Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Prayer Request 5/27 - 6/2

TuesdayFor years the music of Kenny G's hit saxophone music "Going Home" in all of its seductive beauty has been a staple of society in China.​ It has been piped into shopping malls, schools, train stations, and fitness centers as a signal to the public that it is time to close shop and go home. ​Christian-style weddings along with Christmas celebrations are popular in China now but few understand their purpose and significance.​ We pray that Christians will take the Great Commission seriously and make good use of every opportunity to share the Gospel and that churches will reach out to their neighbors with the gospel.
Wednesday>Nearly half a century ago, Mao pulled millions of young students out of schools and sent them to work on farms.​ The recent unrest in Xingjiang has prompted the government to send 200,000 young civil servants to the countryside and 70,000 of them are now serving in Muslim villages.​The Chinese government frowns on any missionary efforts to convert Muslims, especially those in Xingjiang and the same is true in Buddhist Tibet. We pray for the work of the Gospel in these regions and that the Lord will protect missionaries there as well as the believers so they will not be discouraged.
Thursday
​The government in China sends young civil servants to the villages hoping to win the hearts of Muslim by performing voluntary work on the farms. Uyghur has a large Muslim ethnic​minority and a long history of strife with the government. In 2011, 20,000 officials to Tibetan villages but it paled in comparison to what is happening in Xingjiang today. ​There are few converts to Christianity in the Muslim community in China​ today. Let us pray for all Chinese Christians who face opposition from their Buddhist or Muslim parents. May the Lord grant them great courage and faith in God along with a good testimony to share with their parents.
Friday
For years the relationship between the Uyghur and the government of China has been contentious at best and violent at times. They adhere to the fundamental beliefs of Islam and are unwilling to learn or speak Mandarin,so young civil servants sent there can communicate only with body language. ​The churches in China talk about taking the Gospel to Muslims but their language and culture have proven difficult to ​master. Evangelism is also hampered by their hatred toward the Han Chinese and economic disparity. Let us pray for wisdom to overcome these difficulties.
Saturday
​The disparity between the cities and the villages is great in Xingjiang and life is rough for those who are sent​ to serve in the villages. They live and travel together for safety. They must raise their own food and many places have little water for bathing. ​Perhaps the best opportunity for ministry to Muslims in China is to reach their college students who are away from home studying in the cities. Let us pray for the efforts to share Jesus with Muslim students that the Lord will soften their hearts and help them to have courage to accept Jesus as their Savior.​
Sunday
​There are many things about modern China that defy an easy explanation, such as parents allowing their children to pose for pictures next to live tigers, the sight of grown women wearing furry cat-ear headbands while shopping, and strangers napping together in IKEA beds in a display.​ ​The churches in China also have many things that seem strange to us. Pastors are supposed to be poor so they can show their total dedication to God like the Buddhist monks do. May the Lord help them to correct these kinds of unbiblical view but especially their emphasis on external piety and false humility.​
Monday
In recent years the level of education has risen greatly in China, especially in the coastal provinces. Seminary students usually have a high school education. However, in the West, those who get Bible training usually have only a junior high level of education. May the Lord bless the development of the church in the western part of China. Pastors there need more comprehensive Bible training than they have in order to expand their ministries. We also pray that churches in the eastern region of China will support those in the West and help their pastors to get better training.

