Prayer Requeat 2/28--3/6

Tuesday
Hangzhou revives the century-old tradition of street tea party and promotes “Big cup of Tea” temple festivals to attract more tourists. The city is known for the beautiful West Lake and numerous of classy tea houses. “Bible study” and “tea party” share the same pronunciation in Mandarin. Public Bible studies are not accepted yet, but, let us pray for all who attends the groups gathered around college campus and near office complexes to study the Word of God .

Wednesday
Why do Chinese love to gamble so much? News of corrupt officials losing millions in one setting is on the news all the time. Macao, the biggest casino of Asia is no longer deemed a safe place for Chinese gamblers, who fear polices’ watchful eyes. Let us pray for believers who have family members who have destroyed the lives of the entire family, for the divine healing of this addiction and root of evil .

Thursday
Many well-publicized cases of beating, kidnapping or threatening with physical harms by gangsters are reported recently. Even nuns and pastors who were entangled in church building projects have been severely beaten. Gangsters, scoundrel of all kinds have thrived and posing dangers for many believers who worship in house churches. Let us pray for the safety, protection and peace from above for many who must stand for their faith .

Friday
Most men in cities are reluctant to marry countryside girl. 115,000 Shanghai men who did, are men with low income, are elderly or come from poor family. The Municipal government is trying to provide job skills for these women.Countryside women carry the social stigma nearing the bottom of “caste-free” society.Let us pray for vision the local churches and opportunity to share the Gospel, believers who will show compassion to them .

Saturday
2005 was a terrible year for Shanghai stock market, marked by high volatility and negative returns (44% drop from its June 2001 peak). “Playing the stocks” appeals especially to the 50-65 year-old retirees, who yarn for better return than the meager bank saving accounts. Many Christians are also “hooked” by stocks and have lost sizable amount of savings. Let us pray for the faithful stewardship and above all, godliness plus contentment is great profit for all believers.

Sunday
China banned “Memoir of Geisha”, claiming it is too" complicated and sensitive" for the Chinese public. If it opened in cinemas, they warned, it could spark anti-Japanese tensions. Chinese most famous actresses appearing in the movie as Japanese prostitutes is deemed a total “lost of face”. National pride is very much of China church movement. Let us pray for the sincere cooperative spirit between the nationals and foreign workers .

Monday
Traveling by train in open sleeping compartment is often the best and preferred way of traveling in China. Shanghai Railway begin offer women-only train compartment, with no additional cost. Women church workers must travel alone, often risk personal safety. We uplift all the sisters who labor for His Name, for the refreshing of their spirit and traveling mercy .

星期二
起源於南宋的民間茶會與「大碗茶」等傳統民俗活動，今年有望重現於茶都杭州，以期吸引更多觀光客。杭州本身就是以西湖景色、龍井綠茶及數以萬計的茶店而聞名。「查經」與「茶經」的中文發音相同，但各型查經聚會目前卻無法享有等同民俗活動的待遇，讓我們為校區、辦公大樓等的查經活動禱告。

星期三
中國人為什麼這麼好賭？特別是貪官污吏更是熱衷於賭博，因好賭而一注賠上身家財產，已不是新聞了。澳門為亞洲最大的賭場，但因中國官方也派員密切注意誰在賭錢，也嚇阻了貪官前往澳門豪賭的意願。讓我們為著家中有人因賭博而傾家蕩產的信徒禱告，求主親自醫治他們，除去罪惡之淵藪，不再受賭癖的挾制。

星期四
國內黑道勢力日益猖獗，各地遭黑道毆打、綁票、恐嚇、暴力威脅的事件頻傳，甚至連修女、傳道人也因蓋教堂涉及會堂土地財產問題，而遭暴力攻擊。黑道、各樣橫行霸道的惡徒也嚴重的威脅到許多到教會聚會的信徒，讓我們特別為這些能夠在眾人面前見證信仰的信徒能夠有從神而來的保護與平安禱告。

星期五 大多城市男性不願意娶來自鄉下的民工女子，不過在上海，至少有11萬5千個男人娶了民工女子，他們普遍收入低、經濟情況差或是家中有年長者，上海市政府希望提供免費的工作訓練來幫助這群婦女。來自農村的婦女一直歸類為社會最低下的階層，讓我們禱告各地教會能有異象向這群被輕視的婦女分享福音，信徒能有熱情與負擔來關心他們的需要。

