Prayer Request 8/19 - 8/25

TuesdayGuo Meimei whose name is inextricably​ linked with the Chinese public's distrust of official charities, in a televised confession blamed vanity for her misdeeds. Three years later the Red Cross of China is still struggling to regain its reputation and the trust of the public. Unfortunately, there are many believers who have also been hurt by the leaders of their churches through various misdeeds and misunderstandings. We pray for healing and a renewed trust in the Body of Christ for them. May the Spirit of God comfort them.
Wednesday
The idea​ of philanthropy is a relatively new one in China and in recent years people willing to donate to others have indicated wariness about the lack of transparency in the charitable organizations of the government. Hence, many have chosen to give to private charitable organizations. Lack of transparency both in administration and finances is a big problem for all churches in China, whether house or open churches. Good churches are damaged by the misdeeds of the extremists and the cults. We pray for believers to have faith in their godly leaders and remain generous in their giving.
Thursday
After a devastating earthquake hit Yunnan recently, killing​ at least 398 people, despite efforts by the Red Cross pleading with them to forget Mei Mei and focus on earthquake relief, people have found it very difficult to overcome their suspicions and give money to help. We pray for churches and mission agencies who are helping with disaster relief. May their acts of compassion be a powerful testimony to the nation and an opportunity to involve all churches in helping the poor churches in China's Southwest region
Friday
Pastors of churches in China face the daunting task of balancing Bible teaching with church administration which involves dealing with government officials​ in some delicate situations along with encouraging all members to stay committed to their church family. ​In many regions, most churches have part-time pastors because they cannot afford to pay for a full-time pastor or else they mistakenly believe that preachers should do God's work by faith so they do not need to pay them much. We pray that churches will correct this erroneous idea and will honor God's servants financially.
Saturday
On the 30th anniversary of the celebration of church reopening, a well-known worship team led a huge concert in Shenzhen. Mainland Christians are very familiar with their songs. More than six thousand young people attended this first ever large-scale worship event in China. We praise God for the passion and fellowship of all the attendees. We pray that the live-video and the buzz generated through social media will lead to great excitement among all China churches and deeply impact their praise and worship.
Sunday
​Young​ people today are accustomed to entertainment that is fast-paced, diverse, and packed with excitement. As a result, many find it very dull when they attend urban churches in China with a traditional style of worship. ​ We pray for churches in China, especially those in rural areas that they will reach out to young people and that the leaders will be willing to make changes with the younger generation in mind and that older believers will be more accepting and welcoming to the youth.
Monday
Some of the urban churches in China wholeheartedly embrace the contemporary style of praise and worship but the older believers complain bitterly about the concert-like feel and their resentment creates tension within the church. Some even quit attending due to their dislike of the style of worship. ​May the Lord have mercy on us and give the leaders of the churches wisdom so they can adjust their traditional style of worship by adding contemporary elements and still have God-centered worship which is inviting to all ages.​

星期二
儘管郭美美通過央視向紅十字會及公眾道歉，但她的名字已經與中國公眾對官方慈善機構的不信任結下不解之緣。縱使過了三年，紅十字會依然無法恢復聲譽，重獲信任。令人遺憾的是，也有許多信徒因教會領袖本身品德操守上的失誤或誤解而跌倒、冷淡、不再聚會。求主醫治他們，聖靈安慰臨到他們，使能再次恢復對肢體的信任，並為主站立得住。
星期三
慈善事業的概念在中國相對較新。近幾年，捐贈者對政府慈善機構缺乏透明度的情況保持警惕，很多人寧選擇向私人慈善機構捐贈。教會行政和財政不透明，是公開教會和家庭教會共有的問題。極端教派和邪教等的貪財劣跡，也常使信徒對教會不信任。求主幫助信徒對神所選召的敬虔僕人有信心，並甘心樂意奉獻。
星期四
雲南最近發生了大地震，至今已有四百多人罹難。紅十字會懇請公眾「忘記郭美美」，專注為抗震工作提供幫助。雖然紅十字會努力轉移視線，但是很多中國人仍對該慈善機構持懷疑態度，要捐資給他們十分困難。我們來為許多參與救災的教會及宣教機構祈求，求主使用他們憐憫人的付出，讓國民都看到美好的見證，也再次激勵眾教會為中國西南貧困地區的教會伸出援手，流通主的愛與救恩。
星期五
中國教會的牧者們面臨艱鉅的任務，不但要負責聖經教導，且要兼顧教會牧養管理。教會管理不僅是登記造冊，更重要的是要使每個加入教會的人都有委身感，都成為這個教會的會友。 在許多地區，絕大部分的傳道人還是帶職服侍，教會缺乏經濟能力，或是誤認為傳道人應當要不求溫飽，單憑信心做神的聖工。求主繼續改變教會這樣的錯誤心態，停止虧待神的僕人。
星期六
華人教會中知名的敬拜團，藉深圳恢復禮拜三十年感恩聚會之際公演，超過六千人聚集一齊敬拜。這是內地基督徒用已知和熟悉的曲目，首次大型的公開聚會場面。我們為參與者渴慕上帝及享受彼此相愛的美好見證感恩。但願，神藉著實況錄影，社交網絡使全國的教會也帶來靈命的奮興，在他們的敬拜讚美時，更能吸引人、榮耀神。
星期日
在這個多元化、速食化、娛樂化的社會中，不少年輕人進入到傳統的城市教會，感覺崇拜非常沉悶，且其表達元素不具娛樂性。我們為城市教會，也包括農村教會，能適應、吸引更多的年輕人進入教會祈求。同時，求主幫助教會領袖願意在崇拜程序和型式上做些調整與改變，特別是老一代要有寬廣接納的心懷來與青年人在思想上接軌。
星期一
教會大量使用流行音樂並改變崇拜模式，往往又讓人感覺像演唱會。老一輩的信徒覺得格格不入，造成教會中有張力，總是有抱怨，不可避免地造成某些信徒的流失。 求主憐憫我們，賜給我們智慧，可以在教會傳統的崇拜架構中，融入當代音樂元素，使整個崇拜既符合上帝的教導，又充滿崇拜的神聖性，讓不同年齡層的信徒能夠投入以神為中心的敬拜。