Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Prayer Request 12/28 - 1/3

Tuesday
The Academy of Social Sciences of China said in 2010 that the average price of an ordinary apartment in thirty-five cities has increased by 29.5%. This implies that an ordinary urban resident will have to spend his entire income for 8.76 years to buy a house and 85% of the households do not have the ability to buy a home. Let us pray for those believers, especially the younger families who are trying to buy their own homes. May the Lord add to their faith the trust that He will provide and care for all of their need.
Wednesday
Beijing, Shanghai, and other cities have a price/earning ratio of twenty or more which means it takes a person's entire salary for 20 years to buy an apartment.Shenzhen requires 15 years, Guanghzhou 13 years, and Nanjing 12. Although average incomes have increased, housing costs have jumped ahead of income. Rent increases when the price of housing goes up. Many urban churches that meet in residential apartments now must pay higher rent. We pray for their relationship with their landlords, their desire to own a meeting place of their own and above all, unity in their planning.
Thursday
The churches in rural China are being hit hard by secularism. Believers are ravaged by cults and there are even growing waves of serious corruption among church leaders. It is worrisome that the once-thriving rural churches of China are now the disaster zone of secularism. We need to redouble our efforts in prayer for rural churches in China and especially for the believers who are robbed of their shepherds or become disappointed by bad shepherds. May the Lord grant them mercy,return to the fold and a renewed faith in Him.
Friday
In the traditional Chinese home, the children will take over the family business and continue the family line. Experts warn parents not to call their only child every day but give them plenty of space when they leave home. Will the children from Christian homes continue to keep their faith after they leave home? We pray for the young men and women in China who grew up with believing parents. May the Holy Spirit continue to remind them of their sincere faith like Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5)
Saturday
When their only child turns eighteen and leaves home, the average Chinese parent is about 45-47 years old so there are fifteen more years before they become senior citizens. Experts advise them to make sure they have their own social circle and interests and do not depend on that of their child. Many Christians claim they will start serving God when their child is grown. We pray for all those who have made such prayers that the Lord will stir up in them a passion for His word, a love for His people, and the humility to serve Him.
Sunday
The economic disparity between urban and rural areas in China has caused many young and able farmers to go to the cities to find work. As believers move to the cities, the rural churches have suffered a huge drain in manpower and financial resources. We believe God can do miracles for the rural churches and we pray that believers and those shepherds who stay in the countryside will not be discouraged. May the Lord raise up many shepherds and mature believers to fill the gaps and even start new ministries.
Monday
What is a typical rural church in China like? For example, among churches boasting of hundreds of thousands of believers, there are no young people willing to serve because they all choose to work in the cities. There is great pressure for young people to find work in the cities because they know that the churches expect them work hard with little pay and no benefit packages. Few believers want to marry pastors either because they are poor. Let us pray for those who are making the decision to answer God's call. May the Lord give them faith to trust Him for every need.


