Prayer Request 7/24 -- 7/30

Tuesday
China recently promoted three fifty to sixty years-old to the rank of general and navy admiral. Such a move to use the younger talents is considered rare in the military history. While most of the prominent leaders among Chinese churches are still pastors in the seventies or older, a younger crops of leaders are emerging in their shadow. Let us pray for vision and solid preaching for all the “younger” pastors who are in their 50-70.

Wednesday
The old saying, "There are no loyal sons after a prolonged illness." should be changed to "There are no loyal daughters/daughters-in-law after a long illness." since 70-80% of those who care for the chronically ill in Chinese families are women. This kind of care requires extreme patience and abundant tenderness day after day. We uplift every one of the sisters who is involved in such a task. May the Lord grant them His own special blessing and joy.

Thursday
“You can have more children if you are rich” is the messages many celebrities are sending. They appear openly on television with their large family, creating a mixed feeling of their exemption from the one-child policy everyone else must obey. Celebrities serve as the role model for billions of Chinese, and China churches are in need of real positive role models for personal sacrifice and dedication. Let us pray to the Lord for this.

Friday
Beijingers improve in etiquette. 90% of citizens will help strangers in direction. There is a decline in the number of people littering, spitting and flaunting traffic rules. Government hopes to raise the “civic index” ahead of the Olympic Game. Hospitality, to show grace to visiting believers is a Biblical virtue. Let us keep all the itinerary church workers in our prayers, for their safety, guarding from temptations, and become a blessing to all the churches who take them in as guests.

Saturday
People of Beijing are getting anxious about the 2008 Summer Olympics. Taxi drivers have all received basic English and etiquette training. "Welcome to Beijing!" and knowing the English name of the major tourists sites are required. Let us pray for the participation of Christians in various aspect of the game, hosting hospitality booths, cultural fairs and witnessing to foreign tourists. Let us pray for the Chinese believers who plan to be volunteers at the Game.

Sunday
There is an estimated 1 million cases of autistic children in China. Even though having a child with handicap qualifies a couple for another pregnancy, the devastation to family and marriage cannot be healed. In the Fujian province, some churches are involved in caring for the autistic children. There are also churches involved in orphanages too. We praise the Lord for placing such vision in some churches, reaching out to the community and living out the compassion of God.

Monday
America is the number one destination for Chinese immigrants. From 1990 to 2000, 460,000 from China settled in America. But, from 2000 to 2005, 355000 more from China immigrated to the United States. Many Chinese churches in America have witnessed a boom in ministry especially those focused on Chinese immigrants. We thank the Lord for the ripening field of harvest and the need of more workers among 1,400 Chinese churches in America.

星期二
中國最近晉升三名年屆50到60歲的少壯派軍官為將軍，解放軍內部相當罕見。對中國教會而言，有影響力的領袖仍是70歲以上的著名牧者，新一代的年輕領袖依舊脫離不了他們的影子。讓我們為年輕一代的牧者禱告，求神給他們清楚的異象以及能夠強而有力的傳講神的道。

星期三
俗話説「久病無孝子」，「孝子」或者因該改寫成「孝女或孝媳」。因爲長期照顧患病老人及慢性病人者，女性佔了70-80%，照顧長期病患需要極大的耐心、毅力和無盡的溫柔。讓我們為每一位照顧者禱告，求神施與她們特別的祝福和喜樂，以祂的大能填補她們體力的耗損，以祂的安慰和慈愛扶持舒緩她們精神的負擔。

星期四
許多富人和演藝圈的明星養育不止一個孩子，間接向社會傳遞了「有錢就能多生」的信息。他們竟能在電視上公開他們的「大」家庭，不禁讓人質疑他們有超生的特權。影視明星在各方面是中國十幾億人民目光的焦點和典範。現在的中國教會也需要有更多能夠為主捨己、委身的正面模範。

星期五
北京居民的文明指數比起2005年底，已明顯提升。尤其有90%的市民在遇到陌生人時能夠熱情主動地給予幫助。隨地拋擲垃圾、吐痰、違反交通規則的人數也大大減少。政府希望在奧運之前繼續提升市民的公共行爲文明指數。熱情好客，款待寄居或做客旅的信徒——一直是聖經教導的德行。讓我們也為所有巡迴講道的傳道人禱告。求神保守他們出入平安、遠離試探、並成為接待他們的教會的祝福。

星期六
北京市民對於將臨的2008夏季奧運日益緊張。計程車司機都已經接受了基本英語和禮儀訓練。他們必須會說基本的歡迎語，如「Welcome to Beijing!」，以及熟悉各大旅遊勝地的英文名稱。許多基督徒也在不同層面上參與這項運動盛事，包括負責接待，文化展，向外國遊客做見證等等。讓我們為所有參與奧運志工的信徒們禱告。

星期日
據估計，中國自閉症患者可能達到上百萬。雖然法律允許有殘疾孩子的家庭再生育，但問題孩童對家庭和婚姻造成的衝擊確實難以磨滅的。福建省不少教會都積極為自閉症兒童獻上關懷和愛心。有些也開辦自閉兒童訓練中心及孤兒院。感謝主，把這些異象和使命交付給這些弟兄姊妹，讓他們在社區中活出基督慈愛的典範。

星期一
北美洲是中國移民的第一選擇。1990至2000十年間到北美定居的共46萬人，隨後5年裡移民美國的中國人數更高達35.5萬人。許多美洲教會，特別是投入於華人新移民事工的，都經歷了宣教事工的突發成長。我們為這片熟透待割的莊稼感謝神也仰望神，目前美洲大約有1千4百間的華人教會，仍需要牧者同工，求主施恩供應。