Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Prayer Request 4/26 – 5/2

Tuesday
The Vatican has put a Chinese Catholic scholar who lived nearly five centuries ago, on the path to beatification. Paul Xu Guangqi, who lived from 1562 to 1633, was a scientist, astronomer and mathematician; he was a disciple of Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci and converted to Christianity under the Ming Dynasty. We thank the Lord for all those who brought the Gospel to China in the past. We remember the blood of all who were martyred and those who are still being persecuted. We remember all faithful Chinese believers of Jesus, in the Three-Self or the house churches. May the Spirit of God accomplish His purpose among us.

Wednesday
Shanghai government is working hard to be the financial powerhouse like Hong Kong and London. In 2010, Shanghai overtook Singapore as the busiest containers-shipping port in the world. A recent collective dissatisfaction by angry truck drivers - they protested the high fuel price and fees - nearly paralyzed the busy port. Shanghai is the "seat" of Three-Self churches, but churches there suffer malaise in general. It is said, the more prosperous a city, the weaker the churches. For believers in big cities, there are so many things competing and distracting their commitment to God. We pray that our hearts will not grow cold or merely become lukewarm.

Thursday
In China it is considered a good deal for a female college student to spend $4,500 (30,000 yuan) for plastic surgery on her chin since she feels that having a smooth oval face will undoubtedly bring a good job and a nice boyfriend as well as a beautiful image to admire daily in the mirror. We pray especially for parents who are believers and have a daughter. May the Lord give them good parent-child relationships. For the father we pray for gentleness as well as being a model of godliness and showing affection in concrete ways, unlike traditonal Chinese fathers who are stern and distant.

Friday
The government in China has set some lofty goals for the residents of interior China to accomplish before 2015. These goals include: raising the life expectancy of the citizens from 73 (as of 2009) to 74.5 years, basic medical insurance coverage for outpatient visits, improving the standard of county hospitals, and an out-of-pocket medical cost of only thirty percent. Giving in the rural churches tends to be poorer than those in the city and people are afraid of high medical costs so they must keep money for that just in case. Again, we lift up all the believers in rural China and especially those who know they do not have savings to cover any major illness they might have.

Saturday
Before 2000 the people in China used to enjoy free medical care but now the majority of the citizens must pay more than half of their medical expenses. Back in 2001 people had to pay more than 60% of the cost themselves but in the past five years with the new insurance plans, people pay only about 40% of the cost themselves. We pray for peace and genuine security in God for believers, especially those who have chronic illnesses and know they will be a financial burden for their child once the illness worsens.

Sunday
The graying of the population is a huge problem for China. By 2010 there were 170 million people over sixty years of age--about 12.8% of the population. Aging along with the rural-to-urban shift presents a special challenge for the planners. Officials are now considering delaying the mandatory retirement age or making women as well as men retire late. The people of China seem to save money madly because they fear their savings will not last through their lifetime or will be wiped out if they become ill. There is little sense of financial security. Let us remember in prayer those believers who have just retired, for their adjustment at home as well as psychologically. May the Lord give them "holy ambition" to serve in the church a lot more.

Monday
The labor supply in China far exceeds the demand so the problem of unemployment remains severe. Every year 25 million new people enter the job market but there are only 12 million jobs available, leaving more than 10 million newly unemployed people yearly. There are many unemployed believers some of whom have given up looking for work because they are older (more than forty years old). We pray the Lord will answer their prayer, not merely providing them with an income to meet their need financially but also give them the dignity and self-respect everyone needs.

