Prayer Request 9/18 -- 9/24

Tuesday
After the release of the short term missionaries in Afghanistan, Korean Christians faced criticisms for ignoring the government warning of not going to Afghanistan and proselytizing in Muslim countries.We thank the Lord for the bold witness and missionary zeal of Korean churches who in many ways are the models. We pray for the safety and fruitfulness of thousands of Korean missionaries in China.

Wednesday
According to President Hu Jin-tao, the Communist Party must abide by the law. When it comes to the cracking down on house church meetings, there has been a dramatic change in the way it is carried out and the final outcome. There are now a group of Christian lawyers in Beijing who dialogue with the government and intervene on behalf of churches. We thank the Lord for this and pray that more believers will be knowledgeable of the law and the government policy to help churches cope with matters of registration and compliance with government regulations.

Thursday
In Chongqing eighty percent of the elementary school teachers complain of too much pressure. They state demanding parents, long work hours, being single, and the new system of changing from a permanent position to a contract system based on performance as the reasons. We take this time to pray for all the Sunday school teachers in China. This is often a thankless job so we ask the Lord to grant them wisdom, faithfulness in serving the little ones, and a passion to reach children for Christ.

Friday
At least 3 million professional social workers are needed in China. Chinese social work is in its infancy and is such professionals are unheard of in many parts of the country.. Currently, 10,000 college graduates are going into this field from 200 universities. In general, very few Christians are involved in social works, as the churches tend to be disconnected with community. Let us pray for vision and zeal of more believers engaging in demonstrating the compassion of Christ by serving their communities.

Saturday
Government has approved 86 international schools across the country, including 38 in Beijing and Shanghai. There are no regulations preventing foreign children from entering Chinese schools, but cities want to have international school to attract foreign investment. Let us pray for all the kids from believing families attending these international schools and many of the teachers who are in China with the primary purpose of sharing the Gospel with Chinese.

Sunday
This is the 30th anniversary of the reinstitution of university entrance examination. During the 10 year period of Cultural Revolution, education in all forms came to a halt. Today, college attendance is at all time high, but employment after graduation is still not guaranteed. We take this time praying for all the believers in colleges and those who will come to know Jesus through Bible studies on campus this year. May the Lord bless all these small groups as they welcome and connect with new incoming students.

Monday
The government has severely restricted foreign investment in China's real estate but the feverish tide of foreign investments has not abated at all. In China, foreigners are limited to buying one house or apartment. With the skyrocketing prices for housing and appreciation of the Renminbi, people with a foreign passport must decide whether to buy a house or not. We pray especially for those who are "haigui", the returnees who have come not only for a job but to serve the local churches, too.

星期二
在阿富汗人質危機中，韓國短宣隊終被獲釋。然而韓國的基督徒卻被批評行為草率，無視政府發出禁入阿富汗及向伊斯蘭國家傳福音的警告。我們為韓國教會見證主和熱心參與宣教工作感恩；他們在很多方面都是我們信仰上的楷模。我們也為中國境內成千的韓國宣教士禱告，求主保守他們的平安，並賜他們為主所撒的種子都得著豐碩的收成。

星期三
「共產黨要依法執政」是國家主席胡錦濤所提出的。這一兩年來在處理教會問題上，尤其在禁止聚會時公安的處置方式及態度都有明顯的不同及改進。北京現已有一群基督徒律師，幫助教會與政府依法律交涉，解決一些家庭教會所面臨的難處。讓我們為中國能有更多懂得法律，瞭解政策並愛主的信徒來祈求。

星期四
據重慶的一項調查顯示，近八成的小學教師投訴壓力太大。壓力來源包括：家長要求過高、工作時間過長(導致已婚者婚姻亮紅燈、單身者則沒時間談戀愛)、以及實行招聘制 (教職不再是鐵飯碗，學校以其工作表現來考慮續聘，無形增加工作壓力。)讓我們在禱告中記念內地的主日學老師，他們正承擔一份吃重又少有掌聲的服事。願主賜他們教導的恩賜、一份培育小羊的忠心並有向青年人傳揚信仰的熱忱。

星期五
中國迫切需要至少3百萬名專業社工。社工服務尚在萌芽階段，國內許多地方對此專業仍未有所聞。目前有來自200所大學的1萬名畢業生即將踏入這行業。一般來說，國內基督徒很少涉及社工行列，教會也漸漸與社會脫節。讓我們禱告信徒能更多參與社會以及社區服務，熱心進入人群來服侍，彰顯基督的憐憫和慈愛。

星期六
中國已經批准86所國際學校的申請，其中包括36所在北京和上海市內。政府雖然沒有限制外國小孩入讀公校，但大城市一般都希望以設有國際學校來吸引外資入駐。國際學校裏有許多教師是帶著傳福音的使命前來執教，我們求主保守幫助他們能為學校裏的孩子們紮下信仰的根基。

星期日
高考制度進入了第30個年頭。回顧十年文革時期，各式教育被凍結，人才投閒置散。如今高校教育雖前所未有的復甦了起來。然而大學文憑卻未能成爲就業的保障。讓我們為大學裏的所有信徒禱告，求神使用他們成爲福音的管道。也祝福所有大學的查經班，讓他們能接觸到更多的學生，帶領這些未來的領袖，學者，和知識分子信主，領受屬天的智慧與祝福。

星期一
政府嚴格限制外商投資房地產，但外商入侵的熱潮絲毫未減。外國人在中國現在只能買一棟房子，房價上漲，人民幣升值，都影響在中國持外籍護照的信徒民生問題。我們要特別為回國服事和傳福音的「海歸」們，以及在中國服事的外地人在選擇住處的問題上，能蒙主的供應和保守來禱告。