Prayer Request 8/29 -- 9/4

Tuesday
In terms of casualties and property loss from natural disasters, China is having its worst year of this century. Repeated severe typhoons have caused havoc in the southern provinces. Beijing has demanded that local officials not cover over or report less than full damage. This summer, poor weather has impeded training work and retreats in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, and Hunan during the time that traditionally many church activities take place. Let us lift up all the churches in the South of China in our prayers, especially those affected by typhoons .

Wednesday
Is feng shui an ancient Chinese architectural art or mere superstition? Last year Nanjing University's attempt to have a training program with a certificate raised a fierce debate and was quickly shut down. In reality consultation with a feng shui master to ensure a better financial return is a common practice. Let us pray for all believers who foolishly dabble with such practices and for strong Biblical teaching in the churches against it .

Thursday
A shortage of qualified teachers in rural counties of China is a universal problem. Hubei started a program which attracted 1335 college graduates to teach in the most remote villages. Many of them became their much-needed English teachers. This injection of new blood has drawn praise from both students and parents. Rural churches face the same problems but few have answered the call to serve there. Let us pray for vision and burden for all of those who are in training and are returning to villages to serve the Lord .

Friday
In 1970 a typical urban male made about forty-two yuan monthly. In 1990 he made four hundred yuan and received free medical care. Later he switched to a joint venture company and now makes one thousand yuan each month. While many have enjoyed an increase in wages, church workers lag far behind. The spouses of church workers must work to supplement their income. Let us remember all who are contemplating leaving the ministry for better pay and pray for those who continue to serve that will be faithful .

Saturday
"A yi", live in housekeeper or nannies are common in China. Young ladies or girls from villages are often hired for house help. When the employers are fair and protective, these jobs are desirable. In larger cities, believers who employ these "a yi" have organized Bible studies for them. There are similar groups for drivers (personal chauffers) too. Let us pray for all who are part of this ministry and ask the Lord use their employers to show the love of God .

Sunday
In northeastern China in Heilongjiang, Liaoning, and Inner Mongolia, there are 1.92 million Chinese who are ethnically Korean. As an ethnic minority, they receive education in both Chinese and Korean. Many of them have become Christians, gone to seminary, and now serve in churches in these regions. Let us pray especially for the large number of Christians among the Chinese-Koreans as well as their missionary efforts and training programs .

Monday
Large numbers of Koreans can be found living in their own "Korea Town" in Beijing, Qingdao, Dalian, Shenyang, Tianjin, Yantai, and Shanghai. There are many Korean house churches in these neighborhoods which Chinese nationals also attend. We praise the Lord for the substantial assistance Korean churches provide for Chinese churches. We pray for the growth of churches directly and indirectly supported by Korean missionaries and churches .

星期二
今年天然災害在中國造成的人命傷亡和財物損失是本世紀來最嚴重的一年。強烈颱風頻頻登陸，使南部省份遭受到極大的破壞。北京當局已下令地方官員必須據實上報所有災情，不得隱瞞或虛報。今夏惡劣的天氣也阻礙了兩廣、湘、閩一帶許多教會例行的夏季訓練和退修活動。讓我們求神托住中國南部這些教會，尤其為遭受颱風損害的教會來禱告。

星期三
風水是中國古老的建築藝術智慧或純屬迷信？去年南京大學企圖開辦一個提供證書的風水訓練課程，結果因所引發的劇烈抗辯而迅速被關閉。在現實生活中，人們請教風水師傅以確保得到更好的經濟回報，幾乎已是例行公事。讓我們為所有無知涉足風水的信徒禱告，求神讓教會能教導更紮實的聖經真理來抵擋風水之說的影響。

