Prayer Request 10/30 -- 11/05

Tuesday
The diary (1918-1931) of Chang Kai-Sheik was published formally. It is deeply personal, in which he repents daily for his own personality flaws, sexual temptations, and sins. When he was younger, Chang was a womanizer and later converted to Christianity. Such a document has tremendous historical impact. We pray that it would also be a rare opportunity for many to see the life of a struggling Christian with his flaws and shortcomings.

Wednesday
It is an open secret that Christian fellowships - a new kind of "house church" run by Chinese professionals and students - are active in most Chinese universities. Many are hosted and led by teachers themselves. We praise the Lord for this new revival. However, many have noted that many believers are "cultural Christians," interested in Christianity as a solution to China's social woes, rather than in a personal relationship with Christ. Let us pray for the true commitment of these "Cultural Christians”.

Thursday
There are so many private colleges in China with varying degrees in terms of quality and facilities. Many unsuspecting students pay handsomely for the so-called "education", only to find out that the diplomas they received are not accepted and worthless. Rural churches in China come in all different spiritual shapes, too. Many are weakened by the exodus of young people and, worse, many have fallen to become extreme or cultish. Let us pray for divine protection and intervention in this heartbreaking trend.

Friday
The average Chinese watches 3 hours of television a day. TV programming must cater to the education of the audience because 60% of the audience has only the education level of junior high and below. Only 12% of the audience has a college degree. China's churches desperate lack ready-made teaching materials. What is adequate for urban churches would be almost incomprehensible for rural believers. Let us pray for those involved in writing such materials and the distribution of all teaching materials.

Saturday
By 2015, China will be the world's 2nd largest market. At present, China consumes 32% of rice, 1/2 of cement, and 1/3 of the cigarettes produced in the world. At the same time, low-cost Chinese products and machineries are flooding the world. Bible and Christian books in Simplified and Traditional fonts are now exported from China because they are low-cost. We pray for the early arrival of the day when the Mainland will produce not only the Christian books she needs but also the supply for many other countries.

Sunday
Among the 114,000 Chinese lawyers, there are a handful of "human rights" lawyers. They are greatly respected for their daring effort to defend the Constitutional right of those who suffered persecution, politically or religiously, and forced abortion. Chinese parents want their children to be lawyers and doctors, to make a lot of money. We pray that many young believers will be inspired to be become an advocate for the poor, sick, and oppressed.

Monday
For the 37,600 Chinese in Brunei, they must live under a combination of a Malay, Islamic, and monarchic system. Chinese are the most educated there and enjoy a good deal of freedom in religious practice and social respect. Let us pray for the Chinese churches there. Churches play an important role in teaching Chinese language, culture and care for the poor and elderly. Again, we remember all the believers in Islamic countries, uplifting every one of them.

星期二
蔣介石1918年至1931年的日記正式對外公開。日記中能讀出他個人的思想性格，同時也看到他每日生活的掙扎與自我反省。蔣介石年輕時浮誇，好色，爾後信仰基督教。這類歷史文件對世人有極大震撼，讓許多人看到基督徒不斷對抗自己弱點的一面。求主以此幫助更多掙扎在人性軟弱中的信徒，能夠有信心靠主得勝。

星期三
由專業人士及學生組成的團契—新型的「家庭教會」活躍於中國各大學校園裡，當中也有許多老師參與。我們為這新的復興讚美神。然而很多人留意到許多信徒其實是所謂「文化基督徒」，其對基督教信仰的興趣，僅止於以它作爲解決中國社會弊端的方法，而非與基督建立個人的關係。讓我們為這類的同胞禱告，求主光照他們真正成爲蒙恩得救的基督徒。

星期四
在中國有許多素質和設施參差不齊的民辦高校（私立學院）。許多學生為「受教育」付出一大筆錢後，才發現所獲文憑不受承認，一文不值。農村教會屬靈狀況同樣參差不齊，許多因年輕人的流失而教會日趨沒落，更堪憂的是，一些教會已偏離正道，演變成極端甚至異端。讓我們在禱告中記念，求神保護祂的教會和子民。

