Prayer Request 3/2 – 3/4 8

Tuesday
Although crime rates in China were relatively stable from 2001-2008, in 2009 murders, robberies, and rapes shot up by 10 percent. This was attributed to the economic downturn, increased unemployment, and the widening gap between the rich and the poor. Chinese believers often lament the fact that China is much more prosperous than in the past but corruption and crimes do abound. We are called to pray for those who govern us, therefore let us pray that churches will have a positive and godly influence on the country and believers will sincerely pray for the officials and policies in their own communities.
Wednesday
Recent surveys show that the rich have gotten richer during the financial crisis in China and that has fueled strong resentment among ordinary Chinese who feel that official nepotism and corruption is making some people extremely rich. The average person believes the government crackdown on corruption and nepotism has failed. Chinese people resent the rich but want to be rich themselves. People simply accept that gaining favors by any means is the way to do business. Let us pray for all believers as they live out God's standard in their crooked world, knowing that God will not disappoint them because they refuse to compromise.
Thursday
Although the Communist Party represents less than 6% of China's population, it accounts for 60-70% of the members of the People's Congress and those in various levels of the government. About nine percent of the delegates are from the military. Small groups of people often can have enormous influence over the whole nation. Let us pray for integrity, wisdom, and a sense of justice for all the members of the Communist Party. We remember also all the members of the party who are believers in Jesus but are not able to declare their faith even though they love the Lord wholeheartedly.
Friday
In a losing battle to combat corruption, the Communist Party updated a list of "forbidden activities" for its members. The original list made in 1997 included forty-one forbidden actions which has now been expanded to fifty-two. We know that rules and laws cannot stop corruption or greed and although citizens detest corruption by officials, "only a fool will pass up the chance to be rich". Let us pray that we as Christians will guard our own hearts from all these financial temptations. In 1 Timothy 6:6 we find that Godliness with contentment is great gain.
Saturday
Life in the cities in Eastern China is definitely getting luxurious. People are not only looking for a place to live and to put their nice furniture but they also demand spectacular views and luxurious amenities that include a community pool, a club house, and even a fitness center. Many would say that the churches on the east coast of China are mostly affluent but numbers of the believers are being drawn into the pursuit of worldly possessions and are rather weak spiritually. Let us pray specifically for revival among affluent urban believers. May the Lord rekindle our love and passion for Him.
Sunday
Being a female secretary in China carries a lot of baggage. She is expected to be a "pretty face", a babysitter for the family as well as going out to entertain clients in addition to her work for her boss. No wonder it is said that no self-respecting Chinese man wants his wife or girlfriend to be a secretary. Sexual harassment in the workplace is very rampant but making a fuss about it is considered suicidal. We take this time to pray for all believers, especially those who must endure critical, unreasonable, and even harassing bosses. We remember those who cannot quit because there are no other jobs available and those who must endure a poor working environment.
Monday
Vulgarity has become nearly universal in China. If anything displeases a person, you will hear him curse. Of course, there are common and favorite phrases and they are ubiquitous in movies and novels. Christians know that such found language does not honor God but we live in the midst of people who habitually use foul language. May we use our tongues to praise the Lord, to speak gently, and to give glory to God wherever we are.

 

星期二
雖然中國在2001-2008年期間的罪案率大致平穩，但2009年謀殺、搶劫、強暴案件速增百分之十以上。經濟環境轉差、失業率上升及貧富差距擴大導致了罪案件上升。信徒們常嘆息中國雖較過去更加富強，罪惡卻十分猖獗。讓我們為在上的掌權者、政府官員及制定的政策能造褔國家社會來守望。也為教會能在這世代中帶出積極正面的影響力禱告。
星期三
近來幾個調查皆顯示，中國富人在金融危機期間反而更富裕了。老百姓覺得裙帶關係和貪腐是富人致富的手段，他們也認為政府打擊腐敗和裙帶關係果效不彰。許多人往往嫉妒別人有錢卻心底又渴慕成為有錢人。認為不惜一切收受利益是天經地義的事。讓我們祈求信徒能在這彎曲悖逆的世代裡活出神國的法則。堅信神喜悅賜福秉持神法則行事且不向世界價值妥協的人。
星期四
佔中國人口不到6%的共產黨員佔了人大代表中的70%，且「人代」中有近9%來自軍隊。在地方政府共產黨員的比例通常為60%至70%。這群人的決定卻能舉足輕重的影響整個國家政策的方向。讓我們為共產黨黨員的誠信，智慧，及公義的伸張來禱告。也讓我們記念那些全心愛主，卻不能公開披露自己基督徒身分的黨員。
星期五
由於肅貪成效不彰，中央近日更新了《廉政準則》，禁止公務員收取利益的規定，由1997年發佈的41個“不准”增加至52個。雖然百姓恨惡官員貪污行為，法律卻不能有效阻止貪腐，人們仍普遍認為“只有傻子才會放過發達機會”。讓我們為基督徒能夠保守己心不受財利引誘禱告。求主常讓我們提醒自己：敬虔加上知足的心便是大利了(提摩太前書6書6節)。
星期六
華東地區的城市奢侈講究是出了名的。人們購屋不單是要求好的地段、建築、配套、景觀和家具配備，還要有高級的設施，包括恒溫游泳池、健身房及桑拿浴設備。現今不少城市教會和肢體已相當富裕，但很多信徒猶如“溫水煮青蛙”讓靈命逐漸迷失在追逐物質和世俗繁華之中。我們求主幫助沉溺在屬世榮華中的信徒重燃對主的愛心，在繁華中不失落傳福音的熱忱和負擔。
星期日
在中國，當女秘書要背負許多包袱：既要有張漂亮的臉，除了公事，還會被差遣當老闆家的保姆和代老闆應酬客戶。難怪許多男士都無法容忍女友或妻子當秘書。性騷擾在工作場所也十分普遍，誰要敢申訴把事件鬧大，就等於自毀前途。許多基督徒因覓職不易，不能失業，只得繼續默默忍受刻薄無理的老闆，甚至其騷擾。讓我們為這些信徒們禱告，求主安慰他們，為他們申冤，也為他們開路。
星期一
「罵人」已成為不少中國人不可分割的一部分。看不慣的人、事、物，張嘴就罵；普通人口頭禪裡罵聲不斷，電影、小說等文學作品中更是髒話不停。基督徒都知道講髒話不榮耀神，可是我們乃是住在習慣講髒話的人當中，甚至也成為其中一員。讓我們警惕自己：凡事用舌頭讚美主、說溫柔造就人的好話，且常把榮耀歸予神。