Prayer Request 8/28 -- 9/3

Tuesday
Liang Fa (1789-1855) was the second Chinese Protestant believer and was ordained by Robert Morrison as the first Chinese pastor. In 1820, knowing his wife was about to give birth, he went home to lead her to Christ and baptized her. Ten days later, he also baptized his son. We give praise for the 200th anniversary of Robert Morrison’s arrival in China. We too thank Him for all the babies born into believers’ families. May the Lord give these parents wisdom in raising up a godly second generation for Him.

Wednesday
Robert Morrison arrived in the Pearl River Delta 200 years ago. Today, although this region is truly the richest and most developed in all of China, many would agree that churches in Guangzhou and Macau are relatively weak and that most of the Christians there are factory workers from other provinces. We take this time to pray for all of the churches in Guangzhou. Most of the eight open churches there are relatively empty. We pray for the softening of the hard soil and for a revival among believers.

Thursday
In China, it is not only the Christians are doing the proselytizing. Mormons, Bahai, the Unification Church, and even Islam are actively gaining many converts among the Han Chinese. Many unsuspecting believers are lured into other religion and cults. We pray for these lost sheep and pray even more diligently for the great need of follow up and apologetic ministry, because so many believers do not even read the Bible and know little about doctrines.

Friday
The best word to describe the mentality of China today is "speculative." Everyone, whether young or old, wants to strike it rich with little regard for the cost or consequence. It seems that the whole nation has gone mad about making big money. Most believers still demand that their pastor live by faith and are not willing to give to the church. Such an attitude has contributed to a great loss of workers. Let us pray for both the awakening of believers to be faithful stewards and for the workers to be devoted in serving.

Saturday
The official policy of the new leaders in the government is to rebuild public trust in the government and the Communist Party. It is a pity that many believers in the house churches have lost faith in their leaders and even toward God after hearing about the scandals involving their leaders. Churches in China are still very much wrapped around personalities. We pray for these lost sheep that the Lord will bring them back and restore their faith in Him and in the church.

Sunday
Many influential people are promoting a "New Confucianism" (a blend of the teachings of the West and those of Confucius) to replace the void Communism left behind in Chinese society. Some non-Christians are even clamoring that they should apply Christian values in spite of their not even having a faith in Jesus.A number of intellectuals are interested in Christianity only for what it can do for China. Let us pray for a genuine conversion of these well-meaning individuals. May all who come to Jesus know that Christ demands our faith in Him and a personal relationship with Him.

Monday
Many children of Chinese immigrants are not able to carry on a simple conversation in Chinese. Despite the complaints and insistence of their parents, few find motivation to study deeply about Chinese culture. Still, every summer overseas Chinese youth, particularly those from North America, go on short-term mission trips to China and perform community service or teach English. We pray that God will call some of them for missionary work in China.

星期二
梁發牧師（1789-1855）是第二位中國信徒，後來獲馬禮遜按立成為中國教會史上第一位華人牧師。1820年，得悉一年前所娶之妻黎氏即將臨盆，便再回鄉，勸妻子信主成功，以飯碗盛水為妻施洗，十日後又替頭生兒子梁進德施洗。 我們為馬禮遜來華200週年感恩，更為所有今年教會中新一代感謝神，求主賜智慧給信徒父母親來教養愛主的第二代。

星期三
200年前馬禮遜最先抵達的是珠江三角洲。雖然今天這裡是中國最富庶和發達的區域，然而廣州和澳門的教會卻普遍微弱，多數的基督徒也是從其他省份來的工廠勞工。讓我們為廣州市所有教會祈禱。 那裡雖有八間公開的教會, 但聚會時會堂卻不能坐滿。求神軟化福音的硬土, 使教會和信徒的靈命能再度復興來禱告.

