Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Prayer Request 7/29 - 8/4

Tuesday
It is projected that seventy-six percent of urban households in China will reach the level of middle class by 2022 with an annual disposable income of 60,000 to 229,000 ($10,000 to $35,000 US). The disparity of incomes between city and village dwellers is continually widening. We pray that the more affluent urban churches will support the ministries of the poorer rural churches with both financial and human aid.​
Wednesday
Chinese​ families that have an annual income of 106,000 to 229,000 yuan are considered upper middle class people. They spend a great deal of money on recreation and travel. They also buy foreign goods and make online purchases. Some young believers work hard to own an apartment and a car so they find little time for involvement in church. We pray that churches will have a good strategy to minister to and disciple these young professionals to make sure they do not backslide in their faith.
Thursday
People in China who have a house or a car are considered middle class people. Young people, however, reject that notion because both houses and cars are usually financed and they owe the banks a lot of money. Many believers cannot afford either a house or a car. We pray that these people will trust in God and grow spiritually even though they are considered "have nots" and blue-collared believers in the urban churches. Then they will not feel they are left out or that God is not blessing them.
Friday
Civil​ servants and professionals are considered the backbone of the middle class and generally have a good reputation. However, in China today, both civil servants and professional suffer from declining prestige. We pray that all Christians whether they are civil servants or medical personnel will have both a strong testimony and an opportunity to share the gospel at work. We also pray that God will give them strength and good results as they serve in their churches.
Saturday
Teachers and medical personnel comprise the majority of professionals in China but they frequently face public ridicule and anger because of frequent well-publicized scandals as well as dissatisfaction of their services. The vast majority of people in China do not know much about pastors or what they do and unfortunately, even believers often do not hold pastors in high esteem. We pray for appreciation and respect for pastors by those in their flock.
Sunday
In China the middle class is defined by three qualifications: income, prestige of the occupation, and personal identity but the present day middle class is uncomfortable being labeled that way. Many pastors who are new to the job find themselves uncomfortable or unable to minister to or help professional believers. We pray for wisdom, boldness, and the ability to give godly advice for all pastors.
Monday
​In the past ten years, churches in Wenzhou have made great strides in social care ministries​ which include churches for the deaf, homes for orphans and children with cerebral palsy as well as meetings for the disabled We praise God for all the churches that have social care among their ministries. May the Lord bless them with good results and people coming to know Jesus as they serve the poor, the weak, and dispossessed.
 
星期二
預計到2022 年,76%的中國城市家庭將達到中產階級的收入水準,屆時這些家庭的年可支配收入將達到6萬至22.9萬元人民幣(1 萬至 3.5萬美元) 。目前城市和農村之間的貧富差距正不斷地擴大。我們為富裕的城市教會能更多支援貧困農村的教會來禱告,不論是在事工的人力資源上支持,在經濟上也給予實質的幫助,讓神的各家肢體都能成長碩壯。
星期三
中國家庭年收入處於10.6萬至22.9萬元人民幣的「上層中產階級」,將成為中產階級的主流。他們會花時間和一大筆錢在消費購物、休閒活動和旅遊上,尤其是熱衷洋品牌和網購。 一些年輕信徒往往拼命工作買房 、買車 ,卻沒有時間參與教會的活動。我們來為眾教會有好的策略牧養和門徒訓練年輕信徒禱告,願主保守他們的信心堅定,不冷淡退後。
星期四
中國中產階級的基本定義是「有房有車」。但很多年輕人卻認為自己的房子、車子都是貸款買的,自己完全是「負資產」。有很多藍領的信徒現在是買不起房子或汽車的。求主幫助他們不失去信心,在教會不覺得被冷落,或是自卑以為神不祝福他們;更為他們能繼續仰望、信靠主, 靈命多有增長來禱告。
星期五
公務員和專業人員應該是中產階級的中堅力量。一般來說其職業聲望是比較高的,但是在當前中國這兩類群體的職業聲望都不是太好。我們為基督徒的公務員和醫務人員禱告,求主賜給他們有美好的生命見證,在職場多有機會分享福音。同時也求主加添他們力量,在教會的服侍上大有果效。
星期六
近來專家學者和醫護人員都處於一種職業困境,概括承受了社會公眾對相關政策失誤的不滿,甚至是憤懣。大多數中國人不甚了解基督教的牧師是做什麼的。可惜在許多信徒的心目中,傳道人也不是他們由衷敬佩的對象。我們為信徒對他們的牧者常懷感恩、敬愛來禱告。
星期日
界定中產階級的標準有三,經濟收入、職業聲望和個人認同。當今中國中產階級在這三個標準都面臨窘迫的狀態,並不能以自己的成就為榮。很多傳道人沒有高等教育或工作經歷,面對中產階級的信徒,總是缺乏自信。我們為所有的傳道人祈求,求主賜他們多有牧養的智慧、能力及膽量,能給予信徒適當和敬虔的建議。
星期一
溫州教會十年來在社會關懷上取得了很好的成績。他們的社會關懷事工組包括了 聾人教會,孤兒事工,腦癱孩子,也有殘疾人聚會點。我們為能實際關懷並回應社會需要的教會感謝神,願主使用他們在弱小,貧困肢體上所作的,蒙神的喜悅與祝福。藉著這些結出的美善果實,能引領人們認識耶穌基督,羨慕善工。