星期二
梵蒂岡教廷曾經在上海封聖明朝政治和科學家徐光啟。他曾作過禮部尚書,文淵閣大學士,是耶穌會傳教士利瑪竇的學生,向利瑪竇學習西方科學知識,並信奉了基督,是中西文化交流的先驅。我們為過去幾世紀將福音帶到中國的傳教士們感謝神,也記念他們犧牲殉道的鮮血,至今仍影響億萬心靈。也為正為主受逼迫的肢體禱告,不論屬家庭教會或三自的肢體,都求聖靈保守他們忍耐到底,以成就主的旨意。

星期三
政府正努力將上海建成能與香港和倫敦匹敵的國際金融中心。2010年上海港取代了新加坡,成為世界上最繁忙的集裝箱港。這繁忙的港口最近遇到卡車司機集體控訴,不滿油價及雜費暴漲,癱瘓港口運作。上海是三自教會的「首府」,但遠不如其他城市的教會興旺。通常城市越繁榮,弟兄姊妹分心的事就更多,教會就越冷清。求主憐憫我們,不在穩妥的事業、幸福的生活中,忘記主恩,失落起初的愛。

星期四
中國女大學生認為4500美元(約合人民幣3萬元)修整臉頰是非常合算的,一張鵝蛋臉能讓人擁有「一份好工作,一個好男友,還能讓自己更喜歡鏡子裡的我。」我們要為家中有閨女的信徒禱告。求主幫助他們建立美好的親子關係,讓孩子長大有健康的自我形象,讓父親們能以溫柔取代舊式不茍言笑、難以親近的嚴父形象,讓孩子在他們身上具體地看到神的慈愛與關懷。

星期五
五年的新醫療衛生計劃為內陸居民勾勒出一幅美好的圖畫。其目標是所至2015年底能提高平均壽命從2009年的73歲到74.5歲;基本醫療保險覆蓋所有門診病人;提高的有縣級醫院醫療水平;自付的療費降至30%以下。農村教會在財政上遠不及城市教會,原因之一是高昂的醫藥費使人生畏,都想盡量存錢以備不時之需。我們再次求主堅固農村教會與信徒,特別看顧保守那些得病,也沒有積蓄接受治療的信徒。

星期六
90年代實行的醫療改革,絕大多數居民無法在享用幾近免費的公費醫療,大多數居民支付的醫療費用都在一半以上。2001年,居民個人支付的醫療費用達60%,其餘部分由政府和新興的社會保險支付。過去5年,比例雖有所下降,但仍然在40%左右。求主讓信徒們從神得到真正的平安和保障。尤其慢性病患者,疾病的纏擾加上自知將成為孩子長期的經濟負擔,這雙重壓力求主親自撫慰。

星期日
人口老化是現今中國非常大的挑戰。到2010年底,中國60歲以上者已達近1.7億,占人口的12.8%;且老齡化又處在城鄉二元結構的背景下。官員認為延遲退休年齡或男女同齡退休應是解決問題的選項之一。許多中國人瘋狂儲蓄,一怕後半生不夠用,二怕有病沒錢醫,在經濟上沒有安全感。我們為剛退休的信徒在心理上及在家中角色調適得宜來禱告,願神給他們有「神聖的抱負和使命」,參與更多教會、社區的服事。

星期一
中國勞動力供大於求,就業形勢仍十分嚴峻。每年城鎮需要安排的勞動力在2500萬人左右,而實際能夠安排的勞動力在1200萬人左右,事實上大約還有近1000萬人的就業缺口。無職待業的信徒不計其數,一些年紀較大的(年過四十),早已放棄就業希望。求主特別眷顧他們的所需所求,除了供應他們經濟的需要外,更讓他們能夠擁有基本尊嚴和肯定自我的價值。

