Prayer Request 1/29 -- 2/4

Tuesday
Xintiandi, a huge development just south of People's Square in Shanghai is the first example of the city's reclaiming its history rather than tearing it down. In many cities, old neighborhoods are developed as tourist attractions to preserve a bit of history. Many congregations face the same dilemma--to rebuild or tear down. Some of the church buildings have great historical value and heritage. Let us pray for all of the churches planning to expand, remodel, or rebuild this year. May the expansion bring even greater excitement for ministry and a renewed love for God.

Wednesday
It is exceedingly easy to find films featuring explicit sex and violence anywhere in China but such films for public showing are ruthlessly censored. At present, films deemed unsuitable for children to see may not be shown to adults either. Many Christians struggle with pornography and temptation to see these readily available movies. Let us pray that the hearts of all believers will be guarded and that we all may have victory over sexual sins.

Thursday
The landscape of the Chinese cinema is rapidly changing. In the past several years, quite a number of Chinese film directors have achieved international fame, just as Chinese actors/actresses have become famous. Sexually explicit movies by notable stars are now mainstreamed. Sex in any of its forms has been a tabooed subject in the Chinese church but sex-related enterprises are everywhere, even next to churches. Let us pray for an openness, a positive, and Biblically correct teaching of sex in the churches.

Friday
China is said to have the most annual executions of any country in the world. A human rights group counted 2,790 people sentenced to death and 1010 executions in 2006. The government is now considering using lethal injections instead of the long-standingpractice of firing a bullet into the back of the head of the criminal. Most Chinese favor execution as a punishment and deterrent to the rampant crimes there. We thank the Lord for dying for our sins on the cross. We ask the Holy Spirit to remindus as believers that we, too, were sinners and are still in need of Christ's mercy every day.

Saturday
Communist Party officials, in a futile attempt to combat high-level corruption,especially among members of the party, commonly pass death sentences for bribery,embezzlement and even tax evasion. Ordinary citizens invariably support this punishment. In the church, it is common for funds to be misused or diverted to a use other than that for which they were given. Let us pray for protection from financial temptation for all church leaders whether rural or urban, whether house churches or open churches.

Sunday
Chinese Christians are said not to be sympathetic to the spiritual struggles of others. Often they say that their own faith is in God and then tend to ask others to live the same way. Being transparent is definitely not a Chinese Christian's "virtue" since many stress only their own success and then neglect to mention any weakness or failure they might have. We thank the Lord for many great Chinese cultural virtues and values but let us pray for a genuine dependency on God and a sense of constant need of God's mercy and grace in the hearts of Chinese Christians.

Monday
It is difficult for divorced Chinese women with children to find a new husband. Most prospective parents-in-law discourage such ready-made families. And, the step-grandchild is deemed very awkward in the traditional Chinese family ethic. Many single mothers are believers or have become believers. Their number one concern is whether or not their children will be accepted and loved. Let us pray for them as they manage their parenting duty, discrimination at work, loneliness and their close walk with Jesus.

星期二
「上海新天地」坐落在上海市中心，人民廣場以南，是中國都市呈現歷史文化風貌而非拆除的首例。 現在許多城市的古老鄰里都發展成爲旅遊景點，得以保留一點歷史痕跡。許多教會同樣面對重建或拆除的抉擇，尤其一些教會建築物深具歷史意義和價值。讓我們為今年計劃擴建，整修，或重建的教會禱告，願無論任何方式的擴充，大大激發會衆對神的愛及事工的熱心。

星期三
在中國到處都極容易找到充斥著色情和暴力的影片，唯公映的影片中，不適宜的片斷都已經過的刪剪，只是不適合兒童觀看的影片亦未必會放映給成年觀衆看。許多基督徒往往在這些隨手可得的色情影音媒體的誘惑之中難以自拔。我們求神保守每一位信徒能夠竭力追求聖潔，在性的試探中不陷於罪中，靠主得勝。

星期四
中國電影模式正在迅速改變中。近年來，許多中國導演和演員陸續獲得國際知名度。有出名影星擔綱主演的激情片已成了主流電影。教會內仍然避諱任何形式有關「性」的課題，但在教會以外，與情色掛鉤的行業卻無所不在。讓我們為教會能夠在面對「性」方面的議題，有更開明、正面且符合聖經的教導來禱告。

