Prayer Request 8/23--8/29

Tuesday
The first joint China-Russia military exercise is being watched closely, codenamed “Peace Mission 2005.” It is said to be anti-terrorist in nature, but involves several large amphibious landings.The specter of the renewed Sino-Russian alliances worries all Asian neighbors and Taiwan especially. Let us pray for the many Chinese churches along the borders which were once very active 10 years ago .

Wednesday
In the next twenty years China will need 55,000 new commercial pilots and 2400 new planes. Currently there are 800 commercial aircraft and many Chinese airlines employ foreign pilots. Chinese pilots and aircraft mechanics receive their training abroad. Let us remember all the Chinese churches reaching out to these trainees with the gospel .

Thursday
Are executed prisoners becoming a source of organs for transplants? The government insists that all donations are voluntary and uncompensated. Officials say many families refuse to claim the bodies of prisoners because of the guilt of the crime. China has become both the market for and has the need for human organs but only the super-rich can afford organ transplants. Let us pray for all those who need liver and kidney transplants. May all Chinese come to know Christ Who gave Himself for all !

Friday
According to an unreleased government survey, Shenzhen won the infamy of the worst city in China for corruption, crime, a large gap between the rich and the poor, and fake goods. In fact, the large cities in Guangdong and Fujian all ranked in this same class. Believers in these coastal cities are generally much more affluent then in the inland cities and face tremendous temptation. Let us pray for their witness and their willingness to give and help support poorer churches inland .

Saturday
Is it time for another round of fighting serious crime? China recently conducted three campaigns to rid society of criminal elements but the results have all been short-lived according to the Chief of Police in Beijing. In general believers are ambivalent toward the Public Security Bureau. Let us pray for the salvation and ethical integrity of all those who try to safeguard the security of the nation.

Sunday
Buying a house in China is merely purchasing a 70-year land lease. Chinese laws clearly state that the land is government-owned but the government does reserve the right to continue the lease when it is due. Church-owned properties fall into this legal gray area as well. Let us pray for all the churches raising funds and seeking to find a more permanent building in order to expand their ministries .

Monday
More than 85% of toddlers in Shanghai live with their grandparents. Many grandparents are forced to retire at fifty years of age so caring for their grandchildren is both an enjoyment and a source of income (about 600-1000 yuan a month). Let us pray for all the Christian grandparents who help with rearing their grandchildren. May they have a great witness not only to their children but also to the babies they care for .

星期二
俄國與中國首度聯合軍事演習「和平使命—2005」，以一萬名兵力配合重型轟炸機和反潛艦艇在黃海進行。兩國雖以反恐為由軍演，中國則演練兩棲登陸戰術，俄羅斯藉機展示新穎軍備，已引起鄰國的疑慮。求主為世人帶出真正的平安，繼續挑旺眾人心中復興的靈火；也為許多在中俄邊境上的教會禱告，求主親手扶持看顧。

星期三
中國在未來廿年將需要55,000位商用飛機師和2,400架新航機。目前國內有800架商務客機，許多中國航空公司聘用外國籍飛機師來滿足市場的需要。中國飛機師和維修技師們多在國外接受訓練。讓我們為所有針對訓練飛航人員的福音事工守望禱告，求主悅納相關教會擺上的愛心與勞苦，也預備人心能謙卑柔軟，讓神的善工大有果效。

星期四
死刑犯捐獻的器官是移植器官的來源？政府雖堅持所有遺體和捐獻器官皆符合自願、無償捐獻的原則，但死囚往往以無人收殮或家屬拒絕收殮為由“自願”捐獻器官。目前大陸成為器官移植供需量都很大的地方，只有超級富人才付得起器官移植的天價。求主特別醫治需要移植肝或腎臟的人，惟願所有同胞都來認識那位獻出生命救贖我們的救主。

星期五
據一項未正式公布的民調結果，深圳奪得中國十大最差城市之榜首。此項結合官方和民間團體評選出全國最腐敗、治安秩序最惡劣、貧富分化最嚴重、假冒偽劣商品最泛濫的前十名城市中，廣東和福建的幾個大都市皆名列前茅。沿海省份的信徒通常更易受到世俗的引誘和試探，求主保守他們謹守主道在人前有美好見証，更幫助他們體驗神的旨意，樂於供應內陸教會的需要。

星期六
是否又要發動另一波「嚴打」(嚴厲打擊犯罪活動)？北京公安局將進行警務變革，用“織網防控”模式取代之。從1983年至今，為解決特殊違法犯罪形勢，中國共進行三次全國性「嚴打」運動，但往往嚴打過後罪犯又死灰復燃。讓我們特別為所有負責社會治安的公安人員代禱，願追求卓越的道德感和耶和華無比的救恩能臨到他們禱告。

星期日
在中國買房子，只是獲得為期70年的土地租用使用權，並不能擁有真正的產權，根據新公布的中國物權法規定，在土地承租期滿前允許房主申請續期，但土地仍屬國有。中國教會所擁有的不動產也面臨同樣的情形。讓我們為中國教會在這方面的需要禱告，求主帶領讓他們能夠尋覓到能長久使用的場所，以利福音的廣傳。

星期一
在上海市，超過百分之八十五的幼童是由祖父母撫養。為了照顧年幼的孫子，享受含飴弄孫之樂同時還有一個月約600-1000人民幣的零用金，多數的祖父母在年屆五十歲左右就退休。讓我們一起為基督徒祖父母禱告，願他們在養育孫子的同時，為神作美好的見證。