Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Prayer Request 3/26 - 4/1


Tuesday
Christians in Taiwan are known for hopping from one church to another. They like to go to special meetings and crave to hear any foreign preacher who comes on the scene. Many believers are not rooted deeply in the truth and are spiritually immature so they are easily led astray and cause deep hurt in their churches. We pray for revival in the churches of Taiwan and that the believers will be rooted in Biblical truths, especially the doctrines of the Trinity, Christology, and Soteriology so they are able to defend their faith against heresies and cults.
Wednesday
In the past churches in Taiwan have suffered from some extreme teachings including the so-called "end time prophecy". Because there is a lack of unity among the churches to stand against this false teaching, they have suffered greatly and brought shame on God's name. It is our prayer that all pastors will receive training to differentiate between the false and the true and emphasize Bible truths. We ask the Lord for courage and unity among church leaders and that they will not tolerate false teachers simply in the name of love and harmony.
Thursday
The Eastern Lightning cult, officially banned in mainland China, has obtained official registration in Taiwan. Their members are very loving and passionate in appearance, far more than the average lukewarm Taiwan believers and they have infiltrated small groups in many churches. We beseech the Lord to give both the leaders and believers in the churches wisdom and a discerning spirit so that no wolves in sheep's clothing will take advantage of the simple believers and confuse the churches.
Friday
In China new believers can choose to go to open churches but in the villages there are fewer new churches being built so believers have little choice of the church they will attend. Strictly speaking, pastors of the Three-self churches minister to those who enter their churches and limit their ministry to those people. We know that sheep give birth to new sheep and so believers should lead their friends to church. We pray that Chinese believers will have a passion to share the gospel and will live a lifestyle which glorifies God.
Saturday
Heresies spread widely among the villages in China because they fill a vacuum of religious intimacy and even provide some financial help which impoverished believers welcome. Rural believers who attend house churches are often lacking in their knowledge of Biblical trust so they are easy prey for those who preach heresy. We pray for those believers who are confused and have fallen into heresy. We ask for God's deliverance for them so they will truly understand the truth and gain freedom in Christ.
Sunday
Some of the house churches in major cities of China have grown in attendance reaching to hundreds and even thousands in number so they have to move out of residential apartments and rent office space to carry out their ministry. We give thanks to God for them and pray the Lord will add to them many more who are saved. May their ministries continue to grow. We pray especially for the need for space for their meetings and special favor of the officials who oversee the "religious affairs" in their districts.
Monday
Despite the rapid economic growth of the country, villages in China where two-thirds of the people live still lag behind the rest of the country. Improvement has been spotty at best and many villagers still do not have social benefits such as medical insurance which is available to city residents. Rural churches have been in steep decline in recent years and there are several contributing factors. The huge exodus of young people from country to city is a major one. We ask the Lord for a miracle to raise up pastors who love Him passionately and are willing to stay in the villages and serve Him there.
星期二
