Prayer Request 12/25 -- 12/31

Tuesday
Being a "human rights lawyer" means a saint-like status in China. Human rights lawyers have defended many high-profile cases, based on the rights and religious freedoms offered by China's Constitution. Such tactics have endeared them to the people but not to the local officials. By nature Chinese do not like to stir up trouble and are quite likely to overlook injustice. We pray for a sense of justice, compassion such as what Jesus had, and a willingness to defend the persecuted in the hearts of all believers.

Wednesday
Television came to China in 1958 and currently about 95% of households there have TV. Chinese audiences are particularly fond of dramas so each year there are nearly 500 series or 10,000 episodes shown over 363 stations. Many believers are literally addicted to TV drama and spend all evening every day watching it. Let us pray for the many believers who are unable to break their habit of watching TV even to the extent of disrupting family lives and neglecting their children and church attendance.

Thursday
China’s Defense University recently celebrated its 80th anniversary. Since the Sino-Japanese war, this elite school has produced high-ranking, well-educated leadership for the People Liberation Army. Government-approved seminaries and Bible schools provide all the pastors in the Three-Self churches. Let us pray for all the teachers and ask the Lord to give them not only wisdom in imparting Bible knowledge but also passion for churches and close personal walks with Christ.

Friday
One expert has said that “the gap of wealth in China is at an unacceptable level.” While absolute poverty may still exist, relative poverty is the overwhelming social concern. Rising costs of living, education costs and medical expenses are outpacing incomes.Many believers feel despondent and wonder why God has not blessed them with more material goods. We pray for all those who have financial burdens and struggle to believe that God is faithful. May we all find Him to be sufficient in all ways.

Saturday
Confucianism is enjoying resurgence in China as more and more people seek ways to adapt to a culture in which corruption is rampant and materialism has become a driving value. For many Chinese a system of ethical teaching that stresses the importance of avoiding conflict and respect for hierarchy makes perfect sense. Many Chinese feel that Christianity is a Western religion and Confucianism appeals to their nationalistic pride. Let us pray for intellectual believers who will live out their faith and be a powerful testimony to the rest of the nation that Christ is indeed the answer to China's ills and problems.

Sunday
According to some people the rift between the Three-Self and house churches is narrowing. Some pastors have left the Three-Self Churches and are now serving house churches. In other cities believers in the house churches attend selective programs offered by the Three-Self churches. Let us pray for these “cross-over” believers. May the glory of God be magnified and their spiritual gifts used to edify more believers wherever they are.

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
中國的維權律師猶如聖人。他們根據憲法所予的權益和宗教自由，打勝了多起著名官司。此舉雖得不到地方官員的認同，卻令他們贏得百姓的愛戴。中國人向來明哲保身，怕惹麻煩，對於社會上諸多不公不義的現象常常視若無睹。我們為信徒能夠胸懷基督的憐憫和公義之心、願為受屈者打抱不平來禱告。

星期三
1958年誕生了中國第一家電視臺，至今95%的家庭擁有電視。觀衆特愛看電視劇，因此，全國363座電視臺每年播放將近500部、總數超過1萬集的電視劇。很多弟兄姐妹看電視成癮，每天晚上都守在電視機旁，欲罷不能。有的甚至為看電視影響家庭生活，忽略了孩子，也不上教會。讓我們為他們能操練節制來禱告，求神使他們能夠有智慧安排生活優先次序。

星期四
國防大學80周年校慶。自抗日戰爭迄今，國防大學為人民解放軍注入了高教育水平的指揮員和中堅分子。三自教會所有的牧師傳道都來自受政府批准的聖經學院。讓我們為聖經學院所有的教師禱告，求主不但賜他們傳授聖經知識的智慧，也對主的教會充滿熱忱、並且個人樂於與基督親密同行。

星期五
有專家警告：「中國的貧富懸殊已經大到多數人無法接受的地步」。現在「絕對貧窮」的情況雖有改善，但「相對貧困」的社會現象更受到關注。老百姓的收入難追節節上升的生活費、教育費和醫療費。一些信徒在經濟的重壓下無法感受神在物質生活上的信實供應，求神讓祂的兒女們無論在任何境遇，都能以信心的眼睛看到祂預備的豐足。

星期六
社會上貪腐行爲猖獗、物質主義操控了價值觀，人們開始尋找因應之道，因而近來儒學在中國復興起來。這個強調以和為貴，尊重等級權次的道德制度對多數中國人而言是最佳選擇。許多中國人認爲基督教是西方宗教，儒學才能夠滿足他們的民族自尊。我們祈禱信主的知識分子能夠把信心活出來，成為強而有力的見證，讓國人看到基督纔是解決中國通病的唯一藥引。