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Prayer Request 7/22 - 7/28

Tuesday
Until recently there have been only two types of churches in China: the state-recognized “Three Self “ (government controlled) churches and the house churches. There is still much distrust and even animosity between the two groups. In many ways this has hampered the growth of the Body of Christ. We know it takes time to heal wounds and we pray for love and forgiveness for those who have wronged us.
Wednesday
The house churches are not registered with nor recognized by the government of China. They have also been called “underground churches”. Recently a third type of church has appeared—house churches that have registered with the government and are attached to the Three Self Church. Today let us pray specifically for the registered house churches. May the Lord use them to be a powerful witness in their communities, bless them with many new converts and help them in their plan to purchase church property since they are now considered a legal entity.
Thursday
Many years ago the government of China failed to bring house churches into the fold of the Three Self Church but now it is promoting the formation of a House Church Association as a new attempt to bring them under their sphere of control.Many house churches struggle with the difficult decision of whether to register or not. The process is not only emotional but also potentially divisive. We pray for God’s wisdom and protection for all of the churches that are now in this process.
Friday
During 1989 missionaries from Hong Kong, North America, and Korea went to China’s rural churches and God sent great revival though their preaching, healing, and casting out of demons. The largest revivals were in Shandong Province and at Fangcheng in Henan Province where several thousand people were frequently baptized at one time. We pray the fire of revival will be renewed in rural churches because many have drifted away from the Lord due to materialism and church divisions. Even more have suffered attacks by the cults and many churches in the villages are without shepherds.
Saturday
Currently it is very difficult for older people to move about within China or even to move closer to where their children live. Health insurance is provided in only their hometown so when an elderly person visits another city, certain medical fees are not reimbursed. Let us pray for believers whose parents have chronic illnesses which require a great demand for time and add a financial burden. We ask God to give them an extra measure of strength and patience knowing that God will reward their labor of love.
Sunday
The top four-year universities in China have resisted pressure to expand their enrollment so roughly half of all college students there attend a growing number of less prestigious three-year polytechnic schools instead. We pray for believers who are in the “less prestigious” schools, whether high school or college for greater confidence in Christ and spiritual maturity. These students know they are not the best students in China and feel “ignored” in churches, especially in those where good grades are emphasized.
Monday
In China, polytechnics resemble community colleges in the USA but they offer more specialized vocational training and fewer college level courses like history or literature. Despite high tuition, polytechnics spend much less time teaching each student than universities do because they have so few subsidies. Let us pray for families of believers who have children studying in polytechnics and ask the Lord to protect them from the temptations of youth, give them a healthy outlook for a job prospect, and above all to have godly friends to encourage them so they can build each other up.
 
