Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Prayer Request 10/27 - 11/02

Tuesday
After the founding of the Republic of China, the so-called "black society" criminal enterprises were eradicated but a recent string of high-profile crackdowns and the sentencing of organized crime bosses shows that criminal activities have come back in full swing. It is apparent that criminals today are not only much more sophisticated but also well-connected with corrupted officials in high places. Prosperity without God leads only to moral depravity and decline. China today needs Jesus more than ever before. Let us pray for the softening of the hearts of people in China, the advancement of the gospel and for believers to be bold to share Jesus with their neighbors.

Wednesday
During 2008 and 2009 direct sales marketing has enjoyed two wonderful years of growth in China, expanding about 60% annually. Cosmetics, health and cleaning products, home-health care equipment, and small appliances are the most popular items. Direct marketing came to China in 1990 and grew phenomenally but was shut down by the government and did not regain approval until recently. Many Christians, including church workers, are also caught up in the fever of direct sales and the promise of making good money selling to friends. Marketing to church members brings uneasiness and complicates that relationship. Let us pray that all believers will have this same excitement about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with their friends and relatives.

Thursday
In recent years the "Greater Suzhou Area" has become a magnet for foreign investors with nearly two thousand Taiwanese-owned high-tech factories there. Their being close to metropolitan Shanghai, having an efficient local government, the availability of a high-quality pool of laborers, and the famous Suzhou hospitality have all been contributing factors to the success of these efforts. There are many opportunities for ministry in this area, such as churches started by Taiwanese businessmen, student ministries, outreach programs to factory workers, house churches made up of expats, and Bible study groups for engineers. Let us pray for these unusual opportunities in several areas in China where there are many foreign-owned factories.

Friday
It is not quite fair to blame the lack of quality leadership in the churches of China on the leaders themselves. The people in the churches must also share the blame because they falsely believe the shepherds are servants who are to work with a reward given only when they get to heaven. They assume their leaders can serve 24/7 without caring for their own families. We must pray fervently for God's protection for our leaders when their marriages crumble and their children do not have parents to spend quality them with them. Satan also attacks them with visions of money and fame and temptations to illicit sex. When the shepherds fall, the sheep scatter, the churches suffer and the name of Jesus is shamed.

Saturday
Getting affordable medical care in the cities in China is not easy and in the villages it is even harder. People often avoid going to a doctor and decide to self-medicate by spending a fortune for medicines that are unsafe, low quality, and expensive. A serious illness will easily wipe out savings for most families. Let us pray for believers who have family members who need medical care that it will not be either a psychological nor a medical burden. May the Lord give them wisdom, peace, and His comfort.

Sunday
Chinese government is cracking down on illegal financial entities--those companies or individuals who promise high return or rapid gain for investments. Many put their life savings into these so-called "safe investments" because banks offer very low returns and stocks have been beaten down. Believers are not immune to greed and often fall prey to get-rich-quick schemes. Let us pray for contentment and guarding against greed for all of us.

Monday
China has the busiest railways in the world. She carries 1/4 of the world's traffic on 6% of its tracks. China is building a whole new network of high-speed trains, not only faster but connecting all the key cities from the inland west to the eastern coast. The Beijing-to-Shanghai line will cut the journey time between the two cities from ten hours to four. Church workers can move about much easier and become more efficient in ministry which require traveling. There are lots of temptations especially when believers leave home in China. We pray for God's strength in resisting sexual temptation for all of us. May we all walk closely with Jesus and the Holy Spirit remind us that our body is His temple.


星期二
解放之後,黑社會曾在新中國銷聲匿跡,但是近來全國各處一連串打黑除惡的行動,正顯示中國黑社會勢力與高官貪污已經成為當前極其嚴重的問題。社會繁榮富裕卻沒有神,只會導致道德敗落。我們深知現今中國比任何時期都更需要主耶穌!求主軟化並打開中國人民的心門,拯救他們脫離罪惡的捆綁,又賜信徒有勇氣與鄰舍分享福音。

