Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Prayer Request 11/25 - 12/1

TuesdayIn China, there is much inequality in the opportunity for education in different areas.​ One research report showed that an applicant from Beijing is forty-one times more likely to be admitted to Peking University than a fellow student from the province of Anhui which is largely poor and rural. Churches often lack vision and direction in their ministry with youth and some have simply given up because of various difficulties. May the Lord help us not to forsake caring for young believers and considering them less important than others because they cannot contribute financially.
Wednesday
Even an urban residency status does not ensure educational equality among city dwellers in China. The quality of urban schools varies widely and the competition to enter top schools has spawned rampant corruption.​ ​In Beijing churches started youth ministry only a few years ago and usually they began with fewer than twenty young people. We praise God for these​ churches and ask Him to use them to mobilize more churches to care for the spiritual health of the young believers who attend.
Thursday
Although elementary schooling in China is supposed to be free, parents must still pay tens of thousands of dollars under the guise of "voluntary donation​s" to secure a slot for their children in an elite elementary school. Christian parents in China want good Sunday school programs for their children but few are willing to be trained to serve as a teacher themselves. We pray that more parents will answer the call to serve as teachers of God's love.
Friday
Although it is frowned on by the authorities, parents in China who can pay well to hire teachers for their children can help their children get an advantage over the average ​student, and many do this. Christian parents tend to emphasize high grades, top notch schools, and the health of their children more than teaching them to live a spiritual life. May the Lord have mercy on us so we do not honor our children more than we honor Him. (I Samuel 2:29)
Saturday
The educational system in China has always placed a large emphasis on​ test scores but now it is dependent on the costs of their "cramming" lessons, the years their parents have toiled in cities to get a residency permit, and the admission quotas universities allot to the provinces. Many churches simply give up on having a ministry for children because they have neither the vision nor the resources to start one. We pray that churches will get seriously involved in caring for the spiritual health of their youth and children before they completely stop attending church.
Sunday
According to statistics there are some 8000-9000​ house churches in Beijing but fewer than twenty of them have any form of youth ministry. There are only a few so-called youth workers and none of the full-time pastors is dedicated to youth work. Many churches try to minister to their youth, but they do not really know how to begin. We pray for a unity of parents and leaders as they search for ways to be more effective in helping young people walk close to Jesus.
Monday
​Those who are involved in youth ministry in China have no training for such work. They are usually high school graduates in the city churches and​ those in the rural churches have only a junior high education. We pray for more courses to teach people how to do youth ministry, teaching them how to develop a relationship with young people as a friend and mentor rather than the traditional role of a teacher. May the Lord empower each one to be able to influence the lives of their youth with their own and His love.

星期二
中國 高等教育機會不平等。根據研究,一名北京本地學生相較於來自貧窮的安徽農村的學生,考上北大的機率幾乎是後者的41倍。教會普遍缺乏發展青少年事工的異象和目標。有些教會做了幾年青少年事工,因種種困難就停止了。求主幫助教會不放棄年輕人的事工,也不因他們沒有金錢上的奉獻就看輕他們。
星期三
中國教育資源的分配也極不均等。即使是在城市的居民,城市內學校間質量良莠不齊,且要進入頂尖學校的競爭裡,也滋生了嚴重的腐敗問題。教會中有青少年團契的,也是近幾年才開始發展起來的,人數從幾個到二十不等。我們為這些教會感恩,但願神使用他們激勵其他教會,更多地關心年輕人的靈命成長。
星期四
雖然小學教育是免費的。但是為了讓孩子獲得一個進入頂尖小學的名額,父母們常常繳納上萬元的「自願捐贈」。基督徒父母往往為他們的孩子要求有好的主日學課程,但很少有人願意成為上帝差派的愛的老師,求主呼招更多看重下一代靈命的肢體,願意委身在兒童事工當中。
星期五
中國學生的家長捨得花錢在孩子身上,例如請老師給孩子單獨補課,儘管這種行為被有關部門明令禁止,但在現實中仍比比皆是。信徒家庭普遍注重孩子的學習成績,名校、身體健康等,遠超過他們的靈命成長。求主憐憫我們,不叫我們看重我們孩子屬世的成功,過於尊重神(撒母耳上2:29)。
星期六
中國的教育一貫極其注重考試分數,考分的高低跟他們在補習班中所傾入的費用相關,還有他們父母為獲得城市戶口而四處奔波所挹注的心力,以及大學在他們的省份分配的錄取名額。許多教會因為沒有真正的異象或資源,在嘗試發展青少年事工時, 往往就半途而廢。我們為教會能認真及努力關心下一代的靈命,不讓年輕一代流失來禱告。
星期日
北京約有8000-9000間家庭教會,但有青少年團契的教會不到20家。 全職做青少年事工的牧者寥寥無幾,專職的青少年牧師對中國教會來說實在太稀有了。許多教會嘗試做青少年的事工,卻是有心無力。我們為這些教會,家長與教會領袖之間有合一的靈,試著用智慧以各樣方式、途徑,更有有效地幫助他們的年輕人與主同行。
星期一
從事青少年事工的中國牧者多半沒有受過任何相關的培訓,他們的教育程度,也以初中和高中為主;求主興起更多青少年事工的培訓,特別幫助那些服事青少年的同工,擁有美好的人際關係,能從傳統的牧養關係,變成教練與朋友的關係,流露對孩子們的關愛,用生命來影響他們。