星期五
中國觀衆每天平均收看電視的時間為3個小時。節目的製作必須迎合大眾的知識水準和口味。因爲60%觀衆在初中文化以下，大學以上學歷觀衆僅佔12%。中國教會的主日學教材仍然缺乏，若有適合城市教會的教材，對農村信徒而言則深奧難解。求神賜智慧和能力給參與這項文字事工者，也為教材的發行來禱告。

星期六
預計中國將在2015年成為世界第二大消費市場。目前中國消耗全世界32%的大米、47%的水泥和1/3的香煙。同時廉價的中國產品和機械也銷至世界各地。由於印刷成本低廉，現在中國也輸出簡體和繁體字的聖經和屬靈書籍。我們祈求中國早日脫離只供應自己需要的屬靈書籍，同時也提供給其他有需要的國家。

星期日
雖然中國的執業律師逾11.4萬人，但「維權律師」卻寥寥可數。他們為受政治或宗教壓迫，以及被迫墮胎的百姓爭取權益、討公道，因而在社會中極受尊敬。中國父母望子成龍，都鼓勵孩子成爲律師、醫生，爲的是這些職業的「錢」景。我們求神興起更多年輕信徒將自己的專業為神所用，立志服事那些貧、病、和其他社會的邊緣份子。

星期一
在文萊的37,600華裔必須生活在馬來，伊斯蘭教，和君主制度的夾縫中。當地華人的公民權仍受限制，但因為教育程度較高，享有較高的社會地位以及宗教信仰自由。當地華人教會扮演著教導華文、華語，以及照顧貧病和老弱者的重要角色。讓我們為這些教會禱告，同時也以禱告記念所有回教國家裏的教會和信徒，求神親手扶持、引領他們。

Prayer Request 10/23 -- 10/29

Tuesday
2000 delegates representing the 73 million-strong Communist Party attended the 17th Party Congress which is held every 5 years. Party members are supposed to be stronger in these three areas (The 3 More): more sensitive, more capable, and more productive than the common people. Since the church is rapidly expanding in many regions, leaders must work in teams to be truly effective and productive. Let us pray specifically for team building in the churches in China so the gifts of each worker may be used well and each will complement the other.

Wednesday
The youngest attendee of the 17th Party Congress was a 25 year-old female table tennis star, Zhang Yining. She is favored to win another gold medal in the 2008 Olympics. Her selection and presence carry much implication for the Party as a whole. Young intellectuals will play an ever increasing and important role in China's urban churches. We pray for many, many young and godly believers who will be faithful like Daniel.

Thursday
A well-known foreign media pointed out that the root problem of rampant corruption in China is the "triangle" of corrupt officials, scholars without conscience, and businessmen taking bribes. We see a new trend of young professionals and office workers forming "office fellowships", where they hold Bible study and Sunday worship services. We pray that they will be a positive influence in the polluted society that is often devoid of business ethics.

Friday
Shanxi province is known as the "coal country" and also the infamous "polluter of China". In its new "Blue sky, green water" project, Shanxi will build 108 new urban garbage disposal facilities to help clean up urban pollution. Urban intellectual believers are prone to materialistic excess. There is a need for new ways of shepherding and teaching Bible knowledge to them. Let us pray for the new practical teaching methods of teaching and discipleship that will connect with urban believers.

Saturday
Han Chinese comprises the majority of Chinese, but China is multi-cultural with many ethnic groups. Some churches have started to see the importance of reaching ethnic minorities. Many ethnic groups still worship spirits, idols or various deities and are spiritually blinded by the dark forces. They are very resistant to the gospel. Let us pray for all these challenges and difficulties of cross-cultural ministry and those who serve among the ethnic minorities.

Sunday
Ever since the economic reform, churches in the coastal provinces have played an important role in training and supporting Christian leaders from the inland provinces (including the Northwest). Many have attended the two-year training courses offered by the coastal churches and returned to serve. We pray for more training by the Chinese churches themselves and that more churches will see the need of helping other churches, both financially and in leadership training.

Monday
In a unique approach to business with missions, some Christian businessmen from coastal provinces have opened shops in ethnic minority regions as a base of evangelism. Many have reported good fruits with such approach. Let us pray for all these business ventures, shops and factories of all sizes, where part of the business is sharing the Gospel with the locals. We uplift these businessmen and their employees.

