Prayer Request 2/27--3/5

Tuesday
With the stock market sky high, the most common greeting now is, "Are you in the stock market?" Everywhere in the media, there is a not-to-be-missed stock frenzy and even housewives are very involved in it. Church leaders estimate that 70% of church ministry is done by female believers. We lift up everyone who serves in their churches, in whatever capacity. May the Lord bless them with the riches of heaven and good health .

Wednesday
At Chinese New Year's time Chinese people struggle with the amount to give in their red envelopes (hong bao) as New Year's gifts. In the past, a few chickens, dozens of eggs, or a few bottles of wine made good presents but now, a hundred yuan is considered the minimal gift for friends or relatives. This month there will be many people giving and receiving gifts. Let us pray that believers will not forget to give back with thankful hearts from what the Lord has given to them. We pray for stronger Chinese churches through increased giving and sending of more missionaries from those churches.

Thursday
What happens when one needs medical care but has no money to pay for it? If that person is in Mainland China the chance of getting any medical care is slim. In Hong Kong care in public hospitals is free. In Taiwan, everyone is covered by a global medical care insurance. Church workers in China do not have health care benefits at all and must cover such expenses themselves. Let us pray for both the physical and spiritual health of all workers and especially those who are ill and have to pay their medical costs with their own money .

Friday
In the past ten years convenience stores like 7-ELEVEN have become a fixture in many communities. They have also become the one-stop, open-24-hour centers for paying for utilities, places to grab a quick meal, and even bookstores.In contrast, places of worship are hard to find and are open only on Sundays in China. Let us pray for many seekers who are hungry for God and looking for churches to fill the emptiness in their hearts .

Saturday
Chinese advertisers are focusing on "single career women". They have a good income, buy the newest cell-phone regularly, drink name brand coffee, and speculate in the stock markets as the newest and hottest hobby. Single women constitute a high percentage of China's church workers but few ever have any luxuries to enjoy. Let us thank the Lord for their faithfulness in serving. We remember, too, their financial needs and comfort for the loneliness they all experiences .

Sunday
Speculating in the stock market has reached a feverish pitch in China with 600,000 new trading accounts opened in December 2006 alone. Young people are also trading on the market looking for quick gain as the general market heads higher. Trading stocks has become the favorite pastime in Shanghai. Let us pray for the guarding of the hearts of all believers against greed as stock market has become the favorite conversation in church .

Monday
There are about eighty million Hakka (guest) people who have their own unique customs, dialect, and ethnic characteristics. About 85% of them live in Guangdong and Fujian provinces. Also there are about 6.4 million in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. It is difficult for Hakkas to become Christians but once they get saved, they are usually very good Christians. Hakka-speaking churches have an ambitious goal to double their attendance in ten years. Let us pray for their churches, their outreach and even that the gospel will be broadcast by radio in the Hakka language .

星期二
最近中國股市大漲，人們一見面最常聽到的問候便是：「您可有進股」？股市大好令人不容錯過，而大家都賺得不亦樂乎，連家庭主婦也十分熱衷投入。據估計，70%的教會事工都是由婦女擔任的，姊妹們的忠心擺上直接影響事工的果效。讓我們為所有在教會服事的姐妹們禱告，求神供應也保守她們都有屬天的豐盛和健康的體魄。

星期三
在農曆新年，不少華人都得為紅包該給多少錢而傷腦筋。在過去，送幾隻雞幾打蛋或幾瓶酒就已經夠體面了，但如，連給親友拜年，非人民幣一百元以上不成禮。春節這個月裏，好多人都忙著送禮受禮，我們求神讓信徒們莫忘向神表達感恩。也為中國教會透過弟兄姐妹更多的擺上，能因著差派出更多宣教工人，而得以更茁壯地成長。

星期四
當病患需要接受醫療，卻沒有能力付醫藥費時該怎麼辦？這人若在中國，接受治療的機會很渺茫；假如在香港，他能在公立醫院獲得免費醫療；若在臺灣，則有全民健保支付費用。在中國的教會同工都沒有任何醫療保障。醫藥費全得由自己承擔。讓我們為所有服事神的工人身心靈的健康禱告，特別是患病需負擔醫療費用者求神充足供應、扶助。