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Prayer Request 4/19 - 4/25

Tuesday
"Lazy women" is the latest buzz phrase for those Chinese ladies who know how to enjoy life by making the best use of appliances and technology. Actually they are not lazy but are smart and in contrast with traditional housewifes, they have fewer household chores. The vast majority of Christian ladies in China have jobs along with the responsibility of caring for elderly parents. Their most common complaint is, "I am so busy and I don't have time to rest." We know how precious and important godly mothers are so we remember their labor of love and pray the Lord will give them more faith and patience.
Wednesday
"Lazy women" are smart women who utilize the fastest and easiest way to do their household chores. They are able to enjoy being with family since they are not bogged down with housework. They know how to enjoy themselves and are truly able to live with leisure. Their secret is allowing themselves to be "lazy". The Chinese sisters must take care of their families first in order to have time to serve in the church. If their child is in school, it is nearly impossible for them to find time to do anything at church. We pray for God's strength for them along with support from their husbands and families. May the Lord bless them with spiritual growth and make them a great blessing to their families and churches.
Thursday
China has more than 300 million smokers which is nearly a third of the adult population and makes it the world's largest and most ideal market for cigarettes. Beijing recently issued a ban on indoor smoking in all public places to be effective on May first. This will certainly be a blow to the tobacco industry but few expect a real substantive change to happen. Nearly every Chinese believer has a family member or loved one who smokes and many of them have long ago given up any hope of quitting. Let us join them as they pray for divine strength to kick the habit. We pray for patience and a great witness as Christians share their love and concern with those who smoke.
Friday
China's big push to curb smoking is due to the terrible consequences it brings. Annually 1,200,000 Chinese die from smoking and it is estimated that by 2030 that number will rise to 3,500,000. Deaths related to smoking there outnumber the combined total of deaths from tuberculosis, traffic accidents, and suicides combined. It is diffucult to share God's love with those who have abused their bodies without showing a bit of condemnation. We pray for all believers as we share the gospel and reach out to those "sinners", not to judge their sins but learn to love them as Jesus always did.
Saturday
In China cigarettes and tobacco are relatively cheap. Last year there was a smoking ban at the Shanghai World Expo but it was totally ignored. Although the new law prohibits smoking in parks, hotels, theaters, museums, and restaurants, it still allows it in offices. The government still has not announced the fine or punishment for any violation. Many Christian parents are painfully aware that their child or the spouse of their child smokes. We join them in praying for God's deliverance from these harmful habits and that the Lord will open these hearts to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Sunday
In the next decade a paramount task for the churches in China is the building up of a theological education system. In the Three-self church, whether it is the Jinling Theological Seminary (the leading theological institution in China) or seminaries at municipal or provincial level, there is a severe shortage of qualified teachers who are both strongly spiritual and well-educated. The same is true in the house churches. We pray for everyone who is involved in theological training in China. May the Lord give them the powerful conviction that they are preparing workers for all of the churches in China, not turf building for denominations. We pray that their teaching and personal lives will inspire their students to serve. May the Lord give them an eternal reward for their diligent labor.
Monday
In recent years, churches in China have sent some young people to Muslim countries to study the Arabic language to prepare them to serve among the Muslim people. They are generally young and very few have a college education so they struggle with learning this difficult language. Many of them fail to adapt but they are the first batch of Chinese missionaries to the Muslim world. We pray for the salvation of Muslims in China. This is perhaps one of the most neglected groups there. To maintain ethnic harmony, Beijing enforces strictly and strongly discourages the conversion of Chinese Muslims. We pray too, that God will remove the superiority complex so many Han Chinese have when it comes to the Muslim minorities.