星期三
過去兩年,中國的直銷巿場迅速發展,每年的增長率更達60%之多。最受歡迎的五類商品為化妝品、保健食品、保健器材、清潔用品及小型家電。其實,直銷的概念早已在九十年代初從外國引入並開始漸露頭角,但後來遭政府禁止,直至近年才恢復開放。許多信徒(抱括牧者) 也捲入直銷熱潮,熱衷向親戚朋友推銷,以取得不錯的回報。然而這卻使原本單純的主內弟兄姐妹關係變成複雜,隨之衍生許多誤會和難處。求主幫助信徒常存清潔的良心,不要成為別人的絆腳石。也祈求信徒對分享福音有更大的熱忱,願意與親友共享主耶穌的好消息。

星期四
「大蘇州」近年成為全國外商投資增長率最高的地區,區內有近二千家台資高科技製造廠。「大蘇州」地區鄰近上海,地方政府有效率,人民素質高,且民風淳厚,均是其優勝之處。在蘇州內有不少傳福音的機會,例如台商教會、學生福音事工、工人福音事工等;此外,還有「海歸」的家庭教會和工程師組成的查經班。讓我們繼續為當地的福音擴展禱告,也為其他有外資的地區祈求,願福音也得著如同「大蘇州」地區般的發展機會。

星期五
教會傳道人和領袖的素質下降或變質,教會也難辭其咎。教會常常認為傳道人是神呼召來服事教會的僕人,會有天上的賞賜為代價,所以傳道就是要「隨傳隨到」,至於他們的家人:「神會照顧」。我們要切切祈求主保守教會的領袖、傳道們。當他們的婚姻瀕臨破裂,孩子缺少父母的陪伴和教導,又或面對撒旦用名利才色攻擊誘惑時,求主保全他們的婚姻家庭和品格健全。免得跌倒,羊群四散,教會受害,使主名受羞辱。

星期六
在中國的城市中負擔得起醫療保健已屬不易,在農村則更難。人們有病常不去找醫生而是自行服藥,結果在不安全,低質量且昂貴的藥物上花費了大量的錢財。對大部分的中國家庭而言,一場重病就能輕易地耗光所有的積蓄。讓我們一起為家中有成員生病需就醫的基督徒們禱告,求神挪去弟兄姐妹的心理負擔和醫療負擔,並賜他們智慧,平安,和從主而來的安慰。

星期日
中國政府正着手打擊非法金融實體-就是那些公司或個人通過向投資者許諾高額或快捷的報酬來騙取投資。因為銀行的儲蓄回報率很低,而股票市場也一路下跌,許多人把畢生的積蓄都投注在這些所謂的「安全投資」上,不幸結果是蕩然無存。人性中的貪婪即便基督徒也不能免疫,成為這些快速致富騙局的犧牲品。讓我們為所有的基督徒禱告,求神讓我們能常常知足並對貪婪的誘惑時時保持警覺。

星期一
中國的鐵路系統是世界最繁忙的,載客量佔世界的1 / 4,但卻只有世界6%的行車路軌。近年,中國積極建造一個全新的高速鐵路網,不但速度更快,而且從內陸西部到東面海岸,連接更多主要城市。不久的將來,北京至上海線的行車時間,將從10小時減至4小時。交通便捷也有助教會同工更方便、有效地在多個城市服侍。但出門在外形孤影單,也格外容易受到試探誘惑。求主的靈常常提醒屬祂的人,身體是神的殿,總要保持與主親密的關係,才有力量抵擋仇敵的攻擊(尤其性的誘惑)。

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Prayer Request 10/20 - 10/26

Tuesday
A famous technology CEO said Chinese students "must return to China before it is to late!" if they want to start their own businesses. It is still beneficial for Chinese students to get an American education but the advantages are getting fewer every day. The new crop of successful Chinese entrepreneurs is by and large not foreign-educated. Let us pray for those who have accepted Jesus while they were studying abroad and are deciding whether to return to China or stay abroad. The choice is difficult to make. We pray especially for those who want to return to be able to use their profession as a way of sharing Jesus or helping churches in China.