星期二
二千多名黨員，代表全國七千三百多萬黨員出席每五年一次的「中國共產黨第十七次全國代表大會」。黨員有“三個一點”的自我要求，即：覺悟比普通群眾高一點，能力比普通群眾強一點，工作比普通群眾好一點。因著中國教會在內地各省迅速增長，教會領袖需要以團隊合作運作，好使事工發展得更有效率、更見成效。我們特別為同工隊伍禱告，求主幫助他們發揮恩賜，各盡其職，一同建造基督的身體。

星期三
在十七大會議中，最年輕的黨代表是只有廿五歲的張怡寧，她目前是最受矚目的女子乒乓球選手，在2008年奧運會，她可望為中國再摘取另一面金牌。她被選作黨代表及出席「十七大」，為外間對黨的政策帶來很大的聯想空間。展望中國教會的未來，年輕知識分子將在城巿教會擔任很重要的角色。求主興起更多像但以理一樣年輕又敬虔的信徒，忠心事主。

星期四
著名外國媒體指出：貪腐「鐵三角」乃是由中國的腐敗官員、無良學者和行賄商人共同組成。在職場上，一些青年專業人員開始組成「辦公室團契」，他們一同查考聖經，並在主日舉行崇拜聚會。這群城市知識分子信徒的興起，成為主內的新群體，讓我們為這些青年專業人員禱告，求主幫助他們能對貪污風氣、缺少商德的社會帶來更多正面的影響。

星期五
號稱「煤老大」的山西省被戴上全國污染最嚴重的「黑帽」。在「藍天碧水工程」計劃裏，山西將建設108個廢物處理設施，期盼藉以解決城巿污染的問題。生活在城市中的知識分子信徒也容易被世俗同化和物質所試探。教會需要以適切他們實際情況的形式，去牧養及教導他們聖經的原則。求主賜智慧給牧者，更新他們靈命及教導栽培信徒的模式，幫助信徒將真理活用於生活中。

星期六
中國除了包含漢人這一大族外，還兼有許多不同文化背景的族裔。有好些少數民族現今仍敬拜邪靈，並參與各種鬼神的祭祀與膜拜，黑暗勢力綑綁著他們，使他們對福音非常抗拒。近年中國教會開始注重向少數民族傳福音。讓我們為那些在少數民族中服侍的同工禱告，求主賜他們智慧、溫柔與忍耐的心去克服跨文化宣教的挑戰與困難。

星期日
自經濟改革後，沿海省份的教會在訓練內陸省份教會(包括西北部)的基督徒領袖上，扮演非常重要的角色。許多信徒在沿海省份教會參與為期兩年的培訓課程後，便回到自己的家鄉開始服侍。讓我們為中國教會有更多的領袖訓練事工禱告，也求神興起更多的教會，能對有缺乏的教會給予經濟及工人訓練上更多的幫助。

星期一
因著神賦予獨特的使命，一些沿海省份的基督徒商人，特意在少數民族中間開設商店作為傳福音的管道。他們所做的善工，目前已產生良好的果效。讓我們舉起禱告的手，特別為這些向少數民族傳福音的商人、員工來禱告，求神幫助他們作美好的生活見證，並能與工人和鄰舍分享福音真理。

Prayer request 10/16--10/22

Tuesday
Drinking freshly squeezed juice is fashionable. In Wuhan, a reporter found that canned juices are sold as fresh and fresh juices are diluted with concentrate. Such practices occur even in high-end establishments. Cheating on labor or materials is considered normal or even expected. It is very difficult as Chinese believers struggle with Biblical ethics and profit-making daily. Let us pray for the courage of not compromising and honoring God in everything we do.

Wednesday
“Pay back the debt on the New Year” is a story in Mao’s memoir. Chairman Mao paid back a debt of 20,000 silver dollars he borrowed in 1920 for the revolution nearly 50 years later (in 10 yearly installments on every Chinese New Year.) Many Chinese believers speak of “Paying back the debt of Gospel” to Western missionaries. Let us pray for true fervor and missionary efforts among Chinese churches. We too remember all those who are serving abroad and are supported by churches in China.

Thursday
37 million Chinese will travel and spend more abroad this year. China will become the fourth largest source of outbound tourists in the world by the mid-2010s according to the United Nation. Many Chinese church leaders and pastors have visited churches abroad. We pray that what they have visited and learn will give them new vision and direction for their churches and ministries.