星期五
中國每年施行的死刑，高居世界之冠。據人權組織的計算，中國於2006年執行死刑1010次，處決了2790人。目前政府正考慮以注射方式取代採用已久的槍決。多數中國人仍然贊同以死刑來懲戒當地猖獗的犯罪活動。我們感謝主為贖我們的罪愆而死在十架上，求聖靈提醒作爲信徒的我們，曾是該死的罪人，每一天都需要基督的憐憫。

星期六
政府打擊嚴重貪汙（特別是黨員涉貪）的努力一度受挫，有關當局通常將賄賂、盜公款、以及重大逃稅者判處死刑。此舉受到廣大老百姓的支持。國內教會也常發生基金款項遭濫用，或轉作其他用途。讓我們求神保守所有中國教會，無論城市或農村、公開或家庭教會，所有傳道人和領袖們都能免受金錢的試探。

星期日
中國信徒常給人一種印象：對他人在屬靈上的掙紮缺乏同情心與同理心。往往強調自己對神的信心，總叫別人學習像他們一樣。中國信徒也欠缺坦誠開放的「美德」，多數只會宣揚成功，隱藏軟弱和失敗。當我們為中華文化中的許多優良美德和價值觀感謝神時，也為中國信徒能有一顆真誠依靠神恩惠與憐憫的心來禱告。

星期一
帶著孩子的離婚媽媽在中國很難再婚。多數準公婆都不能接受帶著所謂「拖油瓶」嫁過來的媳婦和前次婚姻所出的兒女，且在傳統家庭倫理中 ，繼兒繼孫的身份、地位頗爲尷尬。很多是單親媽媽的信徒，考慮再婚時，最關切的問題是孩子能否被接納和疼愛。我們為她們身兼父母之責，還要忍受來自社會上、職場上的歧視，以及心靈的孤單向神禱告，求主加添她們夠用的信心和能力，讓她們能夠與神親密同行。

Prayer Request 1/22- 1/28

Tuesday
Massive migration has been taking place as young people leave villages to seek work in the cities. Such an exodus has greatly alarmed the viability and the future of China's rural churches. Recently, some churches, seeing the steady loss of young believers, have provided Bible training for those who are going into cities, hoping they will start their own churches at their work sites and new communities. Let us pray for their training.

Wednesday
In the last ten years the government has made significant improvement in providing benefits and pensions to millions of retirees. It is not uncommon for a retired teacher at age fifty-five, to get a higher pension than the salary of a new teacher. Millions of village elderly have no money for retirement and must depend on their children. Elderly believers usually have little disposable income and are unable to give much money to the church. Let us pray for those who serve these older saints out of love and not for remuneration.

Thursday
There are nearly 31 million Chaozhou (also called Teochew) people in the world and they make up a significant percentage of overseas Chinese. They trace their ancestry to the western coastal region of Guangdong province. Western missionaries went to Chaozhou in the Qing dynasty and churches there have always played an important role in the lives of the people. Let us pray for the many churches whose primary language is the Chaozhou dialect both in China and in Southeast Asia.

Friday
Every year about a million Chinese babies are born deformed and nearly a third of them will be "thrown away" to foster care facilities. Many of these have cleft palates and parents do not even know that such a defect can be corrected surgically. There are many Christians who are involved with long-term care of handicapped children. We take this time to remember their love and compassion. May the Lord reward them for what they have done "to the least of these" since they are doing it for Jesus.

Saturday
The person who will eventually be the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists is still a big question. The title "Dalai Lama" is given to the leader chosen for each successive incarnation. For example, the next incarnation will be called "The 15th Dalai Lama". Currently there are two possibilities but only one is recognized by the government. We take this time to remember the millions of Tibetan Buddhists in Tibet, Qinghai,Gansu, Sichuan, and Inner Mongolia. We also pray for those who are quietly reaching them with the love of God.