星期二
中國社會科學院指出,2010年全國35個大中城市普通商品、平均房價漲了29.5%。意味著普通家庭把8.76年的收入加起來,不吃不喝方可買一套房。目前中國85%家庭沒有能力購買住宅。我們在禱告中特別記念年輕信徒家庭,尤其是那些想借錢購買自己房子的。求主加添他們信心依靠主,相信信實的神眷顧並供應一切所需。
星期三
北京、上海等大城市房價收入比已達20以上,即意味著人們要20多年不吃不喝加起來的工資才夠買一套房。在深圳要15年,廣州13年、南京12年。現平均工資雖有提升,但和房價增長速度相比仍相距甚遠。房租也跟著房價一起漲。許多城市教會是租用住宅,因此也得支付更高的租金。我們禱告教會能與房東有良好的關係,同時也記念想擁有自己聚會場所的教會,求主賜他們合一的靈。
星期四
家庭教會近年遭受世俗主義的衝擊,加上異端橫行及腐敗的現象日益惡化,導致發展嚴重萎縮。中國農村裡的家庭教會更是「重災區」,情況令人擔憂。我們需要加倍為農村教會禱告,特別為那些失去牧者的、或是經歷過壞牧者殘害的羊群禱告。求主施恩憐憫,使他們在信心上得著重建,再次歸回到主的懷抱。
星期五
在中國傳統觀念裡,子女就是傳承家族血脈和事業的唯一人選。然而,對於獨生子女「離巢」時,專家不建議中年父母每天以電話問候,也不要過度干預其生活。來自基督徒家庭的孩子,離家之後是否仍能持守信仰?我們特別為年輕一代禱告,願聖靈繼續提醒他們效法提摩太一樣,有無偽的信心與主同行。(提摩太後書1:5)。
星期六
獨生子女18歲離家時,進入空巢期的夫妻平均年齡在45至47歲之間,還有15年後才會邁進老年期。專家鼓勵家長在子女離家前,要先把自己的生活重心調整好,建立良好社交圈,開拓業餘愛好。許多基督徒都曾說過,待孩子長大後會擺上時間服事主。我們特別為曾許過這種願的肢體禱告,求神提醒他們奉獻的心志,珍惜光陰不再蹉跎,堅定為愛主的羊而奔跑,謙卑虛己來服事主。
星期日
中國自經濟起飛後,城鄉的貧富差距更加懸殊。大批中、青年層農民爲追求更好生活而湧入城市打拼。隨著打工潮,不少農民基督徒也流散到各大城市,農村教會受挫於人力和財務資源短缺而萎縮。我們深信神會在農村教會大行奇事,也禱告農村的牧者與同工,在艱難中不灰心、氣餒,做神良善又忠心的僕人。求主興起更多牧者和成熟的信徒來堵住屬靈的破口,甚至開拓更新的事工。
星期一
現今典型的中國農村教會光景如何?有些地區雖號稱有數十萬信徒,卻沒有年輕人願意委身服事,他們都選擇到城市打工賺錢去了。好些農村的年輕基督徒雖有心全職服事,但礙於牧者收入低微,甚至女孩子怕苦都不願嫁給牧師,因而放棄服侍神。讓我們特別紀念那些受主愛激勵,決定回應神呼召的年輕人,願神賜他們不動搖的信心,知道服事主是人生最上算的「投資」,主會負責供應一切所需。

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Prayer Request 12/21 - 12/27

Tuesday
Christmas dinners and "Silent Night" specials are offered by hotels and restaurants throughout China now. Because of inflation, the average cost of these lavish dinners is nearly 10% higher this year than it was last year. Christmas Day falls on a weekend this year so merchants and consumers alike expect a bonanza. Many churches plan to make their Christmas celebration a time of outreach. Many also have special musical programs and services. We give thanks for the greatest Gift of all the ages and pray that every Chinese church will gain new friends through their outreach efforts this year.
Wednesday
Officials in China have reiterated that police there will no longer treat any woman who is arrested for prostitution with discrimination, abuse, assault, parading them through the streets and exposing them to public humiliation. They will stop calling these women "whores" and will instead refer to them respectfully and call them "fallen women". The vast majority of Chinese Christians looks down on and would not bother to reach out to those they consider to be sinners. The problem is that our Savior came to this world to be a friend of sinners. We pray that all of us will be reminded that we live by the grace of God and need to learn to have the compassion of Jesus as we strive to be more like Him.
Thursday
The Chinese government has invested heavily in scientific research to garner a Nobel Prize. However,when a Chinese citizen was awarded the Peace Prize, officials said that was awarded to a "criminal" and they felt they have totally "lost face". Preserving "face" is very important in Chinese society. Admitting faults and being transparent are considered weaknesses rather than strengths. We pray that this will be a time of soul searching for all Chinese and that believers will have true peace and a love for other believers rather than pretending that nothing is going on.
Friday
Since the financial turmoil two years ago and while Western countries have been laying off talented people, China has been hiring people with talents in finance and technology and luring them to work there. Many Chinese people have returned home because they believe that they have better opportunities in China. We pray for those who are believers. May the Lord open doors for them, not only to find spiritual homes there but also to be able to serve Him in those churches.
Saturday
In spite of the effort China has put forth to recruit talented people in the world market, many highly-talented Chinese people are not "returning home". In fact, more than four hundred thousand Chinese people emigrate abroad each year. It is also difficult to attract top workers from foreign countries to live and work in China long term. There are many Chinese pastors who desire to return to China to serve in a church or teach but few of them are able to stay long term because of family and finances. We pray for those who enter China to do short-term teaching. May their labor be fruitful and long-lasting.
Sunday
As the first people in the "only child generation" grow up and leave home for college, work, or marriage, it is common to see 40-50 year-old couples left in an "empty nest" in the cities.Young believers are usually so busy with their child that they find little time to get involved in church. Middle-aged believers have the advantage of having more time and maturity. We pray that more of them will seek to grow spiritually and better equip themselves with the scripture to serve in the church.
Monday
In the Women's Prison in Shanxi nearly half of the prisoners are there because they were unable to bear the violence inflicted on them by their husbands so they themselves turned to crime. Many victims of domestic violence in China run away from home, commit suicide, or turn to violence on their spouses. Many of the women in the churches in China have husbands who abuse them physically, verbally, or even emotionally but the majority of the churches are unable to help or the sisters are ashamed to tell others about it. Let us pray for them that they will have strength to trust in God and that He will bring deliverance.


