Prayer Request 6/24-- 6/30

Tuesday
Volunteerism gained a new status and recognition in China following the earthquake. Millions saw how others went to disaster areas and served without reimbursement. That is a visible shift of the mentality on the streets which says, "What is in it for me?" It is hard to know whether this shift in thinking will be permanent or not but interest in religions has increased. Let us pray that Christianity will not remain a minority belief religion and Christians will not be marginalized in society in the coming decade.

Wednesday
The earthquake has become a watershed event for Chinese society. The Central government has been able to reclaim its legitimacy and role as a caretaker of the people. Undoubtedly the Communist leaders showed their connection to the people. The government allowed Christians volunteers to help in the rescue efforts to identify themselves and display Christian sayings, such as "Jesus loves you". Let us pray that the relationship between the government and churches, especially house churches, will be improved.

Thursday
In Chengdu hospitals, immediately following the earthquake in Sichuan, Christians quickly came and volunteered to help. Although it was unplanned and had little coordination, this was the first time believers from all parts of China were mobilized. Since Chinese Christians have long been regarded as invisible, we thank the Lord for this open door to help. May all the Christian churches be more active and prominent in their communities to serve and proclaim God's love boldly.

Friday
The concept of missions is taking root in churches in China. Many of them are now forming short-term mission teams to go to other parts of the country. Many urban Christians have but little idea of the poverty and misery found in rural areas. Numerous people will go on these trips this summer. As young Christians see how privileged and comfortable their lives are, we pray the Lord will open their eyes to see the suffering of others and even move them to share God's love by giving their lives to work for Him.

Saturday
About sixty-seven percent of the people in China live in villages and many of them dream of being in cities instead. Because there are about thirty million "ming-gong"(rural migrant workers) in every large city rural churches are declining in membership.We definitely need to pray for the leaders of rural churches that they will find new ways to minister to their "ex-flock" who are now working in the cities. We need workers and vision to reach these "ming-gong" families, especially the believers.

Sunday
Some churches in China are involved in the movement to take the gospel to Muslim countries, especially those in the Middle East. We are thankful for this increased awareness of missions but we need to pray for the millions of Chinese Muslims (often restaurant workers and street vendors) who live in the cities in China.Even more importantly, we must confront and confess our own deep and unspoken ethnic pride, fear, and ambivalence toward these Muslim neighbors.

Monday
More and more young people are going to church in urban areas in China and this leads to a need for someone to minister to those who are single, and especially to those who want to marry but have no Christian prospects. These churches have a pressing need for someone to do premarital counseling along with ministry to singles. We lift up those who are doing the training and the counselors themselves. Many church workers are single ladies and we pray specifically for their wellbeing and strength.

星期二
汶川大地震過後，中國人對志願工作的意識大大更新。大家都看到了許多人不求回報地進入災區救援和服務，過去人們唯利是圖的心態顯然有了大轉變。這樣的轉變是否會持久，難以預料，但可以肯定的是人心將更趨向宗教信仰。我們禱告在未來的十年裏，基督教在中國社會不再是被邊緣化的「少數人」的宗教，而是成爲中國人的主要信仰。

星期三
五一二地震將成爲中國社會文化轉型的分水嶺。中央政府一直扮演民眾道德與精神家園導師的角色，黨領導與人民的接聯互動盡顯無遺。政府允許基督教義工參與救援時，能表明信仰並表達如「耶穌愛你」之類的説辭。求神讓教會-特別是家庭教會與政府的關係能進一步改善。

星期四
四川地震一發生，成都醫院立時湧入許多基督徒志願協助救災。雖然缺乏完善的計劃和組織，但這卻是中國各地信徒首次一同積極動員。一直以來，中國信徒在社會上都近乎隱形，我們要感謝主，這一次能夠公開以基督徒身份參與救援，也禱告所有基督教會在各自的社區中能夠更加活躍，作鹽發光，更勇於宣揚神的愛。

