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。