Prayer Request 5/31--6/6

Tuesday
Government gives a big push for the wider use of personal check writing. Much of the private Chinese economy depends on cash, with the largest denomination of 100 yuans (about 12 USD). However, it has imposed heavy fines to discourage abuses. The use of check requires faith and trust in the system, which the common folks are not accustomed to. Recently, many house churches have been invited and promised to register as opened-church. Let us pray also for the dilemma and the decision they are struggling with .

Wednesday
Vietnamese is the daily language in Dongkang, southern Taiwan, a fishing town. So many fishermen here married Vietnamese, who know little Chinese. Vietnamese is widely spoken by children and women while the men go away fishing. Like Dongkang, many Taiwanese cities have very elaborated temples and idols worship rituals. Many have no believers at all. Let us pray for those who faithfully sew the seeds in these “hardened” soils and for the new opportunities to reach those Vietnamese wives .

Thursday
9 million children under age 14 (about 3% of Chinese children) are handicapped. Polio, blindness or mute are the leading causes. Few schools can accommodate such children. Discrimination leaves families with handicapped children with little education options. Churches are equally ill-equipped to minister families with handicapped children. A few believers have adopted the homeless handicapped children in Guangzhou and Xian. Jesus reached out repeatedly to those who had suffering children. Let us pray for this great need .

Friday
A reporter for the Southern City News (Guangzhou) was savagely beaten and had 2 fingers chopped off. The violent act sparked outcries for this progressive newspaper which often features exposés on corruptions and social injustices. Chinese insurance companies rank miners, policemen and reporters, respectively as the most hazardous professions. Let us also remember all believers who are still suffering persecution for their conviction to be faithful to the Lord .

Saturday
Juvenile delinquency is rising alarmingly in all cities. Two obvious trends: more violent, rape and robbery. Ever younger in age. Typically, 75% are youth are from rural regions, “having nothing to do, and with nothing to lose.” There are non-Chinese Christians who run shelters for these homeless and delinquent youth in several cities. Let us pray for their ministries and the especially many youth who have attended church with their parents but no longer attend .

Sunday
Bribery by sex has become a rampant problem, though vehemently denounced by the Party Chairman repeatedly, yet, it seems the problems worsened daily. With 60% of officials having “er nai”—mistress, it is now a symbol of success rather than a scorn. The problem of the society reflects in churches too. While we need to pray for those who rule, we too, pray for guarding of heart of all believers and even all the pastors and church leaders .

Monday
College cost has skyrocketed recently, pricing out mostly potential rural students. In Jilin province, average farmer earns 3000 yuans, while the yearly college cost is 12,000. 1 in 3 students give up further education because of the financial concern. Few rural church workers have education beyond high schools. Let us pray for the education of all workers, especially those who need assistance to enter into seminaries and Bible schools .

星期二
政府大力推廣個體工商戶和個人支票，人民銀行也公布嚴厲的罰款來遏止空頭支票。目前國內大部份私人企業仍以現金交易爲主，紙鈔面值最高是100元人民幣(約12美元)。票據制度能否成功，取決於大眾對整個徵信制度的信任。現在許多教會需要面對政府要求公開登記並接受管理，求主賜下智慧給眾弟兄姊妹，在登記與不登記的抉擇間做出屬神心意的決定。

星期三
越南話成了南臺灣東港的主要的語言之一，該村有極高比例另一半是越南新娘。當父親出海捕魚，不會國語的母親只好對小孩子說越南話。臺灣各地有許多類似東港的城鎮，這些地方也是寺廟和偶像崇拜最嚴重的。讓我們為那些在「硬土」上忠心撒種的工人禱告，求主大能的恩雨鬆軟人心重見真光，興起特別事工回應這群外籍新娘的需要。

星期四
在中國0至14歲兒童中，殘疾兒童約900多萬人，占全國同齡兒童總數的2.66％。其中以小兒痳痺症、失明、失聰者居多 ，能提供殘障兒童所需的特殊教育屈指可數。這些家庭除了要承受照顧殘障兒的辛苦與歧視外，還要面對學習環境的不公。教會往往也無力支援輔導這些家庭。有少數信徒效法耶穌憐恤殘疾兒的榜樣，在廣東和西安收容街頭流浪殘疾兒童，讓我們為這廣大的需要禱告仰望主。

