Tuesday, October 01, 2013

Prayer Request 10/1 - 10/7


Tuesday
Seventy four percentage of working-age Chinese women are working, which is comparable to western countries. But China’s figure is high because it includes women working in the countryside, and unlike developed countries, nearly half of China’s population is still rural. We want to pray for wisdom for many sisters who feel conflicted in choosing between career or family, may the Lord make clear of His will in their lives. We pray for good communication and consensus as they consider changing jobs or relocation.
Wednesday
China’s urban employment rate for working-age women fell to a new low of 60.8% in 2010, down from 77.4% 20 years earlier, according to the census figures. In 2010, women who work are a whopping 20.3 percentage points lower than that of men. We pray for the marital relationship of all believers. May the husband be considerate to their wives as the Bible tells us and the wives submit to their husband just as we submit to our Lord. May all of Christian families be a powerful testimony for God.
Thursday
China’s urbanization rate is expected to rise to 53.37 percent this year, and Chinese state media say that 60 percent of China’s population of nearly 1.4 billion will likely be urban by 2020. The decline of rural churches in China is inevitable, therefore, we must pray for those who serve, the Lord add to them, passion, faith and faithfulness. We pray for the families of rural preachers, so they will always rejoice in serving together with their spouse.
Friday
When China fired tens of millions of workers at state-owned enterprises in the 1990's as part of a reorganization of the national economy. Women were fired disproportionately over men. Many of the women were rehired later at much lower salaries than men who were fired. Every couple all have occasions of disagreement. We want to pray for believers couple seeking to honor God and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in issues of finance, their sex lives and children’s education.
Saturday
Around the same time, a “Women Return to the Home” movement emerged, calling on women to quit their jobs to make way for men in a time of rising unemployment. Over the years, these attitudes have taken hold: There has been a resurgence of belief in traditional gender roles. We pray for believers who have difficulties with their marital relationship, may the Lord grant them forgiveness because they want to love God first, We ask for patience for them, so they learn how to be sacrificial, not self-seeking and gentleness in supporting each other.
Sunday
Chinese believers enjoy going to different churches to listen to unfamiliar preachers. Most believers get their spiritual food through sermons and they often feel their own pastors aren't meeting their need. Believers who hop from one church to another lack a sense of belonging and also that of good fellowship. We pray for God's mercy for this old nagging problem which hampers the healthy growth of churches in China.
Monday
It is a good thing that believers desire to grow spiritually but those who like to go to different churches create a big problem in that they often challenge the spiritual authority of their leaders. We pray for churches that have this kind of "problem believers". May the Lord give them an effective teaching ministry so their members will all grow more mature spiritually. 
星期二
中國的女性就業比例高(74%) 可以媲美西方國家,但這是因為包括了農村勞動女性。與發達國家不同,中國近一半的人口仍然在農村。面對家庭與事業的抉擇,不少姊妹都進退維谷,求主賜給她們智慧,尤其是在工作變動和搬遷的大決定時,夫妻能有良好的溝通與共識一起來尋求神的旨意。
星期三
2010年,中國城市裡勞動年齡女性就業率下降到了60.8%的新低,而再往前推20年,這一數字為77.4%。而且,2010年城市女性的就業比例,比城市男性就業率低20.3%。我們為弟兄姊妹的夫妻關係祈求,求主幫助丈夫按著聖經的教導體貼妻子,妻子也能順服丈夫如順服主一樣,使他們的家能成為世人美好的見證。
星期四
據估計今年中國的城市化率將提升至53.37%,官方媒體稱,到2020年,中國近十四億人口中將有60%為城市人口。城巿教會繼續增長,農村教會漸驅沒落似乎是個定局。我們要為農村教會的同工們禱告,保守他們無論得時不得時都能堅持傳道。求主多多加添他們信心,繼續竭力忠心,在神面前作無愧的工人。我們也為傳道人的家庭代禱,願夫妻都能同心,在事奉中滿有喜樂。
星期五
二十世紀九十年代,中國為重組新經濟體制,讓數以千萬計的國企工人下崗。女性下崗的比例遠高於男性,許多後來再工作,工資也大大低於男性。基督徒夫妻也難免有意見不一的時候,我們為信徒夫妻在金錢使用、性生活、子女教育等等方面都能按著聖靈的引導而行,尊主為大。
星期六
大概在九十年代與新經濟體制同一時期,出現了「女性回歸家庭」的運動,呼籲在失業率攀升之際女性應辭職,為男性讓出道路。雖然走到二十一世紀,傳統的性別角色觀念(男尊女卑)又再度盛行。我們為夫妻能有和諧關係禱告,若有衝突,也願意因著愛神的心彼此饒恕。願主加添他們忍耐的心,在婚姻生活裡學習捨己,不求自己的益處,時時以恩慈溫柔的心相互扶持。
星期日
不少信徒很喜歡穿梭於不同的教會,聽不同的牧者講道,這是因為他們主要靠著主日講道得到餵養,而他們覺得自己教會的主日講道內容,不能滿心靈的渴求。信徒在不同的教會聽更多不同的道,往往造成信徒對教會缺少歸屬感,也沒有肢體互相扶持互動的生活。我們為牧養信徒的聖工禱告,也求主憐憫恩待這影響著個人及教會健全發展的難題。
星期一
信徒渴慕追求更多屬靈的長進原是可喜的現象,但到處聽道也會帶來另一些問題,甚至也會挑戰教會領導同工及論斷傳道人的恩賜及講台信息。求主幫助有這類問題的教會,能建立更有成效的一套牧養系統,使信徒的靈命能穩定的成長。

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