Prayer Request 4/29 -- 5/5

Tuesday
Beijing, the capital, has the telephone area code of 010; other larger cities have the prestigious 02- prefix: Guangzhou 020, Shanghai 021, Chongqing 023, Nanjing 025, Chengdu 028, and Xian 029. The combined, greater Changsha-Xiangtang-Zhuzhou region is fighting for the prefix of 026. Famous for the Hunan Television programming and being the hometown of Chairman Mao, churches in this region are weak, but the campus ministry is vibrant. Let us uplift all the believers and churches in Hunan province and this rapidly growing tri-city.

Wednesday
People from Henan province are widely discriminated against in large cities. Unfortunately, some of these contributing factors are scandals dating back to the ’90s, like the AIDS epidemic, poisoned rice, corrupt officials, and abductions of women and children. The general impression of churches in Henan is also one of poverty, extremism, and attacks by cults. Let us lift up all the Henan churches in prayer, for focus on God’s Word, solid teaching, and perseverance through trials and tribulation.

Thursday
School-age children in China spend an average of one and a half hours a day watching television, not including computer use. The wealthier the family, the longer the time the child spends watching TV. Many Christian parents have given up taking their child to church because he wants to play computer games or complains there are no other young people at church. We pray for this serious problem and the heartache believers face when their children refuse to go to church with them.

Friday
Working professionals and college students are the emphasis of youth ministries in China. Many churches see the great potential and the vast field of harvest; these churches have sent people dedicated to work on campus or near school to reach these intellectuals. With the prosperity and rapid secularization occurring in China, the work to reach the young people includes many frustrations. We pray for churches that see the need to reach the younger professionals and are willing to make them comfortable in their churches.

Saturday
It seems that every provincial/city government is hosting its own annual public worship ceremony in honor of a historical figure (Confucius, Huang Di, Da Yu, etc.) with elaborate ceremonies and expensive productions intended to generate publicity and generate tourist income. Ancestral worship is embraced and practiced publicly as well as at home. People seek blessing and protection from their ancestors. Let us pray for this shift in the hearts of people and their growing resistance to the gospel.

Sunday
Chinese Koreans are a minority of 2 millions, mostly located in the provinces bordering Korea. Since the government implemented the one-child policy, the population of the Korean minority has not grown much. There is a high percentage of Christians among them and many serve as pastors throughout China. The largest church in Shanghai has many Chinese Koreans too. We thank the Lord for the work among them and pray for even more Korean minorities coming to know Jesus.

Monday
Nearly every Chinese can tell you about someone they know who has witnessed spiritual phenomenon. In general, Chinese can easily accept the existence of supernatural power or spirits. Fortune telling, meditation courses, and people earnestly disciplining themselves to achieve supernatural power are very common. Naïve believers are drawn to these spiritual activities and consider themselves more special. Let us pray for the gentle but firm way of reproach in churches, especially for church leaders who needs discernment and authority to rebuke these practices.

星期二
中國的電話區號，首都北京爲010，直轄市、中心區域城市爲“02字頭”的三位區號：廣州020，上海021，重慶023，南京025，成都028，西安029。長沙-株洲-湘潭三個城市則大力爭取仍然懸空的026作爲長株湘三城一體化之後的區號。這裡以毛主席的家鄉及湖南電視節目聞名雖然此區的教會疲弱待興，校園事工卻非常活躍。求神奮興湖南省的教會和信徒，並特別為這迅速成長的三城禱告，使人們追求屬靈事物的心，不至被物質享受所蒙蔽。

星期三
河南人在中國其他大城市裏備受歧視。原因之一可歸咎於上世紀90年代末以來，發生在河南的一系列醜聞，包括棉花摻假、毒大米、輸血感染艾滋病、貪官、拐賣婦幼等等。河南教會給人的印象亦不遑多讓貧窮，極端，易受異端攻擊。讓我們用禱告來托住河南的眾教會，能夠以神的話為基準，加強教導，使信徒在試煉和苦難中能夠堅守真道，成為閃耀的燈台。

星期四
中國的學齡兒童平均每天看電視時間約為一個半小時（不包括使用電腦）。兒童看電視時間與家庭收入成正比。許多基督徒父母，常常遷就孩子要在家玩電腦或申訴教會沒有同伴，而放棄帶他們到教會，錯失從小建造靈命根基的良機。讓我們為這個嚴重的現象禱告，也為孩子不肯上教會而傷腦筋的父母們代求。

