Prayer Request 3/28--4/3

Tuesday
China announced several new sales taxes, on goods ranging from disposable wooden chopsticks to luxury items such as golf clubs, high-end watches, citing a need to protect environment and reduce the gap between rich and poor. China now consumes 1/3 of world luxury goods, but 30 millions Chinese farmers still live in poverty. Let us remember all the rural believers, whose unwavering love for Jesus serve as wonderful example for all of us .

Wednesday
The average starting salary for college graduates in Beijing is about 1580 yuans, about 16% lower than 2004. Overall, the lower trend is seen throughout the country. In Henan, some companies even offer 500 trial monthly pay, only a bit higher than laborers. Lower wages for college graduates have begin to reverse the thinking that college degree is worth a mint. College education typically cost a family 150,000 yuans. Let us pray for many rural church workers whose children cannot afford any higher educations past junior high .

Thursday
Women who wish and can afford to skirt the one-child policy, are trying artificial insemination, which produces twins or triplets. The extra one-time expenses more than justify the penalties incurred by having the second pregnancy. Being unable to conceive carries great social stigma for women and men alike. Let us remember all the believers’ families without children. May the Lord use them even more in serving the church .

Friday
Over-packaging or unnecessary packaging for a common item is a trend now, commanding hefty profit margin and meeting the demand for “luxury.” Liquors, perfume, health supplements and “moon cakes” are the most over-packaged, over-priced items. Finding a gift that stand out in China is getting more difficult, as more people can afford common items. Showing appreciation to church workers is something rare among China churches. Let us pray for such attitude of thanksgiving .

Saturday
Three things may become disadvantages for many who look for a marriage partner: Advanced degrees, advanced careers or high incomes. Finding someone else who is “compatible and properly matched” and not a “gold digger” proves harder to find. Finding a mate who shares a common faith in God and willing to serve is hard for countless women believers. We take the time to remember who desire marriage but remain single because of their dedication to Christ .

Sunday
Eighty percent of urban seniors express contentment with their lives. Nearly sixty percent are optimistic about their financial lives, yet forty-four percent do not feel secure. Their common fears are illness and strangers. Some urban churches have very strong ministries for senior citizens even including senior choirs. Seniors also make up a large percentage of people at prayer meetings. Let us pray for all who lead and serve the seniors in churches .

Monday
According to study on behavior, nearly 90% of Taiwanese will not reveal their venereal disease to their spouse or partner. In the Mainland, only 20% will reveal one’s infection or marital infidelity. Venereal disease prevention is hard both from a public and personal health standpoint. We pray for guarding of hearts from temptation for all believers .

星期二
中國財政部和國家稅務總局將對現行消費稅進行調整，從免洗筷到高爾夫球及球具、高檔手錶、遊艇和大排量汽車等奢侈品，均被列入消費稅新增項目，征以重稅，藉此保護環境、節約資源，並縮小國內日益嚴重的貧富差距問題。全球三分之一的奢侈品均由中國人所消費，但國內仍有3000萬農民仍為赤貧。讓我們在禱告中紀念所有的農村信徒，無論在任何情況，對主耶穌的愛堅定不移。

星期三
2005年北京地區應屆畢業生的月薪在1580元左右，較之2004年下降16%。全國各地的大學生薪酬近年來都普遍下滑。在河南，曾出現用以600元的大學招聘起薪。大學生薪酬偏低，反映在市場上就會導致一些家庭認為讀書無用，不利於提高全民素質。培養一名大學生約要投入15萬元。讓我們為著因無法負擔高昂的學費，不易繼續深造的教會傳道人子女禱告。

星期四
越來越多的中國婦女爲了避開一胎化規定，採用輔助生殖技術和促進排卵藥物，致使雙胞胎甚至三胞胎出生率不斷上升。一胞多胎的費用甚至高過於生育第二胎的罰鍰。「不孝有三，無後為大」，不論男女都背負著這項傳統的枷鎖，讓我們紀念所有沒有子女的信徒家庭，願主使用他們更多委身在教會中。

星期五
國內商品市場吹起過度豪華包裝之風，給商家牟取暴利留下巨大的空間，也滿足了富人追求「奢華」的虛榮心。過度包裝、包裝成本高昂的商品有：酒類、香水、藥品、保健品、月餅等。 隨著改革開放、越來越多人能負擔一般產品時，要尋找別出心裁的禮物也越來越不容易。然而，在中國教會中，向教會同工表達感謝之意的卻是少之又少，讓我們為著信徒能有感恩的心來禱告。