星期五
位於廣東的中國南方都市報記者遭毒打並被砍掉兩根手指。此暴力事件可能與該報一貫以激進作風批判揭發社會上許多貪汙腐敗、不法不公現象有關。由於近來攻擊記者事件急遽增加，中國保險公司已把記者業列爲警察和礦工之後的第三危險行業。神是恩慈公義的源頭，祂的眼目周察全地，讓我們為所有的弱勢群體禱告，也求主堅固為義受苦的肢體的信心。

星期六
近年國內各都市的未成年犯罪案持續增加，暴力、強暴、搶劫案件明顯增多，低齡化共犯多，重犯率高和外來者的比例高。75%的未成年犯是來自農村地區，過早進入了勞動力市場，處於所謂無書可讀、無業可就、無組織去管的“三無”狀態，最易誤觸法網。針對未成年的社會邊緣人，有些城市已有外國基督徒主持的青少年收容站，讓我們為這些事工和許多信徒所流失的年輕子弟禱告。

星期日
接受性賄賂已成為嚴重的社會問題，根據統計，有60%以上的領導幹部「包二奶」，包二奶不但不會被歧視，反而被視為成功的象徵。教會內的肢體也同樣面臨「包二奶」的誘惑。讓我們一起禱告，求主保守不叫人遇見試探，保守人的心甚過保守一切。

星期一
大學學費近年來大幅上漲，讓許多的農村子弟大喊吃不消。在吉林省，農民年平均收入是三千元，大學學費卻將近一萬兩千元，有1/3的農村子弟就因為學費問題而放棄學業。農村中許多肢體願意將自己獻上，至神學院或聖經學校受裝備，但是往往因為缺乏學位證明而困難重重，讓我們在禱告中記念這樣的情況，求神在乎召出自己的工人時，以喜樂與豐富的預備一步步的帶領。

Prayer Request 5/24 - 5/30

Tuesday
70% of Taiwanese look forward to the arrival of a pair of panda, as a gesture of friendship, resulted from recent visit of opposition parties’ leaders. Panda diplomacy has further divided the public toward the closer ties with the once arch enemy. Pandas’ habitats are mostly near Chengdu, Sichuan. Let us remember the churches here, less than 10,000. But, it once had a Christian orphanage until it was forced to close .

Wednesday
Beijing officials conceded defeat in their 20-year quest to use trees to block blinding Spring sandstorms from the Gobi desert. Millions of trees were planted across Inner Mongolia and Hebei province to the north, but unable to grow tall enough. The Communist Party has always espoused that man can conquer nature. Let us remember all the churches in Hebei and Inner Mongolia, though small but still vibrant .

Thursday
US imposed import restriction on cotton trousers, socks for men and boys, after the removal of the decades-old textile quotas on Jan 1. US claims there has been 1,500% increase in import, while China protests unfair free-trade practice. Trade friction and the pressure to float the Chinese currency will certainly increase. Let us remember all the missionaries and their financial support, which are all fixed in US dollars .

Friday
2/3 of young Chinese men believe their wives should work even his salary can support the entire family. The same percentage believes in prenuptial arrangement to protect one’s financial interest. Husband and wife both working fulltime are the norm. Pastor’s wives in China usually have a very limited role in member caring and ministry. Let us pray specifically for the marital relationship of all the church workers, pray for oneness in their love for the Lord .

Saturday
Every year, more than 5000 plus Chinese Muslims attend their once-in-a-lifetime Hajji. Last year, 3 from Gansu were among the 244 stampeded to death in Mecca. In recent years, more and more Chinese are participate in this month long journey. Muslims paid a great price for such honor and price to visit Mecca. Let us remember all those who risk their lives in defiance of governmental prohibition in sharing the Gospel among the Chinese Muslims .

Sunday
25,000 students returning from study abroad, a 25% increase from 2004 over previous year. At present, 617, 000 people are studying abroad and among them, 427,000 are pursuing higher degrees and as visiting scholars. “Haigui”, returning students who accepted Jesus abroad have started many fellowships in major cities or started their own churches. Let us pray for this new infusion of dedicated workers and the adjustment of their families .

Monday
There are 20 international schools in Shanghai, catering to children of foreign executives and nearly 50,000 “haigui”-returning Chinese. While these schools charges up to 20,000 USD a year. Government has started many public schools in several cities for the little haigui. Many of the little haigui come from Christian families. Returning to China is a huge adjustment for them. Let us remember their families and especially those who return for no other reasons other than sharing the Gospel at home .