星期四
中國農村師資的短缺已是普遍的問題。湖北省近來發起一項計劃吸引了1,335名大學畢業生到偏遠鄉村執教，其中很多成為當地最需要的英文教師。這些注入教育界的新血輪，贏得了學生和家長熱烈的掌聲。反觀鄉村教會，同樣面臨人手不足的困境，但願意囘應呼召，到農村事奉的人卻寥寥可數。我們求神堅固正受裝備、將來要返鄉服事主的奉獻者的異象和負擔，也呼召更多人來響應鄉村服事。

星期五
1970年一個典型都市男性每月大約掙得42元人民幣。1990年他的收入可達400元外加免費醫療。若隨後加入聯營公司，如今月薪會上千圓。正當許多人享受著加薪的喜悅時，教會同工卻被遠遠抛在後頭，而配偶還必須出外工作來支撐家庭的經濟需要。讓我們爲因更好的薪酬而動念離開宣教崗位的人禱告，求神補足他們生活的需要之外，也賜更大的信心能繼續忠心服事。

星期六
在中國聘請“阿姨”，即住家保姆非常普遍。許多年輕的鄉村姑娘都受聘當小保姆。若雇主通情達理，對她們而言倒也是一份不錯的工作。有些在大城市的信徒，為家裏聘請的保姆開辦讀經小組，也有專為家庭司機而設的類似小組。讓我們為所有參加的雇員們禱告，也求神讓他們的雇主都能向他們彰顯神的愛。

星期日
在中國東北地區，包括黑龍江，遼寧，和内蒙古等地，有192萬多的朝鮮族人。一般這些少數民族都同時兼受中國和朝鮮教育。其中很多已成爲基督徒接受神學院造就，現在該地區的教會中服事。讓我們為這群人數頗衆的朝鮮裔中國信徒禱告，求神記念他們的付出與努力，特別拓展他們的宣教事工和訓練計劃。

星期一
越來越多的韓國人聚居在北京，青島，大連，瀋陽，天津，煙臺，和上海等城市裡，形成自己的“韓國村”。由於韓國基督徒人數衆多，所以當地社區有許多韓國家庭開放成爲教會，也有中國人來參加他們的崇拜活動。這些韓國教會提供給中國教會極重要的協助，我們要爲此讚美神。也求神直接或間接地透過這些「韓援」使中國教會能更茁壯成長。

Prayer Request 8/22 - 8/28

Tuesday
Authorities in Shanghai shut down a privately operated Chinese style "private school" claiming the curriculum used was not approved by the government. The parents who started this school have insisted that since it is privately owned and operated, it needs no approval. Christian parents face the formidable uphill battle of raising their children to love the Lord and keep up good grades in the Chinese educational system. We pray for wisdom and commitment in teaching their children the Scriptures daily and that they will be a living example of a Christian to them .

Wednesday
"Crazy Stone", a simple, low-budget, dark social comedy recently became the hottest movie in China. It is about how people "go crazy" doing things to make money such as passing fake stones for real gems. Many of the lines in the movie have already become instant catchy phrases in everyday life. China has indeed become a society fixated on getting rich. We agree that the churches in China are in danger of being swallowed up by materialism and a loss of ethical standards. Let us pray for the safeguarding of the hearts of all believers and especially those of the leaders in the church .

Thursday
Unfortunately it takes a Chinese mega-star having a baby with a congenital deformity for the society as a whole to talk openly about birth defects like cleft palate. Christian Chinese doctors have been involved in the repair of such defects for years, even performing free surgeries in rural areas. Orphanages run by Christians have also taken in deformed children rejected by other orphanages. Let us pray for these unique ministries and that the children with scars would grow up knowing they are beautiful in God's eyes .

Friday
The prospect of having 1500 tourists from China visiting Taiwan daily is great news to all Taiwan businessmen. Everyone is expecting this to take place in time for the October 1st National holiday week. The anticipation of Chinese believers visiting churches and seminaries in Taiwan opens a new chapter too. Let us pray for even more churches in Taiwan that will become involved in training of workers and community care in China .

