Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Prayer Request 9/20 - 9/26

Tuesday
China leads the world in the number of suicides committed each year. Suicide is the leading cause of death for teenagers and young adults there with more than two million attempting to kill themselves and almost 250,000 of them succeeding. Let us pray about this "unspeakable illness". Many believers, especially those in rural churches, know of someone who has committed suicide. May the Lord grant believers opportunities to help these depressed people who feel so hopeless and helpless with never a chance to hear what Jesus can do for them.

Wednesday
Suicide is the leading cause of death for teenagers and young adults (aged 15-34) in China. The study found that teenagers were put under pressure due to the burden their studies placed on them, troubled relationships they had formed, and the problems they faced in trying to find a job. Young adults, on the other hand, faced problems like pressure from work, financial burdens, and securing proper education for their children. We pray that there are older believers who will be able to give counsel and encouragement to the young people in the churches.

Thursday
Some urban Chinese pastors have declared that "we should no longer allow our children to receive atheist education in school five days a week and get only Sunday to God's truth!". The call for churches to provide alternative Christian education is ever more urgent and several urban churches have started up their own church-based schools. Let us pray for those churches who have opened kindergarten classes, even up to junior high school level. They hope to get assistance from oversea churches or organizations so they can provide a curriculum continuing on to high school level. Without a high school curriculum, parents are reluctant to enroll in atheist schools. All these schools and their supporting churches need our prayers and support.

Friday
Currently, tuition at Peking and Tsinghua Universities is among the lowest nationwide because China invests more in them and keeps tuition low. Private universities, however, have no access to state investments, subsides, or donations and must rely solely on tuition fees. Thus, these schools can be very expensive to attend. Parents in the villages hope their children can find good jobs and not have to continue doing the hard work of farming. We remember all the parents in the rural churches knowing God hears and answers our prayers for our children to love Him and stay true to our faith.

Saturday
While the relatively affluent urban children have more access to the nation's prestigious institutions with a minimal investment and a high return, poor children from rural areas are paying more to go to a general school with a lower return.Chinese parents are willing to do anything for their children. One way they save money for their tuition is to be very frugal. This is a major reason why the offerings in rural churches are so low. May the Lord grant believers in those churches more faith and trust in Him so they will be able to give financially to the ministry of the church, especially those who work in the cities but have left their children back in their homes in the villages.

Sunday
Every year tens of millions of Chinese women submit to the traditional practice of confinement during the month after childbirth. In Chinese this is called "sitting the month" as new mothers are pretty much expected to just sit around in pajamas for a month to recover from childbirth. The new mothers aren't allowed to bathe and they must eat bland food. New mothers in the churches need a lot of coaching and support from their families as well as from the sisters in their churches. We pray that a close bond will form as the older believers reach out to help the younger ones. We lift all the new Christian mothers up to God. May the Lord give them the conviction that their child is a gift and an inheritance from God.

Monday
New mothers are not allowed to eat raw fruit or vegetables, drink coffee, cold drinks or even cold water. Anything they drink must be tepid or hot. Such rules are aimed at restoring balance to the new mother's body after childbirth and also protecting the baby's digestive system. New mothers must quickly learn to care for their babies and adjust to the new schedule. Most of them return to work and hand the care of their babies over to the grandparents. We pray for Christian grandparents who are taking care of the new babies. May everything they do bless their grandchildren and instill in them a love for God.


星期二
中國是自殺率很高的國家,自殺是中國人第五大死因,每年約有25萬人死於自殺,還有200萬人自殺未遂的。家中有人自殺,造成的傷痛往往非言語能形容,也不易與人分訴。讓我們在禱告中記念這些哀傷的家庭。許多信徒也認識自殺者的家人,願主感動弟兄姊妹把握機會,幫助這些抑鬱、無奈和無助的鄰居或朋友,特別是那些尚未有機會認識主耶穌大能的人。

星期三
自殺是中國15至34歲的青壯年人群的首位死因。少年人的壓力來自升學、感情和就業。對青、成年人而言,有工作壓力、經濟負擔,及子女教育經費的重擔。 基督徒年輕人也難免要面對來自各方的壓力,求主施恩給教會年輕一代,讓年長、成熟的信徒能幫助輔導他們,在真理上、信心上建造、鼓勵他們信靠主,祂必帶領我們脫離未知前途的憂慮,且要得勝有餘。