星期六
2005年，上海證券市場在股市不斷震盪中歷經了慘淡的一年，歷史上的最低點為2001年一月，當日跌幅達44%。比起銀行存款的低利率報酬，股票有高風險卻也獲利高的特質，往往吸引50-65歲退休族在股市中流連忘返。許多基督徒也陷入玩股票的漩渦中，使不少的積蓄化為泡影。讓我們為信徒能夠在神面前做恩賜、錢財的好管家來禱告。

星期日
風靡好萊塢的電影「藝妓回憶錄」，被中國政府以「太複雜、太敏感，會造成反日的情緒」為由，禁止在國內放映。三位揚名國際的中國女明星飾演日本藝妓，被視為丟盡中國人臉。國家尊嚴與民族自覺，一直是中國教會發展的主要難題，讓我們禱告和諧的靈能夠自由運行在中國教會與國外教會機構宣教士之間，彼此同心合意為主得著更多的靈魂。

星期一
搭火車睡臥舖遊歷大江南北，是中國最方便的旅行方式。上海車站滬京鐵路列車推出女性專用包廂，不需額外加價，使女性消費者的安全更有保障。女性傳道人必須經常獨自旅行，面對旅途上的風險。讓我們將所有奉主名服事神的傳道人帶到神面前，求神親自的同在，也祝福身心靈日日被更新建造，保守他們出入的平安。

Prayer Request 2/21--2/27

Tuesday
Thirty years after Deng Xiaoping declared that getting rich is glorious, China now claims more than 300,000 millionaires. Today, China ranks as the third largest consumer of high-end luxury goods on earth. The newly-built Hangzhou Chong-Yi church seats 7,500 people and is now the biggest Chinese church in the world. Let us pray for the people in this new church and their witness in the city of Westlake as well as their participation in mission

Wednesday
The biggest question that faces ten percent of the population of China is what to do after retirement. Senior universities now provide an alternative to watching TV and playing mahjong. In Shanghai there are 350,000 seniors enrolled in these educational programs. Serving in a church is a possibility for many retirees. Let us pray for ministries which help churches better equip their retirees in Bible knowledge through audio or corresponding learning courses .

Thursday
About eighty-five percent of Chinese seniors spend most of their time watching TV. Over sixty percent still work around the house but only about one percent knows how to use a cell phone or the Internet. The majority of the fifty or so pastors serving in the open churches in the Beijing area are over seventy years old. Let us remember their vitality of preaching and physical health in their faithful service to the Lord .

Friday
A medical school student won her reinstatement after her school expelled her because she gave birth. Since last September, government has lifted the restriction that students cannot be married while in college. Having abortion is common among college students. Let us pray for all those whose goals are to reach college students for Christ, through Bible studies, coffee shops and English tutoring .

Saturday
Four generations living under one roof may be a traditional family ideal, but half of the seniors interviewed prefer to live alone. They like to live near their grandchildren but not in the same building with them. Three-fourths of elderly Chinese dread the thought of going to a retirement home. Let us pray for a vision by the church to serve the rapidly aging population of believers through visitation, caring for them, or even church-run retirement homes .

Sunday
A majority of senior citizens in China do not want to live with their children. They feel there is a large "generation gap" in their attitude toward money. The emphasis of the seniors on saving and thrifty spending is one big factor. Elderly people in China are quite independent but lonely. Many churches have up to a hundred people attending senior ministries. Let us pray for the willingness of those in leadership in churches to invest in ministry to the elderly.

Monday
In any major Chinese city, about ten to fifteen percent of the population is composed of senior citizens. It is very common to see them doing morning exercises along the roadside or taking a stroll in the afternoon. Few churches open their facilities to seniors or have any organized ministries for them. Any one who has a burden for seniors could partner with a local church and have a wonderful outreach to them. Let us pray for God to send people to minister to this largely-neglected group of people .

星期二
三十年前，鄧小平揭示「先富論－讓一部分人先富裕起來」的經濟發展道路，現在全中國的百萬富翁已經超過30萬人，中國也成為全球第三大奢侈品消費國。去年剛竣工的杭州基督教崇一堂，可容納7500人，為全球最大的華人教會，讓我們為這一間矗立在西湖畔的教會並會友能夠在當地做美好的見證，並投入宣教事工來禱告。

星期三
中國老年人口為1.34億，占總人口數的10%，為全球老年人口發展最快的國家之一。老年人最為關切的問題是該如何安排退休後的生活，除了看電視或打麻將，老年大學成為新選擇，在中國最早進入老齡社會的上海，各級各類老年學校的學員已達35.26萬人。在教會服事也可以成為退休後的另一項選擇，讓我們為教會興起裝備長者靈命、聖經知識，不論是影音或是函授課程等事工禱告。

