Prayer Request 11/14 -- 11/20

Tuesday
“China, I've lost my key! It has started to rain again. Where do you rest, my key? I think wind and rain have corroded you, and you must be rusted by now.” This is a poem that has been studied and memorized by and fascinated millions of Chinese high school students. Not a day goes by without some new high officials arrested for gross corruption. “Where is the key to integrity and ethics?” We pray for the integrity of church workers and those who come into possession of funds on behalf of church .

Wednesday
2006 is said to be a very lucky year (once in every 38 years) for marriage. Everywhere in China, record numbers of couples are getting married. 2007 is said to be the “golden pig year,” most auspicious for giving birth to a child, and many piglets are expected. Officials are worrying about the effects of record childbirths on schooling years in the future. Let us pray for this expected baby boom and what China churches can do this new crop of new sheep .

Thursday
A beautiful single instructor posted online her list of 11 requirements for her own husband. He must be handsome, at least 32 years old, 1.7 meters tall and have 5 million yuan in asset, among other qualities. Chinese parents all desire for their daughters to marry a rich man, the so-called “Golden turtle son-in-law.” We take this time to pray for all the sisters who are considering marrying future or present church workers; may the Lord bless their decision and their service as a team .

Friday
1 in 2 marriages failed in Beijing, which is the highest in China. Regulations adopted in 2003 have simplified the divorce process, and the application fee is only 10 yuan (1.25 USD). Socially, the stigma of divorce has faded away and people openly speak of divorce as an option of ending unhappy marriage. We pray for all believers who are contemplating divorce now. May the Lord provide them friends who can help with their struggle and grant them faith in trusting the Lord .

Saturday
China has the most elderly of all nations. Every year, more than 100,000 elderly (>55 years old) commit suicide, accounting for 36% of all suicides. In rural areas, many elderly simply cannot get to church because they are physically unable or unable to afford transportation to the closest churches. Some churches send out workers to visit monthly. Let us pray for these efforts to minister to the old saints who no longer can attend church worship and fellowship .

Sunday
There are more than 130 million Chinese older than 60 years. Many have observed that the younger generation in general no longer considers caring for the elderly parents a must. Seniors who are abandoned are ever more common. Ministering to the elderly is not a priority for most China churches. Let us pray for the few churches that organize believers and dedicate manpower to visit and care for the old people at home. May the Lord stir up more churches to do the same .

Monday
“Old people must have their resting place” is an ideal Chinese have for their aging parents. The elderly should have their needs met and enough to spend. In Hong Kong, pastors have retirement funds, but in China, the story is totally different. Living with their children is the only option for the old pastors. Unfortunately, some do not even have that. We take this time to remember those who have served the Lord faithfully and now face financial and health problems .

星期二
「天，又開始下雨，我的鑰匙啊，你躺在哪里？我想風雨腐蝕了你，你已經鏽迹斑斑了。」這首《中國，我的鑰匙丟了》是千千萬萬中學生都曾背誦和學習過的８０年代新詩。當代中國到底丟失了什麼？每天翻開國內報紙都會讀到又有高官因貪汙被捕。「道德和公義的鑰匙在那裡？」讓我們為整個社會以及教會同工能有正直、清潔的心來禱告。求神讓同工們在處理物資和錢財時，能存敬畏神的心，克服不當的貪念，勝過物質的引誘。

星期三
最近熱傳２００６年是３８年一輪回的大吉之年尤宜嫁娶，而2007年是「金豬年」適宜生育，中國各地為孕育「豬寶寶」而趕在今年結婚的新人大大增加。估計明年將會有一波嬰兒潮，政府擔心未來會出現入學學額不足的問題。讓我們為這嬰兒潮禱告，也求神讓中國教會作好準備，幫助年輕的父母成為敬虔的父母，迎接這些新生的羊群。

星期四
中國一位美女講師在博客開出徵婚條件：眾多條件之外還加上「英俊/３２歲以上/１．７米高/擁有５百萬資產。」中國父母都盼望女兒覓得金龜婿。讓我們特別為正考慮嫁聖職人員的姐妹們禱告，求主預備她們的心，並且祝福她們的決定，讓她們能夠與丈夫尊主為大、同心服事，以承受上好的福份為樂。

星期五
中國離婚率最高的北京市，每天平均不到兩對夫妻結婚卻有一對離婚。２００３年實施的《結婚登記條例》又進一步簡化離婚手續，符合條件的只需付工本費10元人民幣。離婚所承受的社會壓力亦逐漸轉弱，更多人視離婚為結束不快樂婚姻的一種選擇。讓我們為所有正考慮離婚的信徒禱告。願主在他們面對婚姻問題時，預備能協助和安慰他們的弟兄姐妹，使他們有信心依靠神來解決一切難題。

星期六
中國是全世界人口老化最甚的國家。每年有超過１０萬老人（＞５５歲）自殺，佔所有自殺人數的３６﹪。在鄉村地區，很多老人因行動不便和付不起交通費而無法到教會聚會。因此一些教會差派同工每月去探訪他們。讓我們為這些老年事工禱告，尤其求主記念無法繼續到教會敬拜的年老聖徒，以及教會所作的努力。

星期日
中國人口年逾60者，有超過1.3億之多，如今年輕一代已不再以奉養父母終老為理所當然，年邁遭棄者時有所聞。多數中國教會也不以老年人事工為優先，只有少數教會組織信徒，貢獻人力來關懷留在家中的老人家。求神祝福這些教會的擺上，同時也求神把同樣的負擔加給更多的教會，一同把神的慈愛傳遞到每個有需要的心靈裡。

星期一
「老有所終」是華人年老時的理想，年老時不只是精神上要有依靠，也該在日常需用上的到滿足。香港的傳道人有工資及退休金，在中國情況就不同，許多傳道人連薪金都沒有，更遑論退休金了。國內有很多年老傳道人沒有家人供養，景況淒涼。讓我們特別記念這些忠心事主的牧者及同工，求神顧念他們現在的經濟狀況和身心健康。