星期六
人人為之稱羨的「三高」：高學歷、高層次、高收入，反而成為尋找合適另一半的可能不利因素，要尋找一位「門當戶對」、不是「見錢眼開」的對象，並不容易。同樣的，姊妹尋求一位能與自己分享信仰、並願意委身服事主的伴侶，更是難上加難，讓我們記念因為獻身服事主而單身，但渴望婚姻的同工禱告。

星期日
中國老人過得幸福嗎？根據《中國老年人生活質量指數報告》，(個人經濟狀況和社會安全感是構成幸福感的最重要內容)八成受訪者表示心情平靜滿足，六成受訪者對個人的未來經濟狀況變化表示樂觀，44%老年人表示低安全感，主要害怕生病及陌生人攀談。一些城市教會有很強的老年事工甚至包括老年的詩班，教會禱告會的年長者出席比例也相當高，讓我們為著在教會中帶領、服事年長者的同工禱告。

星期一
根據研究，將近90%的臺灣人不願向配偶或伴侶承認自己罹患性病，中國內，僅有20%的人會告知自己感染性病或是否曾不忠於伴侶。無論從公眾或個人的健康觀點，性病預防均相當不易，讓我們為著信徒能夠保守心甚過保守一切，不受試探來禱告。

Prayer Request 3/21--3/27

Tuesday
“Study hard!” is the most common thing (34%) mothers say to their child in China. “Have you finished your homework?”(17%) and “I know you can do it!” (17%) rank next highest. Mothers place great hope on their only child in China. Let us pray for all the mothers who do their very best in raising godly child, despite the lack of children and youth programs. We remember especially those mothers whose child is considering serving God full time.

Wednesday
The business of private detectives for investigation of extramarital affairs is booming in Beijing, costing 10,000 yuan (1250 US) per case. 70% of cases are initiated by women, and 60% cases involve business owners and businessmen. Sexual temptations abound for businessmen and believers alike. Let us pray for the guarding of hearts and minds of all church workers, Christian businessmen and missionaries .

Thursday
One in five Chinese women owns her own business (or self-employed) according to the Women’s Federation. Twenty percent of Chinese entrepreneurs are women. Let us remember all our sisters in Christ, in particular, all who serve the Lord in various capacities in churches. May the Lord blesses China churches through all the women believers even more abundantly in the coming year .

Friday
In 2005, Chinese Communist Party disciplined and expelled 25,000 people, nearly 1.7% of the total membership. Corruption is the leading reason for such punishment and primarily is found within various Party leadership positions. The issue of integrity and faithful stewardship plague church leaderships as well. Financial transparency is hard to come by, and many receive support from multiple sources for the same ministry. Let us pray for godliness and contentment among all believers .

Saturday
82% of Chinese mothers know the current interest of their teens. 61% of the mothers can give names of the 3 best friends of their child. The majority of Chinese mothers stay in close contact with their child’s school teachers. A totally different matter for Chinese Christian parents is going to church with their teens because of the lack of focus and resources for teen ministry. Let us remember all the families who struggle to ensure build a spiritual foundation for their teens .

Sunday
Half of Chinese mothers do not know when their daughter’s menstruation started. Only 40% of mothers ever discussed sex with their children, giving embarrassment and lack of knowledge as the most common reasons. Students get little teaching regarding sex and abstinence. Churches have traditionally been silent as well. Let us pray for wisdom for all who are involved in teaching the Biblical value of sex and marriage in Sunday Schools and in youth groups .

Monday
One third of Chinese mothers refuse to physically discipline their child no matter what. Of those who do, “child lying,” “disobedience,” and “poor academic performance” are nearly equal reasons given for hitting the kids. Teaching a child to love the Lord in the atheistic educational system is difficult. Let us come along all the parents who pray for the salvation of their only child, so they may know the Lord in their young ages .
星期二
中國婦聯「對孩子瞭解多少」的問卷調查顯示 - 「好好學習」，是媽媽對孩子說的最多的一句話，占34%，其次是「功課做了沒有」與「相信你，你一定行」，各占17%。母親們對獨生子女有許多期望，在教會普遍欠缺兒童與青少年相關事工之際，讓我們紀念投注所有關愛與心力來照顧子女的母親，也特別為有孩子正在尋求全時間服事主的母親禱告。

星期三
專門調查婚外情的私家偵探，成為北京的熱門新興行業。據瞭解，偵探婚外情收費動輒上千過萬元。要求進行婚外情調查的顧客中，已婚女性占近七成，被要求跟蹤的丈夫中，以私企老闆最多，占近六成。不論是商人或信徒，都會面對性的誘惑與試探。讓我們為所有教會的同工、基督徒商人、宣教士的身心靈禱告，求神保守他們靠主過得勝的聖潔生活。