Sunday
Many hope that the sagging economy in Taiwan will improve with the arrival of tourists from Mainland China. The problem has been compounded by the exodus of companies to China as well as the cheaper labor there. In Taiwan the salaries have not increased but the cost of living has crept higher and higher. Churches in Taiwan are often entangled in ongoing political debates. Anti-Beijing Rhetoric in churches has hurt mission efforts in Mainland China. Let us pray for unity of spirit and healing in the hearts of all the Taiwanese believers.

Monday
About thirty percent of Chinese youth between sixteen and thirty-five years of age are NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). These days many young people do not stay with one job very long. They choose to take a break from working or else feel free to look for a job with higher pay. Every year many young church workers leave the ministry to seek secular jobs. Some are frustrated, some are burned out, and some are just not able to support a family with the meager salary a Christian worker receives. Let us pray for those who have left their calling. May the Lord bring them healing and refresh their hearts.

星期二
中國農村人口為謀工作大量往城市遷移。人口外流對農村教會的生存和未來發展造成重大的威脅。 近來，一些教會因應年輕信徒赴城市工作的趨勢，開始提供他們查經訓練，裝備他們能在所到之處傳福音、開始新的教會。讓我們禱告這些培訓能取得成果，使前往城市的信徒能夠剛強、成熟，成爲廣傳基督福音的使者。

星期三
中國政府從十年前開始進行養老體制改革，大大提高退休人口的養老金和福利。55歲退休教員的退休金高過新進教員的薪金並不稀奇。但爲數衆多的農村老人則沒有退休金，必須依賴兒女的供養。年長信徒通常沒什麽收入，沒能力多奉獻給教會。讓我們為許多弟兄姐妹和傳道人出於愛心不求回饋地服侍年長的弟兄姐妹和傳道人來禱告，求主親自賜福、記念他們的善工。

星期四
全世界目前約有3千1百萬潮州人，半數分居在中國以外，佔海外華僑人口很大的百分比。追溯這些潮州華僑的祖先，大都來自中國廣東省的西岸地帶。西國教士在滿清時期進入潮州，迄今當地教會仍在人們的生活中居重要角色。讓我們為中國和東南亞許多潮語教會代禱。

星期五
中國每年有大約1百萬先天畸形兒出生，其中三分一遭父母遺棄或送收容所。當中許多是有唇裂缺陷，而他們的父母卻不知是可以通過手術矯正而正常成長的。許多基督徒長期照顧殘障兒童，讓我們為他們的愛心和無私付出來感恩，他們因爲基督而做在這些「最小的小子」身上的善工，求主親自報答他們。

星期六
誰最終會成為西藏佛教徒的最高精神領袖，目前仍是個大問題。選定的轉世藏佛領袖將封予「達賴、班禪」的名稱，下一位轉世靈童將是第十五世班禪。目前有兩位可能人選，但政府只承認一位。讓我們為西藏、青海、甘肅、四川和內蒙千千萬萬藏傳佛教徒的救恩代禱。也為悄悄把神的愛帶到他們當中的宣教士們禱告。

星期日
許多人都寄望來自中國大陸的旅客能振興臺灣的經濟。但問題因著許多工廠外遷至中國，以及當地的薪資凍漲，而變得十分複雜。臺灣生活費不斷攀升，薪資卻一直沒有增加。臺灣的教會也常常捲入政治辯論。教會裏的反中言論常常傷害中國宣教的努力。讓我們為所有臺灣信徒禱告，求主賜下合一的靈並醫治受傷的心。

星期一
2005年，有３０％左右16-35歲的青年處於「不在業」狀態。其中一些稱為「NEET」(Not in Education, Employment, or Training) 族, 既沒有正式工作，不在校上學，也沒接受職業技能培訓。當今的年輕人很少久留於一份工作，他們自由選擇停止工作或尋求更好的機會。每年有許多年輕的傳道人離開教會職場，另謀工作。有些是氣餒了，也有些是心力交瘁，更有因傳道的微薄收入不足以養家而離開神的選召。讓我們禱告求主憐憫醫治、振興他們。

Prayer Request 1/15 -- 1/21

Tuesday
Many Christians return to China to visit families every year. Many desire to share the Gospel with their family members, but they have yet to reveal to their parents that they have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior or received baptism overseas. We pray for all who will be sharing their faith to their families for the first time. We, too, pray that some of these will use their professional talent to get involved in helping in the local churches or being part of short term missions.

