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。