星期二
中國媒體報導，有70%的台灣民衆期待國民黨主席訪問大陸時北京相贈熊貓來台。熊貓的原產地在四川成都附近的臥龍，這對溫訓的熊貓，被賦予化解敵對改善關係的重大任務。讓我們為當地將近萬的教會禱告，也記念由弟兄姊妹經營最近被關閉的一間孤兒院。

星期三
環境監測中心統計四月份北京的天空只有14天是藍色，政府承認推行20年的「造林防沙暴」效果不彰。是因為在內蒙和河北所栽種的樹木都未達到理想的高度，擋不住來襲的狂風沙。無神論的共產黨向來信奉「人定勝天」，讓我們為內蒙古和河北的所有教會禱告，他們雖為相對的少數，願他們天天能依靠神的大能，成為得勝的兒女。

星期四
美國政府宣佈對中國紡織品等進口產品重新設限。自從今年起取消了實行十年的紡織品配額後，紡織品進入美國的數量最多只能增長7.5％，中方則抗議此不公平的貿易。除了對輸美紡織品設限外，美國並施壓於人民幣，希望匯率升值，金融市場也預期匯率將會有有改變‧許多宣教士資助的來源為美元，人民幣升值相對的生活費就縮水了，我們除了求主豐富的供應宣教士們的需要外‧也記念在異地生活的適應。

星期五
調查發現，有2/3的上海人認爲，即使丈夫有能力養活全家，妻子仍然必需外出工作，同比例的人在觀念上也接受了婚前財産公證等以法律保障自身權益的作法。夫妻雙方都要工作，在國內是社會的常態。因為有一份正職的工作，國內師母通常對教會事奉和關懷能參與的有限。讓我們特別為教會同工婚姻和諧來禱告，求主保守他們合一的心志同承神恩，共負主軛。

星期六
每年都有五千以上的中國穆斯林遠赴麥加來實現一生一次「朝拜」的夢想。去年麥加因擁擠混亂而被踏死的244人中有3名是來自甘肅。有越來越多中國回教徒付出極高的代價來參加為期一個月的朝覲之旅。讓我們特別在國內回民間傳福音的同工禱告，他們必須承受種種限壓制，冒著生命危險來搶救靈魂，求主親自堅固保守他們的善工。

星期日
今年返國的留學生有25,000位，比去年同期增加了25%。目前有62萬人在國外留學，其中43萬人攻讀更高的學位或從博士後研究。許多在海外信主的「海歸」紛紛在國內各大城市中成立查經班或建立教會。讓我們為將回國報效國家的「準海歸」禱告，除了將新科技帶回國外，也願意在回國前受更多的裝備來堅固自己靈命，成為國內弟兄姊妹祝福的源頭。

星期一
上海有20多所國際學校提供給外商和將近5萬的海歸子女就讀。此類學校每年的收費是20,000美金，政府已在數個城市中為返國的小海歸成立國際學校。很多小海歸來自基督徒家庭，讓我們為他們在新環境的調適代禱，盼望他們職場的表現與家庭和諧能成為神美好見証。讓我們求主親自看顧他們家中大小的需要，尤其是當中一心要分享福音給骨肉同胞的肢體，願主厚厚賜福他們的擺上。

Prayer Request 5/17- 5/23

Tuesday
Police in Beijing are requiring all drug addicts in the city to register before June 10th or they will be forced to quit in a re-education camp. There is an estimated 26,000 drug addicts in the capital with only 4000 over the age of 35. The vast majority are teenagers. Drug abuse is not limited to cities but is also found in the villages. Many youth now consider the use of drugs as a status symbol. Let us pray for the churches and believers to do their part in this situation

Wednesday
In a recent survey of a large number of youths in Shanghai taken by the Party, they found that 40% of them approve of “extra marital affairs” and 40% also agree that “divorce is acceptable”. Only 20% are opposed to divorce. In many ways Shanghai leads China in its moral standards and the attitude of the youth in China is a good barometer of the thinking of China in the future. We need to diligently pray for the future of Chinese families and the urgent need for evangelism among young people there.

Thursday
Sixty unqualified universities received yellow cards from the Ministry of Education, which required them to restrict enrollment and increase spending on construction. There are 13.33 million college students in China—six times that of 1991. Eight million will take the college entrance exam this year—a million more than last year. There are usually several Bible study groups on each college campus. Invariably this is the first time a young person gets to know about Christianity. Let us remember this incredible outreach in prayer .