星期二
「懶女人黨」是指善於利用有利條件擺脫家務,會享受生活的女人。懶女人並不是真正的懶,只是相對傳統「動手型」賢妻良母而言,她們是更多地依賴家用電器和廚房用具而已。絕太多數的姐妹們要工作,有的還要照顧年長的親人。時間都不夠用了,哪有時間休息!」是普遍的反應。敬虔的母親在家中是多麼的寶貴、重要,讓我們記念她們的辛勞。求主賜給她們有更多信心、耐心合愛心。
星期三
「懶女人」其實是聰明的女人,懂得用最快、最省力的方法解決家務勞動。她們盡量擺脫清理家事的勞累,既讓家人享受到家庭的溫馨,又可讓自己擁有更多的空閒,她們的秘訣就是:讓自己「懶」一點。姐妹們通常要先把家庭安頓好,才能投入教會的事奉。若孩子還在學習階段,的確很難全力投入服事,求主加添她們力量,不但能得著丈夫、家人的支持與讚美,靈命也能增長更新,成為更多的人祝福。
星期四
中國的煙民超過3億人,將近1/3的成人人口,是全世界最大的香煙市場。北京最近頒發的室內公共場所禁止吸煙規定,將從5月1日起實施,對煙草工業打擊很大。然而煙民眾多,新規定不易很快奏效。幾乎每個中國信徒都會有抽煙的家人,許多更是老早就放棄勸戒的努力。讓我們與為家人戒煙向神求恩的信徒們同心禱告,求主加添更大的耐心和信心,讓抽煙者看到信徒身上從神而來源源不絕的愛與關懷。
星期五
中國因大眾深受主動吸煙和被動吸煙之害,政府決心加強管制吸煙,全國每年有120萬人死於香煙引發的疾病。據估計,到2030年死於煙害的人數會上升到每年350萬人,死亡率將超過肺結核、交通事故和自殺死亡的總和。要向經常戕害自己身體毫無悔意的人分享神的愛不容易。我們禱告基督徒傳赦罪悔改的福音時,能學習主耶穌去愛那些受罪轄制綑綁的「罪人」。
星期六
香煙和煙草在中國相當便宜。去年,上海世博會的禁止抽煙的規定,實際上沒人理會。中國人仍舊在餐館、賓館和會議廳吸煙。新的法律禁止在公園、賓館、劇場、博物館和餐館禁止吸煙,但是,辦公室卻不禁。至於違反禁止吸煙規定者受何處罰,當局迄今也還沒有說明。許多基督徒父母為子女或其配偶抽煙而痛心。讓我們同心求神幫助人們脫離惡習,更打開他們頑固的心靈,能早日接受耶穌基督為救主。
星期日
未來十年是中國教會神學教育建設的重要階段。在三自教會中,無論是金陵神學院(三自最高學府),或其他省市級神學院,及家庭教會、城市和農村教會,最急需的就是一群有知識又有生命的優秀師資。我們為所有參與中國神學訓練的人禱告,求主賜他們清楚的異象,為中國教會預備神的工人,而不是為宗派立定地盤;所教導的不止願意服侍、更重視生命的傳承,求主記念他們的辛勞,都得著永恆的冠冕。
星期一
近幾年,中國教會送出一些年輕人到回教國家學習語言,預備在阿拉伯地區服事。他們大多來自基層,極少受過高校教育,有不少人無法適應。但他們是神自己選召的人,是近代中國在穆斯林地區第一批宣教者。讓我們特別為伊斯蘭教徒的救恩代禱。這是中國福音事工中最不易也常被忽視的群體,政府為了民族的和諧,更是強烈反對向回民傳福音。也求主挪去漢人常有的優越感,這分享福音的大障礙。