星期四
在中國積極活動的不再只是基督徒了。很多宗教包括摩門教、布哈伊教、統一教以及其他新興宗教教派，甚至連伊斯蘭教都正努力向漢人傳教。許多裝備不足、根基不深的基督徒也被誤導而加入了異端。讓們為這些迷羊禱告，許多信徒甚至不研讀聖經，對教義所知不多，懇求神施憐憫在中國教會能加強信徒栽培和門徒訓練工作。

星期五
「投機」最能描述當今中國社會的心態。男女老少見人發財眼紅，不計後果都想狠撈一筆。整個社會都為財瘋狂。至於教會財務，許多信徒卻仍吝於奉獻，卻要求傳道人不計代價的憑信心服事，造成教會同工大量流失。求主使信徒能夠醒悟，爲神做個金錢的好管家，也賜教會同工有信心，能夠忠心的服事。

星期六
「重塑信任」是中國新一代黨領導人的政策，重新建造社會公眾對黨和政府的信任。很可惜一些教會領袖的軟弱和醜聞，造成不少信徒對領袖甚至對神失去信心，失望冷漠之餘不再聚會。至今教會仍常以人或教會領袖爲信仰指標，我們為因著人的軟弱而被絆倒，或對教會迷茫、失去信心的信徒禱告，求主尋回這些迷羊，幫助他們能夠定睛仰望神，也恢復對教會的信任。

星期日
現代許多具影響力的學者正開始推動「新儒學」，即對儒釋道各家哲理做出新譯，融入西方哲學思想，甚至一些非信徒也喧嚷著要推廣基督教的價值觀。一些學者對基督教的興趣僅止於認爲可為中國帶來好處。求神讓他們有機會和基督教學者深入的對話，好讓更多人瞭解，基督教思想必須建基於我們與基督的個人關係以及對祂的信心上。

星期一
在海外，有許多中國移民的第二代連基本的中文句子都不會講。無論家長如何堅持或強迫，都難以推動他們學習中文或中華文化。感謝神，每年暑假，仍有許多海外（特別是北美）華裔基督徒青年，會到中國短宣，為當地提供社區服務或教英語。求神在他們當中興起和呼召全職的中國宣教士。

Prayer Request 8/21 -- 8/27

Tuesday
This year marks the 200th anniversary of Robert Morrison’s arrival to China. He is attributed with the publishing of the first full Chinese translation of the Bible, an English-Chinese dictionary and a Christian periodical. We thank the Lord for the sacrifices and contribution of thousands of missionaries in the past. They have laid a beautiful foundation for China churches. We are also thankful for all those who are reaching and serving the Chinese today.

Wednesday
The image of “Made in China” has suffered greatly in recent months because of a string of poor product quality and contamination. Chinese government has moved swiftly to clean up a black list of 400 companies with substandard export products. Negative impressions of China have also extended to churches too, with increasing complaints of financial accountability and lack of transparency. Let us pray for a new revival of churches in China, true humility of the shepherd and guarding of heart from greed of all believers.

Thursday
This is the 80th anniversary of the founding of China’s armed forces, the People’s Liberation Army. 86% of youth surveyed expressed interest in becoming servicemen and 60% of girls are willing to be married to a soldier because soldiers are supposedly more responsible. Marrying a pastor, a soldier of God’s kingdom means a lot of sacrifice personally and for the family. The spouse (many are women pastors) will need to continue to work to supplement income too. We pray for the relationship of all the pastors and their spouses.

Friday
A large majority of house church leaders consider registering with the government as a compromise, submitting the authority of church to atheistic officials in the religious affair bureau. These churches commonly have gone through and suffered greatly during the anti-Christian movement of the ’50-’60s. We pray specifically for these kinds of churches, both in rural and urban settings. May the Lord add strength to them as they strive to remain true to the preaching and fervent in saving the lost.

Saturday
Yu dan, an amiable lady professor, became a household celebrity with her own fresh interpretation and application Confucius’s teachings. She is said to make the 2,500-year-old Chinese classics come alive and was even invited to teach 6,000 prisoners in Beijing. Do we need to present the Gospel in a way relevant to Chinese in China today? Let us pray that every believer lives out the Word of God as salt and light and that churches open their doors instead of closing them to neighbors in community.

