Prayer Request 8/27 - 9/2

Tuesday
There are giant factory-cities in many places in China which are essentially a world of their own. They include factories that employ tens of thousands of young people with their own dormitories, restaurants, and recreational facilities. And many of these workers are from Christian families and they are a long way from home. May the Lord give them work and interpersonal skills so they can quickly adjust to life and continue to read their Bibles and pray so they will not drift away from God.
Wednesday
The demanding around-the-clock work schedule of millions of young workers in the mega factory cities in China means that many of them can escape from the tedious work routines only at night and that means they spend their free time in the high life of nearby night clubs. Every night young workers dance to vent their anger and stress. Leaving home often means leaving God for many young believers. We pray that young Christians working in these factory-cities can quickly find churches or fellow Christians, have the boldness to share, and stay vibrant in their faith. May the Lord protect their minds and thoughts.
Thursday
In China’s factory towns, summer is the low season so many workers get a day or two off on weekends which gives them the motivation to return to the assembly line on Monday. There are some meeting points where these workers from rural regions congregate and worship together. We pray for these gatherings and ask the Lord to use them helping those who attend to grow deeper spiritually and also lead other workers to Jesus.
Friday
Employees in the mega-factories in China must wear matching uniforms. They say the supervisors routinely curse and yell at them. In the residential compounds, rows of brick dormitories house up to eight workers in a room filled with metal bunk beds, plus a combination shower-toilet—not much else. Some factories, however, are owned by Christians who allow some sharing of the gospel, such as handing out gospel tracts or booklets and even the showing of Christian films. We pray that these will sow good seeds and lead some of the workers to Christ.
Saturday
The vast majority of workers in the mega-factories in China do not consider their job as a lifetime career but for now they are content to bask in the joys of youth—meeting people of the opposite sex and getting drunk with co-workers. Late at night the “love hotels” are packed because factory dormitories are separated by gender. The likely reasons for Christian youth to drift away from their faith include: long work hours, little time to rest, the inability to find churches or Christians friends. Let us pray for these believers who once were active Christians but now are no longer walking with Jesus. May the Lord have mercy on them.
Sunday
By and large Chinese migrant workers work in the factories but a few own small businesses in the coastal provinces—workers coming from the inland provinces.  So factories present a huge opportunity to share the gospel to young people from deeper inland. This trend of young people moving to cities for work will continue. Yet they are often neglected in terms of being reached and ministered to. May the Lord have mercy and we pray that churches will answer the call to share the gospel of salvation through Jesus with them.
Monday
Those who come from the villages to seek work in the cities are often more receptive to the gospel than others since they are away from home and their hearts are open to the warmth in the church or fellowship group. We pray the urban churches will pay more attention to the needs of this part of the population and feel the burden of the Lord to send people to help these young people adapt to their environment and use their spare time to arrange for meetings to help them grow spiritually that those believers who feel “We are migrant workers” can join them or form a spiritual home (meeting point) to learn to pray and grow spiritually.