Saturday
The "Twelve Girls Band"--a charming dozen young ladies assembled on the basis of both musical talent and good looks was marketed as the ultimate girl band playing updated Chinese classics to Western music and using traditional Chinese instruments. Last year they made 14.5 million dollars. Hundreds of churches have their own choirs and a few have bands. Let us pray particularly for these churches that are so blessed. May the Lord use their gifts to reach out in their cities and assist those churches that have no musical resources at all .

Sunday
To take advantage of a loophole in the law, thousands of villagers near Chongqing are filing for divorce and re-marrying immediately. Newly married couples are able to get a double government housing reimbursement. Is there no sanctity in marriage in China today? Unfortunately this kind of thing is not uncommon. Let us pray for the guarding of the hearts of all believers who are contemplating divorce as a "way out of their unhappiness" or a "change of life style ".

Monday
China considers all private schools illegal if the curriculum is not approved by the Ministry of Education. High school entrance examinations are based on a standardized textbooks and curriculum. Technically and legally Sunday school for children is strictly forbidden. However many churches offer an improvised or "homemade" curriculum for Sunday school. In general the teachers lack even basic training. We pray for more resources and especially for those who tirelessly work to teach children about the life of Jesus .

星期二
上海當局關閉了一所私立學校“孟母堂”，原因之一是所使用的教材未經當局審核。創辦學校的家長們卻堅持私立學校不需要審核。在中國教育體制和環境下，基督徒父母面對的大挑戰就是，要培養孩子愛主，同時又要他們維持好成績。讓我們為信徒父母禱告，求神賜智慧，使他們立志用聖經的話教導孩子，並把信仰活出來成爲眾人的榜樣。

星期三
一齣簡單、低成本製作的中國新黑色幽默電影“瘋狂的石頭”，意外成爲最賣座的國片。該片描述人們 「發了瘋」似的掙錢，竟不擇手段、搶奪一塊真假難分翡翠的瘋狂景象。電影上映後，片中很多的對白更成了社會流行語。中國確實是個向錢看的社會，中國教會面對最大的問題就是物質主義和道德標準的淪喪。我們禱告神保守每個基督徒的心，特別是教會的領袖，免受屬世的價值觀侵害。

星期四
一位天后巨星不幸生下兔唇畸形兒，引起社會公開談論和關注先天性畸形的嬰孩。多年來很多基督徒醫生一直參與在農村偏遠、貧窮地區畸形兒童的免費整形手術。基督徒也開辦孤兒院收留普通孤兒院所不接受的嚴重畸形兒。我們為這些特別的事工禱告，也求神讓這些孩子能真正明白，在人的眼中或許奇異甚至遭人唾棄的，但在神眼中他們永遠是美麗的。

星期五
臺北當局將採取「自由行」模式開放大陸觀光客來臺觀光。預計每日會有1,500名遊客來台，觀光業盼望這好消息能在10月1日旅遊旺季之前開始實行。這機會也為兩岸信徒的交流展開新的契機，大陸信徒能借此機會來參觀台灣的神學院和教會。我們在此為有更多台灣教會願意參與大陸的福音和培訓工作及社區關懷服務來向神禱告。

星期六
「女子十二月坊」是 12名才貌雙全妙齡女子在包裝下組成非常時髦的樂團，她們以古典中國樂器演奏西洋音樂和流行樂，時下非常受歡迎，過去一年就有1千4百多萬美元的收入。現在有許多中國教會都有自己的詩班，有些也有敬拜讚美團。讓我們為有這些特別福氣的教會禱告，求神使用他們的恩賜來接觸當地城市裏的人，並且用他們的音樂資源來協助其他教會。

星期日
在重慶附近一村莊裏，有一千多對夫妻鑽法律漏洞，藉離婚後假結婚然後又再復婚來取得雙倍的套房配額。這類事件在中國並不少見，中國現今究竟還有沒有神聖的婚約？讓我們為信徒禱告，尤其正考慮以離婚“脫離不幸”或“給便生活方式”的夫妻，求神保守他們能看重在神面前所立的誓約，並賜給他們智慧和能力維持合神心意的婚姻。

