TuesdayThe slogans "The 21st century belongs to the churches of China", "Back to Jerusalem", "Chinese missionaries are best suited to go to the Muslim world" are all nice slogans. They are widely preached and embraced by churches in China but they are really centered on China itself and show a great deal of pride. We pray that God will remove this mindset and fill the people of China with a passion for lost souls--not only those who are farther away, but those Muslim minorities that people often look down on which are ubiquitous in every Chinese city.WednesdayKorean churches have sent out 100,000 missionaries because their leaders own the vision of working together in missions. However, at the present time it is not evident whether the churches in China can ever become a "missions superpower". We pray that God will burden the leaders of the church in China with a vision of missions, take away their pride and the tendency to "do it alone". We pray for qualified and trained candidates who are ready to go to the ends of the earth to come forth from the church in China.ThursdayIn order for the churches in China to meet the challenge of cross-cultural missions, they must shed the Sino-centric attitude that now consumes them. Many falsely believe that the rise of China certainly means that Chinese will have and deserve to lead a prominent and superior role in global missions. Pray that God would raise up pastors in the Chinese church--both inside and outside of China--who have a strong vision for reaching the ends of the earth with the gospel and will humbly communicate it to their congregations.FridayThe Back to Jerusalem Movement (BTJM) created the hope that China could be a significant missionary-sending country. With an exciting slogan, a clear target, and a specific number of missionaries, it claims China is to take up the last baton of the Great Commission and bless the nations. However, after many years and much publicity, these words have been like “thunder without rain”. We pray that Chinese believers will not be caught up in exaggeration and unrealistic goals but will be humble and willing to learn and partner with missionary-sending countries.SaturdayThe optimistic projection of the Back to Jerusalem Movement based on the assumption of the growth of the Chinese church will be a new driving force for missions. They thought that the house church model works well under restrictive government and a big church membership base will provide the large number of workers needed. There are 29,000 missionaries from America, 20,000 from Korea, and 300 from Mongolia but only a handful from China. Let us pray for all of those who serve the Lord especially those in China and the Muslim world. May the Lord raise up Chinese who are truly equipped and willing to serve Him in the Islamic world.SundayThe high profile of the Back to Jerusalem Movement has already caused backlashes from Islamic states in the Middle East even through diplomatic channels. Such an approach is contrary to the low-profile, non-confrontational Christian witness practiced in most Creative Access Nations (CAN) ministries today. The churches in China still receive a lot of foreign financial support so we pray they will learn to be self-sufficient and also able to give toward mission work. May the Lord raise up not only workers from China to serve Him but also the finance to back them up.MondayUp until now the few churches in China involved in cross-cultural missions have been working independently. Most of the projects were co-ordinated and funded by overseas organizations with China providing the labor for them. This is similar to the way China has become the world’s factory. We pray for the day that churches in China will have enough workers and young believers that will be willing to serve the Lord and the churches will treat them as a valuable and precious resource rather than cheap labor.