Wednesday
Mei Lan Fang is considered to be the greatest talent in Beijing opera. He played feminine roles and was considered the epitome of beauty. During the World War II, he earned his patriotic reputation when he refused to sing for the Japanese. Chinese Christians revere legendary preachers of yesteryear and admire their saint-like stature. We thank the Lord for the model of faithfulness, but, in the mean time, we pray for the raising up of younger men and women of God who will receive the anointment of the Spirit and due respect of the believers.

Thursday
Half of the elementary and junior high students surveyed said that they would rather sleep if they had the free time. The average elementary school student spends one hour and thirty-nine minutes doing homework a day. Many, if not all, of the Chinese Sunday School teachers complain that they do not how to teach the young children or keep them interested. Let us pray for wisdom and patience for every teacher. May the Lord use them to make a lifetime impact.

Friday
Although the government insists that every child can attend junior high without going through examinations, many parents insist on sending their child to attend the “elite” junior high school, which means they inevitably must pass tough examinations to get in. In most Sunday Schools, a class will have a wide range of ages, making effective teaching challenging. Let us remember all the children in the Chinese churches. May each one of them know the Lord from their youth and desire to follow Him all their lives.

Saturday
Private schools have become a part of China’s education system in the past two decades. In the city of Beijing alone, there were more than one million students enrolled in a 2,000-member private school in 2007. Operating a school with Biblical values is a dream for many Christians. Let us pray for all the Christians who are educators, teachers, and also those who are Sunday School teachers. May the Lord use them to witness to their students.

Sunday
The greatest wish of all the rural teachers is to have a system of continuing education, to get more training, or to have an expert come to teach. Most teachers have had little training after graduation when they started teaching. Many Sunday School teachers feel inadequate teaching week after week, with little resources and training. Many have only a junior high education but are teaching students who have higher education than they. Let us pray for courage, wisdom, and insight for all the teachers in China’s churches.

Monday
One of the biggest drawbacks as a teacher in a village is boredom. There is little to do after school other than watching television. That is also the reason why young teachers resist going to villages to serve. Finding people to teach Sunday School in rural churches is often an impossible task. Little concept of teaching, a feeling of inadequacy, and a lack of training are the most common excuses for not teaching Sunday School. Let us pray for those who desire to teach but lack the wisdom and courage to do it.

星期二
每年都有大批旅居海外的信徒回國探親。其中許多人都抱著與家人分享福音的希望而至，卻遲遲未能告訴父母自己已經接受耶穌基督為救主或已在國外受洗。我們為即將首次向家人傳福音的信徒們禱告，求主賜他們勇氣奉獻時間和專長，協助自己家鄉的教會、參與短宣或短期慈善公益服務。

星期三
梅蘭芳被公認是近代最傑出的中國戲曲藝術大師，他的藝術造詣尤卓越於精妙優美的旦角表演。在中國抗日戰爭八年期間，他不惜斷送經濟來源，拒絕為日軍演出，更突顯其高貴的愛國情操。中國信徒對過去充滿傳奇的傳教士滿懷尊崇，敬仰他們有如聖人一般的形象。我們除了感謝神賜下這些忠心的楷模外，也求主興起年輕一代屬神的兒女，滿有聖靈的恩膏，忠心的事奉主，嬴得信徒的愛戴。

星期四
半數接受調查的中小學生表示，若有空閒時間，最想做的就是好好睡覺。小學生每天用於家庭作業的平均時間是1小時39分鐘。中國的兒童主日學教師幾乎都申訴限於訓練和經驗不足，大多不知怎麽指導孩童，也不知如何激發學習興趣。讓我們禱告所有老師們能有智慧和耐心來克服教學的挑戰。求主使用他們，帶給孩子們終生受用的影響。