星期二
許多中國城市都有不少巨型工廠園區，動輒僱用幾萬年輕工人，廠內擁有宿舍大樓、餐廳和各樣娛樂設施，儼然自成一個獨立的世界。很多工人來自信主的家庭，离鄉背井到了人生地不熟的地方就業，求主幫助他們在職場上有美好的見證，有能力應對工作上的要求，也曉得妥善處理人際關係，更能獨立追求認識主，有個人讀經和禱告的生活，讓屬靈生命不因離開教會而停滯成長。
星期三
數以百萬計的年輕工人，藉著放蕩的夜生活和到廠區附近的舞場消遣，以排解每日繁瑣工作的沉悶。他們在熱情洋溢的舞場裡，把白天令人窒息的現實暫時忘卻，用跳舞發洩憤怒和壓力。年輕信徒遠離家人常常就離開了神。我們要為來自信徒家庭的年輕工人禱告，求主保守他們的心懷意念，幫助他們儘快找到教會或屬靈友伴。當患難中能感受神的同在，在亨通裡不忘神的恩惠，無論何情況都堅信神永不改變，也有勇氣見證主。
星期四
夏季是中國工業區的淡季，因此很多工人周末會有一天甚至兩天的休假。他們都趁機成群結隊湧到舞場，盼藉此紓緩壓力逃避現實，重獲返回裝配線的動力。我們為一些在較多農民工聚集的地方，自行組成「民工教會」來禱告，願主大大使用他們，不但自己靈命有精進，也能有機會向其它未得救的外來工人傳揚福音。
星期五
在一些大型工廠裡，員工少有自主權，時時刻刻須穿著制服，亦常遭主管大聲喝斥。在員工住宿區裡，一排排磚質的宿舍內僅有金屬床鋪及能洗澡的衛生間，卻每房居住多達八個工人。我們為一些基督徒老闆願在工廠內作福音工作感恩，他們贈送福音單張、書刊；一些老闆更在食堂裡播放福音短片或短講，向工人傳道，願主保守這些種子都能落在好土裡發芽成長。
星期六
很多工人並不會以現在的工作為長久職業，他們留在此地只是為了滿足充滿青春歡樂的生活 — 與異性約會，和同事喝得爛醉。深夜來到，因為工廠宿舍按男女劃分，情人旅店就變得忙碌起來。年輕信徒工人往往因工時長、休息少，再加上找不到教會聚會，身邊也沒有能彼此扶持的信徒而冷淡後退，我們為這些曾是火熱的基督徒禱告，為他們停滯的靈命求主憐憫。
星期日
整體來說，「農民工」大多數都是從內陸省份到沿海城市工廠裡打工的，有小部分做一些小本生意。在東南部沿海地區的工廠聘用了很多從不同內地省份來的工人，工廠往往成為一個很大的福音禾場。中國的流動人口持續上升，將會有更多「農民工」流入城市，他們是城市中亟需要福音的一群，求主施恩憐憫，拯救他們的生命！
星期一
跟其他人相較起來，離鄉背井前來尋覓前途的「農民工」對福音持開放的態度，他們置身在異鄉中更能體會基督福音的寶貴。求主幫助城市教能更多關注這個群體的需要，感受到由神而來的催促，去收割成熟的莊稼。因在世上“我們也是寄居的農民工”，應更積極溶入外地來的年輕工人當中。協助他們適應新環境，了解他們心靈的飢渴，在他們工餘時間安排合適的聚會活動等等，為神營造一個溫馨的屬靈家庭來幫助他們認識神，學習真理、禱告，靈命成長。

Prayer Request 8/20 - 8/26

Tuesday
When tourists from China go abroad now, they have silk scarves, Swiss watches, and Louis Vuitton handbags on their “must buy” list along with a load of milk powder. Their obsession with foreign milk powder stems from a distrust of the domestic brands. Chinese Christians have a certain amount of mistrust about the management of both their churches and the funds managed by the churches. There is no real legal entity for house churches but we pray they will have more transparency and be able to encourage the members to serve willingly as well as to support them financially.
Wednesday
People from China are buying up milk powder for infants everywhere they can get it outside of China. Consequently, that has led to a shortage of this product in several countries from neighboring Hong Kong (a formal offense there) to the Netherlands and New Zealand. Very few churches in China have a meaningful ministry for toddlers and little children. Most believers with little children simply stop going to church because of the lack of childcare and programs for the children. We pray that churches will quickly provide such services and keep young parents involved in their churches.
Thursday
The safety of milk powder is the number one concern among pregnant women and families with new babies. People ask their friends, “When you travel overseas, can you help me get some milk powder?” Last year forty-one percent of the people of China said that food safety was a very serious problem compared with only twelve percent in 2008. We pray for Christian families who are pregnant or have just had a new baby. Many young parents have their own parents helping them care for their new child. May the Lord give them wisdom, assurance, and strength in their new responsibilities and adjustment to their in-laws who are not believers.
Friday
People in China are asking, “How can we trust food made in China after reading all of these horrendous stories about the safety of food here. We are the parents of our children and nobody can accuse us for merely wanting the best for our babies. It is not that we don’t love our country, we just dare not take the risk.” All parents want the best for their only child. We pray that believers will give thanks to God for the new child, dedicate him/her to the Lord, and commit to teach him/her to follow God’s commandments.
Saturday
There are giant factory-cities in many places in China which are essentially a world of their own. They include factories that employ tens of thousands of young people with their own dormitories, restaurants, and recreational facilities. Many of these workers are from Christian families and they are a long way from home. May the Lord give them work and interpersonal skills so they can quickly adjust to life and continue to read their Bibles and pray so they will not drift away from God.
Sunday
Every Chinese political leader has his own slogan from "Three Represents" to "Harmonious Society" but the phrase used by the new president of China "Chinese Dream" is widely considered as the governing catch phrase and it has a more captivating ring. Chinese Christians also like to throw out catchy slogans but unfortutately, these remain unbiblical and unrealistic. We pray that nationalistic fervor and a sense of ethnic superiority wil not be mixed with the Biblical commands to take the gospel to the unreached and show them the love of Jesus Christ.
Monday
The "China Dream" reinforces the Communist party's theory that it remains the only guarantor of future prosperity and national rejuvenation for the country. To achieve this dream requires that they follow the path laid out by China which is socialism with a Chinese twist. The danger of a slogan is that it can become only words rather than plans and actions. Let us pray that the churches in China will truly be one-hearted rather than divided with mistrust and slandering each other.

