Prayer Request 11/21 -- 11/27

Tuesday
Although they are mostly limited to face cream and shampoo, 30% of urban Chinese families, now have skin care products for men in their homes. Men in the south in Guangzhou and Shenzhen are more open to "beauty" products than men in the Northern provinces. People from North China and South China are quite different and it often is reflected in their philosophy of ministry. Let us pray for the harmony and humility needed for ministry in churches in China when it involves workers from various regions .

Wednesday
Voluntary human organ donation has not been popular in china. Of the 2,000,000 who await corneal transplants, only 2000 were available and a very few of them came from volunteer donors. Chinese believe strongly that a "good death" must not be dismembered. Volunteerism and sacrifice are new and foreign to many in China, including believers. We thank the Lord for many the Christians known only to God who have given their best years and their lives serving the blind and handicapped .

Thursday
In all of China, Shanxi Province has had the dubious distinction of being in the top three most polluted cities caused by burning and mining coal. Many Shanxi cities do not see blue sky for much of the year because of dust caused by high winds. Because many believers have left for better job prospects in other provinces, Shanxi has lagged behind in economic development. Let us pray for the difficult church work and all the missionaries involved in community development in Shanxi .

Friday
For many foreigners living in China it is very affordable to have a housekeeper or live-in nanny. It costs only about 800 yuan or $100.US a month. Whether they live in or commute, such helpers tend to stay with the family for a long period. For those who are Christians this is a great opportunity to witness and live out the love of God before those helpers. As a consequence many have believed in Jesus. Let us pray for this unique and precious fruit .

Saturday
Living alone or in retirement home is considered a shame in China. Deeply influenced by the traditional value that children should support their elderly parents and guarantee them a happy life, many Chinese seniors are reluctant to leave home and live in retirement homes. Let us pray for the salvation of non-believing elderly parents of so many Chinese believers. The reality of eternal separation weighs heavily on so many Chinese believers. May the Lord grant mercy and Holy Spirit bring about a change in their hearts.

Sunday
Many Chinese families now have a "four parents, one couple, and one child" structure. Young people are shouldering a heavy burden supporting the elderly. Experts recommend that senior citizens live at home and that their communities take care of them. It is a solution that suits China's situation and its traditions. Let us remember those churches that operate retirement homes and are regularly involved in caring for the senior citizens near their churches.

Monday
A popular phrase fueling the desire to take bribes among public officials in China is, "If you don't grab, you will lost your chance to grab". Not a day goes by without news of the arrest of high officials who have accepted bribes. Corruption at all levels is now the number one problem of the Communist Party. A lack of transparency and public accounting among house churches creates a great temptation even for believers. We pray for the integrity of all believers and Christian workers alike .

星期二
國內一般「男士美容」雖然仍限於使用洗面奶、潤膚霜等，不過在都會區，超過3成家庭有男士美容護膚產品。北方人對男性美容的看法較爲保守，比起廣州和深圳等南方大城市的男士，對以「美」悦人，「解压、休閒」的需要訴求顯得格外冷靜。南方人和北方人的觀念差異也反映於教會事工理念上。讓我們為眾教會同工的合一禱告，求神賜下謙卑和睦，願意尊主為首，彼此洗腳，同心完成神的託負。

星期三
器官捐獻在中國仍不普遍，主要因爲中國人自古以來看重好生好死，不留全屍等於不得好死。在2百萬等待器官移植的人當中，只有兩千人得償所願，且器官多半來自受刑死囚，志願捐贈者少之又少。義工和犧牲的觀念對中國人，包括基督徒都很陌生。感謝主，仍有一群人爲主默默奉獻出寶貴的青春歲月，來服事瞎眼、弱視等殘障同胞，和社會的弱勢群體。求神記念賜福他們，並且藉他們愛心的善工，結出美好的果子。

星期四
中國山西省環境污染情況嚴重，臨汾陽泉與大同並列全國前三名污染最嚴重的城市。境內許多地區因爲沙塵的關係，全年多數時間風沙滿天飛見不到藍天白雲。由於該省經濟發展落後，許多基督徒為了更好的工作機會紛紛離開，因此雖然福音傳到此地已久，卻很難發展。近來有許多宣教士在此開啟社區發展和醫療服事的工作。讓我們為山西教會和宣教工作禱告，求神在困難和挑戰中不斷為他們開路。

星期五
在中國聘請家庭女傭每個月只需付大約800人民幣（100美金）。很多住此地的外國人都負擔得起。這些家務管理員無論以駐家或計鐘點的，都有很多機會與雇用家庭相處。對基督徒家庭而言，是以生活見證來傳福音的大好機會。許多雇員也因此信了主。求神繼續使用這個福音橋梁，並記念這些特殊的果子，也幫助信主的家務管理員靈命能繼續成長，並把福音帶到各自的家庭。

星期六
中國的傳統觀念認爲孩子奉養父母終老乃是天經地義，年老獨居或住在養老院往往被視爲羞恥，因此許多中國老人都不肯離開自己的家住進養老院。今天許多中國信徒年長的父母仍未信主得救，永恒的分離比起今生的短暫相聚，結局更有天壤之別。求神讓眾信徒在生活中把握機會，以真實的愛心和見証孝順父母，並施恩憐憫這些父母，讓聖靈在他們心中動工，得著他們。

星期日
中國現在的家庭結構是：夫妻一雙，父母兩對，孩子一個。年輕人背負支持年長者的經濟責任越來越重。專家們建議讓老年人住在家裏，由社區工作者上門關照他們。這不但能照顧到他們的需要，也比較合乎中國的傳統觀念。隨著中國人口老化，老年人事工越來越重要，許多教會都積極參與長者探訪和關懷活動，也有開辦老人院的。我們為這些教會的愛心擺上感恩，也為教會能因應老年人事工需要來禱告。

星期一
坊間流行這麽一句話「不撈白不撈」。中國官員的貪污現象，已經成中國首要解決的問題。高官涉貪被捕的消息無日不聞，不同程度的貪汙已經形成一種風氣和勢力。儘管政府一再加大反腐力度，但始終沒能有效抑制更遑論根除。國內教會的財政狀況不透明，欠缺公開的財政報告，對許多教會同工是一大試探。讓我們為所有教會同工和信徒的忠誠和信實禱告，求神保守他們不落入金錢的誘惑。