Wednesday
This year another Chinese received the Nobel Prize. The education and training of a Nobel Prize winner is always closely scrutinized and technically none of the Chinese laureates so far has been granted to a person who took his/her higher education or did research in China. Historically, most of the Chinese theologians and seminary teachers are also educated abroad. Chinese seminaries are totally occupied in the training of students and faculties have little time for anything else. Let us pray for all those who are involved in teaching and training those preparing to serve the churches. May the Lord give each of them the heart of both a scholar and a shepherd.

Thursday
After the Cultural Revolution in the late 1970's millions of high school students and young intellectuals were sent to the countryside to be reformed. Those young people from the cities who were of a marriageable age were told to marry the farmers and settle on the farms where they were serving. A great majority of those marriages ended in divorce. Couples cite irreconcilable differences as the most common reason for divorce and we know that many Christian couples struggle with this problem also. It is never easy to practice the love we find in 1 Corinthians 13 but let us remember to pray for the marriages of all believers, especially those that are on the verge of divorce.

Friday
How do students from Mainland China measure up against students from Taiwan? According to an expert, Taiwan still has an advantage in the educational process with more experience in training talented students. However, he also says that students from Taiwan do not work so hard and have less drive than their Mainland counterparts. A similar comparison can be made between Bible school students in the two places. Let us pray for all those who are in various stages of training for church ministry. People are always amazed at how well the Mainland students can recite Bible passages. May the Lord mold their characters, shape their personalities, and conform them to be more like Christ Himself.

Saturday
In China it is not uncommon to see one pastor shepherd multiple congregations. Such disparity in the pastor/member ratio creates a situation where pastors are unable to meaningfully care for the needs of belivers. Pastors are extremely busy because they have the responsibility of administration (paying utilities, rent, and other expenses) for multiple meeting sites. A common problem for many churches is the lack of a team of co-workers since many churches are run in a very centralized and closed fashion. Let us pray for all the churches as they seek to find people who are willing to commit to and build up the leadership team.

Sunday
To impove both the quantity and quality of pastors is one of the biggest challenges of churches in China. Many have answered the call but lack systematic theological training. Many also lack the concept of how to properly minister to the congregation so these are sent out to do a task that is very demanding and for which they are inadequately equipped. We must continue to beseech the Lord to strengthen the shepherds and send out more workers. In the mean time we are committed to pray for those who badly need encouragement refreshing and equipping. We pray, too, that their sheep will empathize with them and be appreciative of their pastors instead of being critical and demanding.

Monday
Frankly speaking, house church pastors in China get most of their training in Biblical knowledge so they are able to preach effectively and Biblically but we know that ministry is far more than preaching on Sunday. It also includes prayer, visitation, counseling, and discipleship to help the believers hone their spiritual gifts. The fact is, however, that pastors in China can focus only on preaching because many of them have to have another job to support themselves. We take this time to pray for all the workers who must balance their income-producing jobswith their service in the church along with family life. May the Lord give them insight and wisdom as they prepare to feed the hungry sheep.


星期二
「再不回去(中國),就來不及了!」針對留學生回國創業,一位著名的企業家有此感言。今天大中國學生在美國受教育,對回國創業,是有一定的優勢,但這種優勢,每天都在削弱。今天在中國最紅的網路名人,多都是 「非海歸」。讓我們為在留學期間信了主,正舉棋不定要回或要留的學生禱告。這不是容易的決定,求主引導他們的方向。我們特別求主保守決定回國的,讓他們能以各自的專才,宣揚基服事教會。

星期三
今年諾貝爾獎主,華裔榜上有名。獲獎者的學經歷,一直是分析家關注的重點。但至今華人獲獎者的高等教育或研究經歷都是在海外,真正與在原生地受的教育其實都沒有直接的關係。近代大多數的中國神學院的老師們也多是國外訓練的。華人神學院多是忙於培養服事的工人,根本沒有時間來從事研究。讓我們為所有在神學院及各階層的培訓班教導的老師們來祈求,願主賜給他們每個人的都有一個學者和牧者的心腸。

星期四
70年代文革後期,知識青年從城市被送到農村接受改造,適婚年齡的知青受促與農民結婚,並在所服務的農村定居。這些婚姻大多以離婚收場。申辦離婚最常見的理由是“存在不可調和的分歧”。許多基督徒夫婦也面對同樣的難題。哥林多前書13章所描述的愛,實在知易行難,讓我們為所有信徒的婚姻禱告交托,尤其是已經臨近離婚邊緣的,更是求主親自介入調和、挽回。

