Posts
Tuesday
The Math Olympiad Classes became popular in China in the early 1990’s with the purpose to cultivate interest in mathematics. Later, as math and science became key subjects for the college entrance exam, the interest in the Math Olympiad Classes intensified. Christian parents naturally worry about their children’s academic performances and the financial burden of their various expenses. We pray that parents will have faith in God and believe that He does reward their love for Him because He blesses their offspring.
Wednesday
Top-ranking schools offer special classes for “guaranteed admission” and the spaces are offered on an invitation basis. The ranking in these classes along with those in the Math Olympiad Classes determines whether the student will receive early admission to those schools. Not every child can enter the elite schools since not everyone is able to do well in examinations. We pray that God will give our children wisdom along with healthy physical and spiritual growth and that they will find favor in the eyes of God and people.
Thursday
Early admission offered by schools to special classes contradicts the openness and fairness principles espoused by the school. Subtle messages by teachers such as, “We welcome your child to our school” or “Don’t worry about admission” imply guaranteed admission. Parents spend a great deal of effort to ensure their children get into the best schools. We pray that children from Christian homes will know the Lord personally early in their lives and own their faith in Him personally, not merely grow up in the church
Friday
As a whole, Chinese pastors refrain from opening up about their own personal struggles and feelings. Many quit the ministry because of guilt because they consider themselves unworthy and powerless. Then they live under the duress of self-denial with no one to help them. It is natural for pastors to become discouraged when the church is not growing and the people in the congregation are buying houses and cars. We pray that there will be someone in each church who will become a friend to the pastor, encouraging, comforting, and supporting God’s servant.
Saturday
In China many older believers need emotional renewal because of their own broken family background and the influence of traditional culture. This is especially true for those who are entering church ministry because many of them are unhealthy emotionally. Pastors are afraid to admit that they are jealous and discontent because the people they serve are getting richer every day. Let us pray for God’s constant reminder that He is impartial and that He does not forget our labor for Him and His people.
Sunday
Pastoral care is non-existent or unheard of in China but the real issue is that Chinese pastors are not transparent because believers falsely think pastors serve by faith so they get all of their needs met by God Himself. We pray for those who once served full-time in the church but have now become discouraged, disgruntled, or even departed from the faith. May the Lord strengthen their faith and stir up their love for Him once again.
Monday
There is much disunity among the leaders and co-workers in the churches in China. A dictatorial style of leadership often leads to churches splitting. Let’s pray for a stable and healthy church environment for all believers. We pray that each of us will appreciate the limitations of the pastors and leaders in the church in China. May the Lord grant us wisdom to deal with the conflicts in the church in healthy ways.
The Math Olympiad Classes became popular in China in the early 1990’s with the purpose to cultivate interest in mathematics. Later, as math and science became key subjects for the college entrance exam, the interest in the Math Olympiad Classes intensified. Christian parents naturally worry about their children’s academic performances and the financial burden of their various expenses. We pray that parents will have faith in God and believe that He does reward their love for Him because He blesses their offspring.
Wednesday
Top-ranking schools offer special classes for “guaranteed admission” and the spaces are offered on an invitation basis. The ranking in these classes along with those in the Math Olympiad Classes determines whether the student will receive early admission to those schools. Not every child can enter the elite schools since not everyone is able to do well in examinations. We pray that God will give our children wisdom along with healthy physical and spiritual growth and that they will find favor in the eyes of God and people.
Thursday
Early admission offered by schools to special classes contradicts the openness and fairness principles espoused by the school. Subtle messages by teachers such as, “We welcome your child to our school” or “Don’t worry about admission” imply guaranteed admission. Parents spend a great deal of effort to ensure their children get into the best schools. We pray that children from Christian homes will know the Lord personally early in their lives and own their faith in Him personally, not merely grow up in the church
Friday
As a whole, Chinese pastors refrain from opening up about their own personal struggles and feelings. Many quit the ministry because of guilt because they consider themselves unworthy and powerless. Then they live under the duress of self-denial with no one to help them. It is natural for pastors to become discouraged when the church is not growing and the people in the congregation are buying houses and cars. We pray that there will be someone in each church who will become a friend to the pastor, encouraging, comforting, and supporting God’s servant.
