Prayer Ruquest 12/30-1/5

Tuesday
Two giant pandas arrived in Taipei. Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan were offered as a goodwill gift from Beijing. Although this was announced 3 years ago, their arrival symbolized another major step forward in building relations. The names of the pandas together mean "reunion" in Chinese. Let us praise the Lord for the improved relationship. We are committed to pray for the future of all the churches and believers.

Wednesday
Beijing plans to send its navy to the Somalian coast to counter the problem of rampant piracy. Several Chinese vessels have been attacked. The Chinese are enthusiastic and proud of China’s involvement and new leading role in providing a solution for this international crisis. Chinese Christians also feel that God has a special purpose for the Chinese church in taking the Gospel “back to Jerusalem.” While vision and goals are important, let us pray for a revival of believers and passion to share the Gospel with their neighbors and Muslims in the cities, dedicating themselves to God and giving of themselves and money.

Thursday
According to a business group in Taiwan, to be competitive in the China market, companies must be able to offer "lower quality products, lower cost/price, and a lower level of service". It is also vitally important to be able to get around taxation rules. Many want to be a part of China's huge domestic market but find the lack of transparency and the complex regulations disheartening. We pray for all the believers as they conduct business transactions that the Lord will give them and all of us integrity like Joseph who faced temptation but would not sin against his God.

Friday
In China, the center of gravity in the church world is shifting from rural to urban churches. Churches made up of students in the universities have mushroomed. Many of the members came from the background of rural house churches or Three-self churches. Student-based churches are vibrant and forming their own culture, meeting in homes with a very contemporary style of worship and a dynamic ministry. Let us remember these young churches that they will present solid teaching, know their mission, and have a strong desire to be involved in their communities.

Saturday
Abortion is very common among young Chinese women. While premarital sex is universally accepted and demanded in relationships, the boyfriend/partner will invariably want them to terminate pregnancy. We pray for believers who have had abortion in the past, many had it done before they came to know Jesus. May the Lord give them close relationship with Him, renewed commitment to their family and opportunity to counsel other young women.

Sunday
The"Second generation" of minggong (rural laborers) are in their twenties. They look no different than their city counterparts - dyed hair, wearing jeans, using mobile phones and Internet. They refuse to return to the village even after being laid off from the factories. Chinese churches tend to be older and are not receptive to young people and their culture. Let us pray for churches willing to outreach and minister to the vast number of unreached young people, especially those who are "waidiren" – literally, strangers.

Monday
Being a Chinese mogul can be tough, like a crab in a boiling pot. Recent downfall of several tycoons show their wealth and fame cannot endure media attention and legal scrutiny. Fame, power and money are huge temptations for young Chinese church workers too. Let us pray especially for many who are rising up to be leaders of their flocks and churches. May the Lord keep all of us humble and trusting not in our own strength and talents.


星期二
贈送貓熊給台灣雖在三年前已經宣布，但贈台的兩隻大熊貓團團，圓圓終於抵達台北。熊貓的到訪正標誌著海峽兩岸關係的進一步改善。這一對熊貓的名字，合起來是團圓的意思，讓我們為兩岸實質關係的增進感謝神，也讓我們繼續以禱告記念未來兩岸關係的進展，求主親手引領兩岸教會和信徒間的相互扶持與建造。

星期三
基於索馬里海域的海盜十分猖獗，中國船隻屢遭襲擊，北京派出軍艦護航。近來中國在國際危機中，開始扮演主導角色，激起國民民族熱情與自豪。許多中國基督徒擁有一個異象，認為上帝賦予華人教會特殊的使命，要把福音傳回耶路撒冷。有此心志固然可貴，但讓我們求主先賜我們真正的復興，抱持傳揚福音的熱忱，看到社區民眾及城市裡的回教徒福音的需要，同時也更願意將全人委身並將金錢奉獻於拓展神的國度。

星期四
臺灣有商業團體表示，要與大中國本地廠商競爭，必須面對三低問題：低質量、低價格、低服務。另外，避稅也是其降低成本之要素。許多人都想在中國巨大的市場上分一杯羹，卻因其不透明而繁雜的制度而卻步。讓我們為所有在中國經商的主內肢體禱告，求神讓他們面對試探時，有約瑟的誠信及對正直、純全的堅持，不以罪污干犯我們的神。

星期五
中國教會的重心正逐漸從農村轉移向城市。由城市大學的學生組成的教會像雨後春筍般興起，其中許多成員來自農村家庭教會或三自教會。以學生為基礎的教會朝氣蓬勃並不斷形成自己的文化。他們一般在家裡聚會，以非常現代，充滿活力的方式來崇拜和牧會。讓我們在禱告中記念這批年輕的教會，求神使它們能獲得從神而來正確且堅實的教導，清楚自己的使命，並積極投入所屬社區中作鹽發光。

星期六
中國年輕女性墮胎已屬稀鬆平常。婚前性行為普遍被接受並視為理所當然，男方通常會要求意外懷孕的女友墮胎。我們要特別為曾經墮過胎的信徒禱告，許多是在認識基督之前的抉擇，求主幫助她們與神建立親密的關係，更新對家庭的委身，並有機會協助和輔導其他年輕的姊妹。

星期日
民工的第二代大多是出生于90年代初期的年輕人，看上去和城裏同齡的人沒有任何區別，也穿牛仔褲、染髮、玩手機、泡網吧。雖然目前隨著各企業倒閉，無工可打，不過他們堅决不肯回鄉。 中國教會一向以年長的居多，與年輕人的文化格格不入，也不太重視青少年事工的發展。讓我們為教會的屬靈承傳禱告，求神幫助教會領袖們願意走入廣大的青年群眾，關心下一代的靈性需要，尤其是所謂的「外地的年輕人」。

星期一
中國的企業巨頭們有如螃蟹一般「一紅就死」, 可能前不久才是一號風雲人物，幾個月後卻消聲匿跡，甚至淪為階下囚。 對年輕一代的中國牧者而言，名譽、權力和金錢亦是極大的的誘惑。讓我們為所有的教牧同工禱告，尤其是那些傑出有恩賜、崛起有潛力成為領導角色的。愿主賜給他們更多的謙卑與順服，不依靠自己的力量和才能服事，學習天天尊主為大，與主同行。