星期二教會中常喊著的口號「21世紀是中國教會的世紀」，「回歸耶路撒冷」，「中國的信徒最適合穆斯林宣教」 ，其實都難脫除以中國為中心的屬靈驕傲， 有藐視其他被神重用的宣教國家之嫌。求主除去我們以自我為中心的心態，添加更多單單為主尋回為靈魂失喪者的心。不是只是說說到遠方回教國家宣教，卻以漢人的自傲，輕看回民。星期三並不難理解韓國教會能夠達成差派出100,000名宣教士的目標 ──因為韓國教會的領袖擁有這個異象。但是中國的教會是否能成為「宣教的超級勢力」，目前為止則尚不明顯。 我們為中國教會的領袖們也能有共同的宣教異象禱告。求神在教會中興起更多受過完備訓練的優質人選，整裝待發朝著包括中國和境外的「地極」前進。星期四許多信徒認為中國經濟的興起，就代表中國教會要在全球的宣教舞台上，扮演主角的角色。其實關心跨文化宣教， 首先就要放棄以中國為中心的態度，和在全球福音差傳使命中高人一等，自命領銜擔綱要角的姿態。求神興起中國教會中對福音傳到地極抱持強烈異象的牧師，讓他們存謙卑的心，夠將這個異象傳遞給他們的會眾。星期五「回歸耶路撒冷」的口號給了中國成為宣教大國的殷切盼望，同時也喊出教會要派出宣教士的人數及將福音傳遍回教國家的使命感。然而，這口號現在卻仍止於「只聽樓梯響，不見人下來。」 我們為中國教會禱告，不要僅僅追求響亮口號而不按在主面前的領受而行，願主賜給神的兒女有謙卑的心，願意更多向宣教國當地的前輩學習和建立差傳夥伴關係。星期六事實上信徒多並不一定就等同能送出質與量俱優的宣教士。「回歸耶路撒冷」運動，高估了中國教會的成長率；再者家庭教會的模式也不一定合適穆斯林民族。全球參與宣教的信徒有兩萬九千人來自美國，兩萬人來自韓國，三百人來自蒙古，中國人卻不多，求主感動更多已受裝備又願意受差派的弟兄姊妹加入這個行列。我們也為這些宣教士禱告，求神保守祝福他們，尤其是穆斯林地區服事主的僕人。星期日「回歸耶路撒冷」的口號可說是樹大招風，甚至引起中東國家的關注。大張旗鼓的宣教運動極不合適穆斯林的區域，反而是低調及不張揚的策略才不致引起當地的反感。許多非沿海富裕地區的教會仍需要國外的經濟支持，我們為中國教會的自立與成長禱告，願信徒不但能有更多人回應神選召成為宣教士，也能夠甘心樂意為主擺上更多金錢與時間。星期一至今為止，少數參與跨文化的宣教的團隊是單獨運作的。通常是外國機構策劃、出錢，中國則是出人力。因此當今中國教會的宣教景況跟商業上國外設計,中國製造業有些類似。我們禱告上帝能在中國教會興起更多年輕人願意服事主的童工，而教會更能看重他們，願意栽培他們，不視為廉價勞工。
TuesdayFor many Chinese churches, their outreach and caring will include smaller meeting points in the remote areas. Pastors must travel back and forth to lead services as part of their responsibility, because there is no one else to help out, and often the result is less than desired. We pray that more churches will cooperate with one another, and building up a younger generation of ministry leaders. We too ask the Lord to rise up those believers who are inactive, stir them to get involved and willing to share the Gospel with others.WednesdaySince they are only children due to the “one child” policy of the government and they have been born into an era of increasing prosperity, young people across China consistently say they tend not to share their parents’ compulsion to save for retirement and the education of their children. Many say these young people are very self-centered. We pray for believers who will be willing to befriend the youth, understanding and embracing them with a less judgmental and critical spirit. May the Lord give us more leaders who will make youth their priority.ThursdayYoung Chinese in China spend nearly as much on new clothes each month as they spend on food or rent. But, since at least twenty-five percent of recent college graduates have failed to find jobs, these young people have to rely on family or savings to afford such a lifestyle while they look for a job. We pray for Christian parents whose children cannot find a job. May the Lord give them an encouraging spirit that will continue to trust in the God Who will provide for their children and remind their children to pray and stay close to God.FridayIn China, young college graduates refuse to take jobs in the factories but still want to spend money and buy things. They say, “I want a job for which I was trained or else my education is wasted. I don’t want to work in a factory.” Often the people in the churches do not think highly of young people because they do not contribute financially to the church, immature and are generally unreliable. We pray that churches will give young people opportunities to serve and give them room to grow or even to fail. May the Lord give us a gracious spirit to mentor young believers.SaturdayIn China one thing that complicates matters is the fact that many of the young people avoid lower-end service jobs as well as jobs in the factories. The rate of graduation from high school in China is rapidly approaching three–quarters of a million yearly and the number of university graduates has nearly quintupled since 2000. We pray for church leaders who will give praise, affirmation, and encouragement to young people who are believers. We must be willing to let young people serve and to train and teach them as well as to learn from them.SundayCultural norms in China discourage high school and college graduates from accepting jobs in factories or even restaurants. For many young people, the most prized job is a position in a governmental or Communist Party bureaucracy, and their parents will do everything in their power to help them get such a job. Believers there have the same low view of those who serve in the churches because of the low pay and lack of benefits they receive. May the Lord have mercy on all the churches because this is the biggest reason why many are called but few are able to get past the opposition of their parents. MondayTwenty-five or more percent of recent college graduates are unemployed. Economists question how the Chinese economy will produce enough desirable jobs to bring down the unemployment statistics for youth, particularly among college graduates, a group that has been among the most politically volatile. We give thanks for the many college students coming to know Jesus on campus through Bible studies but many of them are lost to follow-up once they are on their own or move to another city. We pray the Lord will protect these young Christians and that their mentors will connect them quickly to new churches.
