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。