星期五
雖然政府聲明學童升中學無需通過考試，然而許多家長爲了堅持讓孩子上民辦名校，結果孩子們還是免不了要考入學試。中國教會由於師資和場地的短缺，多數兒童主日學都必須「混齡上課」，由於學生年齡差距大，使教學更增困難。讓我們為小孩子來禱告，求主親自吸引每一個孩童，也賜能力、愛心給老師能引導他們奠定良好靈性根基，從小渴慕跟隨主，一生不移。

星期六
民辦學校已是中國教育體系的一部分。單在北京的2千多所民辦學校就有超過1百萬在校學生。許多基督徒都希望開辦一所展現聖經價值觀的學校。讓我們為所有參與教育工作的信徒以及主日學老師禱告，求主幫助他們能夠在信仰和生活上對學生們做美好的見證。

星期日
國內農村教師最盼望的，是有效的教師專業培訓機制，好讓他們獲得參加培訓的機會或由專員前來教導。因爲多數教師，畢業開始執教之後便沒什麽受訓進修的機會了。許多主日學教師周而復始的教導，常覺能力不足。尤其很多隻受過中學教育的老師，往往必須面對教育水平更高的學生。讓我們禱告中國教會的老師們能夠更親近主，忠心以從神而來的智慧和悟性啟廸他們的學生。

星期一
在中國農村執教的一大阻力是生活沉悶。教職員放學後除了看電視，就沒有其他活動了。年輕教師也因此抗拒到農村服務。目前農村教會要找人教主日學更難。沒有教學概念、自覺不足、缺乏訓練…這些都是信徒們拒絕教主日學最常用的理由。讓我們為那些願意參與教導，卻缺乏訓練和勇氣的信徒禱告，求主賜給他們足夠的恩典和能力回應事工的需要。

Prayer Request 1/8 -- 1/14

Tuesday
China’s urban churches have their own characteristics. Beijing churches have many intellectuals and young career couples; they are mostly first generation believers. Wenzhou churches have many entrepreneurs and businessmen; wealthy and most of them grew up in Christian families. We pray for all the churches in these two cities, both have their own weaknesses and strengths. May the Lord use them in their support and influence on the rest of China.

Wednesday
One in 3.5 married couples end up in divorce in Taiwan which is the highest in Asia. The divorce rate has nearly doubled in the past 10 years. Government tries to encourage premarital education and counseling class to stem the tide. Christian couples also see divorce as a viable option when encountering marital conflicts. Let us pray for the believers whose marriage needs healing, especially those families whose husbands are working alone in Mainland China and are hardly together except in the holidays.

Thursday
The Three-self Church Association issues a "Preacher Certificate" to an itinerary preacher in a designated area. Such a license does not provide a living stipend but gives legitimacy and recognition among believers. Many of these preachers are responsible for several churches but must still support themselves with day jobs. We pray for physical strength and spiritual health for all of these certificate holders. May the Lord bless their ministry.

Friday
In some cities, about one third of divorces are filed by the so called “One-child generation”. These young professionals (born after 1980’s) are more concerned about their career, accumulating wealth than cultivating a long-lasting family relationship. Getting a divorce is no longer stigmatized and even commonly accepted as the norm.Let us pray for all the Christian couples as they strive to keep Christ as the head of their houses, and learn to love one another as Jesus loves the church sacrificially.

Saturday
In the old days, marriage was a couple working together to earn a television set, a bicycle, or a fridge. Now, "Kids today start their relationship right from the bed," These days, cohabitation is commonplace and extra-marital sex is gaining acceptance. Parents also feed the idea of marrying into "the right family" with a sound financial and political standing. Let us pray as Christian parents will not forget to teach their children the blessing of marrying someone who also shares the same faith. We too pray for guarding of hearts and purity of all young believers.

Sunday
A new car, preferably a foreign brand, and a two-bedroom apartment, or at least a down payment on an apartment, is essential in a new marriage among the well-to-do. Many parents openly encourage their children to marry well by saying "It will be a comfortable life. Why should we endure a hard life?" We remember all the single believers as they wait upon the Lord for providing the mate of His will. We too pray for those whose spouse is not believer or spiritually unevenly matched.