星期二
美國薩克斯管巨星肯尼·基(Kenny G)的迷人曲子《回家》,已經成為了中國社會的一個主要元素。商場、學校、火車站個場所都會播放它,告訴大家「現在是回家的時候了」。 中國非常流行慶祝聖誕節和採用以基督教儀式的婚禮,但很少人知道真正的意義及目的。我們為信徒看重主耶穌的大使命,跨出教堂的四面牆,主動接觸他們的社區,把握每個傳福音的機會來禱告。
星期三
半個世紀以前,幾百萬中國知識青年響應號召上山下鄉服務群眾。近年來新疆局勢日趨不穩,在未來三年,將抽調約20萬名機關幹部下基層駐村進點。目前首批七萬人已經到位。政府竭力阻止任何穆斯林改教,新疆執行得特別嚴厲,與佛教的西藏一樣。我們為這些地區的福音事工祈求,願神保守在那裡的傳道人和信徒們,安慰他們不灰心喪膽。
星期四
政府讓新疆幹部下鄉幫助村民做農活、為要贏得民心。維吾爾族人是一個主要的穆斯林少數民族, 與政府的關係並不融洽。在2011年,兩萬多名幹部也曾被派到西藏,但與新疆下基層的規模不能相比。穆斯林改信耶穌的不多,也一定受到家人的壓力,甚至迫害。我們為所有成為基督徒,卻有來自佛教或穆斯林的父母反對的信徒禱告,求主賜給他們勇氣和對神的信心,並有美好的見證與父母分享。
星期五
南疆地區非常偏向伊斯蘭傳統主義,不同民族間沒有一種共同的語言,許多人都不願學和說普通話。多年來政府一直沒能有效地貼近當地的維吾爾族百姓。下鄉的漢人干部多只能用「肢體語言」與當地人溝通。 多年來中國教會一直希望能向穆斯林傳福音,但是在語言和文化學習上一直有障礙。近年來回漢之間的摩擦和經濟的差距,使穆斯林福音事工更不容易,求主加添智慧,克服這些困難。
星期六
在新疆,城鄉差距比內地更大。下基層的干部們生活條件艱苦,住在集體宿舍裡,耕種自己的糧食。由於水資源匱乏,有些一周只能洗一次澡。為了安全起見必須集體結伴外出。但離家在城市學習的穆斯林大學生們是傳福音的上好對象。讓我們紀念穆斯林學生的事工,求主軟化他們的心,好叫福音的種子能生根發芽,也賜給他們有勇氣接受耶穌為個人救主。
星期日
當今中國有很多事情都難於解釋,舉例:父母讓孩子在活生生的老虎旁邊拍照,成年女性戴著毛茸茸的貓耳頭飾外出購物,陌生人一起在宜家(Ikea)的展示床上睡覺。中國教會也有不少的「怪事」,例如,牧師應該越窮越屬靈,因為這代表他們是不愛金錢,單靠信心過日子,如同出家的僧侶。求主更正我們許多不符合聖經的觀念,僅看重外表的虔誠和虛假的謙虛。
星期一
沿海地區進入神學院裝備的信徒都具備一定的教育水平。但西部地區的情況就不同了,能進神學院的信徒大多只有初中水平。求主看顧西部教會的發展,使教會工人能得到更全面的聖經裝備,以應教會各類事工發展的挑戰。求主感動東部教會繼續支援西部教會發展,在基督的身體裡彼此關顧、祝福!

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Prayer Request 5/20 - 5/26

Tuesday
Churches in the large cities of China have been impacted in recent years by two very different groups of believers: intellectuals and migrant workers. Intellectuals are described as people who have an educational level above technical college and they have brought a new vitality to the Chinese urban church. We give thanks for the growth in the number of Christian intellectuals in China and for the new life they have brought to the ministry and evangelism of city churches.
Wednesday
The intellectuals in China are concentrated mainly in the university areas and new high-level technology companies in big cities. Many of them attend Sunday worship services at Three Self churches but others also attend services at their own group fellowships or meeting points. Pray that these believers might continue to have a positive impact on the church as they put their education, experience and finances to good use for God’s Kingdom. Pray that they might stand firm in their faith in the face of all the temptations around them.
Thursday
Because of the intellectuals, on an average people in the urban churches in China are younger, better educated, and more professional than before. The income of this group is relatively high and many of them willingly give to God so the urban churches are comparatively rich. We are thankful to God that churches are shedding the image of being composed of largely rural, female, illiterate, and elderly people. We pray for more pastors who can preach with greater sophistication and relevancy to the spiritual needs of these highly educated people.
Friday
The migrant workers in the city churches in China have moved to the cities from rural areas and tend to have a low level of education so they have difficulty understanding the sermons and often consider them impractical and not helpful. Let us give thanks for the migrant workers who continue to serve the Lord after they move to the cities. We pray for those churches that target and reach out to them.
Saturday
The thing that makes the migrant workers feel most dissatisfied in city churches in China is that the pastors are relatively distant from the believers due to the large number of people they must shepherd so there is no way to deepen communication with them. It is our prayer that all migrant workers might find a place where they can feel at home and get nurture for their faith as they worship weekly. Many of them simply stop attending church because they feel they are not accepted or welcomed.
Sunday
Many believers in China who are migrant workers say that the people in the cities are not so fervent as rural Christians and they often feel there are barriers existing between the two groups. They even sometimes say that Christians in the city have no love. We pray that urban churches will be accepting and not judge those who are from the country or believers with different backgrounds or education. May the Lord give us love and compassion for each other in Him which will break down the barriers that prevent us from true unity.
Monday
China first attempted to ban smoking in some public venues in 1993 but smokers still light up in more than seventy percent of the restaurants there. No one takes the ubiquitous signs seriously since there is no penalty in place. An average of 740 million people in China are daily exposed to second-hand smoke. We pray for believers who struggle to get rid of the smoking habit. May the Lord give them strength and the resolve to break the bondage and give the glory to God.