星期二
中國遊客過去在國外必不可少的採購品是絲巾、瑞士名錶和路易威登(Louis Vuitton)手提包，如今還要加上奶粉。中國父母「迷戀」外國奶粉是基於對國產品牌的不信任 。有些信徒對教會領袖的行政管理及奉獻款的使用也缺乏信任。讓我們為教會的難處禱告，求主憐憫並幫助教會能有更高透明度，鼓勵弟兄姐妹因而甘心樂意參與服事、擺上奉獻。
星期三
中國人除本土以外，正在境外任何能買得到嬰兒奶粉的地方買盡當地商店貨架上的奶粉。此舉導致鄰近的香港立法規管成人限量携帶嬰兒奶粉離境，更波及荷蘭、紐西蘭等至少六個國家亦出現嬰兒奶粉短缺的問題。教會裡有規模並正規的幼兒和孩童事工實在少而又少，托兒無門使不少信徒因著小孩問題乾脆停止聚會。我們為教會能盡快提供優質的孩童事工禱告，讓家長不僅能留下聚會，更是爭取從小培育孩童認識神的機會，打好穩固的信仰根基。
星期四
奶粉安全是孕婦和有新生兒家庭關注的頭號問題。許多中國人都曾請託朋友：「你出國的時候能幫我帶一些奶粉嗎？」去年有41%的人認為食品安全構成了非常嚴峻的問題，2008年時只有12%。我們為懷孕及剛有了新寶寶的信徒家庭禱告，許多年輕夫婦有他們的父母做月子，或是幫助照顧新生兒。求主賜他們智慧、力量和信心面對生活上新的責任及調適，靠著主的恩典，在與未信的公婆、岳父母融洽相處之餘，更能把握機會分享福音。
星期五
針對搜購外國奶粉之舉，許多新媽媽反問：「我們怎能相信中國生產的食品？我們想給寶寶提供最好的東西，沒人能說這麼做不對。我們不是不愛國，只是不敢去冒這種險。」每個家長都希望將最好的給自己的獨生子女。我們求神幫助信徒家長常存感恩的心，教導子女從小遵行神的吩咐，揀選義人的路；更有願意將子女獻給主的心志。
星期六
許多中國城市都有不少巨型工廠園區，動輒僱用幾萬年輕工人，擁有宿舍大樓、餐廳和各樣娛樂設施，基本上就是一個獨立的城市。很多工人來自家庭教會，到了人生地不熟的地方就業，求主幫助他們在職場上有美好的見證，曉得人際關係的處理，也能獨立追求認識主，有個人讀經和禱告的生活，讓生命不會因為離開教會而冷淡。
星期日
每一個中國政治領導人都有自己的口號，從「三個代表」 到「和諧社會」。但最新的執政口號「中國夢」，卻是非常的不同，也相當的迷人。華人信徒也常常使用一些動人的口號。遺憾的是，有些口號本身並不一定符合聖經的教導也可能不切實際。求主幫助我們不將神的命令與自我民族優越感混為一談，而是單單地順服神的心意，要把福音傳給未得之民，將耶穌基督的愛分享給他們。
星期一
「中國夢」強調中國必須以共產黨的領導，才能得著未來的繁榮和民族振興。要實現中國夢，必須按照中國自己的路徑，就是走有中國特色的社會主義道路。高喊口號的危險是易流於空洞的字句，而確切可行的計劃和真實的行動更是成功的關鍵。我們來為教會祈求，在鉤畫美麗願景的同時，更要注重教會在真理的合一，彼此同心，連於元首基督；不製造分裂、猜疑和污衊他人。