星期二中國教會的牧會與信徒關顧工作常需涵蓋很大區域及很偏遠地區，在人力有限的情況下，同工往往疲於奔命，且果效不彰。求神幫助教會能彼此相助，照著各體的功用，靠主聯絡得合式，百節各按各職，並有系統培訓下一代同工起來接棒。也求主感動不冷不熱的信徒動起來，把福音傳給更多的人。星期三在政府的「一胎化」政策下，新一代的年輕人大多是獨生子女，且生在一個經濟日益繁榮的年代，所以大多不會像父母輩那樣為養老和子女教育存錢。普遍的年輕人都給人一種很「自我中心」的印象，我們禱告求神興起更多願意聆聽年輕人的心聲的同工，能有智慧地嘗試理解和接納他們，而不是一味的論斷和批判。願主幫助教會領袖以發展年輕人的事工為優先。星期四時下中國年輕人每月的服裝費跟住宿和膳食的花費差不多，而近期畢業的大學生有四分一仍然待業。這些待業的年輕人一邊尋找合適的工作，一邊靠家人和積蓄來維持自己的生活方式。我們在禱告中記念有子女在尋找工作的主內家庭，求主賜給他們信心依靠神，也能鼓勵孩子更多禱告親近上帝。「在世為人不靠人的聰明，乃靠神的恩惠」(林後1:12)。星期五大學畢業生不願意做工，也不願意降低自己的生活水平；他們總是說：「我希望能找到一份專業對口的工作，不然就白學了。我可不想去工廠工作。」不少教會仍然輕看年輕人，認為他們不夠成熟，做事不牢靠、甚至覺得他們沒有奉獻的能力。我們為教會能重視培訓年輕信徒禱告，願意多給他們服事的機會，給予成長和失敗的空間。以牧羊人的心腸來導引年輕一代。星期六現今的中國年輕人，不光不願任職工廠，也不願做低端服務工作。年輕人高中畢業率正迅速增長至近四分之三。大學畢業生人數與2000年相比，更增加近四倍。求主賜教會有更多像保羅與巴拿巴型的領袖，以稱許、肯定和鼓勵支持年輕信徒，樂意為主栽培更多的「提摩太」與「馬可」，使信仰能薪火相傳。同時也願意讓年輕人有服事的機會，訓練並教導他們，也願意放下身段從年輕人身上教學相長。星期日中國傳統對職業的階級觀念依舊普遍存在，導致許多畢業生不願接受工廠或餐廳的工作。對於很多年輕人來說，最棒的工作是在政府及黨的機構任職。中國教會傳統往往看輕傳道人的職份，也認為傳道人當憑信心過日子，不給與合理的待遇，這也是父母極力反對子女全職在教會服事的最大理由。求主憐憫眾教會，受召的人多，但真正能出來全職服事的人少，以致神家中缺少年輕同工。星期一中國大學生的失業率在25%以上，經濟學家質疑經濟如何能創造足夠的理想工作，降低年輕人的失業率(尤其是大學生)。 感謝主使許多大學生在校園的查經班信了主。然而，一旦他們畢業後，遷移其他城市，就很難跟進，而他們也逐漸失去信仰生活。願主保守這些寶貴的初信者對神單純的心，也很快在新的教會裡預備人去關心他們的靈命成長。
TuesdayTwo well-known pastors of mega churches in Singapore and South Korea have been accused of financial improprieties which has made a huge impact on all Chinese churches and created many debates. Believers in China admire them greatly and have been faithfully making pilgrimages to their churches. We each need to reflect again on how we approach church growth and not blindly copy pastors of large churches. May the Lord help us to focus on Him alone, not charismatic and talented pastors. We pray weak believers will not stumble and become disillusioned by this situation.WednesdayChinese churches have taken up the idea of exalting "star pastors" and holding large concert-like venues. Believers are caught in the frenzy of attending such special events and deeply believe any foreign pastor is be a better speaker or entertainer than the local ones. May the Lord have mercy on us and cleanse us with His fire of holiness so we will return to the word of God. rather than merely seeking His material blessings.ThursdaySenior pastors misuse huge church fund show the inherent problem in megachurch operation and accountability. In the Bible, Ananias and his wife died because they exaggerated the size of their offering. It is hard to predict who will be caught up in some scandal next. May the Lord help us to be open and aboveboard in our financial accounting system and not abuse it. May He has mercy on us so believers do not have to refuse to give because they are suspicious of how their money is being used.FridayA Christian professional basketball player can have a tremendous impact as a missionary. Many churches struggle with the issue of whether they should become trendy and popular. Should they use secular music, media, and culture to cross over and reach the younger generation? May the Lord use these scandals to help us think through how we should come outside the walls we have built around our churches, to be more compassionate and accept humbly all who wish to come rather than riding the dangerous beat called "culture" and lose our calling to be salt and light in the world.SaturdayAfter the Economic Reform of 1979, China was more open to other