星期日
據觀察目前的三自教會和家庭教會之間的嫌隙正逐漸縮減。有些離開三自的牧者服事於家庭教會，某些城市裡家庭教會的信徒也選擇性地參加三自教會舉辦的節目。讓我們為這些「跨教會」的牧者及信徒禱告，求神引導他們無論置身何在，都使神的名被彰顯，又用他們的恩賜造就更多信徒。

星期一
過去一年，中國房地產及股市大漲。每個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。過去經歷過風雨、異端和逼迫仍堅立不倒的中國教會，目前卻面臨更大的挑戰和衝擊，那就是追求富足和物質享受的誘惑。求主憐憫保守每個信徒都能勝過這一關，不讓教會陷入不冷不熱的景況。

PRayer Request 12/18 -- 12/24

Tuesday
33,000 people made decisions to follow Christ after a series of large evangelistic meetings held in Hong Kong. Since the island returned to China's administration in 1997, there have been large gatherings by people of all faiths, including Buddhism and Taoism. Let us pray for churches in Hong Kong as they continue to be a powerful witness in their communities and to the neighboring Guangdong province. Hong Kong is a vital link for church work in China and we pray for their missionary efforts.

Wednesday
Foreign-born Chinese whose mother tongue is English face discrimination in China. Parents in China prefer and even demand Caucasians to teach English to their children, even though some of them are not native English speakers. Many foreign-born Chinese have returned to their native land to work. We pray for those who are there with a goal of winning other young Chinese to Christ as they actively work among college students who wish to learn English.

Thursday
Insisting on the truth and speaking out against abuse is not something for the faint-hearted, especially in China where money and power converge. A few influential lawyers and writers have spoken out and defended those who were wrongly treated. Many of these people are Christians or are sympathetic to the plight of Chinese churches. Let us remember all who can not enjoy freedom and normalcy of life because of their faith for God and conviction that the Bible is true.

Friday
Without a doubt, television is the number one medium in China. What keeps the Chinese glued to their tubes? News and a whopping 489 new soap operas per year, with an average of 21 episodes per soap opera. Perhaps this is one big reason churches are discontinuing, formerly full-attended, evening services. Let us remember all the churches that still have mid-week services and, especially, prayer meetings. May the Lord use these faithful to be powerful watchmen for their flocks.

Saturday
Working for the government is an attractive and appealing option. Last year half a million people took the "hottest examination in China" to become a government employee hoping to get a plump position with job security and good pay. Very few seminary students know where they will serve after graduation--in government or house churches. Let us remember their studying and involvement in churches as well as their spiritual walk with God, that they will not lose their passion to do God's work.

Sunday
China will soon become the country with the world's third highest economy. As recently as 1999 she ranked only seventh. Now she has passed Italy, France, and England. We look with great anticipation to see what God will do to use China's churches in His kingdom purposes. As Chinese gain in national pride, we pray that the believers will also see their role in world evangelism and no longer be just receivers but become generous givers.

Monday
Amid the huge tide of Chinese workers moving from country to city, as many as a million children have become separated from their parents. The state looks after perhaps 150,000 and the rest are presumable fending for themselves. Rural churches find themselves in the midst of this problem but are totally unable to help because of their limited recourses and dwindling membership. We lift up all the rural believers whose own families are separated because of their work situation. May the Lord give them wisdom in parenting and showing love to their children.

星期二
最近在香港舉行的六場基督教佈道大會，據統計共有三萬三千多人決志信主。香港自九七回歸後，多了許多公開性的佛教誦經會、道教弘道會等大型宗教聚會。讓我們為香港眾教會在社區和鄰近的廣東省繼續為主作強而有力的見證來禱告。目前香港已成為中國教會事工的重要樞紐，我們更為他們在宣教上的努力獻上感恩與代禱。

星期三
母語為英語的外籍華人在中國教授英語經常遭遇歧視。中國父母寧選「白人」教孩子英語，即使他們的主要母語並非英語。近年來，許多海外出生的華人回到故鄉找工作。當中有一些透過教導英語積極地接觸大學生，目的是爲主得人，讓我們特別為他們的工作和使命禱告，求主大大使用他們，將福音的種籽更深、更廣植入人心。

星期四
「堅持真理、維護正義、為受辱者出頭」這並非等閒軟弱之人膽敢為之，尤其在權與利掛帥的中國更是如此。近來一些有影響力的律師和作家不畏迫害，依法維權。當中有許多是基督徒，也有一些是基於同情中國教會的苦境，仗義挺身。讓我們也以禱告記念所有因著對基督的信仰以及堅信聖經是真理而失去自由和不能正常生活的信徒們。求神親自以厚恩和能力覆庇他們。