星期五
青年事工的主要對像是專業知青和大學生。教會也看到這一大片待收的禾場，並差派工人，投身校園或校區向這些知識分子傳福音。隨著經濟繁榮而來的迅速世俗化，為中國青年福音工作增添了許多艱難。我們禱告，使更多教會看到這方面的需要，並且願意在自己的教會，打造一個適合這些專業青年靈命成長的環境。

星期六
近年來各省市政府紛紛參與主辦大型的年度公祭活動，祭祀他們尊崇的歷史人物（如孔夫子，黃帝，大禹等）。盛大的儀式和昂貴的裝潢，吸引遊客發觀光財。此外，人們也在家中供奉拜祭祖先，以求祖先保佑。祭祀活動愈興盛，人心對福音亦愈剛硬。讓我們求神在人心中動工，挪去認識真神的障礙。並積極鼓勵信徒把握機會更努力傳福音。

星期日
中國朝鮮族人口接近200萬，主要分佈在與北韓接壤的東北三省。政府實施生育計劃後，朝鮮族人口不增反降。他們當中有不少基督徒，也有許多在中國各地傳道事奉。上海最大的教會也有很多中國朝鮮族。我們為他們忠心傳揚福音擺上的勞苦感恩，同時也禱告能有更多朝鮮族人來認識基督。

星期一
幾乎每一個中國人都能道出一則發生在親友身上的靈異故事。中國人一般都能夠相信世上有靈異力量或靈界事物。相信風水、相命、冥坐、甚至修道以求成佛者比比皆是。一些無知的基督徒往往也被這些靈異活動吸引，自詡獨特。我們禱告教會的教導和立場能溫柔而堅定，讓教會領袖們有分辨真僞的能力和權力，來導正違反真理的教導和行爲。

Prayer Request 4/22 -- 4/28

Tuesday
“Da zi bao”, a poster with big-characters, was the most popular during the Cultural Revolution. It was the most inflammatory and critical communication tool, a political instrument from 1950-1970, which Chairman Mao used to attack his political opponents. Even though “Da zi bao” is now forbidden, many Chinese are accustomed to being self-righteous and relentless in criticism. Let us pray for humility in all of us, especially in how we express disagreement with believers who hold slightly different theological views.

Wednesday
When the very first copy of “Da zi bao” appeared in 1957 on the cafeteria wall of Beijing University, it attacked those who held views different than the Communist Party. What followed was the tumultuous movement of labeling people as “you pai,” the Right Wing, and led to a generation of unprecedented mass punishment. Unfortunately, today, Chinese churches have the same tendency to attack each other in relation to differences in doctrines of faith. It is common to hear that some churches are zealous in labeling others as unorthodox. Let us pray for true unity and humility of believers.

Thursday
China has the dubious honor of having the highest suicidal rate. 280,000 Chinese people take their own lives yearly. Worse, China is the only country where there are more female suicides than male. Women in villages consider suicide the easiest way out of their misery and poverty. Most of the Chinese churches are in villages where believers know of neighbors who have committed suicide. We pray with a heavy heart for all the lost souls and for what rural churches can do to share their faith with many who are without hope.

Friday
Chinese women in villages have the highest incidences of suicides. Their method of suicide is usually ingesting pesticides, drowning, or hanging. The traditional low view of women, especially in the poor regions, leaves women feeling hopeless with no chance of improvement. There is usually a church or some believers in these poor regions, but poverty and lack of training seriously hamper the witness and outreach of Christian faith. Let us again pray for the work of the Gospel in these extremely poor regions of China.

Saturday
China has 1.3 billion people but has only 17,000 certified psychiatrists. Seeking professional help for depression or other psychological illnesses are usually unheard of and still carries great social stigma. Most believers do not have the luxury of asking their pastors to give them advice or counseling. Church workers feel inadequate in helping their flocks and can only give the advice of “just pray more.” We pray for those who are helping to equip and train church workers in counseling and family conflict resolution.

Sunday
84% of Chinese who have committed suicide live in the villages. One third of them are illiterate. The most common method to commit suicide is to ingest pesticides. They usually do not have alcoholism or psychological problems, which are common in the West. In general, suicide is still regarded as an acceptable behavior. Chinese often glorify those who commit suicide for noble causes like patriotism or honor. Let us pray for more believers who would at least reach out to comfort and bring eternal hope to the families who have suffered such tragic losses.

