Prayer Request 5/28 - 6/3

Tuesday
There are 400,000 elderly people in the Beijing area who need care. The local government has advocated that ninety percent of the elderly should get care in their homes while only six or seven percent would be cared for by community day care and three to four percent would be in nursing homes. There are many elderly believers who are no longer able to attend worship services due to their physical disability or a lack of people to help them go to church. Let us pray for them that they will have continuing spiritual vitality and know the constant presence of God with them and His peace and joy.
Wednesday
Currently there is a widespread shortage of migrant workers and nannies in the major cities of China so it is difficult to find good domestic help. In 2010 the monthly salary for such help was 1,200 yuan but by February 2013 it had doubled. Let us pray for believers with elderly parents. Pray for patience, joy, and uncomplaining hearts as they care for them. It is not an easy task! May the Lord reward their love and good witness before their parents.
Thursday
In China, those who are most likely to care for the elderly are the so-called “4050” who tend to be farmers with little education. “4050” means working-age women over forty or males older than fifty who are unlikely to find a job in the Chinese labor market. Younger laborers do not want to be caretakers for the elderly since they consider it to be difficult and messy work. We praise God for all those who care for the elderly in the churches. May the Lord use them as instruments of blessing and models of serving for the young people in the church.
Friday
In China many consumers have stopped buying chicken and duck because they are worried about the Bird Flu. Also, parents in many cities there, including Beijing, have become increasingly alarmed by the acrid pollution that doctors blame for increased respiratory illnesses. Christian parents are very concerned about the spiritual pollution of their children. Many children have lost interest and stopped attending church because they think it is boring or they have no friends there. We pray that parents who are believers will teach and practice God’s Word and provide a good example at home.
Saturday
The highest court in China declared it will sternly punish such offenses as reselling cooking oil from the sewers that has been discarded. Such inexcusable acts seriously affect social harmony and stability. They also greatly harm the image of the Communist Party and the government. Cynicism and distrust about unethical conduct abounds among the people in China. Let us pray for China as a whole that people who are Christians will provide some moral and ethical examples for the nation and that people will also see that Biblical values and teachings are good for China.
Sunday
The police in China say it is not uncommon for vendors to sell pigs and ducks that died from a disease. Another perennial problem people there face is that pigs are injected with water to increase their weight so they can get a better price in the market. Cheating is rather pervasive in China and even believers find it easy to justify themselves for not being completely truthful. Let us pray specifically for leaders in the churches that they will be honest and transparent with their people and let their integrity show rather than hiding behind their spiritual authority.
Monday
Recently residents of Shanghai had to endure the sight of tens of thousands of dead hogs floating down a nearby river. Apparently they had been dumped in the water as a result of disease in piggeries upstream. There were also reported cases of rat meat sold as lamb which fueled more fears about food in China. It is very evident that the churches in China are losing the younger generations. Let us pray about this tragic development—that many leaders and parents will rise up to stem this tide of great loss. We pray the Holy Spirit will quicken all of us to save the young people in our churches.

