Prayer Request 11/9 - 11/15

Tuesday
The latest statistics show that in China in the first six months of 2010 there where 848,000 couples that filed for divorce which amounts to five thousand divorces a day. This is the seventh year that the divorce rate has increased augmented by extramarital affairs, couples who lived in far apart, and a negative birth rate. Let us remember those believers who are having difficulties in their marriages, especially those who are unable or unwillng to seek help from other believers. We pray they will know that God loves them, that He knows the hardship they are going through, and that they will rely on His all-sufficient grace.
Wednesday
Prior to 2003 Chinese couples who were seeking divorce had to obtain the written permission of their boss or the leader of their neighborhood unit. Many chose to live in a "dead marriage" to protect their privancy or avoid criticism. Now the simplified marriage and divorce process allows people to marry and divorce as they wish. The vast majority of churches are unable to help couples with marital problems. We pray for mature Christian couples who are able to give advice to others on marriage and communication. There is a great need for such resources, professional counselors and training for church leaders among the China churches.
Thursday
One fourth of the divorces filed in Shangai involves couples who are residing in other cities. Many couples are separated because of work but many also find a great difference in their family and cultural backgrounds as well as their value systems. Let us remember those couples who are believers but live apart because of work. May the Lord protect their marriages, guard their hearts, keep them from temptation,and above all help them to continue to grow in faith and in love.
Friday
Generally speaking, the relationship between churches and the government has improved in China. When the police intervene they are usually polite and both sides tend to avoid confrontation. However, the police often seize ID's and follow that by a short detention and questioning. Usually the churches know the limits and minimize the chances of police intervention. We continue to pray for wisdom for all church leaders. May the Lord give them favor. We also remember those brothers and sisters who desire to exercise their beliefs and have issues with their local officials.
Saturday
Together the Yellow, Yangtze, and Pearl River form a delta which is made up of 160,000 square kiloments with a total of nearly 100 million people living on it. For more than three hundred years it has been known as the most densely populated and fertile district in China. It is true that away from this area Christian churches in China tend to be few and weak. The penetration of the gospel is also minimal. We pray that the Lord of harvest will raise up and send more workers from the local churches in China and that they will not merely rely on workers coming in from the outside or foreign workers.
Sunday
The Pearl and Yangtze River Delta is the richest region in China, the so-called global manufacturing center, but it is continuing to run out of land. In contrast the Yellow River Delta is growing in size yearly due to the large amount of sediment deposited there which creates new fertile land. However, water pollution is an alarmingly serious problem in all three areas. Just as we see the problem of development bringing the risk of pollution, so we see that along with material wealth comes the danger of spiritual pollution. We pray for renewed faith in God and strong preaching of God's word, especially among the affluent churches. Many present day Chinese believers would rather give money as an offering than giving their time and effort to the Lord's work.
Monday
In the past local officials provided cheap land and a lowered standard of pollution control to attract outside investments. Such an attitude once fueled rapid developoment in many cities. However, now there is a growing consensus by officials and citizens alike that a good environment in which to live is a very desirable goal. Many churches are debating the question of registering their churches in order to be able to have their own church building and expand their ministry. We pray for unity in the church body as they seek to work through all of the problems they face. May the Lord give each of us humility and kindness in seeking His will for our own local church body.

星期二
據最新統計顯示，2010首兩季離婚登記達84.8萬件。每天有近5000對中國夫妻申辦離婚，離婚人數已經持續7年增長。婚外情、異地婚姻、生育率負增長都是離婚的誘因之一。我們為有婚姻難處的信徒禱告，尤其那些求助無門或不想求助的肢體，求天父幫助他們體會到神的愛永遠與他們同在，祂不但有夠用的恩典，更會在我們人生最艱難的日子裡與我們同行，是我們的倚靠和避難所。
星期三
在2003年之前，辦理離婚需出示工作單位或居委會的書面證明，許多夫妻為保護隱私及避免被人指點，寧願維持名存實亡的「死婚姻」。現今中國結婚和離異手續已簡化，夫妻更輕易「好聚好散」!大多數的中國教會，現仍未能提供婚姻有難處家庭的專業幫助。求主記念此廹切且廣大的需要，興起成熟的基督徒夫婦，能幫助肢體學習良好婚姻與溝通的要點，教會領袖能在資源、專業輔導和訓練方面，有更多精良的裝備。
星期四
在上海的離婚個案中，異地婚姻佔四分之一。頻繁的社會流動造就更多異地婚姻，而家庭背景、文化和價值觀等方面的差異，往往成為幸福婚姻的障礙。我們要用禱告記念因為工作緣故而分居兩地的信徒夫妻，願主保守他們的婚姻，管理他們的心，引導他們脫離誘惑試探，更重要的是，幫助夫妻都能尊主為大，對彼此的信心和愛心在主裡不斷增長。
星期五
大體而言，近年政府對教會有明顯的放鬆，公安的態度大致良好，大家都盡量避免衝突，縱或有信徒被拘捕，也只是短時間收走證件和問話就放人。中國教會逐漸也知道當局的立場，儘量溝通增進彼此的瞭解。我們繼續為教會領袖祈求智慧，願主使他們在官員面前蒙恩。我們也記念弟兄姊妹在公安面前見證自己的信仰，幫助他們以真實的善行、美名把基督的愛有效地傳揚 。
星期六
黃河、長江和珠江三角洲合共面積約十六萬平方公里，人口接近一億。這裡不僅是中國人口最密集的地區，同時也是三百多年來，傳統的魚米之鄉和經濟最發達地區。誠然，距離這幾個地區越遠，教會也越稀少，福音的傳播也相對薄弱。求莊稼的主差派及興起更多當地的工人，幫助這些地區的中國教會能逐漸不依靠外援，剛强站立起來，，且能興起更多主的精兵，勇於承擔國度的使命。
星期日
珠三角和長三角是中國最富裕的地區和全球製造業中心，但它們的土地資源正日益消耗殆盡；相比之下，黃河每年大量泥沙在河口沉澱，形成新的肥沃土地。另外，水的污染在這三個區域也相當嚴重。正如地方發展會帶來污染問題一樣，物資豐裕，信徒靈命也倍受考驗。許多人寧奉獻金錢，而不是時間和服事。我們禱告教會能洞察世風污染，有力傳講神的話，也求神幫助富裕信徒更看重屬靈的帳户。
星期一
過去地方政府不顧一切地發展，以廉價土地和降低環保標準等手段吸引外來投資，盲目追求快速的增長。如今上至省級官員下至百姓都開始意識到，一個完好的生活環境才是最重要的財富。許多教會正討論是否要向官方辦理登記，以便能夠擁有教會會址和擴展事工。我們為信徒能合一尋求神的心意禱告，願主賜他們謙卑和仁愛的心，一同按神的旨意建造神的家。