Friday
People in China smoke the most (16 cigarettes per person daily vs. 13). Eighty per cent of smokers there have no more than a high school education. The main reasons for smoking are for leisure, looking cool or for relaxing. China is the largest tobacco market in the world. While the government opposes tobacco advertisements, more women and youth now smoke. Again, we pray for all believers who struggle with this bondage .

Saturday
“How do the Party and Islam mix?” A government survey shows that 95% of the Hui minority party members in Gansu are involved in Islamic religious activities. The Communist Party allows certain practices which are “minority customs”. Those who participate in daily religious observances and “refuse to be educated” are expelled. Many Party members are secret believers in Jesus. They fear the exposure, that they will not receive promotions as well as a loss of retirement benefits. We take time to remember all of them and pray for their continuing trust and obedience to the Word .

Sunday
All children in China study the same textbooks, unified since 1951 and aimed to purge all feudal and Fascist ideologies from their minds. The content uniformly glorifies sacrifice for the greater good of the country and patriotism with ample examples of heroes and heroines. It is nearly impossible for a Chinese youth to have any contact with the Bible or the message of Jesus. Let us pray for the efforts of those who are doing child evangelism as well as those who are diligently working to train Sunday school teachers .

Monday
Although the coal miner has the most dangerous job of all, coal mining is at a feverish pitch in China with nearly 5 million people engaged in this job. Last year 6000 people died through accidental death with an equal number dying from chronic exposure in the mines. Due to the demand for production, safety remains merely lip-service. Many rural churches have believers who are families of miners. The lives of miners are harsh, full of spiritual darkness, and with little hope for improvement. Let us pray for people who will minister to the miners and their families. .


星期二
北京的公安部門要求全市所有吸毒者在六月十日前前往登記，否則強制集中勒戒。26,000吸毒者中僅有4,000人年紀超過35歲，大多為青少年。許多年輕人誤以吸食毒品為時尚標誌，濫用毒品情形在農村裡也相當普遍。求神感動眾教會和信徒願意為社會儆醒守望，用行動尋回迷失的羊群。

星期三
近日上海市委一項調查顯示：當代青年的婚戀觀漸趨開放。有40%受訪者對婚外戀持默認寬容的態度；對離婚這個敏感的話題，有41．8％的青年認爲「合則聚，不合則分，沒什麽」，僅有24.3 %的人反對離婚。上海青年觀念引領全國風騷，為解讀中國未來思想發展的晴雨表。我們恆切地為中國家庭的未來禱告。也為這些年輕下一代靈性的迫切需要仰望神的憐憫。

星期四
國內1,838所高校中有60所收到不合格的黃單警告，要求限制招生名額和增加擴建經費。目前全國有1,333萬大學生，是1991年的六倍。今年將有800萬人參加高考，比去年增加了100萬人。許多大學校園裡都有查經班等學生事工活動，無疑是年輕人第一次聽聞福音的機會。 讓我們用禱告托住這善工，求主親自記念祝福。

星期五
每天抽16支香煙的中國人是全世界抽煙最兇的民族(世界平均13支)。80 %煙民的教育程度在高中以下，大多數是男性，不過女性與青年抽煙人口正逐漸增加中。抽煙主要是爲了休閒、形象很酷以及放鬆情緒。中國是世界最大的煙草銷售市場，讓我們再次為所有陷入煙癮的信徒來禱告，求主賜下更新的靈，幫助他們掙脫捆綁，重享新生命。

星期六
「共產黨和斯伊蘭教如何共處？」甘肅政府的調查顯示有95%的回族黨員也參與伊斯蘭教的宗教活動。黨在「尊重少數民族的傳統」的原則下，容許這種情形存在。但參加宗教活動的黨員如拒絕接受「再教育」將被開除黨籍。許多黨員也相信耶穌，卻不敢公開信仰。他們擔心不利升遷，甚至失去退休的福利。讓我們常常為他們禱告，求主堅固他們的信心，靠主分別為聖、謹守真道。

