Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Prayer Request 6/19-- 6/25


Tuesday
Some provincial governments are bringing in large revenue collecting penalties from those who violate the one-child policy. Fines vary greatly and loopholes encourage outright bribery. It is said that rich people simply buy their way to have more children. Many Wenzhou believers are able to have more than one child. We take this time to pray for all the second-generation believers in Wenzhou church. May the Lord use their experience of Sunday School growing up to help many churches who never have seen children's ministry .

Wednesday
In an unusual move, China executed the chief man in charge of food and drugs for bribery. The sentence was imposed to punish two crimes: corruption and rampant unsafe food and drug problems. In the past year attacks by cults have lessened after police cracked down on them. However, congregations which were taken over by cultist groups are now in ruin. Many gave up church attendance or became spiritually lost. Let us remember all these injured sheep and pray that stronger believers will help them recover .

Thursday
More than half a million people have signed up as Olympic volunteers and in the Beijing area seventy percent of them are college students. Volunteerism is a relatively new concept but it is catching on fast in China, especially among the young people. Many college students participate in off-campus charitable causes but are still monitored by the student's Party chapter. Let us pray again for the spiritual vitality of Bible study groups and meeting places attended by college students

Friday
China has transitioned remarkably from a “One big rice bowel” Communist society to “Let a few be rich first” economy. In his last years, Deng Xiaoping had worried correctly about the inequality of wealth and polarization of the society. We praised the Lord as many churches have benefited from the economic boom too. Let us remember all the wealthy churches as they will see the need of poor churches and become a blessing to others, not just focusing on their own needs locally .

Saturday
During the Cultural Revolution, being equally poor was the unintended result. Later, Deng Xiaoping had envisioned a China with her people equally rich, but that has proven to be illusive goal. The disparity between the wealthy churches on the coastal provinces and the poor churches inland is dramatic. We pray for the smaller rural churches badly in need of training for their workers and pastors, and the larger churches who are supporting them .

Sunday
Chinese public toilets are infamous. But, government has decided to build 20,000 new ones and remodel 52% of all existing facilities before 2010. Many churches will be undergoing remodeling this year, but many more will have to do with what the antiquated facilities. As congregations raise funds for church remodeling and rebuilding, let us pray that strong sense of unity will arise and passion for mission rekindled .

Monday
According to survey, the new Chinese immigrants are coming to Australia not necessarily to make money but to enjoy a relaxed life style. Good weather and slower pace of life are big attractions especially for the retirement age Chinese. Retirees tend to give less because they are on fixed income. Let us pray for willingness in giving and healthy growing church in Australia. We remember especially the Chinese churches in Sydney and Brisbane as they have enjoyed a large influx of new immigrants .




星期二
對應一胎化政策,一些地方官員平時放鬆讓老百姓超額生育,一旦緊抓嚴打起來則對超生者大擧罰款收費. 超生罰款制度紕漏重重,亦成爲貪汙腐敗的源頭,只要有錢就可以多生的傳聞不絕。許多溫州信徒都能生育超過一個孩子。這些孩子們很多都能從小在主日學裏學習和成長,求主讓溫州信徒們有機會以自己的經歷幫助其他沒有兒童事工經驗的教會。

星期三
國家食品藥品監管局原局長的受賄及玩忽職守不尋常地兩罪合判死刑。顯示在少用和慎用死刑的共識下,對涉及食品藥物等危害社會的貪腐分子,仍會動用。危害信徒的異端邪教,經過公安一年來的掃蕩已經減少。然而受異端組織影響的許多會衆都不再上教會,遺失了信仰。讓我們為這些走失和受傷的羊群禱告,求神為他們預備信仰堅強的信徒幫助他們重新建立對神的信心。

