Prayer Request 4/25--5/1

Tuesday
Hu Jintao and President Bush met and agreed on their opposition to the independence of Taiwan. The two leaders failed to agree on other issues from the Iran nuclear crisis to the bilateral trade deficit. America still accounts for a large percentage of missionaries and support to churches in China. Let us remember the preparation of all the short-term mission teams going to China this summer.

Wednesday
Severe sandstorms recently choked Northern China. Beijing turned yellow as 300,000 tons of dust blanketed the capital in the worst case of air pollution since 2003. Officials conceded that given the vast area of sandy soil and desert in the north, it is impossible to eliminate sandstorms. Shanxi, Hebei, and Shandong in Northern China do not get much attention and are considered to be hard soil for the gospel. Let us remember all the student workers and believers there.

Thursday
Titan movie directors, Zhang Yimou and Steven Spielberg were chosen as artistic directors for the 2008 Olympic opening and closing events. “Whether a movie is intended to be entertaining, thought provoking or educational, the story is the basis of everything.” Zhang said. There have been few Christian films since "The Jesus Film", "The Cross", and "The Passion of The Christ". Let us pray for the use of these films in outreach and sharing the gospel, especially when they are dubbed in local languages and shown to minority groups.

Friday
One out of 6 marriageable Hong Kong girls (25-49) will not be able to find a suitor. The trend is many women are looking for potential suitor in the Mainland. In 2004, 3,500 married Mainlanders. Many single sisters from Hong Kong serve the churches in China and as missionaries globally. We take this special time to remember them, pray for their powerful ministry, safety and strength.

Saturday
A recent survey shows that nearly 93% of daughters-in-law would rather not live with their in-laws. The same survey found that when their sons have spousal arguments 42% of mothers-in-law blame their daughters -in-law for problems no matter who is at fault. Many young believers must live with their parents after marriage. Let us remember all the newly-wed believers, in their adjustment to this difficult lesson in relationships.

Sunday
What really irks Shanghai residents? Noisy pets disturbing the neighborhood ranks first. Throwing garbage off high buildings and littering on streets follow closely behind. The most cosmopolitan city in China still has many bad habits to kick. We take the time to remember all the churches in this mega city for their faithfulness and vitality .

Monday
What goes in the mind of young men? According to survey: first, get the career, study abroad or find a job in a bigger city first; second, see the world, get lots of experience before settling down by age 30. The result is very different for girls. China churches is universally, “more girls than boys” 8 to 2 and even 9 to 1 in ratio We should not forget to pray for the young men in church, for godly role models, genuine respect for sisters in ministry and their own role in serving the church .

星期二
於美國白宮舉行的「布胡會」，重申對台獨問題的立場。然而兩國領袖在伊朗核子問題、雙邊貿易逆差等重要議題上，並未達成具體共識。在國內，不論是在宣教士的人數上及對教會的支持協助上，美國都扮演了相當重要的角色。讓我們以禱告托住所有將進入中國的暑期短宣團隊的籌備工作。

星期三
近來中國北部飽受由內蒙吹來的沙塵暴肆虐。北京「皇城」變「黃城」，落下30萬噸的沙塵，是2003年以來最惡劣的浮塵天氣。有關單位表示，中國北方沙塵源有174萬平方公里，因面積廣闊﹐目前尚無法根治沙塵暴。北部的山西、河北、山東等省份，在福音推展策略上，較少獲得關注，常被視為傳福音的硬土。讓我們紀念當地所有的學生福音工作者與信徒。

星期四
中西兩大電影名導張藝謀和史蒂芬史匹柏，分別受邀擔任2008北京奧運開閉幕典禮的總導演與顧問。張藝謀說：「不論拍攝一部電影的目的是為娛樂、思想倡導或是教育，故事是一切的基礎。」近年幾部基督教電影：「耶穌傳」、「十字架在中國」及「耶穌受難記」等已在中國流傳。讓我們用禱告支持透過電影欣賞來分享福音的各項事工，特別是直接參與配音工作的信徒。

星期五
香港適婚人口中(25-49歲)女多男少，其中六分之一的女性找不到合適的配偶。愈來愈多香港女性希望回內地結識異性，光2004年就有3,500名跟內地的男士結婚。香港有許多單身的姊妹選擇進入中國，在各地教會事奉或擔任宣教士，香港已派遣了近四百多名宣教士。讓我們特別在此時紀念她們，願他們的忠心服事更有力量更有果效。