星期日
自1951年迄今，所有中小學生都學習全國統一的教材。編纂依照國家和黨強化統一思想的指示：「肅清青少年所有封建和法西斯主義思想體系、發展爲人民服務思想」內容多是歌頌為社會犧牲奉獻和高度愛國的楷模。在此環境下，年輕人幾乎接觸不到有關聖經或耶穌的資訊。讓我們為負責兒童福音事工的肢體禱告，求主記念他們的擺上，也保守帶領主日學師資陪訓的進展。

星期一
中國煤炭業持續發燒，盈利暴增加上需量大，改善工安僅流於口號。全國500萬礦工中，去年因煤礦事故死亡的人就高達6,027人，再加上肺病等職業病亡故者，礦工真可謂最危險的職業。農村教會許多信徒都來自礦工家庭，在物資艱苦、靈性黑暗的環境中，對前途僅懷極小的希望。讓我們為這群工人與家庭禱告，求主憐憫保守他們，也興起牧者供應靈命上的需要。

Prayer Request 5/10--5/16

Tuesday
On May 1st, 9 millions phone subscribers in Beijing received text messages from police saying, “Express patriotism rationally. Don’t take part in illegal protests. Don’t make trouble…Help by not creating trouble, love the nation by not breaking the law.” This is the first time government uses such technology to warn its citizens. Let us again remember Beijing churches and all those who participated in the various leadership training projects and retreats .

Wednesday
Golden Week (first week of May is national holiday) was the busiest for leisure travel for Chinese. 4.25 millions visited Hong Kong from China alone. Also, with the new “Panda Diplomacy” following Taiwanese Nationalist Party chairman visit, Taiwan expects Beijing to lift all restrictions of travel to the island. In 2004, Taiwanese made over 3.6 million trips to China, a 35% increase from 2003. Let us pray for even more opportunities of training and evangelism as cross-strait travel surges .

Thursday
The Shanxi government set up a special isolated community to house those who have HIV. The community named “Green Harbor” is located in rural Linfen City, 10 km from the actual hospital. AIDS patients and their families cultivate the 4.67-hectare commuinty. What to do with the HIV/AIDS patients continues to trouble the Chinese. Linfen has a strong presence of believers. Let us pray especially for the people in this isolated community and for the vision of churches to reach out to them .

Friday
In Taiwan someone successfully commits suicide every 2.7 hours. Two-thirds of these are 20 to 40 years old. The city of Tainan in the South tops the list with the most suicides. Yearly 3200 people in Taiwan die from suicide. This is about equal to one per cent of the Christians on the island where fewer than three percent of the population is Christian. Let us pray especially for the churches in Tainan and one of the oldest seminaries on the island—the Presbyterian Seminary which is located there.

Saturday
China becomes the second largest market for cosmetic surgery, after USA. Having double-lids is the leading procedure for women. Many are divorced women who seek to enhance their “second” chance of a better mate. The lives of divorced women, especially those with children are harsh and lonely in China. Let us pray for the sensitivity and acceptance of believers toward them are genuine and not superficial .

Sunday
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 .

Monday
Nearly 16% of marriage in Taiwan involves a foreign bride. Vietnamese ranks highest (70%) and Indonesians (12%) come second. Experts say this rapidly increasing trend is attributed to the fact that Taiwanese women in general have higher education than men. Traditional Chinese marriages expect men to be better educated and women prefer not to marry men who are not so well educated as they are. Let us remember many of the single women believers in all the churches and pray for their dedication and service . to God.

星期二
為防範民眾在假期間串聯參加反日活動，政府軟硬兼施，目的在壓制民間反日情緒。北京九百萬手機用戶，日前收到警方發出的簡訊，要求「理智地愛國，不要在五一假期參加非法抗議，不要製造麻煩」，這是官方第一次使用簡訊科技來警告民眾。讓我們再次記念北京眾教會和願意受裝備的肢體，求主在各方面造就他們成為聖潔的器皿。

星期三
「五一黃金週」是中國休閒旅遊的旺季，到香港的遊客就有425萬人次。國民黨主席的大陸訪問，北京政府以熊貓、開放民眾赴台觀光和農產品准入免關稅旅遊為禮物，並希望台北能鬆綁來臺觀光的法規。去年造訪中國大陸的台灣民眾超過360萬人次，成長35%。在這波旅遊的熱潮上，讓我們祈求神開啟更多栽培福音和靈命的大門，並賜下恩雨滋潤莊稼。