星期二
近年來,兩個非常不同質的群體改變了城市教會- 知識分子和農民工信徒們。知識分子是指有大專學歷以上,他們使大城市裡的教會加添了活潑的動力。 我們 為知識分子信徒數量的增長感謝神,願主更多使用他們帶動教會,在各樣的事工和傳福音的大使命上注入新血。
星期三
知識分子集中在有大學和高科技公司的城市。他們常常會在三自教會參加主日崇拜,但有自己的團契及小組聚會點。 求主使用這些受過高教育的信徒們,在教會中能謙卑服侍,不論是在學識經驗或財力上都樂意為教會擺上。也求主幫助他們憑信心站立得穩,脫離種種引誘不致跌倒,在職場上為主做美好見證
星期四
因著知識分子的增加,城市教會的平均年齡也年輕化,信徒更知識化和專業化。此外,他們是高收入的群體,其中有很多樂意奉獻,也自然地使城市教會富裕起來。我們感恩:中國教會已不再是所謂的「四多」- 農民多,婦女多,文盲多,老人多。 我們祈求主賜給教會更多能服事高知識會眾的傳道人,能在靈命上實際地幫助他們成長。 
星期五
「農民工信徒」是指那些到城市打工的農村信徒,他們一般教育程不高。 農民工信徒常會覺得與城市教會格格不入,和他們熟習的農村教會非常不同,聽不懂信息,也得不到幫助。我們為農民工信徒進入城市之後仍能繼續聚會祈求;也為那些仍有教會生活及參與事奉的感恩。 我們在禱告中特別要紀念那些專門事奉農民工的教會,願上帝悅納、祝福他們所作的一切善工。
星期六
城市教會最讓農民工信徒感到不滿意的是什麼呢?就是牧師與這些信徒相對較疏遠。在大城市的牧師都沒有辦法深化與這群信徒的溝通,因為他們的數量是這麼龐大。許多農村信徒進了城市打工,就與教會完全脫節。我們為每一位農民工的信徒都能找到合適他們,也是溫暖的屬靈的家來禱告。
星期日
許多信徒反映:城市的信徒缺少農村教會的火熱,也有不少會認為不被城市教會接納,甚至會說城市的信徒沒有愛心。 我們為中國的教會有合一的靈祈求,求主挪去我們看不起貧窮的弟兄姐妹的自大,或是瞧不起不 同背景,教育程度的驕傲;賜下愛心和恩慈,學習祂的大愛,廢去所有阻攔我們彼此相愛的障礙。 
星期一
中國在1993年曾首次嘗試在一些公共場所禁煙。可是儘管到處有禁煙的標誌,但七成以上餐館內仍有人抽煙,由於沒有懲罰措施,這些禁菸標誌經常被忽視。中國有7.4億人遭受二手煙危害。我們為正努力嘗試戒掉煙癮的信徒禱告,願主加添他們力量,依靠祂從煙癮中得到釋放,將榮耀歸神。