星期五
近來，中國宣教風氣正在興起，許多教會紛紛組織「短宣隊」到各地宣教。以往城市基督徒對農村貧苦生活僅止於耳聞。今夏則親至農村短宣。我們要為此可喜的現象感謝神，也求神幫助所有參與的信徒們學會感恩，從他人的疾苦中看到自己的使命，願意更深地建造裝備靈命根基，更多經歷神大能的同在，參與宣教和獻身事主，傳揚神的愛。

星期六
中國約有六成人口在農村，住到城市裡是很多人的夢想。大約每一個大城市平均都有約三千萬民工。農村教會的人數相對日漸減少，而城市的民工家庭需要更多信徒來照顧。求主打開農村教會牧者的眼光，讓他們能看見新的宣教觀和新牧養策略，能培養更多年輕的傳道人夫婦，進入城市，開展傳福音和建立教會的工作。

星期日
中國有些教會對「福音傳回耶路撒冷運動」很有負擔，也在積極招募、培訓年輕的宣教士去中亞、中東的穆斯林國家宣教。我們爲此感恩，但也需要記念在中國城市裏許多的回族群體，當中有很多是餐館業者和攤販，他們也急需要福音。求神幫助我們回應回族鄰舍的福音需要，更挪去我們內心隱藏的畏懼和矛盾，甚至種族優越感。

星期一
現在國內城市教會中的年輕人越來越多，這些單身以及期盼婚姻卻苦無基督徒對象的族群，亟需牧者的帶領和有效輔導。感謝神，一些教會已看到婚前輔導和對單身者輔導的需要。我們要記念所有正在提供輔導培訓的輔導員們，也特別為其中的許許多多單身女傳道禱告。求主親自供應、裝備她們自身及專業上的需要，賜她們夠用的力量和智慧。

Prayer Request 6/17 --6/23

Tuesday
Prior to the Sichuan earthquake, private charitable organizations were not considered to be important in China but NGO's have played a prominent and vital role in the rescue and rebuilding efforts. In this massive tragedy, God has allowed local churches and believers from all parts of China a rare opportunity to show their compassion and share their faith publicly. We praise Him and pray for a greater feeling of trust between churches and the government.

Wednesday
College tuition is now twenty times as much as it was fifteen years ago. To get married today costs about fifty times what it did in 1970. It is estimated that it now costs about $43,000 to $70,000 US to raise a child including education and marriage. Many people who work in the churches also have a second job to supplement their living expenses to help pay for their child's education. Let us pray they are both physically and spiritually strong enough to meet the demands of the people in their congregations and be able to feed their sheep adequately.

Thursday
The average entry level salary for students graduating from college this year is about 2000 yuan ($280.US) which is almost 1000 yuan less than last year. In Beijing a young working professional who shares an apartment has a monthly expense of about 1700 yuan. Many college graduates still need some financial support from their parents. Let us pray for Christian college graduates as they seek the Lord's place for them to work and find a church where they can attend and serve.

Friday
In Chinese churches the ratio of male to female is about two to eight and usually women are the leaders in these places of worship. Such a preponderance of ladies has shaped the churches to be very feminine in their theological, cultural, structural, and ministry emphasis and given them a "soft-approach" fellowship style. We praise God for all of the faithful sisters who serve Him as Mary and Martha did but we intercede for the churches in China to be blessed with many more male believers.

Saturday
It seems to be hard for men to become Christians in China. In most churches there, it is difficult to find young men who are twenty-two to forty-five years of age. Many of them still regard churches as feminine institutions and few men bring other men to church. By and large churches in China lack programs designed to attract males. Let us pray that more Christian Chinese men will be willing to share the gospel with their friends and that all of them will be models of godly fathers and husbands.

Sunday
The Olympic Village in Beijing will have a cafeteria that seats 5000 people and prayer centers for athletes. All the housing units have been pre-sold as luxury apartments after the Olympics are over. Let us pray for churches in Beijing as they prepare for a busy summer. The media will be focusing on churches in the Beijing area. We pray especially for the open churches since they will certainly draw a large number of visitors and media exposure.