星期四
山西省政府在臨汾縣郊設立了一個HIV特別隔離社區 -「綠港」來安置愛滋病患。綠港距醫院有10公里，擁有4.67公頃農地供病患和其親屬耕種。臨汾地區的肢體在信仰上有美好的生命見証，但如何「正常的」面對愛滋病患仍困擾著中國人。讓我們特別為「綠港」的居民代禱，求神憐憫醫治他們，也感動肢體能有效關懷、幫助他們。

星期五
在台灣，平均每2.7小時就有一人自殺身亡。三分之二的死者是介於20到30歲的青壯年人，居住地區又以南部各城市為冠。每年台灣平均有3,200人因自殺而亡，相當於少於總人口3%台灣基督徒數的1%。讓我們特別為台灣南部的眾教會及全島歷史最悠久的神學院-台南神學院代禱，求主賜下復興的靈火，堅固聖工領人歸回。

星期六
繼美國之後，中國已成為世界整容手術的第二大市場。最受歡迎的手術是割雙眼皮。離婚的婦女往往視整容為擄獲「第二春」的捷徑。離婚的婦女尤其還帶著孩子的，絕大多數生活充滿孤獨與辛酸。讓我們禱告教會的眾肢體都能切實彼此相愛，不流於表面應酬，以基督的恩慈接納、關愛她們。

星期日
根據梵蒂岡的統計資料，中國有1,200萬天主教徒，修女5,200位，(1,700位為未登記者)和120位高齡主教（平均七十四歲）。牧師平均年齡大致也是如此。他們多經歷過文革期間的艱苦試煉。感謝主，他們堅定不移的信心已向這個世代做了美好的見証。讓我們為新一代教會領袖的接棒禱告，求主興起約書亞承續神的大使命。

星期一
臺灣有16%的男人娶「外籍新娘」，人數已超過三十萬人。其中越南的最多，占70%；印尼籍的占12%。傳統的婚姻觀念，女性希望丈夫教育程度不比自己低，男性也期待妻子學歷不比自己高。一般臺灣女性受高等教育的比例普遍提升，是外籍新娘驟增的原因之一。讓我們記念眾教會中許多單身的姊妹，在專心等候主為她們預備的另一半時時，求主保守她們的服事和等待能有屬天的滿足和喜樂。

Prayer Request 5/3- 5/9

Tuesday
For the first time in 56 years Taiwan's Nationalist Party (KMT) chairman visited China and spoke at Beijing University. In an apparent effort to isolate the Taiwan Independence Movement, Beijing has invited the other opposition parties from Taiwan to visit the mainland. Churches in Taiwan have historically been torn between the two opposing political views, reunification and independence. Recent efforts to bridge that gap are done through joint prayer meetings. Let us remember the unity and revival of all the churches there.

Wednesday
Twenty-nine thousand workers, 80% of them Party members and state-owned factory laborers, were named as "model workers" this year. Among them is the NBA super-star Yao Ming. Yao was chosen for excellence in his profession, friendliness, and most importantly bringing glory to the motherland. As the nation pays tribute to the workers, we, too, thank the Lord for all the workers in His vineyard. Let us pray for their faithfulness, protection from harm, greed and sexual temptations.

Thursday
150,000 female high school graduates applied for the 30 positions in the upcoming class of the Chinese Air Force Academy. Since 1951 seven classes, a total of three hundred female pilots have graduated. The training once seven to eight years long has recently been reduced to three years. Female students still outnumber males in all seminaries and especially in the underground seminaries. Let us pray for their training process and their relationship with their parents, many of whom do not support their decision to serve the Lord.

Friday
China has banned controversial brain operations to cure drug addicts. The operations, pioneered by Russian scientists in 1999, remove a part of the brain associated with drug cravings. More than five hundred of these operations have been performed since 2000. Drug addiction is rampant in nearly all provinces but Yunnan leads in heroin addiction. The growth of drug users among teens is rapid, not only in the cities but also in the villages. Let us pray for believers and churches involved in campaigns for drug prevention and educations.

Saturday
Taiwan and China both are waiting for the verdict of the new Pope Benedict XVI. Beijing wants the Vatican to sever its diplomatic recognition of Taipei as a precondition to normalization of relationship. In return, China will then provide a list of bishops for the Vatican to appoint. The same Religious Affairs Bureau oversees all religions, churches, and temples in China. The Bible asks us to pray for those who rule over us, and we ask for favor for all the believers and churches.