Saturday
In China many older believers need emotional renewal because of their own broken family background and the influence of traditional culture. This is especially true for those who are entering church ministry because many of them are unhealthy emotionally. Pastors are afraid to admit that they are jealous and discontent because the people they serve are getting richer every day. Let us pray for God’s constant reminder that He is impartial and that He does not forget our labor for Him and His people.
Sunday
Pastoral care is non-existent or unheard of in China but the real issue is that Chinese pastors are not transparent because believers falsely think pastors serve by faith so they get all of their needs met by God Himself. We pray for those who once served full-time in the church but have now become discouraged, disgruntled, or even departed from the faith. May the Lord strengthen their faith and stir up their love for Him once again.
Monday
There is much disunity among the leaders and co-workers in the churches in China. A dictatorial style of leadership often leads to churches splitting. Let’s pray for a stable and healthy church environment for all believers. We pray that each of us will appreciate the limitations of the pastors and leaders in the church in China. May the Lord grant us wisdom to deal with the conflicts in the church in healthy ways.
星期二
從九十年代初起，國內各地出現了以培養數學興趣為主的奧林匹克數學班。直到九十年代末，隨著數學、物理、化學成績成為中考和高考的重要項目，加上數學乃是理科基礎的因素下，各地的「奧數」培訓日趨白熱化。父母為子女的學業掛心是自然的事，同時亦甘願為他們的就學問題挑上經濟重擔。我們為信徒家長要對神有信心來禱告，對愛主敬虔的人，深信神賜福給他們的後裔。
星期三
「占坑」指的是參加公營重點學校自辦或與社會機構合辦，面向小學生的學科培訓班，「奧數」是進入「坑班」的必考科目。在坑班中最主要的學習內容是奧數，唯一的目標便是憑藉在坑班位居前列的名次或奧數比賽中的優秀成績，能在每年十一月到翌年三月被名校提前「點招」。不是每個人都能考得好成績，也不是每個孩子都能進入名校；求主加添信徒子女有智慧，身心靈健康成長，也愛慕、親近主，尋求過一個討神喜悅的生活。
星期四
「點招」不公開、不透明，與小學畢業生不得擇校的精神相違。招生老師只能通過極其隱晦的語言，比如「歡迎你家孩子小升初到我們學校來」或「請家長放心」等，來暗示學生已經被「點招」了。家長為子女的教育花上的心思、時間和金錢何其多！我們也禱告信徒的第二代能從小就認識主耶穌，願神幫助他們早早經歷神，不僅恒常參與聚會，更要認真追求認識神。