星期五
十年來，像「7-11」一類的便利商店在兩岸三地已成爲人們生活中不可或缺的一環，現在更提供一站式服務，24小時不打烊，供人們交費、購餐、提款、買書、甚至寄快遞、買機票等等，非常方便。相反的，在中國要找個崇拜的地方不但困難，而且只能在星期天才開放。因此對許多人上教會十分不方便。讓我們為所有尋求真理、渴慕神、尋找教會的人的需要禱告。

星期六
廣告商正將大量精力集中在中國所謂的「白領麗人」身上，這些擁有穩定收入的年輕單身女性大多追求時尚，是最新款的手機、汽車、以及名牌咖啡飲料，甚至股市投資的追隨者。在中國教會服事的同工中，有相當多的比例是單身姐妹，但她們卻沒有什麼經濟能力享受物質上的舒適。讓我們為她們忠心的服事而感恩，也為她們生活上的供應禱告，求神親自安慰她們在服事和生活上所經歷的各樣困難和孤單。

星期日
隨著中國股票持續走紅，去年（2006年）單在12月份新開的股戶就有60萬個。年輕人也想通過炒股票來賺一筆快錢。特別是在上海，這種對股票的熱情越演越烈，並已經更廣泛的蔓延到社會各個階層。教會裏的弟兄姐妹也都在談股票，畢竟股市像一個賭場，我們求神保守每一位信徒的心懷意念，不被貪戀金錢的心綑綁。

星期一
客家人一般被稱爲「客人」，他們屬於漢族擁有自己獨特的風俗、語言、和族群特質，總數約有八千萬人，85%分佈在廣東和福建，在港澳和臺灣有六百四十萬人。客家人有自己的客家教會，也有十年倍增的計劃。讓我們特別以禱告記念客家教會，求主帶領他們的宣道活動及透過客語的福音廣播節目，能在這個族群將真理大大傳開來。

Prayer Request 2/20 --2/26

Tuesday
Giving of the “red packet” is customary and expected through the whole two weeks of the Chinese New Year. A high-ranking Party official warned all not to give and receive large sum of bribes disguised as holiday gift. Employees do receive large amount of money in the form of red packet as part of their yearly bonus, but few church workers ever receive such a token of their appreciation. Let us thank the Lord for every one of God's faithful workers on His field of harvest .

Wednesday
More and more cities in China are emphasizing culture by hosting all kinds of festival events, such as art, tea, kite flying, and beer festivals which promote tourism, enhance the image of the city, and also build civic pride. Many older churches are also "digging into their roots" and celebrating their re-discovered heritage and association with former Western missionaries. We thank the Lord for the sacrifice made by those missionaries and pray that these churches will continue to grow and plant new churches themselves .

Thursday
One of the main concerns of the average Chinese is that the cost of living will go up. An increased cost of food and cooking oil are especially hard for average families whose incomes are not indexed to inflation. In the cities, rents have also skyrocketed. A lack of adequate income invariably deters many from entering Christian ministries and it even causes some to leave their full-time service for the Lord. Let us remember all who serve in the churches while supplementing their income with a side job. May the Lord give them added strength and diligence .

Friday
When parents go into the city to work, it is logically their most convenient option to leave their children at home in the country with their grandparents. However, this arrangement creates many problems since the parents are absent and available only periodically by phone. There are an estimated 20 million "left-behind-children" and many villages are full of them. Let us pray for the churches in these villages that they will find ways to minister to these children and especially strengthen the faith and growth of the children that believers have left behind .

Saturday
A survey of the children of mingong (farmers who work in cities) shows they are more industrious, thrifty, and more hardworking students than their city counterparts. They lag, however, in self confidence, living standards and hygiene. Many churches are beginning to reach out to people who seek work and settle in the cities. There are a great many ministry needs for their children, too. Let us pray for more people who are called to serve this huge segment of "hidden populatin ”.

Sunday
Both high demand and profit keep the baby selling trade booming. Parents in the utterly poor villages of Guangxi and Guizhou in southwest China will offer male infants for sale to the tune of 10,000 yuan ($1250 US) which is about the equivalent of a year's income. These babies are sold to couples who desperately want to adopt for ten times the price one could get in the cities. Church work in these extremely poor regions is very difficult. Let us pray for those serving in these mountainous regions where physical and spiritual poverty are not changed for centuries .

Monday
A college in Zhengzhou gave its students an assignment to kowtow (bow with the head touching the ground) to their parents this winter. In the olden days to kowtow before one's parent was a sign of deepest respect but now this practice is unheard of except in traditional weddings. Filial piety is the foundation of Chinese ethics and culture. We pray for all believers as they show others how to honor their parents by supporting them financially and joyfully sharing the gospel with them .

