Prayer Request 2/26 -- 3/3

Tuesday
China's prime minister did something unusual. On TV, he used megaphone to apologize for the disruption caused by the worst winter storm Southern China endured during the Chinese New Year. In response to such acts of humility, many Chinese have accepted this disaster as an "act of God" rather than a foul-up by the government. Chinese church leaders are less likely to admit mistakes or even apologize. Let us pray for genuine hearts for all who shepherd or serve in church.

Wednesday
Drinking milk was once a luxury not usually associated with the Chinese diet. Today the rising standard of living has whet the appetites of Chinese people to drink milk and eat other dairy products. In 2006 an average Chinese consumed six gallons of milk (one-fifth that of people in the USA). Many will admit that a vast number of Chinese Christians would be considered "milk-drinkers" and unable to "eat solid food". We pray earnestly for a great emphasis on spiritual feeding in the churches rather than merely seeking a blessing from God ormiracles and signs.

Thursday
The rising cost of living is the top concern for Chinese in cities and villages alike. In a survey by the Communist Party, the cost of living, disparity of incomes, and corruption are considered the most critical social problems. The rising cost of food and living on a fixed income make many people anxious and less likely to give to the Lord's work. We remember the need of all the church workers aswell as retired believers who live on a fixed income.

Friday
It is very common in China to see celebrities endorsing a certain product or some kind of medicine on TV. Although many Chinese associate the endorsement of a celebrity as a seal of approval, recently several such products were found to be fake or containing harmful substances. Chinese churches have complained that many foreign preachers come to China and promote their own church growth methods or "success theology". Let us pray for spiritual discernment among believers and diligence in studying the Word of God.

Saturday
Chaozhou people are known for their delicacies, opera, strong family ties, hardworking habits, and thriftiness. The richest Chinese (the ninth richest person in the world), Le Ka-shing, is a telecommunications and real estate tycoon from Chaozhou. Many believers look to wealthy Christians to donate to large projects but God uses the offerings of the common believers in His work. We pray all believers will be diligent in their labor and generous giving.

Sunday
When Chinese couples have a child born with a deformity, usually they will give it away for foster care. The one-child policy allows having a second child under these circumstances and most families do not have the financial resources to care for a handicapped child at home. Let us remember all the handicapped children cared for by Christians or organization supported by overseas mission agencies who believe it is their duty to show the compassion of Jesus and care for the least, the smallest, and weakest of the community.

Monday
Chinese churches in North America have been blessed with unprecedented number of conversions and baptisms. Students, visiting scholars, new immigrants from China, and even the visiting parents of students are coming to receive Jesus in great numbers. We praise God for raising up almost 4,000 Chinese churches in North America over the past 30 years. Most of them are small and many of them are without shepherds. Let us pray for more fruit, more workers, and more involvement in China missions.

星期二
在春節前雪災時，中國總理做了一件很不尋常的事。從電視廣播看見他穿梭在饑寒交困的旅客中，多次用擴音器為交通中斷所造成的不便向民眾道歉，以謙遜的態度平息了許多受災者的怨憤，並能接受此災難誠為天降橫禍。華人教會領袖往往在承認錯誤方面能有許多進步的空間。讓我們為牧者及教會同工們禱告，求神幫助以坦誠的僕人心志服事弟兄姐妹。

星期三
往昔牛奶在中國既是奢侈品也不常見於的飲食，而今生活素質的提升，牛奶和乳製品已帶入老百姓的家庭。2006年，每個中國人平均喝掉了六加侖牛奶，相當於美國人的五分之一。很多人憂慮，目前許許多多中國信徒在信仰上仍在「喝奶，喫不了糧」的景況。讓我們為中國教會能夠注重靈命的餵養和教導，而非一味追求神蹟、兆頭或祝福來禱告。

星期四
物價高漲是國內城鄉居民首要關切的問題。調查顯示，黨政領導幹部心中最嚴重的社會問題是「物價、居民收入差距和腐敗」。生活費不斷高升，讓持固定收入的受薪者心驚膽跳，信徒奉獻的手更是大爲收縮。我們為所有領固定收入爲生的教會的傳道人及退休信徒一切所需向神禱告，求神在一切供應上盡都豐盛有餘。

星期五
明星常在電視上打廣告為商品或藥品代言。很多中國人把明星代言當作信譽保證，但最近卻發生好些明星代言假藥或含違禁物商品的事件。中國教會也投訴有許多外國傳道人前來推銷獨門的教會增長方法或成功神學。求神幫助眾教會能提升信徒屬靈的辨識能力，並且使他們殷勤紮實地學習主的話。