Prayer Request 8/13 - 8/19

Tuesday
China issued a directive banning the construction of government buildings for the next five years which is the newest tactic which the government is using to attempt to discourage corruption and foster frugality at a time of broad popular resentment against high-living bureaucrats. As citizens become skeptical and even doubtful about any big building projects, we need to pray for churches that are embarking on building projects. We ask the Lord to guard the hearts of both leaders and members of the churches. May the fundraising efforts bring about unity and glorify God.
Wednesday
Beijing has tried to rein in the widely-mocked penchant for grandiosity among local officials. Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province attracted critical attention across China last fall after they began construction on what was initially planned to be the largest government building in Asia. Many cities now boast huge and elegant church buildings. We thank the Lord and pray that these big churches will become beacons and testimonies of God's love. We pray, too, for the smaller house churches near the big churches, for their continuing growth in ministry.
Thursday
Competency in English is a hurdle for rural students who want to qualify for anything but the worst universities in China. Many villages have no steady English teacher and the students are supposed to learn English early. Most parents cannot find nor can they afford an English tutor. Teaching English is undoubtedly a great way to do evangelism in China. It is also alarming that many Western cults are using this same approach to gather followers. Today we pray for good fruit for the English teachers who are trying to lead people to Christ.
Friday
Many high schools in China are boarding schools, an arrangement that allows the local government to impose hefty fees on parents. In these schools tuition is about $200 (USD) a semester. Food is $10 a week. Books, tutorials, and exam fees are all extra and often increase in price. Education is a huge expense for working parents in China and they lose their influence on their children once they go to boarding school. We pray along with Christian parents who are concerned about their child who is away from home continuing in his Faith in Jesus.
Saturday
Life in a high school boarding school in China is rigorous. Wake-up is at 5:30 followed by a study time until breakfast at 7:30. Classes begin at 8:30 a.m. and run until 10:30 p.m. except for two hours off for lunch and dinner. Occasionally they get to see a patriotic movie for entertainment. Even on Saturday and Sunday they must spent time studying.It is hard for a Christian to hold on to his/her faith at such a young age in these boarding schools whose only purpose is to get these students into a university. We pray for everyone in a boarding school who had a Christian upbringing that they will study well but most importantly that they will hold on to their faith in Christ and their testimony for Him.
Sunday
There are many hurdles stacked against students from rural areas who want to go to college in China. One is the looming heavy cost for their parents. Also, few children from poor families earn top marks on the national college entrance exams so they are shunted to schools of lower quality which receive the smallest government subsidies. aLet us pray for believers in the countryside who have so much hope and expectation for their children. It is not difficult to see why many of these believers are led astray by cults and false teachings that emphasize and promise success, wealth, and a good future for their children.
Monday
Higher education is rapidly losing its role as a leveler of society in China or as a safety valve for talented but poor youths to escape poverty. In the past, the people who received higher education teanded to be relatively better off but now many college graduates cannot find a job. Let us pray for wisdom and good testimonies for believers who are teachers and professors. They can often provide advice to parents as well as encourage and gain the confidence of young people in churches, especially those who are not necessarily college-bound.