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Prayer Request 11/18 - 11/24

TuesdayAn interpretation by the Supreme Court of China in 2011 the 1950 Marriage Law stated that, when a couple divorces, property should not be shared equally, but each side should keep what is in his or her own name. It is not uncommon to have Chinese parents buying an apartment for their children as a wedding gift. We pray for young believers to seek God’s will for their marriage, rather than base ​it ​on whether the family has money or not.
Wednesday
This ruling of division of properties at ​the time of ​divorce has serious implications. In the big Chinese cities a third of marriages now end in divorce. Only about 30% of married women have their name on the deeds of the marital flat. Divorces are common among believers now. We pray not only for more teaching of Biblical principles of marriage, but also more emphasis and practical teaching on resolving marital conflict.
Thursday
​​By 2010,26% of urban women​ in China​ had university degrees, double the proportion ten years earlier. Women now regularly outperform men at Chinese universities, which has led to gender-based quotas favoring men in some entrance exams. More women receive Bible training ​than men ​but only some​ of​ them are serving in teaching roles. We pray for ​the​ blessing of God for all the women pastors as​ they exercise their gifts. We pray ​especially for strength and joy for those who are single.
Friday
There is the perception that items bought in Hong Kong are of better quality and likely not to have been counterfeited or tampered with. This is important to Chinese who are constantly unnerved by scandals involving adulterated food and medicines. Hong Kong churches have significantly withdrawn their support to churches in China. We pray that Hong Kong churches can still supply the talents and experience of their cross-cultural missionary effort, which can be a great mentor and template for China churches.
Saturday
An​ annual salary of 150,000 yuan is considered to be the cutoff for the new Middle Class in China. Unlike the so-called "wealthy second generation" who receive handout from their rich parents, this income must be earned with their education and hard work. Although young professional believers are very affluent, they still need to learn about giving to churches financially, more so than the average believers. We pray that all believers will give willing and joyfully, knowing God will richly reward us when we give our best to Him.
Sunday
The greatest pressure​ for youth in China is the gao kao, the college entrance exam which pretty much decides the future of each youth by deciding whether he/she can enter college or not. It is always awkward for a church when they give thanks publically for some of the youth who got into good colleges but say nothing about others who have not done well on the gao kao. We pray that churches will be Biblical in teaching God's desire for us as parents and that His measure of success is different from ours.
Monday
Gao kao​ is held once a year. Since families in China have only one child and the hope of the entire family rests on how well that child does in this single exam, a good outcome is a great honor for the entire family. The pressure to get into a good college is very intense and begins early. This is one reason the youth meetings in church are not well attended or it is even difficult to start one. We pray for a vibrant ministry for those churches that put an emphasis on youth as well as those that lack this emphasis, that all will have a vision to care for youth.