Monday
The government is trying to crack down on pollution, especially the dumping of chemical waste into rivers and lakes. Water pollution has seriously affected the drinking water quality and supply in many regions. The love of money and sexual temptation are seriously polluting the lives of Chinese believers. Let us pray that God will guard all hearts and give an openness to discuss the dangers we face in a transparent, effective, and accountable way.

星期二
在四川大震災混亂的局面中，民間力量有了難得的機會與政府力量聯合，共同抗震救災。這種嘗試沒有預先策劃，只有在這樣的大災難面前才能出現，確是上帝的計劃。來自各地的信徒和當地教會，也有機會在眾多場合中參與，以實際行動見証主愛。求主也賜給各教會有更大的空間與自信，更多分享神的憐憫及福音。

星期三
中國大學的學費，15年間猛增20倍。現在結婚的費用大約是1970年代的五十倍。據估計現在養一個孩子，從他上學、創業、到成家，最起碼需準備30-50萬人民幣。許多在教會工作的牧師傳道，必須在外兼職來添補家用和孩子的教育費。我們禱告主讓他們無論身體或心靈都健壯，能夠負擔牧養上的需要，忠心餵養主的羊。

星期四
中國的大學應屆畢業生平均薪酬只有2000元人民幣（280美金），比去年少了將近1000元。在北京工作的專業青年，既便與人合租房間，每月的基本支出也需要1700元。因此許多畢業生仍需父母親的經濟支助。我們為所有正在覓職以及尋找教會崇拜和事奉的基督徒畢業生禱告，求主按時候引領他們，為他們開路。

星期五
中國教會男女信徒比例大約是二比八，女信徒佔大多數，事奉同工也大多數是姊妹，這使教會產生了變化。婦女領導帶來的影響例如：神學重心、教會文化「女性化」，教會制度結構、事工模式以及個人互動和團契等傾向「柔性」。我們為所有姊妹的忠心服事感謝神，同時也求主調節教會陰盛陽衰的現象，吸引更多男士信主，共同投入事奉行列。

星期六
男性信主不易？中國教會少有22～45歲的青壯年男丁，除了因爲男人忙於事業，許多人仍認爲教會是較屬於女性的。弟兄較少會帶他們的朋友來教會也是原因之一。而中國教會一般缺少吸引男性興趣的項目。讓我們為教會的男性福音事工禱告，也為所有男性信徒在家能成爲敬虔的丈夫和父親，出外則積極傳福音，成爲基督福音的使者禱告。

星期日
北京的奧運村即將設置一間容納5000個座位的自助餐廳及許多禱告中心。奧運村本身在閉幕後也將轉作豪華公寓，目前已被預售一空。神藉此為我們預備了一個廣大的福音禾場及福音契機。屆時北京的公開教會將，成爲大批遊客和媒體的焦點。求神特別保守眾教會，在繁忙的奧運季中，順利籌備一切的事工，不受仇敵的任何的攻擊和阻撓，使福音事工得以順利推展。

星期一
在中國，大量工業廢水和農業、生活污水，無限制地排進河流、湖中，使湖水含磷、氮量嚴重超標，造成藍藻過盛現象，使湖水變質發臭，嚴重影響週邊居民用水安全。貪愛金錢和色情引誘也嚴重污染著中國信徒的生活，求主保守眾信徒的心，不受引誘，且能透過公開有效地討論和教導來勝過物質和肉體眼目情慾的試探和誘惑。

Prayer Request 6/10 --6/16

Tuesday
An estimate of more than 4000 children were made orphan in the earthquake affected region, and many Chinese expressed interest to adopt them. Adoption in China is a new trend, government rules have made it difficult, fearing some would use it to get around the family planning.. Some estimate that China has placed 573,000 orphans last year. We pray for those who are recovering from the lost of family members from the earthquake, especially the children. We uplift all the Christians and ministries who are caring of and reaching out to the children in China .

