Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Prayer Request 6/27 --7/3

Tuesday
"Chuppies" (Chinese yuppies) are China's young well-off generation, with money to spend. They are China's new "Supershoppers" who describe themselves as "being open-minded, being ready to learn, and loving new things." There are already 100 million middle-class Chinese, and by 2010, that number will double. Churches are slow or uncomfortable in reaching the affluent young generation. We pray for those churches changing their worship styles to attract this age group .

Wednesday
There are 400 million cell phone users in China and on an average they get new phones every three to six months. Chinese consumers have 900 choices of cell phone types while in the United States there are only eighty. In churches in China, worship and preaching styles have been largely unchanged for many years and outreach is restricted. So what do these churches have to offer a generation that changes phones so frequently? We remember churches courageous enough to take the gospel to the streets by handing out tracts.

Thursday
The Chinese, especially those in Hong Kong and Guangdong, crave lucky numbers. License plates or phone numbers having numbers 6 or 8 command high prices. Someone paid 272,000 yuan(US$34,000) for a plate number AW6666. In a world bent on anything that will bring in good fortune, many churches have begun preaching that believing in God brings prosperity and success and have enjoyed great increases in attendance. Let us about this alarming trend and widespread false teaching .

Friday
From gift money (which should be an even number) to avoiding four (which is similar in sound to the word for death) unflinching faith in "lucky" numbers can be found everywhere in China. Every year Hong Kong and Guangdong get millions of dollars from auctioning license plate with lucky numbers. Ten years of the Cultural Revolution once denounced, condemned, and banned such practices but they have come back. May the Lord grant all believers liberty from the bondage of such deeply ingrained practices .

Saturday
Jackie Chan was listed in the top ten of Hollywood philanthropic celebrities. He is credited with providing scholarships for youth in Hong Kong and China. He also helped in tsunami relief and has frequently encouraged others to give to social work. Christ taught that our good deeds will be rewarded by God. We pray for blessing for many believers who have given generously to support mission work and families of church workers .

Sunday
The topics for the essay portion of college examinations for Beijing and Shangai respectively this year are "The Distinction of Beijing" and "Holding Your Hand". Unusual topics like these represent a huge shift in the Chinese educational mindset. What are the distinctions found in churches in China today? No denominations but still unconnected with the community? Let us not stop praying for both the registered and unregistered churches .

Monday
Many young people flock to cities to work because there is not enough arable land to make a good living. Villages are becoming a "386199 army" using numbers for the month and day (women--March 8 is Women's Day, children--June 1 is Children's Day, and seniors--September 9th is the day honoring them). While the future of China's rural churches seems bleak, let us pray for God's mighty work in showing His wonderful will there and that those who work there will not to be discouraged .

星期二
年輕、富裕、能揮霍的一代被封為「查皮士(雅皮)」,是目前中國的超級消費者。他們自稱“思想開放,喜歡也有能力學習新事物。” 目前中國的中產階級近億,到2010年數目將會加倍。面對這群查皮士,教會還在調整聚會形式來吸引這群體。讓我們為願意改變的教會來代禱,求主賜智慧給他們。

星期三
中國手機使用者將近4億,平均每3到6個月就會更換手機。在美國市場有八十種手機款式供消費者挑選,但在中國則多達有九百多種手機款式可選擇。面對這隨意更換手機的一代,教會又能提供給他們什麽呢?在國內傳福音需面對種種限制,且教會聚會和講道方式仍寧願沿舊的狀況下,求主挑戰弟兄姊妹,有膽識、有創意與熱忱在街頭傳福音、派單張,將不變的真理傳給萬變的現代人。

星期四
中國人講究吉祥數字,尤其在香港和廣東,凡有6或8的汽車牌照或電話號碼都被高價搶購。人們都希求好運、能多賺錢,就有人花了人民幣27.2萬(3萬4千美金)來買AW6666車牌。教會也紛紛流行起「成功神學」,傳講信耶穌會帶來更美好的生活、賺更多的錢、人生從此就一帆風順,此類聚會的人數也不斷增加。祈求神的憐憫與光照,讓誤信這就是福音的人能有機會回歸十字架的真理,並求神親自來阻擋這種偏差的教導。