Monday
Many of the young people getting married are ending in divorce court after a week or a few months. The so-called “Little Emperor/Empress” often has an unrealistic sense of entitlement. They are ill-prepared psychologically to enter a marital relationship requiring selfless love. Let us pray for all the Christian couples, especially those who have not have children. We pray for the guarding of their marriage from the attacks of the Satan. May the Lord work through their lives, use them in churches and in discipling the younger ones in church.

星期二
中國的城市教會有各自的特色。北京教會多為知識分子和年輕帶職夫婦，並且大多是第一代信徒；溫州教會則許多是商人和企業家，且多數成長於基督化家庭。這兩類型的城市教會各有其長短，求神使用他們，揚長補短，支持及影響中國其他教會。

星期三
臺灣每3.5對新人結婚，就有一對離婚，離婚率10年來提高一倍，高居亞洲第一。因此政府將研訂家庭教育法，鼓勵即將結婚者接受婚前教育。許多基督徒也默認離婚不失為婚姻陷入困境時的一條出路。讓我們為婚姻關係有難處、需要醫治的禱告，尤其特別記念丈夫在中國工作，難得假期回家團聚的家庭。

星期四
三自聯會發出傳道證書給在指定地區講道的「堂點」傳道員。雖然證書不能成爲生活的保障，卻能在法律上和信徒當中獲得承認。有許多傳道人既要為多個教會佈道，又需出外打工維持生活所需，以至身心靈皆疲憊。讓我們特別為他們身心靈的健康禱告，求神大能扶持祝福他們的事工，也在信心及物質層面充份供應。

星期五
中國一些城市離婚數據顯示，約三分之一的離婚案是「獨生子女政策」下成長的一代年輕人。這些80後的年輕專業人士，重視自我需要及事業和財富的利益過於家庭關係。在中國，離婚已成了平常事。讓我們為所有基督徒夫婦禱告，求神幫助他們能尊基督為一家之主，學習以基督對教會犧牲捨己的愛來彼此顧惜相待。

星期六
過去的婚姻，是一對夫婦一起努力掙錢，購買電視機、自行車、或電冰箱等。“現今的孩子都從床上開始建立關係”，同居很普遍，連婚外情也漸漸廣爲接受。家長們也持有與豪門或權貴攀親的想法。我們禱告所有基督徒父母能夠教導孩子，夫妻在信仰上同心的婚姻才真正蒙福。求主也讓所有年輕信徒能夠保持身心純潔。

星期日
一輛入口新車，以及一間雙房式公寓，是寬裕人家新婚必備。很多父母鼓勵孩子找有錢的結婚對象：“能過好日子，幹嗎要挨苦？”讓我們為單身信徒等候合神心意的對象來禱告。也為配偶不信、或夫妻倆靈命狀況有距離的信徒禱告。

星期一
中國許多年輕夫婦的婚姻只維持了數週或數月就迅速分手。這些獨一代的「小皇帝」對自我權益的不實際要求，使他們欠缺維持良好婚姻關係所需要的無私的愛。讓我們為所有基督徒夫婦禱告，特別是那些尚未有小孩的，求神保護他們的婚姻，免受撒旦的攻擊。也求主塑造他們的屬靈生命，使用他們在教會裏熱心參與服事以及育幼事工。

Prayer Request 1/1 --1/6

Tuesday
A historic meeting of 5000 Christians came from China and met after Christmas in Hong Kong. They came from all parts of house churches in China and many of the attendees have served the Lord for many years. We thank the Lord for this new chapter in Chinese church history. We are also grateful as a younger generation of church leaders begin to serve in more prominent role.

Wednesday
Stores in China celebrated Christmas with decorations, Santa Claus and even Nativity scenes. Despite the ubiquitous presence of these displays, sales and parties, few Chinese knew the meaning of Christmas, other than a Western holiday like Valentine's Day. Many churches hosted special Christmas events and invited new friends to their services. Let us pray as churches continue to follow up with these newcomers and those who are the so-called lukewarm Christmas church- attendees.

Thursday
The government is behind the renaissance of Confucianism. Many key universities, and also the elementary schools, are promoting the recitation and study of Confucius’ classical writings. People are turning to Confucianism as a religion, as a remedy for China’s many social illnesses. Let us pray for such a worrying trend, especially among the young intellectuals, who would prefer a Chinese “homegrown” religion to Christianity.