星期一
中國教育局日前把課程未經該局審核的私塾（民辦學校）均列爲非法教育機構。高中入學試必須根據劃一的課本和課程。兒童主日學，無論是在法律或技術上都嚴格被禁。但是很多教會卻提供即興、自創的主日學課程，不過兒童主日學老師們普遍缺乏基本訓練。讓我們求神適時供應所需的資源，並為那些不辭勞苦教導孩子認識基督的老師們禱告，求神記念他們的勞苦並加添他們額外的能力來應付教導的事工。

Prayer Request 8/15 -- 8/21

Tuesday
The surprising answer to the question, "Who are buying houses in China?" is that it is the 25-30 year-olds who have graduated from college and gotten married. Parents of the children from the One-child-only policy are pooling their savings to help their children buy homes. Chinese parents will do nearly anything to help their children get a home of their own. Christian parents struggle between saving for retirement or for a house for their child. We pray for great faith for them as they learn to give to the House of God also .

Wednesday
A government survey reports that 98.3% of the people in a government survey in China agree that "The gap between the rich and poor has widened" and the situation has become unacceptable. About 3/4 believe that "helping the poor" directly is far more important policy step than "robbing the rich" with heavier taxation. The gap between the poor rural churches and the wealthier urban ones has widened, too. Not only are facilities superior, the training of workers and even preaching are better. Let us pray for the encouraging trend of some of the healthier churches helping those in need by supporting them with preachers, finance, as well as help in building churches .

Thursday
30,000 mainland Chinese students applied to universities in Hong Kong this year. Fifteen of China's top students were happy to enroll with full scholarships. Their top reasons were famous faculties, and well-equipped libraries. Many pastors and church workers are also eager to receive additional theological training in Singapore, the Philippines, or North America. Numbers have returned to China to serve there. We pray for their faithful ministries and patience in applying at home what they have learned abroad .

Friday
China plans to raise the salaries of civil servants as a part of the reform to narrow the gap between the rich and poor there. This will raise the salary for 120 million people including 6 million central and local government employees and 50 million retired military and government employees. The biggest problem churches in China face is that of retaining their workers. They leave for secular work or for positions with higher incomes and overall there are no health benefits at all. We cannot judge those who have left but we pray for this neglected group and this huge problem China churches have. .

Saturday
Hospitals charge 1000 yuan for normal delivery of babies and 2000 yuan for C-sections. In Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guizhou this takes nearly five months income of many minority families. Due to a lack of prenatal care and basic midwife attendance, infant mortality is very high. In many of the minority groups in China, deeply-ingrained bad cultural practices, poverty, and the worship of spirits continue. Let us lift up all the ethnic minorities and the churches there.

Sunday
In China teaching is referred to as "The most glorious profession under the sun." Confucius was the most respected, and still serves as an exemplary model teacher. There are approximately ten million teachers in various levels of the Chinese education system. We take this time to lift up all who teach the Bible in seminaries, training classes, and churches. May the Lord give them wisdom, a powerful life witness, and an example of humility .

Monday
Technically every Chinese is entitled to nine years of free education but there are various add-on fees and the government is trying to crack down on such abuses. Private elementary and junior high schools which offer similar tuition and fees but with a substantially improved education are now common. Church workers who leave the ministry say the most common reason is their inability to pay for their children's education. We remember their struggle and respect their decisions, pray for their continuing service in other capacities, and bless their families .