Monday
Since 1997, all of the holidays from the British-ruled period are observed in Hong Kong, except Buddha’s Birthday (lunar April 8th) replaced the Queen’s Birthday and the HK Special Administrative Region Establishment Day )July 1st) replaced the Liberation Day (from Japanese after the WWII). Let us pray for churches in Hong Kong which is in juncture politically and culturally. Hong Kong is also the leading sending base for cross-culture missionaries, especially in the Muslim countries. May the Lord continue to light the passion of mission among HK believers.

星期二
大字報盛行於文化大革命，是1950-1970年代最具煽動性的政治工具，毛澤東就善於用它來打擊政敵。雖然現今大字報已被取締，但是衆多的中國人仍習慣自義而無情地批判他人。當有信徒的神學觀點有不同時，求神使我們謙卑，幫助我們知道如何在主裏合宜表達自己。

星期三
第一份大字報在1957出現於北京大學飯廳的牆上，內容是攻擊與共產黨持不同觀點的人，隨之而來的反右騷動大肆給人貼「右派」標簽，並造成對那一整代人空前的集體大刑罰。今日的中國教會往往因彼此信仰教義上的堅持有所不同而互相攻訐，部分教會甚至將他人貼上「非正統」標籤。讓我們為教會和信徒在主裡的合一和謙卑來禱告。

星期四
估計每年中國自殺的人數約有38萬7千人，自殺率高過世界水平，也是唯一女性自殺人數比男性高的國家。農村婦女把自殺看作解決苦難和貧困最快的方法。在農村，其中大多信徒都經歷過鄰居自殺。我們以沉重的心情為所有喪失的靈魂禱告，求主讓眾教會能在絕望的人群中傳遞主的愛，分享有盼望的福音。

星期五
中國的農村婦女自殺率最高。常用的辦法是服農藥、投河及上吊。傳統觀念中重男輕女，並普遍對女性基本權益的貶抑，在貧困地區尤其嚴重，讓婦女看不到希望。貧困農村通常都有教會，但是嚴重的貧窮，以及缺乏裝備信徒的有關訓練，限制了福音的傳播。讓我們再次為中國極貧地區的福音工作禱告。

星期六
中國13億人口中只有1萬7千名精神科醫師。憂鬱症或其他精神病患求診者少之又少，在社會上受到歧視。中國信徒很少有機會針對個人私事向牧師尋求建議或輔導。而傳道人對羊群的需要亦束手無策，只能叫他們「多多禱告」。讓我們為從事栽培和訓練教會同工輔導和處理家庭糾紛的單位和信徒們禱告。

星期日
中國84%的自殺者住在農村，其中三分之一是文盲，自殺手法有三分之二是服農藥。西方普遍的自殺原因與酗酒和精神疾病有關，在中國並不多見。自殺在中國仍是一種普遍可以被社會接受的行爲，為國、為尊嚴而自殺者甚至被視爲烈士。我們禱告更多信徒能夠接觸到這些痛失親人的家庭，把安慰以及永生的盼望帶給他們。

星期一
自1997年後，香港大部份英治時代的公眾假期均保留不變（如聖誕節和復活節），而英女皇壽辰和香港重光紀念日假期則被佛誕（農曆四月初八日）和香港特別行政區成立紀念日（7月1日）所取代。香港是一個中、西政治和文化的交聚點，讓我們在禱告中記念香港的教會能靠主發光，成為這城巿的燈台。香港也是跨文化宣教士差派的基地，尤其是在回教國家。願主繼續點燃香港眾信徒心中對宣教使命的熱火。

Prayer Requesr 4/15 -- 4/21

Tuesday
"The Remote Mountains" is a documentary film depicting the primitive working conditions of China's coal miners. There is an unwritten rule of compensation that the family will get 5,000 yuan ($700 US) if the worker dies on the job. Coal is the major source of energy in China but mining accidents continue to claim thousands of lives yearly. It is no wonder that miners have a fatalistic view of life so let us pray for opportunities for believers to share the gospel with them and their families.

