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。