星期四
老年人的日常生活都做些什麼？85%的中國老人每天最重要的事就是看電視。在60%的老人中，家務勞動是生活的重要內容，僅有不到1%的長者會利用網絡或手機獲取新資訊。在北京地區，有50多位年逾70歲仍在教會中牧會的牧師。讓我們在禱告中紀念他們的忠心事奉，不但靠主得力使傳講的信息活潑有功效，身心靈也蒙主保守賜福，典範式足。

星期五
一位就讀牡丹江醫學院的女大學生，去年因為結婚生子被學校開除，然同年九月，教育部終於取消了不允許大學生結婚的條文，該女大學生也獲得平反。人工流產式墮胎在國內大學生間是非常普遍的現象，讓我們為所有在校園中接觸學生向學生傳福音的事工禱告：求主親自帶領、祝福，不論是英文查經、咖啡店、英語教學等等，願主得著更多失喪的靈魂。

星期六
四代同堂是中國家族傳統的理想，但是超過半數老年人寧願獨居也不願與兒孫同住。他們喜歡與兒孫居住在同一個地區，但不是同一座大樓。四分之三的老人表示，不願意退休後居住在老人院，如居家能有家務和醫療的服務就很理想了。讓我們禱告教會能有眼光看見在快速高齡化社會中年長者的需要，規劃探訪、照顧、關懷年長者的事工，甚至能設立附屬教會的耆老公寓或社區。

星期日
大部分長者與兒女同住的意願不高。年長者最介意的問題「代溝」，是指金錢觀及消費行為的不同。儲蓄、節儉和簡單的生活是他們對消費的中心信念，對於年輕人大肆揮霍的方式著實不敢恭維。中國的老年人是獨立但也孤獨的，許多教會正在開展銀髮族事工，動輒有上百人參與聚會。讓我們為教會領導者能夠看見年長者事工的重要並委身服事來禱告。

星期一
在許多中國的大城市中，將近10%-15%的人口由年長者所組成，早晨在公園中打太極拳、運動、傍晚在路上散步…這就構成了城市老年人的生活圖畫。僅極少數的教會開放場地供年長者使用，或有專門的老年人事工。面對這群容易被忽略遺忘的廣大銀髮禾場誰有負擔能夠與當地教會一起投入？讓我們求神親自差遣祂的工人來收取莊稼。

Prayer Request 2/14--2/20

Tuesday
The first and only Internet Addiction Center in Beijing which treats teen patients by depriving them of access to the Internet or a phone for twenty days, has plans to expand from forty to three hundred beds. Playing games is the most common on-line activity for young people. There is NO evangelistic content in Chinese suitable for teen surfers. We keep Chinese teens and the need for online material for teen in our prayer.

Wednesday
Twenty percent of rural residents in China plan to purchase a mobile phone in 2006 as compared with only ten percent of the people in the cities. In smaller cities twelve percent plan to buy washing machine as compared with five percent in larger cities.A wave of consumerism is sweeping the country and shifting to smaller cities and villages. The majority of churches in China are in smaller cities. Let us pray for workers and stewardship of all of the believers in these churches.

Thursday
There are only two kinds of Chinese--those who can and those who cannot afford medical care. Eighty percent of the medical facilities in China are in cities and nearly all of those are concentrated in large hospitals. Many of those who serve in rural churches are poor and have almost no opportunity for medical care. Let us remember this need for health care for all the church workers and millions of believers who can ill-afford the cost of medical cares.

Friday
Hollywood blockbuster "Brokeback Mountain", directed by Ang Lee was censored for a homosexual relationship featured in it. Ford Foundation released a landmark report on 400 gay couples in China. China has not allowed any movies depicting homosexuality. Churches as a rule do not speak about sex. Let us pray for all believers who seek to maintain sexual purity as well as healing from broken marriage.

Saturday
A recent survey of high school students in China chose Mao as their number one hero. In Hong Kong the same age group picked Sun Yet-Sen while their American counterparts chose Jesus. Chinese believers would most likely refer to those pastors who kept their faith during the Cultural Revolution as their "heroes of faith". Let us pray for emergence of leaders with a sacrificial spirit who can serve as models of faith for a new generation of believers.

Sunday
It has become common to read every week about Chinese boats fishing in the territorial water of other countries and being arrested. Many farmers have signed up for this profession which is often dangerous and risk their imprisonment for engaging in illegal fishing. Matsu (a god who is known as the Queen of Peace) has historically been the protector of mariners. Fishing communities and fishermen have historically been very resistant to Christianity. Let us pray for those who seek most for protection from perils.