Wednesday
The three most common Chinese surnames are Li, Wong, and Chang. Together they account for 22.4 percent of the population of China. In the North, Wang is most common, Chang leads in the South, and Li in the middle of China along the Yangtze River. Chinese people regard those who have the same last name as distant relatives and offer them a special friendship. As we pray for tens of thousands of church workers in China weekly, God knows each of them by name so let's not give up praying for each of them.

Thursday
It is estimated that by the end of 2007 there were 11.6 percent or 153 million people in China who were sixty years old or older. This brings a huge burden on the government for their retirement pay and medical care. It is an enormous challenge to care for those seniors who are childless and need assistance. Again, we uplift every elderly saint and put them into God's hands. May they have the joy of the Lord daily. We also remember those who continue to serve the Lord by teaching, visitation, caring for others, and sharing the gospel with their grandchildren.

Friday
The Silk Road was never a road, only a shifting network of routes which started in China and crises-crossed central Asia. It was named in the 19th century but it was not used for silk--only for iron, bronze, lacquer, and ceramics exported from China. The desire of Chinese missionaries to evangelize Muslims in Central Asia is not based on romanticism but it has encountered great difficulties in recent years. Let us continue to pray that the vision the Chinese church has to reach the Muslims, especially those who live in China, will expand.

Saturday
Shanghai is the perfect place for China's young fashion designers to ply their trade. It is far enough from Beijing and Hong Kong to have its own styles and creativity. Shanghai offers rich history and contemporary cultures and is close to factories in the Yangtze Delta. We thank the Lord the unprecedented prosperity in cities but we need to redouble our efforts and pray for urban Chinese believers that they will not be distracted by material wealth and lose their spiritual appetite.

Sunday
In an attempt to stem corruption among high officials, there are proposals to require Party members to make a public statement of their assets. It is highly unlikely that this will ever be made into law since paying and accepting brides is considered a necessity in doing business in China. There is a great temptation for all believers to compromise on Biblical ethics. There is also a general lacking of financial transparency and accountability in churches. Let us pray for godliness and integrity of all believers and especially church workers.

Monday
Traditional Chinese churches whether the Three-self or House Churches are not appealing to this new generation of Chinese Christian intellectuals. They have a unique educational and cultural background along with a particular need for discipleship. Churches that cater to these scholars are called "The Third Field". We thank the Lord for these new believers who are highly educated and thirst for the truth.

星期二
「遠山」是一部描述中國煤礦工人「原始時代」般工作環境的紀錄片。這些勞工並無合約，但有個不成文的規定：死於工作的礦工，其家庭將獲得5,000元(700美金)的慰問金。煤礦是中國主要的能源，但頻發的礦場意外每年奪取數千條人命，無怪乎礦工都相信宿命。讓我們為基督徒能夠有機會把福音帶給他們和他們的家人來禱告。

星期三
中國最普遍的姓氏要屬李、王、張。這三者就佔了中國人口的22.4%。其中王氏在北方最爲普遍，張和李分別在南部和中部楊子江流域各領風騷。中國人認爲同姓者五百年前是一家，因此會彼此特別關照。當我們每週為中國數以萬計無名的傳道人代禱時，神知道他們每一個人的名字。讓我們持續為神的僕人的需要禱告。

星期四
據估計，2007年底中國60歲以上老年人口已達到1.53億人，佔總人口的11.6%。快速的人口老化成爲中國很大的經濟負擔。照料高齡、空超、失能老人更是極大的挑戰。讓我們再次把所有老齡聖徒禱告，將他們交托神，祈願他們都能享受每日與主同在的喜樂，我們也要為那些持續透過教導、探訪和關懷，以及與兒孫分享福音，來服侍主的老人們禱告。

星期五
所謂「絲綢之路」其實並無其路，指的只是一個從中國啓程橫渡中亞移動的網絡。而且也並非專門運輸絲綢，而是向外輸出中國的銅、鉄、漆器和瓷器。浪漫的絲路名稱始於19世紀。現今宣教士向中亞的穆斯林宣教的意願絕非出於浪漫，回宣事工近年來更是艱鉅非常。讓我們繼續為中國教會向（特別是國內的）穆斯林族群宣教禱告。