星期六
一項調查結果顯示，近93％的媳婦婚後不願意與公婆住在一起；42％的婆婆在兒子和媳婦發生矛盾時，不管對錯都選擇站在兒子一方。許多年輕基督徒婚後也都與父母親住在一起。讓我們紀念新婚不久、正在調整適應婆媳關係的信徒夫妻，願主謙卑捨己、為門徒洗腳的榜樣，能成為家中見証主愛，帶出祝福的源頭。

星期日
上海市民最討厭的陋習有哪些？「寵物擾人」躍居「陋習排行榜」的首位，緊隨其後的是「亂扔垃圾」和「高空抛物」。即便躋身為全中國最大都會化、，上海仍存有許多需要戒除的陋習。讓我們為這個大城市中的兩千多個聚會點禱告，求主保守信徒在主裡的信心增長，教會服事更有活力。

星期一
年輕人都在想些什麼？一項調查顯示：男性首先是找到自己的志業，下決定出國留學，或在大都市找份工作。其次想看看世界，在三十歲以前累積人生經歷。但調查結果卻反映年輕女性受制於結婚生育的高壓力，處境與男性截然不同。中國教會普遍女多於男，比例為８比２甚至是9比1。我們勿忘為教會中有更多年輕弟兄來禱告，也求主為他們預備敬虔的榜樣，能真誠敬重姊妹們的事奉角色與她們在教會中的貢獻。

Prayer Request 4/18--4/24

Tuesday
The rerun of Japanese soap opera, “A Xin”, is a big hit among a new generation of television viewers. The touching story of striving for success fascinated China with a phenomenal 80% rating back in the 1980’s. A new book documented that several large quasi-religious cults have targeted and attracted many young believers, especially those from churches that have no youth programs. Let us pray for this alarming development .

Wednesday
"Jia he wan shi xin"--"Everything goes well in a harmonious home." This traditional saying adorns millions of Chinese homes reminding the family to overlook petty differences and seek true unity. Today house churches in China need to be reminded of this ancient saying since it is very common to find division and refusing to fellowship or calling each other "heretics" or even "devil" over so-called denominational differences. Let us pray for a solution to this troubling phenomenon .

Thursday
Giving money as a gift is popular not only in cities but it has spread deep into rural areas. For weddings, birthday gifts, for seniors, or a funeral a gift of 100-500 yuan is common. Even a first time present ranging from 100-200 yuan (12 -25 USD) is fairly prevalent. These relational gifts are important and a burden for many farmers. We remember in prayer all believers who give to God cheerfully out of thanksgiving .

Friday
Every year at all levels from local to national, families are chosen to receive the award for the "Five Good Civilized Family". The criteria for selection are: good in public works, good at work, good with people, has only one child, and maintains a good neighborhood. Let us pray for every Chinese believer's family to be far more than that. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord ”.

Saturday
According to a survey more than half of college girls want to buy name brand clothes and cosmetics. College students spend only 35% of the money their parents give them on food and housing. There is no doubt that this younger generation is different from their parents as consumers and savers. Let us pray for the many Chinese churches that do not have any young people or do not know how to reach the younger generation .

Sunday
April marks the 35th anniversary of "ping pong diplomacy". In 1971 American table tennis players were the first US group to visit China after the 1949 revolution and led to Nixon's landmark trip to Beijing. We praise the Lord for the tremendous growth of His church there over the past years. Let us continue to beseech Him for unity, protection from division based on theological arguments, and above all the ravaging false cults and teachers .

Monday
After the U.S.A., China is the next largest user of organ transplants. However, every year only ten percent of the numbers of kidneys needed for transplants are available. The government now forbids buying and selling organs and requires that the donor give written permission. Many believers suffer kidney problems and cannot afford the necessary dialysis. We take this time to remember them and reflect on God's great love for us by giving His life for all of us .

星期二
經典勵志日劇「阿信」於本月份在湖南衛視重播，引起新世代觀眾的熱烈迴響。該劇根據真人真事改編，描繪超市創始人成功奮鬥的歷程，於1980年代播出時，收視率曾高達80%。某些大型異端團體開始轉向以青少年為目標。尤其鎖定缺乏青少年事工的教會，讓我們為著這個危機迫切地守望禱告。

星期三
數百萬中國家庭高掛著「家和萬事興」的匾額，盼望藉此提醒全家能夠和睦相處、團結同心。同樣的，中國教會也需要以此古老庭訓互相提醒勸勉。目前國內眾教會之間常存教會分裂、拒絕來往；或因教派不同而攻擊他人為異端邪說，甚至斥責別人是魔鬼等情形。讓我們特別禱告眾教會能尊主為大、彼此以愛相聯，有智慧勝過這些困難。