星期二
收送紅包是中國人在農曆新年期間的傳統習俗。一位高級黨員就警告大家不可收送紅包，因爲這是變相的賄賂。一般的公司在年終時都會發給員工紅包作爲一年的獎勵，然而在教會服事的同工很少會收到這份謝禮。讓我們特別為每一位忠心在禾場裏服事的主僕們來感恩。求主親自傾倒天上的福氣來記念他們的勞苦。

星期三
中國越來越多城市開始注重推廣人文藝術，爲此舉辦了種種文化節慶，如藝術節，茶藝節，風箏節，甚至啤酒節等。不但促進旅遊，提升城市形象、也讓人民引以爲豪。很多老教會紛紛回顧歷史開始「尋根」，並且為發現教會的遺址慶祝，或與創辦其教會的西方教士取得聯繫。我們為過去這些宣教士的犧牲和奉獻感謝神，也禱告這些教會能繼續在主裏增長並植堂。

星期四
一般中國家庭目前最關心的民生問題是生活費的上漲。一般人的收入漲幅追不上通貨膨脹率，因此糧、油價格的上漲對他們有更大的影響，都會居民需面對房租的飆升。國內傳道人收入微薄，一向是信徒踏入全職服事最大的攔阻，甚至也是同工離開服事崗位的原因。讓我們為在服事又需兼職補貼生活費的同工禱告。求主賜他們能力和毅力，能忠心作神的工。

星期五
中國農村父母到城市工作，將孩子留在家裏由他們的祖父母照顧。父母長期缺席，只是偶爾通過電話與孩子聯絡，這樣的安排產生了許多問題。中國許多農村都有爲數衆多的留守兒童，估計數量已高達2千萬。讓我們為農村教會的兒童事工禱告，求神裝備教會能幫助這些孩子們，尤其是在父母皆為信徒者，其身心靈能得到照顧，並且在信仰上得到建立。

星期六
研究顯示，多數進城務工農民子女比城市少年兒童更吃苦耐勞、更節儉、更堅强、學習更刻苦；唯在生活條件、衛生狀况、見識及自信心方面較爲不足。許多教會開始向進城務工的民工伸展福音觸角。也看到他們子女的福音需要。讓我們求神呼召更多的人，願意參與服事城市中這一大群「隱藏的人口」，使神的恩典也臨到這些同胞身上。

星期日
由於高需求量和高利潤，使得中國的販嬰活動猖獗。中國南部如廣西和貴州的貧窮農村，有父母願意為1萬元人民幣（約美金1250，相當於他們一年的收入），而售賣自己的男嬰。這些嬰孩輾轉賣到城市時，有意領養的夫婦則付出十倍的價錢。教會在這些極度貧困地區的工作非常艱難，數百年來在物質和心靈上的貧乏難于朝夕之間改變，讓我們切切為那些在貧困山區服事的同工禱告。

星期一
今年中國鄭州大學一學院給學生寒假作業的主題為「親情寒假、感恩父母」，內容之一是給父母磕一個頭。古時候，向父母下跪磕頭代表極大的尊敬，然而現代人除了在傳統婚禮，已不再流行這種禮俗。孝道是中國道德文化的基礎，我們求神幫助所有信徒都懂得如何孝順父母、不僅給予他們經濟上的支援，更要把得享永恆喜樂的大好福音傳給他們。

Prayer Request 2/20 --2/26

Tuesday
Giving of the “red packet” is customary and expected through the whole two weeks of the Chinese New Year. A high-ranking Party official warned all not to give and receive large sum of bribes disguised as holiday gift. Employees do receive large amount of money in the form of red packet as part of their yearly bonus, but few church workers ever receive such a token of their appreciation. Let us thank the Lord for every one of God's faithful workers on His field of harvest .

Wednesday
More and more cities in China are emphasizing culture by hosting all kinds of festival events, such as art, tea, kite flying, and beer festivals which promote tourism, enhance the image of the city, and also build civic pride. Many older churches are also "digging into their roots" and celebrating their re-discovered heritage and association with former Western missionaries. We thank the Lord for the sacrifice made by those missionaries and pray that these churches will continue to grow and plant new churches themselves .