Friday
A bright spot in ministry work in China is on college campus. There are many student fellowships, large and small, and new students are always attending. Many students accept Jesus, but then graduate without real discipleship and follow-up. The universal problem is a lack of mature leadership. Let us pray for equipping and training leaders who are willing to help train new believers.

Saturday
Traffic congestion in Beijing is expected to get worse before the Olympics, with 90% of roads operating at full capacity and little room for expansion. There are now 3 million automobiles in the capital. Traffic delay and congestion play a role in discouraging many believers attending weekday services and meetings. Weekday meeting attendances are down among urban churches. Let us pray as churches make adjustments and seek ways to care and strengthen their sheep.

Sunday
More than 10 million Chinese are regular users of drinking water machines or bottled water. Yet, more than half of the bottled water in Beijing is “counterfeit.” Such practice is said to be widespread because the authentic bottled water costs twice as much. Cults and Mormonism presenting themselves as Christian are making significant advance in China recently, even drawing away unsuspecting believers. Let us pray for this alarming trend and for believers’ discernment.

Monday
It has been a boom year in the Chinese stock and real estate market. It seems that everyone believes that the government will not pop the present bubble of euphoria before the 2008 Olympic Games. Churches in China have endured persecution and survived attacks by occult forces but they are doing poorly combating the present torrent of materialism. May the Lord's mercy protect all of us against materialism and the Chinese churches from becoming merely lukewarm groups of people.

星期二
近幾年，鮮榨果汁成為武漢市民去酒樓就餐的首選飲料。但有記者目睹大酒樓製作果汁是果葡糖漿和水，非以鮮果來榨果汁。偷工減料在中國被視爲平常，更有人甚至自詡精明。基督徒在商場上常會在提高盈利及謹守聖經道德原則之間掙扎。求神幫助我們在聖經的教導上不妥協，在一切事上都能有好見證來榮耀神。

星期三
毛澤東「春節還債」的事蹟見於一篇紀念他的回憶文章中。1920年，毛澤東為革命運動而借了兩萬銀元，將近50年後，他每年春節還債，共用十年還清。許多華裔信徒都在談論要償還西教士福音的債。讓我們為中國教會宣教的熱忱和努力來禱告。我們也用禱告紀念許多中國教會所支持的在海外服事的宣教士們。

星期四
今年估計有3千7百萬中國人會在海外旅遊消費。聯合國預測：中國在2010年將成爲世界第四大旅客來源。許多中國教會的領袖和牧者都曾有造訪外國教會的經驗。我們禱告，海外的訪問和學習之旅能為他們帶來嶄新的異象和方向，能帶領教會及事工有新的突破。

星期五
大學校園是中國一個非常耀眼的福音聚點，有許多學生參與當中的小組聚會，也有在當中接受了耶穌。然而當他們畢業後，屬靈生命缺乏跟進與栽培，乃因缺乏成熟的屬靈領袖有策略地帶領。求主在校園裡興起更多忠心的同工，為裝備和訓練新一代的信徒來努力。

星期六
北京的交通擁塞情形，預計在奧運來臨前將會更惡化。目前首都的汽車數目高達3百萬，公路的使用率已達到90%，而且已沒有太多可供開發的空間。交通阻塞是許多信徒不願意在週間參加聚會的主要原因，教會的週間聚會人數不斷下降。讓我們禱告教會能夠尋得更好的方式，做出調整，以便能更好的照顧和牧養他們的羊群。

星期日
超過千萬的中國人經常飲用瓶裝水，或使用飲水機。而在北京，超過半數的瓶裝水是「冒牌」貨，據其原因是正牌瓶裝水價格較貴一倍。摩門教和其他異端以基督徒的身份在中國傳教，虜走了許多根基未深的信徒。讓我們爲此趨勢儆醒禱告，求神讓他自己的兒女能辨識真理，遠離歪曲的異端邪說。

星期一
過去一年房地產及股市大漲，每個中國人似乎都瘋迷炒地產、股票。百姓們都相信政府在2008奧運之前不會讓經濟下降。經歷過風雨、異端和逼迫仍堅立不倒的中國教會，目前面臨的更大挑戰和衝擊是富足和物質的誘惑。求主憐憫，保守每位信徒有正確的屬靈價值觀，抗拒世俗的潮流，能依靠主通過這一關，不讓教會陷入不冷不熱的景況。

Prayer Request

Tuesday
Internet is making it tougher for China to block bad news. The recent scandal of child slavery in the kilns in Shanxi province was revealed after the parents of the missing children appealed for help online. There are a huge amount of Chinese Christian contents, Bible study material, sermons and praise and worship music online. The majority of them are not censored. We thank the Lord for its availability and remember those ministries who provide them.