台灣的信徒喜歡游走各教會,參加各樣的特會,聽外來講員的信息。有些弟兄姊妹分不清楚真理,靈命根基淺薄,常被錯誤的教導迷糊,以致造成教會的損害。求主復興台灣的教會,幫助信徒在真道上建立紮實的根基,回到神的話語和神的真道上,堅持肯定基督教信仰的範疇,包括三位一體、基督論、救恩論等,能在面對迷惑人的異端邪說時,有分辨的能力與護衛真道的勇氣和信心
星期三
過去台灣教會中有一些極端的言論及所謂的「末世預言」,由於台灣教會回應的立場不夠一致,也讓發出極端言論的人有可趁之機,造成教會極大的虧損。我們為傳道人能有分辨真理的裝備訓練代禱,求主幫助教會更注重真理的教導,面對偏離聖經的異端和不合真道的訊息能勇敢合一地站起來匡正視聽,不可以用所謂的愛心保容和追求和諧來「打迷糊仗」。
星期四
来自 中國大陸的基督教異端「東方閃電」在台灣正式登記,他們的成員外表上,比很多教會裏不冷不熱的「老」基督徒還要來得有「愛心」和「熱情」。求主賜給眾教會的領袖同工和信徒更有辨別的智慧,和純正的靈,不讓披上「羊」外衣的狼般異端成員,趁機偷偷滲入羊群裡,散佈不正確的「邪說」迷惑人心,在教會和小組裡製造攪撓、分裂與矛盾。
星期五
在城市如果找不到教會可以去公開教會聚會,但農村地區公開的三自教會數量也很少。三自教會裏的牧養原則上也只能為來到教會的人講道,不能踏出教會建築。羊嚴格而言不是牧者所生的,而是由羊領羊進入羊圈。我們為所有信徒都有傳福音的心志來禱告,尤其要能活出吸引人歸向主,讓神得著榮耀的生命見証,而不是將傳福音的責任全部留給牧人。
星期六
異端在中國農村地區發展快速,它們興起的原因不僅為那些在貧窮中掙扎的農村信徒彌補了一些信仰的真空,甚至也為他們提供政府所沒有做到的生活保障體系。農村家庭教會的信徒們,因為缺乏真正懂得真理、訓練有素的帶領者,往往被這些異端所迷惑。讓我們為所有陷入異端的信徒祈求,求 神引領他們走出迷惑,能再次得著真理和耶穌基督所釋放的自由。
星期日
一些重要城市的家庭教會, 近幾年信徒陸續增加,形成許多由幾百人到上千信徒組合的相當具規模的教會。因著聚會人數的增加,有些教會已經從居民區家庭聚會的模式,轉型成寫字樓、堂會聚會的模式。我們為他們的發展感謝主的帶領,求主繼續加添他們得救的人數,也興旺他們的事工,好使更多人信主。我們要特別為他們聚會所需要的場地祈求,也使他們在官員前蒙恩。
星期一
雖然中國的經濟仍在快速發展, 但是農村經濟發展進度還是很緩慢,占中國總人口2/3的農民仍有許多人依舊過著貧困落後的生活;農村居民也沒有等同城市居民可以享受到醫療保險等社會安全福利措施。近年農村教會極為荒涼,有許多基本性的問題存在,尤其是大量的流失了年輕一代,目前似乎仍無法改變現況。我們祈求恩主興起愛祂的工人,能忠心留守在農村做牧養的工作。

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Prayer Request 3/19 - 3/25


Tuesday
Seventy percent of young people surveyed in China said they are already sexually active. This is an increase of 30% over data in 1994. This is a clear indication of how moral and marriage values have changed in China. We ask the Lord to change such erosion of institution of marriage. We pray that more Christians will understand the sanctity of marriage and become role models of good marriage and make a powerful impact in the society.
Wednesday
Many young Chinese couples are living a so-called “AA lifestyle” which means couples live together, but each person pays for their own expenses, including meals eaten together. Many young Christian couples are struggling too because they have no godly examples and they copy the secular ways and methods in how they handle conflicts in marriage. We pray for solid marriage based on Biblical teaching and that young couples will honor Jesus as the head of their household.
Thursday
The vast majority of Chinese kids today are only child, they bear the weight of the expectations of their parents in academic pursuit. Most parents have much extra-curricular activities arranged for their children. We ask God for wisdom for Christian parents in raising children, not merely following what other parents do, but being able to see the physical and spiritual need of their children, and to know how to love with God’s unconditional love.
Friday
Chinese children are growing up under great pressure, having no siblings and being spoiled. Christian parents are often confused in choosing between Sunday School and their special learning classes on weekends for their only child. Let us pray for children of believers, that the Lord give them healthy and happy childhoods. Far more than that, we pray that each one of them will know Jesus as their best friend for life even at their young age.
Saturday
Many Chinese pastors are barely surviving in their church service, they lack time to organize their thoughts, their churches are mostly in maintenance mode, and they hardly have fresh ideas and energy to start any new ministries. We pray for personal renewal of each pastor, so they will not experience burn-out. We ask the Lord for more people to shoulder church work, having a functioning coworker team, serving in the church with united spirit.
Sunday
Chinese pastors not only have to care for their church, they oversee administrative matters, train and other chores. They have little time left for their families; very, very few pastors even have vacation or sabbaticals. May the Lord give opportunities for refreshing and renewal for Chinese pastors. We pray that pastors will be more innovative and zealous in expanding their ministry because they have good personal rest.
