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。