星期四
中國有不少的傳道人分享說:「再也不能讓我們的孩子五天在學校接受無神論教育,只有一天回到教會接受真理了!」基督教教育的需要迫在眉睫,好多城市的家庭教會都開始自己辦學校,也盼望有海外的教會或機構幫助他們繼續辦高中。由於這些學生馬上要讀高中,而公立高中所學的課程未能銜接。我們為已開辦了從幼兒園,甚至到初中的基督教學校來禱告並繼續支持他們的需要。

星期五
中國的重點大學得到國家的贊助,因此學費相較來說比較低。北大、清華的學費標準在全國高校內是最低的,反而一些民辦高職、高專的學費高得嚇人,呈現嚴重的質量與學費倒掛現象。農村家長最大的盼望是孩子將來能找到一份好工作,也是他們一生辛勞的寄託。垂聽那些父母為子女能持守信仰,一生愛主的禱告。

星期六
相對家庭富裕的城市孩子,只需花較少的學費就能去讀著名學校,受良好的教育;而家庭貧寒的農村學子,支出了龐大的學費,卻只能上一般普通的學校。每位家長為了孩子都願意省吃儉用,或犧牲自己的益處。而這也正是農村教會奉獻缺乏,事工無法前進的主因之一。求主讓農村信徒更有信心,特別是那些在城裡打工將孩子留守家鄉的,幫助他們不但願意參與服事,也能樂意奉獻。

星期日
每年都有數千萬的新手媽媽,產後一個月自願宅在家中,足不出戶,遵守所謂傳統的「坐月子」。每天穿寛鬆的睡衣躺在床上,不能勞力,要讓身體恢復,同時不能淋浴,也不吃任何刺激性的食物。教會中的新媽媽們,極需過來人的指導與幫助。願教會中年長的姐妹能和新手媽媽建立友誼,成為她們的屬靈榜樣。也求主幫助新媽媽們,能堅信她們的孩子是神托付的產業,更是主所恩賜的禮物。

星期一
中國人做月子時盡量不能沾水,也忌吃稀飯、牛奶、果汁等,更不能吃生冷食物,因產後體質較差,生冷食物不易吸收,影響身體的恢復,且會透過母乳,直接影響嬰兒腸胃。新手媽媽必須盡快學會照顧嬰兒,適應新的生活形態。大多數母親做完月子後都會立即回到原工作崗位,並把嬰兒託給祖父母們照顧。我們為那些在照顧新生兒的基督徒祖父母祈求,求主幫助他們,因著虔誠愛主,都能成為兒孫們一生的祝福。

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Prayer Request 9/13 - 9/19

Tuesday
The rate of marriages in Asia is falling partly because people are postponing getting married. The mean age of marriage in the riches places (Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong) has risen sharply in the past few decades and has now reached 29-30 for women and 31-33 for men. Over one-fifth of Taiwanese women in their late 30's are single and most will never marry. Chinese churches still teach that getting married and having a family is a sign of God's blessing. Let us pray that churches will be more sensitive to the spiritual needs and struggles of singles, single parents, and divorcees.

Wednesday
So far the trend of marrying late has not affected China and India, the two Asian giants but once it hits, it is likely to be exacerbated because of the sex-selective abortion practiced there for a generation. By 2050 it is predicted there will be 60 million more men of marriageable age than women in China and India. On the whole, fewer babies mean fewer children in churches and Sunday schools. Even parents who are believers do not bring their children to church because there are few programs for the little ones. We pray that both parents and churches will see the great importance of ministering to the little ones no matter what the cost or the seemingly "low return".

Thursday
The burden that Asian women carry is particularly heavy. Japanese women typically work 40 hours a week in an office and then do on the average another 30 hours of housework. Japanese husbands on the average do only three hours of housework. Asian women who give up working outside the home to look after their children then find it hard when they are grown to return to work. Not surprisingly, Asian women have an unusually pessimistic view of marriage. We lift up all the sisters in churches who have a full-time job, still must do their housework, make sure their children are doing well academically, along with caring for elderly parents, and trying to find time to serve in the church. May the Lord give them extra strength, strong faith in Him, and joy in serving.

