7/21-27

Tuesday

NBA star Shaquille O'Neal gave 4 signed basketballs to Sichuan earthquake survivor students, but the balls were immediately confiscated by school staff. An online survey by the government news agency show that 90% of netizens feel the school has no right to take away the gifts and even suspect this was a case for private gain. Chinese are naturally suspicious of how the relief money is used, given many reports of embezzlement and corruption. Unfortunately, the same suspicion has spread to churches as well, because of the lack of financial transparency. We pray specially for believers who handles funds for churches, may the Lord give us all, integrity and fear of God.

美國著名職籃(NBA)球星「俠客」歐尼爾把4顆簽名籃球送給四川地震重災區生還學生，但這些球卻被學校悍然沒收，使男童們非常難過。據一項政府通訊社做的網絡調查顯示，90%網民認爲學校無權沒收這些禮物，甚至懷疑校方想把這些球據爲己有。國內虧空公款和貪污情形頗嚴重，人們往往質疑賑災捐款使用是否得當。由於處理財務事項缺乏透明度，這種不信任的態度也蔓延至教會。讓我們特別爲教會經管錢財的弟兄姊妹禱告，求神讓各人都能誠實無偽存敬畏祂的心忠心服事。

Wednesday
The general impression of Han Chinese toward minorities from Xinjiang is usually negative. Unfortunately, the Uighur people have one of the highest incidences of HIV because of intravenous drug use. In cities, Uighur children and teens have difficulty being admitted to schools because of discrimination. The recent ethnic violence revealed a deeper problem of ethnic "harmony," especially for those of the Islam faith. Again, we lift up all the ethnic minorities in China. We, too, pray for the deep-rooted prejudice and bias we all have toward those who we consider inferior, poor and "lazy."
一般漢人對新疆少數民族的整體看法是負面的。維吾爾族患艾滋病的比率全國民族中最高，主要與注射毒品有關。各城市中維吾爾族孩童和青少年，因歧視和諸多限制，入學門檻比一般人還要高。最近新疆的種族衝突，突顯以高壓維持「種族和諧」引發的深層問題，尤其是對待回民。讓我們為所有的少數民族祈求。求主挪去我們對「非我族類」根深蒂固的偏見，停止把他們看為次等，貧窮，甚至是「懶惰」的 。

Thursday
Since the Economic Reform, Wenzhou has been praised as a business model for the rest of the China. Yet, it is hard for non-Wenzhou businessmen to gain foothold in Wenzhou, and there are plenty of discrimination toward non-Wenzhou staffs in the Wenzhou firms. Wenzhou Christians tend to be cliquish and enjoy speaking their dialect among themselves. In fact, all Chinese value their provincial roots a lot. May we all learn to be more accepting, more humble and considerate as one body in Christ.

溫州經商模式在中國改革發展史上已成為經典。 在溫州的本地人與外地人卻有些「格格不入」，譬如排斥外地人進入溫州經營，溫州老板一般也不太啓用外地人擔任中高層職務。華人的祖籍觀念特強，在教會裏溫州基督徒總喜歡群聚講自己的家鄉話。求主教導我們學習兼容，彼此謙卑接納，不論籍貫在主裏為肢體。

 

Friday
Although China as a whole is moving forward rapidly but countryside is still vastly poor. Much of the China churches is rural based and mostly poor. Rural believers often feel they are poor and reflect in their little giving to churches. Lack of faith in giving seriously affects the growth of rural church. Believers constantly think only outside help can solve their problems. Let us pray for the stop of this self-pitying and willingness to step up boldly in serving God with what they have.
目前中國整體綜合國力雖然一直突飛猛進，但農村個人經濟還屬貧困。許多的農村教會仍屬貧窮，信徒常自憐貧乏，也吝於奉獻，也因此大大影響了農村教會的發展。長期依賴外來的支援，更阻礙自立的志向。讓我們為農村信徒禱告，求主使他們以信心代替自卑自憐，以犧牲的心志先做出奉獻和事奉，等候神的供應，真實經歷主恩如雨的澆灌。

 

Saturday
It is not uncommon to hear some pastors in the cities are unable to pay for living expenses and children education.  Some church workers have to borrow to live and some simply give up because of lacking financial support. Frankly, many urban churches are not able to do the necessary ministry because members are not giving.  We pray for heart of thanksgiving of all believers, cheerful givers and churches badly needs the teaching of giving and caring for their shepherd. 
部分城市教會的同工無生活資金、子女無法交付學費而停學等傳聞並不令人訝異。事實上許多同工因生活拮据向外借貸而軟弱，停止服事；能繼續服事的也都有一筆數額不算小的債。許多城市教會也因為信徒不奉獻而使事工無法進行。我們為所有信徒對奉獻的認知和意願禱告。求主使教會能有效的教導信徒奉獻的意義，使信徒長存感恩和奉獻的心，並且懂得關懷牧者的需要。

Sunday
The salaries of many pastors in the cities are often barely enough to cover basic living, with little else after food expenses. More Chinese churches need to learn to support their worker fully and generously in financial compensation. Chinese believers falsely think “talking about money in church is unspiritual” and “pastors must be poor in order to be spiritual.” We pray especially for those who are thinking about quitting ministry because of difficult finances, may the Lord encourage in their moment of disappointment and meet their needs.
許多城市教會同工的薪水僅夠糊口。華人教會需要清楚認識自己有全面支持牧者的責任，在經濟上更應該慷慨供應傳道人。求主打破華人信徒「在教會談錢不屬靈」以及「傳道人必須挨窮吃苦才能更屬靈」的錯誤觀念。明白奉獻金錢之真理，使神的僕人可以靠福音養生。求主也特別記念因經濟陷困，萌生退意的教會工人，在最心灰之時能得到及時的供應，有信心繼續仰賴神的恩典和祝福。
 

Monday
The mentality of “guest speakers are always better speaker” plagues many churches. Churches are often in two extremes; accepting everything new from the outside, or rejecting everything foreign and unfamiliar because of the nationalistic pride. Both extreme attitudes are not healthy.  We pray for the work of Holy Spirit, humility of all leaders and above all, the true revival of China churches based solidly on the Word of God.
許多中國教會有「外來的和尚會念經」的心理，凡外來的都不加思慮的全盤接受；另一個極端則是過度高舉民族自尊，對外來者全盤否認。這兩者皆不健康。但求聖靈在眾教會動工，讓所有牧人和領袖都謙卑降服與神，以神的話為堅固根基，使中國教會大大的復興。