星期四
包紅包作為人情禮，不僅風行城市，在鄉村也相當普及。舉凡婚禮、嬰兒滿月、祝壽、吊喪等，都會贈與100-500元人民幣不等之禮金，甚至連初次見面者，習慣上也會給100-200元的見面禮。名目繁多的禮金已成為農民們沈重的負荷。願神幫助所有信徒都能顧念神家中的需要，以感恩樂意的心來奉獻。

星期五
為倡揚家庭新風，每年會從全國各地評選出「五好文明家庭」予以表揚。所謂「五好」為：愛國守法，熱心公益好；學習進取，愛崗敬業好；男女平等，尊老愛幼好；移風易俗，少生優育好；勤儉持家，保護環境好。讓我們特別為信徒的家庭禱告：願我們的家不但能超越世俗的標準，更能堅持「至於我和我家必定事奉耶和華」的心志。

星期六
據民調顯示：超過半數的女大學生購物時，將品牌作為首要考慮因素，名牌服飾與知名化妝品非常受歡迎。98.1%的學生主要經濟來源是父母，於吃與住之花費僅佔35％。毫無疑問地，年輕世代消費與儲蓄的觀念與父母一輩截然不同。而許多中國教會已沒有年輕一代信徒，也不知如何來發展青年第二代事工，讓我們切切為此屬靈承傳的困境禱告。

星期日
中美外交史上具有重大意涵的「乒乓外交」，於四月歡慶35週年。1971年美國桌球隊造訪中國，是1949年文革後來華的第一支美籍團體。更促成日後尼克森總統訪問中國，打開交流的門戶。感謝讚美主！過去數十年，中國教會有極大的復興與增長。讓我們繼續求神保守教會在祂裡面合一，不因神學爭論而分裂，能抵擋異端與假先知、假教師的攻擊。

星期一
中國器官移植的數量已高居世界第二，僅次於美國。雖然如此，但每年的腎移植數量仍不足發病人群的1/10，政府也明文禁止器官買賣，並規定捐贈者須提供許可證書。許多信徒深受腎疾所苦，無力負擔長期洗腎之費用。讓我們特別紀念這些有需要的信徒，也重新思想神為我們的罪代死且賜下一切豐盛的大愛。願我們都能成為神恩典和慈愛流通的管道。

Prayer Request 4/11-4/17

Tuesday
Beijing has been debating imposing some form of taxation to slow down the influx of people buying property in the city. Many out-of-town people purchase property there for investment and private use but the city considers this property as very desirable and culturally sophisticated. The new trend is to have house churches of twenty to thirty people meeting. Rather than the older farmers, these are young professional families who drive to church. Let us pray for all who lead and teach in these churches .

Wednesday
Overseas Chinese especially from Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asia flocked to their ancestral homes for the April 5th Grave Sweeping Day and the airport in Fuzhou recorded a 25% increase of "huaquio" (overseas Chinese) as an estimated one million people returned for this holiday. Among the Chinese in Southeast Asia, Buddhism, Taoism, and ancestral worship are very much a part of their lives even though they may live in Catholic (Philippines) or Muslim (Malaysia and Indonesia) countries. Let us remember millions of them who have not heard the gospel or had anyone share it with them .

Thursday
"Super Female Voice", a version of American Idols will soon begin in China with hundreds of contestants from five regions. The popularity and craze generated by this contest has sparked a new musical phenomenon in the past two years.
Churches in China have their own praise and worship music. Many are amazed how Chinese believers are able to memorize so many praise songs. Let us lift up all who are involved in musical writing and producing and training for church music ministries .


Friday
China is banning new cigarette factories including joint ventures with foreign companies purportedly to reduce smoking. Instead they will focus on developing ten main cigarette brands and improving production technology. China is the world's largest cigarette producer and consumer as well. Let us pray for believers who know the health hazards of tobacco but must convince a spouse who is a smoker .

Saturday
Taiwan rejected China's goodwill gift offer of a pair of panda--Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan whose names together mean reunion. Officials in Taiwan said the animals would not get the proper care there as required by animal protection laws. Recently the chasm between House churches and the Three-self churches has narrowed significantly. Many believers now attend services offered by both groups. Let us pray for those who seek spiritual growth and fellowship wherever God's people meet .