星期二
「誰是中國房屋大買家？」購房主力出人意料的竟是25-30歲大學剛畢業，準備結婚的年輕人。專家指出，獨生子女的家庭結構是支撐中國房價上漲的重要因素。同為獨子的男女雙方父母都會掏錢為孩子購屋，使得房屋需求量上升，價格也跟著上漲。華人父母會盡一切力量讓孩子擁有自己的房子。基督徒父母也同樣掙扎於為自己留退休積蓄或為孩子購屋的兩難之中，如果還要十一奉獻，需要很大的信心。我們為基督徒，特別是年長者禱告，求神調整他們屬靈的價值觀，並操練為神家中的需要奉獻。

星期三
根據官方調查，98.3%的中國人認同貧富差距變大了；73.5%認爲濟貧比劫富更重要，政府應該“濟貧”—直接幫助窮人。而非“劫富”—增加稅收。教會在貧窮的農村和富裕的城市間，無論設備，同工訓練、甚至講道素質也都極爲懸殊。讓我們為此禱告，盼望神感動健全富裕的教會能幫助貧窮的教會，不單在金錢上支持，也能提供傳道和教導的支援，並且協助植堂建立教會。

星期四
近來内地學生競相投入香港高校（大學）懷抱。最大原因是香港有名師和設備完善的圖書館。今年就有近3萬學生爭取1,000個名額，包括15位高考狀元獲取香港全額獎學金。國內教會許多傳道人和同工嚮往外國神學完備的訓練。有些到新加坡，菲律賓及北美接受裝備後回國事奉。但國內教會不一定能接受他們在外國所學的。讓我們為他們回國後的服事禱告，求神幫助他們學習忍耐，在神家中忠心地服事。

星期五
中國準備提高所有公務人員的薪資，以改革經濟減緩貧富懸殊差距。屆時會有1.2億人獲得加薪，包括6百萬名中央及地方政府和5千萬退休軍人和公務員。目前中國教會面臨最大的挑戰是同工服事不能持久，他們爲了家庭需要，選擇到社會工作；很多教會也沒有照顧到傳道人的福利和需要。我們不論斷離開工場的人，卻要為掙扎其中的教會及同工禱告，求神開路。

星期六
在雲南、廣西和貴州的醫院，自然生産費用是1,000人民幣，剖腹產則是2,000圓。這相當於境內少數民族家庭五個月的收入。當地的孕婦缺少產前護理，也很少到醫院生産，因此嬰兒死亡率居高不下。中國的少數族群除了貧窮，也保留許多惡習和不良的文化思想，至今仍繼續拜精靈。我們求神差遣更多工人將福音帶給他們，興起當地教會和基督徒能夠依靠主，發揮改變社會的功能。

星期日
在中國，教書被視爲「太陽底下最光輝的專業」。備受尊崇的孔夫子，歷代被稱為「至聖先師」，至今仍是教師們的典範。目前中國教育體制下，大約有1千萬名教師。讓我們記念在聖經學院、培訓班、和眾教會裏擔任教職的人，求神厚賜他們智慧、能力與謙卑，以及有力的生命見證，為衆人樹立典範。

星期一
中國有9年義務教育制度，實際上很多公立學校卻爭相收取各種附加費，政府仍在努力糾正這些弊端。公立學校收費與很多私立中小學相近，但後者在營利之餘仍會不斷提升教學素質。同工離開宣教或牧養崗位，最常見的原因是無法負擔兒女的教育費。讓我們諒解他們的掙扎並尊重他們的決定。求神賜福他們的家人，讓他們在新工作崗位上仍能有美好的見證和服事。

Prayer Request 8/8 -- 8/14

Tuesday
China celebrates the 70th year anniversary of the famed “Long March”. The gruesome 25,000 kilometer retreat of the defeated People Liberation Army led by Mao which began with 20,6000 men strong and ended with only 57000. As a revolution is paved with the blood of the martyrs, so is the 200 years history of China churches. We take this time to thank the Lord for generations of faithful who gave their lives bravely for the Lord, refusing to disavow Him or compromise themselves .