星期二
中國各地的酒店和餐廳,都設有聖誕晚宴、「平安夜」等特餐。今年特餐的價格因物價上漲,加幅達百分之十以上。平安夜,聖誕節剛好碰上週末,商家及消費者均熱切期待這個日子的來臨。許多教會都舉辦聖誕慶祝活動,更有特別的音樂節目。讓我們為神所賜為寶貴的禮物,祂的獨子耶穌基督,再次獻上感謝。求主大大使用今年的聖誕聚會,讓教會能藉此接觸更多新朋友,尋回更多靈魂。
星期三
公安部重申,公安人員不得以歧視,辱罵,毆打,遊街示眾,公開曝光等侮辱人格尊嚴方式羞辱賣淫女,且將「賣淫女」一詞改稱「失足婦女」。有太多的基督徒往往看不起,也不願意伸出援手接觸他們所謂的「罪人」。主耶穌卻稱自己是罪人的朋友,願意接納他們。求主提醒我們都是靠祂的恩典才能存活,讓我們竭力進入完全,像天父的完全一樣,更要學像主耶穌柔和謙卑的樣式,用更多主的愛心去關懷靈魂失喪的人群。
星期四
政府近年投入大量資源做科研,希望獲得諾貝爾獎。然而當有中國公民得到和平獎時,官方卻說是一個侮辱,落了中國政府的面子。在華人社會裡「面子」是一件很重要的事,揭露自己的底蘊,反省並承認自己的軟弱或錯誤,會被視為懦弱而非勇者。求主的靈光照、鑒察我們的心思,幫助中國同胞與肢體們,尋求內心真正的平安,與弟兄姊妹真誠相愛,而不是對罪污裝作若無其事,虛假的合一。
星期五
早在兩年前的金融風暴之始,歐美失業率超過10%時,中國就把這危機視為契機,獵取世界各地的金融與科技業頂尖人才,聘為己用。有些留學海外的中國人認為現今在國內會有更好的就業或創業的機會,成為「海歸」一族。我們特別為「海歸」中的基督徒禱告,求主為他們開路,預備合適的聚會地方,不僅找到屬靈的家,也能參與服事,活出榮耀的見證。
星期六
中國雖非常努力吸納海外人才,但許多海外的中國頂尖人才仍然「不想回家」;每年仍有超過四十萬中國人才移居海外。要吸引頂尖人才長駐中國,確實有相當難度。許多華人傳道盼望回到中國服事、培訓弟兄姊妹,但因著孩子的教育和經濟需要,長期留下來的可能性不大。 我們為在中國做短期培訓事工的同工禱告,願他們的辛勞不但碩果纍纍,更有長遠的果效。
星期日
隨著第一代獨生子女長大,離家求學、就業和結婚,越來越多四、五十歲的中年人家庭開始出現「空巢」的情況。年輕一代的信徒常為孩子的需要而忙碌,甚至幾乎沒有時間參與聚會,反而中年的信徒有更多時間和人生的成熟度,能成為教會事工的支柱。我們為中年的信徒禱告,求主親自吸引他們,在靈命上更有追求,對神的話語更認真裝備,預備好自己隨時等候神的差遣。
星期一
山西省五成以上的女性服刑人是因不堪家庭暴力而走上犯罪一途的。在找不到正當解脫途徑情況下,部分婦女採取了出走、自殺,甚至以暴制暴等消極反抗方式。中國教會裡也有許多姐妹正面對家暴,遭丈夫精神上、言語上、甚至身體上的虐待。她們往往羞於啟齒,縱或有願意分訴苦情,大多數教會亦愛莫能助。讓我們在禱告中切切記念這些姐妹,求神賜下力量,以祂永遠的膀臂扶持、抱擁她們;也為她們的境遇打開一條活路。

