Prayer Request 3/15 - 3/21

Tuesday
While Japan suffers from its worst earthquake in centuries, China is also dealing with the aftermath of its own deadly earthquake in Yunnan. China and Japan are closely linked economically but their ties are often strained with lingering bitterness over Japan's brutal occupation of China during World War II. However, the Chinese have expressed admiration for the orderly manner in which Japan has seemed to handle this disaster.We pray that this would be an opportunity for Chinese believers to reflect on how the love of Christ compels us to forgive, especially since Japan is the biggest mission field nearby.
Wednesday
With the booming economy in China coupled with the emerging middle class that is willing to buy expensive products, it is expected China will become the world's largest market for luxury goods by 2020. The sheer number of Chinese consumers which includes a swelling number of millionaires will account for the consumption of 44% of global luxury goods. In the churches in China it is no longer a big deal to own name brand clothing and accessories. We know it is not what we own or wear that defines a person so we want to pray that all believers will have a sound Biblically-based value system and realize the danger of materialism.
Thursday
The consumers of luxury goods in China love to show off their wealth and achievement by not only buying for themselves but also buying for their friends and families. More than half of the consumers surveyed said they have been or are planning to buy luxury goods. Currently 875,000 Chinese are said to have a net worth of a million US dollars. Chinese are generally modest people, not usually wanting to flaunt their wealth, except when they become "rich". However, the young people today are very different. They feel they must have the "hottest" and "coolest" stuff. We pray for young Chinese Christians that the Lord will show them what it really means to be content, not greedy and also not to envy.
Friday
With the one-child policy in place in China, there is one younger couple to take care of four elderly parents. The cost of caring for seniors has also skyrocketed as rural communities become more urbanized. Chinese know that if they do not save enough money themselves there might not be anyone to take care of them when they get old. We as Christians should honor our parents and take care of them when they get old. Let us pray that young believers will not only care for their elderly parents but that they will do it in gentleness and love so they can be a good witness for Jesus and be able to share the salvation of Jesus with them.
Saturday
One of the reasons Chinese people save more than they spend is the lack of financial services in the country. They are unable to obtain loans and those who go from villages to work in cities feel they must save to buy a house there so they will not be excluded from the basic services a city offers. We remember those believers who work in cities. They all try to save enough money to send home. May the Lord give them strength, faith in God, and the desire to continue to walk closely with Him. So often, they manage to save some money but pay a huge price in a faltering marriage and their relationshp with their child.
Sunday
With the rise of urban churches and more highly-educated believers, the churches in China must naturally respond to social and cultural events by declaring their position. This is good because many churches act as if they are totally disconnected with current events and it shows their concern. Young Chinese believers are ready to accept whatever is in vogue and have very different opinions from those of the older generation. May the Lord give these churches discerning, convincing, and wise leaders whose Biblical views will provide guidance and direction for the many younger believers.
Monday
Religious tours have become very trendy and popular in China. The faithful join tours of major temples that include stays in the temples and other religious activities such as meditation and lectures on Buddhism or Taoism. This tourism has also become a major source of income for the temples.Religions, especially Buddhism and Taoism, are enjoying a resurgence in China and the local government openly promotes and welcomes tourism to religious sites. Believers often give up sharing with their Buddhist or Taoist neighbors. Let us pray that churche s will redouble their efforts in reaching out to the lost and not give up sharing Jesus with their neighbors.

星期二
當下日本正面對有記錄以來最嚴重的地震，世界各國也積極伸出援手，其中也包括正處理雲南震災的中國。一般人對日本人在災難之後極有秩序的反應和善後，都自嘆不如。中、日兩國近年有密切的經濟關係，但許多人仍然無法忘記二戰期間日軍帶來的傷痛。求主藉著這次機會，讓仍帶著傷痛的，因著基督的愛，能放下仇恨，也體會日本其實就是中國最大、也是最近的宣教工場。
星期三
隨著中國經濟日益繁榮，加上新興的中產階層在高端產品上大灑金錢，名牌名品之風盛行。預料到2020年，中國將成為世界上最大的奢侈品市場。中國消費者將占全球商品消費的44%，這些商品包括手提包、汽車、手表、鞋和衣服等。在中國教會裡，穿戴名牌服裝配件已經不是稀罕。我們知道一個人的價值不是因著所擁有的或是衣裝來決定。我們要為所有的信徒們禱告，求主給我們，一個健全，以聖經為基礎的價值體系，更是知道物質主義的危險。
星期四
中國消費者享受到炫耀財富和成就，他們不光為了自己的消費，也會買禮物予朋友和家人。有一半以上受訪的消費者表示曾經或正計劃購買奢侈品。目前有87.5萬中國人擁有百萬美元身價。中國人一般不太願意炫耀他們的財富，但是當今的富人不再是如此。年輕人的價值觀也是非常的不同，他們認為自己必須有最新款的，最酷的東西。讓我們為中國年輕基督徒來禱告，願神讓他們體會何謂真正的知足，不貪婪，也不羨慕別人。
星期五
計劃生育政策導致四個老人只有一對年輕夫婦照顧，也由於城市化和沉重的養老負擔，過去中國人養兒防老的「社會保障」模式已不無法運行，所以更需要儲蓄以供不時之需。 「人若不看顧親屬，就是背了真道，比不信的人還不好，不看顧自己家裏的人，更是如此。」(提前5:8)。我們為所有年輕信徒禱告，求主幫助他們不僅願意照顧年邁的父母，更是能流露主的溫柔和愛，在父母面前為主做美好的見證，從而分享主耶穌救贖的大好消息。
星期六
在中國為個人提供理財服務的市場還未發展純熟，「理財」的觀念仍停留在「存款」。城市對農民工的限制逼使他們存錢以應對金融風險。同時，那些幾乎享受不到社會福利的農民，也需存錢以應對不確定的收入。我們特別記念在城市打工的農村信徒，他們省吃儉用，将錢寄回家。求主供應他們屬靈上的需要，使他們的靈命茁壯。這些信徒為了家計付上極大的代價，夫妻關係，親子關係難免有影響，求主額外施恩憐憫。
星期日
由著中國城市教會興起，信徒的教育水平增高，教會對現今社會所發生的事情，自然的需要做出回應或批判，等等。這些都是好的，也是無可避免的。許多中國教會根本就採取迴避，不回應的態度。年輕一代的中國信徒能接受時尚流行，他們的看法和老一代信徒也常會格格不入。願上帝給中國教會智慧，興起堅守聖經教導，能給服年輕一代提供指導和方向的領導者。
星期一
帶有宗教性質的旅遊在中國已變得非常時髦與流行。善男信女們紛紛參加旅行團到寺廟觀光，除了觀光之外還住在寺廟，參與宗教活動如冥想和演講等。旅遊現已成為中國寺廟的主要收入來源之一。傳統宗教特別是佛道兩教正在捲土重來，政府也公開支持並投資佛教和道教廟宇成為觀光點來賺取門票。基督徒們往往放棄向他們信奉佛道兩教的鄰居們傳福音。讓我們禱告求主幫助教會加倍努力，廣傳福音，更不要放棄向那些信奉佛教或道教的鄰居們分享主耶穌。