Sunday
Since 1977, the CCP has held its party congress every five years. The 17th National Congress is scheduled to convene this autumn. More than half of the top leadership is expected to retire, making room for those who are in their 50s. Unable to mentor and cultivate new leaders is an unfortunate flaw of all leaders. Let us pray for many churches that are still firmly “in control” by those in their 70s or older. We pray for the need for new leadership and new vision for the church community.

Monday
Singapore is well-known for paying its public officials top salaries commensurate with private sectors as ways to retain talent and to prevent corruption. The Singaporean prime minister is said to earn 3 times what the US president makes. Compensations of Chinese church workers vary greatly throughout Southeast Asia. Let us thank the Lord for the zeal for mission and generosity of Singaporean churches shown in supporting church workers in Vietnam, Burma and even India.

星期二
今年是近代首位來華的宣教士–馬禮遜來華200週年紀念。為中國出版了首部全中譯《聖經》，編撰第一部漢英字典，並創辦第一份中文期刊，都是他的貢獻。讓我們為過去許許多多西國宣教士的犧牲和貢獻來感謝上帝。他們為中國教會奠定了美好穩固的根基，使救恩的種籽得以開花結果。 我們也為現今在中國服事的宣教士們來感恩代禱，求主記念、賜福他們。

星期三
近幾個月爆發了多起有關受污染食品和商品品質不合規格的事件，「中國製造」的商品受到了極大的打擊。政府為此迅速列出了出口貿易商的「黑名單」，一共400家之多。有些負面輿論也影響了中國教會的聲譽，對教會的財務狀況欠缺透明化的指責應聲而起。讓我們為教會復興並牧者的謙卑來禱告。求主保守信徒避免受到誘惑、試探。儆醒不起貪婪的心。

星期四
今年是中國人民解放軍成立80週年紀念。據統計，有86%的青年有志成為解放軍，60% 希望嫁給軍人，因為她們認為這些軍人應該比較有責任感。若結婚對象是教會牧師，神國度的軍兵，就必須為個人和家庭付出極大的犧牲。無論妻子或丈夫（國內有許多女牧師）都必須繼續工作幫補家用。我們為所有的牧師的夫妻關係和家庭需要來向神禱告、仰望。

星期五
國內多數家庭教會領袖多不贊同向政府登記，並視之為向「世俗世界」妥協，拱手讓宗教管理局的無神論官員操縱和掌控教會，擔心教會可能與耶穌基督–教會真正的根基相悖。這些教會通常經歷過五、六十年代各種政治運動和壓迫。讓我們特別為這些在農村及鄉鎮的教會禱告。當他們致力維護和傳揚真理、拯救失喪者時，求神大大加添他們智慧、能力。

星期六
大學女教授于丹，以一本「於丹《論語》心得」而家喻戶曉。她從獨特的個性視角出發來解讀《論語》，把這部數千年前的經典語錄，以白話生動地詮釋出來，她甚至受邀教導北京的6千多名囚犯。我們是否也需要按中國今日的民情來傳講福音？我們禱告每個信徒都能夠成爲光和鹽，活出神的話。讓教會大門向社區鄰舍大開，使人們能從信徒身上看到基督的樣式，而羨慕屬天的福樂。

星期日
中國共産黨自1977年始，每五年舉行一次大會。第17屆全國大會將訂在今秋。屆時有超過一半的領導人將退休，讓路給年屆五十的年輕幹部。領袖若無法栽培新的領導層，將事工的棒子傳繼下去，會是個令人遺憾的瑕疵。許多教會目前仍由70歲以上的老傳道全權掌控。讓我們為教會需要新一代教牧同工，以及更新的牧養觀念與模式來禱告。

星期一
新加坡政府以奉行「高薪養廉」制度聞名，其管理邏輯是比照私企，付給部長和高級公務員高薪，以防止貪汙腐敗。據悉新加坡總理目前的年薪為美國總統的3倍。東南亞各地傳道人或教會同工人之間的酬勞相距甚大。感謝神，新加坡教會對越南，緬甸，甚至印度的宣教工作以及同工都樂意熱心幫助和慷慨支援。求神記念、祝福他們的擺上，也保守所有有關聖工的果效。

