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。