星期五
中國人送禮一定要成雙,而且避免有“4”(諧音同“死”)。在生活中到處可見人們企求吉祥數字。每年在香港和廣東公開拍賣吉祥汽車牌照時,可以賺得上幾百萬。這究竟是中國文化習俗還是迷信?十年的文化大革命革除許多古舊流俗,也攻擊迷信,但這些迷信在二三十年內又死灰復燃。求神讓祂的兒女們能夠掙脫這些根深蒂固惡習、迷信的捆綁,享受主應許的自由生命與平安之道。

星期六
香港紅星成龍獲選好萊塢十大慈善明星。他一向爲慈善事業不遺餘力,除了成立“成龍慈善基金會”為香港青少年提供獎學金,捐助南亞海嘯難民,還經常極力鼓吹人們支援參予社會慈善和關懷工作。基督也教導我們當盡力去行善。讓我們以禱告記念以奉獻支持宣教事工和其家庭的肢體,求神傾倒天上的寶庫祝福他們和家庭。

星期日
今年北京和上海的高考作文試題分別為“北京的符號”和“握住你的手”,這突破性的題目顯示出中國教育思維的巨大變遷。今日華人教會的符號是什麽?我們是否超越了宗派界限,卻仍然沒能解開與社區隔離的枷鎖?讓我們持續為所有註冊或未冊的教會禱告,把神的愛和關懷帶進社區給每個需要的人。

星期一
由於農耕地有限,農村裏年輕有能力的人大多湧到城裏去討生活,留下所謂的“386199部隊”(婦女、兒童、老人節)。農村教會的前景堪憂。我們祈求全能的神在農村裏彰顯奇妙大工,使留在農村忠心服事主的人得到激勵和幫助,也求主親手扶持,保守祂的僕人在各事上都充足,得以繼續供應村民屬靈之所需。

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Prayer Request 6/2- -- 6/26

Tuesday
Government claims that inflation is in check, with cost of living increased about 1.4% as compared with 2005. Prices of gold and energy have risen dramatically in recent months, but may have been offset some by the stronger Chinese currency.In many cities, costs of living have jumped reflecting the strong local housing market, making it less affordable for many church workers, national and foreign alike. We remember the housing needs of all who serve the Lord in China and all those who support them financially .

Wednesday
“Mission: Impossible III” has been cleared for showing in July, after censor removing scenes of violence and shots depicting parts of Shanghai as a slum. Recently, “Da Vince Code” was cancelled because of the summer blackout of foreign films (till July 11th). Christian books and media also face the tricky official censoring process to receive approval for publishing. Let us pray for the long and expensive processes many Christian publishers face in bring new readings to Chinese believers .

Thursday
What is no longer considered a "relational gift" and is called an outright bribe? According to legal experts a gift of 100-200 yuan is usual and customary while 5000 yuan is deemed outright bribery. The government is trying hard to clamp down on rampant corruption to restore faith in the system. Let us pray for the financial integrity of all church workers, pastors, and believers alike .

Friday
The average male college student in China who loves a girl spends up to 700 yuan ($85.US) a month, since it is customary for the man to pay the bills in dating. For those who are not necessarily in love, the norm is spending only 100 to 200 yuan for a meal or socialization. Few rural church workers receive a salary of more than 700 yuan monthly. They serve out of their love for God and His people. Let us pray for the vast material and spiritual gap between the urban and rural churches .

Saturday
What to do for office noon breaks? According to Beijing newspapers, the following are recommended: take a nap, try different restaurants, go on romantic dates, sing at KTV (karaoke) or go shopping. There are many Christians who meet during lunch for fellowship and prayer groups in and near office buildings in larger cities. We pray for blessing and spiritual growth for thousands of such groups among the white-collared workers .