Prayer Request 8/14--8/20

Tuesday
This is a summer of unprecedented public soul-searching over the slave labor in brick factories. Another scandal, involving the sale of handicapped children, forced to work as beggars, has stirred the conscience of the society. As a whole, being a handicap is commonly associated with beggars and “baggage” for the society. Handicapped people are almost “invisible” and lost in the crowd and most churches are inaccessible to the physically handicapped. Let us remember all ministries reaching and serving the handicapped. We pray for compassion of Christ.

Wednesday
“Naked examinee” is the new term for the majority of 9.5 million Chinese students taking the college entrance examination without any “bonus points.” Ethnic minorities and “students of Triple Excellence” are entitled to an extra 5% boost in their score. Many students complain of such “favoritism” in the highly competitive examination system. We remember those believers who have not done well in this exam. May their faith not suffer and they continue to trust God with their future.

Thursday
The following students are entitled to bonus points in the highly competitive college entrance examination: ethnic minorities, children of martyrs, overseas returnees, Triple Excellence students, talented athletes and winners of the student science invention contest. All believers pray for their children to do well in the college entrance examination. We pray for these families as they wait for the results, which many believe “determine the future of their children.”

Friday
It will be the third year in a row that Beijing has increased retirement benefits for the nation’s 40 million government retirees, who include teachers. In many cases, a retired teacher gets more in benefits than new teachers starting out. The improved retirement benefits cover only a fraction of the country’s elderly. Let us remember the faithful serving of all the older church pastors and church workers who have no retirement benefits at all.

Saturday
Some rural church leaders are taking the initiatives in visiting their church members who work in the cities. They can usually reach them by cell phones or help them with issues with employers. Finding a place to worship regularly is still a problem for many. Let us remember all those believers who work in the cities but are no longer worshipping regularly. May the Lord rekindle their love for Him and help them rediscover the joy of meeting regularly again.

Sunday
The issue is no longer religious freedom in China but favoritism toward the indigenous religions: Buddhism and Taoism. Such religions are considered Chinese, not foreign, and the building of temples tends to attract overseas tourism and investment money. One is amazed by how temples of all kinds pop up on the horizon. Let us remember especially those churches that are in the process of seeking building permits and expansion. We pray for their redoubled effort in outreach and winning favor of local officials.

Monday
In Singapore, world-class medical care costs only about a third or half the amount it costs in the United States and many Chinese in Southeast Asia and Indonesia stream there for medical needs. Multitudes of believers and church workers in China face exorbitant medical costs that they cannot pay. We need to pray for those believers with chronic illnesses or cancer who face huge medical bills.

星期二
今夏輿論大眾公開探討磚窯勞工受虐問題，在中國社會是史無前例的。另一個有關當局必須處理的，就是拐賣殘障兒童，使之行乞。國內社會普遍把殘障和乞丐一併視爲社會的包袱。人們對體障人士似乎視而不見，多數教會也無配備輔助體障者所需的設施。讓我們為殘障人事工禱告。求神給我們有基督的憐憫之心，齊來關懷服事這些受社會忽略的人群。

星期三
「裸考」這個新詞特指在中國950萬的高考生中不獲任何加分的人。而少數民族、市三好學生幹部等考生可獲得5%的加分，當然「裸考」者仍佔大多數。但在升學競爭激烈的情況下，許多學生對這類加分制度的公平性和審核標準頗有微詞。我們為參加考試的信徒禱告，求神讓他們無論成績如何，都能有堅定不移的信心，依靠神來面對未來。

星期四
在國內能夠在高考成績中獲得加分的學生包括少數民族，僑歸，革命烈士的子女，三好學生，國家二級運動員，以及發明競賽中獲獎的學生。多數人都認爲高考成績會決定孩子未來的前途，基督徒父母也都在為他們孩子的高考禱告，讓我們為等待放榜成績的所有家庭禱告。

