Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Prayer Request 12/30 - 1/5

TuesdayMillions of parents in China ​send ​their children to ''boarding kindergartens,'' every year, a tradition that began after the 1949 Communist revolution, where children as young as 3 live at school during the week — sometimes, but not always, returning home for the weekend.Some churches even openly discourage the presence of children because they interfere with adult services. We pray churches will see the importance of children​'s​ ministry, not causing any of the little ones to stumble and lose the opportunity to know Jesus.
Wednesday
China built many ''boarding kindergartens'' after the revolution in order to free parents, especially mothers, to work outside the home, as part of the official goal of women's emancipation that in reality was geared to the needs of the Communist Party. ​Many churches have no programs for children so parents ​can't take their children to church. We pray for training classes for teachers of children in Sunday school because this will truly bless the future churches of China.
Thursday
“Boarding kindergartens” reached a peak during the Great Leap Forward from 1958 to 1962, when children were boarded in droves as Mao Zedong ordered China to outstrip the United States and Britain through agricultural collectivization and industrial production. We pray for adequate equipping of all of the Sunday school teachers of children so they will be able to effectively teach Bible truths. We pray specifically for the wisdom and love of Jesus for those who are passionate in serving the little ones but lack proper training.
Friday
According to experts, separation anxiety in China today may be caused by the widely-accepted cultural practice of giving children to their ​grandparents to raise so the parents can work long hours due to intense economic pressures. Many believers do not raise their own children for various reasons. May the Lord comfort them, removing the guilt they struggle with, and listen to their prayer for their children to keep ​a close relationship with them.
Saturday
​Chinese families are no longer scattered due to political campaigns but what about the impact of the "boarding kindergartens" today? On the internet parents say, "I'm so busy at work. Where is there a 'boarding ​kindergarten" in Nanjing or Shanghai? How much does it cost?" Many young Christian parents really do not know how to balance the demands of work, family and raising children. We pray for these parents so they will still have regular church lives and possess the wisdom of raising children knowing God.
Sunday
​Approximately fifty-five million children in China are left behind with their grandparents on the farm as their parents go to the city to work, seeing their children perhaps once a year. Separation anxiety looms when the grandparents later hand the children back to the parents their hardly know. ​We pray for parents who are believers ​but are emotionally distant or even unable to communicate with their children. May the Lord heal their brokenness so they can once again fulfill their God-given role and duty.
Monday
Tens of thousands of parents in China choose an overseas education for their children each year hoping they will learn world-class skills grounded in liberal, democratic values in a healthy environment.​ May the Lord answer the prayers of all the believers who pray for a good education for their children. We pray that each of us would be reminded that God desires us to teach our children so they will know Him from a very young age.

星期二
每年有數百萬中國家長將孩子送去“托兒所”。這種做法始於1949年的共產黨革命,只有3歲大的孩子都是一整個星期待在學校裡,有時會回家渡過週末。 有些教會以「妨礙」成人聚會為由,在門口懸掛「禁止兒童進入」的牌子。我們為教會能看見兒童事工的重要性代禱,不使主所愛的小孩失去認識耶穌的機會。
星期三
1994 之後,中國修建了許多“托兒所”,為了給母親們騰出時間,讓他們能離開家門工作。讓母親們走出家門是官方解放女性目標的一部分,但實際上是為了滿足共產黨的需要。許多教會沒有任何孩童的事工,信徒的兒女沒有聖經的教導。 求主差派更多工人幫助各處開展兒童主日學老師的訓練課程,祝福中國教會的下一代。
星期四
孩子送去了寄宿學校的教育現象,在1958至1962年的大躍進時期達到頂峰。當時,毛澤東下令中國實行農業合作化和加大工業生產,從而超越美國和英國。我們為兒童主日學老師禱告,求主賜智慧和愛心給那些滿有服事熱誠,但卻得不到適切培訓的兒童主日學老師們。差遣更多同工去幫助他們能受到扎實的培訓,效地教導兒童在真理上成長。
星期五
今天中國社會普遍都接受孩子由祖父母撫養,而承受巨大經濟壓力的年輕父母則長時間工作。然而,專家認為這種做法可能造成分離創傷。不少信徒因為種種原因,無法親自養育孩子。求主安慰他們的心,不致因為對孩有虧欠而過份內疚。求主幫助他們能保持與孩子的關係上開路。
星期六
雖然現時中國的家庭不再因為政治因素而分居多地,但是仍然有許多父母選擇把孩子送去托兒所。在網上,家長們常常問道:“我工作太忙了,南京或上海哪兒有托兒所?收費是多少?” 許多年輕信徒家長真的不知道如何平衡工作、家庭、子女教養等的要求,求主幫助他們能有規律的教會生活,也幫助他們能培育敬虔愛主的下一代。
星期日
中國約有5500萬名農村留守兒童,一年頂多和父母見一次面。不論是農村或城市,當祖父母把孩子還給父母時,孩子可能已經認不得父母了,這又是一種分離。我們為信徒父母禱告,許多人跟子女的關係不親密、疏遠、甚至破裂,求主賜下醫治,使家庭能回復至神所托負的角色與責任。
星期一
每年都有成千上萬的中國家長為孩子選擇海外的教育,希望他們在健康自由的環境中學習世界級的技能,很多主內肢體也是為著孩子能有好的教育奔走。願主垂聽每位父母者為著下一代的殷切的禱告,也時時提醒弟兄姊妹子女從小認識、敬畏上帝的重要性。