Sunday
A South Korean manager of a Chinese-foreign joint venture company became the first foreigner to receive a Chinese green card, which grants him permanent residency in Shenzhen. Green card holders can live in China and can enter and depart the country without visas. Staying in China requires exiting and reentering every 3-6 months. This presents a problem for those holding a foreign passport and involved in ministry. We remember those who use visitor visas for ministry purposes. May their work and impact be fruitful and long-lasting .

Monday
The auction of a portrait of Chairman Mao was cancelled after the owner said he might donate it to a museum. “Red Art” - art works created between the 1950s and 1970s covering revolutionary topics is currently popular and in high demand. All the older believers will cringe on seeing these propaganda posters, meant to stir up patriotism and worship of Mao. We take this time to remember all who kept their faith through the tumultuous time and their continuing serving and testimony in every church .

星期二
中國政府宣佈通貨膨脹問題不大,因人民幣升值緩和了黃金和能源價格高漲的衝擊。數據顯示居民的生活費比去年同時期只上漲1.4%。事實上,許多城市因房價暴漲使得生活費相應提高,宣教士即使能租到房子也得縮緊腰帶省吃儉用。讓我們記念所有在中國服事者的宿食之需,求神供給他們經濟上的需要,願神的祝福隨著支持費不斷增加而越發加添。

星期三
即將於7月在中國上映的「諜中諜3/不可能的任務3」(Mission: Impossible III),許多暴力鏡頭和展示上海的破爛和貧窮的畫面,在審核後遭到剪除。電影「達文西密碼」則因爲暑假期間禁放外片而被取消播映。基督教書籍和光碟同樣也必須通過官方嚴謹的審核才能出版,過程極爲秏時秏錢。讓我們禱告神完全掌權使書籍順利出版,得以造就更多信徒。

星期四
中國政府近年來如火如荼展開肅貪行動,欲重振官箴。但“人情禮”與賄賂難以界定成了法律漏洞。法律專家的意見是人民幣200元以内的授受可視爲“禮”,但超過5,000元就難免有賄賂之嫌。在許多教會中,往往缺乏完善的會計、徵信制度妥善管理錢財收支的賬目求神警惕教會牧者、同工和信徒們必須在神與人面前凡事無可指責,做個忠心良善、有見識的好管家。

星期五
戀愛中的男大學生平均每月的戀愛消費達人民幣700圓($85美元)。男生為了取悅對方,負擔了大部分約會費用,因此戀愛消費成爲男生消費的主戰場。無此負擔的每月的膳食和社交只須100-200元即可。在農村教會服事的牧者薪水少有超過700者。他們的服事完全是出於對神和對信徒的愛。求神以真理使貧者滿足,富者知足,並且眷顧祂忠心的僕人,不論貧富都能以愛心為神成就大事。

星期六
「午休能做些什麽?」據北京報紙的建議:上班族可用以睡午覺(特別是晚上另有兼職的),或嘗試到不同餐館用餐。跟女友約會、甚至到KTV唱歌,或逛街買東西也很好。在大城市的大樓辦公室或附近,許多基督徒則利用午休時間,舉辦查經小組或禱告聚會。讓我們紀念這群為主大發熱心的白領階級信徒,求主祝福他們靈命活潑成長,在職場與生活上活出見證。

星期日
一家外資公司的南韓籍經理,獲得深圳發給外國人的第一張綠卡,使他出入中國都無需簽證。外籍人士在中國的居留期限是3至6個月,再長就必須重新入境。這項法規對持外國護照來中國協助培訓的人是一件難事。讓我們特別為這些參與宣教工作的弟兄姊妹來禱告,求主保守他們雖不時進進出出,手上的事工依然大有影響力和果效。

星期一
一幅「毛主席」肖像拍賣會被取消了。事因畫主要把它捐給博物館。“文化革命藝術”是現在最炙手可熱的收藏品。這些50至70年代的政治宣傳海報和作品標榜“打倒資本主義,打敗帝國主義,推動愛國崇拜毛主席”,在老一輩信徒看來卻如同一場噩夢。求神用祂的愛和真理親自醫治安慰這些經歷過動盪時代中背叛和傷害的信徒。堅立他們在教會裏繼續服事,為神做美好的見證。

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Prayer Request 6/13 -- 6/19

Tuesday
8.8 million students participated in the national college entrance examination last week. 5.3 million will be admitted to various colleges, and among them only 2.6 million will secure a position in the university. Gaining university admission is seen as a key to future success for Chinese parents. We know God will take care of our children if we honor Him. Let us remember all the Christian parents as they wait anxiously for the results.