星期二
2011年最高法院對1950年婚姻法的解釋是夫妻二人離婚時,房產不應該平均分配,雙方只能擁有在其名下的東西。不少中國父母購屋是幫助子女成家立業的起步,這也是社會傳統的常例。我們為年輕未婚的信徒禱告,讓他們知道要尋求神的旨意,明白有共同信仰的重要,而不是只看對方經濟條件如何。
星期三
在大城市的離婚律是三分之一,但是大約只有30%的已婚女性住房的契約上有自己的名字。2011年最高法院解釋對離婚時財產分配,雙方只能擁有在其名下的東西。這一裁定會造成嚴重的影響。弟兄姊妹當中有離婚的目前也蠻普遍的。我們為眾教會要多教導從聖經原則出發的婚姻觀來禱告,同時也要幫助弟兄姐妹如何處現實婚姻裡的難題和衝突,看重實際的輔導與幫助。
星期四
截至2010年,26%的城市女性擁有大學學歷,這個數字是十年前的兩倍。在大學裡中國女性的表現經常超越男性,這就導致在某些入學考試中會增加男性名額數。姐妹們有聖經裝備的比率很高,但是有教導機會的不是那麼多。我們求神更多使用女傳道們的恩賜,在服事上更有力量與喜樂。我們也在禱告中特別紀念單身的女傳道人。
星期五
中國旅客喜歡在購物,他們認為境外的商品質量更好,買到假貨或摻假產品的可能性更小。在一個受食物和藥品摻假醜聞困擾的國家裡,這是一個很重要的考量。香港教會目前參與中國教會的力度逐漸減少,但仍可從軟件上支持內地教會,求主繼續使用香港教會提供的人才培訓,也能分享他們多年跨文化宣教的經驗。
星期六
新中產階級的年收入,15萬元是一個可以參考的分界線。當然,是從職場上用自己的知識和勞動所獲取的報酬,而不是富二代用老爸給的零用錢。雖然年輕專業的信徒經濟條件非常優渥,但是在奉獻的認真上比一般信徒還有許多欠缺。我們為所有信徒甘心樂意的奉獻來禱告,因為甘心樂意奉獻的神必賞賜。
星期日
青少年的最大壓力源是一直備受批評的高考制度。對許多中國學生來說,考取好成績就意味著拿到了一張通往更美好未來的入場券,因為高校招生只看高考分數。 教會在處理年輕人進入大學的議題總是有些尷尬,我們會為能進好學校的人感恩,但是名落孫山的就不知如何應付了。 求主恩待教會要教導父母以聖經為主的養育方式,因為神衡量成功的標準是不一樣的。
星期一
高考成績優秀對整個家庭都是一種巨大的榮耀 ! 許多中國家庭都只有一個子女,全家人的希望都寄託在孩子身上。一年一次的高考是從小到大漫長激烈競爭的驗收,考進大學的激烈競爭是從小開始。升學考試也是教會的青少年事工無法持續,甚至不能開展的主因。求主恩待、興旺有青少年事工的教會,也將關心第二代的負擔加給沒有年輕人的教會。

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Prayer Request 11/11 - 11/17

Tuesday
Some of the urban churches in China are very vibrant with weekly Bible studies and leadership training classes. Some even have regular outreach and​ testimony meetings in public areas. We pray for all of the young leaders of churches in China that the Lord will give them vision, courage, and innovative ideas for ministry so they will not only be able to minister to their flocks but will also know how to lead their churches in this new age.
Wednesday
There are urban churches that have a library with the ability to distribute devotional and Bible readings, and church news through cell phones which promotes better fellowship among the members and also reaches out to seekers. Many churches are taking advantage of technology to connect believers. We pray for the increasing use of these tools to improve follow-up of members and help believers to grow spiritually in their Christian lives.
Thursday
People who work in the churche​s in China today are busy even to the extent that many do not find time for a quiet time or even prayer. Not a few pastors resort to "copy and paste online sermons". May the Lord refresh all the busy people who work in churches so they will have time to meditate and apply God's word, not merely for preaching but also to be personally renewed in spirit so by their close walk with the Lord and their steady sustained faith in Him, they are good examples for all believers.
Friday
Some churches in Eastern China face a bottleneck in ministry. Their young people have left for work in the city and since their pastors have their own businesses to care for, they are serving only part time. To make matters worse, many older leaders are reluctant to loosen control of church affairs. ​We pray for a radical change in the status quo, for revival, for the training of a new generation of leaders.​ It will not be easy but we pray for faith for leaders and believers not to be discouraged in their seeking to know God's and help their church to grow.
Saturday
The middle-aged and older leaders in the church in China need to affirm and support their younger counterparts more. Younger leaders need the support and blessing of their church to reach young people which then shows the church beautiful teamwork. We pray that more churches in China will live out this picture of their leadership team working effectively together, raising up more full-time workers, and allowing young people to reach their potential​ with "the young and the old serving together as a team" in an ever diverse congregation.
Sunday
"Going Countryside" refers to the custom colleges have of sending students to rural regions to provide assistance in culture, science, technology, and health each summer. It is a way to allow students to apply what they have studied and to expose and familiarize them with the rest of the nation. Churches in remote areas are often very poor and in desperate need for teaching about the Bible and the Christian life. We know the need is great and we pray with great faith that the Lord will move people to support these needy remote churches.
Monday
The original intention of "Going Countryside" was to expose college students to the​ remote rural areas of China but in doing this, through these students the schools are also being evaluated and ranked. If a student does any special thing in the field or a TV interview, that would increase the ranking of their college. Churches in Southwest China are poor but they are persistent in serving the Lord faithfully. We pray the Lord will open the doors of the gospel there and supply the needs of the pastors and cause the churches to thrive in this spiritually desolate region.
 