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Prayer Request 12/23 - 12/29

TuesdayIn 1990 the salaries of urban women in China were 78% of those of men. By 2010 they had dropped to only 67% and the employment rate for urban females also fell from 77% in 1990 to 61% in 2010.​ Many of the sisters in the churches are unable to find work so they are able to do more in the churches. We thank the Lord for their faithful service, especially in caring for other women in the church since the pastors are too busy to do it.​
Wednesday
Under the Mao regime nearly all women got married but now more women remain single whether by choice or not. However, the gradual re-emergence of the traditional patriarchal attitude has eroded the early advances women had made.​ ​Unmarried ladies in the churches often feel pressured by their churches to marry and they receive very little counseling or teaching on remaining single. We pray for curriculum and resources on Biblical dating, marriage, and pre-marital counseling to be written and used by people.​
Thursday
​Scholars claim that society is more stable with fewer single people under the rule of the Party​ ​in China. New families drive up consumption and ​there will be a boom in the sale of property. They also say that if more educated females are married, "better quality" children will be born. We praise God for the growing numbers of young and highly educated people, especially professional women in the urban churches. We believe they will be greatly used by God to change the entire church in the future.
Friday
​Chinese women believe the Party greatly exaggerated the idea that a woman can become a "leftover" and many then rush into unhappy marriages with unsuitable men. These marriages often demand that the bride has to give up property rights.​ Let us pray for an extra measure of grace and strength for sisters who face the pressure to marry, especially men who are not believers. May the Lord grant them their desire and we pray for those who are planning to marry, that their spouse will be saved.
Saturday
China held the first national memorial of the Nanjing Massacre. This year marks the 77th anniversary of the slaughter of 300,000 Chinese by the Japanese. China’s leader insisted this is to raise an awareness of peace and not the perpetuation of hatred. We pray for each believer who struggles with the issue of forgiving and forgetting, especially those who have wronged them in the church. May the Lord remind us of His love and forgiveness for us. "Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone." (Luke 11:4)​
Sunday
It is​ very evident that China's new leadership strongly promotes traditional Confucianism and Buddhism but suppresses Christianity. There are political campaigns designed to emphasize "the goodness of Chinese traditional culture" and to foster "socialist core values". Both ​open and house churches in China have faced much greater official scrutiny recently. We pray fervently for these churches that are facing restrictions and even persecution. May the mercy of the Lord be with those who are persecuted and from their painful experience may the fire of revival start.
Monday
China plans to remove six million vehicles that do not meet exhaust emission standards by the end of the year as a way of improving air quality. More than 300,000 vehicles will be decommissioned in the capital Beijing. ​Many churches rent space in office towers but some still meet in residential apartment buildings. We pray for many​ ​churches that face obstacles in growth due to lack of parking space. We ask for wisdom and good strategy for churches that are trying to expand in the cities of China.​