Friday
The Supreme People's Court in China issued a judicial explanation regarding disputes about real estate in the increasing number of divorces there. A house bought by parents and registered under their child's name remains the personal property of that child after marriage which means the other partner in the marriage will not become co-owner of the house. All Chinese parents want to help their children buy their first home. We pray that believers will be reminded by the Spirit that they should also help their children know God from a young age and that He will become the foundation of their whole life. We also pray that believing parents will set a good example for their children, especially in those families where only one of them is a Christian.

Saturday
Before the new ruling made by the Court, many jokingly said that it was the future mother-in-law who drove up the price of real estate in China. Hopefully now parents who have only a daughter will be more willing to buy a house in her name or choose to transfer ownership to her before marriage. We pray especially for believing parents who have daughters that there will be a good parent-child relationship so they can always continue to exert a godly influence on their lives and share Biblical values with them. There is always the pressure for daughters to get married quickly but we pray they will have faith that God will provide for them and reveal His will to them.

Sunday
If parents on both sides of a marriage buy a house and the marriage ends in divorce, the ownership of the house can then be split according to the contribution made by each side. Many people applauded the decision of the Court and said in was in line with China's "real situation and social conventions" so was helpful in settling disputes. Christian parents often cannot stop their children from marrying non-believers. Many parents feel "lucky" their child is marrying someone with a good job or the ability to make a down payment on an apartment. May the Lord give Christian parents wisdom in teaching their children the importance of marrying a Christian by living a godly life before them and praying without ceasing for the friends of their children.

Monday
When it comes to love and marriage in China, it is "No apartment, no marriage". With the new High Court's ruling about properties, hopefully young people can separate housing and marriage a bit and not marry to get a house. Also we hope that parents will change their attitude about how they give money to their only child in marriage. There are many reasons why Chinese believers generally give lower offerings to the Lord's work including saving for their child's education and buying him/her a house. We pray that Chinese believers and all of us will truly trust the Lord and have faith in Him that He will provide for our needs and those of our children.


星期二
近年亞洲的結婚率一直下降,原因是人們越來越晚婚。過去幾十年中,富裕的日本、台灣、韓國和香港,平均結婚年齡上升,女人是29-30歲,男人是31-33歲。年齡超過30歲的臺灣女性,至少五分之一是單身,且絕大多數一輩子維持單身。現今中國教會仍是傳講「結婚成家才是神的祝福」。我們禱告教會能更加體諒所有單身、單親和離婚的肢體們,也更關心他們屬靈的需求,關心他們的苦楚。

星期三
目前中國和印度,不像亞洲其他富裕國家,尚未有晚婚的趨勢。但此趨勢是必然的,因兩國都重男輕女,選擇性的墮胎,會使晚婚情況越來越明顯。因男多女少,據統計到2050年,兩國適婚齡男性將會比女性多出六千萬。晚生或不生孩子的風氣,影響教會及主日學孩子人數。信徒父母常因教會沒兒童節目不願帶孩子到教會。我們迫切禱告:教會和信徒家長都能重視第二代靈魂得救的無價寶貴,不誤認為是「高投資,低回報」。

星期四
亞洲婦女生活上的負擔極為沉重。日本婦女除了每週工作40小時外,平均還要做30小時的家務。而他們的丈夫,平均只做三小時的家事。亞洲的婦女一旦放棄工作照顧孩子,若干年後是很難再回到職場的。種種因素讓亞洲女性對婚姻持較負面的看法。中國教會中有無數的姐妹們有全職工作,還要料理家務,督導孩子學業及照顧年邁家人,百忙之中還參與教會服事。願主賜她們額外的力量、信心,在服事中多有喜樂。

星期五
因離婚官司急遽增加,中國最高人民法院頒布了界定房產歸屬權的法規:「婚後,一方父母出資為子女購買不動產,且產權登記在自己子女名下的,應認定為夫妻一方的個人財產。」為子女預備一棟房子似是中國家長不成文的責任。但教養子女從小認識神,奠定一生的靈性基礎,更應是基督徒父母的重責大任。我們為信徒家長有虔誠的榜樣及影響力禱告。求神特別憐憫、保守父母只有一方為基督徒的家庭。

星期六
有觀點戲稱是「丈母娘們」推高了中國的房價。因著新法律的通過,女方父母很可能願意拿出更多的資金為女兒置辦一所名下的房子,或在女兒結婚前就把房子過戶到女兒名下。我們特別為有女兒的信徒家庭來禱告,求主賜下美好的親子關係,父母對女兒一生有持續的影響力,分享聖經價值觀。女孩子難免有「趁早嫁人」壓力,我們為她們有堅定信心禱告,深信神必預備,也會對她們顯明神美好的旨意。