星期四
全中國登記成爲2008奧運志工的人數已超過50萬人,來自北京地區的志工之中,7成是大學生。擔任志願工作在中國算是相當新的概念,卻迅速被年輕人接受。許多大學生都參與校外慈善工作,但仍需受到校規中的社團規定的監管。讓我們特別為大學生的查經小組以及聚會地點的平安來禱告,求主保守他們靈命活潑。

星期五
社會主義在鄧小平的推動下,從“大鍋飯”制度走向“先富起部分有條件的人”. 在鄧小平晚年時,市場經濟雖蓬勃發展,卻也出現他所擔心的經濟兩極化。國內許多教會在經濟發展下受惠,我們為這些豐裕的教會感謝神,也求主幫助他們放眼四周的需要,成爲其他貧困教會和信徒的幫助和祝福。

星期六
中國文革造成了全民共同貧窮的結果,爾後,鄧小平提出共同富裕的理想,但至今這目標顯然仍距離遙遠。在沿海的富裕教會與內陸貧窮的教會之間的資源也如有天淵之別。讓我們爲一些農村地區的小教會禱告,記念他們迫切需要傳道人以及同工的訓練,也為能夠支助供應他們的大教會禱告。

星期日
中國公厠惡名遠播,政府已設定於2010年之前新建城市公厠2萬座以上,以及改造全國舊厠達52%。今年許多教會也有計畫進行改建翻新,但更多教會仍然只能守著原有陳舊的設施。讓我們為正在籌募建堂或翻新經費的教會禱告,求主藉此使信徒們更加合一,同時也重燃對傳福音和宣教的熱忱。

星期一
調查顯示,新一代華人移民澳洲不全爲錢,更爲追求悠閒生活。爽朗的氣候和輕鬆愜意的生活步伐對退休華人尤具吸引力。一般信徒退休以後奉獻會減少,讓我們為所有澳洲的華人教會禱告,尤其在當地有大量新移民的悉尼和布里斯本,求神保守他們的靈命能在主裏健康成長,並且眾信徒能夠為神的國度甘心樂意擺上。

Prayer Request 6/19-- 6/25

Tuesday
Some provincial governments are bringing in large revenue collecting penalties from those who violate the one-child policy. Fines vary greatly and loopholes encourage outright bribery. It is said that rich people simply buy their way to have more children. Many Wenzhou believers are able to have more than one child. We take this time to pray for all the second-generation believers in Wenzhou church. May the Lord use their experience of Sunday School growing up to help many churches who never have seen children's ministry .
Wednesday
In an unusual move, China executed the chief man in charge of food and drugs for bribery. The sentence was imposed to punish two crimes: corruption and rampant unsafe food and drug problems. In the past year attacks by cults have lessened after police cracked down on them. However, congregations which were taken over by cultist groups are now in ruin. Many gave up church attendance or became spiritually lost. Let us remember all these injured sheep and pray that stronger believers will help them recover .
Thursday
More than half a million people have signed up as Olympic volunteers and in the Beijing area seventy percent of them are college students. Volunteerism is a relatively new concept but it is catching on fast in China, especially among the young people. Many college students participate in off-campus charitable causes but are still monitored by the student's Party chapter. Let us pray again for the spiritual vitality of Bible study groups and meeting places attended by college students
Friday
China has transitioned remarkably from a “One big rice bowel” Communist society to “Let a few be rich first” economy. In his last years, Deng Xiaoping had worried correctly about the inequality of wealth and polarization of the society. We praised the Lord as many churches have benefited from the economic boom too. Let us remember all the wealthy churches as they will see the need of poor churches and become a blessing to others, not just focusing on their own needs locally .
Saturday
During the Cultural Revolution, being equally poor was the unintended result. Later, Deng Xiaoping had envisioned a China with her people equally rich, but that has proven to be illusive goal. The disparity between the wealthy churches on the coastal provinces and the poor churches inland is dramatic. We pray for the smaller rural churches badly in need of training for their workers and pastors, and the larger churches who are supporting them .
Sunday
Chinese public toilets are infamous. But, government has decided to build 20,000 new ones and remodel 52% of all existing facilities before 2010. Many churches will be undergoing remodeling this year, but many more will have to do with what the antiquated facilities. As congregations raise funds for church remodeling and rebuilding, let us pray that strong sense of unity will arise and passion for mission rekindled .
Monday
According to survey, the new Chinese immigrants are coming to Australia not necessarily to make money but to enjoy a relaxed life style. Good weather and slower pace of life are big attractions especially for the retirement age Chinese. Retirees tend to give less because they are on fixed income. Let us pray for willingness in giving and healthy growing church in Australia. We remember especially the Chinese churches in Sydney and Brisbane as they have enjoyed a large influx of new immigrants .

