Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Prayer Request 9/23-9/29

TuesdayT
ainted baby formula raises new questions about China's food standards. Many parents worry about the safety of domestic food products, but are unable to afford the higher-priced, better-quality imported products. The question "How solid is the Biblical teaching among the majority of Chinese churches?" can be a tough question to answer. Preachers often have little time or resources to prepare adequately. Let us pray for the quality of preaching and supply of spiritual food to all the sheep.

Wednesday
Imported baby formula is expensive and beyond the affordability of the vast majority of consumers, especially in rural regions. Generally, Chinese consumers have the perception: the more expensive a product, the better the quality. Many mainland believers with Internet access are able to listen to sermons in Chinese abroad, especially from the North American Chinese churches. We thank the Lord for such resources. May the Lord use all the DVDs, VCDs of sermons and theology curriculum to equip even more believers.

Thursday
One reason tainted products cause harm mostly in rural regions is because of the lack of supervision. People are poor and merchants prey on unsophisticated peasants with cheap counterfeit and dangerous food and drugs. Unfortunately, many rural churches are still being attacked by cults and there is plenty of false and unsound teaching, too. We pray especially for the sheep ravaged by wolves and false teachers; may the Lord have great mercy on them and restore them.

Friday
In the Olympics, China garnered fifty-one gold medals but she is certainly still far away from a nation of sports. In fact, only very small minority of Chinese even take part in sports and freely accessible facilities of good quality to do so are just impossible to find for the general public. All parents discourage their children from participating in sports and urge them to concentrate on studying. Some people say that the churches in China are not growing much at all but are really losing in attendance. Let us pray even more earnestly for revival of those remaining believers and the guarding of their hearts from materialism.

Saturday
Many would agree that the morality of college students has dropped precipitously. The term "college girls" carries an awful sexual connotation in China nowadays. College students are no longer idealistic and pure; they "would do anything for money." Most people come to know Jesus in college for the first time. Let us pray for all the student ministries among all the campuses and the life-transforming discipleship of new believers.

Sunday
There are 300 million Muslims in Africa who are resistant to Caucasian missionaries. However, Africans, including the Muslims, are much more receptive and friendlier toward Chinese. Many of them want to learn the Chinese language and culture. We praise the Lord for opening this door for the Gospel. Let us pray that many Chinese will care about the spiritual needs of Muslims and are willing to get involved in mission work in Africa.MondaySome say that the college students of China today lack the ability of telling what is true from false, morally discerning the good from the bad. They are afraid of authority, especially questioning the validity of the news with their official stances and statements. We worry about the lack of a moral compass and standard of the young people. Let us pray for China churches as they struggle to retain the young ones, to keep them from leaving church, and to foster deep-rooted spiritual growth of those who remain.

星期二
中國有毒嬰兒奶粉引發針對國內食物品質的新一輪質疑. 很多家長對本地食物產品的安全均表示擔心,但無法負擔較昂貴而質素較好的同類型產品。關於大部份的中國教會在聖經教導方面的根基如何,是個很難回答的問題.讓我們為講壇訊息禱告,同時祈求神親自保守信徒能在操練中獲得更深廣的屬靈成長。

星期三
由於國外進口嬰兒奶粉價格高昂,中國大部份消費者,尤其是在農村的居民,根本無力負擔。中國的大眾消費者普遍認為價格越高,產品質素越好。現時,很多國內信徒可透過互聯網收聽國外中文講道訊息,尤其是來自北美華語教會的講道。我們一方面為能這些資源感恩,一方面也祈求上帝使用已輯錄成講道及神學課程的光碟,造就更多肢體。

星期四
有毒奶粉對農村地區造成較大的禍害,原因之一是因為缺乏有效的監管系统。由於當地居民生活貧困,不肖商人往往利用這個弱點,售賣假貨及有害食藥品欺騙無知的老百姓。目前,很多農村教會正遭受邪教異端、虛假及不純正道理等教導的侵襲。讓我們為那些因假師傅被蒙騙及侵吞的羊群禱告,願主施恩憐憫,從歧路上挽回他們。

星期五
奧運期間,中國共奪取了五十一面金牌。然而,中國距離世界體育強國的地位還有相當的距離。事實上,中國的全民體育普及度仍不高,供群眾使用的免費,或收費較低廉體育設施仍是鳳毛麟角。大部份家長都希望子女專注學業,不贊成他們投身體育事業。對中國教會的發展,有些人認為不但沒有增長,參加聚會人數正在逐步下降。讓我們懇切為所有恆常參與聚會的信眾禱告,求神復興他們,堅定信心並保守他們勝過在物質下的引誘。

星期六
目前大學生的道德素質迅速下降。當今的「高校女生」一詞甚至有色情義涵。大學生不再清高,他們相信有錢能使鬼推磨,有人為錢什麽都肯幹。許多大學生於學校初識耶穌。讓我們為校園事工及初信者能夠真正獲得重生、成爲主的門徒來禱告。

星期日
現今的白人宣教士已難進入非洲三億回民之中。但包括回教徒在内的非洲人,卻能夠接受華人,也尊重華人。他們甚至嚮往學習中國語言與中國文化,因而為華人宣教士帶來不少方便。 這是神開啟的福音大門,我們在感謝讚美之餘,也求主興起更多華人關心回民的需要、參與拓展非洲的福音事工。 星期一當今中國大學生普遍缺乏三大基本能力:辨別是非真假的判斷能力,辨別善惡好壞的道德能力,以及辨別美醜的審美能力。許多大學生無條件相信發佈的新聞和文告,缺乏獨立思考的判斷。而年輕人的道德標準亦令人担憂。中國教會往往很難留得住年輕人,讓我們為教會的青年事工禱告,求主在教會中的年輕人心中動工,使他們的靈命結結實實地扎根並向上開花結果,成為照亮時代的火炬。

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