Monday
Chinese youth embrace the American culture but find that they can more easily identify with the culture of Korea. "Three Friends" and "The Marrying Type" are preferred to the American "Friends" and "Sex and the City".Modern Korean culture is acting as a filter for Western culture for the Chinese. Are Korean missionaries also replacing Western missionaries and even the Chinese themselves? Let us pray for all the Koreans who are studying Chinese and planning to serve in China this coming year.

星期二
北京軍醫院成立中國第一家「網絡成癮治療中心」，經由二十天以上杜絕網路或電話的隔離來治療年輕的網癖病患。網絡線上遊戲是年輕人上網最常進行的消遣活動，但網路遊戲中沒有任何福音內容來接觸年輕人。讓我們對年輕人空虛的靈魂及合適青少年網路福音媒介的負擔放在禱告中，求主讓更多青少年能回轉歸向他。

星期三
中國20%的鄉村民眾表示打算近期購買行動電話，大城市的人卻只有10%有此想法。小城市人有12%表示要購買洗衣機，大城市卻只有5%。由於大城市的消費市場已趨近飽和，消費熱潮正從大城市轉向小型城鎮及農村。中國教會大部分均坐落在城鎮中，讓我們為所有小城鎮教會同工和會友能成為神家中好管家和敬虔兒女來禱告。

星期四
全中國其實只有兩種人：一種付得起醫療費，另一種付不起。全國80%的醫療衛生資源匯聚在城市，而城市80%的醫衛資源又集中在大醫院。占總人口80%的農民只分配到20%醫療資源。在鄉村教會服事的同工經濟條件較差，幾乎不具任何醫衛安全保障的條件。讓我們紀念所有教會同工的健康醫療的需要，和上百萬無法負擔醫療費用的信徒禱告，求主親自保守、供應。

星期五
李安執導的電影斷背山，大幅探討同性戀議題，福特基金會出版第一本指標性的中國同性戀報告，當中採訪了400對同性戀配偶。中國現在還不准許放映同性戀電影，教會講道時，對於性的議題也絕口不提。讓我們為著所有信徒禱告，願意在神面前立約維持聖潔，及在破碎婚姻中也能得到醫治。

星期六
中學生心目中的10大英雄排行榜，誰會掄魁？中國地區第一人為毛澤東；香港地區則是孫中山；美國青少年首推耶穌。許多文革時期因持守信仰而受苦的牧者、同工，則是中國信徒心中景仰的信心偉人，讓我們為所有屬靈領袖來禱告，求神建造他們能以犧牲奉獻的精神，成為新一代信徒追隨的好榜樣。

星期日
中國漁船在他國經濟海域非法捕撈時有所聞，使得來自農村的漁船勞工處境相當困難，若因此被逮捕將拘禁入獄。沿海漁民歷來虔信海神媽祖，也使得漁村與漁民很難接觸真正的福音，讓我們為這群惶惶尋求生命保護的漁民禱告，願主得著他們，靈魂體都蒙恩得救，永享屬天的平安與福樂。

星期一
中國年輕人熱愛美國的文化，但是更容易在韓國流行文化中找到認同。韓劇《三個朋友》和《The Marrying Type》，被視為韓國版《六人行》及《慾望城市》。現今的韓國文化成為西方文化登陸中國時的過濾鏡。在福音的禾場上，韓國宣教士是否也會取代西方宣教士與中國牧者呢？讓我們在禱告中紀念正在學中文、願意繼續為中國人擺上的韓國宣教士。

Prayer Request 2/7--2/13

Tuesday
Giving elaborate gifts is a part of Chinese culture, but it is often abused. The favorite gift used to bribe officials this Chinese New Year is an ornate book or scroll made of pure gold with an engraving of Mao or a classical Chinese saying and the cost is about $2000. US.The prophet Malachi warned his people who gave better gifts to officials than to God. Let us pray for a year in which believers give their very best to support their church and workers.

Wednesday
According to statistics five years ago, the top ten brands of merchandise in China were American. This year the only American brand in the top five was Coke. Five years ago "flaunting your status" was the number-one priority in choosing a brand. This year, the number-one priority is design.Churches in China are searching to define their own cultural identity in worship style and music. Let us remember all the younger church leaders as they lead their flock with new vision in this coming new Year.