Monday
Chinese pastors have a common view that when they serve the Lord, they must somehow sacrifice their commitment to their family. Therefore, many of the preachers’ kids rebelled and even stay away from church because the preachers spent little time with family and children. We pray that such erroneous attitude of church is more important than family will be changed. We pray that believers will appreciate and understand the difficulties of their shepherds and help them in keeping a balance between serving and family.
星期二
七成以上的中國青年受訪者表示,他們的性行為頻繁,比1994年同類型調查結果上升三成。這明顯呈現出中國的道德價值觀與婚姻觀更趨扭曲和偏差。我們求主改變這種侵蝕的婚姻制度的歪風,幫助眾信徒能明白堅守婚姻貞潔的神聖意義,並興起更多美滿婚姻關係的榜樣,能正面影響並帶動社會重視委身婚姻和家庭的傳統價值。
星期三
中國現今流行一種「AA制生活」婚姻生活模式,頗受年輕夫婦歡迎。顧名思義,夫婦二人雖共同生活,但各自付生活費,外出用膳也自付費用。不少年輕信徒夫婦的婚姻也是隨波逐流,他們嘗試以世俗的方式處理婚姻中的大小問題,婚姻路上充滿了挫折與掙扎。求主幫助年輕信徒明白並謹守合乎聖經原則的婚姻生活,尤其是能尊主為首,讓基督成為他們一家之主。
星期四
絕大多數的中國孩子是獨生子,所要面對的學習和成長壓力都很大。很多家長跟隨著潮流教育孩子,參加這個班那個班地一直不斷給孩子增加課外輔導,讓孩子喘不過氣來。我們為信徒父母求智慧,不要一味盲從其他世俗家長的腳印走,漠視自己子女的獨特性和身心靈的需要。求主幫助他們以天父的愛來養育孩子。
星期五
中國的兒童活在各種成長的壓力中,甚至失去年少的純真和童年應有的歡樂。教會的孩子也在主日學班與補習班和興趣班之間掙扎著,信主的父母也不知為他們這唯一的孩子如何取捨才好。讓我們為信徒有智慧教養出敬虔愛主的子女來禱告,求主保守他們能健康的成長和擁有快樂的童年,更能從小就認識主耶穌,堅信祂是他們一生不離不棄的摯友。
星期六
很多中國牧者都在極艱難中維持教會存活下來,常常缺乏時間整理思維,多數時間都在『維持』教會的基本運作,難以在事奉上創新,發展動力也不大。求主保守牧者的身心靈健壯,不會因為過勞而耗盡。也求主興起更多事奉人員分擔牧者的工作,讓教會建立起事奉團隊,同感一靈,同心事奉。
星期日
中國牧者要牧養羊群、管理教會、培訓領袖,也要協調教會裡外的運作,已經沒有太多時間照顧家庭,能撥冗休息與退修更是少之又少。願神賜給更多牧者能有多一點休息和退修的時間與空間,可以從神那裡支取智慧和能力,重新得力,滿有創意和發展動力來有效果地服事教會。
星期一
中國的教牧普遍有一種觀念:為了事奉而犧牲家庭才忠心。牧者們因繁忙的事奉而缺乏時間照顧家庭和兒女,變成了常態。因此有些教牧的兒女成為逆反青少年,甚至離開教會。我們禱告主來改變教牧同工們這種「公而忘私才是好工人」的觀念,並幫助教會諒解教牧同工的處境,感念他們為事工擺上的努力,能以實際行動配合教牧們調整、平衡他們的事奉和照顧家庭的時間。

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Prayer Request 3/12 - 3/18


Tuesday
Famous movie director Ang Lee received his second Oscar as the Best Director, and gave a great boost of pride to all Chinese. Immediately, the discussion erupted as to why “Mainland China cannot produce a ‘Lee Ang’?” Many attribute the problem to the censorship, not the lack of movie materials, in China. Christianity is still very much a foreign religion to most Chinese. Much of the Christian literature and thinking are Western based with little Chinese context. We pray for believers, writers and media people, who can project and promote the Gospel in Chinese well. We too pray that churches will engage the society and influence the culture effectively.