星期五
中國電視無疑是當今國內的「第一媒體」。是什麽能把人們牢牢的抓在螢光幕前？答案是新聞以及年產489部，平均每部21集的電視連續劇。這或許是導致國內教會紛紛取消一些過去晚間常滿的聚會的一大因素。讓我們為仍然繼續的週日聚會，特別是禱告會守望代求，願神幫助教會領袖成爲忠心又有能力的管家，有智慧和謀略來看守好神的羊群。

星期六
公務員的職位在中國炙手可熱，是最吸引畢業生的就業選擇。去年有多達50萬人報考全國公務員考試，盼能得著一隻金飯碗，使該項考試成了「中國第一考」。國內神學生很少知道自己畢業後的服事去向：是要在政府認可的教會服事還是其他類型的教會事奉。讓我們為他們的學習和教會生活禱告，求神保守他們常與神同行，服事神、做主工的熱忱和心志歷久常新。

星期日
1999年中國只是世界第7大經濟國，現已經超越了意大利，法國和英國。很快便能晉級為第三大。在慶幸領受神在經濟發展上的豐富賜福之際，深信神會大大使用中國人參與祂的國度計劃。當國人自信、自尊獲得急驟提昇時，我們祈禱中國信徒也能同時看到自己在世界宣教和佈道上應扮演的角色，學習敏銳神心意，操練施比受蒙福的慷慨付出。

星期一
中國民工從鄉下蜂擁至省市謀生，造成數以百萬的兒童與父母分開。政府能照顧到的兒童約15萬，其餘的只能靠自己自求多福了。農村教會置身這些問題之中卻苦無對策，畢竟他們資源有限，而且會友不斷流失。讓我們以禱告來托住所有因工作必須與家人分開的信徒和家庭。求神憐憫他們的景況，加添他們養育孩子的智慧，懂得如何向孩子表達他們的愛。

Prayer Request 12/11--12/17

Tuesday
China bans exporting any cultural relics predating 1911; the prior regulation set the limits at 1795. 1911 saw the end of the Qing Dynasty, which serves as a convenient social marker for Chinese archeologists. Few Chinese believers know of the church’s heritage before 1949. We take this time to thank the Lord for all the missionaries who came to China and serve. May the Lord bless the descendants of all of China’s missionaries. We, too, pray that more will be inspired to serve because of their legacies.

Wednesday
Chinese ships and seamen make port calls around the world. In Vancouver, Canada, several churches minister to these lonely seamen and have led many, and even the entire ship’s crew, to Christ over the years. We thank the Lord and remember the many who are ministering to Chinese seamen. Their ministry involves giving out Christian literature, Bibles, music and DVDs, gaining the trust of the captain, and then sharing the Gospel with the crew.

Thursday
Durban is a typical South African city where Chinese are engaged in retail business of all kinds. Their stores are located in the worst areas of the city with mainly Black customers. Chinese work hard seven days a week, hoping to make it rich and return to their homeland. Such a hardworking ethic under great pressure and danger is typical of many Chinese in Africa and South America. Let us pray for the preparation of weary bodies and souls as local churches reach out to them.

Friday
Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi was ranked as the second most powerful woman in the world. She is credited as a tough negotiator and an effective international diplomat. In the Chinese church leadership, there are many women pastors who often lead delegations abroad. We pray for all the women church workers in China. In many regions, more than half of the leaders are women. We remember their service, their love for the Lord, their sheep, and their own family needs.

Saturday
The average Chinese newlywed couple spends about four years’ worth of their combined salaries on their wedding. An average wedding banquet has 20 tables with about 250 guests. A honeymoon is also now a must and costs almost half as much as the banquet. In Chinese churches, young couples who are both believers are rare, since many Christians marry non-believers. Let us pray for all the newlywed couples. May the Lord prepare and soften the hearts of the unbelieving spouses and may the believing spouse be a strong Christian witness.

Sunday
Young Chinese couples today are spending eight times more on their weddings than they spent twenty years ago. An average couple will spend nearly a year preparing for their big day. In eighty percent of the cases, parents will pay for the wedding. Most Christian parents find themselves unable to say much when their children decide to marry an unbeliever. Let us pray that they will have a good relationship with the new addition to the family and have a very positive influence in sharing Jesus with the new daughter- or son-in-law.

