Prayer Request 5/27-- 6/2

Tuesday
There has been a national outpouring of compassion, generosity, and unity in rescue efforts following the recent earthquake in China. Perhaps this is a blessing in disguise for the future of the country. Many will agree that the greatest need of churches in China today is unity, fewer divisions, less criticism, and a lot more mutual encouragement and appreciation. Let us beseech the Lord for this kind of a spirit of humility and for people to have a vision of others as better than themselves.

Wednesday
It is not uncommon to find fancy county government facilities right in the poorest areas of China. Many reports tell how funds meant for improving the condition of poor people have been misused or embezzled, and thankfully, the Central Government has now determined to crack down on such graft. Let us pray for integrity and a fear of God in each leader whether in the local government or local churches. May the believers have the power to overcome greed.

Thursday
Sichuan has over 250,000 baptized Protestant Christians, 150 churches, one seminary, and 700 meeting points besides 100,000 Catholic believers and in this area, many churches have been destroyed or badly damaged in the region affected by the earthquake. As the entire region rebuilds, let us pray for the reconstruction of these meeting places, not merely the physical buildings but the Body of Christ within them that will minister to and give hope to their communities.

Friday
There are Chinese restaurants all over the world but many times we are surprised by the number of them one finds in one city. In Hamburg, Germany where there are thousands of Chinese students, there are five hundred Chinese restaurants. Many Bible study groups meet in Chinese restaurants after working hours and many of the workers have come to know Christ but they are in great need of long-term follow up. Let us pray for this new ministry of outreach and the restaurant-based churches.

Saturday
In order to get into the top high schools, not only must the students have performed well in the examinations, but their parents must also be willing to pay for the "School Assistance Fees" to gain entrance. These extra fees can amount to a whole year's salary. Getting into a good high school is both extremely competitive and expensive. Let us pray for Christian parents as they seek wisdom in how to give their children the best education with what they can afford.

Sunday
China has been steadily upgrading its militarily capabilities. It is said that they have a total of 100 plus nuclear warheads, which is the least among the five nuclear nations. In term of military exports, China has about 2% of the international market shares. Material prosperity has in some way weakened China's churches in her resolve to evangelize. As China builds its military might, we pray earnestly that Chinese believers will steadily grow to be strong Christian soldiers, too.

Monday
Many foreigners ask, "Are the Olympics being politicized?" Chinese see the Beijing Olympics as more than a sporting event; it is more a defining moment in its national destiny. It is the realization of the "dream of the century" and is equated as "the greatest event." Chinese believers are praying for the Beijing Olympics, to win as many medals and to project the image of "great China" to the world. Let us pray that this would be the time China's churches will see the vision God has given her and find her role in world missions.

星期二
在四川嚴重的地震救援過程中，全國上下湧現著無限的愛心，慷慨和團結，實在令人鼓舞。長遠來說，這可能是對中國未來的一種祝福。 許多人會有同感，當今中國教會非常需要合一，少些分裂和批評，多些鼓勵和欣賞。讓我們常常為眾教會代禱，彼此存謙卑的心志，看別人比自己強，共同扶持努力。

星期三
在中國即使是最貧窮的地區，豪華虛榮的縣政府辦公大樓和設施一點也不罕見。報導也經常揭露各項用以扶貧的資金或專款，遭濫用及挪用。此次抗震救災，中央政府已決心要打擊這些貪污。讓我們特別為各級領導，包括地方政府和教會的領導者祈求，願他們能表現出對上帝應有的敬畏和對民眾的忠信，竭誠服務；信徒們亦能勝過貪婪，以持守聖潔為樂。

星期四
四川有超過25萬名受洗的基督徒， 150座教堂，一間神學院和700個聚會點。天主教徒也將近有10萬。在地震受災地區，許多教堂被摧毀或嚴重破壞。在整個災區重建的過程中，讓我們為聚會點的重建禱告。求神幫助信徒的聚焦重點不單是建築物而已，更要緊的是復興基督的身體，使教會能作鹽、發光，充份服事他們的社群，為當地居民帶來希望。

星期五
中國餐廳遍佈世界各地，中餐舘數目之多，仍不免叫人驚訝。在德國漢堡市，中國學生有數千人，中餐舘就多達500家。許多查經聚會在下班時間假中餐廳進行，讓許多餐飲服務工人有機會認識基督而接受救恩。然而他們都需要更多長時間的跟進栽培。讓我們為餐福事工以及以餐廳為聚會基地的教會來禱告。

星期六
在中國，學生爲了進入頂尖的學校，不單要考取好成績，家長也必須願意支付各種名目的「贊助費」才可以順利入學，這些額外的費用可高達一整年的薪金。要上一流的「高貴」中學，即意味著競爭性高又昂貴。讓我們為基督徒父母向神尋求智慧來禱告，求神帶領他們能按能力為孩子安排最佳的教育。

星期日
中國近年來正持續不斷加強軍力。據估計，中國的核武庫僅有一百多枚核彈頭，是世界五大核國家當中數量最少的。中國軍品出口只占全球軍品市2％的份額。生活上物質的豐裕也往往削弱了中國教會傳福音的心志。正當中國加強軍事力量之時，讓我們懇切求神也建立中國信徒，使他們能穩健成長，成爲基督的精兵。

星期一
許多國際人士質疑：「奧運是否政治化了？」中國人把北京奧運視爲國家民族前景的決定性時刻，而不僅只是體壇盛事而已。這"百年盛事"等同"百年夢想"，被寄予民族醒覺和振興的厚望。中國信徒為奧運禱告時，常祈求能贏得更多面金牌，向全世界展示「大中國」的形象。讓我們禱告，求主幫助中國教會能更看重神所賦予的歷史使命，找到自己對當代世界所當扮演的角色。