Wednesday
In rural China the trend is to leave one's children for grandparents to raise. Yet according to a study, only 60% of the elderly have a grade school education, 20% have finished junior high and 20% are illiterate. Nearly 40% of these children have poor or failing grades. It is a struggle to balance work and raising children. Let us pray for all believers who face the problems that they will remember to teach their children to love the Lord above all else .

Thursday
In modern China image is everything. For an amount equal to three month's salary image consultants offer clients advice on the color and style of clothes, make up, posture, body language, speech, and mannerisms. It is no longer an easy task to describe what a typical modern Chinese believer looks like. Let us pray for the tens of thousands of believers who are high-ranking officials, serving in the military or Public Security who must keep the image of a party member.

Friday
Two weeks before the 2008 Olympics opens an estimated 17,000 athletes will move into the Olympic Villages with free accommodations. So far 112 hotels have promised to offer a 70% discount for the families of athletes. With the event only one summer away, plans are in places to share the Gospel with athletes around the world in Beijing. Let us pray for all the preparation underway to witness to all the visitors and athletes next summer .

Saturday
In China 82% of the people own their own homes. In Zhejiang people have the biggest homes, with an average of 34.8 square meters--ahead of even Shanghai and Beijing. In contrast, the average home in Singapore is 25 meters square. Praise the Lord, the churches in Zhejiang are also bigger and have a larger attendance per church than in other places. Let us remember the financial support of the churches there as well as those in the poorer neighboring provinces .

Sunday
The new railroad to Tibet opened on July 1st. One can take the train from Beijing to Lhasa in two days. This once nearly inaccessible region where Buddhism is practiced has generated an unprecedented interest in tourists. Evangelism in Tibet is especially difficult as many Westerners want to preserve Tibet's Buddhist culture. We pray as more Chinese believers are able to visit Tibet there will be a burden and missionary vision for this region by the churches in China .

Monday
The city of Guangzhou consumes nearly 40% of the foreign hard liquor sold in China. Drinking imported liquor and wine have become a status symbol and pastime among young professionals. Foreign wines are used as gifts as well as the main drink in the trendy night clubs. Many churches in China are also eager to take in whatever foreign church growth methods they can discover. Let us remember all the churches who have tried hard to seek numeric growth but must emphasize the training of co-workers who can shoulder the work of the church .

星期二
中國慶祝「長征」勝利70周年紀念。當年毛澤東帶領的20多萬軍解放軍與國民黨軍隊交鋒節節失利，轉戰2萬5千里後僅剩5萬7千人。革命是用烈士的血所鋪成的。同樣的，中國200年的基督教歷史，也是一代代忠誠的信徒?主無畏擺上性命，拒絕妥協、不否認主，一步一腳印地締造下來的。讓我們記念這些先驅們的奉獻，求主讓這一代信徒也能效法他們的榜樣，願意把自己當成活祭獻給主用。

星期三
中國農村的孩童大多因父母外出工作而托養於祖父母。研究顯示，農村老人中只有兩成完成初中教育，六成受過小學教育，另外兩成是文盲；而40%的小孩學業成績不佳，甚至不及格。 現代父母常為平衡工作和教養子女的責任而掙紮。求主賜給信徒父母們有能力和智慧養育下一代，教導孩子愛主勝於一切。

星期四
現代中國人非常注重形象，有些人甚至願意每月花3,000人民幣，向形象顧問塑造師尋求指導個人外貌服飾妝扮，甚至姿態，言語，和禮儀。在中國現在也很難區分何為典型的基督徒。有上萬的基督徒是政府官員，在軍隊或公安局裏居高職，爲了職位，他們必須繼續保持黨員的形象，不讓人察覺他們的信仰，目前黨內的基督徒人數雖難確定，但讓我們為他們的信心禱告，求神保守他們的安全，讓他們有機會在單位裏發揮影響力。

