Prayer Request 9/21 - 9/27

Tuesday
Since their husbands have left home to find work, women head millions of rural families in China. They shoulder not only the agricultural duties, housework, raising and education of their children, but also care of the elders in the home. Very few men are found in the rural churches and the women there are very busy. We need to lift them in prayer that God will give them physical strength and spiritual vitality. We also remember church workers that they will be comforted and receive renewed strength.
Wednesday
Women in Chinese villages must play the part of both father and mother. She works in the field and also runs the house including the responsibility of raising the children all by herself. She will see her husband no more than once a year, if then. Let us remember our sisters in Christ in the rural churches. We pray for joy and a continuing faith in God. Raising children in a Christian home is difficult without the presence of a father. We pray for their diligent efforts and that God will listen to their prayers.
Thursday
Taiwan politicians love to seek advices through fortunetellers, this phenomenon is not unique to certain parties and dates back many decades. In a predominant Buddhist and Taoist society, even the presidents are known to frequent all religions and faith, and seek to gain advantage in personal and political career by engaging the soothsayer. No wonder people say that modern Chinese are just as superstitious as before. Let us pray that Jesus would be the personal savior for many more Chinese and we will seek to know His will in our lives and know the Scripture more. We too, pray for politicians who rule over us, may they have the fear of God and He alone.
Friday
It is said that China and Taiwan use different approaches to drug rehabilitation. China sees drug addicts as patients and Taiwan sees them as criminals. Drug addicts have a high rate of relapse. They find it hard to kick the habit and there are also many drug-related crimes. There are several Christian ministries for drug rehabilitation in Hong Kong, Taiwan and even in China who share Jesus Christ with the addicts. Let us pray for these ministries, the workers, and the patients to whom they minister. We also remember all the believers who have family members who are drug addicts.
Saturday
In term of number of colleges, Xian ranks third after Beijing and Shanghai. Xian has a high concentration of universities, and one out of every 6 Xian residents is a college graduate, that is considered the highest in entire China. We praise the Lord for many Bible study fellowships near colleges in China. For many students, the opportunity to learn English and learning about the Bible often go together. Let us pray for all those who are reaching out to college students, may the Lord bless them with many fruits, and leading many to Christ and even profession of faith in public by baptism.
Sunday
Extra-marital affairs cause 75% of the divorces among middle class couples in China. A report from Shanghai claims that 56% of the divorce cases lawyers handle there involve extra-marital affairs. Unfortunately, believers are not immune to this or other marital problems but few couples are able to find help from their churches. We pray for God's protection and that He will keep them from temptation and deceit. May the Lord guard our homes so the evil one will not destroy us.
Monday
Xian is the capital of the Shanxi province. It is one Chinese city known for its world-class heritages, like the Terracotta Warriors and Horse、, The Mausoleum of Huangdi, and of course, the Great Wall. In addition to being a city of culture and relics, it is also famous for its delicacies. Shanxi is a typical Chinese province where pastors in general are poor and much older. Churches often are not able to support their pastors in their retirement. Let us remember all the faithful servants of God throughout China, may they have joy and continuing close walk with the Master they served so faithfully all their lives.

星期二
現今上百萬的中國農村家庭，由於男人多前往城巿找工作，剩下女人當家，她們不僅農務、家務一肩挑，還要擔負養育孩子和服侍老人等重擔。農村教會普遍存在弟兄少、姐妹多的情況，姊妹們經常操勞過度，筋疲力盡。我們禱告主使她們凡事興盛、身體健壯，正如靈魂興盛一樣。我們也記念農村教會的所有同工，願神親自加添智慧、信心與能力，能時時靠主剛强，重新得力，滿有服事的喜樂。
星期三
農村男人大多前往外地工作，使留守家園的中國婦女都要身兼父職，既要在田里幹活又要教養孩子。往往要一年或更長的時間，她們才能與丈夫有短暫相聚的機會，過著猶如「牛郎織女」般的生活。讓我們為農村教會的姊妹們禱告，過沒有男性在家，獨力教養孩子，堅持基督化生活著實不易。願主隨時垂聽她們的禱告，親自加力，賜她們常存喜樂，對主滿有信心，教養出敬虔愛主的第二代。
星期四
台灣政壇各號大小人物都愛算命，不論哪個政黨幾十年來都是如此。連總統們為了自己的政途平坦，也是頻繁進出廟宇，堪稱縱橫佛、道教，基督教與喇嘛教，各路神佛都招呼週到，難怪人說現代中國人跟前人一樣迷信。讓我們繼續為更多中國人能認識耶穌的救恩來祈求，也求神使更多信徒能清楚聖經的教訓，更明白神在他們生命中的旨意。我們也為所有執政掌權者都能敬畏、尊崇獨一的真神來禱告。
星期五
中國在戒毒工作上與台灣所採行的方法大不同。中國當局將有毒癮者視為病人，而台灣則視其為罪犯。吸毒一旦成癮很難戒除，戒毒後的再犯率相當高，很多因毒品而衍生的犯罪行為也愈加嚴重。不論港台甚至在中國都有基督徒參與戒毒事工，藉著分享耶穌的救恩，不斷地幫助有毒癮者戒毒更生，重新站起來。求主保守並大大使用他們，也為正在接受幫助的吸毒者及家裡有吸毒上癮者的基督徒們禱告。
星期六
西安是重點高等院校最為集中的城市之一，其大學數量僅次於北京和上海。西安的人均受教水平較高，平均每6人中就有一人接受過大學本科以上教育，居全國領先地位。中國各地的高校附近都有查經班，我們為此感謝讚美主。許多學生參加查經班是想同時學習英語並了解聖經。求主親自紀念所有服事大學生的同工們和其工作的果效，藉著他們能讓更多大學生認識主，並接受洗禮，見證他們的信仰
星期日
婚外情是中國「頭號離婚殺手」！中產階級的離婚個案中，四分之三是由婚外情導致。上海的統計報告稱，律師接手的離婚案有56％因「婚外情」所引發。在中國信主的家庭中，可惜也有婚外情或其他婚姻問題的發生，但能在教會中找尋幫助的卻寥寥無幾。我們呼求主保守中國基督徒夫婦們的心懷意念，能彼此堅守忠貞，逃避誘惑和欺騙。我們也求神護衞信徒的家庭，免受惡者的破壞和攻擊。
星期一
陝西省會西安，擁有許多世界級文化遺產，如黃帝陵，秦始皇陵、兵馬俑及萬里長城等。西安的飲食文化洋溢著濃郁的西北風情，品嚐其風味小吃是遊西安的一大樂事。陝西也是典型的中國省份，其傳道人一般都較貧窮且高齡。當退休之後，教會不再支持他們，就生活得十分艱苦。讓我們紀念中國所有忠心服侍主的神僕們，求神使他們不單有喜樂的心，更靠主老當益壯，一生都親密與神同行，成為典範。