Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Prayer Request 6/18 - 6/24


Tuesday
Recently, high school seniors from around China sat for the annual college entrance examination, called the Gaokao. Most Chinese students prepare for years under intense pressure, and families spend huge amounts on tutoring and after-school study sessions. We pray for the families of believers who are waiting for the results of this decisive examination. May the Lord grant them faith, peace, and the knowledge that He has a great plan for their children. We also pray that parents will continue to encourage their children to love and trust God because He is in control.
Wednesday
While increasing numbers of Chinese students go overseas for college – nearly 200,000 went to North America for the 2011-12 academic year – the vast majority have no option for higher education but to do well on the national exam.Overseas Chinese churches have an opportunity to minister to these affluent and fun-loving undergraduates. We pray for the fruitful outreach efforts many churches make as they host events to attract the students and lead them to Jesus.
Thursday
As with nearly everything in China, there are too many people in the educational system competing for a scarce resource. Through the household registration (hukou) system, the college entrance process is biased in favor of urban participants. It seems unfair that college education can literally decide one’s future in China. We pray specifically for rural believers who are often inferior in their education. May the Lord comfort them and help parents to encourage their children to love and serve God more knowing He is impartial.
Friday
The hukou (residency) system perpetuates a rigid caste system. Children who have a rural hukou inherit their parents’ second-class status even though they were born in a city. Many urbanites want to keep this system in place to protect their preferential access to jobs, education, and health care. Some Christians worry about saving money for their children’s education and their own health expenses but lack faith in giving to God. We pray for faith and trust in God so each of us will realize that God will take care of His own people just as He cares for the sparrows.
Saturday
In China, getting into college does not guarantee a good job upon graduation, especially this year. Seven million students who succeeded in passing the Gaokao four years ago are now looking for work in the toughest job market ever. Unemployment and inability to find a suitable job create tension at home. We pray that churches will be able to minister to people who are undergoing these trials and they will experience the meaning of the Scripture which says, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7)
Sunday
While the Chinese government embraces Buddhism and Taoism, it suppresses and monitors Christianity very suspiciously. One reason is the monotheistic theology of Christianity which directly opposes the atheism of Communism. We need to continue to pray for the political leaders that the Lord will open their eyes to see that young people coming to Jesus and joining churches is not a threat to China, but is beneficial to Chinese society.
Monday
Christianity is treated with suspicion by officials in China so undercover agents from the central or local government, the Ministry of Public Security, and the National Security Agency are constantly monitoring churches. It is our duty to pray for peace for all the Christian gatherings and trainings sessions. We pray for wisdom for the church leaders, and effective ministry of outside speakers, so they will not only teach Biblical knowledge, but also inspire students to love the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly.

 

星期二
中國各地的高三學生剛完成一年一度的大學入學考試,人稱「高考」。為了高考,大部份學生都在巨大壓力下準備多年,家庭也投入大量金錢請家教,讓他們參加課後輔導。我們為等候高考放榜的信徒家長禱告,求主將信心和超乎人意料的平安賜給他們,幫助他們能鼓勵孩子凡事讓主居首位,不論成績如何,也仰望、倚靠神的引領,因為主掌管一切。
星期三
儘管出國上大學的中國學生越來越多 ( 20112012,近20萬中國學子赴北美讀大學),但絕大多數的年輕人還是在國內接受高等教育,除了在高考中考出好成績,別無選擇。海外華人教會有許多機會接觸留學生,本科留學生雖然普遍經濟環境不錯,能到處遊覽,但教會還是能吸引一些人,也領了一些人歸主。我們為各地的留學生事工感恩並代禱,求主幫助神的教會透過舉辦各樣的活動,能用諸般的智慧,勸戒人、教導人,把各人在基督裏完完全全地引到神面前。
星期四
競爭激烈,僧多粥少,在中國幾乎事事如此。因著戶口制度的管理,高考的過程會向城鎮考生傾斜。「高考定一生」是無奈的事實,對教學上師資及資源嚴重不足的農村學子也的確很不公平。我們要特別為農村教會子弟的升學和就業禱告,求不偏待人的主親自安慰他們,也給信徒家長們屬靈的眼光,知道怎樣處卑賤,也知道怎樣處豐富;在世為人不靠人的聰明,乃靠神的恩惠;多鼓勵子女更愛主、服事主,先求祂的國與義,神會看顧、豐盛預備我們的需用。
星期五
農村戶口持有者的子女會繼承其父母二等公民的地位,即使出生在城市也有如此心態。城市人則希望保持這種制度,保護他們在就業、教育及醫療的特殊優待,戶口造成等級制度。有些信徒為子女教育、工作及自己的醫療所需憂慮,以致努力為自己積攢錢財。求主加添我們信心,常常仰望那連麻雀都看顧的神!
星期六
進入大學也不能保證畢業時可以找到一個理想的工作,今年尤為如此。四年前順利通過高考的七百萬學生,現在趕上了最嚴酷的就業市場。家中有失業的,或是子女找不到合適工作的,都會造成許多壓力。我們為教會能適切關懷處於這個局面的信徒,願神大能的膀臂扶持他們,又使用教會彼此相助,一同經歷「有人靠車,有人靠馬,但我們要提到耶和華我們神的名。」的真實。
星期日
比起政府明顯扶植佛教與道教,基督教是被打壓的,部分原因是基督教的一神論,跟共產黨把黨視為母親和唯一真理的價值,有較大的矛盾。我們為執政掌權的禱告,求主打開他們的眼睛,看見年輕一代相信耶穌,進入教會群體,在社會當中做鹽做光不會感到恐懼驚慌。
星期一
官方把基督教當做是一個需要隨時被監督的對象,中央或地方政府的公安部、國家安全局的便衣,便會隨時隱藏其中。我們為各地聚會和培訓有平安祈求。求主賜給負責的同工有聰明和智慧,也大大使用那些外來的講員,不但能傳授知識,更是激勵學員全心擺上。

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