星期二
對應一胎化政策,一些地方官員平時放鬆讓老百姓超額生育,一旦緊抓嚴打起來則對超生者大擧罰款收費. 超生罰款制度紕漏重重,亦成爲貪汙腐敗的源頭,只要有錢就可以多生的傳聞不絕。許多溫州信徒都能生育超過一個孩子。這些孩子們很多都能從小在主日學裏學習和成長,求主讓溫州信徒們有機會以自己的經歷幫助其他沒有兒童事工經驗的教會。
星期三
國家食品藥品監管局原局長的受賄及玩忽職守不尋常地兩罪合判死刑。顯示在少用和慎用死刑的共識下,對涉及食品藥物等危害社會的貪腐分子,仍會動用。危害信徒的異端邪教,經過公安一年來的掃蕩已經減少。然而受異端組織影響的許多會衆都不再上教會,遺失了信仰。讓我們為這些走失和受傷的羊群禱告,求神為他們預備信仰堅強的信徒幫助他們重新建立對神的信心。
星期四
全中國登記成爲2008奧運志工的人數已超過50萬人,來自北京地區的志工之中,7成是大學生。擔任志願工作在中國算是相當新的概念,卻迅速被年輕人接受。許多大學生都參與校外慈善工作,但仍需受到校規中的社團規定的監管。讓我們特別為大學生的查經小組以及聚會地點的平安來禱告,求主保守他們靈命活潑。
星期五
社會主義在鄧小平的推動下,從“大鍋飯”制度走向“先富起部分有條件的人”. 在鄧小平晚年時,市場經濟雖蓬勃發展,卻也出現他所擔心的經濟兩極化。國內許多教會在經濟發展下受惠,我們為這些豐裕的教會感謝神,也求主幫助他們放眼四周的需要,成爲其他貧困教會和信徒的幫助和祝福。
星期六
中國文革造成了全民共同貧窮的結果,爾後,鄧小平提出共同富裕的理想,但至今這目標顯然仍距離遙遠。在沿海的富裕教會與內陸貧窮的教會之間的資源也如有天淵之別。讓我們爲一些農村地區的小教會禱告,記念他們迫切需要傳道人以及同工的訓練,也為能夠支助供應他們的大教會禱告。
星期日
中國公厠惡名遠播,政府已設定於2010年之前新建城市公厠2萬座以上,以及改造全國舊厠達52%。今年許多教會也有計畫進行改建翻新,但更多教會仍然只能守著原有陳舊的設施。讓我們為正在籌募建堂或翻新經費的教會禱告,求主藉此使信徒們更加合一,同時也重燃對傳福音和宣教的熱忱。
星期一
調查顯示,新一代華人移民澳洲不全爲錢,更爲追求悠閒生活。爽朗的氣候和輕鬆愜意的生活步伐對退休華人尤具吸引力。一般信徒退休以後奉獻會減少,讓我們為所有澳洲的華人教會禱告,尤其在當地有大量新移民的悉尼和布里斯本,求神保守他們的靈命能在主裏健康成長,並且眾信徒能夠為神的國度甘心樂意擺上。


Tuesday, June 12, 2007

prayer Request 6/12 --6/18

Tuesday
The most common surname in China is Wang (7.25 % of the population or 92.8 million people) with Li as a close second (7.19%) and Zhang the third most common. Chinese people take great pride in their surname and often identify themselves proudly with the accomplishments of any person or ancestor of the same surname.Many believers who have relatives who are not believers lack the courage to share the gospel with them. Let us pray for an urgency and conviction to share the gospel with family members.