星期六
上海市—與北京和香港的距離足以讓她有自己的風格和創意，兼具悠久的歷史和現代文化，又臨近長江三角洲的工業區，因而成爲中國年輕時裝設計師經營銷售產品的天堂。我們為這城市空前的繁榮感恩，但這也意味著我們更需加倍為中國的城市信徒守望代禱，求主保守他們靈裏的渴慕不被世俗的物質財富所填塞。

星期日
為取締高官貪汙行賄，有人倡議黨員必須公開他們的產業。但要在中國經商幾乎不得不行賄，因此這項建議不太可能定位成條例。所有信徒在持守聖經的道德標準時，總會面對極大的試探，教會的財政管理一般而言也缺乏透明度和責任感，讓我們禱告所有信徒，尤其是教會的同工，對神、對人都能夠堅守敬虔正直，聖潔無瑕。

星期一
高知識分子群體中的信徒們已漸形成一新類型的「福音禾場」。由於背景、文化水平及培訓策略等的差異，導致他們較難融入「家庭教會」和「三自教會」等傳統的中國教會體系，於是針對自己的需要，他們組成另一種城市裡新興的教會，稱之「第三工場」。感謝主興起這些渴慕主的知識分子信徒，也求主繼續擴張他們的境界。

Prayer Request 4/8 -- 4/14

Tuesday
It has been thirteen years since the death of Teresa Teng, the legendary singer whose popularity spanned both Taiwan and China even during the Cultural Revolution. She was affectionately known as "Little Deng", in contrast to the "Old Deng", the most powerful premier, Deng Xiao Ping. Churches on both sides of the Taiwan Straits share many praise songs and hymns. Let us pray especially for all the music ministries whose songs and CD productions impact Chinese churches and encourage believers everywhere.

Wednesday
One of the things people frequently complain about in China is the public nuisance of widespread advertising posters pasted on every wall in the neighborhood. Many are medicine-related ads with bogus claims and the local government is trying unsuccessfully to crack down on them. Most house churches in the cities work very hard not to attract attention. Many of them exist but remain virtually unknown even to their neighbors. Let us pray for their good testimony in the neighborhood and their need for safety.

Thursday
Many are debating whether China should have a minimal wage for the millions of workers in the cities to boost the benefits they get. Some suggest that 1500 yuan ($215 US) monthly would be a good amount while others argue that employers will close their factories and go to other countries with even lower-cost labor. Chinese churches, especially those in rural areas, are facing an exodus of workers because of the rising cost of living and the lack of increase in their wages. Let us pray for these churches that they will have the wisdom and vision to take good care of the shepherds.

Friday
China has extended a ban that virtually blocks all foreign cartoons from airing on TV during prime time (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Parents who have children find it difficult to attend evening services since preschoolers want to watch television and older ones have so much homework to do. Let us pray for wisdom for Christian parents to know how to balance rearing their children with their desire to serve in the church.

Saturday
Until recently Chinese people had the ideal of serving their country. Now, however, the ideal is that everyone must look out for himself. This ugly self-centeredness is sweeping across the urban churches in China so that often even Christian faith is a matter of seeking a means of self-fulfillment. Let us pray for the healthy teaching of theology in the churches so that believers will know that the Church, the body of Christ, is global and universal and not an institution to merely fulfill personal needs.

Sunday
Chinese churches now have a great abundance of all kinds of teaching materials available to them on CD's and DVD's. The downside of all of this is that many are unable to discern which ones are Biblically correct and doctrinally sound. Many believers quote this or that person which leads to division in churches and even worse some people stumble and stop going to church altogether. Let us pray for spiritual discernment with humility in all of the believers along with healing in churches that have suffered a break-up.

Monday
Government expert claims that 60-70% of Chinese today have premarital sex compares with 15% in 1989. Among the young people in the cities, especially those born after 1980, marrying late, having sex early and casual sex is now the norm. Many believers came to knowing Jesus Christ only after they are married. They must deal with their prior relationships in their marriage. Let us pray for their healing, complete acceptance in God’s love and all of our desire to live a life pure for the Lord.