Wednesday
According to the Ministry of Health, Taiwan performs 320,000-plus abortions yearly, while it has only 200,000 births a year. Various religious groups, including the Buddhists and Catholics, are pushing for a longer waiting period for those seeking abortion. More than 10,000 teenagers undergo abortion yearly in Taiwan. Let us pray specifically for the youth ministry among the Taiwanese churches, as many churches are not able to attract youth or have any meaningful youth programs.

Thursday
Medicine intended to treat digestive disorder has caused deaths around the country. This case involved a government-approved drug manufacturer substituting cheaper but toxic substances. Fake and impure medicine is a rampant problem in China. Impure and false teachings abound among China churches, leading many naïve believers astray. We need to continue to uplift China churches for more theological training and wise shepherds for His sheep.

Friday
There are nearly 100,000 Korean residing in Beijing alone. Koreans are found in nearly every city, they tend to live in large residential district completes with hair salon, restaurants, Korean schools and churches. Many Koreans come to China in various capacities, but with a heart to share the Gospel with Chinese. We pray for all the Korean led or assisted congregations in all cities. May the Lord bless their work and reward them with many fruits.

Saturday
Most pregnant women in the village give birth at home due to poverty, as well as remoteness and a centuries-old culture of delivering babies at home. The Guangxi government has started a program offering 300 yuan (US$36) in child delivery subsidy. Home deliveries carry a high mortality rate for both mothers and babies especially without prenatal care. We pray for all child-bearing believers, for safe pregnancies and above all, knowing children are a heritage and blessing from God.

Sunday
Who should be the role model for China's new generation of youth? Movie stars like Zhang ziyi or Lei fong of the '60. One of the top 10 Chinese Young Leaders of 2005 gave up his banking career to establish a foundation to serve 3000 AIDS orphans. Many feel that this generation lacks visible youthful leaders, especially the Christian youth. Let us pray for rising up of godly role model to inspire all believers.

Monday
In many villages with minority ethnic groups, such as the Zhuang and Yao, it is regarded as a bad omen for a woman to give birth outside of her home and village. It was common for women to give birth in a cowshed or pigpen as recent as 10 years ago.Among many minority groups and poor regions, pregnant women do not benefit from any improved status or care. We pray for women believers and churches in these regions. We too remember many Christian agencies trying to help them with community care programs.


星期二
上週舉行的全國高校統一考試,約有880萬名考生參加。今年計畫招生530萬名學生,其中本科(知名大專院校)為260萬。對中國父母親而言,考取好大學等於手握邁向康莊大道的鑰匙。基督徒父母也知道,如果願意讓神在生命中居首位、掌王權,祂必會為孩子預備最好的。讓我們在擣告中記念正焦慮等待考試結果的父母。

星期三
根據台灣衛生署統計,去年墮掉三十多萬的胎孩,遠多於二十萬的嬰兒出生率。許多宗教團體,包括佛教、天主教等,都在推動強制婦女墮胎前有六天思考期,據統計60%胎孩因此有不同的命運。每年台灣約有一萬名以上的未成年少女私自墮胎。讓我們為台灣教會的青少年事工禱告,求主使用這些事工,不僅能接觸到學生,更能帶出生命更新的果效與意義。

星期四
由齊二制藥廠製造的治療消化不良的假藥已導致五人死亡。禍因是以價廉但有毒性的原料取代正確的配方。該藥廠並非一般的黑藥加工店,而是獲得國家批准並取得各級認證書的正規藥廠。假藥跟藥劑用量不當是中國的一大問題,同樣的,不純正與錯誤的教導也是教會中的一大問題,許多信徒被誤導走歧。求神幫助教會能在正統神學上有更紮實的裝備,並厚賜智慧與分辨的靈。