星期二
中國有些城市教會非常活潑,每週都有小組查經聚會,周間晚上也有領袖訓練,還有定期的戶外佈道和見證分享。我們為中國所有教會新一代的青年領袖們禱告,求主賜他們服侍的創意、眼光和魄力,不僅能勝任關照羊群的責任,更能為教會的牧養和教導工作帶來適切時代發展的模式及方向。
星期三
有些城市教會有自己的圖書館,並透過手機網絡向信徒發放靈修、讀經材料和教會事工資訊,這不僅有助信徒之間的連結,還方便他們向慕道朋友轉發福音資訊。感謝主賜福城市教會能利用發達的科技聯繫信徒,求主藉這些工具增進弟兄姐妹主內的情誼,相互扶持,也幫助肢體們的靈命成長,活出基督的樣式。
星期四
同工事奉繁忙,有時甚至沒有時間好好靜下心來靈修和禱告。不少傳道人講道前沒有足夠的預備,就只將網絡上的講章拚湊一番, 應付過去。求主憐憫那些忙碌的內地牧者,靈裡得著更新,有更多時間學習與默想神的話語和實踐聖經真理,可以緊緊與主同行,在主裡信心堅固,繼續在事奉道路上走得更遠,成為信徒的好榜樣。
星期五
華東地區不少教會所面對的『瓶頸』是年輕人離鄉去打工,還有教會主要負責人都是帶職事奉,時間不夠用,以及教會老一輩領袖無法走出根深蒂固的寡頭家長制服侍觀念。我們為這些教會能突破固有現狀,興起和培訓新一代接班人禱告。求主幫助教會除去改變的阻力,不論領袖或是信徒都能憑著信心,願意朝向更合神心意的發展方向邁步前進。
星期六
教會的中年和年長同工對年輕同工若能有更多肯定和支援,年輕同工也帶著信心和祝福去服事,是何等美好的事!求主提醒我們注重教牧團隊的互相配搭,培育全職同工,發掘有潛質的年輕人,做到「新老搭配,發揮果效」,使教會能服事社會上更多不同階層及年齡群的人。
星期日
大學生「三下鄉」是指各高校在暑期開展的送「文化、科技、衛生」下鄉的社會實踐活動。「三下鄉」作為大學生社會實踐的一種形式,原意是讓學生長見識、增閱歷、知國情。邊遠地區的教會除了物資短缺外,靈命栽培和聖經教導的事工也非常貧乏。我們憑信心相信神必會興起更多願意追隨祂的人,以不同形式支援邊遠教會的發展。
星期一
「三下鄉」的本意是給大學生體驗邊遠地區或是農村的生活, 如果學生在下鄉期間有 一些特殊成果、被電視、電台訪問了,所就讀的學校也在考核排名時,得以加分,而新聞報導正是加分的重頭。中國西南地區的教會經濟條件差,但仍持守使命、堅守崗位、忠心事主,我們為這些教會感恩!求主繼續打開福音的門,供應同工的需要。使神的家能在荒涼的地區興旺!