Monday, December 13, 2010

Prayer Request 12/14 - 12/20

Tuesday
The Shanghai World Expo, from May to October boasted a staggering seventy million visitors. November's Asian Games in Guangzhou had 6.5 million visitors, and there were 1.16 million registered volunteers, or one for every eight people in Guangzhou. It seems that China is now an international powerhouse and destination, attracting people around the world to see the new China of the twenty-first century. Will the Chinese government give up its high-pressured way of dealing with the churches in China? We beseech the Lord to give the atheistic officials a heart to favor the Christians in those churches. We pray, too, that believers will be firm in their faith knowing that God has called them to give a strong testimony to His great power.
Wednesday
Several former top Chinese soccer officials will stand trial on charges ranging from taking bribes for fixing the outcome of games to placing players on the national team. A player had to pay 100,000 yuan (US$14,800) to 300,000 yuan to be picked and to play on the national team, Many believers in China do not trust those concerning the way their offerings are spent so they hold back in giving to the church. We pray that there would be more transparency among churches. We also pray that believers will learn to be cheerful givers and " That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute" (1Ti 6:18)
Thursday
About 2.79 million villagers in northwest Shaanxi Province who have been suffering from frequent natural disasters and poverty are to be moved to new homes with better conditions next year. This relocation will be the largest in the history of the country since 2006 when the Three Gorges Dam project dislodged nearly 1.5 million people to make way for the world's biggest dam on the Yangtze River and is scheduled to be complete by 2020. Let us lift up the churches in Shaanxi. Many of them are impoverished and without shepherds. (Eze 34:6) We pray that the leaders of the churches will see this great opportunity to share Jesus with many who were unreached before. May the Lord revive the churches in the whole Shaanxi Province.
Friday
Many churches in China do not give their pastors any salary and in most of them it is not a lack of offerings but the tradition of asking the shepherd to live by faith. Therefore, many pastors in the house churches are only part-time workers who are unable to devote full attention to their ministry. A lack of full-time ministers hampers church growth. We must pray for a change in the fundamental attitude of believers since they wrongly believe that church workers should not be paid lest they lose their trust in God. They also believe that a poor worker in the church is a more spiritual person.
Saturday
An expert commented, "Is this revival of the church in China a thing of the past? Although house churches seem vibrant on the outside, there are many hidden crises inside and there are also some significant setbacks." It is true that economic prosperity, secularism, and decisions based on theological differences are the things that kill the house churches. But, God has done a miracle and He will continue to do great things for the churches there, We are committed to keep praying for believers in China.
Sunday
In China there is the phenomenon of the "one-voice church". One person built the church or the meeting is held in a person's home, therefore that person gets to make all the decisions for that group and no one else can give feedback or raise a dissenting voice. We do not doubt the love and faithfulness of many of the church leaders but their authoritarian leadership style stifles the vibrancy of the body of Christ. May the Holy Spirit convict all of us to see that others are better than we are and give us the joy of seeing others grow mature spiritually.
Monday
In the past, many of the churches in China grew rapidly but lacked a clear administrative policy. Traditionally the monthly finances or offerings are reported each week during the service but numbers of churches never tell anyone about their finances and many believers feel uneasy about where their offerings will end up, so they hold back in their giving. We pray that the churches in China will soon learn how to manage their finances and there will be more discussion about their financial accountability and stewardship.