星期五
北京連續第三年增加公務員的退休福利，惠及的退休官員約4千萬，也包括教師在內。很多時候，退休教師的福利遠勝新任教的老師。在增加退休福利條例下受惠的老人僅占全國的少數，我們要為國內許許多多終其一生忠心服事卻毫無退休福利的老傳道和教會同工們禱告，求主保守、記念他們，也信實供應他們的各項需要。

星期六
有些農村教會同工主動到大城市探訪在當地工作的弟兄姐妹，經常打電話與他們聯絡，並且幫他們解決生活上和工作上的各種問題，輔助城市民工的教會成長。目前城市內的許多民工教會仍然很難找到長期聚會的場所。讓我們為民工教會的各項需要及所有能固定上教會的流失信徒禱告。求主幫助他們重拾最初對主的愛心和信心，使他們重新得著敬拜的甘甜和喜樂。

星期日
政府近來扶持中國民間信仰佛教和道教的動機和原則與放鬆宗教自由無關。究其原因包括借助本土傳統宗教信仰促進觀光旅遊和經濟發展、投資，也微含以「土教」壓「洋教」的目的。近來許多寺廟紛紛平地而起令人驚訝，而與此同時，許多教會卻正等待建堂或擴堂准証。我們為中國教會急需加倍力氣傳揚福音及切切仰望神施恩使教會能贏得地方官員的信賴來代禱。

星期一
新加坡醫療行情遠比美國便宜，一般是1/3或一半的費用，但卻擁有同樣的國際水準。獅城已成為東南亞、印尼地區華人就醫首選的目的地。目前國內醫療費用的『高貴』趨勢，已經成為中國社會一大問題，信徒、傳道人就怕生病、動手術。我們再次為所有信徒的醫療費用來禱告，尤其是那些患有長年疾病，以及癌症等等需要巨額醫療費用的人，求主憐恤、幫助。

Prayer Request 8/7 -- 8/13

Tuesday
Comic books of all kinds, especially those from Japan and Korea, are very popular among school-age children in China. However, most of them contain sexual fantasies and adult material. It is safe to say that there are few Christian titles able to hold the interest of Chinese Christian children. Let us pray for parents who are believers as they strive to teach Biblical virtue and morality to their children with very limited resources.

Wednesday
Advertising such as "Painless artificial abortion for 200 yuan" adorns the streets near college campuses in China. There is no official number of how many college girls choose abortion as a method of unprotected sex but such affordable service thrives in private clinics. Abortion is practically an accepted reasonable alternative to contraception in China. Let us pray for even believers who must make such a decision because of the "one-child" policy.

Thursday
The government in China has finally called a halt to building luxurious public buildings. People are amazed by the government buildings that rival 5-star hotels with Greco-Roman facades. The decree is designed to return buildings to more practical models as well as to eliminate waste and regional rivalry. A full spectrum of church facilities exists in China from new cathedral-like styles in the costal provinces to shacks in the interior. God desires true worship and we pray specifically for those congregations whose church buildings are being torn down for new development and must relocate this year.

Friday
Everywhere in China one sees huge banners and propaganda about "Building A Harmonious Society". To do so, the government has called for adopting the wisdom of ancient Taoism, both a philosophy and a religion. Tao Te Ching, the bible of Taoism and a book of ethics has deeply influenced the Chinese people for generations. Let us pray for Christians as they struggle to live out Biblical ethics in a society that demands making "under the table" deals and has a philosophy that "despises the poor rather than the prostitutes.”

Saturday
While a majority of Chinese in the United States congregate on the east and west coasts, there are more than a hundred Chinese churches and Bible study groups in the Midwest. There are an estimated 200,000 Chinese in the US with about 25,000 mainland Chinese graduate students. Church work is difficult because a majority of the students move away from the schools to get employment. Let us pray for campus ministries and the need for shepherds in the Midwest.