星期四
根據全國婦聯表示，「中國婦女自主創業的比例達到了21%以上，接近男性的水平。」女企業家已占全國企業家總數的20%。讓我們紀念所有盡心盡性盡力愛主的女信徒，特別是在教會委身服事主的姊妹們，願主透過這群姊妹的擺上，在這一年中大大地賜福中國。

星期五
2005年中共各級委共立案147,539件，結案148,931件。給予黨紀處分115,143人，占黨員總數的1.7 %，其中24188人被開除黨籍。受懲者在黨內高低階層皆有，貪污是構成黨紀處分的主要原因。教會領袖也深受「清廉正直」與「忠心」的考驗。財務無法透明，多方的資源管理運用不當是弊端之源。讓我們為著所有信徒能夠有從神而來的滿足禱告。

星期六
「對於孩子瞭解多少」的調查結果顯示， 82.35%的媽媽知道孩子現在的興趣是什麽；61.25%的媽媽能說出孩子最要好的3個朋友的名字；大部分的也媽媽經常和孩子的老師交流。由於國內教會青少年事工資源缺乏，青少年多與一同父母參加成人的主日崇拜。讓我們在禱告中紀念有孩子的基督徒家庭，能不辜負神的託付，奠定下一代不動搖的屬靈根基。

星期日
如何和孩子談論有關性的話題，一直困擾著許多華人母親。一是羞于啟齒、二是不知該怎麽談。57.3%的母親不知道孩子的第一次月經或遺精是何時發生。關於性方面的知識，教會也是保持緘默，年輕人很少觸及關於性的教導，求神保守致力教導兩性關係與婚姻的事工。

星期一
在什麽情況下會打孩子？」有三分之一的媽媽無論在哪種情況下都不會打孩子。「孩子撒謊」、「孩子不聽話」、「考試成績差」，則是媽媽們最不能容忍的情況，往往會動手體罰孩子。在國內無神論的教育體制裡，教導孩子敬虔愛主並不容易。讓我們為基督徒父母能有智慧與生活見證，引導獨生子女認識主的救恩來迫切禱告。

Prayer Request 3/14--3/20

Tuesday
Since the Premarital Health Examination was eliminated in late 2003, only ten percent of couples nationwide in China still go for such a check-up. Without this preventative measure, a Beijing health official says birth defects now reach 13.5 percent of all births. For believers, premarital counseling is a luxury found only in urban churches. Let us pray for all who are getting married this year that they will model Christ's love in their new families.

Wednesday
“The Great Changjin”, the Korean TV drama which contains obsolete plot-lines, formulaic characters and dogmatic values, has been the most feverishly watched show in China. Its theme of struggling for success meets people's desires for success. The subtle and positive moral lesson by such show is valuable. Let us pray for many young Christians who struggle with the pull to be rich versus a life which focuses on God and family.

Thursday
After college graduation, work for a year and take a long break to enjoy life has become a trend. Seeking personal financial independence is not a big desire for young people today. Instead, they continue to depend on parental support. Young believers have yet to learn to give financially to churches. Let us pray for the needs of many house churches, paying rent, supporting workers and even supporting missionaries.

Friday
More than 600,000 have flocked to virtual cohabitation in online apartments. A kind of cheap, commitment-free practice for domestic life, it attracts college students and young white-collar workers, the two groups perhaps most likely to live in dorms. Cohabitation and premarital sex have been such a common practice, carrying little shame or second thoughts. Let us pray for many believers who are often tempted to follow the ways of the world.

Saturday
China’s “angry youth”, fenqing, is becoming an increasingly influential slice of society. They are highly nationalistic, fighting for China’s glory and very verbal online. They have been most vocal against Japan’s militarism and American’s interferences. The title can mean "striving youth" or "idiotic youth," depending on the context, underscoring a deepening divide over this unpredictable generation. Let us pray for a new generation of Chinese passionate for evangelism and being used by God.

Sunday
Chinese college students get their knowledge of sex from magazines (20%), movies (21%), romance novels (13%), health-related books (25%), and pornography (20%). Another study in Sichuan shows that 58% of students get their sex knowledge from pornography. Biblical view of sex is rarely discussed or mentioned among Chinese churches. Let us pray for ministries that will focus on providing Biblical teaching on marriage, family and sex.