星期五
談到台灣與大陸人才的優勢時,一位著名的企業家分析,整體來說,台灣人才的培養時間比中國還長,有經驗的還是比較多。但問題是,台灣的學生沒大陸人那麼努力,對成功的渴望和企圖心也沒那麼強。同樣的差異也可見於兩地的神學生。我們為所有正在各個階段接受裝備以從事教會事工的信徒來禱告。大陸學生背聖經的能力總叫人讚嘆不已。求主在品格和個性上塑造他們,好叫基督的僕人個個都更有基督自己的樣式。

星期六
在中國一個傳道人牧養多個教會的情況到處可見。牧養人員與信徒的比例失衡,有限的牧者很難顧及眾多信徒的全部需要。有些教會的牧者甚至兼任管理教會的行政事務,包括繳交水電、雜費,租金等,以致總是忙得不可開交。許多教會有一個共同的問題,就是缺乏能真正同工的隊伍,原因是他們的管理方式過於中央集權和封閉。我們為眾教會在尋求願意獻身服事的人,以及建立領導團隊上的需要禱告。

星期日
中國教會當前最大的挑戰莫過於傳道人質與量的改進。許多人回應了神的呼召,卻得不到有系統和全面的神學訓練,很多踏進牧場仍缺乏牧養的概念;當中有很多對所委於他們職責感到吃力。我們務必要繼續懇求主多賜力量給所有的牧人,以及感動和差派更多的工人。與此同時,我們也要為那些急需要扶持、更新、和裝備的牧者獻上禱告,也求主讓他們的羊群能夠顧念他們,看到牧者們的勞苦,而給予他們嘉許而非諸多挑剔和要求。

星期一
大多數給予中國家庭教會傳道人的培訓,都屬聖經知識方面-好教他們的講臺信息。然而,教會的牧養工作除了主日講道和聖經教導,還包括代禱、探訪與關懷、輔導和門徒訓練、協助信徒發掘屬靈恩賜等等。其實,中國有許多傳道人之所以只能專講信息,是因為他們需要另外兼職來補貼家用。他們需要在工作掙錢,服事教會,和照顧家庭之間取得平衡,需要我們的代禱。我們求主常常在他們為羊群準備靈糧之時,賜給他們智慧和亮光,使得饑渴的羊都能得到飽足。

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Prayer Request 10/13 - 10/19

Tuesday
"The Founding of a Republic" is a film officially released to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party's rise to power. The film retells the tale of the Party's triumph in coming to power and has a star-studded cast who acted pro bono. The struggle between Mao and Chiang was downplayed and nearly all the characters were portrayed positively. The rift between the Three-self and House churches is narrowing but the old wound heals slowly and mistrust exists everywhere. God forgives us when we forgive others. Let us pray for all of us to be reminded of Christ's example of forgiving those who have wronged and hurt us.

Wednesday
On October 1st, during the grand 60th Anniversary military parade, Chairman Hu uncharacteristically did not wear his military attire but chose to wear the "zong san suit" (often known in the West as the Mao suit) for the historic occasion. This classic 4-pocket men's suit has been worn by all the famous leaders since the founding of the modern Chinese Republic. Wearing so-called "Sunday best" clothing to church does not mean much to Chinese believers since most people simply wear their regular outfits. However, poor and wealthy believers still dress differently. Let us pray that there will be no looking down on people based on their educational, financial, or social status in any Chinese church.

Thursday
China has been discouraging the burial of bodies and making cremation mandatory. This helps to solve the problem of a shortage of cemeteries. Guangzhou, however, is going a step further by promoting the so-called "tree burial"--burying the ashes in a designated forest with a small marker without even taking up any land. Proper burial for one's parents is considered an absolute for filial Chinese families. However, there are many stories of how children neglect their parents when they get old. Let us pray that we will honor our parents and support them while they are alive. God promises that we will be blessed when we honor our parents.