Monday, May 05, 2014

Prayer Request 5/6 - 5/12

TuesdayChina's vocational secondary schools and training programs are unpopular because they are seen as dead-ends, with virtually no chance of moving on to a four-year university. China churches were known as “mostly women, elderly, peasants and illiterates” in the past. We praise the Lord that there are a lot more young and educated people now. We need to pray for the huge needs of children’s Sunday School and programs for youth in every church, especially teachers and leaders who have been trained for these ministries.
Wednesday
Vocational education in China carries a big stigma: they are seen as schools for people from peasant backgrounds, and are seldom chosen by more affluent and better-educated students from cities. Many college grads from rural areas refuse to be take factory jobs as well. We pray for Christians laborers in the cities, especially for the living arrangement and spirituality of their children. The Lord gives them special grace in the tough situation, so their faith will not waiver, continue to experience His love, be a powerful testimony.
Thursday
Young people is still a minority among churches in China. Many of them come from families that are non-Christians, and even broken or dysfunctional families. Let us pray for those young believers who face oppositions from their families but still attend church faithfully. We ask the Lord to add to their faith, wisdom and honoring their parents, so they will win their parents over to Christ with their good testimony.
Friday
Youth ministry activities among the Chinese urban churches now include hiking, climbing, ballgames and even parties. Churches badly needs books and Bible studies suitable for youth, but the greatest need is leaders and mentors for young people. We must pray that church catch the vision and burden for youth ministry, willingness to invest time and resource and prayer. Unless China churches can effectively minister to the young people, churches will not have new generation of leaders.
Saturday
The young people in churches are the hope of the China churches in the future. If we care about them now, they will be fruitful for God later. Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverb 22:6). We pray that all Christian parents will know how important it is to be godly example for their children and provide a Christian home. We pray all parents will know this is the responsibility and task God has charged us.
Sunday
What China churches lack and need the most are children Sunday School and youth ministries. We pray that God will provide all the resources churches need and above all, God will add the number of children and youth saved to them. We too will pray for the children of pastors who really need our attention and counseling. Pastors need to balance their roles at church and at home, to give their children the love and attention they need; providing a healthy home and an environment for faith
Monday
Although some churches have started their children Sunday School, but they may not have taught children about Bible effectively. The chief reason is the lack of a complete curriculum and teachers who are well trained. Let us pray that churches will have a Chinese Bible that is suitable for children quickly. The popular Union Version is more than 100 years old and not easy to read even for adults. We pray for improvement in how the Sunday School is run and taught.

星期二
中等職業學校和培訓項目都是冷門,因為人們認為接受這種教育沒有前途,幾乎沒有機會升入四年制本科大學。昔日的教會是「婦女多、老人多、農民多、文盲多」。感謝主,現今的教會多了青年和知識分子。求主為教會解決今日兒童主日學及青年團契的廣大需要, 特別是供應更多受過裝備,知道如何領導、牧養這方面需要的同工。
星期三
中國的職業學校還受到歧視:人們認為有農村背景的學生才會到此類學校讀書,較為富裕、教育程度較高的城鎮學生很少選擇此類學校。出身農村的大學畢業生考慮接受工廠工作是很難的。 我們為農民工基督徒子女的生活狀況和信仰狀況禱告,求主幫助他們在特殊的生活環境和艱難的經濟條件下得蒙主的眷顧,能經歷天父的愛,活出信仰、見證基督的信實。
星期四
教會中年輕人還是算少數的。有些青少年來自其他宗教信仰的家庭,甚至是來自破碎的、功能失調的家庭。我們特別為所有面臨家人反對,但仍然參加聚會的年輕人禱告,願主加添他們的信心,智慧與孝心,能在父母親面前有美好的見證,在靈性、品格方面更長進、成熟,將來成為主合用的器皿。
星期五
城市教會的青少年事工活動趨向多元化,包括郊遊、登山、球類活動、甚至開派對等,應因不同地區的不同情況而定。目前教會最缺乏適合青少年使用的書籍和聖經教材,也缺乏年輕的青少年導師。我們為教會需要有長遠的眼光,重視青少年事工,投入時間和資源來禱告。除非教會有樂意栽培第二代,不然教會就沒有傳承。
星期六
教會的下一代是教會發展的希望,今天的關注必能帶來明天的果效。聖經教導信徒要以真道教養孩童,使他們能走在主的真道上。在基督教環境中撫養孩子,父母確實起著關鍵作用。為人父母的信徒們,培育敬虔愛主的下一代是人生的重任,也是主對父母們的托負,讓我們一同為此禱告。
星期日
當今中國教會最需要也最缺乏的是兒童主日學及青少年事工,求主預備各類資源,讓更多孩童及青少年認識天父、信靠他而得著新生命。同時我們也要為教牧同工子女的關懷和輔導工作禱告,求主幫助教牧們能平衡在教會和家庭的角色,讓子女得到他們應享有的充份的關愛和照顧,供給一個健全的家庭和滿有信心的成長環境。
星期一
雖然不少教會都成立有兒童主日學,但不一定能有效地教導兒童學習聖經真理,主要是因為缺乏適合兒童使用的教材和受過良好訓練的童工。 我們來為教會能夠推廣兒童聖經(已有100 年歷史的和合本聖經對兒童內容艱澀,甚至對一般大人也不易閱讀),教會的主日學事工有長足進步來祈求。