星期二
北京約有四十萬需要照護的老人，當地政府倡導90%老人居家養老，6-7%在社區日間照料所養老，3-4%的老人則在養老院、護理院等機構養老。中國教會中有很多老人因為體力衰退，或是沒有人陪伴而不能參加聚會，我們在禱告中紀念他們，願主加添他們的靈力，享用神同在的平安和喜樂。又求主賜智慧給牧者去牧養他們。
星期三
在普遍的民工荒、保姆荒的情況下，請到一個好的家政工或護理員並不容易。2010年，一個普通家政工的月薪是1200元，但今年春節一過，普遍升價到2400元。我們為有年邁父母的信徒們禱告，照顧年老的父母親不是一件容易的事情，身心靈都需要很大的付出，求神加給他們忍耐、喜樂、包容與接納。願主賞賜他們的孝心，在父母親面前有美好的見證。
星期四
「居家養老」，其實是指服務人員上門照料老人，這類服務員主要是“4050”( “4050” 是指女性40歲以上、男性50歲以上) 教育程度較低，較難找到工作的農民。年輕人不願意為老人服務，嫌髒嫌累。我們為教會中關心長者的信徒感恩與祈求，願主使用他們，不單成為老人的祝福，也成為教會年輕人的事奉神的好榜樣。
星期五
中國人對食物安全和空氣污染越來越關注和憂慮，很多消費者最近因為擔心禽流感而停止購買雞鴨，醫生也把呼吸道疾病患病率增加歸罪於空氣污染。基督徒父母都擔心孩子的精神會被世界污染，可是許多孩子覺得教會無聊及失去興趣，也不再願意上教會，而其一大原因是他們在教會找不到朋友。我們為基督徒家長禱告，使他們在家中能教導和活出神的話語，有言教也有身教。
星期六
最高法院將嚴厲懲治收購“地溝油”的商人（將曾使用並被倒入地下水道的食用油，加以處理當食用油再次出售）。此類問題嚴重影響社會信任及穩定，也極其損害黨和政府的形象。面對中國不斷爆出各種不道德的行為，人民開始採取「犬儒主義」 — 一種帶著厭倦情緒、對他人行為的動機與誠信存著一種不信任的態度。我們為中國信徒禱告，求主使祂的兒女作光作鹽，能在彎曲悖謬的世代，活出屬天的生命。
星期日
無良商販出售病死豬和鴨並不罕見，而給豬注水以增加重量從而提高豬肉的價格，亦是長期存在的情況。當今的中國作假到處可見，甚至信徒認為大環境就是這樣，接受類似的行為。求主幫助教會領袖，有誠實的心志和正直，能成為信徒有真誠的好榜樣，而不是以神職的權威來帶領和牧養。
星期一
上海的居民過去幾個越目睹數千頭死豬在附近河流中漂浮的景象，似乎是上游養豬場的豬患病死亡後被投入江中。同時市場上也發生的老鼠肉充羊肉事件，再度讓人對中國食品安全更加擔憂。中國教會正在失去年輕的一代，讓我們為這慘痛的趨向禱告，願主興起更多領袖及家長，為主挽回第二代。願聖靈也提醒我們眾人，不叫一個失落。

Prayer Request 5/21 - 5/28

Tuesday
Doing business in China takes a lot of cash because Chinese authorities refuse to print any bill larger than the 100-renminbi note. That’s equivalent to $16. Since 1988, the 100-renminbi note, graced by Mao Zedong’s visage, has been the largest note in circulation. Generally speaking, Chinese believers are much wealthier now than they were twenty years ago, but offerings in the churches have not increased much. We praise God for the economic improvement, and we give thanks and give back to Him for the blessings in physical and emotional and all the talents He has given us.
Wednesday
Financial experts often suggest that printing larger denomination notes might fuel inflation. But there is another reason. The government doesn’t want a larger bill because of corruption, feeling it would help facilitate corrupt payments to officials. Chinese are not poor, but they fear not having enough and inflation. We pray that believers will have faith in God, just as the prophet Malachi said, never to rob the Lord of our tithe, and all of us can experience the outpouring of God’s blessing from above because we give to Him generously.
Thursday
The average Chinese trusts neither the Chinese banks nor the Communist Party. This is simply a mistrust of government so lots of people deal only in cash. The rich also deal in cash, to hide their money and to avoid government scrutiny of their wealth. Chinese accumulate and hide their cash, but they fear thieves and robbers. We pray that believers are good stewards of what God gives them. To those to whom God gives much, He also asks much as well. May we each be a channel of His blessing, and freely give because we have freely received.
Friday
The PLA is the world's largest military force, about 2.3 million strong. Annually, about 10,000 officers retire. Retired officers or soldiers are given civilian jobs preferentially. In 2013, in addition to the retired soldiers, 40,000 officers have also received civilian jobs. Many pastors retire every year, but they receive little or no pay in their retirement They must depend on their children or live by faith. Let us pray for health and the meeting of financial needs for all the retired ministers . May the Lord grant them the joy of seeing the fruit of their labors.
Saturday
Senior retired military officers in China can receive assignments to state-owned companies. For the soldiers, those who are demobilized also are given jobs preferentially and also receive free college tuition. There is still a lot of room for improvement for the financial support of Chinese pastors when they retire. We pray that believers know the importance and the need to provide financially for their pastors, because only the church ministers do not receive a pension from the government.
Sunday
Until 2012, there were “at least” one million families in China that had lost their only child, About 76,000 families are added to the sad roster each year. There’s even a word for this special pain here: “shidu,” or “lose single.” We can all imagine how tragic it is to lose an only child. We pray that more Christians will rise up to care all these saddened parents. May the Lord comfort them, because our Heavenly Father lost His only begotten son to die on the Cross for us too.
Monday
Increasingly, families whose only child has died are being referred to in China as a “vulnerable social group”. Since children are often the main source of income for parents in their old age, parents face being plunged into poverty. Many elderly people in churches are not getting adequate care and financial support. We pray that more believers will be caring and merciful. We give praise for all the believers serving in churches by caring for the elderly. The Lord bless and reward their love because they are merciful.

