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。