星期六
潮州人以美食、戲曲、家庭凝聚力和勤儉稱著。華人中的首富李嘉誠，世界富豪排名第九，跨足地產、電信、甚至傳媒事業的大亨，就是移居香港的潮州人。很多信徒希望他們大型的計劃能獲得富裕基督徒的捐助，但神卻更常使用平凡信徒的奉獻來成就祂的各項事工。我們禱告信徒們都能殷勤工作，甘心奉獻。

星期日
產下畸形兒的中國夫婦，一般都會把孩子送走。即使政策允許他們生養第二胎，但多數家庭都沒有經濟能力應付殘疾兒長年所需的醫療開銷。一些海外宣教機構本於傳揚基督憐憫的信念，盡其照顧弱小群體的責任，而支持國內收養殘疾兒童的基督徒或機構。讓我們特別為在他們照顧下成長的孩子們禱告。

星期一
北美的華人教會經歷著神莫大的祝福，受洗歸主的人數之多是前所未有的。留學生、訪問學者、新移民、以及探親訪友者，很少能對教會置若罔聞，其中更有許多人接受了基督。感謝讚美神，在這三十多年來，於北美興起了將近4千間華人教會。但其中許多小教會仍缺牧者，讓我們為他們的需要禱告，求神興起更多工人，使北美華人教會結實更多，並能更多參與中國的宣教事工。

Prayer Request 2/19 -- 2/25

Tuesday
During the peak of the New Year snowstorm, millions of "ming gong" (migrant workers) waited stoically in train stations in the cold and rain for days. Going home for the New Year is the only time in the year they have to see their families. Many believers work in cities and do not see much of their families. We pray for blessing as they reunite with family. We too pray for special grace as they deal with many issues relating to parenting and marital communication.

Wednesday
How is the health of China’s churches today? A new article suggests that it is “a mile wide but only an inch deep.” While many well-meaning foreign observers view China’s churches optimistically, the problem of a lack of spiritual depth and training persist. It is nearly meaningless to guess the number of Christians in China, but higher estimates are advertised yearly. Let us pray for the revival and renewal of China’s churches, especially in a time of prosperity.

Thursday
Placing great emphasis on miracles is a key feature of China’s churches. Many Christians simply pray for the occurrence of miracles, ignoring the proper interpretation and application of the Word of God. This is one reason why cults and the occult are rampant, especially among rural churches. Again, we need to pray for the solid teaching of the Word of God. Many preachers feel inadequate and even intimated when they are not “empowered” with the gift of prophecy, healing, and performing miracles.

Friday
Young teachers, who were sent to villages as their assignment, complain about the lack of housing facilities. Many of them have to share a dorm-like room because of low pay and school’s lack of funds. Even though young church workers have the burden to serve in the villages, lack of urban accommodations make it difficult to retain them. Let us pray for the phenomenon of older believers “demanding” the younger workers to make sacrifices and be willing to behave like servants of God in the rural churches.

Saturday
An article points out that a problem for Chinese Christians today is “extremism,” equating it with spiritual maturity. Often, one’s spirituality is measured by how much time one devotes to Bible reading, prayer, or attending churches. Let us pray for a close walk with Christ for every believer. One’s faith is balanced with the knowledge of God’s grace and living out His love.

Sunday
What is special about those who grew up under Communism and came to know Jesus later in life? One Chinese scholar and pastor said, “There are still many conflicting and deeply ingrained values which cannot be changed. A renewal of both mind and spirit is needed.” Many will agree that new Chinese converts struggle greatly with humility and submission. Let us pray for the transformation and molding of the Holy Spirit in all Chinese believers.

Monday
The tendency to oversimplify all problems and provide a simple spiritual solution is common among Chinese churches. Many are quick to diagnose and offer spiritual solutions as the cure-all answer. Most of these “solutions” are characterized by “have more faith in God, read the Bible more, and pray more.” We pray for those who are hurting emotionally or in a relationship that badly needs sympathetic ears, friendship, and encouragement from fellow Christians.