星期二
政府禁止未來五年內修建政府大樓。中國老百姓普遍憎恨官僚生活奢華之時，國家採取了一系列打擊腐敗、提倡節儉的行動，此令正是最新一項舉措。現在老百姓對任何建設項目都持著懷疑，認為一定有貪污的存在。我們為各處教會建堂禱告，求主保守帶領者和弟兄姊妹的心，在惡者任何攪動或攻擊時能站立穩固，信徒間能彼此信任，凡事連於元首基督，叫主名得榮。
星期三
地方官員建造奢華辦公樓的傾向廣受詬病，中央一再試圖控制這種現象。去年山東省會濟南市新建政府大樓，最初的計劃是把它建成亞洲最大的政府大樓，招致全國的批評。我們為許多城市都有高大優雅的教堂感恩之同時，也更為眾教會能成為社區的明燈，見證神的愛代禱。我們也記念大型教會附近的小教會，願主使用他們，幫助他們在崗位上盡忠事奉。
星期四
對年輕人來說，想要進較好的大學，就得先學好英文。然而很多農村均沒有固定的英語老師，使他們學習無門。教授英文無疑是一個在中國裡傳道的好途徑，許多外國異端邪教也深諳此道，以此來吸引年輕學生。我們切切為宣教士禱告，用諸般智慧傳揚神的話語，引領人認識耶穌基督。
星期五
中國許多高中都是寄宿學校，這種安排使地方政府可以向家長收很多雜費；除了每學期約200美元學費外，還有每星期10美元的伙食費，而書本、補課和考試都要額外收費。孩子的教育費是中國父母巨大的投資與犧牲。另一方面，孩子進入寄宿學校，家長亦會依依不捨。我們為這類家長禱告，幫助他們學習把孩子交託神，也更多仰望神保守他們孩子的心靈，雖然遠離家在學校住宿，但是仍能保持對神的信心。
星期六
寄宿學校的學生每天早上5:30起床學習，7:30吃早餐，8:30開始上課，除了午餐和晚餐各一小時休息外，就一直上課至晚上10:30；學校偶爾會放映愛國電影作為娛樂。週六和周日的部分時間也要學習。寄宿學校的唯一目標，就是預備學生進入大學。在這樣的前題及環境下，信主的學生實在很難持守信仰。我們為在寄宿學校就讀的信徒孩子祈求，願神賜給他們有美好的學習，更重要的是能繼續在信仰上追求，為主在同學中間作見證。
星期日
農村貧困家庭的孩子很少在高考取得高分，以致被排擠到較差的學校，得到政府補貼亦同時較少。農村信徒家長對孩子的升學有無限的期望，因為這是他們脫貪的唯一的希望。農村信徒常常被邪教異端迷惑，因為他們容易將信仰與富裕、順利掛鈎。求主幫助農村信徒有屬靈的辨別力，能夠分辨真道。
星期一
高等教育再不是中國社會的平衡器和安全閥，讓貧窮但有天分的年輕人有機會脫貧。從前，接受高等教育的人傾向於過上相對較好的生活；現在，大學畢業生卻連一份工作也難找到。我們為基督徒老師和教授禱告，求神賜下智慧和美好的生命見證，幫助他們在教會中不但能給孩子升學建議和鼓勵，也能取得年輕人的信任，尤其鼓勵功課不理想的一群。

Prayer Request 8/6 - 8/12

Tuesday
The Urban Administrative Law Enforcement (Chengguan) are quasi-police in various cities in China who are mostly responsible for the arrest of unlicensed street vendors. Recently the chengguan have come under public wrath for their heavy-handed dealing with these people. On their way to church Christians walk by countless street vendors but do not stop to share Christ with them. May the Spirit of the Lord quicken each of us to see the lost souls all around us and help us to be willing to daily share our testimony with them.
Wednesday
The market economy in China actually dates back to the street vendors of the 1980’s when the government encouraged them to work as a way to boost the local economy. Later these people became the large scale malls. Street vendors have the public sympathy but in general they are looked down upon. We give thanks to God that today more believers than before are educated and are well-off financially but we pray that the church in China will have a heart for the poor and those who are dispossessed.
Thursday
The majority of the cities in China discourage street vendors and even ban them on major streets and tourist spots. Chengguan often use tough tactics to clamp down on illegal street vendors. Because of this they have earned for themselves the ugly reputation of bad police. May the Lord continue to remind us today as He revealed to the prophet Micah, “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does Jehovah require of you but to do justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?
Friday
Social changes have been taking place incredibly fast in China, particularly during the past two years, as people have moved from the country to cities and towns. As a whole, Chinese people tend to be introverted so they tend not to make friends with their neighbors in a new environment. We pray for young Christians as they deal with their loneliness and the need for friendship, and intimacy. We pray that God will give them godly friends and that they will find meaning and discover joy in God whether they are single or dating.
Saturday
Millions of young Chinese are plunging enthusiastically into the world of apps for social contacts which are often location-based and with a hookup element. New technology and the old lust and desire together produce new possibilities for adults to casual sex.Many young believers struggle with following God’s command on sexual purity and their need for friendships of the opposite sex, We pray that all of us will see that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and have faith in God that He knows our need and has a great plan for us.
Sunday
Chinese churches have fewer salaried staff in contrast with the Western churches. The danger of those who serve in church is the delicate balance of ministry load and their own personal spiritual development. We remember all believers who are involved in serving in church. May their spiritual lives be vibrant, their zeal not diminished. May the Lord renew us all and the churches will put emphasis on training healthy church workers.
Monday
Only 51.3 percent of migrants hold fixed-term employment contracts with their bosses and they work an average of 54.6 hours per week, far above the 40-hour legal limit. Over 30 percent of the country's migrant workers are employed without a proper contract. In many ways pastors face a situation similar to that of the migrant workers. Chinese believers should be considerate of their shepherds and not merely demand that they themselves be cared for. They should care for their pastors, especially those who labor faithfully, never mistreating them but honoring and loving them.