星期五
在北京的韓國人已接近10萬,是北京外籍居民中規模最大的族群。在國內各大小城市中都可見韓國人的蹤影,他們習慣聚集在韓國社區,內有韓式理髮店、韓國餐廳、學校、教會等。許多韓國人在各工作崗位上向中國人傳福音。讓我們為所有韓裔參與的教會及事工禱告,求神祝福他們的工作並多結果子。

星期六
中國西南部山區和偏僻村落,由於醫院太遠,貧窮無力支付醫藥費,加上傳統文化觀念使然,孕婦大多在家裏生産。孕婦沒作產前檢查,臨盆時也無醫療保健,因此母親與嬰兒的死亡率都很高。廣西政府爲鼓勵孕婦到醫院生産,開始提供300元人民幣(36美元)作爲生産津貼。讓我們為這些地區婦女的生産平安禱告,也求神提醒主內父母看重並珍惜神所賜的產業。

星期日
誰能成為當代年輕人的榜樣?60年代的雷鋒、70年代的陳景潤、80年代的張海迪,都是他們那個時代的楷模。2005年出爐的"中國十大青年領袖",除了影星章子怡外,最為人所矚目是辭去銀行家成立基金會救助3000名愛滋孤兒的杜冲。許多人認為當代年輕人缺少領袖楷模,特別是基督徒青年。求神興起更多敬虔基督徒青年領袖,成為這一代青年的榜樣。

星期一
廣西山區的少數民族(尤其是壯族和瑤族)往往認為婦女在家或村寨以外生産會帶來厄運。在十年前,壯族婦女仍常在馬棚、牛棚或豬寮生産。少數民族一般比較窮苦,往往不會特別照顧孕/產婦。我們求主特別憐憫此地的姊妹,使教會有能力提供更好的照顧和教導。也記念到此作社區工作的機構與同工,求主使他們力上加力,使福音傳揚更廣,嘉惠更多人。

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Prayer Request 6/6 -- 6/12

Tuesday
Moment in Peking, the re-make of a television series based on Lin Yutang 's classic book became an instant hit in China. The younger generation is fascinated by tales of love and betrayal covering the most turbulent era of modern China (1900 - 1938). Dr. Lin is also remembered as a famous translator who compiled the modern English-Chinese dictionary. Let us remember all those who are involved in the tedious and often unappreciated translation of books, articles, and the newer version of the Bible itself.

Wednesday
Martial arts movies with Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan were popular during the glorious days of Hong Kong movies. Last year, movies like Myth and Seven Swords enjoyed a resurgence of popularity and dominated the top 10 movies. Forty years ago Hong Kong was the Chinese Hollywood and even today is the home of most of the Christian movies and TV programs. Production of these movies is costly but can reach beyond the traditional church audiences. Let us pray for the mighty working of the Holy Spirit as all of these evangelistic films are shown as an outreach of the Gospel .

Thursday
Educators are now realizing the need to teach middle school students both the simplified and traditional Chinese characters. When it comes to recognizing the less commonly used traditional characters, most young people are illiterate. Learning both Chinese fonts is very difficult for those who have already struggled to learn Chinese as a second language. Let us pray for wisdom for all who are in the process of learning Chinese to use in sharing the gospel and training church workers .

Friday
Health officials say that in Taiwan one out of four junior high school students smokes. Nearly 38% of them lit their first cigarette at home before they were ten years old. Officials blame aggressive marketing that uses actors smoking in movies and TV shows for this problem. Churches in Taiwan have great difficulty retaining teenagers. Very few churches have youth programs that draw young people. Let us pray for all believing parents who ache for their teens who are straying from God as well as an awareness there of this painful loss of young people from the church .

Saturday
“Little Chinese students” are those attending colleges abroad who are less than 18 years old. A recent survey show that these are students who have little chance (<2%)>

Sunday
Despite of the recent rising prices, sales volume of K-gold jewelry was up 100% compared with last year. This year is called as the "wedding year" and May is the golden time for wedding, so demand has increased. We remember all the young believers who are marrying this year. May they honor God as the Head of their new family. We pray specially for those who have married non-believers too May their love for the Lord be great testimony to their spouses.