星期二
中國目前有兩類教會:一類是登記在政府之下的「三自愛國運動委員會」和「基督教協會」,另外一類是家庭教會。 一般來說,三自與家庭教會之間仍有很多的猜忌,甚至敵對不往來。雖然近來彼此關係普遍已有改善,但是還是有很長的一條路要走。歷史傷口的癒合需要時間,求主幫助弟兄姊妹能效法耶穌,以愛和饒恕來彼此相待。
星期三
家庭教會因為沒向在政府登記,不被政府所承認,也被稱為「地下教會」。而現在又出現第三類教會就是在政府登記下附屬於三自教會的家庭教會。 我們特別為那些註冊的家庭教會禱告,願主大大使用他們成為社區的一盞明燈,加添他們得救的人數。也因著他們註冊合法的身份,能開始著手購買教會場地的計劃或改建。
星期四
多年來政府嘗試將家庭教會歸納入三自教會沒能成功。現在可能透過推動一種「家庭教會聯合會」的形成,再次嘗試把家庭教會納入政府可以掌控的軌道中。 許多家庭教會掙扎是否要註冊的難題,這個過程會情緒化也有教會分裂的可能。我們求主保守,賜給眾教會智慧與合一的心志,尋求神的意旨。
星期五
八零年代, 來自香港、北美和韓國的宣教士進入農村教會,傳福音、醫病、趕鬼,給中國教會帶來了極大的復興。最復興的是河南的方城和山東,那裡一次往往幾千人同時受洗歸主。 現今許多農村信徒已經冷淡退後,有受物質主義吸引而湧進城打工去;教會有因沒有牧者的餵養,遭到異端邪教的攻擊。求主再次賜下復興的火給農村教會,激動信徒愛主的心智,重拾起初的愛心。
星期六
目前中國的老人不容易在國內遷移,也很難搬到兒女所在的城市,因為健康保險是限制在居住的城市。當老人離開自己居住地,會有一些醫療費用不能報銷。我們為信徒父母有慢性疾病來祈求,家屬照顧他們不但花錢,更是花時間。求主賜給他們有額外的力量與耐心,深深知道他們愛心擺上的勞苦是蒙主喜悅和獎賞的。
星期日
中國的一流四年制大學頂住了擴招的壓力,維持了一定的水平。但不少三年制專科學校便不斷的擴招,故此現在有半數大學生就讀於數量不斷增多、但聲望較低的院校。教會內也過份強調年輕人的學業成績,使得那些不能進名校的年輕人覺得自卑和格格不入的情況。求主賜給眾弟兄姊妹在主裡有充足信心與屬靈的成熟度,來帶領年輕人。
星期一
中國的專科院校類似美國的社區大學,不過,它們較多提供專業的職業培訓,較少提供一般歷史或文學課程。專科院校收費高昂,但是花在學生的教學上卻比本科院校要少得多,因為他們幾乎沒有任何政府的補貼。我們為就讀專科院校的年輕信徒禱告,願主保守他們遠避少年人的引誘,對前路有正確的眼光和態度;又求主賜給他們敬虔的朋友,彼此砥礪成長,不向世界妥協。

