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。