Prayer Request 12/17 - 12/23

TuesdayChina's "Chang er 3" successfully landed on the moon thirty-seven years after Russia's and the United States' landing. Her rapid space exploration reflects her powers in science and technology and she has advocated "elevating the comprehensive national strength".There have been many celebrations of China's military and space accomplishments recently. We ask the Lord earnestly that more people will be saved and that the number of churches across China will increase, especially in the western region of China where Christian churches are few and weak.
Wednesday
Many people in China accept entry-level positions with a low salary at major state-owned enterprises because of the unofficial benefits such as networking opportunities, close ties to senior Party members, and the banquets and luxury gifts that the company hands out. We pray that churches will show their thanksgiving and express concrete appreciation for those who have served faithfully whether they are salaried or volunteers. May the Lord richly bless those who serve in churches that need a shepherd.
Thursday
Under Mr. Xi's new "Four Winds" campaign (combat formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism, and extravagance within the Communist Party) many state-owned enterprises and government agencies have reduced or eliminated perks. People are naturally cynical about true reform, especially efforts to fight pervasive corruption. We pray for integrity, boldness not to compromise, and a good testimony for Christians at their workplaces.
Friday
About 76,000 children die annually in China from accidents or disease. More than a million "orphan parent" families have been created since the one-child policy was formally instituted in 1980 and the number of families with only one child began to soar.We pray especially for believers who don't have children that the Lord will be their comfort and refuge because He is the One Who cares for us. We pray they will see their church as their family and the churches will in turn love them and hold them closer than blood relatives.
Saturday
Social security in China is primarily the responsibility of the family, not the government. Adult children are legally obliged to support their parents in old age so losing one's only child can mean destitution as well as grief for the parents. There are many elderly believers who do not receive good care from their children for various reasons. Let us pray that the churches they attend will minister to them spiritually, emotionally, and even physically, bringing the love of Jesus to these lonely seniors.
Sunday
Rural pastors generally speaking have had little formal schooling and many have had only a junior high education. Their preaching ability is often limited to reading a bit of the Bible and explaining a couple of sentences in it. This is the reason why churches are weak and even those larger churches are struggling now. These pastors know they are pushed to the limit but they have few resources to use to better themselves. We pray that God will give them opportunity to be better equipped and that He will give them strength, wisdom and insight as they preach boldly to their flock.
Monday
Overseas missionaries in China have reconsidered their strategy and one by one are turning to establishing theological colleges to equip Chinese preachers. Today, the church in China is still at the stage of equipping, training, and growing preachers. The need to train pastors is very great and it consumes all of their resources. We give thanks to God for all who are doing the training, those from Hong Kong, North America, Asia, and especially those from Korea.

星期二
「嫦娥三號」成功著陸月球，中國繼蘇聯與美國之後，37年來首次月面著陸。中國一直倡議提升「綜合國力」，太空探索反映了中國的科學與技術水平及強大，也支撐外交實力。近來，中國在軍事和航天科技領域慶祝了不少新的成就。我們為中國教會能在得救的人數及教會的數目方面，也有更多的增長來禱告，尤其是分享福音給西部地區的人。
星期三
有不少進入國企工作的人，並不是因為眼見的薪資高，而是基於非眼見的好處，例如搭建關係網的機會、與高級黨員的接觸，以及公司定期讓員工享受的盛宴和高檔禮物等等。在神的家裡，也有無數忠心服侍教會的人，不論他們受薪與否，我們都應該心存感激和表達謝意。我們特別為那些在沒有傳道人的教會裡，默默服侍的肢體感恩，求主親自記念、賞賜他們。
星期四
習近平主席發起的反「四風」運動，即消除黨內形式主義、官僚主義、享樂主義和奢靡之風的運動，讓許多國企和政府機構都削減了福利，甚至徹底取消。有些老百姓往往不看好政府能真正澈底改革，尤其是打擊腐敗。我們要為職場裡的信徒禱告，求神賜他們有正直的靈和向罪惡不妥協的膽量，在工作岡位上和生活中為主作美好的見證。
星期五
自「計劃生育政策」在1980年開始實施以來，獨生子女家庭的數量開始激增。令人難過的是，每年有7.6萬獨生子女死於意外或者疾病，使中國產生了百萬多個「失獨」家庭。我們特別來為沒有子女的信徒禱告，願主親自安慰，成為他們的避難所，作他們他們的依靠，又供應他們一切的需要。願主使他們和神及教會的關係，流通著真誠的愛，可以比擬甚至超過親子血源之間的親密。
星期六
中國社會保障主要在於家庭而非政府的責任。按照法律的規定，成年子女有義務贍養年邁的父母。失去獨生子女除了讓父母悲痛欲絕，還會讓他們年老時貧困無依。教會中難免有年長信徒因種種原因跟孩子疏遠，又或生活中沒人關注。我們為教會禱告，求主興起更多人能關心這些孤單長者，不單在靈命上，更是情感上，甚至在物質上能流露主耶穌恩慈憐恤的愛。
星期日
農村教會的傳道人普遍學歷較低，只有初中甚至更低程度，由於能力、素質不夠，教導往往只停留在讀讀聖經，稍微解釋一兩句的層面。教會的發展後繼乏力，很多曾經靈性經歷過大復興的教會現在都出現了問題。農村的傳道人知道他們工作已竭力到極限，也沒有時間和資源來自我充實。我們求主給他們更多建造裝備的機會，加添他們力量，智慧與洞察力，來餵養神託負的羊群。
星期一
海外對中國的宣教策略已有反思，進而相繼建立神學院裝備中國的傳道人。到目前為止，中國的教會發展還停留在對傳道人的裝備、訓練和栽培的階段。由於這個需要是何等的巨大又迫切，幾乎佔去所有的宣教資源。我們要為所有投入傳道人培訓的國外牧者、宣教士感恩，尤其是來自香港，北美，亞洲華人教會，還有韓國眾教會，願主祝福他們的辛勤耕耘，許中國禾場一個歡慶的大豐收。