Prayer Request 8/17 - 8/23

Tuesday
A gigantic mudslide following torrential rains killed more than a thousand people in Zhouqu, Gansu in China. A five-mile long river of mud with an average width of three hundred meters and five meters thick flattened everything in its wake beyond recognition. This is yet another disaster that has hit the area that is inhabited mostly by Tibetans who also live in Tibet as well as Sichuan, Gansu, and Qinghai provinces in China. We pray that the grace of our Lord would be on all Tibetans. We remember, too, Christians who are involved in disaster relief. May the Lord give them opportunity to share God's love. May there be more believers who will care about the work of the gospel among Tibetans.
Wednesday
A survey of Chinese youth between twelve and seventeen revealed that 96% of them say they will care for their parents when they get old but only 79% of the parents felt their children would be there to care for them when they were old. In 1 Timothy 5:8, we read, "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel." Let us pray for those elderly believers who do not have children to provide for them and take care of them. May the Spirit of God remind us all to honor our parents and take care of them financially.
Thursday
In China most college students want to work in state-owned enterprises. Their reasons are that there they get good salaries and benefits plus good working hours with a two-hour lunch break. However, they say that these positions are difficult to find because they have already been taken by people who have "guangxi" (connections).Our dream jobs and reality may be two entirely different things. Let us remember all the believers who feel that they do not have a job they like. May the Lord help us to realize that we should have a thankful heart knowing that we have work and the greater purpose for our lives is to glorify God and serve Him and His people.
Friday
In the past, those Chinese students who studied abroad were the "cream of the crop" but now anyone who has money can go abroad and the quality of those who return is mixed at best. Many more have returned than formerly and they have the advantage of having better English skills. However Chinese graduates also speak good English now. We pray for those who are studying English and preparing to go abroad. They will have more opportunities to encounter Christians and churches there. May the Lord help believers to show kindness to them, to share His love and the gospel of Jesus Christ with them, and to lead some of them to Jesus.
Saturday
The Education Ministry in China reports that 229,000 Chinese went abroad to study in 2009 which is an increase of 27.5% over 2008. In the same year 108,000 students returned (56.2% of those who went). In the past the number of Chinese students who returned has doubled every three years.Many Chinese students are exposed to Christianity for the first time while they are studying abroad. We pray for those who returned to China after their baptism. It is not easy to connect with churches once they go back to China. May the Lord continue to strengthen their walk with Him and enable them to find a spiritual home quickly where they can grow and serve Him.
Sunday
Youth in China today undoubtedly represent the most privileged generation of any in China's history. Globalization has brought iPods and McDonald's, and China's one-child policy means that these "one and only" children are the sole recipient of the affection of multiple sets of grandparents, aunts and uncles.Who will minister to this new generation? Let us pray for mature Christian role models who can relate to youth and give them worthwhile goals to strive for. We also pray for church leaders who realize they need to do more to make a place for youth even though at the present they do not know how to do this.
Monday
The divorce rate has shot up 20 times in the past 20 years, the most common problem is extra-marital affairs, which account for nearly 80% of the cases. When public officials involved in affairs, corruption, briberies and illegal deals are universally involved as well."He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. " (Pro 6:32) We remember believer families wrecked by affairs. May the Spirit bring repentance in the corrupted hearts, His mercy come and heal the broken hearts. We pray too for forgiveness out of the great love of God which brings about healing.

星期二
甘肅省舟曲縣爆發特大泥石流，災情惨重，死亡人數已超過一千多人。泥石流長約五公里、平均寬度三百公尺、厚度五公尺，突發傾瀉而下，令舟曲縣域夷為平地，面目全非。這是藏族近年來又一次經歷的天災。我們切切為藏族人禱告，他們主要分佈在西藏，也聚居於四川、甘肅、青海一帶，求主施恩憐憫藏人。我們也為基督徒參與救災工作禱告，求主給他們機會分享神的愛，又願主感動更多神的兒女，關心藏人的得救。
星期三
一項針對12歲到17歲中國青少年的調查顯示，96%的青少年表示，會在父母老年時供養他們。不過只有79%的父母預期子女將來會奉養他們。「人若不看顧親屬，就是背了真道，比不信的人還不好，不看顧自己家裡的人，更是如此。」（提前5:8）讓我們紀念那些沒有子女照顧的年老信徒們，願主藉著教會提供他們生活與靈性上的關顧。也願聖靈常提醒我們孝敬父母，尤其是在經濟上，更要照顧他們的需要
星期四
大多數的大學生都希望在國營企業工作。原因是工資和福利待遇好且工作時間適度。每天朝九晚五，還有兩小時的午飯時間。但是現今中國這樣的工作很難找，因為都被有「關係」的人拿走了。無奈我們理想中的夢幻工作對比現實中的，可能完全不同。讓我們為在現實中不喜歡，不滿意自己現在工作的基督徒禱告，願神幫助我們存著感恩的心，明白我們工作有更崇高的意義，就是在我們的生活中榮耀祂，事奉他和他的子民。
星期五
過去公費留學選拔的都是中國學生精英，現在留學的多是有錢的就能出去。過去海歸外語佔絕對優勢，今天海歸素質參差不齊。如今國內大學生的英語口語能力越來越強化;過去回國的少，現在回國的越來越多。我們在禱告中記念那些學習英語，準備出國的年輕人。一旦出國，他們會有更多機會接觸基督徒和教會。願主為他們預備有愛心的基督徒，以行動分享上帝的恩慈和基督的愛，並與他們分享福音，領他們歸主。
星期六
教育部統計顯示：2009年中國出國留學人數達到22.9萬人，比上一年度增長27.5％，與此同時，全年留學回國人數10.8萬人，同比增長56.2％。近幾年，留學歸國人數幾乎每三年加倍。許多中國學生是在出國留學，有機會第一次接觸基督教。那些在國外信了耶穌也領受了洗禮的，我們禱告這些人回到國內後，靈命能持續成長。因為許多人回到中國，很難與當地的教會聯絡，也失去崇拜的動力。愿主繼續保守他們與神同行，能找到合適的屬靈家庭，不斷成長也不停頓事奉祂。
星期日
當今中國的青年無疑成為歷史上最受寵愛的一代。全球化給了他們iPod和麥當勞，中國的一胎政策也促使這些「獨子」們成為祖父母輩，親戚們三千關愛的焦點。有誰來擔當新一代的牧養重任呢？求主賜下更多成熟基督徒做他們的榜樣，能與他們順暢的溝通，幫助他們聚焦生命的目標。因為許多教會同工們對年輕人不知所措，更不了解他們的心。我們為教會領袖禱告，求主幫助他們更有智慧與策略接納與建造年輕一代，栽培未來教會的新血輪。
星期一
過去20年，離婚率增加了20倍，最大主因是婚外情。據官方報告顯示：離婚原因中，婚外情竟占了80%。如果是公務員，婚外情還連帶產生腐敗，貪污受賄、違法違規辦事等。求主再次警剔我們：「與婦人行淫的，便是無知，行這事的，必喪掉生命。(箴言6：32)」我們特別紀念那些經歷婚外情的家庭，願主的靈改變敗壞的人心，祂的憐憫臨到，幫助受傷害者因著神的大愛，能放下心中的苦毒，學會寬恕人，使破碎的心靈得到全然的醫治。