Tuesday, July 08, 2014

Prayer Request 7/8 - 7/14

TuesdayLast year there were many public contests featuring​wealthy men who were looking specifically for "beautiful, young, fair-skinned, and cute virgins" for marriage. Many have participated in these contests even though they expressed doubts of being chosen. Young single male Christians have the same expectations for their marriage partners. We pray for dating and marriage for all young believers as they seek God's will and keep themselves pure while continuing to serve in their churches or fellowships.
Wednesday
​Many young Chinese women believe there is nothing wrong with exchanging their youth and beauty for money and status. It is surprising that even many parents actually support the idea of marrying for money. They reason that as long as their daughters can live comfortably in the cities rather than earning low wages in service industries or factories, there is no problem with it.Let us pray for Christian parents who have daughters of marriageable age that our Lord will help them to have great faith in God and will answer their prayers for their daughters.​
Thursday
​The wages of factory workers in China have doubled in the past five years. It is impossible now to find anyone who will work for less than 2500 RMB a month so factories are moving inland or abroad due to the labor shortage along with a twenty percent wage increase each year. Churches also face a shortage of workers because of the low compensation pastors receive. We pray churches will treat their pastors much better than the factories treat their workers and will give them the respect, kindness and generosity the Bible teaches us to give. May the Lord comfort those workers who are leaving due to finances.
Friday
Chinese factories prefer not to hire young males since they often get into fights. Several years ago factories were faced with a labor shortage but they still refused to hire men and their preference has spread from Guangzhou to the Shanghai region. Young believers from rural regions who work in factories face great challenges in holding on to their faith and face much sexual temptation. We pray for steadfastness in faith and a guarding of hearts for those who are married and that those who are single will have wisdom in knowing God's will.
Saturday
Many older Christians in China carry baggage from the Cultural Revolution. There is a lot of distrust and they are unable to connect with others at a deep level. Hence, they often lack transparency and refuse to admit that they are vulnerable. We know that only the Holy Spirit can bring about healing from such deep wounds so we pray with great faith that God will give each of us a healthy self-image and approach to deal our interpersonal conflicts. May we live out the teachings of the Bible and build deeper relationships with other believers.
Sunday
​Many Chinese wives remain married to their husbands who are having extra-marital affairs. Christians have the same problems as non-Christians with broken marriages whether there is an extra-marital affair or not. Many pastors know the importance of marital counseling but have no resources nor training to do it. We pray for more Christian professionals who can provide family and marriage counseling courses in China, especially for pastors. We ask, too, that God will help provide resource on Biblical counseling to​ equip pastors to better handle these issues.
Monday
​According to ​research done by one university, in 2000 China had 3.7 million villages. By 2010, that figure had dropped to 2.6 million villages which means about 300 villages in China disappear every day as they are swallowed by the ever-expanding cities. The majority of rural churches are poor, and unable to carry out proper ministry even Sunday School for children. We pray that some urban churches will financially support churches in the villages, bringing encouragement to those who serve in there and help them achieve a breakthrough.​

