Tuesday, April 06, 2010

Prayer Request 4/6 - 4/12

Tuesday

Traditionally Tomb-sweeping Day is an important day on the Chinese calendar. Since 2008 it has become a national holiday and a mandatory day off of work. During the Cultural Revolution worship of ancestors was forbidden but such a deep-rooted Chinese practice could not be changed and is now back in full swing. It is always difficult for Chinese believers to explain why they do not worship their ancestors or participate in the ritual which honors their beloved deceased family members. We pray for courage and wisdom for them as they share their views and even share Jesus with their families.
Wednesday
As the opening of the Shanghai World Exposition get close police have taken extra precautions by requiring people to register the purchase of any knives, even kitchen knives. Every package carried on the subways and all cars entering the Shanghai metropolitan area will be inspected. Historically some churches and their meetings would face limitations as the police implement tightened security. We pray for all the churches in Shanghai as they take in huge numbers of visitors and tourists. May this be a time of revival for all of the believers in Shanghai, a time of renewal of their commitment to Jesus and faithfulness to His cross.
Thursday
Although the safety record of Chinese coal mines has improved dramatically in the past decade, in 2009 the government reported that 2631 deaths occurred in mines. The major reason is that safety measures are often overlooked due to the high demand for coal and a lack of proper training of the miners. Many church workers are trained every year, but once they graduate they must serve with little spiritual or physical support. Many quickly burn out or struggle with interpersonal relationships. Let us pray specifically for those who are feeling overworked, lonely, or abandoned. May the Lord draw them close to Him and renew their strength.
Friday
The lyrics of a hot rock band in Shanghai ridiculing the outrageous cost of living there go like this, "Shanghai is such an expensive place to live, the most expensive in China. Shanghai people don't welcome outsiders, not even their own do they welcome. People with money are the only ones they like...Shangai does not welcome you." Everyone is concerned about the rising cost of living. We pray for peace and joy for all believers knowing that God will provide for every one of us. We remember in prayer those who are unemployed or are hurting because they live on a fixed income, especially those who are retired.
Saturday
The younger generation of Chinese laborers has become picky about choosing a job and they will not settle for work that pays low wages or is without prospect of promotion. In the Pearl River Delta, the so-called "factory of China", this is one of the reasons employers have difficulty finding people to work in their factories. Unfortunately, for the same reason, we also see fewer people willing to go into ministry in the churches. They say the pay is low and they are unable to support a family. We pray that Chinese churches will come to realize how to honor and value those who serve the Lord, and that they will not ask church workers to "live by faith" and offer them little financial support.
Sunday
There are many Chinese athletes who have become citizens of other nations and in international sports competitions end up defeating the Chinese players, particularly in table tennis. Chinese are generally ambivalent about these athletes and often label them as "traitors". Yet many Chinese envy those who are able to go abroad and obtain foreign citizenship. There are many Chinese who are involved in church work who hold foreign citizenship, too. They have the advantage of knowing two languages and also enjoy better financial support than pastors who have not been abroad. Let us pray especially for them, their ministries, their families, and above all that they will be humble and faithful as they serve along with their local Chinese co-workers.
Monday
The media has a powerful influence on society as a whole. People pay a lot of attention to their private lives and their marriages. In Hong Kong and Taiwan there are some prominent Chinese celebrities who openly profess their faith in Jesus. We praise God that whenever they do, the name of God is glorified. They are literally God's missionaries to the entertainment circle. We also pray that all believers will have victory over sexual temptation, drug usage, and marital infidelity.

星期二
清明節(祭祖掃墓)是中國人很重要的大節日。自2008年起,政府更將清明節定為法定假期,祭祖這曾在文革時期被嚴禁的根深蒂固傳統習俗,又回復全盛原貌。華人基督徒對祭祖的認定及不參與祭拜,向來很難使家人諒解。求主賜信徒智慧和勇氣,跟家人解釋清楚自己遵行聖經教導隨時盡孝,也緬懷先人卻不跟從世俗崇拜亡靈,更能與他們討論生命真正的終局,介紹主耶穌賜永生的好消息。
星期三
上海世博會正蓄勢待發,公安部對安全維護已到草木皆兵的地步。最新措施是民眾買菜刀、水果刀也需登記身分證,這是繼宣佈民眾搭乘地鐵「逢包必檢」、外地車輛進入上海「逢車必檢」後的另一個措施。當維安加強時,教會聚會活動將會受限。我們特別為上海的教會禱告,在世博期間不受太大影響。也求主藉著接待外國訪客和遊客的機會,大大復興上海信徒,重申向主的委身,忠於祂的十字架的心志。
星期四
近年中國煤礦業的工安情況雖已有改善,但2009年仍有2,631人在事故中罹難。肇因於煤礦業為滿足龐大用煤需求,罔顧措施安全及員工培訓所致。中國教會每年培訓許多同工,結業後在教會事奉。不少人往往受挫於事工,或缺乏良好人際關係,以至流失很快。我們特別為那些疲憊、孤單、欲退去的牧者祈求,願主親自吸引、更新他們,使冷卻的心,下垂的手、發酸的腿,靠主重新得力再次挺立起來。
星期五
熱門流行曲《上海不歡迎你》,反映上海誇張的物價和房價,極盡諷刺之能事。「從衣食住行到吃喝嫖賭都是全中國最貴,上海不歡迎外地人,也不歡迎上海人,上海只歡迎一種人就是有鈔票的人。上海不歡迎你,除非來買東西」物價高漲是每個老百姓都關切的,我們為信徒有平安、喜樂祈求,堅信神必照祂榮耀的豐富,在基督耶穌裏,使我們一切所需用的都充足。也特別為收入微薄、失業或已退休的肢體得著供應禱告。
星期六
中國年輕一代開始挑剔工作,不少年輕人「不想幹廣告中提供的工作,覺得工資太低,而且沒有發展前途 。」這是珠三角地區中國最大的製造業基地老板們抱怨勞動力嚴重短缺的部分原因。願意踏入宣教或全職傳道的人也越來越少,多數認為當傳道人收入太低,難以養家糊口。我們禱告中國教會能夠及時懂得尊敬和珍惜主的僕人,不再老要他們「憑信心過生活」而吝於付給傳道人合理的生活費。
星期日
中國有不少運動員,尤其是桌球選手,選擇入籍他國代表其他國家出賽。不少人蔑視這些運動員,尤其在國際賽中擊敗中國隊的為「漢奸」。另方面也有很多人對這些球員有機會出國既羨且慕。在中國參與教會事工人員當中,有不少持外國籍,相對於本地同工,他們無論語言、經濟都佔優勢。讓我們為他們的事工,家庭和服侍禱告,願祂們能以謙卑和忠實的心志服侍主,並能與本地同工一起配搭同工
星期一

大眾傳播媒體對社會的影響深遠廣大,影視明星的私生活常是老百姓閒話家常 的材料。在香港和台灣,有一些名藝人公開自己是基督徒的身份。我們為這些願意公開自己信仰的肢體感謝主,願他們能見證榮耀的神在他們身上的作為,更能在一般人較難接觸到的娛樂圈領人歸主。讓我們求神保守這群藝人弟兄姊妹能倚靠神勝過各樣性的誘惑,遠離毒品,並在婚姻忠貞上有美好的見證。

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