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。