星期二
今年五至十月舉辦的上海世界博覽會,估計觀光的人數高達七千萬。11月在廣州的亞運,也有65萬的遊客。亞運期間廣州有116萬註冊義工,或每八個廣州市民有一人為義工。中國似乎已準備好在各方面進入國際化,吸引各國人士一睹二十一世紀中國的新風采。政府是否放棄以高壓手段對付教會?求主賜教會在無神論的政府眼中蒙恩,並賜給信徒堅定的信心,回應神呼召他們見證主的大能。
星期三
在轟轟烈烈的中國足壇「打黑掃賭」風暴中落網的足協官員將被審,罪名包括一系列幕後交易,及收受一些國腳的賄賂。一名球員想進國家隊要「交」10萬元,想上場則需20萬元。許多信徒對教會處理奉獻缺乏信任,不太願意奉獻。求主幫助教會在財務上行事光明,不致絆跌弟兄姊妹;也求主親自教導信徒明白奉獻的意義,把神的物歸給神,且「在好事上富足,甘心施捨,樂意供給人。」(提前6:18)
星期四
陝西將啟動搬遷安置,目的是為讓農民徹底遠離地質災害。山區則開展扶貧移民搬遷。兩項工程分別涉及遷徙240萬和39.2萬的居民,其規模遠超長江三峽大壩工程的150萬移民。搬遷首項任務是搬遷住深山最危險地區的農民,預計2020年完成。我們特為陝西省的教會禱告,該省不但土地貧瘠,許多教會更無牧者,求神讓教會領袖把握良機,能將耶穌基督的福音分享給這數百萬農民。
星期五
許多中國家庭教會現今仍不會供應傳道人生活所需。不是因經費不足,而是以為傳道人必須生活清苦才屬靈,才能鍛煉信心。為此很多傳道人都帶職事奉,不能全身投入教會的牧養工作。求主糾正此錯誤觀念,使神的國度能因工人得供應而興旺。「作工得工價」原是理所當然的,但也有人放棄這權利,願神悅納。求主顯出更多的憐憫,使神的僕人養生充足,更專一事奉,顯明主的信實和豐富預備。
星期六
有研究中國教會的專家稱:「中國家庭教會的復興已不復往昔,雖然現在的家庭教會表面看來仍然興旺,但復興背後卻滿了隱憂,衰退跡象亦愈更明顯。」經濟繁榮、世俗主義正悄然潛入教會,而一些信徒為神學觀點爭論而分裂,都為神的教會帶來許多難處。神曾在中國施行許多奇妙作為,深信祂的手也必繼續為自己的名帶領教會,讓我們不斷求主幫助家庭教會勝過挑戰、健康成長、承擔大使命,活出榮耀的教會。
星期日
中國教會常常有「一言堂」現象。一些教會是由某人建立的,又或設立在某人家裏,那人就獨攬決定權,容不下不同的聲音和意見,所有事情都由其做主。我們不是懷疑教會領袖愛主和對主的忠誠,然而他們獨斷的領導風格,讓信徒看見教會在人的操控下運作,而不是伏在神的權柄下。願聖靈光照我們,賜下謙卑的靈,各人看別人比自己強,也因著新一代的信徒大有長進,蒙神的喜悅。
星期一
按著教會傳統,主日聚會中通常都會有一項程序是執事/長老向信徒報告上週或本月教會的財政收支狀況。然而,近年由於教會發展迅速,又沒有明確的財務管理規則,不少教會都不公開財務狀况。求主賜智慧幫助中國教會建立良好的制度及財務管理,做神的好管家,凡事光明,不給魔鬼留地步。又願主教導弟兄姐妹更多關心教會經費的運用,使神的家中有糧之餘,更能供應其他地方的需要。

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Prayer Request 12/7 - 12/13

Tuesday
Over the years, China's economy has depended mainly on cheap labor and the government has tolerated low wages for workers. So far, the government has mandated a "minimum hourly wage" in the coastal provinces and cities of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Fujian, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Shandong. The rest of the nation will follow. The church in China is rapidly shedding the image of being poor and dilapidated. We give thanks to God for this change. May the Lord bring revival to churches in these wealthy regions and stir the heart of believers there to trust in Him rather than in their wealth.
Wednesday
Doctors in China accept red packets (gifts/bribes) from patients. The city of Beijing has begun to crack down on such practices but ninety percent of the patients believe that in case of serious injury or if they need an operation, they need to give their doctors a monetary gift. Twenty years ago miraculous healing was very much a part of life in the churches in China. Many came to know Jesus because of the miracles. We continue to pray that God will revive believers who would seek His power and give Him all the glory.
Thursday
The main reason that people in China give monetary gifts to medical doctors is that they do not trust the medical system. When they enter the hospital, they feel it is necessary to bribe the doctors in order to be admitted and begin to receive tests. Chinese people want to "buy" favor or connection with their money. We pray for those believers who feel they do not have money or special connections. May the Lord give them confidence that they are important to Him and special in His church.
Friday
Patients give doctors money when they need surgery, have serious illness, or require major procedures. Over the years patients have come to feel they must give a money gift to the obstetricians so twenty-four percent of Chinese mothers have given red envelopes to doctors for the birth of their child. We remember those believers who will need surgery or to receive the diagnosis of an incurable illness. Their family will want to spend all they can afford to seek a cure for their loved one. We pray for all who might not be able to afford the care, that the Great Healer might comfort them.
Saturday
When patients go to a famous hospital or a well-known doctor, they typically will give more red envelopes than to lesser well-known places or physicians. Giving doctors a monetary gift gives the patient peace of mind and most people believe they actually receive better treatment because they have "bribed" the doctors. The greatest fear for many Chinese people is that they will not have enough money to pay for future illnesses. We pray for all believers that they will put their trust in God, give Him thanks for their present health, and most importantly desire to serve the Lord while they have good health.
Sunday
The cost of giving red envelopes to medical doctors has increased steadily over the past ten years. More than half of the patients said they give 1000-5000 yuan (US $150-$1000) or more. Many patients say they also try new and different ways to give money to doctors. We take this time to remember all the believers who have chronic illness and the expenses of medicine and follow-up which they face. We pray for continuing faith in God and trust in Him that He will not abandon them but keep them in His hands. The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. (Nah 1:7)
Monday
It is common in the churches in China not to tell their members anything about their finances. Although there usually are different people who handle the receiving of the money and the paying out of the expenses, there is often no real supervision or accountability on how the money is spent. We pray that the Holy Spirit will guard those who are in the position of overseeing the finances of the church and that all of the believers will have integrity and be faithful to the Lord. May the Lord protect each of us from pride, greed, and self-deceit.


