004. The retail price of petroleum is set by the government, but the cost of public transportation has skyrocketed. Attending church means relying on congested public transportation for many. This can take up to hours and is discouraging to those who live far away. It is also difficult to attract people to attend week-day programs. Let us remember all the believers who must commute to church .

Sunday
China lifts its 50-year ban on student marriages. The legal marriage age is 22 and 20 for male and female respectively. In the mean time, in a campaign to strengthening moral fiber; all college students will get compulsory moral classes on Party ideology and moral beginning this September. Higher education is deemed as crucial but universities still treat students as children, requiring them to return to dorms by curfews, while discouraging dating and sex. Let us pray for all the campus ministries and those Christian students who strive to live out their lives witnessing Jesus Christ .

Monday
Half of the brides in China are now getting a diamond ring. This was unheard of before 1993 when De Beer Group promoted “Zuan shi heng jiu yuan, yi ke yong liu chuan” which is the Chinese equivalent of “A diamond is forever.” The average person spends $560 US for a diamond solitaire ring in China. Chinese brides have now dispensed with the traditional red dress in favor of white dresses. Let us pray for all the newly-wedded believers, praying for their commitment to each other and that they will make Jesus the Lord of their family forever.

星期二
官方的天主教愛國會、中國天主教主教團在北京爲教宗若望保祿二世舉行了追思彌撒。普通老百姓對教宗逝世並不關心，媒體也只有簡單的報導。目前中國各地有天主堂6000多座， 1600多位神父。許多西方國家以基督教精神為立國的基礎，中國人在嚮往西方文明的同時，求神讓他們也看見並且得到基督信仰的美好。讓我們為老百姓能改變對基督教為西方宗教的態度禱告。

星期三
為反對日本成爲安理會常任理事國，四川、深圳發生砸毀日本超市等反日遊行。北京一家留學公司也宣布拒辦赴日留學業務；全國各地也都有民眾進行簽名活動和示威，民間反日情緒再度升高，二次大戰所造成的傷痛迄今仍難沖淡。聖經教導我們愛仇敵，求神的愛與憐憫釋放因戰爭帶來的仇恨，讓我們為主內弟兄姊妹能夠有力量活出神的話語來禱告。

星期四
成為一名翱翔藍天的空服員是多數中國年輕女孩的夢想。當前本科空服員招生競爭激烈，上千人爭取九十個名額。國內的空服員平均月薪為200元人民幣，但國際航線則可高達10,000元。抱負和理想對大多數國內的姊妹而言只能牢牢拴在地面上。她們往往只能在工廠當女工或是家庭主婦，極大比例與不信的另一半共同生活。讓我們在禱告中記念她們，求主堅固她們的信心，並引領她們的未來的道路。

星期五
有近10%約1.3億中國人愛看黃金檔電視劇。中央電視臺當局迫令刪除了「馬大帥2」中的兩集，據說是由於主角的形象、背景和對婚外戀著墨過多。現今大眾傳媒在傳播通俗道德觀念和行為上為強大推手，連信徒們也無形中經由媒體接納了世俗的標準而悖離真道。讓我們禱告教會能有更紮實的教導，鼓勵肢體能堅守信仰真理，在社會上發揮光和鹽的功能。

星期六
最近一波的油價調漲已是自去年八月以來的第二次調價。雖然油品市價是由政府主導，但大眾交通運輸的費用已飛漲天高。國內信徒大都是仰賴公共交通工具，遠道的信徒不僅花時間往返更要負擔更高的費用，阻礙人們出席週間各項活動的意願。讓我們為這群肢體禱告，求主大大挑旺他們的信心，並充足供應他們的需要。

星期日
禁止在學學生結婚近50年歷史法規將被取消了。合法婚齡的下限是男子22歲、女子20歲。各地大學仍將其學生當小孩般管理，不鼓勵約會和嚴禁性行為，實施宵禁，並規定晚間必須準時返回宿舍。禁婚法規雖然將被取消，但從九月起所有大學生將強制上道德課程。讓我們為所有校園福音事工和大學生肢體禱告，求主保守他們能堅持聖潔的生活，為主耶穌作美好的見証。

星期一
中國人平均花560美金購買一個鑽戒。在1993年De Beer 集團打響廣告詞「鑽石很久遠，一顆永流長」前，是沒有買鑽戒當結婚信物的習慣。現今中國半數以上的新娘子在結婚時要戴個鑽戒，也有越來越多人以白紗取代傳統的紅禮服。讓我們為所有新婚的信徒禱告，願他們建立家庭的祭壇，堅守誓言彼此委身，永遠尊耶穌為一家之主。