Wednesday
Government is heavily promoting the "I Promise: to be a moral person" campaign among the million teenagers. Following the earthquake, almost all the schools are hosting pledging ceremony, "Be obedient in home, respect teachers in school and to love sacrificially in community…" Youth is the "missing link" of majority of churches in China. We pray for all the children of believers, especially those who have stopped going to church. May the Lord turn their hearts back to Him and church leaders willing to spend the effort reaching youths .

Thursday
In the past ten years Chinese women are twice more likely to be single than men are. In Chinese churches female believers also outnumber male believers. Even though female preachers play a pivotal role in shepherding the flock in China, male pastors still "dominate" in church leadership. Single women preachers are often passed over for leadership. Let us lift up all the women who shepherd the flock, married or single, and ask the Lord to give them strength, wisdom and power to preach the Word effectively.

Friday
As parents in China leave home to find work in the city, they leave their child behind with relatives. When the parents are able to return, they have an acute problem in trying to communicate with the child left behind and family relationships are broken. Many believers realize the damage to their families by working away from home but feel they have little choice. We pray along with them that their child will appreciate the sacrifice the parents are making and will continue to have faith in their God.

Saturday
Beijing is the divorce capital in China where there is a divorce filed for every two marriages. In spite of the fact that 70% of those who filed for divorce from 2000 to 2005 felt they had made a mistake, divorces still reached two million (an increase of 67%). Churches in Beijing have many young couples and divorcees. We pray for all those who are doing family counseling in the churches and trying to help families struggling with marital discord. We specifically uplift those divorcees who are going through healing in Jesus Christ.

Sunday
Is China an international market or quicksand? Recent cases of high-profile swindling and imprisonment due to tax evasion have caused many Taiwanese businessmen to re-think their China investment strategies. Many Christian businessmen have discovered that it is not easy to conduct business in China without making compromises. Some churches have been wrecked because of these get-rich schemes. Let us pray for all the believers who are recovering from hurt and damages as victims of greed and dishonesty.

Monday
There are 300,000 Chinese in South Africa, the majority of whom are from Fuzhou. They are mostly merchants who thrive even in the most dangerous neighborhoods. There is a saying there about the Fuzhou people, "They are not afraid of being robbed or dying but they dare to go where they can make money." On the other hand there are only seven hundred Chinese Christians who attend church in South Africa. They play an important role in the society because most of them are immigrants and they plan to stay in Africa for the long term.

星期二
地震災區據估計目前有超過4000名孤兒，許多人都表示希望領養他們。在中國領養孤兒是個新趨向，政府為了避免影響國內的家庭計劃條例而訂立了嚴格的領養條規。去年中國的遺孤達573000名。 讓我們為因地震失去親屬的同胞祈禱，特別是孤兒們。求神也記念並扶持所有關愛災民並向那些孤兒們伸出援手的基督徒和傳道人。

星期三
中國政府極力向百萬名青少年推動「我承諾，做一個有道德的人」網上簽名運動。大地震之後，幾乎所有學校舉行鄭重宣誓，承諾「在家庭，孝敬父母；在學校，尊敬師長；在社會，奉獻愛心，做一個有道德的人。」 在多數中國教會裏，青少年是「遺失的一環」。我們要為他們禱告，尤其是那些離開教會的青少年們，願上帝憐憫，使他們悔改，也求主感動教會領袖們為這群迷途羔羊付出更多努力。

星期四
近十年中國女性單身比率為男性的兩倍。在教會，姊妹人數也遠遠超過弟兄。即使女傳道在教會牧養和發展上也扮演舉足輕重的角色，教會領導階層仍以男性為主。求主托住女傳道，無論已婚與否，賜她們能力和智慧、能夠有力也有效的傳講主的話。

