Prayer Request 2/4 - 2/10

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.
Wednesday
The 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.
Thursday
The 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.
Friday
China 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.
Saturday
China 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.
Sunday
Yutu, 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).
Monday
The 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。