星期二
1990年中國城市女性的工資水平是男性的78%。而2010年卻降到了67%。女性在城市的就業率也從1990年的77%降到2010年的61%。許多姐妹因為是家庭主婦或是沒有上全職班, 她們能大力參與教會的事工。當今教會成員以姐妹們居多,這些人能關心姐妹們的需要,彌補牧者太忙碌無法做到的,我們為她們的忠心擺上感謝神。
星期三
毛澤東時代的中國女人幾乎都進入婚姻,但是現代婦女無論是出於自己選擇或不是,單身者卻很多。另一個現象是,傳統的男權思維再次復興,過去婦女得到的地位近幾年來有退步的跡象。很多教會也有心無心地給單身姐妹一些壓力,但又不能供給他們在守獨身的教導和輔導。我們為教會在交友,找對象,婚前輔導的欠缺禱告,求主興起相關的人力資源、課程與資訊。
星期四
專家認為中國共產黨相信單身人士越少,社會才會越安定。他們聲稱新家庭的誕生會促進消費以及房地產的繁榮。如果大多數受過教育的女強人結婚的話,會有「質量」更好的孩子出生。中國城市教會年輕人和受過高等教育的會友都增多了,這也包括了不少年輕上班族的姐妹。我們深信神要大大使用這些年輕的一代,要為教會的未來注入一股朝氣與帶出極大的改變。
星期五
官方似乎過分渲染了剩女的議題,導致很多女性在匆忙之下步入不幸的婚姻,與不適合的男性結合。其中有項婚姻的條件是要新娘同意不在房產證上加上自己的名字。我們為所有面臨結婚壓力而結婚的姐妹們禱告,尤其是有不信神的對象,求神賜下特別的恩典和力量。也願神垂聽正準備步入婚姻的姐妹們迫切的祈求,能因著她們的禱告與好見證,使他們未信的對象能早日得到神的救恩。
星期六
中國舉行首個大型國家公祭儀式,紀念南京大屠殺77周年。日本在第二次世界大戰期間在南京屠殺了約30萬中國人。官方宣稱舉辦公祭是要喚起人們對和平的嚮往,而不是要延續仇恨。我們要為無法寬恕和忘記仇恨的信徒禱告,尤其是造成傷害是主內肢體的。求主再次提醒我們效法祂赦免的愛。「赦免我們的罪,因為我們也赦免凡虧欠我們的人。」(路加11:4)
星期日
中國新領導人一直致力在推動傳統儒教和佛教,同時也打壓基督教。要求在全國開展宣傳運動,立足「中華優秀傳統文化」,培育「社會主義核心價值觀」。我們為最近教會受到更多的限制,家庭教會也面臨了來自官方更大的壓力來到神面前禱告,求主保守眾教會,也特別為那些受到逼迫和打壓的信徒們求神的憐憫,但願復興的火在逼迫中更加熱烈地燃燒。
星期一
中國將報廢六百萬輛不符合尾氣排放標準的老舊車輛,這是今年改善空氣質量的一項措施。北京有30萬輛老舊車輛被報廢。北京的空氣污染源有31%來自汽車排出的尾氣。許多家庭教會租用住宅大廈聚會,但是為了更多的方便,更多教會租用辦公樓。 這些教會都有停車位不夠用的問題, 求主賜給他們在面對教會增長的挑戰時,能有智慧,策略和突破的勇氣。