Sunday
In China people feel that for a woman to have a good career is hard, to marry well is harder, and to marry and have a good career is nearly impossible. Millions of Christian women also add serving in the church to their busy schedules. To find time to do all of this means much personal sacrifice. Let us pray for all who do visitation, lead singing, clean churches, teach Sunday school, and prepare communion.

Monday
Fujian produces a disproportionate number of China 's overseas migrants. Those who left have helped those who stay behind; today, Fujian 's annual per-capita income of $1,300 makes it the highest in China, a result of its thriving private enterprise and also of remittances from overseas. Churches in Fujian, both the TSPM and house churches are thriving. But, unlike Wenzhou churches, they have less influence other provinces. Let us pray for their sharing of resources and passion for mission.

星期二
中國學齡兒童流行看漫畫書。各式各樣的漫畫多數來自日本和韓國，其中有許多用的雖是小孩子的語言，卻充斥著兒童不宜的色情暴力成份或成人內容。很保守的說，市場上只有極少數的基督教書籍能吸引華人基督徒孩子。許多基督徒父母都在努力地以有限的資源來教導孩子合乎聖經的道德和價值觀。讓我們為他們的努力和所有基督徒孩童的教育來禱告。

星期三
中國大專院校附近的大街上滿是「200元無痛人流」的廣告。沒有官方數據顯示選擇墮胎的學生人數，但知許多私人診所都提供這類「服務」，而且收費低廉。墮胎在中國是普遍被接受的另類避孕方式。讓我們禱告記念那些在「一胎化政策」下必須人工流產的信徒。

星期四
中國政府終於對建築豪華公共大廈的計劃喊停。一些政府大樓的氣派媲美希臘羅馬宮廷式的五星級酒店，令百姓們咂舌。新的指令規定建築設計必須回歸實用，減少浪費和無謂的競爭。中國的教堂形形色色，有在沿海省份中設備齊全的大教堂，也有內陸帳篷式的聚會場所。無論教堂裝潢如何，神所喜悅的是心靈誠實的敬拜。我們特別要記念那些教堂因都市新發展而被徵收，必須搬遷的教會禱告。

星期五
在中國到處可見巨型的宣傳布條，寫著「建立和諧社會」。政府亦爲此而採納並推廣道家學説。世代以來，老子所著的道德經對中國百姓有著深遠的影響。思想能影響生活方式，但在這篤信「桌面下的交易」以及「笑貧不笑娼」的社會中，信徒要按聖經的教導生活，會面對許多挑戰和掙紮。讓我們為信徒都能夠活出基督的樣式來切切禱告。

星期六
雖然大部分華人都聚居在美國的東西兩岸，在中西地區也有超過百家的華人教會和查經班。據估計，美國的華裔人口，包括2萬5千名中國大陸的留學生在內，有20萬之多。在中西部地區，由於留學生，訪問學者，和探親者多，華人教會面對的難處之一就是同工和留學生的流動率很高。讓我們將這地區的校園事工仰望主的帶領，也為許多需要牧者牧養的教會禱告。

星期日
在中國社會裡「做人難，做女人更難，做名女人則是難上加難」，現在這句話已經被改成「幹得好難，嫁得好更難，要想既嫁得好又幹得好，則是難上加難」。成千上萬的基督徒婦女在百忙中仍然加入教會的事奉行列，她們個人也必須作出許多犧牲。讓我們為所有負責探訪、領詩、清理教會、教主日學、預備聖餐等等的服事者禱告，求主更多施恩賜福。

星期一
福建省的移民人數遠超中國平均的移民比例。而離開的人卻為留守家園者帶來許多幫助。福建目前的個人年平均收入（$1,300美元）為全國之冠，這除了是其私人企業興旺的成果，也有賴於海外的經濟回流。目前福建的三自教會和家庭教會都在蓬勃的發展，但是他們對其他省份的影響力仍不及溫州教會。讓我們為福建的教會在資源分享和宣教工作上能有多一份熱忱和多奉獻一份力。