星期五
2008年北京奧林匹克運動會開幕前兩周，預計1萬7千名運動員會搬進奧運村。112家旅館答應給運動員家屬70%優惠。隨著奧運的逼近，北京很多人開始計劃向來自世界各地的選手傳福音。讓我們禱告求神親自參與他們的計劃，明年夏天使他們能順利向前來的旅客和運動健兒們為主做美好的見證。

星期六
現今中國有82%居民擁有自己的房子。浙江人民的住宅面積平均有34.8方米，屬全國最大，勝過上海和北京。相對的新加坡的住房平均只有25方米。感謝神，浙江人不止房子大，該省的教會也大，聚會人數也比別處多。讓我們在禱告中記念當地教會的財務需求，也為鄰近貧窮省分的信徒和教會的需要向主代求。

星期日
通往西藏的青藏高原鐵路在7月1日開始通行，從北京到拉薩只需要2天。近來引起各地遊人對這曾是難以接近的喇嘛教地區，空前的興趣。火車通行開拓了福音的路。當地的人並不排斥傳教士，但卻遭以保護文化信仰為由，被當地人向公安揭發，使福音工作進行非常困難，求主憐憫，挪去這福音的障礙。

星期一
廣州人所消費的烈酒，佔了中國洋酒總量的近40%。近年來喝進口酒和紅酒已成年輕專業人士們身份和品位的象徵，到酒廊消磨時間也蔚為一種時尚。 這種崇尚外來文化的現象也常見於中國教會。許多教會不辨良莠，熟衷引進外國教會任何可刺激成長的妙方。求主引導教會領袖們在追求人數增長的同時，更要重視紮實的門徒訓練，以培養能擔大任的同工。

Prayer Request 8/1--8/7

Tuesday
This is the 30th anniversary of the Tangshan, Hebei earthquake which killed 242,769, injured 164,851, and wiped out that industrial port city. The city has been rebuilt and a whole new generation who barely remember the disaster live there. Tangshan is famous for its iron ore and its proximity to Beijing and Tianjin. Let us remember the work of the gospel and the testimony of all new believers in this area .

Wednesday
There are not many options left for those farmers who wish to stay on the land and farm. Many people have been discouraged by land lost to development, a limit to family-owned land, and poor crops.Choosing to work in the city as an unskilled laborer usually brings in more income than farming does. Let us pray for all who serve in rural areas and see their churches growing smaller, that they won't feel discouraged and abandon their ministry .

Thursday
In Shenzhen, the people of one entire village refused to lease out their houses to anyone from Henan Province. All over China, the people from Henan have suffered prejudice due to their reputation of being troublemakers and their lack of consideration for others.The largest population of Chinese believers is found there but the negative images commonly spread around about them have hurt their effectiveness as believers. Let us uplift all the churches and believers in Henan that they will be powerful witnesses and do many acts of compassion in their communities .

Friday
In Beijing many hotels will soon begin taking reservations for the 2008 Olympics. A 5-star room will cost nearly $353.US (2800 yuan). The government expects half a million foreign and two million Chinese tourists to visit all the venues. Christian ministries and churches plan to take part in the Olympic festivities extending hospitality and providing assistance to visitors. We pray for churches in the Beijing area that are excited about opportunities for outreach at the Olympics .

Saturday
There are 20 million rural children who live with their grandparents while their parents work in the cities. Nearly a third of the parents do not stay in contact with their children and are away for years at a time. Many choose not to return home annually because there are good-paying jobs during the New Year's time. Let us pray for this same problem many rural church workers face. They do not return home for long periods of time which causes great stress for their families. May the Lord reward their sacrificial and hard labor and also remind them of their duty as parents .

Sunday
China's strategic missile deployment attachment (Er Pau) celebrated its 40th anniversary. Some of the brightest brains in China are in this intercontinental nuclear division. God is raising up a new generation of church works, many of who have degrees from colleges and universities abroad. However, they still need to be accepted and tested by the churches at home. Let us pray for humble service as well as adequate mentorship for the young pastors who do have formal college training .

