Prayer Request 11/16 - 11/22

Tuesday
The wife of the potentially next Chinese leader is a famous singer. In China, the wives of politicians have long been viewed suspiciously--ever since Chairman Mao's wife, Jiang Qing, promoted his very radical policies and took part in purging opponents and ultimately made a grab for power. We want to remember the spouses of all those who serve in ministry in the churches. Couples serving God really need to be a team so we pray the Lord will give them an extra measure of patience and joy as they shepherd His flock.
Wednesday
Contemporary Chinese leaders will never let their wives have a high public profile. The wife of the president of China is rarely seen except during state visits with the spouses of foreign leaders. This kind of image portrays an authoritarian style of leadership for running the rising global power at an impersonal distance. The wives of pastors do not get much attention and many remain in the background for diverse reasons. Serving the the church with low pay and high demands can add a lot of stress and strain to any marriage. We pray for protection and God's grace for the marriages of all of the shepherds.
Thursday
The post office in Beijing is offering its very first "Christmas post office" this year. Chinese people can buy special Christmas stamps as well as send letters to and receive letters from Santas in Finland. This is the time that churches in China are getting ready for their Christmas celebrations, often with dramas, musicals, or special concerts. Many of these performances target young intellectuals with the gospel message. We pray for the process of preparation and the stirring up of hearts for evangelism through it.
Friday
As the people in China become more affluent, they are eating more meat and less rice than ever before. That is the one key reason China's imports of corn and soybeans increased a lot this year--to be used mainly to feed livestock. Many of the Chinese believers want their shepherds to provide them with messages that are relevant and practical to their daily lives. However, the shepherds often find this difficult since they have little time to prepare a good message. Let us pray for the preparation of every sermon preached this week.
Saturday
The number of college students should reach 30 million in 2010. College students represent a tremendous consumer market, but they only represent 5% of entire Chinese population. This group is indeed the future of China; they are the brightest, most gifted bunch, but they are still in need of much character formation. We continue to pray for the college ministries available in nearly all campuses across China. One alarming trend is religious cults, and they are also building up presence on Chinese campus, attracting many to their English classes. Young converts are led astray. We pray for everyone who works with students in Jesus' name.
Sunday
Many Chinese who have talent in the area of finance and high-tech have returned home from abroad since the global economic downturn. The migration of top-notch people is quite evident and there are plans to move these talents from urban to rural areas as well as even hiring people who have masters and PhD degrees in companies. Traditionally urban pastors have been better trained than those in the country. However, in the past few years rural pastors have been receiving more training. Let us pray for the education of new pastors and continued equipping of those serving in the villages.
Monday
In October，China’s Consumer Price Index shot up 4.4%, a 25 month record high. Food prices rose 10.1%. This is an unprecedented rise. Everyone is concerned about rising prices, but the retirees who live on fixed income, savings or depend on their children will feel the pinch more. At least half of China believers fall into such category. We remember them, as the Lord has told us, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. “ (Matt 6:34)

星期二
未來最有可能成為中國領導人的另一半，是一名家喻戶曉的歌唱家。在自從毛澤東的妻子江清大力協助其推行政策，後來並取得龐大勢力，帶來許多負面影響後，政治領袖的妻子就格外受人注視。我們為牧者的配偶禱告，願妻子能與丈夫一同配搭服事，同心建立神的家。求神賜給他們在帶領羊群時，有額外的耐心和喜樂。
星期三
代中國領導人除了讓妻子在接見外國領袖夫婦露面外，鮮少有讓她們在公開場合出現。在國際舞臺影響力越來越舉足輕重的時刻，這樣刻意的保持距離是中國特色的官場文化。傳道人在教會的服事繁重，收入有限，常為婚姻和家庭帶來許多壓力與緊張，我們求神特別施恩保守傳道人的家庭，並賜下夠用的恩典，夫婦同心服事、與神同行。
星期四
北京郵政首次推出聖誕郵政産品，讓巿民可以把信件寄往芬蘭聖誕老人村郵局。只要貼上芬蘭郵政發行的聖誕郵票，便可以得到聖誕老人親筆簽名的回信。此人時也是許多教會開始如火如荼籌備聖誕的活動，一般有戲劇或音樂會。這些半公開的節目為要吸引青年知識分子，帶出福音的信息。我們在禱告中記念他們的籌備進程，也求主激勵弟兄姐妹在這個特別的日子為主做見證。
星期五
今年中國的玉米和大豆進口（主要為飼料用途）大幅增加，關鍵原因之一是中國人越來越富裕，比以前更多吃肉品。信徒的靈命成長，需要神藉著牧者按時餵養靈糧，求神幫助牧者能中心的照主的心意來傳講實用、生活化的信息來幫助羊群。我們也為傳道人有足夠時間準備信息禱告，求主先建造自己的牧人，並賜他自己的話語，傳生命的信息。讓我們就為主日的講台來禱告。
星期六
據統計，中國本年度的大學生人數達三千萬，雖然他們僅佔總人口約百分之五，但他們是消費市場潛力是令人關注的。大學生是國家的精英，除了在知識的培育外，更需要幫助他們的品格成長。一個令人擔憂的趨勢是，異端邪教也在各個校園中，藉著英語班，誤導學生們進入信仰上的歧途。我們繼續為大學事工禱告，求主使用奉主耶穌的名在校園中向大學生傳真理福音的同工們，撥亂匡正，尋回更多靈魂。
星期日
由於近兩年的全球性經濟衰退，不少金融與科技業的頂尖人才決定回中國尋找機會。最近政府更計劃把人才移到鄉村。往往城市牧者有較好的機會裝備自己，但是近年來在農村牧者亦有很多培訓的機會，我們為此向神感恩。也為農村的培訓工作恆切禱告，求主差派更多合神心意的牧者到農村服事，也保守事奉者的靈命不斷更新。
星期一
10月份中國消费者物價指数（CPI）飆升至4.4%，創25個月新高。物價上漲的幅度和速度史所罕見，其中食品價格更是大漲10.1%。老百姓擔心物價上漲，只出不進的退休老人更是因此著急。教會至少有一半以上信徒是靠退休金、積蓄或孩子奉養的。我們在禱告中記念他們，不因物價上漲而憂慮，能以信心遵行主的教誨：「所以不要為明天憂慮，因為明天自有明天的憂慮，一天的難處一天當就夠了」（太6:34）