星期二
一代歌後鄧麗君逝世至今已經十三年了。回想當年，即便是文革時期，她在臺灣和中國大陸兩地同樣受歡迎；最有權勢的總理—鄧小平，人稱老鄧，而鄧麗君則被稱爲小鄧，其影響力和當紅程度可見一斑。海峽兩岸的教會有著許多共同的讚美詩和聖詩。讓我們為所有的音樂事工代禱，特別求神祝福他們所製作的光碟和歌曲，能為各地華人教會和信徒帶來正面的提昇和鼓勵。

星期三
在中國，最常招人投訴的就是街上隨處張貼的低劣廣告，其中不乏虛稱醫療功能的藥物廣告。當局一直無法有效清理這些沿路沿牆掛示的廣告牌。有很多城市裡的家庭教會都盡量保持低調。甚至連鄰舍都不太察覺他們的存在。讓我們向主求恩，讓這些教會在兼顧安全的前題下，也能夠用好見證在社區鄰舍成為光和鹽。

星期四
許多人辯論政府是否該為城市中數以百萬的工人設定最低工資標準以提升他們的福利。議者提出每月1500人民幣（215美元）的工資標準，反對者認爲這將導致許多工廠關閉、轉移到其他勞工更低廉的國家設厰。中國教會正面對同工外流的現象，其中尤以農村教會為甚。導因於他們工資很少增加，難以應付節節攀升的生活費。讓我們為這些教會禱告，求主賜他們智慧和遠見，體恤和照顧主僕人的需要。

星期五
中國擬禁止外國卡通在黃金時段（下午5點至9點）播出。現在，許多父母爲了孩子，都很難參加晚間聚會，因爲年幼的要看電視，年紀稍長的得趕做家庭作業。我們求神賜智慧給這些基督徒父母，讓他們能在自己想參加教會崇拜和附和孩子的需要之間取得平衡。

星期六
以往中國人常懷有盡忠報國的偉大志向，但從整個大環境來看，自我中心的個人主義已大行其道，城市中的教會亦深受世風影響，使「基督信仰」成為個人的理想境界或心靈世界的追求。求主使中國教會都能健全地教導信徒明白主耶穌不僅是藉教會成全個人，更要讓普世的教會都因基督的緣故彼此聯結。

星期日
在海外各式有關基督教信仰的教材、錄音帶、錄像帶，非常便利取得。信徒們可以在家聽講道。其弊端是在教會系統以外接受不同背景的教導後，因缺乏分辨真僞的能力，易導致「各擁其主」，造成教會分裂。更甚的是靈命不夠成熟的弟兄姐妹，從此不到教會聚會。讓我們為信徒有謙卑的心和屬靈的辨識能力來禱告，也為曾經歷分裂之痛的教會能得主的完全醫治來禱告。

星期一
研究顯示，現在的中國，60%至70%的人有婚前性行為，而在1989年僅15%。晚婚，早有性行爲和一夜情在城市青年當中極爲普遍，特別是1980年代以後出生的人。許多信徒是在婚後才認識主基督，他們必須處理在婚姻裏曾經有過的感情關係，我們禱告他們能夠得到神的醫治，在神的愛裏彼此完全接納。也求主使我們都渴慕爲主過純潔的生活。

Prayer Request 4/1 -- 4/7

Tuesday
Taiwan elected a new president who is a proponent for better relationships with Beijing. Many have great expectations for direct airline flights between the two countries, more foreign investments to Taiwan and more Mainland tourists visiting the Island. We pray for the unity of Taiwan churches and healing from the political divisions after the election. May the change in the political leadership open the door wider for ministry works in China by Taiwan churches and seminaries.

Wednesday
The city of Xiamen hosts an annual Buddha Fair which is growing phenomenally. The increasing popularity of Buddhism among younger professionals is fueling the demand for all kinds of Buddhist paraphernalia including a meditation DVD and incense. Chinese people are seeking to fill their spiritual void by turning to the practice of religion. Let us pray for an urgency and sense of mission in all Chinese churches so they will reach out to unbelievers. May the Spirit of the Lord quicken all the churches.

Thursday
The graying population presents an especially acute problem in Zhejiang Province. In many counties nearly 74% of elderly people live alone. Many of the senior pastors who have retired end up living alone as well. Let us remember all the older church workers who have no family support and have remained single, that God will supply all their needs and care for them in their waning years.

Friday
The third item in the Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China specifically forbids a married person from living with someone else as well as the use of violence in the family. This is the most common legal ground for divorce. We take this time to pray for the Christian families who are facing marital infidelity and/or spousal abuse. Many families are hurting but have no one in the church to whom they can turn for help. May the Lord intervene and teach them repentance and forgiveness.