Wednesday
Many admire the diversity of the films Ang Lee has directed.. From "Lust, Caution" to "Brokeback Mountain", from "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" to "The Life of Pi" . He can treat each subject matter, exercising his artistic innovation, rather than the black-and-white morality play. Vast majority of church pulpit preaching in China is very standard and avoid addressing real-life tough issues, such as sins, temptations and homosexuality. It is our prayer that church leaders will be bold in teaching what is God’s desire for believers, and how we can live out His Holiness in a crooked world.
Thursday
An inescapable question arose that is “who is the best contemporary Chinese director? Ang Lee or Zhang Yimou?” Critics say Lee’s movies have the Christian value - he pays detailed attention to humanity, seeking to explore the goodness of human beings. China churches have very little voice in term of social values and even morality in general. It is our prayer that Christians would be assertive in sharing the Biblical values, not as voice of condemnation but a powerful and gentle testimony of the truth.
Friday
Ang Lee said his father never expressed his support to go into films, but his father was instrumental in his movie career. Ang Lee said, "My father taught me what the Chinese culture is all about." Many young Chinese Christians struggle with the truth that “God is our Heavenly Father” because their own earthly fathers are distant and aloof. We pray also for those fathers who feel they have failed their duties - may the Lord give them opportunity to reclaim their spiritual headship at home.
Saturday
Ang Lee's father is a classic Chinese father, introverted and honest, who uttered few words to show his affection for his children, but supported them quietly with action. When Lee went to America to study film, despite his father’s reluctance, his father gave him a movie camera as a parting gift. Chinese Christian fathers have a lot of improvement to do. They do not have any good role models and churches taught nothing about being a father. We pray especially for them to be more encouraging verbally and modeling the love of Jesus Christ for their children.
Sunday
Lack of unity is a hidden but terrible problem among churches in China. Reasons for the persistent lack of unity is the past political persecution, geographical separation, vast economic and cultural differences. May the Lord forgive our pride and false humility. Neither is pleasing to Him at all. We pray for a true spirit of unity, so that we can see and imitate what is good in each other, and that we will all love the Lord more.
Monday
Preachers’ kids are taught to have a good example befitting a pastor’s family. They are also likely to be criticized for not meeting certain unrealistic expectations. We know that a preacher’s children are not necessarily godly, and the descendants of the righteous are not necessarily the same as their forefathers. Let us pray for all the children of the Chinese pastors and church leaders - may the Lord be gracious to them because of their parents who labored for God. We too ask the Lord to remind all the believers’ parents to never forget our responsibility to raise godly children.
星期二
台南出身的導演李安第二度拿下了奧斯卡最佳導演獎,被譽為「華人之光」。而中國主流的媒體人立刻探討為什麼中國本土出不了一個「李安」? 中國好電影的題材實在太多了,但是目前電影審查制度的確在某種程度上限制了藝術的創作。在大部分中國人的眼中,基督教仍是個外來的洋教,絕大多數的基督教文獻和思維也是西方式的,沒有中國色彩。我們為有更多的華人基督徒作家,媒體人,能帶著福音更深入走進華人的社會文化來禱告,讓教會不是與主流脫節,而是進入社會對文化產生積極的影響力。
星期三
許多人佩服李安勇於挑戰各種不同題材的電影。從 《色·戒》到 《斷背山》,從《臥虎藏龍》 《少年Pi 的奇幻漂流》導演在選擇題材上的多樣性,充分激發出的創作力,都能大有突破不至於淪於樣板戲。 多數的中國教會講台傾向於釋經,較少談及生活中的棘手問題,如罪,引誘及同性戀。求主垂聽我們的禱告,幫助傳道人能大膽的在聖經真理的根基上,將神的心意,和聖潔屬性,以及對罪惡的不妥協更有力地傳講清楚,幫助弟兄姊妹在彎曲悖逆的世代裡,靠主活出聖潔、敬虔的蒙福生活。
星期四