Friday
In China, Shanghai has more out-of-town laborers than any other city. There are six million of them and they comprise about a third of the city's population. This so-called "floating population" adds a great burden to the educational, health care, and housing needs of the city. Shanghai will host the 2010 World Expo and 380,000 people will be relocated to build this site. Many Christians from the villages come to Shanghai to work but are unable to find a place of worship. We need to pray for the spiritual vitality of churches in big cities like Shanghai. We remember, too, the many believers who could not find a church so they stop attending worship services entirely because they have lost interest and contact with the church.

Saturday
Buying and owning a place to live before looking for a mate is very common in China. When people look for their perspective mates, owning an apartment translates into financial security more than having a good job. The same is true for church workers. When they are looking for marriage partners, they face many hurdles. They get small salaries, their work is not considered to be a well-paying and secure job, and they cannot afford to buy houses. Let us pray for those church workers and believers who wish to get married but do not have the financial ability to gain the approval of the family of their desired mate.

Sunday
In China there is a trend for female students who are near graduation to spend their time looking for a good husband rather than trying to find employment. Especially in a tight job market, to marry right is more important than studying well and that is the pressure that all female collegians face. There are more young women attenders than men in the booming college student ministry in China.. Their famlies and their parents want them to have marriage prospects, but often they still have not shared their faith in God with them. Let us pray for all the young college believers who face the pressure of dating, finding God's will for their lives, and still holding on to their faith in God.

Monday
China and North Korea recently celebrated their 60th anniversary of having diplomatic ties. During the 1950's over a span of three years, 130,000 Chinese soldiers, including the oldest son of Chairman Mao, lost their lives fighting the Korean war. Koreans make up a huge majority of missionaries in China and they have the advantage of a similar culture, geographical promimity, and an amazing commitment to and love for Chinese people. We give thanks for the support given by Korean churches to the Chinese people. May the Lord reward them! We also remember all the Korean church workers and many Korean businessmen whose goal is expanding the Kingdom of God and not merely financial gain.


星期二
《建國大業》是紀念中國共產黨建國60周年的獻禮作品,該片由眾多一線明星「零片酬」客串演出。片中將毛澤東的勁敵蔣介石描寫成一位愛國者,片中所有歷史人物皆以正面角度表達。家庭教會與三自間的鴻溝正日漸縮小,但歷史的傷口仍難癒合,彼此之間普遍存在不信任。神教導我們寬恕別人,祂就赦免我們。讓我們以禱告彼此提醒,效法基督的榜樣,饒恕那些傷害我們的人。

星期三
十月一日胡主席首度以「中山裝」代替軍裝主持60週年閱兵大典。這套有4個對稱口袋的服裝常被西方誤稱為「毛裝」,是近代中華人民共和國風雲政治領袖的標準裝束。 中國信徒並沒有西方「星期日穿最好上教會」的傳統,信徒大多習以平素服裝上教會。然而信徒間貧與富在裝扮上仍有明顯差距。神兒女不應因貧富而受不同對待,也讓我們絕對不因人的教育程度,財富,社會地位有別而看不起人。

星期四
近年來中國以火葬取代土葬來緩解死人與活人争地的矛盾。 廣東一直致力於提倡「樹葬」,即在遠離城市建立森林墓園,樹下深埋骨灰,既解决骨灰存放的難處,也適應大多數人對「落葉歸根、入土爲安」的心理定勢。華人的孝道,安葬並為父母守孝是子女應盡的本份。但棄養年邁父母的事跡仍層出不窮。孝敬父母,神必使我們得福,是祂帶應許的誡命。求主讓我們都能在父母有生之年,好好孝敬、奉養他們。

星期五
上海是中國擁有最大民工人口的城市之一。目前約有600萬農民工,佔上海總人口三分之一。大量民工人口面臨教育,健康,住房等諸多障礙。上海將主辦2010年年世博會,將會影響38萬人口遷移。 很多從鄉鎮搬到上海工作的基督徒,要找適合的教會並不容易。讓我們為如上海般大城市教會的靈性復興禱告;也為那些因找不到教會,失去聯絡信心冷淡而停止聚會的肢體禱告。