星期二
去年中國多地出現富豪公開徵婚活動,其中“漂亮、年輕、皮膚白皙、可愛、處女”等多項要求引發關注。參與該類活動的女性眾多,而且對婚姻表達了玩世不恭的態度。許多年輕單身弟兄們對婚姻伴侶的條件也跟世俗一樣,總是看不上教會的姐妹。我們為單身信徒交友和婚姻來禱告,求主幫助他們保守自己,在教會和團契多有服事,並堅定尋求神的心意。
星期三
許多年輕的中國女性認為用青春和美貌交換金錢和地位是天經地義的事情。更不可思議的是,一些家長也贊同這樣的婚姻關係,認為這是自己的女兒能夠在大城市過舒服生活的一種方式,而無需在服務業或製造行業長時間工作,掙著低報酬,如此作並無不妥。我們來為信徒家長,特別是有適婚年齡的女兒的禱告。願主加添他們對神的帶領及預備大有信心,知道祂是聽禱告的主。
星期四
民工的待遇在過去5年來漲了一倍,現在月工資2500人民幣以下的職位,在沿海已很難招到工人,工廠面臨民工內移的民工荒,加上工資每年以20%的速度成長,許多紛紛內移或外移。教會也面臨工人荒,因為牧者的待遇過低也無福利可言。我們求主再次興起教會,照著聖經的教導尊敬、善待和慷慨對待他們的牧者。 也為那些因著經濟原因而停止牧會的傳道人禱告,求主安慰他們全家。
星期五
在工廠裡由於年輕男性比較難管理(常聚眾打架),幾年前珠江三角洲雖缺工嚴重,已經有許多工廠不招男生,此現象現已延伸到長江三角洲。在工廠的年輕信徒,左持守信仰上面臨許多的挑戰,有許多男女關係的試探。 我們為這些年輕人能堅守他們的信仰真理祈求,也為已婚的求神保守身心靈純潔及正在交往中的有智慧尋求神的旨意顯明。
星期六
經歷過文化大革命傷害的信徒,大部分缺乏勇氣去建立深層的人際關係,更不容易與人交心或承認自己的軟弱。我們知道只有神的靈方能帶出改變和醫治,我們憑信為這些肢體禱告,在主面前有健康的自我形象,用真理來處理衝突,活出聖經的教導;與其他弟兄姊妹建立更深更密切的互動與信賴。
星期日
有些姊妹遇到丈夫有婚外情雖然沒有選擇離婚,但卻是一直拖著沒有好轉。另外,信徒夫婦中也有出現關係破裂的情況,只是沒有走到離婚這步。越來越多牧者看到婚姻輔導的重要性,但苦於沒有相關的人力、物力資源及培訓機會。求主興起已有這方面裝備的主內肢體,培訓牧者來進行婚姻和家庭輔導;也求主供應合用的資源,使牧者得到充分的裝備以回應教會迫切的需要。
星期一
根據天津大學的研究,2000年時,中國有370萬座村莊。到了2010年,這一數字已下降到260萬,這代表每天大約有300座村莊因城市擴展而消失。大部分農村教會經濟困乏,以致事工發展滯後,而兒童主日學事工更是常被忽略。求主感動一些有資源的教會來支援農村教會的發展,好使有事主心志的農村同工得著鼓勵和支持,使瓶頸得以突破。

Wednesday, July 02, 2014

Prayer Request 7/1 - 7/7

TuesdayBeijing will reduce the importance of English on the college entrance examination (gaokao). The exam decides if and where students will attend college, so any change in the scoring will have a significant impact on curriculum beginning in elementary school. Chinese parents push their children to excel by comparing them with other children. The Lord reminds us that each child is unique and it is the responsibility of the parents to pray with them and remind them to love God and to seek His plan for their lives.​
Wednesday
The proposal to reduce the importance of English on the college entrance exam also calls for increasing the importance of the Chinese language on it. The changes reflect the concern that while students spend vast amounts of time and great effort studying English, few end up being proficient in it. Chinese parents are generally reserved and give few words of encouragement or praise fearing they will make their children too proud of themselves. We pray that Christian parents will affirm and praise their children more and encourage them specifically for their good behavior.
Thursday
While the proposal to discontinue the listening and speaking portion of the English exam in China makes it easier for students, many fear they will then be able to only read and write English and not be able to carry on a conversation in English. Christian parents should be good in communicating with their children. We pray they can teach them and also listen to what they have to say as well. We ask God to help them walk closely with Him and provide words of comfort, especially in times of doubt.
Friday
While the ability to speak English helps in the job market in China, it isn't critical to the career paths of many students so educators feel that since most​ people aren't required to use English in their work, spending so much time and money to study English is a waste. Chinese parents often love their children conditionally. They say, "If your grades are..." or "If you get into a good university..." May the Lord remind each of us not to raise our children like this because His love for us is unconditional.
Saturday
There is a growing concern in China about the lack of ability of young people in being able to write Chinese characters. The advent of the computer and mobile devices makes the young people in China rely on pinyin, a system of writing using Romanized spelling which has reduced the ability to write characters by hand. Many Christians do not raise their own children for various reasons, so they later have difficulty relating to them. We pray that all believers will spend time with their children as they grow up and will insist on imparting their faith and godly influence to them.
Sunday
​Traditionally the college entrance exam (gaokao) which was re-introduced in 1977, after it was banned during the Cultural Revolution, has been a single-shot opportunity as the only way to get into college. The only way to retake the exam has been to repeat a year of high school. Many Christian parents apply great pressure on their children and expect too much of​ ​them. Although these children are successful, they bear resentment toward their parents and even avoid church. May the Lord have mercy and give wisdom to Christian parents.​
Monday
Essentially the university entrance exam (gaokao) will decide one's future in China. Generally speaking failure to pass the exam means the student will not get into college; therefore, the exam causes great stress for both the students and their families. We pray that Christian families will avoid the erroneous teaching found in traditional Chinese families but will aim to raise godly children with fine character who can be used by God.