Thursday
One of the main concerns of the average Chinese is that the cost of living will go up. An increased cost of food and cooking oil are especially hard for average families whose incomes are not indexed to inflation. In the cities, rents have also skyrocketed. A lack of adequate income invariably deters many from entering Christian ministries and it even causes some to leave their full-time service for the Lord. Let us remember all who serve in the churches while supplementing their income with a side job. May the Lord give them added strength and diligence .

Friday
When parents go into the city to work, it is logically their most convenient option to leave their children at home in the country with their grandparents. However, this arrangement creates many problems since the parents are absent and available only periodically by phone. There are an estimated 20 million "left-behind-children" and many villages are full of them. Let us pray for the churches in these villages that they will find ways to minister to these children and especially strengthen the faith and growth of the children that believers have left behind .

Saturday
A survey of the children of mingong (farmers who work in cities) shows they are more industrious, thrifty, and more hardworking students than their city counterparts. They lag, however, in self confidence, living standards and hygiene. Many churches are beginning to reach out to people who seek work and settle in the cities. There are a great many ministry needs for their children, too. Let us pray for more people who are called to serve this huge segment of "hidden populatin ”.

Sunday
Both high demand and profit keep the baby selling trade booming. Parents in the utterly poor villages of Guangxi and Guizhou in southwest China will offer male infants for sale to the tune of 10,000 yuan ($1250 US) which is about the equivalent of a year's income. These babies are sold to couples who desperately want to adopt for ten times the price one could get in the cities. Church work in these extremely poor regions is very difficult. Let us pray for those serving in these mountainous regions where physical and spiritual poverty are not changed for centuries .

Monday
A college in Zhengzhou gave its students an assignment to kowtow (bow with the head touching the ground) to their parents this winter. In the olden days to kowtow before one's parent was a sign of deepest respect but now this practice is unheard of except in traditional weddings. Filial piety is the foundation of Chinese ethics and culture. We pray for all believers as they show others how to honor their parents by supporting them financially and joyfully sharing the gospel with them .

星期二
收送紅包是中國人在農曆新年期間的傳統習俗。一位高級黨員就警告大家不可收送紅包，因爲這是變相的賄賂。一般的公司在年終時都會發給員工紅包作爲一年的獎勵，然而在教會服事的同工很少會收到這份謝禮。讓我們特別為每一位忠心在禾場裏服事的主僕們來感恩。求主親自傾倒天上的福氣來記念他們的勞苦。

星期三
中國越來越多城市開始注重推廣人文藝術，爲此舉辦了種種文化節慶，如藝術節，茶藝節，風箏節，甚至啤酒節等。不但促進旅遊，提升城市形象、也讓人民引以爲豪。很多老教會紛紛回顧歷史開始「尋根」，並且為發現教會的遺址慶祝，或與創辦其教會的西方教士取得聯繫。我們為過去這些宣教士的犧牲和奉獻感謝神，也禱告這些教會能繼續在主裏增長並植堂。

星期四
一般中國家庭目前最關心的民生問題是生活費的上漲。一般人的收入漲幅追不上通貨膨脹率，因此糧、油價格的上漲對他們有更大的影響，都會居民需面對房租的飆升。國內傳道人收入微薄，一向是信徒踏入全職服事最大的攔阻，甚至也是同工離開服事崗位的原因。讓我們為在服事又需兼職補貼生活費的同工禱告。求主賜他們能力和毅力，能忠心作神的工。

星期五
中國農村父母到城市工作，將孩子留在家裏由他們的祖父母照顧。父母長期缺席，只是偶爾通過電話與孩子聯絡，這樣的安排產生了許多問題。中國許多農村都有爲數衆多的留守兒童，估計數量已高達2千萬。讓我們為農村教會的兒童事工禱告，求神裝備教會能幫助這些孩子們，尤其是在父母皆為信徒者，其身心靈能得到照顧，並且在信仰上得到建立。

星期六
研究顯示，多數進城務工農民子女比城市少年兒童更吃苦耐勞、更節儉、更堅强、學習更刻苦；唯在生活條件、衛生狀况、見識及自信心方面較爲不足。許多教會開始向進城務工的民工伸展福音觸角。也看到他們子女的福音需要。讓我們求神呼召更多的人，願意參與服事城市中這一大群「隱藏的人口」，使神的恩典也臨到這些同胞身上。