星期六
先買房才考慮找伴侶,在中國是個極普遍的現象。找伴侶時,擁有房子要比有一份好工作,在經濟上為對方帶來更大的安全感。 教牧人員常因工資微薄,收入不穩,負擔不起昂貴房價,在找對象時,也面對重重障礙。讓我們在禱告中記念有意結婚,卻礙於財力緊拙而無法贏得對方家長批准婚事的教會工作人員和弟兄姊妹,求主親自為他們開路。

星期日
中國的女大學畢業生不急於找工作,卻急著找老公,已成了普遍現象。在當今就業率偏低的情況下,女大學生普遍認為:「學得好不如嫁得好」。中大學校園事工,女生信主比男生多。談婚論嫁時,家人或父母多希望自己女兒能找個好條件的伴侶,然而他們當中多半沒有信主。讓我們為面對拍拖壓力,尋找上帝在他們生命中的旨意,並持守信仰的年輕大學生禱告。

星期一
新中國成立六十週年之際,也與北朝鮮建交六十週年。上世紀50年代初中國「抗美援朝」戰爭,三年內約有13萬多中國人民志願軍,包括毛澤東的長子,喪命朝鮮。當今赴中國宣教的,以韓國人佔絕大多數。除文化和地理上的優勢外,他們驚人的委身和對中國人的熱愛實在令人敬佩。 讓我們為此感恩,求主親自記念韓國教會以及所有的韓國宣教士的付出!包括許多韓國商人,他們服侍神的心志,遠遠超過生意的大小利益。

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Prayer Request 10/06 - 10/12

Tuesday
In Shanghai, the cost of raising a child to adulthood, including the college tuition, is about 900,000 yuans, the cost of a middle-class apartment. Every parent has great expectations for his/her only child and the cost of raising the only child is equal to a house. Christian parents have the same worries too. They worry about their children drifting away from God. Vast majority of Chinese churches have little to attract or offer the teenagers. Let us pray that Christian parents will have the wisdom and resolve to teach, communicate and remind their children to love the Lord.

Wednesday
Since the great revival in China in the 1970's, although no one knows exactly the number of Chinese Christians, Chinese have composed the largest Christian groups in the world. Officially there are eighteen million believers in the Christian Three-Self Patriotic Movement and five million in the Catholic Patriotic churches. We know that God knows everyone who belongs to Him so we want to pray for God's sheep and His faithful workers on the field. Many say, "Prosperity is the greatest enemy of the church" so we pray again for the refining fire and a spirit of revival to come to churches in China.

Thursday
The housing market is again sizzling in China. On the average, the price of a starter home in an average Chinese city will cost about as much as one wage-earner would get in twenty-two years. It is expected that parents will help their child buy a house and the only way a young married couple can own their own home is with the help of their parents. Helping their child buy a house and saving money for retirement are two things constantly on the mind of parents in China. Let us pray especially for believers who have children of a marriageable age. While it is difficult to be free of worry about money, let us pray for peace and assurance from God that He will take care of us and our children as we trust Him with all of our hearts.

Friday
In the cities, many of the new believers are young professionals. Although they have only came to know Jesus less than 5 years but they are very active in evangelism and want to make an impact for Jesus. In contrast to the older believers, they are eager to apply their skills and leverage their influence for Kingdom's sake. We praise the Lord for musicians, artists, managers of companies, teachers and lawyers who profess their Christian faith publicly. We pray that their zeal will be matched by their desire to walk closely with God, as well as humility to work with their church members.

Saturday
The Communist party is said to have implemented new rules forbidding party officials implicated in scandals or those who have been reprimanded to be eligible for reappointment or promotion. This is meant as a serious warning to put a stop to "bad apples". Last year there were eight thousand party officials reprimanded or indicted. "Bad" church workers often relocate or else start a new church which causes division and weakening of the existing church. We pray for all the congregations now undergoing divisions or suffering splits because of the moral failure of their leaders. May the Lord graciously restore their faith in the church and give them unity in Christ.

Sunday
Many Chinese have come to hear about Jesus for the first time after they left China to study or work abroad. These new converts have the genuine faith but many have reservation about receiving the baptism as a public profession of their faith. Many feel being a Christian will derail their career advancement, bypassed for promotion and jeopardize their membership standing in the Communist Party which is absolutely essential for public sector works. We uplift these brothers and sisters, in sharing their heavy emotional load with our prayers. May the Lord give us faith in trusting Him to lead us, and courage to profess His Name in our daily walk.