Friday
There are very few full-time preachers left among rural churches nowadays. Many have to work another job to support their families and provide education for their children. As rural churches continue to face the aftermath of a huge exodus of young believers, let us pray for the morale of all remaining church workers. May the Lord strengthen them with His words so they would be better equipped to teach His Word.

Saturday
All over China one can see the slogan "Socialist Harmonious Society." After Marx-Leninism and capitalism, this is China's next alternative to improving society. As far as churches go, Western style methods may not be the answer for those in China either. Let us pray for God's own unique model for these places of worship, whether it is Three-Self or house churches.

Sunday
For twenty years now there has been Sunday School curriculum and teacher training in China, but only a few churches offer programs for children beyond elementary school. Pastors really need the vision to reach out to teens in junior high and high school. Millions of teens are lost from churches yearly. Let us remember this gaping hole in the church ministry in China.

Monday
In China evening television prime time is 7:00-9:30 with an average audience of 692 million. During the daytime an estimated 58 million TV sets are turned on but these numbers reflect only those who watch free TV programming. Evening services, especially on weekends, do not attract a large audience. Many say that only the old and the faithful attend weekend services. Let us pray for a deep hunger for the Word of God in the hearts of all believers.

星期二
在 2007 年終，五千名來自中國各教會的信徒一同聚首於香港，參加為期四天的聚會，當中不乏忠心事主多年的老牧者。感謝讚美主， 對於中國教會來說，這實在是一個歷史性的聚會。我們也為中國年輕一代的教會領袖感恩，由於他們在事奉上所承擔的角色日見重要，求主親手引領、扶持。

星期三
中國一些商場都扮上聖誕妝來迎接聖誕，有聖誕老人，甚至有耶穌誕生馬槽的場景。雖然與聖誕有關的佈置、促銷和派對到處可見，多數人都不清楚聖誕節真正的意義，以為僅僅是另一個西洋人的節日。許多中國教會特辦聖誕聚會，邀新朋友參加。讓我們為教會的跟進工作禱告，求主幫助他們能成功地繼續帶領這些新朋友以及只在聖誕節才上教會的信徒。

星期四
近來的政府主導在中國新興的儒教復興運動。多所著名大學，甚至小學都在推廣「讀經運動」，提倡誦讀儒家的四書五經。人們把儒學當作宗教信仰，視之為醫治中國社會弊病的藥方。年輕知識分子也覺得應該堅持這個中國自己的主體信仰，而對基督教產生排斥。讓我們為這令人憂心的趨勢禱告，求神的真光照亮人心的昏昧，尋見光明永生之道。

星期五
農村教會的專職傳道已少之又少。許多傳道爲了家計生活費以及兒女的教育， 都必須兼職。當農村教會必須持續面對年輕信徒出走的衝擊，讓我們特別為留下來服侍的牧師和傳道人禱告。求神重整他們的思維，重振他們的士氣，並讓他們從神的話語中得著更好的裝備來訓練信徒。

星期六
中國處處都有「社會主義和諧社會」的宣傳標語，這是北京探索了除馬列主義、資本主義之外的第二條道路，是融合傳統儒家、具有中國特色的社會主義。西方教會的管理體系也未必適合當今的中國教會現況。不論是三自或家庭教會，我們求主賜下一個合適於中國教會的模式，讓中國教會繼續的成長茁壯。

星期日
雖然中國的兒童主日學以及教師培訓已逾二十年，但設有青少年主日學的教會卻寥寥無幾。眼看每年有數以百萬計的青少年人從教會流失，青少年主日學教師培訓實為現今教會持續發展的當務之急。讓我們為這個中國教會事工的缺口禱告，求主讓牧者們看到中學生的需要，能夠設法在他們流失之前及時餵養他們。

星期一
晚間7點到9點半黃金時段的電視節目，有6.92億收視人口。會在日間打開電視觀看不收費節目的中國家庭，估計為5.8千萬。教會的晚間聚會能吸引到的信徒並不多。會參加週末聚會的往往只有年老和忠心的信徒。讓我們為所有信徒都能有飢渴慕義的心來切切禱告。