星期二
因為官方拒絕發行面額超過一百元的紙幣(相等於十六美元)，印著毛澤東頭像的百元人民幣是中國面額最大的貨幣。 一般而言，現今的中國信徒比二十世紀的信徒已經富裕得多，但是教會的獻金並沒有顯著的加增。我們為信徒的經濟狀況有改善感恩的同時，也求主給我們常存感恩的心，把從神來的歸給祂，不單是金錢，更是身、心與才智都歸神使用。
星期三
經濟學家和政府官員經常暗示印製更大面額的紙幣可能會加劇通貨膨脹。然而很多專家都說，官方其實是因為腐敗的問題而不想發行面額更大的紙幣。事實上，今天許多中國人不是沒有錢，而是認為不夠用也怕貶值，信徒亦不例外。求主加添我們信心，如同神藉瑪拉基先知所言，不奪取當納的十分之一，也能親身體驗神給我們來自天上的祝福。
星期四
一般老百姓既不相信銀行，也不相信共產黨，這是一個對政府不信任的簡單問題，於是許多人只用現金交易。許多富人也愛用現金交易，以逃避政府對其財富的關注。主多給誰，就向誰多取，願主使我們不吝嗇所有，更多的施予，使神可藉著我們作為祂祝福的管道。求主賜給我們智慧，做聰明的好管家。
星期五
目前中國軍隊總數約二百三十萬人，每年平均約有一萬人退役，轉作幹部或自主擇業。2013年，除了退役士兵，軍隊轉業幹部約四萬餘人。每年也有不少牧者退休，但是他們沒有任何退休保障，只能依靠子女，或是憑信心度日，我們為退休傳道人禱告，願主賜給他們健康，並供應他們生活所需。求主幫助他們得見勞苦栽種的福音種子成長。
星期六
中國退役軍官，主要有兩種出路，其一是分配到機關單位工作，大多限於中高級軍官。對為數更多的退役士兵，除了執行傳統的軍人復員政策，也有“免費上大學”政策。中國教會(尤其是家庭教會)在傳道人退休後的經濟支持，仍有太多改進的空間。求主幫助信徒明白不可忽略牧人的需要，而自己有退休計劃與儲蓄，也要為神的僕人預備。
星期日
近來有一個對應的詞：“失獨”，也就是“失去獨生子女”。截至2012年，全國的失獨家庭“至少”有一百萬。每年大約有7.6萬個家庭痛失獨生子女。對於這種特有的傷痛，失去獨生子女是何等悲傷的事，求主興起信徒來關心這樣的家長，將神的安慰與他們分享，因為我們的天父多麼的愛我們，將祂自己的獨生子賜給了我們。
星期一
在中國越來越多家庭被稱為“弱勢社會群體”，這是因為孩子往往是父母年老時的主要收入來源。這類父母面臨陷入貧困的後果。教會中也有不少老人沒有子女供養，我們求主給信徒多有憐憫、關懷的心，活出我們為教會中以關懷服事人的弟兄姊妹感恩，願主賞賜們的愛心，因為他們必蒙神的憐恤。

