Prayer Request 12/5 -- 12/11

Tuesday
The year 2007 will be the 200th anniversary of Robert Morrison's arrival in China. A burning question many ask is, "How many Christians are there in China today?" Some have claimed an inflated and unsubstantiated 80 million or higher. Most would agree that churches in China were at their prime in the 1990's. In fact, most churches, especially those in rural areas, have reported a loss of membership. Churches in China need revival and we need to be intercessors for them .

Wednesday
The Chinese government has reported that the number of victims with HIV-AIDS is on the rise. Drug use and sexual transmission account for most of these cases. The migration of people infected with AIDS, coupled with tidal waves of migrant workers moving into cities is making it difficult to control the disease. Some Christians and churches are beginning to get involved with HIV prevention and sharing the gospel with AIDS victims. This is all done in a low-key fashion and is very time-consuming. We thank the Lord for the slow but changing view of Christians in China toward AIDS .

Thursday
Although the majority of young people have their own courtship, many Chinese ladies enjoy their reputation as matchmakers or hong niang (literally red lady) and matchmaking is still alive and well today. Matchmaking plays an important role for young believers, too. It brings people from different churches together since inter-church activities are unheard of in China. We pray for this unusual but important ministry many ladies perform and may the Lord bless the families that come from their efforts .

Friday
The motto "The hard work of studying for ten years will pay off when you become an official" has traditionally been the aspiration of all Chinese intellectuals. Although China now refers to government officials as "public servants", they still enjoy many perks and job security. Serving the church and believers humbly is a lesson we all need to be reminded of. Let us pray for a genuine desire to serve and not lord it over the sheep, not seeking fame and financial returns for all of the church workers in China and the missionaries as well .

Saturday
Many who are nationalistic-minded are asking the question, "Have Chinese people lost their pride?" because even the media in China copiously uses the term "Chinese xxx" like "Chinese Times Square" or "Chinese Silicon Valley" to describe a Chinese accomplishment. The phenomenal growth of churches in China is solely the work of God and denominational affiliation is a relatively new trend. Let us pray for the unhealthy practice of "buying" church or ministry work with outside funding and promised support .

Sunday
There is a Chinese saying which goes, "A priceless gem is easier to find than a good husband". Finding a good potential mate has proven to be very difficult for the majority of well-educated professional women. Finding a good husband who also loves the Lord and is willing to serve in the church is a big challenge for many of the sisters in the churches. We remember all who remain single for Christ's sake and pray for their health, both spiritual and emotional. May the Lord mightily use their diligent service in His harvest field .

Monday
Many have complained that Chinese pop artists and celebrities are "Illiterate" about historical facts and make a fool of themselves on TV because they do not know the key events in recent or ancient Chinese history. Most Chinese believers do not know about the work of missionaries in the past two centuries. Many churches were founded by Western missionaries but few if any know of their roots. We thank the Lord for all who had a part in building the church in China and pray even more will be built by Chinese believers .

星期二
2007年是馬禮遜來華200周年，現在很熱門的話題是「中國現今究竟有多少基督徒？」部分誇大而無實據的説法宣稱至少有8千萬人。事實上中國教會最興旺是在90年代中期，近年來許多教會，特別是農村教會，都陸續失去了大量的會友。讓我們為整個中國教會的發展趨勢代禱，求神讓中國教會再次經歷轉型後的大復興，也讓所有信徒投入扎裉真理、福音遍傳的時代使命。

星期三
中國衛生部最近公佈愛滋病的感染人數增加，主要傳播途徑是吸毒和性傳播。疫情因人口大量流動，包括感染者的流動以及湧入城市的民工流動而難以控制。目前一些教會或信徒開始參與防範愛滋病並與愛滋病患分享福音。這項事工既低調又費時，讓我們為他們的愛心服事禱告，並為中國基督徒雖緩慢但已逐漸改變對愛滋病的觀感來感謝神。

星期四
雖然時下大多數年輕人追求自由戀愛，但中國傳統式的媒婆「紅娘」仍然非常普遍，很多婦女也樂得爲人做媒。為年輕信徒做媒、幫助不同教會的年輕男女配對成雙也成許多教會姊妹一項重要服事。在中國，雖然教會之間的聯誼不盛行，讓我們為這不尋常卻很重要的工作禱告，求主祝福所有在這些媒人撮合下組成的家庭。

星期五
俗諺「十年寒窗苦，金榜題名時」。多年來，「當官」一直都是讀書人的目標。雖然新中國改稱官爲「幹部」，但仍為享有許多特權，引人追逐的鐵飯碗。在教會裏服事需要學習謙卑，不為名也不爲利，更不可以「當官」心態管轄羊群。讓我們特別為教會同工以及到中國服事的宣教士們禱告。求神保守信徒有正確的事奉態度，尤其自認出錢支持教會的人，能學主樣式，不矜驕自義。

星期六
許多中國人似乎患上了「民族自尊官能症」，在外國人面前有心理劣勢。媒體報導常見中國的「時代廣場」、中國的「麥當勞」、中國的「綠卡」、中國的「硅谷」等等。難道中國人失去自己的驕傲了嗎？中國教會的成長一直以來都是神親自動工，近來宗派門戶之見有復辟趨勢。某些教會同工或機構甚至有以金錢「收買業績」，把別的教會、人數或事工歸己的行徑。求主潔淨神自已的家，阻擋這不健康的現象。

星期日
俗語有云：「易求無價寶，難得有情郎。」對當今許多受高等教育的專業女性而言，覓得佳婿確實是件難事。教會裡單身的姐妹們比例很高，要尋找愛主又願意服事的伴侶也是一項大挑戰。讓我們為所有爲主的緣故仍守獨身的姐妹們禱告。求主時常照顧她們身心靈的健康，親自成為她們的倚靠和安慰，並且在禾場上大大使用、祝福她們。

星期一
中國現在有許多明星「文盲」欠缺基本的歷史知識和普通常識，因此常在電視上出洋相，惹來許多投訴。大部分中國信徒同樣也對過去兩個世紀以來在他們本地的宣教工作毫無所知。雖然有很多教會都是早期西方宣教士所建立的，但知道自己教會的歷史背景和由來的信徒少之又少。讓我們為這些教會被建立起來感恩，也為信徒今後繼續在各地興建神的家來禱告。