星期二
農曆新年前的一場大風雪，讓數百萬待返的民工在火車站的淒風冷雨中苦候數日。新年春假是他們一年裡唯一回家團聚的機會。許多在城裏工作的信徒同樣長期難得與家人相見，我們為他們與家人團聚的時刻向神求恩，也求神給他們特別的恩典來處理與父母、配偶以及子女之間的溝通問題。

星期三
中國教會當今的屬靈狀況如何？有作者在其文章中用「雖有一英里寬，卻只有一英寸深」來形容之。雖然許多海外的觀察者都用樂觀的看待中國教會，但她一直都存著屬靈根基膚淺和缺乏訓練等問題。猜測中國基督徒的數量多寡，實際意義不大，然而每年都會公佈更高的估計數字。，讓我們特別為處於現今豐盛富裕時代的中國教會禱告，求主賜下復興和更新的火。

星期四
中國教會往往過度強調神蹟。許多基督徒只為了神蹟而禱告，完全忽視從正確角度去認識和應用神的話 - 聖經。異端邪教因而得以迅速蔓延，尤以農村教會爲甚。許多傳道人因爲沒有被賦予說預言、醫治、或行神蹟的恩賜，而自覺裝備不足，以為被神疏遠而灰心退後。我們需要再次為中國教會能夠接受紮實的教導，確實明瞭神的話語來禱告。

星期五
派往鄉村執教的年輕教師，無不為住處而煩惱。農村學校缺乏資金，學校公房緊缺擁擠，教師收入偏低，導致農村偏遠學校教師流失嚴重。居住設施短缺的農村教會同樣很難留得住原本滿懷抱負前往服事的年輕傳道人。而農村教會的老信徒仍期望年輕的傳道作出種種犧牲以符合他們心目中神僕人的樣式。求主施恩改變這些現象，讓傳道人在農村教會能夠獲得較好的待遇和尊重。

星期六
有文章指出當今的中國基督徒在信仰上有走極端主義的傾向，誤以爲是靈命成熟的表現，而且常常以讀經禱告時間的長短或上教會的次數，作爲衡量信徒屬靈深度的標準。讓我們為信徒皆能真正與基督親密同行來禱告。求神讓所有信徒瞭解，健康平衡的信心，除了聖經知識上認識神，也要在生活行爲上活出神的恩典，彰顯出祂的愛和榮耀。

星期日
唱著東方紅、受著共產主義教育長大的歸主基督徒有何特點？一位中國學者兼牧師說：「存有短時間內難以完全消除的、與基督信仰相矛盾的價值觀。必須要在心靈和思想上更新。」很多人會同意，初信的中國基督徒都很難做到謙卑和順服。求聖靈在所有中國信徒身上動工，按神的心意來塑造和改變他們。

星期一
信徒常有將問題簡單化的傾向，且喜歡給人開包治百病的屬靈藥方—即援引聖經，要人相信神、多讀聖經、多禱告等等。信徒當中有許多曾受過情緒或人際關係上的傷害，最需要得到的是真誠的同情和傾聽，溫暖的友誼和鼓勵，我們求神幫助每位信徒滿有耶穌基督的恩慈能用同理心，彼此扶持，切實相愛。

Prayer Request 2/12- 2/18

Tuesday
The annual CCTV Chinese New Year Eve Special Presentation is the most watched program in China. For the celebrities invited to participate, including those from Hong Kong and Taiwan, it is the ticket to instant fame and lucrative contracts. Church work will pause in celebration of the New Year. We thank the Lord for all the diligent labor throughout the year by all the church workers; many will be thanked by their congregations with gifts, but many will only receive their reward from their Master later.

Wednesday
Starting in 2008, the government will cancel the May 1st public holiday, which traditionally is a mid-year time of vacation and family reunion. This means more people will travel or return home during the coming 2 weeks of Spring Festival (the 15 days of New Year). Churches usually will have outreach programs and invite neighbors for special meetings. We pray for great excitement for all these efforts and the sowing of good seeds. We too pray for good fellowship as out-of-town church members return to share their blessing with those who stayed.

Thursday
Chinese government has promised that the Olympics will be smoke-free but has not put forth any concrete plan to enforce this. Asking Chinese smokers to snuff out in public places has proven impossible, since they account for nearly 1/3 of population.Many Christians are unable to kick addictions of all kinds - smoking, gambling, pornography. Let us pray for transformation and molding by the power of the Holy Spirit among all believers.

Friday
A recent industrial explosion in Korea killed 40 workers, including 12 Chinese. There are 400,000 Chinese workers, mostly involved in the so-called 3-D, “dangerous, difficult and dirty” lines of works. Many of them are ethnic Korean minorities from China. There are Chinese churches and local Korean churches reaching out to these Chinese laborers. Let us pray for the church work among the Chinese in Korea and the Korean minority in China.

Saturday
Nearly half of the Chinese in America live on the West Coast. About 80% are first-generation immigrants and the remaining are American-born Chinese. Seventy percent have lived in America for more than 10 years.We lift up all the Chinese churches in America, especially the English-speaking ministries to the younger local-born generation who have little identification with their parents’ immigrant culture and their Chinese-speaking church unable to meet their needs.