Wednesday
Hu kou is the name of the Chinese residency system that prevented the unauthorized movement of people from one place to another. If someone's hu kou is not in Beijing, he/she can work but the children cannot go to a school there. For this reason millions of migrant workers leave their children at home. Beijing offers some temporary schools for students whose parents are not local citizens but these schools are often not academically sound. Let us pray for some believers who will offer tutoring and life-skills to the huge population of aliens in the capital of China.

Thursday
Recently the government passed out two million copies of newspapers, magazines, and propaganda materials to nomadic tribes in Xingjian province. These people in general have difficulty reading and it is extremely difficult to reach out to the nomadic people in the vast West of China. Although in comparison to the total population of China they are few in number, we pray for their salvation and that the Lord will send workers to them.

Friday
To start an enterprise in China it is essential to have support from officials and foreign capital. Each of these requires a good relationship with others or guanxi. Guanxi literally means relationship and can stand for any type of relationship. Itinerary preachers are accepted and preach from one church to another in China because of their good relationship with congregations. Spiritually, they provide for others but sadly they themselves need spiritual nourishment, revival, and rest. May the Lord help the believers to give these servants of His what they need in all of these areas.

Saturday
Chinese children are getting taller (an average of 1 cm from 2000-2005) and the average weight of a child has also risen. Along with this, the percentage of near-sightedness remains high. China now has the world's second highest rate of myopia (blamed in part on too much study) among school children. Again we want to lift up all the children of Chinese believers in prayer. We are deeply concerned by the high loss of children from Sunday schools and the fact that few churches have meaningful programs for teen.

Sunday
The government says that there are more than 12,000 people with HIV/AIDS in Beijing. Medical experts say this is merely the tip of the iceberg because the movement of infected people is impossible to track and control. HIV/AIDS is no longer limited to certain provinces but is an undeniable public health problem in China. However, believers in general are still ignorant or condemning about this disease. Let us pray for those believers and churches that reach out to and become involved in AIDS awareness and caring for those who are infected.

Monday
There are nearly 2 (two) million Chinese in Myanmar. In recent years, government has relaxed restrictions on religion and Chinese language education. Chinese churches have grown steadily and there are even Bible schools training church workers there. This is a country with 135 ethnic minorities. Let us pray for the work of the churches and their evangelistic efforts in this Buddhist country where there is constitutional religious freedom but foreign church workers are not allowed to enter.

星期二
中國最普遍的姓氏是王(占人口的7.25%,或9千萬人次),李姓者次之,張姓居其三。中國人極重視自己的姓氏,更以同姓宗親者以及先輩的成就為為榮。相對於對宗族的認同,許多信徒卻沒有勇氣向未信主的親友傳福音。讓我們為弟兄姐妹能以福音為傲,以及有傳福音的迫切感來禱告。

星期三
政府以戶口登記管理制度來控制城鄉人口的遷移。比如戶籍不屬北京者,雖可在北京工作,但其子女卻不能在北京入學,因此數以百萬的民工只能把孩子留在家鄉。北京有提供外來無戶籍學生就讀的臨時學校,但這些學校通常學術水準不佳。城裏有些信徒專為這些為數眾多的外來人口提供家教補習。讓我們為這些信徒的服事禱告,求神紀念並藉他們把福音廣傳。

星期四
為解決新疆農牧民“看書難、讀報難”的問題,吐魯番地區的農牧民日前獲國家贈送6.85萬冊圖書和2.1萬盤音像製品。一般而言,這些農牧民識字率很低,也是很難接受福音的族群。雖然他們的人口只占中國總人口的少數,我們求神同樣紀念他們,為他們的救恩禱告,求神派遣工人到他們當中。