星期日
由於高需求量和高利潤，使得中國的販嬰活動猖獗。中國南部如廣西和貴州的貧窮農村，有父母願意為1萬元人民幣（約美金1250，相當於他們一年的收入），而售賣自己的男嬰。這些嬰孩輾轉賣到城市時，有意領養的夫婦則付出十倍的價錢。教會在這些極度貧困地區的工作非常艱難，數百年來在物質和心靈上的貧乏難于朝夕之間改變，讓我們切切為那些在貧困山區服事的同工禱告。

星期一
今年中國鄭州大學一學院給學生寒假作業的主題為「親情寒假、感恩父母」，內容之一是給父母磕一個頭。古時候，向父母下跪磕頭代表極大的尊敬，然而現代人除了在傳統婚禮，已不再流行這種禮俗。孝道是中國道德文化的基礎，我們求神幫助所有信徒都懂得如何孝順父母、不僅給予他們經濟上的支援，更要把得享永恆喜樂的大好福音傳給他們。

Prayer Request 2/13 --2/19

Tuesday
Although there are many methods of transportation available in China, travel by train is still the easiest, cheapest, and most punctual. Travel at the time of the Spring Holiday is the largest migration of humanity yearly as billions of people go home for the Chinese New Year. This is the one time believers get to become re-acquainted with those who have gone away to work. Let us pray that they will get new ideas to stimulate new vision for their home churches. We pray, too, that the returnees will be willing to support their home churches financially .

Wednesday
The saying is "America is the paradise and Canada is the heaven" for those who have swindled huge sums of money. A lack of any extradition agreement, easy immigration, and easy transfer of money make these two countries favorites of corrupt Chinese officials. Handling of funds, especially offerings, presents a great challenge for Chinese church leaders because there is literally no bookkeeping or accounting required at all. Let us pray for the integrity of all believers, especially those who are in leadership position .

Thursday
A survey of women in cities across China shows that ladies in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou (in that order) spend the most. The average spending per person is about 1873 yuan ($233. US) monthly. These three cities are also considered the most cosmopolitan cities in China and many of the churches have strong women's ministries. Let us pray for all of the women believers, their fellowships, and participation in the churches in these cities .

Friday
One in five (160 million) Chinese adults has high blood pressure which is the leading cause of stroke. However, only 30% are aware of their high blood pressure, only 25% take medicine for it, and only 6% are well-controlled. That leaves 110 million Chinese who do not even know they have dangerously high blood pressure. Far more than 110 million Chinese have no idea who Jesus Christ is. Let us pray for this public health nightmare and a strong passion among believers to bring more Chinese to the Savior .

Saturday
For the most part the oral language (putong hua or Mandarin) of China is spoken using varying degrees of local accents. In some provinces it is barely intelligible even when the speaker is trying to enunciate really meticulously. The ability to speak Mandarin well is a plus for Chinese church workers. Let us pray for courage, good communication skill, and even good pronunciation for all who are in the ministry. Most of all, we pray for the anointing of the Sprit always giving them the right words to admonish and encourage people .

Sunday
In 1996 China discontinued public executions of criminals and moved such events behind closed doors. In the imperial days they publicly paraded condemned criminals to shame the offenders and deter crimes. Such practices reached their peak during the Cultural Revolution in the 1950's. There is a great need to reach out to those behind bars and those in their families who are greatly ashamed of their family members. Such a ministry is not easy but let us pray for the many churches quietly doing this kind of work .

Monday
Suzhou, the city known as the Venice of China because of its many canals and arch bridges, has 6000 Taiwanese businessmen working there. In terms of density of investment, Suzhou has the most companies from Taiwan with nearly 35,000 Taiwanese residents.Many of these people take their entire families and live where they work. Let us pray for the many home-based churches, cell groups, and outreach ministries among the Christian Taiwanese families in China .

星期二
在衆多不同的交通運輸工具中，搭乘火車算是最方便，最便宜，且最準時的。在每年春運期間人口流動最大，上億的中國人都趕著回家過年。春節也是信徒們得以返鄉與弟兄姐妹重聚的日子。讓我們為回家鄉過年的信徒禱告，祈望與家鄉弟兄姊妹相處時，外地不同的經驗能激發出新的異象，給予教會一些幫助，尤其是經濟上實際的行動。

星期三
「美國是樂園，加拿大是天堂。」據說這是中國外逃貪官總結出來的「經驗」。原因是這兩個國家與中國之間並無引渡條例，加上加國移民條例寬鬆，資產轉移容易，大開方便之門。國內教會領袖一般都沒有做簿記或賬務紀錄的習慣，收入與支出缺乏文件證明，司庫往往面對很大的挑戰和試探，教會財務管理還有一段漫長的路需要學習。讓我們為信徒們的誠信和正直禱告，求神特別保守領袖們能夠忠心並勝過金錢誘惑。