星期日
當子女離婚時,如果當初他們購買的房子由雙方父母出錢的,房子可以根據各自出資的比率來分割。許多人都認為符合「中國實際情況和社會公約」,並有助於解決夫妻爭端。當子女和非基督徒交往時,基督徒父母往往覺得無奈也無法阻止。不少信徒家長認為只要孩子的伴侶有好工作,買得起房子就很「幸運」了。求主賜我們智慧教導孩子,信仰一致才是家庭的福氣,同時父母也要活出敬虔的婚姻榜樣,不放棄為孩子異性交友來禱告。

星期一
新的司法解釋,盼能給予當今中國流行的「無房不嫁」的婚姻觀一個喘息的機會。從今起,男女不再為了房子而結婚。此外也希望父母們改變對於金錢如何使用在子女身上的觀念,不再將為兒女買房視為「必要供應」。中國信徒一般奉獻有限,為子女的教育存款、為孩子買棟房子即是藉口之一。我們禱告,中國信徒都能對神有充足的信心,相信神不但會為我們預備全備,更會為我們的子女預備豐盛。

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Prayer Request 9/6 - 9/12

Tuesday
The city of Shenzhen, measured by the size, structure, number of contributions, and sustainability of the charity was ranked by the central government of China as the "most charitable city". Shanghai, Beijing, Wuxi followed closely behind. Shenzhen is judged to be the most generous city in China with a per capita giving of 400 yuan. The majority of charitable giving in Shenzhen comes from big companies and wealthy businessmen. Chinese believers often feel it is the responsibility of the rich people to give. May the Lord open our eyes to see how richly He has blessed us and teach us to give thanks for all things.

Wednesday
In terms of charitable giving, 78 percent of the eastern cities in China rank above the national average while the cities in the West are generally below and those in Central China are very much below the national average. We praise the Lord for this since most churches that are involved in mission and financially assisting poor churches are usually found in the East. Those in the West tend to be smaller and weaker and need our prayers. We pray for revival fire, strengthening of weak believers, and unity of heart and mind for all the leaders.

Thursday
NGO's and charitable organizations are growing in China at the rate of 13.7 percent yearly. The number of Chinese volunteering is growing at 16% yearly. Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen lead in giving to charities and volunteering. The rest of the country has not really caught on. Churches in Beijing are well-known for their charitable activities and we praise the Lord for the positive impression they are creating for Christianity. May their labor continue to demonstrate God's compassion and love. We pray for their effort to be long-lasting and that each will make a great impact for the gospel in its neighborhood.

Friday
New mothers must guard against getting a chill since traditional Chinese doctors warn that it could lead to problems with the joints or other illnesses later on. "Sitting the month" or "Zuo Yuezi" is deeply imbedded in Chinese culture and goes back 2000 years. It is even mentioned in the old Book of Changes or I-ching. Ladies in the church will make a schedule to take cooked food to the new mothers. This is a wonderful ministry forming close bonds with the sisters and even gives them the privilege of sharing the gospel with the husbands of the new mothers. We remember all the sisters who are involved in visitation, caring for the younger women in their churches, and leading them in Bible studies.

Saturday
Chinese people are greatly concerned about balancing yin and yang in all things. If the yin and yang are balanced in your body you won't get sick. If they are out of balance, it is easy to get sick. New mothers are supposed to observe a strict diet to prevent imbalance in their changing bodies. Chinese believers always need to balance the traditional beliefs with Biblical truth. Unbelieving family members will often ridicule believers for their prayer for health rather than using the traditional yin and yang balance. Let us ask God for faith for all the believers, especially as they pray for healing of chronic illnesses and emotional health.

Sunday
Despite China's fast pace of modernization, the age-old practice of "sitting the month" is still flourishing among its young and lucrative postpartum centers are popping up in cities across China. Postpartum centers serve six meals daily and serve soup made with pig's feel and peanuts which is supposed to stimulate the mother's milk supply. Very few churches in China offer care for babies so their mothers can attend churches. Many mothers stay home for months to prevent their babies from being exposed to germs. Let us pray for all the new mothers. May they continue to grow spiritually and form a beautiful relationship with their children, praying for and committing them to God.