Sunday
A current pop song entitled "The Two Women of My Life" about mothers and wives goes like this: "You are both special, so stop fighting over the question of whom I love more. I am hurt when you argue. To love both of you is my responsibility." Even Christian families are not without mother and daughter-in-law problems. Let us pray for submission and true love especially in families where the mothers are not yet believers .

Monday
Parents are paying 2000 yuan yearly (250 USD) which is often as much as college tuition for enrollment in kindergarten for their children. As a result parents enroll their children into elementary school earlier and bypass kindergarten but then create crowded classrooms in the school. Some house churches even with their limited facilities are trying to provide Sunday school for smaller children. Let us pray for all the churches that offer Sunday school that the Lord through them will raise up a generation of young believers who know and love Him from a young age .

星期二
北京正針對向外地人徵收商品房屋稅進行討論。近年許多外地人到北京購置房地產作為投資，房價因此被抬高。徵稅建議一方面可減少炒作，也能體現對城市公共建設的付出。北京聚會的新趨勢是廿至三十人在家中聚會，與會者以年輕的學者專家居多。讓我們為年輕的知識份子在教會中的教導與影響力禱告。

星期三
海外華人特別是港澳東南亞一帶的，在四月五日清明節都回鄉祭祖。福州機場比平時增加25%的華僑旅客，保守估計將逾一百萬人次。東南亞地區的華僑，雖然生長在天主教或回教國家中，但絕大部分仍信奉佛道兩教，是傳福音時易被忽略的一群。讓我們為從未聽過福音的數百萬華僑禱告。

星期四
由湖南電視台舉辦的第三屆「超級女聲」比賽即將展開。賽區為長沙、杭州、成都、瀋陽、廣州等五大城市，預期會吸引數千名女子參賽。近兩年來超女的火紅也為國內樂壇注入新的氣象。中國教會有自己獨特的敬拜讚美方式，許多信徒往往目不識丁卻能牢記無數讚美詩歌。讓我們以禱告紀念包括寫作、製作與訓練的教會音樂事工。

星期五
中國禁止新的香煙工廠設廠，包括中外合資廠商在內。理由是要降低民眾抽煙比率，然而其主要目的是發展十項主要的中國香菸品牌，以提升製造技術、達國際的水平。中國目前不但是全球香菸最大生產者，也是最大的香煙消費國，讓我們特別為著關心配偶健康、盼望配偶能戒煙的信徒禱告。

星期六
台灣婉拒了中國贈送「團團」、「圓圓」兩隻貓熊之美意，理由是申請飼養的動物園設備不符、無法提供良善的照顧、達不到動物保育法之規範，因而緩議。不同立場的教會之間的鴻溝近來也消弭了很多，信徒開始彼此交流，參與兩邊的聚會。讓我們為正在尋求屬靈的增長與團契生活的信徒禱告。

星期日
流行歌曲「兩個對我恩重如山的女人」勾勒出所有人都希冀的婆媳關係：「兩個對我恩重如山的人，你們不要再爭我對誰的感情最深，你們越是追問，我越是心急如焚，兩個帶給我生命無時無刻不精彩的女人，疼你們一生是我的責任」基督徒家庭也會有婆媳相處的難題，讓我們紀念母親或婆婆還未信主的家庭，信徒能學習順服以表達真正的愛。

星期一
供一名兒童上幼兒園，每年收費將近兩千多人民幣，等同負擔一名大學生的花費。家長們被迫提早將孩子推進小學，造成小學生人數暴增、教學緊張的局面。許多教會的軟硬體設備均相當有限，無法成立主日學來教導孩童。讓我們禱告教會能看重兒童主日學的功能，及時為主培育敬虔的後裔興起新一代合神心意的基督徒。

Prayer Request 4/4--4/10

Tuesday
Government televised the largest ever annual worship of Huangdi in Zhengzhou, Henan. He is considered as the common ancestor of all Chinese, and also the founder of Taoism. Ancestral worship is back in full swing in China and enjoys official support. Let us pray for courage of many believers who refuse to compromise in joining their families in this act of piety .

Wednesday
Seventy-four percent of Chinese mothers want to improve communication with their teenagers or at least get advice about it. Of all the mothers surveyed 70% say they have peeked into the diaries their children keep. Secular parenting books are bestsellers and a few Christian titles are also available. Let us pray for desperately-needed parenting instruction in churches .

Thursday
In an attempt to polish their image before the Olympics, Beijing has been enforcing a fine of 20 yuan for spitting on the streets by using cameras to capture violators in the commercial districts. What really changes old habits? Let us pray for all believers who should change their "mind your own business" mentality by caring for the disadvantaged and that they would be the salt and light of their community .