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Prayer Request 4/12 - 4/18

Tuesday
Beijing asked local governments not to abuse the Reform of Rural Land Use by forcibly occupy the farm land, by demolishing homes of farmers against their will. Government said measures must be taken to correct the wrongs done to many farmers whose land were taken away in the name of development and less-than-fair compensation. Without land, a farmer has no livelihood. Rural Chinese church workers usually must supplement their income by growing crops on their own plot. Let us remember all those shepherds who are also farmers. May the Lord give them strength, wisdom in discerning and preaching God's Word. We pray that they will have good harvest, both in their own cultivation and in the spiritual seed they planted.
Wednesday
Many local governments have engaged in the land grab by putting excessive land for urban and property development. This had led to forced eviction of farmers and much grievances. Local governments then sell these land to developers and encourage much speculation and fraud. Government again stresses the aim of the Land Reform should be increasing grain output and improving the livelihood of farmers. As people lose their land or forced to seek work in the cities, their departure further accelerates the decline of rural churches. It is disappointing to see the numbers of worshipers dwindle. Again, we lift up all those who serve among the rural churches, we pray for sense of importance, vigor and yes, joyful spirit as they serve the Lord faithfully.
Thursday
Although the minimum wage in Beijing was raised from 960 yuan per month to 1,160 yuan monthly. But in the latest survey, it was found 47% of the migrant workers in the city are making less than 2,000 yuan a month. These workers tend to have little education, 52% with junior high school or lower. 75.4% of them are without any skill, 3% of them have driver's license, 1.5% have electrical work permit. A Beijing house church has received much attention because they could not secure lease of meeting place and must again worship outdoor. Any church work receives close scrutiny from the officials in the Capital. We lift up all the Christians in Beijing, the intellectuals, the student ministries and those who quietly serving the lowly migrant workers.
Friday
Among the low-wage migrant workers in Beijing area, 43% of them work 8 to 10 hours daily, 60% of them are working without a labor contract. They are often owed or received no pay by their employers. For these people, 45.7% of them spend their free time watching TV, 12.6% of them occasionally go watch a movie in the theater. Many of the migrant workers have actually attended churches back home, but they do not feel welcomed in the open churches in the cities, or are not able to find a house church to join. Let us pray for those rural Christians who are now working in the cities and stopped attending church, may the Lord have mercy and protect their faith in Him.
Saturday
We might ask the question, "Are people who live in China's big cities happier than those who live elsewhere?" Metropolises like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou have terrible traffic congestion, pollution, and a high cost for housing. Some have gouped these modern urban problems together and labeled them "urban disease". A big problem facing China's city churches is that believers complain they are so busy. We want to pray earnestly for revival in the urban church in China. May the Lord stir up their love for Him and give them a desire to make God's way their priority.
Sunday
The high-speed railway between Beijing and Shanghai was originally slated to be completed in 2012 but it is now expected to be in service later this year. Once in operation it will take only four hours to travel 1318 kilometers, starting in Beijing's South Station and going to Shanghai's Hongqiao Station. They are expecting that 160,000,000 passengers will travel annually on this line. We look forward to the "shortening" of distances between all major cities which will definitely bring the churches in differnt parts of China closer together. We pray that regional churches will no long have any excuse to broaden their ministry from city to city and will also be willing to help needy churches that once were "very far away".
Monday
In an effort to increase sports exchanges and improve relationship, the Cross-Straits Softball Cup was launched in 2010. The match is alternatively hosted by the mainland and Taiwan. Taiwan excels in softball and plays at a world-class level while China has been catching up. This year, both Taiwan teams lost badly to the China teams. Across the Taiwan Strait, everything can quickly turn competitive and divisive. Many Taiwan churches are questioning whether they need to support China churches, given the improvement of China's economy and strong currency. We pray that there will be unity of believers on both sides, sharing with each other the Lord's blessings and blessing each other graciously.