Prayer Request 5/14 - 5/20

Tuesday
Even though a college degree no longer ensures a well-paying job because the number of people who graduate from college has quadrupled in the last decade, millions of lower-income parents in China bear an incredible financial burden as they push their children to obtain as much education as possible. Let us pray for comfort combined with faith in God for these parents who are believers. All Chinese parents see their children’s academic success as their only cause for self-worth but what God desires is that we raise godly children for Him.
Wednesday
Millions of college students in China have now gone further in school than their parents could have dreamed. However, they aren’t certain that education will pay off. When their college expenses are sky high and job prospects are low, many students who are slightly above average think about dropping out of school to find a job and earn money. Many of these disappointed young people are from a Christian background and attended a rural church when they were children. We pray that God will help them know whether to continue studying or to start working. Most importantly, may the Spirit move them and turn them back to Jesus.
Thursday
College students in China who came from poor rural regions have added pressure because their parents say, “You have to keep studying to be able to take care of us when we are old.” The dream of these young people is to work in a big company but they realize that many who graduate from college end up without a job.a At times we do not know how to pray for people but we can pray for Christian parents in China that they will place their trust in God alone. We pray, too that young believers from these families will learn to seek wisdom from God and have faith that He has a great purpose for their lives.
Friday
For a parent who lives in a rural area in China, the cost of education for a child each year is six to fifteen months’ wages and it is difficult to get scholarships. Youth from poor rural families consistently end up paying much higher tuition than children from affluent urban families yet the schools they attend are considerably worse. That is one reason rural churches are chronically poor, collect small offerings, and are unable to afford to adequately compensate their shepherds. May the Lord have mercy on the rural churches in China and give the people faith to believe that God will take care of them if they put Him first.
Saturday
It isn’t just the cost of college that burdens parents in China. They also face many fees associated with sending their children to elementary, middle, and high school. Many parents also hire tutors so their children can score high enough on the entrance exams to get into college. Parents spend large sums of money on education for their only child. Christian parents also wrongly feel that Sunday is the time for their children to get rest or get ready for another week of study. Let us pray for the faith of Christian parents who begin to withdraw from church activities and focus totally on their children.
Sunday
In the past decade China has managed to leap far ahead of the United States In producing eight million college graduates each year. However, the high cost of education coincided with slower growth of the economy and has led to surging unemployment among recent college graduates. It is disappointing and devastating for a college graduate to be unemployed. Many feel they have failed their parents and Christians feel God has not blessed them. We pray for young believers who are unemployed now. May the Lord strengthen their faith in this waiting period and open doors for them.
Monday
Many college students who are graduating are pessimistic about getting a job that will allow them to earn a living, much less be able to support their parents. This big problem could test China’s ability to maintain rapid economic growth and preserve political and social stability in the years ahead. Young people in China know their parents are counting on them for support for their retirement and care when they are old. We pray for a genuine love for Jesus for all believers and that they will know what it means to honor their parents. We pray specifically for those who are praying about giving up their jobs and serving the Lord full-time but have not yet told their parents.