Wednesday
A political career in these four major cities, Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Chongqing is a stepping stone to national leadership. Understandably, officials in these cities tend to interpret and enforce the religious regulations more strictly because their career is at risk. Let us pray specially for churches, pastors and believers, as well as the foreign workers in these 4 important cities, where crackdown on unregistered churches and illegal meeting take place more often.

Thursday
In China, the production of fake good is so rampant, but not limited to manufactured goods. In recent years, even couples are faking divorces, for various reasons or excuses- but they all boil down to m-o-n-e-y. Some fake divorces and fake marriage to foreign citizen to go abroad to work. Divorce is accepted easily as a way out of any struggling marriage and that is also not uncommon for believers. We remember all whose marriages are “failing”, may they find clear direction of God’s will and the strength to follow through.

Friday
The Communist Party of China claims that one in three of its members have received higher education. It continues to enjoy great appeal among intellectuals because the Party membership is a requirement to most, if not all government job. Retaining one’s membership is a dilemma for many believers who are thinking about baptism. Many have chosen the path of being a secret believer. We take this time to remember them, pray for close personal walk with the Lord and growing faith and boldness.

Saturday
Myanmar (Burma) has close ties with China historically. Today, China plays an important role in Myanmar; it has lots of investment and supplies much of its military too. China's money, remminbi, is commonly accepted there. Let us pray for all of the churches and believers in this deeply Buddhist nation. May the Lord have mercy on this country. The Chinese churches there need lots of our prayer, for the training of workers, especially for missionary work near the China borders.

Sunday
The Communist Party added 2.6 million members last year, making it the world's biggest political party with a total membership to 72.39 million. More than 19 million people applied to join the CPC in 2006, a highly selective and prestigious process. Being a Christian does little to enhance one’s ability to join the Party. We pray for many college students who struggle with the decision of believing in Jesus or joining the Party which could open doors to better job and advancement.

Monday
Uighurs, who are ethnically Turkic Muslims have fought the Chinese over the land they call Eastern Turkistan, but on the map it is called Xinjiang. Uighurs is the largest minority in Xinjiang and Beijing consider their separatism effort as terrorists. While evangelistic effort to the Muslim minorities continues at slow pace, Gospel is thriving in Xinjiang, particularly among the college students. We uplift the work of the Holy Spirit and pray for the safety of worker there.

星期二
網際網絡的普及化使不良新聞更難封鎖。如最近山西土窯童工的醜聞，就是在失蹤孩童的父母上網求助後被揭露。網上也能很容易的找到大量基督教中文書籍，讀經資料，講章以及敬拜和讚美樂曲。其中大部分內容都未被刪剪。讓我們為這些材料來感恩，並求神記念這些供應及支持事工的單位和個人。

星期三
在北京、上海、天津和重慶四大城市從政，是晉升國家級幹部的跳板。因此不難理解何以當地的官員對宗教條律的詮釋和實行都格外嚴緊。這四大城市裏，未經註冊的教會和聚會常常受到取締或制裁，讓我們為在這些地區服事的教會、牧者和信徒，以及來自外國的同工們的平安禱告。

星期四
中國的贋品汎濫，而僞造品並不局限於貨物。近年來連結婚、離婚也能作假，説穿了都是爲了錢。還有爲了出國掙錢而與外國人假結婚的。在中國離婚為婚姻困境的一條出路的觀念已被廣泛接受，即便是信徒，離婚也並不稀奇。讓我們為所有瀕臨「失敗」的婚姻禱告，求神幫助這些夫婦能清楚看見在神裡的盼望，依靠主重新得力來實踐神的旨意。