Monday
The China Disabled People's Federation runs nearly 1500 pre-school "hearing rehabilitation centers" established since the 1980's. Less than ten percent of the children who attend these schools are able to have an adequate enough grasp of spoken Chinese to enter public schools. The few who have enrolled in public schools are children with residual hearing or who were able to afford cochlear implants. Surprisingly there are more than thirty million deaf people in China. Most of them are uneducated and have a low income. They are often discriminated against and bullied. Let us ask God to comfort all of these despised, neglected people. May the Lord raise up more believers to reach out to them and help them by starting a ministry to the deaf.


星期二
深圳市被中央評為「首善城市」,在慈善事業的規模、結構、貢獻、可持續性,得分最高。上海、北京、無錫則緊隨在後。深圳每人平均慈善捐額400元,成為「最慷慨的城市」。當地的慈善捐贈,大部分來自大公司與富商們。中國信徒往往有個錯誤的觀念,認為「有錢的奉獻是應該,但我可不是那『有錢人』!」 求主開啟我們的眼睛,看見祂是如此豐富地祝福了我們,我們應常懷感恩的心將當納的獻上。

星期三
東部78%的城市慈善發展水平超過全國平均,西部城市則低於平均水平,而中部城市則最為落後。我們為弟兄姊妹參與宣教,支援外地弱小教會,大多數都是來自慈善發展水平較高的東部來讚美神。 中國西部的教會往往較為弱小,讓我們禱告那復興的靈再一次燃燒,堅定軟弱的信徒,也賜下合一的靈給眾教會的領袖、同工們。

星期四
中國當前慈善組織數量年增長率為13.7%,志願者數目年增長率將近16%;然而各城市慈善事業發展水平仍參差不齊。上海、北京、深圳為慈善活動較為頻繁的地區,其他城市則還有很大的進步空間。北京的教會在社區慈善活動中非常活躍,廣受社會好評。讓我們為基督徒樹立美好形象感謝神,願主記念、保守他們的辛勞,也求神繼續使用他們,將祂的公義和慈愛帶給世人。

星期五
中國人婦女產後坐月子的習慣已有兩千多年的歷史,易經當中就曾有此記載,坐月子又稱「月內」,是產後必須的「儀式性」行為。如禁忌吹風,以防筋骨鬆弛,引起風濕、關節酸痛等疾病。大多數教會的姐妹們會組織坐月子大隊,幫助年輕的新媽媽們。這項很美的服事,促進了姐妹們間的感情,更是向她們家人和丈夫分享福音的大好機會。願神記念姐妹們的愛心,也能帶領新媽媽一同研讀神的話語。

星期六
“中國人非常注重所謂的陰陽調和,若是身體陰陽是平衡的,就不易生病,反之就易得病。所以坐月子的婦女更是要嚴格遵守飲食原則,在身體變化中,千萬不能失了平衡。弟兄姊妹們也常為平衡傳統習俗與聖經的真理而為難。當信徒為他們自己的健康禱告時,多半會遭不信主的家人譏笑,認為他們不信傳統的陰陽平衡。求主加添所有信徒信心,尤其有慢性病或精神上疾病的,能大膽向 神求醫治。

星期日
儘管中國社會超速的現代化,但古老「坐月子」的傳統,還是被新一代的年輕人接受。各地坐月子中心如雨後春筍般成立,成為大有利潤的新興行業。坐月子中心每天提供產婦營養的六餐,豬蹄花生湯更是必備,以增加產婦母乳的供應。極少的中國教會有能力及條件,提供聚會時托嬰服務,讓媽媽們能專心敬拜。許多媽媽為避免嬰兒傳染得病,寧可待在家裡,不上教會。我們為新手媽媽從一開始就能成為好母親,為兒女一生守望禱告來代求。

星期一
中國殘疾人聯合會自從80年代在全國各地開辦了1500個學前「聽力康復中心」。但受過訓練的孩子不到10%有能力且順利進入公立學校。這些能夠進入一般體系的孩子都是還有殘餘聽力或能花錢接受人工耳蝸植入手術者。 中國聾人數目龐大,估計超過3000萬人,大多是沒有學歷、無收入、受歧視,甚至是受欺凌的一群。求主親自安慰這些受創的心靈,並興起更多的教會信徒去深入接觸、關照失聰的群體。