星期二
數以百萬計的中國低收入農民寧願忍受沉重經濟負擔，也要讓孩子多受教育，為使他們將來獲得較好的待遇。然而，現今大學學位再不能保證一份高薪工作，因為在過去十年裡，大學畢業生的數目已翻了四倍。家長常以孩子的學業成就高低作為評量自己育兒成敗的準繩，但是神對父母的要求是做忠心的管家，為祂教養出敬虔的後代。我們為信徒家長能有正確的價值觀禱告，又求神加添眾人的信心，不效法這個世界，常察驗神純全的旨意。
星期三
數千萬中國農村的年輕人成為大學生，這是他們父母一輩子不敢夢想的。可是這些學生往往很矛盾，因為學費和食宿費超過父母年收入總和的一半，而功課不好的學生更因而起了輟學打工掙錢的念頭。在這些失望的年輕人中，有不少是來自信徒家庭，也是在農村教會長大的。我們為他們禱告，不論升學或就業，求主引導他們明白神的旨意，更重要的是回到神的懷抱，靈命繼續成長。
星期四
來自貧困農村的大學生通常面對極大壓力，因為他們的父母會說：「你得繼續學下去，我們老了之後靠你照顧。」大學生都有畢業後到大公司工作的期盼，但事實上很多人在畢業後變成失業。「當將你的事交託耶和華，並倚靠祂，祂就必成全。」(詩37:5)求主幫助這些年輕人學習交託，並經驗神的話必不落空。我們也為年幼信徒禱告，從小敬畏耶和華而得著智慧，也認定神在他們人生裡有美好的旨意和引領。
星期五
對中國農村父母而言，供給孩子一年的高等教育費，大約是六至十五個月的工資，而貧困家庭的孩子也不容易拿到獎學金或補貼。農村年輕人相比富裕城市的年輕人，雖然就讀相同的學校，但支付的學費卻高昂得多。奉獻少是農村教會面對的問題，以致傳道人也不能專心傳道。求主憐憫，並加添神兒女的信心，將神放在首位，儘管是五餅二魚，也學習擺上，常仰望、倚靠神的眷顧。
星期六
壓在中國父母身上的重擔不僅是兒女將來讀大學的龐大開銷，還有進入小學、初中和高中所需的費用。許多家長更聘請了家教，務求孩子在高考中能拿高分入讀心儀的大學。父母在獨生子女身上花大筆教育費用，已成為理所當然的事。有些信徒父母常有錯誤的觀念，認為孩子經過一週苦讀，週末睡晚一點而不上教會也在情理之中，還有些父母減少參與教會活動，全力督導學習。求主時常提醒我們把眼光放在永恒的事上，並更多為孩子的靈性成長禱告。
星期日
過去十年，中國每年有八百萬人拿到高等教育學位，遠超美國。然而，近年經濟增長放緩，失業率飆升，大學畢業生亦難覓工作，實在令人洩氣又傷自尊。很多大學畢業卻找不到工作的年輕基督徒都會對家人感到愧疚，甚至埋怨神沒有垂聽禱告。求主幫助他們安靜等候，也積極盡自己本分，確信祂是「耶和華以勒」豐富預備我們一切所需的神，到了時候必打開通達之路。
星期一
中國年輕人能否在大學畢業後找到一份足以養活自己，甚至一家人的工作？這個問題將會在未來的時間裡，考驗中國保持高經濟增長速度並維持政治和社會穩定的能力。年輕人知道父母對他們的期望，自己就是老一輩的「養老金」。我們為年輕信徒能明白真正的孝道禱告；也特別為那些禱告神願意委身全職服侍神的信徒祈求，求主賜下智慧的言語，能跟父母作有效的溝通；又讓他們父母也能一同仰望神的引導及供應。

Prayer Request 5/7 - 5/13

Tuesday
In 2013 the number of college graduates in China reached its highest number ever. This huge number of graduates looking for jobs coupled with the recent economic slowdown makes a very dire prospect for employment for those who are looking for jobs.We pray for believers who are graduating from college this summer as well as those who are still looking for a job but have found none. May the Lord give them faith to trust Him and not lose heart but to rejoice during the waiting time knowing God will open a way for them.
Wednesday
Beijing is a good example of the dire employment situation in China. At present only one third of those looking for a job have a firm offer of one. One big problem is the concentration of many top-notch schools which produce many graduates and makes it especially difficult to find a job. The majority of Christian college students come from non-believing families and their parents often don’t know their children have become Christians. We pray for courage for these young people to share the gospel with their parents and that their transformed lives will be a powerful testimony at home.
Thursday
In 2013, Beijing has attempted to control the growth of its population, and the demand for college graduates in the various city offices has dropped by fourteen percent. Private companies have also cut down on hiring. This makes Beijing the toughest city in China for graduates to find a job. The dream of all parents in China is to have their children graduate from college and get a good job. We pray that Christian parents will have faith that God has prepared the best for their children and that they will be willing to offer their best to Him including their own children.
Friday
The western part of China is undergoing rapid development but many churches are still suffering because of their remoteness, backwardness, and poverty. There are fewer Christians and the penetration of the gospel is less in Western China. Let us pray for the spreading of the gospel and churches that are strong enough to witness for Jesus there.
Saturday
In 2010 the Three Gorges Dam was filled to capacity and 1.2 million people were forced to relocate. However, there has been a seventy percent increase in landslides and a collapse of riverbanks so now an estimated 100,000 more residents will have to relocate. Rural churches have been losing members because people have moved to the cities to get work and also because of farmers who have lost their land. Let us pray that believers who move to a new city will find a church and continue to mature spiritually. We pray that churches will be sensitive to those who resettle near them but are not accepted by their neighbors.
Sunday
The Three Gorges Dam, the biggest dam project ever undertaken, took twenty years to complete. That there was a need to produce electricity is indisputable, but the ecological consequences of building the dam are onerous. Four million residents have been or will be relocated during the span of ten years. Millions of Chinese farmers have been forced to relocate due to land development. Let us pray that churches will see this as a great opportunity to share the gospel in these resettled townships and start new churches there.
Monday
As the water behind the giant dams rises, people have to be resettled and many of those people cannot find a job. Farmers no longer have their land and they have little else to do since their old homesteads are now under water. Historically, churches along the Yangtze River have been weak and few in number as compared with those along the coast. Let us pray specifically for churches in Hubei and Sichuan and especially those in the two megacities of Wuhan and Chongqing.

