Prayer Request 11/30 - 12/6

Tuesday
The British author of Harry Potter made more in royalties in China in the past ten years than any of the local authors. A Taiwanese Buddhist master whose writing is very popular also made the top-selling list of authors. Christian books are available in China but none of them reaches the masses. We pray God will raise up Chinese authors who can effectively convey the essence of Jesus' message in a way that will break down the inherent Chinese bias that says Christianity is foreign and imperialistic.
Wednesday
In recent years, young readers have become the major buyers in the book market in Mainland China. Young readers prefer imaginative, relaxed books with interesting themes. They differ greatly from adult readers who tend to want to read a different style of book about more practical topics. Although in the cities of China there are more young believers, the fact is that many young people are becoming religious and turning to Buddhism like their parents. We pray that more church leaders will have the vision to reach out to the younger generation instead of criticizing and even rejecting them.
Thursday
In China, books that are heavy with Buddhist philosophy but are still highly personal and easy to read have become bestsellers. They appeal to weary Chinese who desire to share their deeper thoughts and are looking for comfort on a spiritual level. Although the image of Chinese churches full of peasants has changed some, we pray that there will be more bridges and ways to present Christianity in a favorable light. We pray, too, that the Word of God can be communicated to Chinese society in very relevant ways.
Friday
A report on fears in China shows that people worry most about earthquakes followed by the safety of food products and the quality of their drinking water. When disaster strikes most Chinese expect the government to provide the assistance they need. People, however, don't trust the government to provide for them and in response to such anxiety, they hold tightly to their money. Many believers have great difficulty trusting God to supply their needs in emergencies. May the Lord grant us peace and security in Him with a willingness to trust Him.
Saturday
Chinese officials have confirmed that every 30 seconds a baby with a congenital defect is born in China and incidences of birth defects are increasing in both cities and villages. Shanxi province which is rich in coal, leads the nation with the highest rate of birth defects. Officials blame this on the huge chemical industry complexes there. Having a "defective" or handicapped child still carries a stigma in much of China. There is little by way of support groups or special facilities for them. Let us lift up all the handicapped children and their parents in prayer. May the Lord bring believers to share the love of Jesus with them. We also pray that churches will reach out to minister to the families of all those who are handicapped.
Sunday
It is very difficult to find a meeting place in the city in which to minister to college students. People going in and out attract attention from the neighbors as well as the police. It is hard to balance the growth of ministry and still keep a low profile. Many young believers do not have time or training to grow spiritually themselves, let alone care for the spiritual needs of other students. This is the new Macedonian Call in China--"Come and shepherd the believers in colleges". May the Lord of the harvest send forth His workers.
Monday
Being a young Christian in some areas of China, especially the coastal cities such as Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Weihai, Dalian, does have many benefits. In general the college ministries in those places have very good shepherds and leaders. However, young believers in other cities have fewer resources and opportunities to learn about the Christian life.We cry out to You, Almighty God, to send more workers and to raise up leaders who are people after Your own heart to shepherd the students in China. May they be an example for their flocks and imitate the Chief Shepherd so there will be nurturing of the spiritual needs of the believers.

星期二
《哈利波特》作者過去十年在中國的版稅收入，遠超過任何一個本土作家。同時，台灣佛教大師也在「外國暢銷作家榜」佔一席位。中國雖然有基督教書籍出售，但此類書籍仍無法打入廣大主流市場。我們求主興起更多優秀的基督徒作者，能透過文字傳遞主耶穌的福音；也求主改變中國傳統對基督教是洋教及是帝國主義下產物的偏見。
星期三
青少年讀者近年來成為中國閱讀市場的生力軍，這群讀者偏好富想像力、輕鬆、有趣的主題作品，與成人偏向功利性、實用性的閱讀取向，截然不同。雖然城市裡有較多的年輕信徒，但同時亦有許多曾經是無神論的新一代，如同他們的父母一樣，一窩蜂地篤信佛教。我們求主賜予更多教會領袖們有向年輕人傳福音的異象，除去偏見、不批評和抗拒他們，願意以理解和接納去嬴得他們的靈魂。
星期四
近年，佛教書籍以入世文筆，適應現代人需要，並帶有濃厚的哲學宗教思想，成功打入中國閱讀市場，且廣受歡迎；這意味民眾生活苦惱愁煩，又缺乏傾訴對象，這類書籍具有安撫人心作用，正好迎合他們的需要。雖然中國教會給人的印象已不再是貧窮農民的宗教，但普羅大眾仍然不太認識這個真福音。我們迫切求主給我們更多接觸人群的橋樑和媒介，也幫助基督徒在民眾中有美好的見證。求主幫助我們，用諸般的智慧在社會中傳揚祂的話語、勸戒、教導人，引領人來到神面前，使人心得著真正的幫助。
星期五
一份風險調查報告顯示，中國人最憂慮地震，其次為食品安全和食水質量；大部分中國人民在面臨災難時，都盼望政府能提供適切的援助。然而，老百姓對政府效率也沒太大的信心，惟有緊抓著自己的錢包，自求多福。同樣的，不少信徒也對神也信心不足，危難時往往尋求人的幫助過於仰賴神的供應。求主賜下屬天的平安，幫助我們學習信靠主，在遇人生風暴時，仍能安穩在祂大能的膀臂中。
星期六
官方承認目前平均每三十秒中國就出生一名有缺陷的嬰兒。無論城市還是鄉村，缺陷嬰兒的數字都持續增長。盛產煤礦的山西省是全國出生缺陷率最高的省份，官員歸咎其蓬勃的化工業。在中國有個「不完美」或殘缺的孩子，家人不但承受極大壓力，且難以啟齒。因家長少有支援，生活中也缺乏為特殊兒童設計的配套與設施。我們為殘疾兒童及其家長禱告，願主把信徒帶到他們的身邊，與他們分享主耶穌的愛，也記念關注殘障人士的教會，願主祝福他們的事工。
星期日
在都市中，大學生能聚會的地點本來就不多，再加上人數一多，就容易受到公安關注，因此牧養的工作很不容易。許多信主的青年一方面要維持自己的靈命，一方面要關懷其他屬靈同伴的成長，在沒有正規的傳道人牧養下，很難順利「生存」。許多年輕同工不斷的邀約與吶喊：「請來牧養我們！教導我們！」這是「新馬其頓呼聲」。的確，莊稼已經熟透了，我們要切求莊稼的主打發工人出去收祂的莊稼。
星期一
大都市如深圳、上海、北京、天津、威海、旅順等地區的年輕信徒，所獲得的屬靈餵養往往比其他偏遠小城的信徒更豐富。一般而言，這些大城巿都聚集了較多的牧者，在屬靈供應上自然更充足。我們為大都巿的信徒有良好的牧養及屬靈榜樣感恩，也為其他城市中，沒有相同機會的年輕信徒呼求主，求祂興起合神心意的領袖成為當地信徒們的「好牧人」榜樣，以致靈命也能成長茁壯。