Tuesday, May 14, 2013

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。」(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。

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