Prayer Request 3/25--3/31

Tuesday
One issue involved in the debate of Tibet is the erosion of Tibetan culture and loss of its heritage. Influx of tourists and the long history of Han Chinese migration policy both have profoundly contributed to this problem. Evangelism to the Tibetans is discouraged by the government and those who support the Tibetan cause. We take this time to pray for peace in Tibet and for the opening of hearts to the Light of Life.

Wednesday
In the past 15 years, the college tuition has jumped almost 20 times. The cost of getting married has also increased about 50 times since 1970. It is estimated that raising a kid, and paying for education and marriage, costs about 43,000-70,000 USD today. Many church workers work a side job to supplement their living expenses for a child’s education. Let us pray that they have enough strength physically and spiritually for the demand of their congregations so that they will be able to feed the need of their sheep.

Thursday
The “3 giant hurdles” for Chinese are cost of medical care, education, and housing. For the rural residents, this common saying reflects how unaffordable medical costs are, “You ignore minor illnesses, you suffer through a major sickness, then you die in the hospital”.Church workers in the house churches do not have medical insurance because they are illegally employed. We commit the health of all the church workers and their families to God’s hands. We, too, remember those who are with chronic illness but still serve faithfully.

Friday
8:08 p.m., August 8, 2008, is the start of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. The date and time is considered very lucky. All the Chinese hospitals are bracing for a rush for Cesarean deliveries, so pregnant women can have their babies born on that lucky date. Few churches really have facilities for child care. Many mothers are forced to stay home until their children are older. Let us pray for the spiritual welfare of the young mothers and may they receive support and encouragement from older, godly women.

Saturday
A pan-Asian survey asked, “Do you expect 2008 to be worse than 2007?” People in Taiwan are the most pessimistic, and Hong Kong residents are the most optimistic. Such a difference in mood is also reflected in churches, too. Let us pray for the 3,000 plus churches in Taiwan, especially in the time of presidential election. May the Lord keep His children from contentious politics and keep their hearts in unity for His Name’s sake.

Sunday
In the Taoism concept, a human being can become an immortal/deity through rigorous meditation and religious discipline. Such a concept is deeply ingrained in all religious practices and influence, even among the Christians.Christians measure their own spirituality and are also measured by others by how much time they devote to devotional efforts and church involvement. Many feel they are not as loved by God because they haven’t achieved a certain level of dedication. Let us pray for a true understanding of God’s unconditional love among all believers.

Monday
There is an overwhelming spiritual emptiness among the young generation, who have enjoyed prosperity unseen by their parents’ generation. A surprising number of young people are rediscovering and embracing traditional folklore, superstitions, and worship of deities and immortals. Christianity still battles the perception of being a foreign religion or a religion of uneducated peasants. Let us pray for a new strategy in evangelism that will target the younger generation and spur a deep fervor for all believers to share their faith.

星期二
在西藏議題的爭論中，其一是傳統西藏文化被侵蝕和歷史遺產的損失。至於近年大量觀光客的湧入，以及長久以來的漢人移民政策也與此有重要的關連。中國政府及那些關心西藏問題的人士均不贊同向藏人傳福音。我們除了為西藏的和平禱告外，更求主打開藏人的心靈眼睛，以致能看見生命的真光。

星期三
中國大學的學費，15年間猛增20倍。現在的結婚費用大約是1970年代的50倍。據估計，現在養一個孩子，從他上學、創業、到成家，最起碼需30-50萬人民幣。許多教會同工由於薪資微薄，只得在外兼職來添補家用和孩子的教育費。求主保守他們無論身體或心靈都健壯，能夠負擔牧養上的需要，好好地餵養主的羊。

星期四
中國的醫療、教育、住房這三大難題，被民衆稱爲「新三座大山」。 特別是農村老百姓，看病的普遍狀況是「小病挺，大病挨，不行才往醫院抬」 。家庭教會的同工因爲不是合法受聘，沒能享有醫療保險。我們將他們及其家人的健康交托給神，也求神記念長期在病中仍堅持忠心服事的同工們。

星期五
本屆奧運開幕式的準確時間是2008年8月8日晚上8時8分，由於認爲8乃是幸運數字，許多婦女紛紛選擇在當日進行剖腹生産，讓孩子在吉日降生。很少中國教會備有方便照顧幼兒的設施，許多母親們只好等孩子稍長才重返教會。讓我們為這些年輕媽媽的屬靈需要禱告，願他們能夠得到教會裏年長的敬虔姐妹的鼓勵、支持和代禱。

星期六
一項針對「2008年你有何期待」的民調顯示，亞洲各地最樂觀有自信的是香港人，反之，臺灣人對於新的一年最爲悲觀。這些不同的情緒，也反映於教會中。讓我們為臺灣三千多家教會禱告，尤其選舉過後，求主保守祂的兒女遠離政治的紛爭，使他們爲主的名的緣故，常在主裏同心合一。

星期日
在道家思想中，認為人能夠通過修煉成為神仙。這種觀念在所有民間宗教思想中根深蒂固，甚至連基督徒也深受影響。基督徒常會以靈修時間的多寡和參與教會的程度，來衡量自己以及他人的屬靈狀況。很多人甚至因爲沒有達到一定程度的委身，而覺得神對他們的愛少了。讓我們禱告信徒們能夠真正明白和體會神所白白賜下的愛，是毫無條件且豐盛完全的恩典。

星期一
現在年輕的一代享有父輩們未曾有過的榮華，卻經歷著靈裏極大的虛空。探索和接受傳統民間傳説、迷信、和崇拜精靈、神仙的年輕人，多得令人驚訝。而基督教在中國至今仍未擺脫屬於洋教和低知識農民信仰的偏見。讓我們禱告求神更新我們的宣教策略，讓年輕一代也能被主得著，同時也點燃所有信徒的心，一同火熱地宣揚福音。