countries. Numbers of people left to study abroad and many scholars entered China to teach in universities. Many of those students who had gone abroad to study came home as Christians and many more were led to the Lord by missionaries who came in. Let us pray for all of the Bible study groups on the college campuses throughout China. We pray that many more students will come to know Jesus and learn to follow Him. We pray, too, for the safety of those teachers who risk their own academic promotion by leading these studies.SundayIt is not easy to find workers for the churches in China because people believe in their hearts that being in the service industry is shameful. Parents do not want their children to work in these jobs either. Christian parents will do anything and even threaten them with suicide to stop their children from serving God full-time. Believers want their children to love the Lord but not be “crazy enough” to be full-time workers for Him. Let us pray for blessing on those parents who have allowed and encouraged their children to serve in the church.MondayYoung people in China who have college degrees do not want to work in factories. If one wants to get just any job, there is no problem. As long as one is not picky, there is a job available even though it might not match your qualifications or abilities. Most churches find it difficult to attract and retain young people because they do not have friends in the church. Young people often feel that church is too formal and not interesting. We pray for more churches that are willing to make their services more friendly and attractive to youth.
星期二兩位新加坡、韓國大教會名牧被控處理公款不當，對華人教會影響極大，也帶來許多爭議。近年不少華人教會仿效韓國及新加坡教會的狂熱，幾乎達聖人崇拜、慕名朝聖的地步。求聖靈照明我們的心，使牧者有智慧在牧養上忠主所託，不一味抄襲。求主幫助我們將信心聚焦在為我們死而復活的基督，而不是群眾魅力、特殊才幹的牧者身上。祈求天父憐憫因此跌倒軟弱的信徒，靠主重新站立起來。星期三華人教會近年不少追求「明星路線」高舉人過於神自己，處處都是名牧結合「時尚」的特會，信徒亦慕名趕場參加，存著「外來的和尚會念經」的心態。求主光照我們，潔淨祂的教會。使我們再次專注於神的話語，不追求神蹟奇事，想要得著一時的奮興，求神的祝福與物質的富裕，而是飢渴於神的話語，追求生命的更新，每天過討主喜悅的生活。星期四近期有著名牧者動用教會的基金，捲入龐大的金錢糾紛，顯出某些超大型教會在運作上、金錢處理上都出了大問題。昔日亞拿尼亞夫婦以為「誇大奉獻數字」是小事，豈不知是「欺哄聖靈」！我們也不敢自誇必能站立得穩，永不跌倒。求主幫助我們時刻儆醒，手潔心清，反省教會財政管理上的適當安排。太多教會在錢財上不透明，成為會友不願意奉獻的絆腳石。求主憐憫我們。星期五 基督徒職業籃球員能在宣教上大有影響力，成為傳福音的平台，是值得感恩的事；然而，教會是否應該一味「趕流行」？ 基督徒是否應該用世俗的音樂文化來「跨界」接觸一向教會接觸不到的年輕一代？求主幫助教會反思如何跨出自己建造的高牆，滿有主耶穌的憐憫與接納來謙卑地服侍社區，而不是盲目想爬上文化的怪獸，搭順風車傳福音，結果反而模糊神要我們成為光和鹽功能的異象。星期六七九年改革開放之後，中國不再閉關鎖國，很多人走出去留學，也有很多學者進入中國，進入大學做外教。感謝主，很多出去的人信主了，很多進來的人也帶領周圍的人信主。我們為在各處大學校園中的查經班禱告，求神使用它們引領更多的學生來認識主耶穌，也培養成門徒跟隨祂。我們位這群在校園當中見證基督的教職員禱告，因為他們在各方面都受到因為信仰所帶來的壓力與關注。星期日在中國招聘教會同工並不容易，因為一般人們心裡覺得在服務業工作是不體面的。家長也不希望自己的孩子從事服務行業。可惜一些基督徒父母也會以各樣手段，威脅阻止自己的孩子全職事奉神。信徒家長盼望孩子能愛主，但是卻不要太「瘋狂」愛主到全職事奉神。讓我們為這樣的父母禱告，也為那些鼓勵孩子服事神的父母們感恩。星期一現今中國擁有大學學位的年輕人不願去工廠工作。如只是想隨便找份工作，只要不挑剔，一定是可以找到的。但能找著的工作崗位往往與個人想找的工作存有極大差距。 許多教會在吸引或留住年輕人上大有困難，因為他們在教會沒有什麼朋友。年輕人總是覺得教會太傳統，很無聊。我們為更多的教會在核心價值不改變下能在吸引年輕人，在講台信息、崇拜風格、事工策略等有所改變來禱告。
TuesdayAfter she won the Australian Open, tennis superstar Li Na said to her agent, "Make me rich" and to her husband, "You are so lucky to find me.". She did not speak a word of gratitude for her country as other athletes do and this caused a furor concerning her and the sport bureaucracy of China. The year of the horse is supposed to bring success which is now defined in China as wealth and the status of one's spouse. We pray that all Christian couples will know that true success is living out God's will