Monday
In many churches in China, it is nearly impossible to speak about giving an offering because many believers have the false notion that church workers should live totally by faith. They feel that getting a salary from a church is unspiritual. It is common that a pastor of a large church will receive only a small offering. Let us pray that all believers will dedicate not only their hearts but also their wealth to the Lord.

星期二
中國政府將文物出口的禁令從1795年改至1911年。1911年清朝正式覆亡，這正好給考古學者一個方便的標記。很少信徒會知道1949年之前的教會遺產。我們此時要為到中國服事的宣教士來向主感恩。願主祝福他們的後代，我們盼望他們所遺留下來的榜樣感動更多人出來服事。

星期三
中國的航運遍佈世界。加拿大的溫哥華有好些教會特設了「海員事工」向常年離鄉背井的中國船員傳福音。這些年來幫助了不少人，甚至整船的人員都歸向主。他們的事工包括贈送基督教書刊、聖經、和影音光碟等等，藉著取得船長的信任，進而有機會向全體船員傳講福音。讓我們為這個事工感恩，求主繼續大大使用和祝福他們，並供應一切所需。

星期四
德班是南非一個典型的城市，許多中國商人在該城治安最差，犯罪率高的地區從事各類商品批發和零售。在高度壓力和危險的環境下，一周辛勤工作7日無休，只盼儘快致富回鄉，是許多非洲和南美洲華裔的典型寫照。我們為這些身心靈皆疲憊的同胞禱告，求主預備他們的心，藉著當地的教會來得著他們，使他們獲得永恆的生命和盼望。

星期五
中國副總理吳儀名列世界最強的女人之地二位。她素以強勁的協商能力及有效的外交手腕見稱。中國教會有許多女傳道常負責帶領教會代表團隊出國。在國內一些地區，半數以上教會領袖是女性。我們特別為所有的中國女傳道禱告，求神保守她們的服事，還有自己家庭的需要，增添對神及所牧養的羊群的愛心。

星期六
一般中國新婚夫婦結婚的費用相當於兩人四年薪金總和。普通一場婚宴就要20席，宴請大約250賓客。蜜月也少不了，這費用又將近婚宴開銷的一半。中國教會的年輕人很少是夫妻雙方都信主的，因爲很多基督徒與非信徒結婚。讓我們為所有新婚夫婦禱告。求神在未信的配偶心中鬆土，並使信主的一方能有強而有力的基督徒見證。

星期日
現在的年輕中國夫婦花在結婚的費用是20年前結婚花費的8倍。平均每對夫妻會用上一年來爲此大日子做足籌備。而其中8成，其結婚費用和買房是靠父母幫補支付。多數基督徒父母當孩子決定跟非信徒結婚時，都無法多說什麽。我們祈禱他們與新的家庭成員有美好的關係，同時在分享基督救恩的事上，能以美好的生命見證和溫柔良善的品格產生正面的影響力。

星期一
許多教會都不能接受牧者主動提及奉獻，因爲信徒們誤認爲傳道人應該完全憑信心生活，向教會領取薪金便是不屬靈。大型的教會其牧者只領取很少的薪俸，是極爲普遍的現象。讓我們為此禱告，求神感動衆信徒不單向主獻上自己的心，同時也願意獻上自己的“金”（財富），使神的工人日用無缺。

Prayer Request 12/4 --12/10

Tuesday
In 1978, America gave China a small lunar rock as a presidential gift. This year, China officially declared its circumlunar satellite Chang'e-1 a success after it transmitted photos of the surface of the moon. Such an accomplishment is a tremendous boost of national pride. Chinese churches are making strides in foreign missions too, sending workers to Africa, although mainly reaching Chinese there. Let us pray as more Chinese missionaries are equipped and supported to do cross-cultural missions.

Wednesday
Recently, several Chinese blockbuster films have grabbed worldwide attention. In the past, it was the martial art films that attracted Western curiosity. Now, ironically, it is the romance theme with plenty of love-making scenes that is grabbing attention. As China gets more exposure under the Olympic media attention, let us pray for all those who are preparing and finding opportunities to share and witness during the event. We pray specifically for those churches and Christians who will be interviewed by the foreign news media.

Thursday
Rural Chinese children are increasingly at risk of being sold or forced to become beggars, petty thieves or sex workers as their farmer parents flock to cities looking for work. Babies are abducted or bought from poor families and sold to childless couples. Some rural churches are finally seeing the need to have training for children’s Sunday School programs and teaching on Jesus at a young age. Let us pray for the need of 500,000 copies of such training materials.