Saturday
As Chinese movies are gaining international recognition and accolades, more young people are applying to the prestigious Beijing Film Academy which is considered to be the cradle of all Chinese cinema talents. The biggest challenge the hundreds of pastors in Beijing churches face is not of leading people to Christ but training new believers. Many of the pastors lack practical church experience. Let us pray they each will have wisdom and the heart of a shepherd.

Sunday
Women are in the majority in Chinese churches and many of them are not married. For them, "Do I truly have the gift of celibacy?" is a hard and painful question. They experience tremendous pressure from parents to marry any "available man" but the church teaches them not to be yoked with unbelievers. There are usually few available single Christian men in any given Chinese church. Let us pray for strength and comfort for all those who are waiting to know God's will in their lives regarding marriage.

Monday
Only 1.2% of elderly Chinese live in a nursing home compared with 8% in Western countries. Putting parents into a nursing home still carries great stigma and is considered a lack of filial duty in China but the most significant impact of the one-child policy is there are more children who refuse to take in and take care of their aging parents. The Bible says, we are “worse than non-believers” when we neglect our family. Let us pray for joy for believers as they take on extra responsibility in caring for their parents.

星期二
台灣最近選出了新總統，倡議與中國政府改善關係，因此不久的將來，很多人期望有兩岸的直航班機、有更多外商資金流入，以及更多遊客前往台灣。讓我們為台灣教會在選舉過後，能從政治立場分歧中再次團結起來禱告。又願藉著次政權的更替，兩岸關係趨於緩和之際，台灣教會及神學院能把握機會參與更多的福音事工。

星期三
廈門正如火如荼地籌備第三屆的國際佛事用品商展。佛教思想越來越為中國專業青年所接受，各類佛事用品，包括經文音碟和香燭，需求大增。越來越多中國人借宗教信仰來填補心靈的空虛。讓我們為中國教會都看到宣教的迫切性，以至能夠致力向非信徒傳福音。也祈求聖靈大大激勵衆教會，用諸般智慧搶救失喪靈魂。

星期四
隨著人口老齡化的加快，浙江省城鄉獨居和空巢老人家庭大量增加，老人家庭實際空巢率已高達74％。很多退休的年老傳道人，年輕時致力於傳道、牧會擺上所有，忠心事奉。讓我們特別為眾教會能體恤照顧這些獨身無家人可依靠的老傳道人來禱告，使他們老有所歸，安享晚年。也求主親自記念、供應他們所有的需要。

星期五
中國婚姻法令之第三條，特別明列禁止有配偶者與他人同居，禁止家庭暴力。這些都是最常構成離婚的合法原因。讓我們為所有面對婚姻的背叛或暴力虐待的信徒家庭禱告，尤其有許多家暴的受害者在教會裏沒有可以求助的對象，我們求主親自幫助，教導他們悔改和赦免，也記念教會在家庭婚姻輔導事工上人力和資源的廹切需要。

星期六
中國電影近年屢獲國際認同和獎項表揚，因此刺激更多年輕男女欲躋身入有「中國電影人才的搖籃」之稱的北京電影學院。北京教會的牧者最大的挑戰，不在於領人歸主，而是如何跟進栽培牧養初信者。許多傳道人欠缺實際的牧養經驗，讓我們為每一位傳道牧師都有神所賜的智慧以及牧人的心懷來禱告。

星期日
中國教會中姐妹是佔多數，許多處於未婚單身的狀態。「神真的有給我獨身的恩賜嗎？」「是不是至今沒有結婚就代表神要我獨身一輩子呢？」種種沉重的問題不斷盤旋在她們心中，也有許多來自父母的壓力。在大多數教會中，適婚年齡的弟兄少之又少。求神幫助這些未婚單身的姐妹能夠得著從神而來的力量，相信神的意念高過我們的意念，凡事都有祂最好的帶領。

星期一
相對於西方國家近８％的老人住養老院，在中國只有1.2％的比例。由於深受中國傳統儒家文化影響，把父母親交由養老院照顧，子女會被人視為不孝及不負責任。提前5:8 人若不看顧親屬，就是背了真道，比不信的人還不好，不看顧自己家裡的人，更是如此。我們要為這些願意盡心努力奉養父母的基督徒禱告，求神將喜樂及平安充滿他們，也在家庭中享受神所賜的福樂。