星期五
在中國興建企業必備條件有二:政府的支持以及外商的資助。兩者都講究良好的關係。同樣的,傳道人要被接納,在不同的聚會點走動服侍,也需要與會眾建立和諧的關係。他們不停地付出和供應,自己也同樣需要聖靈的供應和復興。求聖靈復興他們,使他們適時得到安息,重新得力。也讓會友們能更多地關心主的僕人各方面的需要。

星期六
中國小孩越長越高,從2000年至2005年間,平均高度增加1公分,平均體重也相應提高,不過兒童近視率亦居高不下。目前中國學齡孩童的近視率高居世界第二(部分歸咎於太多的學習)。盼望信徒的孩子們對屬靈事物的認識和投入也能獲得提升。我們深深關切目前主日學學生大量流失的挑戰。求神幫助教會能提供青少年和兒童更多具吸引力的節目和活動。

星期日
據官方報導,北京的愛滋病患超過1萬2千人。醫療專家則認為這不過是冰山一角,因大部分受感染者無跡可尋、難以監控。目前愛滋病已不再局限於特定省份,且是不容否認、關係全國的公共健康問題。然而,一般信徒對此疾病仍十分無知甚至持有偏見。讓我們為參與愛滋病關懷及覺醒運動的教會和信徒禱告,求神加添心力,讓他們的工作更有果效。

星期一
緬甸有將近2百萬華人。近年來當地政府放寬對宗教信仰和華文教育的限制,因此華人教會能夠穩健成長,當地甚至有專為訓練教會同工而設的聖經學校。基本上這個佛教國家實施宗教自由政策,但禁止外來宣教士在國內傳教。緬甸有135個少數民族,讓我們為這充滿屬靈爭戰的國家禱告,求神為宣教士在此地的訓練工作開路,興起當地的信徒成為為主得人如魚的門徒。

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Prayer Request 6/5-6/11

Tuesday
In China both the wealthy and business managers greatly value guanxi or relationship. To them a good relationship with government officials and bankers is even more valuable than sound business intelligence. By and large believers are not really close to and tend to be formal with their shepherds, especially in the Three-Self churches. We pray that all believers will see their pastors as friends and be willing to care about them and their families.

Wednesday
When overseas Chinese businesses do business in China or work with foreign companies, people always brag about their guanxi or close ties with the government. The church as a family requires a close-knit relationship, mutual understanding, and a common theology. We pray in particular for house churches--for mutual acceptance, unity, kingdom-mindedness, and a deeper individual relationship with God.

Thursday
A university in Hong Kong got in trouble for publishing a pornographic edition of its campus newspaper. Today college students have access to all kinds of sexual material, especially on the internet. Churches, however, are mum about sex and preachers hardly mention anything about it. May the Lord keep our hearts, and especially those of the young people, pure. We pray, too, for pastors that they will be able to teach correctly and boldly about the Biblical view of sex.

Friday
The buzz word in China these days is Chineseness or Chinese Style. It represents a nationalistic pride and a return to all things traditional. Such an attitude incorporates the good things of the West but they must meet the taste of the Chinese. Both the Three-Self and house churches are definite Chinese style churches. We pray for true revival in each church, especially those ravaged by cults, lukewarmness, and lack of a shepherd.

Saturday
Although Chinese style fast food outlets are rapidly gaining in popularity, the KFC food chain boasts more than 1800 restaurants in China and sees a potential market of up to 15,000 outlets in the future since Chinese people like Western food, especially the youth. Having a Chinese style of government in the churches is the dream of house church leaders but it is still unclear how to effectively run a church when they cannot register legally. We pray for the opening of doors, the revealing of God's plan, and unity among the churches.

