Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Prayer Request 2/12 - 2/18


Tuesday
In China, especially during the Spring Festival, gift recycling is a booming business. Stores will buy back luxury cigarettes, liquor, and expensive herbal products at half of their face value. Recently, they have started to buy back brand new electronic gifts like the I phone. The giving of gifts can be a headache for Chinese during this holiday. We pray that believers will always include sharing the Best Present--Jesus Christ--when they give gifts to their unbelieving relatives, especially their parents.
Wednesday
People in China who receive expensive gifts will sell them to recyclers for cash, thus converting illicit gifts into money. Those who recycle gifts do not ask any questions so they complete a circle of under-the-table exchange of money as a favor. Many Christians also receive gifts from their customers or colleagues who give them with the intention of receiving a special favor in return. There is a great temptation to accept these gifts since everyone else does. We pray for courage and boldness for all believers to stand apart for Gift recycling is a lucrative business r Jesus.
Thursday
with a profit margin of 40-50%, especially in the residential areas where officials live. The person who recycles often reaps a surprise bonus because sometimes the giver will hide cash or a gold chain in the gift and the person who gets it doesn't open it. Giving a red packet is a Chinese tradition, especially among relatives. We pray that believers will not forget to give to the Lord and His work, especially during this time when people feel generous.
Friday
The southern segment of the new high-speed rail line from Guangzhou to Wuhan has been open for nearly three years and already suffers from heavy congestion that could limit the number of seats available for travel to Beijing during peak hours. We pray that more churches will send teams to help churches in other provinces and that as travel becomes easier the Lord will help churches in the bigger cities to be mission-minded so those in rural regions can experience revival.
Saturday
Even though there is a train leaving every four minutes each train which seats 800 people is often sold out to as many as ten trains ahead on Monday mornings and Friday afternoons. During the mid-week even trains that run during lunchtime are often full. We can only imagine how churches in China will benefit from the vast improvement in inter-city transportation but the reality is that churches in the same neighborhoods often do not fellowship with each other. We pray for unity in the body of Christ and a deep sense of belonging to His kingdom rather than a "my turf" or "your territory" mentality.
Sunday
Many urban residents in China are actually living good lives and many no longer have to worry about having three meals a day. They want to spend money to improve the quality of their lives and get whatever enjoyment money can buy. We pray the Lord will open the hearts of people so they will pursue spiritual as well as physical fulfillment. We ask the Lord to awaken the hearts of people so they will seek to know the true meaning of life and get to know the Creator of the universe.
Monday
As the Chinese New Year approaches the Central Government of China is again promoting anti-corruption and strictly prohibiting people from receiving gifts of either securities or cash. However, the practice of reciprocal lavish dinners and giving valuable gifts continues unabated. As people give gifts to curry favors during this time, we pray that Christians will consider giving thanks to their shepherds because they appreciate these men and women of God who labor and serve God's people.
星期二
每到歲末年終,禮品回收都會進入「旺季」。除了傳統的煙、酒、保健品外,高檔電子産品也成為回收店的新寵,地下交易量驚人,其中的利潤高達50%。逢年過節,送禮是一件挺頭疼的差事。我們為信徒在假期與親友(尤其是父母)相聚時,不僅送上物質的禮物,更能把主耶穌基督的救恩-這份最重要的禮物與家人分享。
星期三
禮品回收,實則就是收禮的人把禮品以低價賣給商家。業內通常不問賣主身份及禮品來源。在這個灰色市場裡,回收禮品成了一個「兩不管」的真空地帶,也是洗錢的管道。許多基督徒也會從他們的顧客或同事中收到禮品,饋贈這些禮物當然是別有用心,也想得著回報。信徒在敗壞的社會風氣之中,面臨著很大的誘惑。求主堅定弟兄姊妹的心志,賜他們敢為主耶穌站穩正直純全立場的勇氣。
星期四
回收的禮品利潤不菲,特別是在官員住宅的小區,甚至高達40%—50%。他們還可能有「意外收穫」,因為有人送禮,會將金錢、金項鏈等貴重物品夾帶在禮品裡。而收禮者習慣上是不當面拆封察看的。中國人傳統上在春節裡會互相餽送賀節。我們為信徒能常常記念神賜為給我們的恩典,也願意甘心樂意地為神的聖工有更多的奉獻來禱告。
星期五
京廣高鐵的南段,從廣州到武漢這段路線已經通車有三年多了,但運輸也已經到達飽和,出現嚴重擠塞的現象,在尖峰時刻不得不限制從北京南下的乘客量。隨著鐵路的興建,讓旅行變得更為便捷容易。我們禱告資源豐餘的教會考慮派遣教師團隊去幫助其他省份有缺乏的教會。求主給城市教會能看見農村地區的需求,願意幫助農村地區及當地教堂經歷靈命的復興。
星期六
中國的高鐵列車在週日,都要等10班車之後才可望購得到票。每班車有800個座位,在高峰時段,就是每四分鐘一班也是客滿,真是一票難求。高鐵帶來的交通便利,對教會事工應有拭目以待的改進。但就現實而言,不少在同一地區的教會,彼此都沒有聯繫。我們為更多教會間能有「互為主基督的肢體」的認同,常懷神的國度觀,而不是還有「我的地盤,你的領土」那種狹隘的心態,限制了神恩典的流通。
星期日
不少城市居民的生活富裕起來,很多人不用再為三餐溫飽日夜奔波,願意多付一些金錢來提高生活品質,換得五官和精神上暫時的享受。求主開啟人們的心眼,讓他們也願意花時間追求心靈的平安與滿足;求主幫助更多人的心靈甦醒過來,尋索生命的真義和永恆的福樂,渴望真正認識並信靠創造天地萬物的主。
星期一
中央積極倡導勤儉過春節,嚴禁官員收受各種有價證券、禮金等的餽贈。然而,相互吃請還是不斷,習俗上的「禮尚往來」不僅助長了腐敗,而且也污染了社會風氣。春節是表達心意的好時機,求主提醒信徒,記念牧者們過去一年的辛勞擺上,懷感恩的心,以實際行動表達對牧者的尊敬和感謝。

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