星期四
調查中國十大城市千名主婦的比較顯示，被調查女性2006年平均每月零花1873元，最多爲50,000元。而給自己花錢最多的分別是上海、深圳和廣州的主婦。這三個城市都是國內最現代化的國際都市，當地很多教會都有相當強的婦女事工，讓我們以禱告記念在這些繁華都會裏的基督徒婦女，願他們在團契和教會的擺上，能被神大大的使用。

星期五
中國五分之一的成人(一億六千萬)患有高血壓，是腦卒（中風）中最主要的因素。其中只有30%知道自己患有此病，而服藥的只有25%，且血壓控制得好的僅佔6%。意即1.1億的中國人並不曉得自己血壓已高到危險狀態。在中國尚未認識耶穌基督的人遠遠超過1.1億。讓我們除了禱告身體健康外，更求神興起更多中國信徒對自己同胞的靈魂有更大的負擔和熱忱，帶領更多人歸主。

星期六
許多中國人講的普通話都帶有各自的鄉音，即使刻意隱藏自己的相音，仍常無法讓人聽的懂。教會的同工們若能把普通話講好，對服事會有很大的幫助。我們向神禱告，讓所有在服事崗位上的信徒們都有勇氣，有好的溝通技巧，甚至有好的發音來帶領人歸主。更求聖靈恩膏他們，使他們説話都合宜又有果效，能按神的心意督責和鼓勵人。

星期日
中國自1996年起，立法規定不能對囚犯執行「遊街示衆」。在明代，常常把犯人從監獄中押解出來帶枷示眾。50年代文化革命期間，造反派更將《示眾》文化發揚到極致。中國廹切需要有向鐵窗內犯人以及鐵窗外因他們被囚而蒙羞的家人傳福音的事工。實際上這種事工非常不易，讓我們為那些正在默默做這類監獄事工的教會禱告。

星期一
蘇州，因爲有運河和拱橋而被譽爲中國的威尼斯。這城市目前已有6千家台資企業，很多人舉家搬來在這兒工作、生活，台灣人落戶於蘇州的超過3萬5千。讓我們在禱告中記念定居這裡的台灣肢體，也為此地許多在家中聚會，活動和以台商家庭為對象的事工禱告。

Prayer Request 2/6 --2/12

Tuesday
People are in long lines for the “11 days advanced” train tickets to go home for the Chinese New Year. In Beijing, Shanghai and all the larger cities, mobs of farmer-labors or mingong are literally camping in front of train stations for days to buy tickets. Nearly all the training will be wrapping up as every one prepare for the 2 weeks holiday. Let us pray for the travel need and safety of all believers returning home. May they be refreshed and even have an opportunity to share their experience with their families .

Wednesday
“There are no loyal sons after a prolonged illness.” is a Chinese saying depicting the reality of the burn-out of those who must care for family members who have chronic illness. Millions of Chinese families have elderly parents who suffered stroke living with them. Caring for ill family members requires patience and God-given tenderness. We remember all believers who need the extra measure of grace and patience from God Himself .

Thursday
The longest bridge in the world (36 km--a 6-lane highway) is being built over the Bay of Hangzhou. When it is completed in 2008, it will shorten the distance between Shanghai and Ningbo by 120 km and also speed up the development of the entire Yangtze Delta. Prosperity is often the greatest enemy of church growth. We covet your prayers for the faithfulness and fervent love for God of all of the believers in the Shanghai-Ningbo-Hangzhou region .

Friday
As the price of cars drops and more people are able to afford them, police are making the examination for drivers’ licenses harder to pass. Would-be drivers now must also know how the engine operates and learn more about safely operating a car. Having a driver's license is a status symbol and the dream of all young people. We lift up all the young believers in China and pray they will be proud of their Christian heritage and their faith and that they will be kept safe from temptations .

Saturday
According to a survey of large cities in China, housewives in Changsha, Hunan consider themselves the most satisfied in their married life. Half of the wives say the greatest threat to a happy marriage is extramarital affairs and 21% believe it is a "bland marriage".Christian couples struggle with marriages that have "gone flat" with little communication between the husband and wife. Let us pray for strong marriages and renewed love among all believing couples. There is a great need for strong husband and wife teams serving together in Chinese churches .