Sunday
Many Taiwanese businessmen move to China to lower their costs and avoid the economic malaise in Taiwan. Many Taiwanese companies borrow heavily to invest in their business in China leading to the saying, "Giving money to China, leaving debt to Taiwan." Whether churches in China will be independent financially or if they will be able to support their own poorer churches is a question. We give thanks for Wenzhou and some Henan churches that are doing this right now.

Monday
People in China are fascinated with the political situation in Taiwan and news reports about Taiwan can be heard twenty-four hours a day. Even common citizens are familiar with the details and gossip of Taiwan's political elections. Believers in China are very much acquainted with preachers in Taiwan via the internet and VCD's. Praise the Lord that modern technology allows such long-distance shepherding. May the Lord bring revival in churches in Taiwan and provide more help to the churches on the Mainland.

星期二
中國的富人和商人或企業家,對與政府官員和銀行家的關係之重視尤勝於商業機密或經營智慧。國內一般信徒與牧者的關係並不親密,尤其在合法公開的教會,牧者與會友的關係越趨於形式化。求主幫助牧者們除去和弟兄姊妹間的隔閡,讓會友們能視牧者爲朋友及屬靈同伴,關懷他們以及其家人。

星期三
海外華商來到中國與企業或外資公司協談時,必定炫耀自己與官方的關係如何緊密。緊密的關係對教會間是非常重要,教會之間需要像家人般彼此來往瞭解,擁有共同的神學觀。讓我們為中國教會,特別是家庭教會禱告,求主賜給眾教會合一的心,在各自與神建立更深的關係之餘,亦能彼此接待,同感一靈,一同為拓展神的國度努力。

星期四
香港一所大學的校園報因刊登色情內容而遭政府勒令停刊。事實上,今天的大學生要想接觸各類色情事物輕而易舉。尤其隨著網路的發達,不良資訊更是無孔不入。社會上情色汎濫,教會界卻仍對“性”閉口不言,牧者更覺難以啓齒。求主幫助我們,特別是保守年輕人,保持純潔的心。也讓牧者們能勇於適當的教導會衆合乎聖經原則的性觀念。

星期五
“中國式”是中國當今的流行詞,就是既擷取西方的優點,又保留中國人的口味,充分流露出民族自豪和突破傳統的心態。無論是三自教會和家庭教會都是不折不扣的中國式教會。我們求主興旺中國的眾教會,亦為許多受到異端攻擊的,或不冷不熱的教會,以及缺乏牧者的信徒們禱告,求聖靈在他們身上點燃復興的火,向靈命成熟和承接大使命的標竿努力。

星期六
雖然近來中國式速食店迅速流行起來,“肯德基家鄉雞”連鎖店在中國已然超過1800家。按中國人(尤其年輕人)喜愛西式餐飲的趨勢估計,未來它還有潛能開到15,000家。擁有中國式的教會是家庭教會領袖們的夢想,然而他們其中的許多至今仍未合法註冊,教會未來的出路仍是未知數。讓我們求神開門,顯明祂自己的心意,讓教會能在祂自己裡合一。

星期日
許多臺商為求減低成本紛紛遷厰大陸 ,這些臺商公司在臺灣借貸,到中國投資,許多經營不良的企業引起“錢進大陸,債留臺灣”的詬語。許多主內非常關心國內教會在經濟上能否自立,或在經濟上資助貧困的教會。感謝神,溫州教會及部分河南團隊付諸行動。讓我們在禱告中記念中國教會的成長外,也能彼此互相扶持,同為肢體。

星期一
中國百姓非常關心臺灣政治動態,全天二十四小時都有播報臺灣新聞。就連臺灣選舉的周邊新聞百姓們都耳熟能詳。信徒通過網路和光碟,也相當熟悉臺灣的牧者。感謝主,牧者能透過先進的科技,遠距餵養看不見的羊群。求主帶給臺灣的教會更大的復興,讓他們更有負擔參與支援大陸教會的各項事工。