Monday
"Thirty percent of girls who work in beauty shops, half of the beggars on the street and ninety percent of loiterers are from Henan" is what people in Shenzhen say in ridicule to show how they despise Henanese. Nearly all the young people in Henan are forced to go to other provinces to seek a better life since they cannot find work at home. Despite this negative image and reputation, the churches in Henan have sent out young workers and trained them to plant churches in Western China, particularly among Muslims. Let us remember all the Henan missionaries in Xinjiang and the Middle East .

星期二
今年7月28日是河北唐山大地震30周年紀念日。當年這7.8級世紀大地震轉瞬間造成24萬多人死亡，16萬人重傷，也把唐山這個工業城和港口全部摧毀。 今天這個城市已從廢墟中重建，新生代對上個世紀這場慘絕天災的記憶也日漸薄弱。唐山因鐵礦以及與北京和天津相近而聞名，讓我們特別為此地福音工作的推展和新一代的信徒在此有美好的見證來禱告。

星期三
許多農民已無地可耕，因土地被政府徵收用以發展城市。城市化造成物價上漲，加上農作物欠收，也逼使有地農民們紛紛到外地賭運氣，在城裏做無技術勞工，反而能帶給家庭更高的收入。面對農村人口日益凋零，教會人數也減少及老化的現象，讓我們更恆切地為所有在鄉村忠心服事的人禱告，求神加添他們更多心力和智慧，並且引領他們前進的方向。

星期四
一個深圳市的村子，全部村民都不願意租房給來自河南的人。一般人對河南人印象不好：貧窮、粗魯、愛惹事，缺乏公德，不善溝通，因而他們在全國各地倍受歧視。河南也是中國信徒人數最多的省份，這些負面的形象使河南信徒的見證功能也受到影響。求神扶持他們，厚賜對人憐憫的心，並有信心和能力克服負面影響，而在社區中為神做美好的見證。

星期五
奧運漸近，北京附近的112間星級飯店即將接受2008年的客房預訂，5星級的房間價格約為美金353元（2,800元人民幣）。政府預計將有近50萬外國遊客及200萬國內的觀衆前來觀看奧運。基督教事工單位和教會也開始為參與奧運盛事而計劃，包括爲旅客提供咨詢，飲料或協助等。北京一帶的教會紛紛為此傳福音的良機大發熱心。讓我們為他們感恩及禱告，求神與他們同工。
星期六
根據調查，2千萬農村孩子是跟祖父母同住，而他們的父母則在城市裏工作，很多都沒有跟孩子們聯絡，甚至一去就是好幾年，連節日也不回來，因爲過年過節時候有更好的工作和工資。讓我們禱告記念這普遍的問題。許多農村教會的傳道人和同工，也常爲福音的緣故離開家人長期在外。求神記念他們的擺上，保守他們的家人，更教他們能夠兼盡爲人父母的責任。
星期日
今年7月1日中，國二炮部隊慶祝建立40周年。「二炮」即中國的戰略導彈部隊，擁有爲數可觀的 「人才方陣」-博士級和國家級最優秀的專才。神在中國教會也興起一批從海外遊學歸國的服事者。然而要想嬴得教會的接納，須先證實在服事上的忠心，這遠比頭腦的知識來的重要。求神幫助他們能融入國內教會體系願意謙卑向教會老傳道人請益，爲未來承接教會聖工、為神國開啟新局樹立優良典範。

星期一
「三成理髮店的女從業員，五成街上要飯的，九成娛樂場『看場子』的，都是河南人。」這是深圳人對河南人的揶揄。由於家鄉缺少工作機會，因此河南年輕人需蜂湧到外地覓職。雖背著譏嘲和不良形象，河南教會卻也派了許多年輕人到中國西部回教地區或其他國家去傳揚福音。求神在新疆和中東等艱難的宣教環境中，特別保守祝福河南宣教大使們靠主大大得勝。