星期二
中央指示地方政府不可濫用農村「土地使用改革」名義,強行佔用耕地,違反農民意願拆遷房屋。政府也表示,必須採取措施來糾正過去不少錯誤,包括以發展爲名不合法侵佔土地,和不公平補償。許多中國農村教會的同工,僅靠耕種來維持生計。讓我們記念牧會的農夫傳道人,願神加添他們力量與智慧來傳講神的話語。也要禱告他們不單莊稼有好收成,所栽培的屬靈田園也結實豐碩。
星期三
許多地方政府盲目從事土地改革,濫用專權擅自更改農耕地為城市用地或發展用途,強行驅逐農家,引起不少民怨。接著將土地轉售給開發商,從中炒賣取利。中央政府再次強調土改目的應是增產糧食改善農民生活。農民失去土地,為生存到城市打工,也加速農村教會衰落,聚會人數迅速減少,情況堪憂。我們再次為農村教會禱告,求主添加同工身心靈的力量去事奉尊貴的主,再次得著屬天的喜樂。
星期四
今年北京最低工資標準從每月960元上調到1,160元人民幣。最新調查發現47%打工者月入不足兩千元。初中或以下學歷者佔52%。75.4%的人沒有甚麼職業技能,頂多有駕駛證佔3%,或電工證佔1.5%。最近北京一家庭教會因失去聚會場所,迫不得已再次在戶外崇拜。首都教會的事工常受當局特別的關注。我們為北京的信徒禱告,特別是知識分子,學生事工,還有默默服事農民工的弟兄姊妹。
星期五
在北京市區的低工資民工,43%每天工作8至10小時。60%沒有勞動合同,所以欠薪是一大問題。45.7%的民工餘時看電視,12.6%偶爾會看一場電影。不少農民工在家鄉時都會上教會,但在城市的公開教會,他們會覺得格格不入;要找家庭教會參加崇拜也不是易事。我們特別為那些在城裡打工但沒有上教會聚會的農村信徒禱告,求主憐憫並保守他們的信心,供應他們一切的需要。
星期六
「生活在大城市還有多少幸福感?」已經成了北京、上海, 廣州等大城市的熱門話題,大都會生活中的種種不便造成了城市居民欲罷不能的心結。都市信徒似乎有太多的理由無法參與教會的各樣聚會。「忙」是最常見的藉口 。我們為城市教會的復興禱告,求主興旺信徒愛主的心,在時間金錢等資源的分配上及一切決策、行事,都能讓主居首位,遵主的教導為最優先準則。
星期日
原計劃於2012年建成的京滬高鐵,工期將大大縮短,目前全線將於2011年通車。全長1,318公里的京滬高速鐵路,從北京南站出發、終止於上海虹橋站。全程預計運行時間4小時,年客運輸送將達到1.6億人次。縮短各大城市間往返的時間意味著中國各地區的教會將能有更密切的連繋。我們祈盼屆時各地區的教會不僅致力於拓展自己教會的事工,亦願意向「遙遠無助」的教會伸出援手。
星期一
為了提高體育交流和兩岸關係,海峽盃壘球賽第一屆在2010年開始,輪流在兩岸舉行。原本棒壘球是強項的台灣已經不再佔優勢,中國的球技已明顯迎頭趕上。有鑑於中國經濟的日漸強大,有些台灣教會開始在有是否還需財務上支持中國教會的聲音。我們祈求神將合一的靈賜給兩岸的弟兄姊妹,能夠有更多得機會彼此認識、分享、支持與祝福。

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Prayer Request 4/5 - 4/11

Tuesday
It will take another generation to change the Chinese habits of saving and spending. In the old days, the government provided a lifetime job with a pension afterwrd. Now, however, the prospect of losing one's job is very real so everyone must save money on his or her own. It is a common attitude among Chinese to feel that they are not rich at all and this perception often stops believers from giving to God. Churches also often feel the same way so they do no do any ministry because they see themselves as poor. May the Lord help us to fix our eyes on Him, not just counting what we have in the bank or in church savings.
Wednesday
For the majority of the house churches in China, the concept of church administration is very foreign. The church is often run by one person and without accountability so there is a great need for training along these lines. We pray for those who are teaching classes along these lines and that the leaders in the churches will be able to realize that accountability in their churches promotes healthy church growth, raising up new leaders, and protecting the church from slanders.
Thursday
The most difficult part of student minstry in China is discipleship which includes training them to lead Bible studies and small groups along with evangelism. These are necessary but time-consuming and challenging areas of service. One real problem is the monitoring and interference of the police or officials which is a big concern on every campus. Many students have believed in Jesus but have not revealed their decision to their families because of the expected opposition. We pray for God's strength for all of those who are discipling college students and for His protection on these new seedlings of the faith. May there be people to nurture all those who have professed faith in Jesus.
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
In the past only old people in China lived alone. Now middle-aged parents find themselves with an empty nest. It is common that these parents suffer from depression, a sense of loss, and anxiety. Theoretically the middle-aged "empty nest syndrome" can last up to twenty-five years. We pray for all the believers who fall into this category. May they find more time to get involved in church work and help out where they can by serving effectively using their spiritual gifts.
Sunday
Part of the risk of leading college students in China is attracting the attention of police, especially when the group gets larger. Even students are forced to be informants for the police. There are many unique challenges in a ministry to college students and it is also time-consuming because it requires a great deal of discipleship. It is not easy to see concrete short-term results. It is nearly a universal problem that some college students are threatened and warned not to attend the Bible studies, or forced to become informants. We pray for God's mercy on those who are forced to be a "Judas". May the Lord give them another chance to experience His abundant grace.
Monday
There are many young intellectuals who have become Christians and some have even become pastors. The question is, "How do they support themselves?" Pastors in rural churches can often support themselves because they have at least a plot of land to grow food. But for those who serve God in the cities, it is a different story since the churches often do not collect enough to support a pastor.For the intellectuals who want to go into full-time ministry in China, there is no such thing as a "salary and benefit package". That means opposition from their parents and even no marriage prospects. We must pray for God's grace and faith for every young person who is deciding to answer God's call to serve in a church in China.