Monday
As colleges expand their enrollments, there will be a glut of graduates for the job market, inevitably driving down the starting salaries. In Guangzhou and Shenzhen and larger cities in particular, there is an oversupply of college graduates. It is encouraging to see more young professionals attending the one-time urban churches. Let us pray for their involvement in ministry that they may infuse much needed new blood into the open-churches .

星期二
自從2003年底取消強制婚前檢查制度後， 2004年頭初全國婚檢工作量不到往年同期的10%，據北京衛生局的統計，2004全年北京市缺陷兒童出生率達到13.5%。即使在城市教會，仍相當少有基督徒的婚前輔導，讓我們特別為今年要結婚的基督徒，能夠以基督的愛來建立新的家庭禱告。

星期三
「大長今」，一部描寫古代宮廷的韓國電視劇，看似過時的劇情、刻板的人物角色及教條式的典型價值，卻成為全中國最熱門、創下許多收視新高的節目，戲劇中具有淺移默化的道德教導，主角為追求成功努力不懈與堅韌不拔的精神是有相當教育價值。讓我們為著正在賺大錢與專注服事神間拔河的年輕基督徒禱告。

星期四
年輕大學生畢業、工作一年後，讓自己放大假，背起行囊到天涯海角去流浪，已蔚為風潮；他們追求個性，崇尚獨立，卻不再把“經濟自給自足”看作獨立的前提條件，經濟上仍仰賴父母。年輕基督徒須學習操練信心奉獻來支持事工，讓我們為著所有教會的需要，不論是在房租、同工薪資、宣教經費等來禱告，求主親自預備供應一切所需。

星期五
模擬同居生活的線上「愛情公寓」已吸引超過六十萬名會員加入，不需承諾、僅需支付低廉的網路開支即可體驗家庭生活，擄獲許多大學生及年輕白領階級的目光，實際生活中最有可能在外頭承租公寓的，正是這兩群人。在現實生活裡，年輕男女以同居與婚前性行為來體驗愛情已相當普遍。不會感到羞恥，也不會有任何掙扎，讓我們容易受試探跟隨世界的風俗搖動的信徒禱告。

星期六
「憤青」，憤怒青年，已成為社會上一股逐漸強大、不可忽視的影響力，這是網路語言中的特有辭彙，來形容民族主義和愛國情緒高漲的年輕人。日本軍國主義與美國對中國的干預政策為憤青主要攻擊對象。讓我們為著新世代的中國人能夠對福音大發熱心，大大被神使用來禱告。

星期日
大學生性知識的主要來源是：從報刊雜誌占20%；從國內外影視占21%；從醫藥衛生書籍占25%；從“色情文學”（包括色情讀物、色情網頁、黃色影碟）獲得的共占20%。《重慶市大學生性知識、性行爲調查研究》顯示，從色情文學等獲得性知識的大學生比例高達58.4%。在中國教會裡，極少會提及甚至討論聖經對於性的觀點，讓我們為著以提供在婚姻、家庭與性關係上的聖經教導的事工禱告。

星期一
大學擴招造成高校畢業生逐年猛增，造成就業市場供過於求，應屆畢業生的身價也逐年下滑。在廣州、深圳與其他大城市的畢業生的供需狀況，更是嚴重不均衡。能夠有更多專精於各領域的年輕學子參與教會事工，是令人興奮與值得鼓勵的，讓我們紀念他們的服事，能夠為教會注入新血與活力來禱告。

Prayer Request 3/7--3/13

Tuesday
The Rolling Stones will perform in Shanghai this April. Chinese officials have told the group not to perform four sexually explicit songs, including "Let's Spend the Night Together". Government has cracked down on pornographic content, mostly online, but porn in other formats are readily and widely available, especially to students. Let us pray for guarding of the hearts of all believers .

Wednesday
Half a million people have applied to take the Joint Civil Service Examination for 2006. On an average, only one in fifty will be accepted since nearly thirty percent of the positions require a college degree and two years of prior work experience. No one knows exactly how many people will enter training to go into full-time work in the churches each year. Let us remember all who are struggling with the decision now and are seeking confirmation from God for this life-time calling to His service .

Thursday
"Fu rong Jie jie" or "Sister Lotus" as she is know to millions of internet users who are fixated on the sex life, music, videos, and everything else about her, is a pretty, intelligent college girl. Her fame, however, rivals any of the movie celebrities. Young Chinese believers have NO idols or role models. Let us remember this generation of young people who search for spiritual models and mentors in their walk with God .