星期五
中國的父母當離家到城裏去找工作，只能把孩子交由親戚照顧。難得有機會回家的父母，會發現與孩子有嚴重的溝通障礙，家庭關係因爲親子分離而產生了裂痕。許多信徒都知道離家工作對家庭的傷害，卻別無選擇。讓我們與他們同心為孩子和家庭關係禱告，讓孩子們體會父母為家庭所作的犧牲，並且使他們也能繼續信靠仰望主。

星期六
首都北京離婚率居全國之冠，每兩對夫妻，就有一對辦離婚。調查發現在2000年到2005年之間，七成的離婚者感到後悔而希望復婚。盡管如此，離婚人數還是上升了67%，達兩百萬。 北京教會有許多年輕離異者。讓我們為教會的輔導工作禱告，求主藉輔導人員來幫助婚姻失調的家庭。我們也禱告讓失婚者在基督裏得著完全的醫治。

星期日
中國究竟是國際市場還是流沙？近來多名台商因逃稅或其他商務糾紛被囚禁，使得許多臺商必須重新評估他們的投資策略。許多基督徒商人都發現在商場上很難不在道德上做出妥協。在利字掛帥的社會，教會也受到了虧損。讓我們為在貪婪和虛僞中受到虧損和傷害的信徒禱告，求神幫助他們走出受害的情緒和陰影，以清潔正直的靈為樂。

星期一
南非有30萬的中國人，主要來自福州。本著福州人「只要有錢賺，不怕被搶、不怕死」的精神，治安最差的地區也有他們的商店。在南非，到教會聚會的華裔基督徒只有700人。由於這裡的華人多半是準備長居非洲的移民，華人教會在此地有非常重要的角色和使命，我們禱告求主興旺這裡的華人教會，使他們成爲福音湧流的渠道。

Prayer Request 6/3 --6/9

Tuesday
The earthquake in China also affected Gansu, but the province received little media and rescue attention. Many of the victims in this area are ethnic Tibetans. June 1 is Chinese Children's Day and there are tens of thousands of children without families, homes or schools there. My eyes are red from crying, my stomach is in knots, and I feel sick all over. My people are being wiped out, and children lie helpless in the streets of the city. (Lam 2:11) Let us pray for the 30-plus churches there, for the Christian effort to start long-term children's ministries to help the children in the earthquake regions.

Wednesday
Since the colleges in China began admitting a more widely diverse group of students in 1999, education there has changed from elite to mass education. As a result, a college diploma is no longer a ticket to a job. In fact, some educators have pointed out that the quality of students in college has dropped. Many students get their very first exposure to the gospel on college campuses and after two or three years of discipleship there, they leave the student fellowship. Unfortunately many are lost due to lack of follow-up. Let us pray for the growth of new believers as they graduate this year.

Thursday
As a country, China has had the greatest number of foreign missionaries come to her. However, there are only one thousand Chinese missionaries worldwide and the majority of them are from Singapore and Hong Kong. There are nine thousand Chinese churches outside of Mainland China which means there is only one missionary for each nine churches and every year the number of new missionaries is comparable to the number of those leaving the fields. We uplift these one thousand missionaries and commit their needs, their ministries, and their families into the hand of God.

Friday
More than half of the believers in the house churches in China express concern for the poor spiritual state in their congregations. There is a pressing need for improvement in the quality of those who work in the churches. The cost of living has skyrocketed recently and many who labor for the Lord must also find a full-time job to supplement their income, thus having less time for sermon preparation and other aspects of ministry. Let us pray for the spiritual health of these shepherds and that they will be faithful to their calling.

Saturday
In recent years there have been more evangelistic meetings overall in the house churches than before but the passion for believers to share the gospel has diminished in general. More church workers have been trained but for the most part they lack the time and desire to evangelize. Let us pray for a passion to share the gospel in all of the churches. May the Spirit of the Lord remove their sense of contentment and idleness and stir up many to care for the lost.