Sunday
Sixty percent of Chinese Americans have higher education, second to 70% of Asian Indians. Indian and Chinese youth are often vying for college admission and scholarships. India and China are the two largest mission fields for the Gospel. But, Chinese churches traditionally have little interest in understanding Indian culture or considering outreaching to Indians. Let us pray for opening of eyes for the harvest field and diminishing of our national pride.

Monday
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.

星期二
中央電視台春節晚會是中國每年最矚目的電視節目。對藝人來說(包括港臺藝人)，能在該節目露臉，無疑肯定其在演藝圈的重要地位，隨之而來也會獲得優厚的合約。春節期間，教會同工也有短暫歇息的機會，讓我們為過去一年勞苦服事的同工感謝神。有些同工能獲得會友們的致謝餽贈，但仍有許多同工只能等候主將來給他們的賞賜。

星期三
從2008年開始，中國政府將取消「五一」黃金周此年中旅行及探親的長假期。因此不少人改在春節時回鄉探親。很多教會也會在春節舉行一些特別聚會，藉此向未信主的朋友傳福音，求主大大使用這些事工拯救靈魂，並保守所撒下的種籽能在人心田裏生根成長。我們也特別記念從外地返鄉的信徒，願他們與弟兄姊妹們有美好的交通、分享主愛。

星期四
中國政府雖承諾舉辦一個「無煙奧運」，但至今還沒有提出任何具體的禁煙措施。中國差不多有三分一人口是煙民，若要在中國的公共場所全面禁煙，似乎是不可能的事。許多基督徒仍無法戒除種種惡癖，如吸煙、賭博、色情活動等等。讓我們切切為這些信徒禱告，求聖靈的大能更新改造他們，使他們得以脫離這些有損身心靈的嗜癖。

星期五
最近在韓國發生一樁工業意外，爆炸造成40多名工人身亡，包括12名中國人。在韓國有40萬名中國籍勞工，大多數從事所謂3D的「髒、累、險」行業：「高污染Dirty，艱苦Difficult和危險Dangerous」工作。他們不少是來自中國的朝鮮族。當地的韓國教會及華人教會都有向中國勞工傳福音的負擔，讓我們特別為他們的事工禱告，也求主記念向中國境內朝鮮族的福音工作。

星期六
美國華人將近一半人口住在西岸，其中超過八成以上是第一代移民，其餘的都是在美國本土出生的。有七成華人在美國居住已超過10年以上。讓我們為所有美國的華人教會禱告，尤其要記念專為本土出生年輕一代而設的英語事工。這些華人第二代很難理解父母的移民文化，而傳統的華語教會也難以滿足他們的需要。

星期日
接近六成的美國華人受過高等教育，僅次於排名第一的印度人(七成)。華裔青年與印裔青年在爭取大學獎學金上，更是互不相讓。中國跟印度都是世界上最大的福音禾場，但傳統的中國教會卻對瞭解印度文化及向印度人傳福音興趣不大，求主挪走我們華人的民族優越感，開啟華人對印度禾場的眼光，回應神在拓展祂的國度的異象。

星期一
為謀求工作，農村的年輕人大量往城市遷移。人口外流對中國農村教會的未來和生存力造成重大威脅。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，希望他們能將福音帶到工作所在地和社區、開始自己的新教會。讓我們為這些裝備培訓禱告，求主保守並使用這些信徒成爲廣傳基督福音的大使。

Prayer Request 2/5 -- 2/11

Tuesday
Chinese generally are better at saving than spending. Researchers say that people are hesitant to spend because they are saving to pay for illness since they do not have medical insurance, the rising cost of living, and of education. Believers share the same anxiety but they also must learn to trust God to provide for their needs. Let us pray that such worries do not affect their giving to the ministries of the church.

Wednesday
The central government in China continues to enforce the one-child policy which started in the late 1970's. In Hubei province, 500 party members were stripped of their membership for violating the law. Celebrities, wealthy businessmen, and party members are often the violators. Having one child means Christian parents have only one chance to rear a godly child. However, many believers find training that child in the Biblical way is difficult since there are few Christian peers for him/her. Let us remember all these parents as they do their best to teach and raise their one child for God.

Thursday
Finding a job with a foreign university degree used to be relatively easy for the so-called returnees (those trained abroad) but today many cannot get even a job interview. There are plenty of well-trained local people willing to do it for less and many of those returning feel disconnected and a stranger to the Chinese job market. We pray for many Christian returnees, for their adjustment, connecting with a local church and fellowship, and their continuing walk with Christ.