Friday
The four years spent in college are the time of romance for young Chinese students who for the first time in their lives are independent. However, eighty percent of these couples will choose to end their relationships after graduation. Finding a Christian partner in school is very difficult for young believers. Let us remember all the young men and women who are graduating this summer and will trust the Lord to direct and provide them with a life partner .

Saturday
Before examinations seventy-six percent of the students who are high school age or younger in China say they are very anxious. One in ten says he/she is depressed and even feels hopeless academically. Steep competition is a cold reality in the Chinese educational system. Parents feel the only way to get ahead is to push their only child to study hard. Let us remember all the Christian parents as their raise children to first and foremost be godly rather than scholarly people.

Sunday
How do the students at Guangdong University choose their friends? The top reasons are compatible interests and similar aspirations. Being attractive in appearance ranks last with only nine percent choosing it. All Christian parents desire their children to have believers as friends but many believers end up marrying non-believers. Let us pray for the boldness of the church to encourage its young people and also parents to stress the blessing of a family serving the Lord together .

Monday
College students usually meet and socialize in classrooms, the cafeteria, the library, and dormitories. However, in China, one in four (26%) consider internet cafes and bars important places in which to meet friends. Nearly every college in China has a student fellowship and many campuses have thriving Bible studies and evangelistically-oriented English teaching. Let us uplift all who are involved in reaching the young people of China and especially Christians who live their lives determined to be witnesses for God in college .

星期二
滾石合唱團將於四月在上海演出。政府已向團員表達，不要表演內容太過露骨的歌曲，如「讓我們一起度過夜晚」。當局已全面打擊色情刊物及色情網站，但是各類相關的情色商品仍廣泛地被流傳與閱覽，特別是在年輕學生之間。讓我們為著神能夠保守所有信徒的心，不受罪惡的試探與挾制禱告。

星期三
中國2006年的中央國家機關公務員招考，有50多萬人通過資格審查，錄取率僅有五十分之一。因規章明確規定，有三分之一的職位保留給具有兩年以上基層工作經歷的高校畢業生，共12萬人符合此條件。每一年預備進入全時間信仰裝備的人數雖難預估，但是讓我們以禱告來托住正在尋求全職服事可能性、盼望能夠更加確定呼召，堅立心志的基督徒禱告。

星期四
「芙蓉姊姊」是一位美麗、聰明的中國女大學生。因為大膽地在網路上赤裸裸的呈現自己的照片，勇於公開關於自己私生活的種種，使得數百萬中國網友為之瘋狂，其受歡迎的程度與電影明星不相上下。中國年輕的基督徒現實生活中沒有崇拜的屬靈領袖，心目中也沒有追隨效法的榜樣，讓我們紀念與主同行、正尋找屬靈榜樣與良師益友的這一代的年輕信徒禱告。

星期五
『戀愛』幾乎是所有大學生必修的學分之一。許多學生進入大學後才第一次離家在外獨立生活，選擇用戀愛作爲他們青春年華的紀念。然而，80%的情侶往往大學一畢業，也結束戀情。特別是對年輕的信徒而言，在學校中找一位相同信仰的對象並不容易。讓我們紀念所有即將畢業的年輕弟兄姊妹，能夠繼續追求神，相信神會為他們預備合適的伴侶同奔天路。

星期六
青少年學習壓力大，導致「童年恐慌」。全國抽樣調查顯示，76.2%的中國中小學生因為考試而心情不好，十分之一的孩子會因考試或學習壓力而感到絕望。國內教育制度競爭劇烈是殘酷的事實，父母認為唯有迫使獨生子女用功讀書，才有向上流動之機會。讓我們紀念所有基督徒父母及其子女，不單追求課業成績表現，更能成為屬神愛神的敬虔兒女。

星期日
大學生的交友標準是什麼？調查顯示：廣東大學多數學生以「興趣相投」與「志同道合」列為交友的最高優先，「外貌吸引」反居第五位。基督徒父母也盼望孩子能夠與信徒交往，然而事實上許多人仍與非基督徒交往結婚。讓我們為教會教導能夠鼓勵年輕信徒重視繼承神的屬靈祝福；父母能從小向孩子傳遞全家同心服事主的美善來禱告。

星期一
大學生每天活動的地點就是教室－餐廳－圖書館－宿舍。四點一線的作息方式，對人際交往有很大影響。調查顯示，四分之一的大學生在娛樂場所，如網吧與酒吧結交朋友。國內的高校大學中幾乎都有學生團契，查經及英語學習活動也有很好的成效。讓我們紀念所有校園的福音事工，及願意在神面前立約要在生活中見證主的年輕基督徒。