星期二
2013年全國大學畢業生將達七百萬人，為歷年來最多；再加上近期中國經濟增長放緩，就業崗位需求減少，就業形勢異常嚴峻。我們為即將畢業的大學生和仍然待業的弟兄姊妹徒禱告，求主賜給他們堅定的信心，在世為人不依靠自己的聰明，而是仰望神的帶領和供應。求主幫助在等待中有喜樂，並給他們開通達的道路。
星期三
北京是最典型大學畢業生難以找到工作的地區，找到工作的簽約率不足三成，這是因為北京知名大學集中，大學畢業生仍持續增長，增長速度也未曾減慢。絕大多數信主大學生都不是來自基督徒的家庭，他們的父母親甚至不知道兒女已經信了耶穌。求主幫助年輕信徒能與父母分享信仰，也因著新生命的見證，感動家人也有渴慕認識主的心。
星期四
北京為了控制人口增長，2013年各單位對大學生需求總量降低了一成四，加之民營企業因經濟增長放緩，也減少了崗位需求；導致北京地區大學生就業難度加大，成了全國大學校畢業生最難找到工作的地方。每一個家長都會期望孩子在畢業後有份好工作，求主幫助信徒家庭能以主為首，願意將最好的獻給神，在工作上尋求上帝的引導和帶領,也包括讓主使用他們的子女。
星期五
目前中國西部地區急速發展，但教會的發展仍面臨不少障礙。偏遠、落後及貧窮使不少教會在停滯不前。西部地區仍有大量未得之民，教會為數也不多，福音傳揚甚緩。求主幫助教會剛強站立，大有膽量為祂作工，有效地傳講福音，見証主耶穌。
星期六
三峽大壩蓄水量於2010年達到最高限度以來，遷離人口超過一百二十萬，但是滑坡和河堤坍塌的情況卻增加了七成，未來五年仍有十萬居民需要遷離。弟兄姊妹遷移到城市工作，或農民因經濟的發展失去耕地，造成近年農村教會衰退的主因。求主幫助那些遷移的信徒，能在移居的城市很快找到合適的教會，靈命繼續成長。我們也要為城市教會禱告，願信徒跨出城鄉之間的無形藩籬，以體貼父神的心接納和關心來自農村的主內肢體。
星期日
三峽大霸工程歷時二十餘年，為世界之最。所提供的電力，對民生改善成效極大，但同時也產生了許多生態環境問題（包括引起的大量滑坡和巖崩）。三峽大壩附近地區將有四百萬居民在未來十年間(2007年起)需要移居別處。為成全新建設而施行的土地徵收政策，造成百萬的中國農民被迫搬遷。求主讓眾教會能回應這些新禾場的需要，向遷移至本地城鎮的農村居民分享福音，也在他們的社區開始新的教會。
星期一
隨著三峽大壩蓄水水位的上升，移民的安置及生活都出現很大難題，很多移民在新環境找不到工作。三峽移民安置的現狀總結為：農民無地種，職工無工作，移民無出路。雖然西方宣教士曾經沿著長江傳福音，但是長江兩岸的教會與沿海相比，一直都很薄弱，信徒也不多。求主興起湖北、四川，尤其是武漢和重慶這兩個特大城市的教會，藉他們成為福音的流通管道，把真道傳揚開來。