Prayer Request 4/21 - 4/27

Tuesday
A college in Wuhan is pioneering in teaching young women how to be "lady-like" with classes which include proper Chinese manners, the Chinese tea ceremony, makeup, fashion, and how to drive a car. Such courses are actually welcomed by the party officials and similar courses are offered as electives in a few big-name universities. Many Chinese women believers find it difficult to trust God when it comes to submitting to their husbands. We pray for all Christian families that are having marital struggles. May the Lord help each of them, first to submit to Him, and then to love each other as Christ loves us. We lift up those sisters who feel they cannot submit to their unbelieving husbands.

Wednesday
"Golden Shield" is China's much "praised or feared" internet firewall system. It is built to filter out violence, pornography, religious extremism, and some foreign human rights information. It is fully capable of monitoring any e-mails or on-line postings of all Chinese netizens. Removal of online pornography is good but as parents know, pornographic material is everywhere, in DVD's and in magazines. Let us pray that we as believers will flee from sexual temptation and constantly guard our hearts with God's "firewall". We pray for the many believers who have a need to be set free from pornography.

Thursday
China churches is in a time of watershed in term of church management and leadership. Currently church leaders can easily described as "dictatorial". Churches lack official registrations, there are no elected governing bodies and leadership who have little accountability. How can Chinese church find her own unique way of management? We do not know. But, we pray the Lord continue to have great purpose and mission for China churches. We pray for guarding of heart, resisting the temptation of power, lust and greed for all the church workers and leaders.

Friday
Leaders and elder are greatly respected and they enjoy much authority in the Chinese culture. This kind of unquestioned authority is easily seen among the Chinese churches too. Especially among the house churches, leaders command respect and authority unseen in Western churches. Younger believers often become disheartened as they struggle with "absolute obedience" of their leader in church and having "little say". We pray for all the dispirited younger believers who feel unable to make a difference. May the Lord grant them the patience and able to see above the human flaws.

Saturday
Many would call China churches administrative structure as "imperial" or "dictatorial", invariably one person makes all the key decisions, the power is centralized at the top like a pyramid and everyone is expected to obey and follow explicitly without questioning. Such leadership style have served well during the religious oppression of decades past and also suit the Chinese historical background. Yet, it present great danger and discourage the participation of members. We beseech the Lord for all those in the "top", may the Lord protect them, so their heart, thoughts and teaching will be consistent and above reproach.

Sunday
The leadership structure of the vast majority of China churches can be described as "pyramid", all the decision makings are done by one person and are expected to carried out without questioning. There is little feedback or collective decision making to speak of. While this can be efficient but badly discourage new ideas and involvement of more congregation. We lift up the Body of Christ in China in His hands, may the Lord have mercy them. We pray for heart of shepherd and servant of all in leadership positions. We too pray for younger pastors who will have good role model to imitate true servant-leadership as they learn to lead their flocks.

Monday
"Why are the Chinese believers not willing to give offering?" A very important reason is lack of transparency and financial accountability system. An unregistered church has no official bylaws and only the leader and very privileged few are in charge of how the offering is used. Lack of trust of how the offering is used discourage offering. While the system cannot be rectified overnight, let us pray for the faithful stewardship of church funds in all churches. We too pray for thankful heart of believers and charitable hearts in giving and helping those in need.


星期二
日前武漢一所學院專門成立了一個淑女班，要求“不僅要懂國學禮儀，會茶道女紅，還要懂得化粧技巧、服裝搭配，甚至學習汽車駕駛”，甚受黨委歡迎，某些名校也開辦類似的選修課。很少現代中國女性會再遵守傳統的三從四德，基督徒婦女也會覺得很難順服丈夫，以丈夫為首。許多基督徒都會面對種種婚姻問題，我們求主保守所有信徒的婚姻，幫助每對夫妻能夠先降服於主，再以基督的愛來彼此相愛。並且守住在神面前立下的誓約。我們也特別求神記念幫助因丈夫未信而難以順從的姐妹們。

星期三
中國建設的互聯網防火墻“金盾工程”，受到的評論可說毀譽參半。該工程能監督和過濾所有中國網民的互聯網資訊，也被用來過濾部分暴力、色情、宗教極端以及部分海外民運人士的網站。色情網頁能被刪除當然是好事，但父母們也都知道，色情資料無所不在，除了網頁，還有無孔不入的光碟和雜志。求主用祂的“防火墻”來保守每一個信徒的心，使我們遠離情色和性的試探。

星期四
中國教會在領導和治理上正處於一個分水嶺。當前的教會管理可說是屬於“領導說了算”。教會多無正式注冊，領導層的形成，沒有一定的程序，往往造成領導者信服力的不足。中國教會往後的路該怎麼走，我們沒有答案。唯有禱告，求主繼續使用教會，給予教會更大的使命和目的。求神保守領袖同工們，威武不屈，貧賤不移，更叫他們不戀棧權勢，不貪財色，不慕安逸，終身忠心事主。

星期五
傳統中國人晚輩對於尊長是絕對服從，這種“絕對的權威“亦可見於中國教會，尤其是家庭教會之中。這種現象在西方教會教會罕見。年輕信徒在這種只能服從，不能多言的傳統下，雄心壯志容易被消磨凈盡。我們求神賜信心和耐心，使年輕弟兄姊妹的眼光超越人的軟弱，而看見神的作為。

星期六
很多人稱中國教會的行政制度為“權威獨占式”，權利集中，由上而下。下級的人對上級要絕對服從。這樣的領導模式在過去受逼迫時十分管用，也能符合中國傳統文化。但是它卻有一定的危險性，也會抑制會友的事奉心志。我們祈求神看顧保守所有“在上掌權”者，監督他們，使他們的心懷意念，行為和教導都能和神心意，歷久不偏離。

星期日
絕大部分的中國教會採取所謂“金字塔”-中央集權的組織模式。在上的一人做出決策，其下的人二話不能說，便得執行。因此，決策前後都不會有太多意見或回應。如此一來，效率有餘，新的意見和會友的參與卻大大不足。求神親自掌管在中國的基督的身體。求主憐憫祂的教會。我們為所有在領導位置的主僕禱告，求神保守他們的心。也禱告年輕傳道在學習帶領和牧養羊群的過程中，有好的榜樣以身示範僕人式的領導。

星期一
中國信徒為何不願意奉獻？主要原因之一是教會的財政管理制度欠缺透明。沒有注冊的教會，財政不受法律監管，會友的奉獻的使用由幾個領袖全權管理。對管理者的信心直接影響奉獻的意願。制度不可能一夜改變，我們但為所有在教會管理的行政和財務的管家們代禱，也禱告求神給信徒們感恩惜福的心，願意把神所賜的，與有需要的人分享。