Thursday
During the annual Spring Festival Eve TV party, the names "Tuan Tuan" and "Yuan Yuan" were given to the pair of pandas China donated to Taiwan. The names combined literally mean "Reunion". Taiwan churches have long been partners with Chinese house churches. Let us pray for all those who will be going to China this year to do student leadership training on college campuses or short-term missions.

Friday
It is estimated that during the Spring Festival, a white-collared urban family in China will spend about 10,000 yuan ($1250. US) which includes a visit with relatives back home. Children will receive a sizable amount of money gifts in "red envelopes" during the New Year season. Let us pray that all Christian parents will teach their children how to tithe and the meaning of giving offerings to God.

Saturday
In 2004 poverty forced an estimated 2.3 million students in China, junior high or lower to give up schooling. The average cost of a college education is about 7,000 yuan ($900.US) yearly or about four years worth of the savings of a rural family. Trying to support education for their children is one of the biggest reasons pastors of rural churches are leaving their flocks. Let us pray for faith for thousands who struggle with this dilemma and are planning to leave their posts this year.

Sunday
Not everyone will be able to enjoy the tradition of family reunions during the New Year. The three top reasons are that one must spend time visiting relatives; some feel they have inadequate ability to earn money, and some are still single without any prospects for marriage. Most church workers do manage to return home to visit their parents. Many are not able to openly talk about their ministries and their dedication to the Lord. Let us remember their time with families and the opportunities they have to share Jesus with their relatives .

Monday
Contrary to the Western concept that a dog is a faithful creature, in Chinese culture one thinks of a dog with traditionally negative connotations. The saying, "No ivory is found in the mouth of a dog" implies a lack of education.Preaching the Word of God powerfully has little to do with one’s education. Let us pray for all the Christian workers as they prepare their sermons for this Year of the Dog .

星期二
送禮是中國春節文化的一部分，但是卻常常被濫用。今年以99純金製作的黃金書，成為最受歡迎的送禮新流行，內容包括記述領袖生平事蹟、傳統經典名著等等，售價由一萬元人民幣起跳。先知瑪拉基曾警誡當時以色列民獻重禮給省長，卻非獻給神的謬行。讓我們為信徒禱告，能夠將最好的獻上來支持教會與服事的同工。

星期三
根據一項市場調查顯示，過去五年，中國前十名受歡迎廠牌均來自美國，但是今年卻只有美國的可口可樂仍在榜上，過去，一個人買名牌是為了炫燿自己的地位，現在以強調設計為第一優先。中國教會也正在尋找適合自己文化特質的敬拜方式、風格與音樂，讓我們特別以禱告記念年輕的教會牧長與領導者，盼望他們能夠在新的一年，從神領受新的異象帶領群羊。

星期四
中央電視台新春特別晚會中，以「團團」「圓圓」為即將送給台灣的一對貓熊命名。台灣教會長期以來一直支持中國教會的建造，讓我們為今年所有參與的肢體獻上感恩與代禱，特別是從事校園領袖栽培及短宣事工，願神保守並豐富供應一切的需要。

星期五
過一個春節要花上多少錢？保守估計，都市白領階級平均要花上1,250美元，包括交通費及與親朋好友應酬的花費。每年春節期間孩子都會拿到不少紅包，讓我們為基督徒父母能親自實行並教導孩子十一奉獻來禱告，讓孩子從小就明白神的教導，樂意將最好的獻給神。

星期六
在2004年，家境貧困是造成近230萬初中以下的學生輟學的主因。平均每年唸大學的費用要七千元人民幣，這等同一個農村家庭三年半的純收入。為了讓子女接受良好的教育，迫使許多牧者與同工離開事奉的崗位，讓我們在禱告中記念掙扎在兩難困境的上千名同工，願神親自堅固他們的信心並供應所需。

星期日
並非每一個人都享受新年與家人團聚的時光，形成「恐歸族」主要原因有三：第一是訪親探友浪費許多時間。再者是認為自己官不夠大、錢賺不夠多，沒面子；還有至今仍打光棍沒結婚。許多在教會中服事的同工，在春節期間都能夠與家人團聚，但很難公開地與家人分享他們的事工與在神面前的委身，讓我們禱告他們能夠有機會與家人親戚分享福音。

星期一
在西方文化中，狗被視為效忠的動物，但在中國文化中，許多關於狗的成語卻帶有貶損人的意涵。譬如：「狗嘴裡吐不出象牙」，形容一個粗人講話不得體。事實上，在靈命建造上傳講神的話語是否滿有能力，並不因個人教育程度的高低而受影響。讓我們為著所有準備新年講章內容的牧者同工禱告，願神膏抹他們的口，使說者與聽眾都同得造就。