Friday
According to a recent survey the leading bad habits of Beijing residents are: spitting, littering (81%), pet litter (64%), cursing and heckling (60%), traffic violations (57%), traffic violations (57%), pushing/not yielding seats on busses (57%), and illegal posting of advertisements (54%). Chinese are lovely people but they have many "uncivilized" bad habits. Let us thank God for all the foreign workers who overlook these annoying things and give their lives to China because they love God and the Chinese .

Saturday
People from Henan province are often considered con men and thus suffer discrimination which contributes to their poor self-image. Although Henan is the largest province in China with a population of nearly 100 millions, it also has the most people in poverty in all China. Henan is the home of the Chinese house church movement with many, many believers who are poor, illiterate, and old. Let us pray for unity, vitality, and protection from vicious attacks of cults and in-fighting for the Henan churches .

Sunday
As 4.13 million college graduates enter the job market in 2006 (750,000 more than in 2005) many will have to settle for positions offering less than 1000 yuan monthly and still the government estimates there will be a surplus of fourteen million laborers for the positions available. Let us pray for those who are considering entering seminaries or preparing for ministry. May the Lord help them to communicate to their parents their calling and their faith that God will supply their needs.

Monday
A recent report says that one in four Chinese is learning English either as a student or in self-study. Teaching English now begins in first to third grade in many elementary schools so there is a great need for English-speaking teachers. Twenty-three million Chinese college students make up the largest block of those learning English. Let us pray for effectiveness and the Christian witness of all those who are teaching English in China with the goal of sharing Jesus Christ .

星期二
中國政府今年將實況轉播於河南鄭州舉行之「黃帝故鄉拜祖大典」。黃帝被視為炎黃子孫的祖先，同時也是道教的始祖。祭祖在中國內越來越普遍，也受廣官方支持。讓我們為著許多信徒能有勇氣及智慧拒絕祭拜偶像來禱告。

星期三
百分之七十四的母親希望能改善自己和孩子的溝通，或是出現問題時能有專家可諮詢協助。在調查中，70%受訪者表示，為了解孩子，曾偷看過孩子的日記。坊間教導如何教養孩子的書籍非常暢銷，但以基督信仰為基礎的相關書籍相當缺乏，讓我們為著有更多以聖經為根基的教養書籍，與教會中對親子教育的教導來迫切禱告。

星期四
為了迎接北京奧運到來，當局使用具有紅外線攝影功能及衛星傳輸設備的高科技指揮車，以整治民眾隨地吐痰的陋習，違法者必須以紙巾將痰擦去，並罰款二十元。讓我們為著基督徒能改變「自掃門前雪」的心態，關心弱勢者需要，能成為社區裡的光和鹽，影響民眾能卸下老我，成為新造的人來禱告。

星期五
一項「北京人存在六大陋習」調查顯示：隨地吐痰、亂扔垃圾為六大陋習之首（81.59%）；養寵物影響公共衛生（63.67%）；在公共場合起哄、鼓倒掌、說髒話、罵人等（59.4%）；不遵守交通規則，（57.4%）；乘公共汽車擁擠，不讓座（57.38%）；亂貼、散發小廣告和宣傳材料（54.41%）。中國民眾熱情可愛，但是仍存著這些不文明的陋習，讓我們為許多的國外同工不因這些陋習而攔阻，因著愛神、仍願意將生命獻上給中國來讚美主。

星期六
在中國提到河南人，很多人腦裡會浮現「騙子」兩個字，很多人也不願聘用河南來人，河南將近有一億的人口，為全國最大的省份，70%人口為農民。河南也是家庭教會的發源地，信徒生活普遍窮困、年紀長、甚至是文盲。讓我們為著河南教會的合一、有生氣活力、與神保守不受各樣異端的攻擊來禱告。

星期日
2006年將有413萬人進入職場，比去年增加75萬人。政府估計勞動力供大於求將達到1400萬人，比2005年增加100萬人，並且不少企業對應屆大學畢業生的起薪不到1000元。讓我們特別在禱告中記有心想進入神學院準備服事的年輕信徒，求神保守他們與家人溝通，也供應他們各方面的需要‧

星期一
中國約有3億多人在學英語（專業與非專業），占全國的四分之一。英文教學從從小學一至三年級開始，英文教師的需求量大增。在校大學生有2300多萬人，已成為全世界最大的一個學習外語的群體。讓我們特別為著以傳福音為目的英文教師的工作能帶出果效，並成為基督美好的見證禱告。