Friday
The authorities have decided that the 42.195 kilometer Olympic marathon will start in the Tiananmen Square facing the gigantic portrait of Mao and go through the entire city to showcase to the world the achievements of modern China. As the time for the Olympics draws near, the government is scrutinizing more closely many church-related activities. Let us pray for the churches and believers in Beijing since many of them would like to have the opportunity to share their faith. May the Lord give them wisdom and courage.

Saturday
Since the number of Chinese who work outside of China has increased substantially, Chinese citizens who have stayed abroad for more than a year must now have a physical examination (which includes an HIV testing) within one month of their return. Chinese people can be found in all corners of the globe, as construction workers in Africa, the Middle East, and even in Pakistan. Iraq, and Afghanistan. Let us pay for those who are trying to share the gospel with people in these countries who themselves are often isolated and lonely.

Sunday
In the past two decades Buddhist temples have sprung up wherever there was a large pocket of Chinese people. In the growth and development of Chinese communities, especially in North America, Australia, and New Zealand Chinese supermarkets and temples seem to go hand in hand. Overseas Chinese churches now must compete with Buddhist temples in community affairs, language schools, and even cultural events. Let us pray for the churches as they reach out not only to those with atheistic as well as Buddhist background.

Monday
There is a saying,” The leaf falls back to the root" so going back to China to retire is an attractive option for some of the older overseas Chinese. Since retirement money goes further in China, more people are going back there to purchase a house than ever before. Overseas churches are always trying to find ways to minister to the elderly who are limited by a lack of transportation. Let us pray for the estimated six million Chinese in North America, especially for the spiritual needs of the older, first generation immigrants.

星期二
一般而言，中國人有存錢好過消費的傳統。因爲缺乏成熟的公共醫療服務體系、穩定的社會安全保障體制，加上不斷上漲的生活和教育費，不得不未雨綢繆，節約消費，以防生病等不時之需。信徒也同樣會為這些需要所困擾。讓我們禱告信徒們在任何情況下都能信靠神，學習仰望神信實的供應，不讓生活需要攔阻對事工的付出。

星期三
中央持續加強自1970年定下的「一胎化」政策。湖北省500多名共產黨員因違反此政策而遭開除以爲懲戒。違反者主要是明星，富商以及黨員。中國信徒夫婦因爲只能生一個孩子，也只有一個養育屬神的孩子的機會，要以聖經之道教導缺少基督徒同伴的獨生子女並不容易。我們為所有基督徒父母能夠以身作則專心信靠神，竭力教養出敬虔愛主的後裔來禱告。

星期四
覓職對於握有一紙「洋文憑」的海歸(海外留學歸國者)，曾經易如反掌，但如今好景不再。願意「低就」的高素質人才多得讓海歸學子們連面試的機會都難得。加上幾年海外生活與本土社會「脫節」，也令他們對國內的市場感到陌生。我們為許許多多基督徒海歸回國後的調適以及開始教會和團契生活禱告，求主保守他們不中斷與基督同行。

星期五
爲了向全世界展現現代中國在各方面的成就，北京奧委把2008年奧運42.195公里的馬拉松賽出發點定於天安門廣場，朝城樓上毛澤東的照片方向出發。奧運會日益逼近，官方也更緊密地審核與教會有關的活動。北京有很多信徒樂意在奧運盛會期間多與人分享、見證福音，求神賜給他們智慧和勇氣，保守祝福他們手中的善工。

星期六
由於赴國外工作的中國人顯著的增加，政府規定在境外居住一年以上者，回國須在一個月內進行健康體檢（包括艾滋病檢測）。幾乎在世界的每個角落都可找到中國工人：包括非洲，中東，巴基斯坦，伊拉克，和阿富汗等。其中一些信徒也希望有機會向當地人傳福音，但他們在這些國家裏經常會被孤立，倍感寂寞無奈。讓我們特別為他們禱告，求神親自引領保護他們，並開通當地的福音之路。

星期日
二十年來，海外凡有大批華人聚集的市區，都有佛教寺廟迅速竄起。特別是在北美、澳洲和紐西蘭，華人社區的發展中，超市和廟宇的建立幾乎是並肩而行的。現今海外華人教會舉辦社區活動，語言學校甚至文化活動，必須和佛教寺廟競爭。讓我們為教會的福音工作禱告，求主預備人心，得人如魚，對象不只是無神論者，也包括堅定的佛教徒。

星期一
俗語說：「落葉歸根」，回中國買房養老，對海外的老年華僑深具吸引力。由於退休金到中國更好用，現在回國買房子的華僑盛況空前。在海外的華人教會也一直在設法協助交通不便的年長者到教會聚會。我們要為北美大約六百萬名華人，特別是年長者、第一代移民的屬靈需要禱告。