Prayer Request 3/16 - 3/22

Tuesday
In China, for the generation born in the late 1980's, the imbalance between sexes was 108 boys to 100 girls. For the generation born in the early 2000's, the proportion of boys to girls was 124 to 100 and in some provinces there is an unprecedented ration of 130 to 100. By 2020 China stands to have as many as twenty-four million unmarried young men or "bare branches" as they are known. This huge disparity will affect the churches in China because female believers are in the majority and it would also imply that young female believers would have difficulties finding mates within the church as well. We pray for this unnatural shift in population and specifically those believers who are single either by will or unable to find a mate with the same faith.
Wednesday
Chinese universities are beginning to provide students with a "Safety Handbook" which addresses prevention of sexual assault, AIDS, on-line chat hazards, precautions about off-campus housing, and other ideas about practical safety for college girls. We praise God that many young Chinese come to know Jesus Christ and receive discipleship during their four years in college but many are also attracted to the highly aggressive cults on the campuses as well. We pray for the spiritual safety of these young sheep. May the Lord protect them and send forth more workers in the colleges of China.
Thursday
Rural laborers are village people who have moved to cities to work and according to scholars they number 245 million. Most of them are low in skills and a large percentage are married males whose living quarters with bunk beds are not suitable for conjugal visits. The government, knowing the social and family consequences of their unmet sexual needs, has paid special attention to them. We remember all the believers who are away from their families because of work and pray not only for those who are away from home but their families who stay behind in the villages. We know it is not good for couples to be separated for a long time so may the Spirit comfort them and guard their hearts.
Friday
"School District Houses" is a Chinese real estate term which means an area with homes located in a district with good elementary and high schools so their only children will have a convenient place to get a head start and a competitive advantage in education. A house with such a designation can command a hefty twenty percent premium. Good education is the universally highest concern for all Chinese parents. We pray that Christian parents will trust God to meet the educational needs of their child and also strive to teach them God's word and take them to church from birth.
Saturday
It is interesting to note why the only child who is most likely spoiled by the parents would run away from home in China. The child is usually the center of the home, and is self-centered so when things do no go according to the child's wish, he/she leaves home. Some children also use running away as a way to manipulate the adults in the home. Most Christian parents can do very little when their child refuses to go to church with them and such a heartbreaking experience is shared by both pastor and laymen. Let us remember in prayer all the families whose children no longer attend church. We pray that a good parent-child relationship will continue to remind the child that God loves him/her.
Sunday
Scholars suggest that China's economic development models lack the process of reflection. They are all pragmatic, with the end justifying the means. Government slogans typify such a lack of reflection: "Black or white, as long as a cat catches mice, it is a good cat"; "Do not argue"; "Stability trumps everything."Chinese churches often "blindly" imitate church growth methods without reflection and adaption. We pray for all churches who are trying to grow but are not. May the Lord give comfort and assurance to them, as they strive to serve faithfully.
Monday
The reasons for young people running away from home are complex and varied. In general an unhealthy home environment and the poor disciplinary methods the parents use are the main reasons. There are also parents who are literally brutal in a lifestyle that is monotonous and repetitive as well as the usual lack of communication between parents and their children. We take this time to pray for Christian families experiencing problem in their parent-child relationship. May the Lord give parents wisdom and patience. We also pray the Holy Spirit work in the heart of their child, convicting them that Jesus is their personal savior and friend. It is our prayer that the church body can also pray for one another and encouraging the frustrated parents.

星期二
1980年晚期中國新生兒男女比例為108:100，在2000年初為124:100，有些區域男女比例嚴重失衡至130:100。到了2020年，估計男性可能比女性多2400多萬人。這些娶不到老婆的“光棍”-會是一個極大的社會問題， 中國教會也同樣面對男女比例嚴重失衡問題，由於女性佔大多數，這意味著年輕未嫁的女信徒或許不太容易在教會找到配偶。讓我們為性別比例失衡所造成的問題來代禱，也為教會中沒法找到同負一軛的伴侶而選擇或被迫獨身者這來禱告。
星期三
有不少中國高校開始分發“大學生安全知識手冊”，此類手冊包括了預防性侵害、艾滋病、網上聊天陷阱等知識，還有校外租房的大學生可能遇到的問題，並提供其他實用的安全知識。 我們感謝神，很多年青年在求學期間中認識了耶穌基督為救主並且接受裝備栽培，可是也不少學生被校園中異常積極的異端邪教所迷惑了。讓我們在禱告中為這些小羊們來守望，也求主差派更多工人到校園中服事。
星期四
專家認為當前農民工的總人數約為2.45億人。這些基層的農民大多沒有錢而群居一室，夫妻更不可能有正常的性關係。農民工的性問題蘊藏著相當大的社會危機，因此政府有關單位不得不給予關注行動。我們特別為離開家人到外地工作的信徒和他們的家人禱告。夫妻久別問題重重，求聖靈安慰他們，並保守他們的心懷意念。
星期五
學區房，一個中國房地產市場特別的名詞，指的是在優質的中/小學附近的房產。好的學區房普遍高出其他地區20%，一般中國父母希望讓他們的孩子接受良好的教育，儘管價格不菲，但為使孩子不輸在教育的起跑線上，會不惜花費重金購房。求神提醒感動基督徒家長能從小就把孩子帶到上帝面前，教導孩子學習神的話語，信靠神的帶領。
星期六
受到父母過度溺愛的獨生子女，為何容易離家出走? 一般家庭都把重心放在孩子身上，小孩自我中心，稍不順心，便極度受挫，甚至離家出走。有的孩子還會用離家出走的行為來要挾控制家人。許多基督徒家長對不願意隨父母同去教會的子女感到無可奈何，平信徒如此，牧師傳道亦然。讓我們為所有離開而不再上教會的孩子和他們的家庭禱告，求主首先幫助他們親子關係的建立，讓父母能夠提醒孩子神對他們的愛。
星期日
專家指出，中國發展模式裏缺乏反思的過程。「在中國的文化中有一個很大的弊病就是不反省發展的過程，而通常以結果論英雄。過去所提倡的『不論黑貓白貓，抓住老鼠就是好貓』、『不爭論』、『穩定壓倒一切』等都暗含著部分缺乏反思的思想。」 中國教會也常常不經反思地盲目模仿其他教會的增長方法。我們為試圖增長卻告失敗的教會禱告。雖未能增長，求主安慰他們，賜下繼續堅持忠心地服事的確據。
星期一
青少年離家出走的原因很複雜多樣，一般來講，不當的家庭教育方式是青少年離家出走的主要原因。比如父母的教育方式粗暴，以及對孩子的生活安排單調重復等。父母與孩子平時缺少溝通，家庭中缺乏良好健康的氣氛也是因素之一。面對親子關係問題的主內家庭禱告。求主賜給父母親們智慧和耐心。同時祈求聖靈在孩子們心中動工，使他們知曉耶穌是他們的救主也是他們獨一無二的朋友。我們也禱告神激勵弟兄姊妹中也能常常彼此代禱，給予憂傷失望的父母支持和鼓勵。