星期二
城管是中國地方執法者，主要的任務就是驅趕街頭無照商販，以及檢查各類許可證。近來城管執法不當捲入一些公眾衝突事件，造成社會的焦點。在往教會的路上，弟兄姊妹一定會遇見許多各式的攤販，但是我們沒有停下來與他們分享主耶穌。求主的靈常常提醒我們，睜開眼睛看見在身邊失喪的靈魂，隨時分享福音給他們。
星期三
中國市場經濟在大眾的感受中幾乎就是從“擺攤”開始的，在八十年代，很多地方政府鼓勵街頭擺攤，支持形成“街頭經濟”，接著再成為有規模化的市場。近來攤販與城管的爭執，攤販們得到百姓的同情，但是他們還是一般人所看不起的。中國教會的確是得著很多的高知識分子及經濟寬裕的信徒，求主賜給教會更寬闊的眼光與憐憫的心腸，把工作放眼到貧困及社會邊緣的群體。
星期四
現在多數大城市對沿街擺攤的態度，從支持轉為限制和取締。在城市主要街道和主要景區，城管對違​​規商販採取強硬態度，常常在這些衝突中產生摩擦而造成弱勢者傷亡，城管的輿論形象幾乎崩潰。 求主再次提醒我們，如同彌迦書6：8提醒我們的：” 世人哪，耶和華已指示你何為善。他向你所要的是什麼呢？只要你行公義，好憐憫，存謙卑的心，與你的神同行。”
星期五
近來中國社會變化快得讓人難以置信，人們都搬進了城鎮裡，對很內向的中國人而言，在新環境中，多半傾向於不和鄰居們交朋友。我們為年輕的基督徒禱告，神知道他們的孤單，需要有朋友和屬靈同伴。不論是單身或是在交友中，願主賜給年輕的弟兄姊妹有愛主的朋友，一起尋求生命的意義及神所賜的喜樂。
星期六
數以百萬計的中國年輕人一頭扎進了社交應用的網路世界裡，這些通常基於位置的應用帶有成人交友的元素。新的技術及性和慾望，兩者相結合產生這個新的可能性。 許多年輕信徒雖然知道神的誡命，但是在保持性的純潔及與異性交友上卻是無法自拔。 我們來為信徒都知道我們的身體是聖靈的殿，求主加添我們信心，相信神知道我們的需要，也在我們生命中有祂美好的計劃。
星期日
與西方教會相比，中國教會中支薪的工人相對的少多了。所以事奉者若看重事工發展而忽略孕育靈命成長，會使事奉者靈命失衡。求主幫助所有服侍神的弟兄姐妹們，靈命不變得枯乾，服侍的熱心也不減退了，求主時時更新我們，教會重新調整發展重點，刻意培訓出身心靈健康的信徒領袖。
星期一
傳道人和農民工在許多地方都有相似點。流動人口的工作時間普遍較長，平均每週工作54.6小時，遠超過勞動法規定的每週40小時。此外，流動人口勞動合同簽訂率亦普遍較低。求主幫助信徒合情合理的照顧那些為自己的靈命擔憂, 時刻警醒的傳道人，在物質上他們不缺乏。