Tuesday, November 04, 2014

Prayer Request 11/4 - 11/10

TuesdaySome of the urban churches in China are very vibrant with weekly Bible studies and leadership training classes. Some even have regular outreach and​ testimony meetings in public areas. We pray for all of the young leaders of churches in China that the Lord will give them vision, courage, and innovative ideas for ministry so they will not only be able to minister to their flocks but will also know how to lead their churches in this new age.
Wednesday
There are urban churches that have a library with the ability to distribute devotional and Bible readings, and church news through cell phones which promotes better fellowship among the members and also reaches out to seekers. Many churches are taking advantage of technology to connect believers. We pray for the increasing use of these tools to improve follow-up of members and help believers to grow spiritually in their Christian lives.
Thursday
People who work in the churche​s in China today are busy even to the extent that many do not find time for a quiet time or even prayer. Not a few pastors resort to "copy and paste online sermons". May the Lord refresh all the busy people who work in churches so they will have time to meditate and apply God's word, not merely for preaching but also to be personally renewed in spirit so by their close walk with the Lord and their steady sustained faith in Him, they are good examples for all believers.
Friday
Some churches in Eastern China face a bottleneck in ministry. Their young people have left for work in the city and since their pastors have their own businesses to care for, they are serving only part time. To make matters worse, many older leaders are reluctant to loosen control of church affairs. ​We pray for a radical change in the status quo, for revival, for the training of a new generation of leaders.​ It will not be easy but we pray for faith for leaders and believers not to be discouraged in their seeking to know God's and help their church to grow.
Saturday
The middle-aged and older leaders in the church in China need to affirm and support their younger counterparts more. Younger leaders need the support and blessing of their church to reach young people which then shows the church beautiful teamwork. We pray that more churches in China will live out this picture of their leadership team working effectively together, raising up more full-time workers, and allowing young people to reach their potential​ with "the young and the old serving together as a team" in an ever diverse congregation.
Sunday
"Going Countryside" refers to the custom colleges have of sending students to rural regions to provide assistance in culture, science, technology, and health each summer. It is a way to allow students to apply what they have studied and to expose and familiarize them with the rest of the nation. Churches in remote areas are often very poor and in desperate need for teaching about the Bible and the Christian life. We know the need is great and we pray with great faith that the Lord will move people to support these needy remote churches.
Monday
The original intention of "Going Countryside" was to expose college students to the​ remote rural areas of China but in doing this, through these students the schools are also being evaluated and ranked. If a student does any special thing in the field or a TV interview, that would increase the ranking of their college. Churches in Southwest China are poor but they are persistent in serving the Lord faithfully. We pray the Lord will open the doors of the gospel there and supply the needs of the pastors and cause the churches to thrive in this spiritually desolate region.

星期二
中國有些城市教會非常活潑,每週都有小組查經聚會,周間晚上也有領袖訓練,還有定期的戶外佈道和見證分享。我們為中國所有教會新一代的青年領袖們禱告,求主賜他們服侍的創意、眼光和魄力,不僅能勝任關照羊群的責任,更能為教會的牧養和教導工作帶來適切時代發展的模式及方向。
星期三
有些城市教會有自己的圖書館,並透過手機網絡向信徒發放靈修、讀經材料和教會事工資訊,這不僅有助信徒之間的連結,還方便他們向慕道朋友轉發福音資訊。感謝主賜福城市教會能利用發達的科技聯繫信徒,求主藉這些工具增進弟兄姐妹主內的情誼,相互扶持,也幫助肢體們的靈命成長,活出基督的樣式。
星期四
同工事奉繁忙,有時甚至沒有時間好好靜下心來靈修和禱告。不少傳道人講道前沒有足夠的預備,就只將網絡上的講章拚湊一番, 應付過去。求主憐憫那些忙碌的內地牧者,靈裡得著更新,有更多時間學習與默想神的話語和實踐聖經真理,可以緊緊與主同行,在主裡信心堅固,繼續在事奉道路上走得更遠,成為信徒的好榜樣。
星期五
華東地區不少教會所面對的『瓶頸』是年輕人離鄉去打工,還有教會主要負責人都是帶職事奉,時間不夠用,以及教會老一輩領袖無法走出根深蒂固的寡頭家長制服侍觀念。我們為這些教會能突破固有現狀,興起和培訓新一代接班人禱告。求主幫助教會除去改變的阻力,不論領袖或是信徒都能憑著信心,願意朝向更合神心意的發展方向邁步前進。
星期六
教會的中年和年長同工對年輕同工若能有更多肯定和支援,年輕同工也帶著信心和祝福去服事,是何等美好的事!求主提醒我們注重教牧團隊的互相配搭,培育全職同工,發掘有潛質的年輕人,做到「新老搭配,發揮果效」,使教會能服事社會上更多不同階層及年齡群的人。
星期日
大學生「三下鄉」是指各高校在暑期開展的送「文化、科技、衛生」下鄉的社會實踐活動。「三下鄉」作為大學生社會實踐的一種形式,原意是讓學生長見識、增閱歷、知國情。邊遠地區的教會除了物資短缺外,靈命栽培和聖經教導的事工也非常貧乏。我們憑信心相信神必會興起更多願意追隨祂的人,以不同形式支援邊遠教會的發展。
星期一
「三下鄉」的本意是給大學生體驗邊遠地區或是農村的生活, 如果學生在下鄉期間有 一些特殊成果、被電視、電台訪問了,所就讀的學校也在考核排名時,得以加分,而新聞報導正是加分的重頭。中國西南地區的教會經濟條件差,但仍持守使命、堅守崗位、忠心事主,我們為這些教會感恩!求主繼續打開福音的門,供應同工的需要。使神的家能在荒涼的地區興旺!