Monday
Golf is nicknamed the "green opium" in China and widely considered as a recreation of the capitalists. It is the fastest growing sport, with nearly 300 plus courses mostly in the southern part of China. Back in the 1980's there were only 20 courses. Not long ago, church buildings in China are antiquated and badly in need of replacement. Today, there are many modern, huge and architecturally distinctive church buildings. Let us remember especially these open churches with nice facilities that they will be used for great good and become great blessings to their communities.


星期二
在上海撫養一個孩子到成年,生活費和學費需要90萬元人民幣。每位父母都把所有的希望寄託在獨生子女身上,培養一個孩子成才所花的費用就相當於購買一套住房。 信徒家長不但有同樣的顧慮,更要為自己的孩子是否會遠離神而憂心。絕大多數的中國教會對青少年吸引力不大。我們要為信徒家長能有智慧和決心教導提醒子女,並在愛主的事上有美好溝通來祈求。

星期三
從上世紀70年代開始,中國教會開始了大規模的復興,成長為世界上最大的基督徒群體。雖然基督徒的實際數字無從得知,官方估計基督教三自愛國運動信徒逾1千8百萬,天主教愛國會信徒則有5百萬。 我們知道神認識每一個屬祂的人。我們要爲神的羊群和在工場上忠心的同工禱告。人曰:物質豐盛是教會最大的敵人。我們唯願煉淨的火焰和復興的靈再臨到中國教會。

星期四
中國房地產市場又再次熾熱起來。一般來說,一套在中等城市的基本住房價錢相等於一個普通工人工作二十年的薪資。事實上,年輕夫婦要買房,就是期望父母的幫助。國內父母常爲兩事憂心:一是要幫助子女買房子,一是爲退休好好儲蓄。我們特別爲有適婚年齡子女的信徒禱告。或許我們不得不爲錢煩惱,但可以仰望神,當全心信靠祂,祂會賜平安與確據,照顧我們和我們的兒女。

星期五
城市裏許多初信徒是學有專精的專業青年。他們信主通常不到五年,卻積極傳福音,要為耶穌成就大事。也渴望為神的國度,以一己之所長,提升並闊大其效率和影響。我們為這些公開承認自己是基督徒的音樂家、藝術家、公司經理、教師、律師等年輕信徒來感謝和讚美主。求主幫助他們對事奉的熱心與追求和神親密同行的渴慕相稱,同時也能謙卑與人同工。

星期六
共產黨制定了新規條,將禁止提拔對重大事故負有責任的黨政官員。這些應該對所有官員產生警示作用。去年有8萬多名官員因錯誤行為而被追究責任。「敗壞」的教會工人也經常會轉到其他教會或設立新聚會點,造成分裂並削弱現時教會的能力。我們為因領導者人格破產而導致內部分裂的教會祈求,願主重新恢復信徒對教會的信心並保守他們在基督里的合一。

星期日
很多中國人到海外留學或工作之後,才初聞耶穌基督、接受救恩。他們的信仰真實,但對接受公開洗禮卻仍有所保留,恐怕有了基督徒身份,會阻礙他們將來在國內的事業發展和升遷機會,也會危及在國家共產黨的黨員地位,繼而失去成為公務員的資格。我們要在禱告中分擔他們情緒和理性上的重擔,求主給他們力量,更加信靠祂的帶領,並且有勇氣在人前承認祂的名,高舉祂的名。

星期一
高爾夫球在中國被冠以「綠色鴉片」名號,普遍人認為它是資本主義上流社會的消遣項目。高球在中國是發展最迅速的體育運動。20世紀80年代,中國只有二十來個高爾夫球場,目前,高球場的數目增至300多個,大部份設於南方。不久以前,中國的教堂建築都是古舊失修。現今,現代化,龐大且具建築特色的教堂在各地比比皆是。讓我們特別記念這些設施齊全、對外開放的教會,求主使它們不但能成為美好事工的場地,更能成為鄰近社區的一大祝福。