together as a family and pleasing Him in every part of our daily lives.WednesdayThe Communist Party has decreed that it will no longer promote any "naked officials". (Corrupt officials whose family members are abroad) Analysts have questioned how far the Party can go in stamping out corruption when temptations are so powerful and the checks on abusive power remain patchy and easy to evade. It is easy for Christians to condemn others but be deceived themselves. May the Holy Spirit quicken us all so that we will examine/judge ourselves and not have to be judged by others.ThursdayThe problem worrying the party's agency for fighting corruption is not nudity (although there is that, too), but many Party officials have spirited spouses and children abroad, often with bank accounts swollen with bribes and graft. They are widely known as “naked officials.” in China are very cynical about how corruption can ever be eradicated there. We pray for the guarding of the hearts of all believers, that they will flee from greed and sexual temptation. We pray for church leaders and pastors, too because the evil one often attacks the shepherds first.FridayChina has the world’s biggest diabetes epidemic, and it is getting worse. 11.6 percent of Chinese adults have the disease, compared with 11.3 percent in America. In 1980, the prevalence of diabetes in China was below 1%. Let us remember Christians who have chronic illness, the Lord grant them extra measure of faith and joy, knowing God will not abandon them and His grace is sufficient in times of disappointment and pain.SaturdayChina has a third of the people in the world who suffer from diabetes (114 million). Perhaps even more alarming is the study that found that half of nearly 100,000 other subjects had "pre-diabetic" blood glucose levels. Normally these people would seek herbal or traditional Chinese medicines before using Western medical therapies. We all need to give thanks for the good health God has given us. We pray for healthy bodies and strength for all believers so they will be able to serve the Lord and His people more. SundayYutu, China's first lunar vehicle's last words are recorded as follows: "The sun has fallen and the temperature is dropping quickly, but I don't feel that sad. I was just on my own adventure and like every hero, I encountered a small problem. Goodnight, Earth. Goodnight, Humanity. We all make mistakes and run into failures in our personal lives and in the ministry alike. We lift up those who have left ministry in the church or who have stopped attending church this year. May the Lord comfort and revive them so they will always know that God loves them and will never leave them (2 Tim. 2:13).MondayThe Communist Party of China has banned smoking in public places for its officials commanding them to "lead by example" and refrain from smoking in government offices, schools, hospitals, sports events, and on public transport. Party officials are also told to ask other people not to smoke in public. It is difficult for parents to teach their children not to smoke when the spouse smokes. We pray for believers who want their children to know Jesus and try to give them a Christian upbringing despite the opposition of their unbelieving spouses. May the Lord strengthen their resolve and give them patience.