星期二
多年以來,中國經濟發展高度依賴廉價勞力,政府容忍企業壓低勞工薪資。迄今為止已經先調整沿海各省市包括江蘇、浙江、廣東、福建、上海、天津、山東等地最低工資標準,其他省市也會陸續跟進。感謝神,中國教會的形象正在改變中,不再是貧窮和破舊。願主在這些富裕地區的教會帶來大復興,激勵信徒愛主的心志,更加信靠祂,而不是倚靠手中的財富。
星期三
中國醫生「收紅包」是十分普遍的事情。最近北京市定立新例:凡向患者索取紅包的醫生,都將在考核中定為不合格。然而,九成人覺得在家人患重病需要做手術時,該給醫生送紅包,心裡才踏實。二十年多年前,在中國教會的大復興時,神蹟與禱告治病扮演十分重要的角色,許多人因著這些奇蹟而認識耶穌。我們求神繼續興旺教會,幫助信徒更多渴慕主自己,並將祂當得的榮耀歸與祂。
星期四
中國百姓對醫療制度不大信任,進醫院時常感無奈,不知要等多久才開始檢查,或才能住院。中國人也習慣並樂意用錢來「買」點方便和關係,覺得只有送紅包、用錢買關係最有效可靠。許多信徒也為自己沒有任何人脈、或優惠而自卑。求主校正他們的目光,輕看世界得失,注目永恒。又賜他們信心,認定自己在神國中有尊貴、獨特的身份與地位,是神要使用的貴重器皿。
星期五
患者送紅包給醫生,主要因為患了重病,或需要較高醫療技術、或需要麻醉開刀等等。過去,產科也是送紅包重點地方,有調查顯示,中國有24%的產婦曾給醫生紅包。我們特別記念那些患了「不治之症」或需要做手術的信徒,尤其為那些沒有經濟能力、無法負擔照顧患者的家庭來禱告,求有醫治大能的神親自醫治安慰他們,賜下夠用的恩典。
星期六
若去設施較好醫院或想找聲望較高的醫生,病人一般送的「紅包」也較多。「紅包」送出手,除了讓人心安外,一般人也認為確實能因送紅包而得到不少實質的好處。也因此,患病卻沒有足夠金錢去治療是中國人最大的恐懼。求主賜給弟兄姊妹信心,先為神所賜的健康感恩,最重要是珍惜擁有健康身體,能常常服事主。
星期日
近年送醫生的「紅包」份量水漲船高,逾五成人表示會送一千至五千元的「紅包」,部份人更送五千元以上的巨額。不少患者說,不光是數額增加,「紅包」的花樣名目也越來越多。我們要特別為許許多多患有慢性疾病的信徒祈求,在醫療與藥物費用帶來極大的經濟壓力下,求上帝幫助他們確信:耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠祂的人。(鴻1:7)
星期一
不少中國的教會收的奉獻不但沒有公開,還缺乏監督。雖然教會設有會計、出納,開支需要教會負責人審批,但每次的審批許可權、金額、用途,都是審批的人說了就算。我們祈求聖靈保守所有負責監督教會財政的信徒的心懷意念,求主賜給我們每一個人有正直敬畏的忠心與行為。更願主保守我們不自傲,不貪財也不自欺。