星期五
整體來說，中國教會領袖都拒絕透露個人的掙扎與情緒，以致常常覺得自己不配、不行，活在罪疚之中 。長期的壓抑和自我的否定，加上無處尋得幫助，最終導致離開了事奉的工場。牧者也是常人，當看到別人購屋買車，享受好的物質生活時，想到自己事工的不順利，有心灰意冷也並非罕見。求主在每一個教會興起一群關心牧者的肢体，因著他們的鼓勵、安慰與代禱，能成為神僕的強力支柱。
星期六
許多年長的中國信徒因成長環境的破碎和傳統文化的影響，在心理健康的層面都需要重新被建立。傳道人也不例外，許多牧者在領受呼召、接受裝備，當中牽涉多少複雜的感受！看見別人有錢，有許多物質享受，也容易產生心中不平，甚至不敢承認的嫉妒及對主的不滿。求主施恩，時常提醒愛主、忠心擺上的人，神不虧待也不忘記為祂和眾人擺上的勞苦。
星期日
中國教會缺乏甚至從未听聞對牧者個人層面感受的關懷。原因很複雜，但傳道人不能坦誠是一大問題。信徒常誤認為傳道人是靠信心服侍的，理應特別屬靈，因有主不斷地同在。讓我們在禱告中記念那些曾經在教會熱心服事，甚至是全職同工的弟兄姐妹，但如今卻心灰意冷離開教會的肢体，求主再次挑旺他們的信心及對主的愛心。
星期一
中國教會有太多因同工不同心或專權獨斷而造成分裂的問題。我們為信徒能在穩定及健康的教會環境下成長禱告。求主幫助信徒間能體恤彼此的有限，各人看別人比自己強；當有衝突時，能尊主為首，多點耐心與愛心。願主教導我們凡事謙虛溫柔，竭力保守合而為一的心。
從九十年代初起，國內各地出現了以培養數學興趣為主的奧林匹克數學班。直到九十年代末，隨著數學、物理、化學成績成為中考和高考的重要項目，加上數學乃是理科基礎的因素下，各地的「奧數」培訓日趨白熱化。父母為子女的學業掛心是自然的事，同時亦甘願為他們的就學問題挑上經濟重擔。我們為信徒家長要對神有信心來禱告，對愛主敬虔的人，深信神賜福給他們的後裔。
星期三
「占坑」指的是參加公營重點學校自辦或與社會機構合辦，面向小學生的學科培訓班，「奧數」是進入「坑班」的必考科目。在坑班中最主要的學習內容是奧數，唯一的目標便是憑藉在坑班位居前列的名次或奧數比賽中的優秀成績，能在每年十一月到翌年三月被名校提前「點招」。不是每個人都能考得好成績，也不是每個孩子都能進入名校；求主加添信徒子女有智慧，身心靈健康成長，也愛慕、親近主，尋求過一個討神喜悅的生活。
星期四
「點招」不公開、不透明，與小學畢業生不得擇校的精神相違。招生老師只能通過極其隱晦的語言，比如「歡迎你家孩子小升初到我們學校來」或「請家長放心」等，來暗示學生已經被「點招」了。家長為子女的教育花上的心思、時間和金錢何其多！我們也禱告信徒的第二代能從小就認識主耶穌，願神幫助他們早早經歷神，不僅恒常參與聚會，更要認真追求認識神。
星期五
整體來說，中國教會領袖都拒絕透露個人的掙扎與情緒，以致常常覺得自己不配、不行，活在罪疚之中 。長期的壓抑和自我的否定，加上無處尋得幫助，最終導致離開了事奉的工場。牧者也是常人，當看到別人購屋買車，享受好的物質生活時，想到自己事工的不順利，有心灰意冷也並非罕見。求主在每一個教會興起一群關心牧者的肢体，因著他們的鼓勵、安慰與代禱，能成為神僕的強力支柱。
星期六
許多年長的中國信徒因成長環境的破碎和傳統文化的影響，在心理健康的層面都需要重新被建立。傳道人也不例外，許多牧者在領受呼召、接受裝備，當中牽涉多少複雜的感受！看見別人有錢，有許多物質享受，也容易產生心中不平，甚至不敢承認的嫉妒及對主的不滿。求主施恩，時常提醒愛主、忠心擺上的人，神不虧待也不忘記為祂和眾人擺上的勞苦。
星期日
中國教會缺乏甚至從未听聞對牧者個人層面感受的關懷。原因很複雜，但傳道人不能坦誠是一大問題。信徒常誤認為傳道人是靠信心服侍的，理應特別屬靈，因有主不斷地同在。讓我們在禱告中記念那些曾經在教會熱心服事，甚至是全職同工的弟兄姐妹，但如今卻心灰意冷離開教會的肢体，求主再次挑旺他們的信心及對主的愛心。
星期一
中國教會有太多因同工不同心或專權獨斷而造成分裂的問題。我們為信徒能在穩定及健康的教會環境下成長禱告。求主幫助信徒間能體恤彼此的有限，各人看別人比自己強；當有衝突時，能尊主為首，多點耐心與愛心。願主教導我們凡事謙虛溫柔，竭力保守合而為一的心。
No comments:
Post a Comment