星期二李娜奪得澳網冠軍之後感謝經紀人：「幫我賺了好多錢，也提醒丈夫「你很幸運娶了我。」使許多中國人不解不滿的是，她一句感激祖國及體育體制的好話也沒說過。「馬到功成」是新年的吉祥語。今天中國成功的定義就是賺大錢，覓得佳偶。我們為弟兄姊妹禱告，在新一年能領悟真正的成功是，全家定意活出神的旨意，天天討祂的喜悅。星期三共產黨正式規定，不得再提拔「裸官」(家人移居海外的貪腐官員)。由於各階層官員面臨的誘惑巨大、遏制濫權行為的措施漏洞百出且易於逃避，分析家們質疑共產黨是否真能清除腐敗。基督徒也容易落入自欺的光景，看不到自己的污穢。願主的靈催逼我們，能時時省察、分辨自己隱而未現的罪心及不討神喜悅的罪行，以取代論斷他人 星期四政府反貪的對象不僅是貪腐官員（儘管這個問題也存在），而是把配偶和子女、以及貪污所得的銀行賬戶轉移國外的幹部。這類幹部普遍被稱為「裸官」。一般老百姓對政府反貪的措施並不看好。也求神幫助信徒謹守自己的心，不貪愛錢財，能知足自己所有的，靠著主逃避貪婪及淫亂的試探。我們尤其為教會領袖禱告，因為惡者總是先攻擊神家中看守羊群的牧人。星期五中國的糖尿病患病率剛超越了美國，現已居高世界首位，而且正繼續惡化中。11.6%的中國成年人患有此病，美國則為11.3%。1980年，中國的糖尿病率還不到1%。讓我們在禱告中記念有慢性病的信徒，求主堅固他們的信心，在苦難及失望中，幫助他們能喜樂面對，生活中滿有神的恩惠，知道主永不撇棄他們，祂的恩典是夠用的。星期六全球大約三分之一的糖尿病患者都在中國，中國糖尿病人高達1.14億。這項研究對將近9.9萬人進行了測試，發現有一半的人血糖達到了「糖尿病前期」水平。一般的中國人總是會先嘗試草藥或中醫，再接受西醫處方。我們要為擁有健康的身體感恩，求主賜我們眾人在身體、心靈上都健壯，更愛慕主道，活在主的光中， 尋求更多服事的機會。星期日中國第一輛月球車「玉兔」故障前的最後信息：「太陽已經落下，溫度下降得真快……其實我不覺得特別難過。我只是在自己的探險故事裡和所有的男主角一樣，也遇到了一點問題。晚安，地球。晚安，人類。」在個人生活和教會事奉裡，我們也曾犯錯失誤、停止聚會，甚至放棄神的呼召，求主赦免！我們記念那些在去年曾灰心失望、冷淡退後的信徒，求主安慰他們，賜他們信心，重新站立並堅信：「我們縱然失信，祂仍是可信的，因為祂不能背乎自己。」（提後２：１３）星期一政府下令公共場所禁煙，官員「帶頭」不能在政府辦公室、學校、醫院、體育和文化場所吸煙，及不在公共交通車內「吞云吐霧」。黨員也被要求在公共場所勸阻他人抽煙。當父母其中一方抽煙，就很難阻止孩子不吸煙。我們為那些想引領孩子認識主耶穌，從小給孩子基督教教養，但配偶卻不信的信徒禱告，願主多多加添他們的信心及耐心。
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