Monday
The Zhuang minority believe giving birth outside of one’s own house brings bad luck. The Guangxi government has tried to change this idea by making all vehicles available to take the pregnant women to hospital. There is a high death rate among mothers who give birth at home.The Zhuang are the largest minority group in China with 17 million members mostly in Guanxi and Yunnan. Only 0.25% of the Zhuang is Christian. Let us pray for their 280-plus churches and for more missionary effort to them .

星期二
中國重拍十多年前台灣曾拍攝過的林語堂作品「京華煙雲」。該劇描述在清末民初最動盪不安的時代中的愛恨糾葛,細膩的人物刻畫,深受時下年輕人的歡迎。林語堂博士還有一大貢獻傳世,就是他所編輯的英漢字典。讓我們紀念所有文字同工們在參與翻譯最新版中文聖經,以及基督教書籍、文章的忠心服事,願眾聖徒更加認識主的話、追求主的道。

星期三
李小龍、成龍的功夫電影曾創造了港片最輝煌的時代,最近香港電影又開始有新的突破,去年中國十大票房電影中有7部是港產片,包括神話、七劍,名列第二、第三。四十年前香港是中國的好萊塢,現今大部分基督教電影、電視節目也在香港製作發行。基督教電影的製作費用相當昂貴,要拍攝品質好、教會外的觀眾也能夠接納的作品更是不易。願聖靈親自動工,使用每一項為傳福音而作的影片節目,讓更多人藉此接觸主的真理,得享救恩的福樂。

星期四
中國教育界體認到中文不能再有繁簡之別的割裂。國內的中小學生也必須「學簡識繁」,面對難懂、很少使用的繁體字,許多新一代的年輕人幾乎是目不識丁。尤其是對母語非中文的外籍宣教士而言,在傳福音及教會培訓的事工上要使用流利的中文,必需學好兩種中文字體,困難度相當的大。讓我們特別求神賜給他們學習中文時所需的智慧和毅力,倚靠主凡事儘都順利。

星期五
台灣每四名國中生就有一位會抽煙,其中38%是十歲之前就開始在家學抽煙。菸商透過演員在電視、電影中吞雲吐霧,為品牌宣傳的行銷手法,是抽煙年齡下降的主要原因。目前台灣教會很難觸碰到年輕一代的需要,教會中合適吸引年輕人的節目稀少。讓我們為因年輕的孩子遠離神而感到痛心的基督徒父母,與教會中大量流失年輕一代的現象來禱告。

星期六
小留學生是指年齡未滿十八歲,從小就被父母送到國外求學的孩子。一項調查指出,現在的小留學生中少有學業優良者,能夠在國內考上重點大學的小留學生不到百分之二,。送孩子到國外唸大學的費用是相當昂貴的,但在許多大城市中特別是沿海地區仍蔚為熱潮。願神賜下智慧帶領正困擾孩子求學的基督徒父母,特別是孩子的學業表現較不理想的家庭。

星期日
儘管近日金價節節攀升,但販賣k金飾品的數量卻比去年同期增加了一倍,主因是今年是婚嫁年,五月更是嫁娶的黃金時期。讓我們紀念準備於今年完婚的年輕基督徒,願他們都能建立基督化的家庭,尊神為他們的一家之主。也特別紀念已與非基督徒結婚的信徒,願他們對神的愛能在配偶面前作美好的見證。

星期一
廣西政府嘗試改變壯族人對在家以外生孩子不吉祥的迷思,要求凡有車子的人都要載孕婦到醫院待產。由於該地區偏僻,許多在家生產的產婦,因來不及送醫而喪命。壯族是人數最多的少數民族,約有1700多萬人,卻只有0.25%是基督徒。壯族的福音拓展一向十分不易,讓我們爲廣西的280多間教會禱告,求神興旺教會的福音工作,也呼召更多工人來此收割莊稼。