Friday
Since the economic reform, China has created 150 million "New Social Class" people; they are private business owners and intellectuals like lawyers, doctors, accountants and managers. They are now the most influential segment of population and make a great social impact. Many believe Christians of this "New Social Class" will be the key to future Chinese churches. Let us pray for them, their love for Jesus, and their service in their churches.

Saturday
There are about 60,000 Chinese in Argentina and they are famous for running midsize supermarkets, 3,900 of them in all. The Chinese stores tend to have lower prices, stay open much longer and do not close on weekends. Working long hours make church ministry and discipleship effort very difficult as meeting times tend to be very late at night. The same thing can be said throughout Latin America. Let us pray for the evangelism effort and the spiritual growth of believers.

Sunday
Bribery and tax evasion are part of doing business in China. To reap profit one must use "connections" and make shady dealings. Bribery is accepted as part of the cost of business. Many Christian businessmen stay mum about it because they feel they must do it in order to survive. Let us pray for all believers as they struggle with these ethical issues. May we each have faith in God that He will not fail us as we are often swayed to compromise in these circumstances.

Monday
Urban Chinese churches have more resources than rural churches. Yet, in general, the quality of preachers could use more improvement, especially in preaching and pastoral care of those who are more educated and fervent believers. As a rule, pastors have little contact with believers and do not visit newcomers at all. Believers have little to do with pastors and do not understand the need of their shepherds. We pray for the improvement of shepherding and their skills.

星期二
探月衞星「嫦娥一號」傳送囘月球表面的照片後，中國正式宣佈人造衞星發射成功。美國曾在1978送給中國人民一塊只有一克重的月球岩石作爲禮物，此項成就對國家尊榮的提升，義意重大。中國教會在海外事工的參與也有大躍進，差遣工人到非洲，雖然主要對象是那裏的華人。讓我們為中國的宣教士能受到充足的裝備和支持從事跨文化宣教來禱告。

星期三
近來華人導演的電影都成功地取得國際間極大的關注。過去只有武術工夫片能引起西方人好奇，而今很諷刺的是：能夠捕捉世人眼光的，竟是充滿情色鏡頭的愛情片。當國際焦點轉向明年的北京奧運，讓我們為正為傳福音作準備以及尋找機會的弟兄姐妹們禱告。更要特別為可能接觸外國新聞媒體的教會和基督徒禱告，讓他們能有屬神的智慧對答合宜。

星期四
由於農村父母紛紛湧到城裏工作，鄉下兒童被賣、淪為娼妓、被迫從事行乞或苦役的人數急驟上升。拐賣或販賣嬰兒的事跡亦層出不窮。有些農村教會終於意識到兒童主日學從小教導孩童認識耶穌和聖經真理的重要。讓我們為目前急需五十萬份相關的訓練教材和有關資源來禱告。

星期五
自從經濟改革開放之後，中國創造了一億五千萬的「新社會階層」。他們大多是私人企業的老闆或律師、醫生、會計員和經理等的知識分子。他們現在儼然是中國社會中最有影響力的一群，能造成社會巨大的衝擊。「新社會階層」中的基督徒，更是牽引中國教會未來發展的關鍵。讓我們禱告他們能有顆愛主的心，承接主的異象和大使命，在所屬教會裡火熱服事主。

星期六
阿根廷現有大約6萬華裔，他們以經營中、小型超市為主，共達3,900家。一般而言，中國人經營的超市物品價格較低，營業時間較長，且週末無休。華人工作時間長，為當地教會的事工以及實行栽培訓練計畫增添很多困難。會議的時間必須訂在夜晚。同樣的情況也常見於拉丁美洲的華人教會。讓我們為這些地方的華裔福音工作，以及信徒的靈命成長來禱告。

星期日
在中國做生意，若不靠走私、不行賄的話，不單貨品的競爭力受影響，業務拓展更是寸步難行，常常要靠打通關係或賄賂才能順利過關。商人通常也會將賄款當為貨物成本的一部份，以逃避取締，甚至有些基督徒也是這樣做。求神保守基督徒商人能堅定遵照神的教導，持守公義正直不偏左右，並相信神 是不會讓他們羞愧的。

星期一
中國城市教會比鄉村教會資源豐富，然而牧者的屬靈素質仍需主的雕琢。尤其在講道、牧會、和關懷會眾中那些曾受高等教育和熱心追求的信徒上，都需要謙卑在主面前求恩典。他們普遍少與信徒連絡，甚至不探訪初信者，無法瞭解他們真正的需要。讓我們為城市教會的牧者禱告，求主賜恩，使他們在教會的管理、牧養、尤其在靈命上都能積極提升，成為忠心的好牧人。