星期五
共產黨宣稱三分一的黨員接受過高等教育。由於大部分在政府的工作以有黨籍的為優先考慮，知識分子為謀好的職位而加入共產黨的情況仍然普遍。許多考慮受洗的信徒往往掙扎於是否繼續保留黨籍。有很多寧可選擇把自己信徒身份保密。我們以禱告記念他們時時能與神親密同行，信心和勇氣都能持續在主裏不斷增長。

星期六
緬甸在歷史上曾是中國的「藩屬」，但近年中國在緬甸大量經濟投資，又提供軍火來源及設施，甚至人民幣都能在當地通行，可見今天中國在緬甸的影響力仍然十分重要。緬甸是個篤信佛教的國家，讓我們為該國的教會和信徒禱告，求主賜他們力量面對異教之風，並為主作光與鹽。當地華人教會的工人培訓及中緬邊界貧窮山區的福音事工，更需要我們以禱告的手托著。

星期日
去年中國共產黨增加了二百六十萬新成員，使其黨員共達七千二百萬三十九萬人，成爲世界最大的政黨。2006年申請入黨的篩選過程更為爲嚴謹，但入黨人數仍超過一千九百萬人，增長了6.8%。成爲基督徒對入黨沒什麽幫助，但入黨卻有助於打開事業前景。許多大學生正面對信主或入黨的抉擇，讓我們為他們的掙扎禱告，求神打開他們屬靈的眼睛，能看到永恆生命的價值。

星期一
維吾爾族是新疆最大的少數民族，維吾爾族在種族上屬突厥人，為伊斯蘭教的信奉者，他們不間斷地向中國爭取這塊稱之爲「東突厥斯坦」的獨立。(東突厥獨立運動人士對新疆維吾爾自治區的稱呼)。北京將這股分離運動定位為恐怖主義。在穆斯林少數民族中，雖然福音工作一直進展緩慢，但神奇妙的作為卻正在新疆-尤其在大學生當中蔓延開來。感謝讚美神，我們要高舉聖靈的工作，同時也為當地同工出入的平安代禱。

Prayer Request 10/2 --10/8

Tuesday
Last year Chinese intellectuals and business leaders debated a bestseller called Wolf Totem. One of its central points was that Confucianism had taught China's Han Chinese majority to behave like obedient sheep, accepting any leadership, as opposed to the more independent, predatory and successful Mongolian wolves in the book. Many rural believers lack spiritual discernment and follow leaders who have gone astray from Biblical teachings--particularly those who teach Success Theology and that God heals all diseases. Again, we remember those lost sheep and pray they will be quickly restored.

Wednesday
The government of China is behind the promotion of Confucianism because it encourages order and legitimacy by its emphasis on respect for authority. Party leaders have promoted this return to traditional values as an alternative to the present preoccupation with financial gain. Confucianism appeals to Chinese people but poses difficulty for Christian evangelistic efforts. We need to pray about this shift in thinking and for leaders to have wisdom to know how to present the gospel and Christian ethics to Chinese who long for morality but are excessively greedy.

Thursday
The Ministry of Education has approved adding more courses in traditional Confucian culture. The government also supports 145 non-profit Confucius Institutes aimed at promoting the Chinese language and culture in more than fifty-two countries. Some want to make Confucianism China's national religion but other scholars insist it is impossible to turn a philosophy into a religion. Unbelievers often say filial piety taught by Confucianism is superior to the Biblical teaching of honoring one's parents. We pray that all believers are able to honor and love their parents as Christ commanded us to do and to support them financially.

Friday
While in many places in the world both the infrastructure and demographics of Chinatown appeal only to older people, Chicago's Chinatown is drawing both new immigrants as well as American-born Chinese. Many shops and restaurants cater to these younger English-speaking Chinese who go there to meet friends. Overseas Chinese churches nowadays must offer services in English in order to retain and attract younger believers. Let us pray for the great need for English-speaking pastors in Chinese churches as well as the challenging work for all those who serve in the English ministry of Chinese churches.

Saturday
There was no college education at all during the 10 years of the Cultural Revolution. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the reinstitution of the college entrance examination, a bold move by Deng Xiao Ping. Today, college student ministry is the bright spot of Christianity in China, with Bible study groups and many conversions on every campus. As they gear up for the new school year, we pray for all the new students who will be invited to these groups this fall.