星期二
北京市公佈了一項減輕英語在高考中重要性的改革方案。高考對能否進入大學或是上哪所大學至關緊要,有關高考的任何變化都將對學生從小學開始的學習內容有極大的影響。家長往往喜歡橫向比較,愛說「你看某某……」。求主幫助我們知道每個孩子都是獨特且唯一的,為人父母的要能與孩子一起禱告,教導他們愛神,並幫助他們認識神在他們身上獨特的帶領。
星期三
新的高考語文方案,呼籲增加漢語在高考中的重要性。這些變化反映了人們普遍的憂慮,中國學生雖然花大量的時間和精力學英語,但很少有人能熟練說英語。中國父母親比較含蓄,稱讚勉勵的話較少,也為免孩子心生驕傲而不常讚賞孩子。求主幫助信徒多給子女肯定與認同,有適時、合宜而不籠統的讚賞,讚揚,特別要在他們的好行為表現時,把握機會鼓勵。
星期四
高考取消英語聽力和口語測驗,說是減輕學生負擔;但許多人也擔心:如果不考口語和聽力,學生可能就不重視口語和聽力的練習,更加導致英語變成「啞巴英語」或「聾子英語」。對基督徒而言,親子間的溝通也是很重要的,求主幫助家長們有智慧教導子女,更重要的是能聆聽孩子的心聲,幫助他們願意更親近神,也能在他們對神有懷疑時,多方鼓勵、安慰、勸勉子女。
星期五
雖然英語能力佳在求職時會有所幫助,但對很多學生的職業道路來說並不是最重要的。不少工作並不需要英語,有些人認為花這麼多時間和精力學英語是浪費。信徒家長也常會設下條件式的獎賞辦法來滿足孩子的需求,「如果你的成績……」「你考上名牌大學,我就……」 求主提醒為父母的肢體們,避免如此負面地教導孩子,乃要讓孩子從父母看到上帝的恩典。
星期六
越來越多中國人開始擔心年輕人的漢語能力,尤其是他們的漢字書寫能力。電腦和行動通訊設備都依賴用羅馬字母拼寫的漢語拼音,減少了人們手寫漢字的機會。不少信徒家長因種種原因,將孩子託給他人養育照顧,後來在培養親子關係上就有困難。 願神提醒我們要刻意安排時間和子女一起,陪伴他們成長,在言教身教及 屬靈培育上,不放棄對孩子的影響力,敬虔信仰的家庭傳統也就能傳承下去。
星期日
自從在文化大革命期間被停辦的高考制度在1977年恢復以來,高考都只有一次機會。唯一一個可以再次參加的辦法便是複讀一年高三。許多基督徒家長對孩子期望過高,管教過嚴,這些被逼出來的「優秀」孩子有很大部分有心理障礙,容易對父母,對社會產生怨恨,甚至對信仰也生疑。求主憐憫,賜給家長們有合神心意的教養智慧。
星期一
高考定一生!一般來說,高考失敗意味著學生失去上大學的機會,因此這一考試制度帶給所有的學生和家長巨大無比的沉重壓力。願基督徒家庭不要重蹈中國家庭常出現的典型錯誤,將高考成敗視為檢驗子女人生的唯一標準,求主幫助我們信靠主對每一個人的全備引領,以敬虔的言行,培育出有優良品格、敬虔愛主的後代,隨主而用。