Sunday
Many pastors of rural churches have gone into the cities for various reasons but few of them are willing to minister to the "ming gong" (those who came to cities to work). Cities are attracting both the shepherds and sheep from the villages in droves but the shepherds end up not doing their ministry and the sheep are not receiving the help they need. Rural believers are not able to fit into churches in the cities. They feel inadequate along with being too busy or disconnected. We pray for all them who have not found a church in the city or have drifted away from fellowship.

Monday
Seventy percent of the house churches in Beijing have an attendance of 40 to 85 people. Packing fifty people into an average size apartment is not only physically uncomfortable but it also takes away the incentive for outreach and growth. Newcomers are also less likely to feel welcome. We commit the Beijing churches into the hand of God, especially during the upcoming Olympics. May they sense the call to be light and salt in their communities.

星期二
此次中國震災殃及甘肅省，藏民為主要受災者，然而災情鮮獲媒體及救援當局重視。六一是中國的兒童節，成千上萬的兒童正承受著家破人亡，無家可歸，無學可上的苦難。「我眼中流淚，以致失明；我的心腸擾亂，肝膽塗地，都因我眾民遭毀滅，又因孩童和吃奶的在城內街上發昏。(耶哀2:11) 」 讓我們特別記念甘肅省內三十多間教會，尤其是基督教團體在災區展開的長期兒童事工，能有效地支援當地受災兒童。

星期三
從1999年大學開始擴招至今，中國大學教育已從「精英教育」轉變到大眾化的「通識教育」。大學文憑因此不再是「就業保單」了。一些教育家更坦言大學生素質已經下降。許多大學生在學院裏首次接觸福音，經過兩三年的信仰栽培之後就離開。在缺乏繼續跟進的情況下流失了許多人。讓我們為將在今年畢業的初信徒的靈命成長禱告。

星期四
中國是全世界最多外國宣教士事奉的國家，然而全球44萬名宣教士中，只有一千位華裔宣教士，其中大部分來自新加坡和香港。全球的海外華人教會約有9千間，即九間華人教會纔有一位華人宣教士，而新加入的宣教士與離開宣教場的人數幾乎相等。讓我們切切為現有這一千名華裔宣教士禱告，求神掌管供應他們心靈和物質上一切所需，祝福他們的事工以及他們的家庭。讓他們時刻與神同行、同工。

星期五
據一份調查顯示，超過半數的中國信徒表示在教會屬靈光景不好。提高傳道和教會同工的素質，是當務之急。生活費飆升，使得許多同工不得不另外覓職以填補收入的不足，造成傳道人沒有充分時間準備信息或照顧教會其他事工。讓我們為這些同工的需要禱告外，也求神建立他們的靈命，忠心於神的呼召，憑信心經歷神的恩典。

星期六
近年來，在家庭教會的福音性聚會增加了，但信徒向外分享福音的熱忱卻減退了。更多傳道人接受了培訓，卻少有時間和意願「起而行」去關懷探訪及傳福音。求主大大挑旺祂的教會，讓聖靈振興信徒沉睡自足的心靈，能為周遭廣大的失喪者感到紮心難過，而願意付出時間精力關心他們。

星期日
中國的城市裡，來自農村的傳道人正在增加，但真正願意服事民工的牧人卻不見增加；五光十色的都會，不但吸引農村教會裏的「羊」，也同樣吸引牧人。以致許多牧人不再牧羊，大批羊群無人照管。通常農村來的信徒自覺不足和忙碌，甚至孤立，很難融入城市教會。我們求主把他們帶到合適的教會，也預備更多城市教會能夠有愛心接待和照顧這些主內的兄弟姐妹們。

星期一
北京當地的教會，人數在40-85人的約佔70%左右。聚會時往往是50餘人擠在小小的普通處所，不但不舒服，更降低了傳福音的內在驅力，也減少了對慕道友的吸引力，妨礙教會的拓展。2008北京奧運在即，求主特別引領北京教會的眾信徒，能更敏銳回應神對他們的選召，在家中、社區及職場把握時機，為主作鹽發光。