星期二
中國人存錢多、消費少的現象,可能需再過一代才會改變。昔日政府提供「鐵飯碗」,從搖籃到墳墓的公共服務體制早已打破。現時中國幾乎沒有社會安全網,大家盡可能預留錢以防失業及養老。中國人總覺不足,有此心態的信徒也不願甘心樂意奉獻。有些教會領袖也是先看經費才考慮神事工的需要。求主幫助我們「盡力賺,盡力省,也盡力奉獻」,不是只顧積攢屬世的物資,而要學習用信心仰望主的供應。
星期三
家庭教會對於「教會治理」方面還很陌生。良好的教會治理可以幫助教會健康成長,更能避免撒但的攪擾和貪婪的陷阱。我們為教會裏的領袖及教師禱告,求主賜下智慧,幫助他們在治理的理念和實務方面有扎實的根基,在神、在人面前都用清潔、無虧的良心,忠心管理好神的家,好叫教會有健全的成長,並培育出蒙神悅納的新同工,保守教會聖潔無瑕。
星期四
學生事工最大難題是牧養。如何訓練他們帶領查經、傳福音、領小組、探訪等等「實務」工作,都面臨「長期」與「實際」的「障礙」。在中國每所學校多少都面臨「官方的監督」制度的濫權,危害聚會自由。許多大學生信主不告知家人,恐引起反對,也怕會影響未來的工作機會。我們為栽培大學生的輔導、領袖們禱告:求主加添他們力量,也保守這些新生的嫩苗,能不斷有人來澆灌。
星期五
中國計劃生育政策導致四個老人只有一對年輕夫婦照顧。由於城市化和沉重的養老負擔,過去養兒防老的「社會保障」模式已瓦解,更需儲蓄以供不時之需。「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,更能流露主的溫柔和愛,為主做美好的見證,從而分享主耶穌救贖的恩典。
星期六
以往老年人才會面對“空巢”的情況,但現在許多中國中年人家庭,已陸續由“三口之家”變成“二人世界”。適應不良者會出現鬱悶、失落、焦慮等情緒,若得不到適當的輔導,這種“中年空巢”症狀有可能達25年之久。我們為進入空巢期的肢體帶禱,求主使用他們的擺上和教會的參與,讓他們運用神所賜的屬靈恩賜來服事教會,造就信徒。
星期日
當牧養的大學生人數一多,就容易會被「關注」。學生中也會有人被迫向警方報告。學生工作本來就需要長時間而有效率的訓練工作,很難在一時真收到具體、長遠的績效。的確有些學生受到類似壓力,而成為”做報告”者。幾乎每個牧養大學生的同工,都會遇到這種難題。我們為處理這樣的問題,同工們都有智慧,及憐憫的心。也為這些「身不由己」的「猶大」們,求 神憐憫他們,再給他們機會去真正經歷主的恩典。
星期一
許多年輕的知識份子成為基督徒、其中還有獻身當傳道人的,然而生活的出路是一大難題。農村傳道人或許還有種田、收麥與養殖等自給自足的機會,但都市知識份子的傳道人,常常需面臨斷糧斷炊的「麵包供應問題」。知識份子想要獻身全時間服事,不單要擔心「養活自己」,也要擔心是否能有相同負擔的同伴同行。有些還要面對未信主的父母親嚴厲反對。求主賜恩典信心給所有正在思考回應神呼召的年青人。