Sunday
In Tianjing four out of five couples report mother-in-law trouble, a problem which is not new. However, the one-child policy exacerbates this age-old problem. When a mother cannot get along with her only daughter-in-law, she has no other children to which she can turn. Lack of emotional support, differing ideas about raising the grandchildren, and difference in life styles are the major causes of these strained relationships. Christian wives need extra love and patience from God for relating with their unbelieving mothers-in-law, especially those who see Christianity as a foreign religion.

Monday
How many police are there in Beijing? About three percent of the city's fourteen million residents, or four hundred forty thousand people are police. To improve the security in the city, 5599 cameras have been installed. The police claim half of the two thousand neighborhoods have been crime-free in 2004. Being the safest city in China means being the most closely monitored place there, too. Many house churches have been invited to register by the Religion Affairs Bureau. Let us pray for the soul-searching and often difficult decisions which the church leaders must make as their weigh the benefits and disadvantages.

星期二
兩岸分隔56年後，國民黨主席首次率團訪問大陸，謁南京中山陵並在北京大學演講。為孤立臺灣獨立運動，北京政府也邀請臺灣其他在野黨前往訪問。臺灣教會也有不同的的政治立場。但教會界已透過嘗試合辦聯禱會尋求合一，讓我們懇切禱告，求主記念保守臺灣眾教會在合一和靈命復興上所做的努力。

星期三
今年有2萬9千人當選全國的「勞動模範」，他們80%是服務於黨營或省營企業。其中還包括最令國人擁戴的美職籃NBA超級名星姚明。姚明的當選除了他的專業表現非凡，作風純樸親善外，更重要的一點是為祖國爭光。在這每年一度表揚勞工的季節，我們也為在神家中辛勤做工的主僕感恩，以禱告託住他們，求主悅納他們的勞苦，更保守他們平安、遠離一切財色的試探。

星期四
150,000名應屆高中畢業女生，爭取擠進空軍航大的30個女飛行員招生名額。該校自1951年起已有七批女飛行員共300人畢業，招收間隔將由以往的7至8年縮短為3年。在所有退修訓練會中，女學員人數往往遠低於男性，尤其在家庭教會裡更明顯。讓我們為訓練會的進行順利禱告，也為許多有志服事神的姊妹代求，願主親自保守她們有智慧維持與父母親人的和諧關係。

星期五
對毒癮患者施行的腦部手術，是1999年由俄國科學家創例的，他們切除了腦中一個嗜癮的反應組織來根除毒癮。自2000年實施此手術以來頗受爭議，中國禁止最禁止了這項已經進行過500次以上的手術。毒品濫用情況越趨嚴重，尤其雲南省的海洛因肆虐最烈。青少年嗜毒人口急遽增長，不論是在城市亦或農村皆無可幸免，求主感動眾教會和肢體能以神的真理和恩慈積極投入毒品防治和教育的行列。

星期六
臺灣和中國雙方都在等候梵諦岡新教宗本篤十六世在外交關係上的定奪。北京提出與梵蒂岡關係正常化的首要條件是要教廷切斷對臺灣的外交承認。中國政府可以提供主教名單讓教廷任命作為交換。宗教管理局將類似的原則適用於其他所有宗教、教會和寺廟。聖經教導要為在位執政掌權者禱告，讓我們常為他們能行公義好憐憫，厚待所有信徒和教會而祈求。

星期日
天津一份調查顯示：有五分之四的已婚家庭覺得有「婆媳關係」的難處。此自古即有的老問題，繼續在「一胎化」獨生子女家庭中惡化，只是現代婆婆如與唯一的媳婦處不好，將無其他子女可依靠。缺乏對老人的精神贍養、教育子女和彼此生活方式及觀念的差異是造成婆媳不和的三大主因，讓我們替為人妻媳的主內姊妹禱告，求主賜下由神而來的愛心和忍耐與未信的婆婆相處，特別是那些視基督教為洋教者。

星期一
目前北京警力已經達到44萬餘人，占全市一千四百萬人口的3%，另外全市街頭巷尾安裝5000多隻電子眼，隨時監控社會治安。北京全市2135個社區已有1947個達到了安全社區標準。為成為全國最安全的城市，警方背後需付出更大的努力。宗教事務局的管理邀請許多尚未註冊的教會登記管理，讓我們為教會的領袖來禱告，願他們能清楚神的帶領，做出和神心意的決定．