提到當代中國的著名導演,比較李安和張藝謀是個躲不開的話題。從李安的片子和他的言談看,他對人生的參悟是以基督教文化為基礎,李安拍的片子 更注重人性,更善於對人性本身的真善美進行發掘。論到社會價值觀,包括一般的道德議題,教會的聲音一向都是微弱的。 求主賜給基督徒力量,在分享屬聖經價值觀時,不是高姿態的批判或譴責世人,而是活出真實的屬神的生活見證上帝的信實。
星期五
導演李安說,父親從未表明支持他拍電影,但踏上電影之路,父親的確是關鍵人物,「父親告訴我中國文化是什麼樣子。」 許多年輕信徒無法體會:「上帝是我們的天父」,因為他們與肉身那個不流露愛意父親的心靈距離是遙不可及的。我們為那些覺得自己失職的父親們禱告,求主賜給機會修補親子關係,能成為屬靈的一家之主。
星期六
李安的父親是典型的中國父親,內斂敦厚很少用言語表達對子女的關愛,卻會默默用行動予以支持。當年李安到美國攻讀電影,儘管他父親不情願地接受了兒子的選擇,卻送了一台攝影機,讓李安更勇敢追逐電影夢。雖然在成長過程中沒有「好男人」可以作榜樣,教會也不太談如何做個好爸爸。華人基督徒爸爸們還是有很多努力的空間,我們除了求神鼓勵父親們勇於用言語表達對子女的愛意,也求主幫助父親們天天能效法耶穌基督愛的來愛自己的子女
星期日
教會自身隱藏的危機之一是不能合一。由於政治、歷史、地域、經濟及文化等等因素,中國教會彼此分門別類、各自為政的現象是眾所皆知的。求主赦免我們的驕傲,挪去祂所不喜悅的自誇、虛假的謙卑, 願主賜給教會之間有合一的靈,能看見別人的可取之處進而學習、讚美 ,並且能愈發熱心愛主。
星期一
傳道人的子女往往從小就被父母教導:要有傳道人子女的榜樣,也很容易成為教會中被別人論斷的目標。實際上敬虔傳道人的孩子不一定跟父母一樣愛主;同樣的,義人的後代也不一定會是義人。我們為所有傳道人及教會領袖的孩子們來祈求神,願神因著父母親辛苦服侍主能恩待他們。也求主提醒我們身為父母的教導子女成為敬畏神的人是我們重大的責任。

Tuesday, March 05, 2013

Prayer Request 3/5 - 3/11


Tuesday
Churches in Beijing have enjoyed growth in numbers recently with nearly 3000 house churches now reported. Many have Sunday schools for their children but fewer than ten churches have programs for their youth. Only two or three churches have full-time youth workers. Vast majority of churches in China have barely any formal programs for their children and youth. Let us pray for a vision and burden among church leaders and pastors to start caring for the spiritual needs of their young people quickly to prevent the loss of their children.
Wednesday
The vast majority of children from Christian homes in China stop attending church by the time they are in high school. One big reason for that is that their parents emphasize academics and neglect spiritual growth in their children. As a result there is a great loss of the second generation in all churches. Christian parents feel that attending church takes away precious time their children need to study so we pray for all believers to have faith that God will bless their children if they will honor Him as their first commitment. May all Christian parents have the faith to realize that it is more important for their children to love God than all else.
Thursday
The churches in China must take the blame for the loss of their youth because of their lack of vision and planning for them. The spiritual growth of youth and children are generally neglected in China and there is a lack of proper training for those who do serve the youth. Many pastors feel that working with children and young people does not generate an immediate return for the church so it is not important. We pray for a drastic change in this attitude and that each of us may see through Jesus’ eyes the value of the little ones and work bring them Him”. We also ask the Lord to give a burden for children’s ministry to many more leaders.
Friday
In China, the youth programs in the churches are run exactly like the programs for adults using is a quite boring format which is unable to attract young people. Many pastors have recognized this problem but they feel helpless in knowing how to start a youth program and keep it going by being interesting and attractive. Let us pray for Christian parents of teenagers as they worry about the education of their children, that they will see the importance of spiritual growth and will not forget to teach and influence their children with the Word of God.
Saturday
A recent survey of youth in China revealed that 73% of them are in favor of divorce if marriage does not work out, that 53% of them do not believe in the existence of God and 63% do not have a good idea of a goal for their lives. We need to pray for churches as they teach spiritual lessons to their second generation , that they will use not only memorization but will teach them how to apply God’s truth in an educational system that is atheistic and a society that is money-crazy.