Sunday
Doctors say that toxic substances or medicine given during infancy has caused deafness to 800,000 Chinese children. The number is increasing by 30,000 yearly and currently only two-thirds are taught sign language. Services for deaf people are nearly unheard of in China. Let us remember not only those who are deaf but also the hard of hearing. May the Lord grant special mercy that even they can hear the Word of God and be part of the churches .

Monday
Everywhere in China one finds the Chef Kang brand of ready-to-eat noodles. The name itself is synonymous with a tasty and inexpensive instant noodle. In only twenty years this brand has captured nearly half of the Chinese noodle market. Who will be the dominant publisher of Christian books in China? It is hard to imagine that one day believers will be able to easily and conveniently buy Christian books. Let us pray for books with more spiritual content for believers and that God will raise up more inspired Christian Chinese writers .

星期二
又到了中國民眾通宵排隊買預售11天的火車票回家過年的熱季。在北京，上海等大城市的火車站現在是人山人海。排隊買票的民工還得帶齊棉被、水瓶和泡麵在火車站過夜。大家都準備回家過年，幾乎所有的培訓工作也都要結束了。讓我們為信徒們能順利購得回鄉車票以及行程上一切需要和安全來禱告。求神在這假期中復興他們的靈命，並且讓他們有機會與家人分享信仰和見證。

星期三
「久病床前無孝子」這句老話或多或少反映出要長期照顧久病臥床的家人並不容易。上百萬的中國家庭中有中風的老人，需要年輕一代來負責照顧。服侍病人需要很大的耐心和神所賜的溫柔愛心。我們為所有再此處境中的信徒禱告，求神賜給他們格外多的恩典能彼此忍耐、憐恤，相互扶持支援和鼓舞。在百難中，仍有喜樂盼望，活出美好的見證。

星期四
中國正興建世界第一長的跨海大橋—杭州灣大橋，全長36公里，雙向六線車道。預計2008年完工後，上海和寧波的路程會縮短120公里，將加速促進整個揚子江三角洲的發展。經濟民生繁榮固然可喜，但卻也是教會增長最大的敵人，人們忙於逐利而輕乎靈性的追求。讓我們為在上海、寧波、杭州這「長三角經濟圈」一帶的信徒能有堅定愛主的心志來禱告。

星期五
當中國汽車價格下降，擁車的人增多之時，公安部則將提高駕照考試的難度。要考得一紙駕照，除了要熟悉駕駛技巧，還必須知道汽車引擎如何操作以及有更高的安全駕駛行爲和意識。對中國的年輕人而言，擁有駕照是他們的夢想和光榮。我們願以禱告求主託住中國所有年輕基督徒，都能以自己承傳的純正信仰為榮，更幫助他們操練出更堅定的信心，能在種種試探與磨練中安然成長並大大得勝。

星期六
一項對中國各大城市所作的調查顯示，湖南長沙的主婦對性生活的滿意度最高。近一半受調查的婦女認爲「婚姻最大的威脅」是外遇，而21%則認爲是「夫妻感情平淡」 。有許多基督徒夫妻的婚姻生活也掙紮於平淡和缺乏溝通的困境中，讓我們求神幫助所有信徒夫妻，重新以愛來彼此建造，建立更健康穩固的恩愛婚姻。也禱告神興起更多同心愛主的夫婦一同參與華人教會的事工。

星期日
據醫師透露：藥物中毒導致中國許多新生兒失聰。目前零到七歲的聾兒有八十多萬名，每年還要新增三萬名，而目前國內每年僅能為兩萬名聾兒提供語言訓練。中國教會的聚會，幾乎沒有為聾人提供過手語翻譯或助聽器。讓我們特別記念所有失聰或重聽人的需要，求神施恩憐憫他們，能藉著教會多一份愛心的體貼，充份得著神話語的餵養，並產生歸屬感，成爲教會裏重要的一分子。

星期一
在中國，到處可見「康師傅」牌的方便麵，這名字幾乎已成好吃又便宜的泡麵的代名詞。康師傅上市20年，已佔據國內將近一半的泡麵市場。誰會是中國最主要的基督教書籍出版商呢？很難想象有一天能在書局裏輕易買到基督教書刋，但中國信徒卻廹切需要更多內容豐富的中文屬靈書籍。讓我們切切仰望主的供應，也求神興起更多中國基督徒作家以文字來服事、見証主。