Prayer Request 11/5 - 11/12

Tuesday
In China, culture and the arts develop under the watchful eye of the government and anything too hip or interesting gets shut down. In Korea, by contrast, artists and entertainers thrive in a space that is highly commercialized but also quite free of interference by the state. Churches in China emphasize tradition and conformity. Let us pray they will stay culturally relevant and not disconnected from society. We pray that many churches will make it their priority to reach out to young people.
Wednesday
Korean culture has deeply influenced all of Asia, especially the young people. The popularity of Korean drama has also led to the favor of their movies, music, and food. In contrast the only part of Chinese culture which has been exported is the Kung Fu movies. Churches in China boast of millions of believers. We pray they will soon have a great impact for God's kingdom in the world but first they must become a shining testimony for the Lord in China.
Thursday
The "Korean Wave" profoundly affects both the entertainment and education industries in China. The Korean fever started when the Hunan Satellite TV Company ran the soap opera "Dai Jang Geum". Korean movies are also very popular in China. The contribution and influence of Korean Christians to the church in China is also deep and wide. We praise God for all the seminaries, and training centers supported and operated by missionaries from Korea. We thank the Lord, too, for Korean praise music which is especially popular among young Christians in China.
Friday
When the Korean fever swept through China, many actors and directors openly criticized the trend and called for the government to resist this invasion of Korean culture. The majority of leaders in the Chinese churches are either ignorant of or antagonistic to popular culture which makes it difficult for the churches to engage and attract young people. We pray that churches will be more open and accepting of present-day life so sinners can feel loved by the Body of Christ.
Saturday
South Korea, a country with the twice of the population of Shanghai, somehow knows how to capture all of Asia and reap a huge profit in the process. K-pop concerts in both Hong Kong and mainland China are very lucrative and Korean artists are well positioned to sell their wares in the largest music market--China. Korean influences are evident in churches in China, especially in the cities and among college students. There are close to eight thousand Korean missionaries in China. We pray for their ministries that the Lord will give them much good fruit and a large harvest.
Sunday
In its early years, the Korean Wave didn't seem to be so imperialistic as American culture but more recently there has been a backlash from a loud minority of the people. This year China passed a law limiting the amount of foreign programming that can be shown on TV. Historically, Chinese youth have not seen churches as friendly or welcoming. In the majority of churches it is hard to find any young people. We pray that more churches will put forth the effort to attract young people. We also ask the Lord to change the biased attitude many church leaders have toward young people.
Monday
The Korean Wave, far from seeming to be a benign export from a non-threatening country, is now commonly described as an "invasion" as though it were a sort of mental Asian carp that is clogging the minds of young Asians. Many Chinese youth adore and imitate the looks and fashions of K-pop artists. Young Chinese Christians badly need mentors who provide role models of faith. We pray there will be many more mature believers who see this unmet need and step up to inspire young people live a faithful life for Jesus and serve Him.


星期二
文化和藝術的發展，在中國都是被政府嚴謹注視著，任何過度或太先進的內涵都會被上級關閉。相較之下，韓國的藝術家與演藝人員有極大及商業化的空間，也不會受到過多的干預。中國教會一向強調傳統與一致性。我們需要為教會能保留與文化相關且不與社會脫離的原則來禱告，教會更是要能以接觸更多的年輕一代為優先。
星期三
韓國文化深深影響了全亞洲，尤其是年輕一代。韓劇普遍的受歡迎，也帶動了韓國電影，音樂和食品的廣受青睞。 相對之下，中國文化惟一在海外馳名的只是功夫電影。中國教會擁有數以千萬計的信徒。我們為信徒有一天在能神的國度有更多更大的貢獻代禱。在那日來到之前，但願神賜給眾信徒在中國社會中，有美好的見證來榮耀主名。
星期四
「韓流」不但影響娛樂界還影響中國教育界。在娛樂業方面，湖南衛視播放的韓劇《大長今》也曾風靡一時。韓國基督徒對中國教會的貢獻與影響是深而廣的。韓國的讚美音樂也在年輕信徒之間也廣受歡迎，我們為韓國基督徒的擺上感恩，也要為所支持與開拓的神學院、培訓點代禱，願神大大的使用。
星期五
由於「韓流」在中國盛行，有些演員、導演批評韓流使中國演藝界受到打擊，並建議政府以強硬手段擊退韓流。一般而言，教會領袖們對年輕人的流行文化，不是漠視就是反對，這樣的態度使得教會很難吸引年輕一代。我們求主幫助中國教會能更開放，也能正面地接受時代的潮流的挑戰，能與社會對話。
星期六
韓國人口還不到上海的兩倍，竟然能捉住全亞洲的心，也知道如何賺亞洲人的錢。K-POP演唱會，在香港和中國賣座場場爆滿，深深地佔有全世界最大的音樂市場 。在中國教會， 韓國的影響力也是處處可見，特別是在城市和大學生事工中。在中國大概有近8000位韓國宣教士，我們為他們的事工禱告，求主賜給他們有更多收穫，也結有美好的果子。
星期日
早期國人對韓流的感受是，它沒有美國文化那麼「帝國主義」，但是近來也有人對寒流有相當的反彈。今年初當局通過一項規定，限制電視播放外國節目的時間。從歷史上來看，中國年輕一代普遍地對教會感到十分陌生。許多教會中，年輕人寥寥無幾或幾乎不存在。我們為教會能更努力接觸年輕人來禱告，特別是求主改變許多教會領袖對年輕人的偏見與誤解，能為主道廣傳及教會的承傳竭力開拓這個年輕人族群。
星期一
韓流在過去似乎是一種良性的出口，許多中國年輕人風靡崇拜及模仿韓國藝人的的外觀與時尚。近來有不少人認為是韓國文化的侵略，霸占了年輕亞洲人的腦袋。年輕一代信徒迫切需要信仰的榜樣與屬靈的導師。求教會需要更多成熟的信徒站出來，幫助年輕人堅固信仰， 激勵年輕信徒忠心，活出耶穌基督的生命，效法在教會裡盡心事奉主及眾人的榜樣。