Sunday
Many fear that the government has lost control of the gender imbalance in China so that it now exceeds the 105:100 male to female ration considered proper. Even various promotional campaigns to give girls free tuition and health care have failed to reverse people's favouritism toward having boys.In Chinese churches women outnumber the men by three to one. We take this time to remember all the young believers who struggle under pressure from both of their families to have an ultrasound to find out if the child was male or female and then decide about abortion.

Monday
The Foreign Ministry published guidelines for Chinese citizens travelling abroad teaching them to behave in a civilized manner. Don't talk too loudly. Don't throw trash around, etc. Many are now calling for teaching younger Chinese about civility and ethics.It takes a decade to grow a tree and a century to change people. We have faith that God will do great things as He transforms China's churches from being full of pride and inward-focused to being those that care for their communities and even neighbouring countries.

星期二
去年的暢銷書「狼圖騰」引起了中國知識分子和商界領袖的廣泛討論。原因是書中蒙古狼的成功、獨立、以及掠食者的強勢形象與漢族歷來儒家文化的教導要馴良若綿羊、服從領袖恰恰相反。許多在鄉村的信徒缺乏屬靈的辨識能力，容易隨一些問題的教導而偏離真理，尤其是成功神學和相信神醫的情況。讓我們特別為走偏和迷失的羊禱告，求神話語光照他們引他們早日回頭。

星期三
中國政府是推廣儒教背後的助力，爲的是它推崇立法和命令，強調對當權者的敬重和服從。黨領袖推動恢復傳統價值觀，以替代全面佔據了中國人思想的經濟利益。克已復禮的儒家思想對國人有一定的魅力，卻易成福音的阻力。我們為信徒在思想上與世俗潮流抗衡的屬靈爭戰禱告，求神幫助信徒在人群中，傳揚天國的福音，活出基督徒的道德，價值觀和生活方式。

星期四
北京市教育局已批准更多傳統的儒學課程。有關當局也支持超過52個國家共145個非營利儒家學院，旨在推廣中華文化和語言。有人提議把儒教作爲國教；但學者則否定把哲學變爲宗教的可行性。非信徒一般認爲儒家所教的孝道遠勝聖經所教的「孝敬父母」。讓我們禱告每個信徒都做到神所命令的：真正的孝順和敬愛父母，在生活、精神和經濟上照顧他們的需要。

星期五
世界各地多處唐人街的人口和設施都漸漸老化。芝加哥華埠卻繼續興旺，不但吸引新舊華裔移民來居住，商店和餐館也高度迎合新一代年輕人的口味，連講英語的華裔青年也喜歡在此聚集。海外華人教會也必須設立英語崇拜聚會以吸引和留住年輕信徒。同時也迫切需要更多能操流利英語的傳道人，我們爲此禱告、記念在充滿挑戰的英文部服事的同工，求主加添他們的智慧和能力。

星期六
文革十年間，國內全無大專高校。鄧小平大膽恢復高考，至今已30周年。隨著查經班和各類聚會的設立，學生事工已成了所有事工中最耀眼的一環。當大家預備迎接新學年的來臨時，讓我們為所有新生能被邀參加這些聚會，有機會聽聞福音、得到救恩來禱告。

星期日
許多人擔心中國政府無法控制國內的男女比例失調（原超過105：100的國際平均水準）。各種鼓勵「關愛女孩」的措施和政策，比如免稅，免學費和保健費用等，都改變不了中國人對生男孩的偏愛。在中國教會，婦女的人數是男性的3倍。我們除了求神帶領更多男士成為信徒並激勵弟兄參與服事和傳福音外，在此特別為在家人壓力下，要以超聲波查驗胎兒的性別，以及考慮人工流產的年輕信徒禱告。

星期一
中國外交部近日發佈中國領事保護和協助最新指南，提醒國民出國前後應注意的事項。比如提醒國民出國在外勿大聲説話，不隨意拋擲垃圾，亂撿東西等等。許多人已開始呼籲，教育年輕人公共道德。十年樹木，百年樹人，我們深信神會按祂的時間行大事，把中國教會漸漸從向內專注自我的情況，轉變成爲能關心社區鄰舍，甚至周遭國家的宣教教會。