Prayer Request 12/6--12/12

Tuesday
More bad news for Heilongjiang after the chemical contamination of city's water supply, an explosion claimed more than 170 victims in a government's "star" coal mine. Feverish demand for energy and unsafe condition has turned coal mining into the deadliest work. Let us remember all the believers who are miners, their spiritual role in their families and the churches they belong to .

Wednesday
Zhang Ziyi and Gong Li (both are non-Christians) will star in the "Memoirs of a Geisha". Chinese movies as well as Chinese actors/actresses are taking over Hollywood in unprecedented ways, both in box offices and in cultural influence. There are a handful of well-known entertainment celebrities who make their Christian faith public. Let us pray that they will have powerful testimonies and uncompromising moral standards as they impact viewers and especially Christian youth .

Thursday
In China, a growing group of extremely nationalistic and patriotic youth called Fengqing (angry youth) is using the internet as a platform to lambaste Japan. As China considers buying the Japanese Bullet Trains to improve its transportation system, a resurgence of anti-Japanese sentiment is brewing there. We pray for all Chinese believes to have a spirit of forgiveness and a burden to take the gospel to Japan.

Friday
Eighty percent of Chinese families have at least one son and those families who have more than two girls are most likely to give away girls or adopt them out. Recent population research confirms the Chinese preference to have a son as "retirement insurance". A preference for boys means parents will discourage a son from going into the ministry. Let us pray for faith and blessing for all parents whose children are involved in Christian ministry .

Saturday
What was once a bad memory for a whole generation of Chinese has now been made into collectibles. The bright propaganda invariably depicting soldiers, farmers, and laborers praising Chairman Mao has enjoyed resurgence as an art form. During the Cultural Revolution, possession of a Bible was an offense punishable even by death. Let us remember all those dear believers who secretly hand-transcribed the Word of God .

Sunday
Who are the most desirable men for millions of Chinese white-collared women? Zhang I Mo, film director, Yao ming and other actors and athletes top the list. Waiting for the man God has in mind is the lesson many Christian sisters face. Let us remember all the women believers who are of a marriageable age or remain celibate for the Lord .

Monday
In the Xinjiang grassland occupied by Muslim minorities, foxes have been released to control the mouse problem. This special breed of fox is more resistant to hunger and disease than ordinary foxes. Radio programming in local dialects is the only Christian medium which can penetrate these deeply Muslim communities. Let us pray for the faith of believers there and the often difficult community work done by Christians .

星期二
繼雙苯化工廠爆炸污染水源後，連續三年被黑龍江省評為安全質量「明星礦」的七台河東風煤礦，日前發生礦難，至少造成一百七十人死亡慘劇。由於能源需求迫切與工作環境不安全，使得採礦成為高危險的行業。求主保守從事採礦的信徒出入平安，並在家中與教會的服事滿有能力和果效。

星期三
章子怡與鞏俐(非基督徒)在史蒂芬史匹柏執導的新片「藝妓回憶錄」中擔綱演出。華人電影與影星正風靡好萊塢，不僅票房賣座，也深切影響當地的文化。許多華人藝人願意在公開場合宣告自己是基督徒，讓我們為他們禱告，願主使他們能有不與世俗標準妥協的勇氣，也使用他們的位份，特別是年輕信徒前作美好的見證。

星期四
「憤青(憤怒青年)」專指中國民族主義和愛國情緒高漲，態度偏激言行走極端化的年輕人。他們透過網路撻閥日本於二次大戰對中國的傷害。當政府正考慮向日本購買子彈列車以改進交通運輸之際，年輕人的反日情緒卻也在醞釀復甦中。讓我們禱告所有中國信徒願意學主樣式，放下仇恨學會饒恕，也有負擔將福音種子播到日本的土地上。

星期五
人口研究結果顯示：性別偏好及人為選擇生育性別是男女人口比率失常的關鍵性內因。80%中國家庭至少有一名兒子，有兩個以上女兒的家庭往往將女兒轉由他人收養。而且傳統的「養兒防老」觀念仍根深蒂固。通常具有「男孩偏好」心態的父母較不鼓勵兒子投入宣教事工，讓我們為這些父母禱告，願他們能完全的信靠神，經歷神奇妙而全備的祝福。

星期六
紅衛兵時期的宣傳品，曾經是一整世代中國人揮之不去的夢魘，現在卻成為新興的蒐集品。這一系列描繪工、農、兵的木刻、漫畫及油畫的宣傳品，過去傳達了對毛澤東的讚美，現在則成為另類現代美術形式的表徵。在文革期間，擁有聖經是會遭受生命威脅的。讓我們在禱告中紀念，曾以手抄保存主話語的信徒，求主的恩典仍源源不絕供應。

星期日
誰是數百萬白領中國女性心目中的白馬王子？在一項中國女性最想嫁的男人調查中，以事業成就與人品魅力為導向的「十大最想嫁的男人」裡，名導演張藝謀、籃球選手姚明並陳道明、王石、劉翔等演員或運動員都榜上有名。「耐心等候神所預備的弟兄」是許多單身基督徒姊妹面對的功課。讓我們為這群主所鍾愛的適婚姊妹禱告，求主舖直她們前面的道路。

星期一
在新疆木壘哈薩克回族自治區內廣大的草原區，最近釋放了許多狐狸以解決鼠患。該品種的狐狸比一般的狐狸更能抗拒飢餓與疾病。在新疆，要想進入穆斯林社群傳播福音的唯一媒介是透過以當地語發音的廣播節目。讓我們為當地基督徒有堅定信心來禱告，紀念眾肢在服務回族社區事工的艱難與擺上，願他們靠主剛強喜樂，飽嚐主恩的豐盛。