Sunday
In the same survey cited yesterday they found that nearly half of the youth in China have considered suicide and that 37% have attempted it. Unfortunately, youth from Christian homes probably share the same statistics and this poses a serious challenge for the future of churches in China and the new generation of church workers. Let us pray for the spiritual health of all of the children and young people in the churches in China. May the Word of God take roots early in their lives and may they experience the love of Jesus early in life. May they learn from the faith of their parents and others in the church as well as from a personal relationship with Jesus.
Monday
Traditional Chinese culture demands respect for the elderly and consider the youth basically as immature and unreliable. Similarly, Chinese churches downplay the importance of the youth and children and even see the youth culture as despicable. Unfortunately, Chinese churches have not done a good job in preparing their youth in a highly secular world. Some churches do teach the Bible but with little application. We pray that many more churches will make teaching the second generation the top priority in their ministry.
星期二
北京教會成長快, 發展規模成熟,現己有約3000多個教會。有兒童主日學的家庭教會也越來越多,但有全職同工服事青少年的郤不到10家。現今有不少教會是有兒童主日學, 但是有青少年的事工的卻寥寥無幾。 我們來為眾教會有青少年事工的異象和負擔的同工禱告,讓教會能關心幼童和青少年靈命成長的需要,免得教會流失了第二代。
星期三
從小跟父母去教會的孩子到了初高中,絕大多數會離開教會。教會青少年的流失率極高。是因為父母過度關注孩子的學校成績,而忽略了孩子的靈命成長的重要性,父母認為孩子花時間參加聚會, 就少了時間讀書。我們要為家長有信心,相信神賜福給他們的孩子禱告。願信徒父母都有能信靠神,在教養孩子時,當要求孩子要愛主過於一切。
星期四
中國教會缺乏對青少年事工的異像和計劃,沒有對孩子的靈命成長進行跟進或栽培。青少年事工的同工普遍得不到合適的培訓和應有的重視。這些現象值得我們正視! 許多牧者覺得對兒童與青年人事工的投入,沒有即時的成效, 因此總是忽略這方面的需求。求主改變我們這樣的觀念。我們應該如耶穌所說,「讓小孩子到我這裏來,不要禁止他們」。願教會領袖們都能有第二代事工的負擔。
星期五
青少年團契仿照成年人的團契的模式進行, 對青少年來說, 形式單調,不能引起他們的興趣。因而不願參與教會活動. 教會牧師明白青少年事工的不足之處, 郤也因不知如何改善而感到無助。我們為有青少年的信徒家長們禱告,希望他們關心孩子課業時,也不忽略孩子屬靈生命的重要,求主讓家長們不忘記教導子女神話語的責任,也給予孩子屬靈的教導。
星期六
最近的調查,發現中國的青少年在生活、學習、家庭、信仰等方面存在嚴重問題。例如: 73%的青少年贊成離婚,53%認為沒有上帝,63% 並沒有清楚的人生目標 ,我們要為教會如何有效地規劃第二代靈命的教導來禱告,讓我們的青少年不單單是強記神的話,而是在無神論的教育體系下,在向錢看齊的世風中,將神的真理與誡命在生命中活出來。
星期日
中國的青少年47%有過自殺的念頭,37%真的嘗試過自殺。青少年事工在中國教會的發展方向和未來工人的建造,正在面臨著前所未有的挑戰和危機。我們為教會中兒童和青少年的靈命向神祈求。願神的話語在他們幼小的生命裏深深地紮根,讓他們在幼年經歷主的愛,從他們的父母親學習對神的信心,並能與主有親密的關係。
星期一
中國傳統文化重視敬老尊賢,年輕一代常常讓人覺得不放心。這樣的觀念也是華人教會一般的看法,教會容易看輕年輕一代, 反應在不注重兒童及青少年事工,對青少年的流行文化容易產生先入為主的反感。很可惜教會沒有裝備教會的年輕人去面對世俗化的社會。有些教會雖然教導聖經,但卻沒有教導孩子們如何應用神的話。我們求主幫助教會看見裝備第二代信徒的迫切及重要性。