Monday, December 15, 2014

Prayer Request 12/16 - 12/22

TuesdayTourism at major temples and sites of the early days of Communism is booming. The so-called "Red Tourism" at the Communist sites has received special recognition. In 2013, thirty million people visited the Yan'an Caves where Mao Zedong spent 13 years in the earlier days of the reign of the Party. The government has vigorously promoted patriotism by combining Maoism and Neo-Confucianism to ensure the dominance of the Communist Party. There are many cadres of the Party who have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior and we pray they will wholeheartedly love the Lord.
Wednesday
The recent territorial dispute between China and Japan has added interest to Red Tourism. In the past decade, the Chinese government has encouraged young people particularly to visit major Sino-Japanese battlegrounds. Patriotism and nationalism are definitely surging but so is rejection of Christianity as a foreign religion. There is also tendency of believers blindly insist that the churches in China must have a special role in God's plan. We ask the Lord to give us His humility and compassion rather than any kind of pride.
Thursday
The government of China considers Red Tourism as a political project which focuses on the glorious history of the Party to divert the dissatisfaction people have toward the corruption they see. Red Tourism also reminds young people and the wealthy of the humble beginnings and hardship of the revolutionary era. There are claims that Christians outnumber Party members in China which only alarms the government and may have contributed to increased limitation of religious activities recently. We pray that every believer in China is truly born again, able to live out the salvation of Jesus, and bears the Fruit of the Spirit.
Friday
Many people in China actually miss the days of the harsh Cultural Revolution because they are thoroughly disgusted by the rampant corruption they see now. Such nostalgia has led to a great interest in the birthplace of Mao and key revolutionary battlegrounds. Many believers are longing for the old days because they see that churches now are exclusive and not united in any way. We pray for genuine humility for the churches in China. May the Spirit convict us of our pride and lack of having a servant's heart.
Saturday
A major reason for the rising popularity of Red Tourism in China is that it is cheaper in comparison with travel to other destinations. Red Tourism also provides historical lessons and certain spiritual values richer than those found in the usual sightseeing tours. Wenzhou has the name of being China's Jerusalem but it is now in an unprecedented official crackdown on religious activities. Let us pray that the believers in Wenzhou will not be discouraged but will rather seek God's intervention to preserve many of their buildings which face demolition.
Sunday
It is very evident that China's new leadership strongly promotes traditional Confucianism and Buddhism but suppresses Christianity. There are political campaigns designed to emphasize "the goodness of Chinese traditional culture" and to foster "socialist core values". Both open and house churches in China have faced much greater official scrutiny recently. We pray fervently for these churches that are facing restrictions and even persecution. May the mercy of the Lord be with those who are persecuted and from their painful experience may the fire of revival start.
Monday
Christians who experienced the Cultural Revolution are very different from those who have not gone through it and these differences are clearly evident in how they serve in the church. Generally, they demand to be heard and invariably they fight for power to make decisions. Painfully we say it, but the spiritual lives of many pastors in China are immature so we pray for maturity of all the workers in the Lord's harvest field. We pray, too, for unity among believers and godly examples of humility to learn from in the churches.

星期二
當前中國紅色旅遊和寺廟聖地旅遊當紅 。2013年3000萬人參觀了毛澤東在延安窯洞時期領導共產黨13年的歷史古蹟。 政府大力宣傳愛國主義,並把新毛澤東主義與新儒學結合,確保共黨至高的統治地位。我們特別為已經接受耶穌基督為個人救主的共產黨員禱告,求主幫助他們愛主的心更加堅定。
星期三
近來中國紅色旅遊恰巧利用了中日釣魚島爭端升級的輿論基礎升溫。過去十年來,政府特別鼓勵發展「抗日戰爭紅色旅遊」,大批年輕人前往抗日地遊覽 。 愛國意識增加,民族主義上升,也使民眾對福音有排斥性,誤認為是一種外來的洋教。不少信徒間也瀰漫著一種中國情結,堅決地認定神必定要重用中國教會。求主賜給我們有主耶穌的謙卑,憐憫的心, 而不是從自己來的驕傲。
星期四
對政府而言,紅色旅遊是一項「政治工程」, 尤其是民眾對現實日益不滿時,展示過去光榮歷,有助反腐運動。藉著紅色旅遊,刻意使年輕人和有錢人不忘革命時期的艱難困苦。常有民間的說法:中國的基督徒人數已經超過共產黨員的人數,這一點讓官方擔憂,甚至近來對教會活動多有限制。我們為每位基督徒來禱告,願因十字架寶血而重生得救的肢體,生命與救恩相稱, 結出聖靈的果子。
星期五
改革開放以來社會腐敗叢生,矛盾突出。很多中國人非常留戀文化大革命,留戀毛時代。這樣就使得以毛澤東為首的代表性人物的出生地、作戰的地方等都成為紅色旅遊的聖地。有許多信徒也常懷舊,他們認為當今教會非常狹隘,常常一言不合就分裂。求主賜給我們有主耶穌的謙卑,讓聖靈挪去我們當中的敗壞和驕傲,常有僕人的心志,常看別人比自己強 。
星期六
紅色旅遊具有吸引力的原因之一,是費用通常低於傳統假日旅遊。除此之外,富裕起來的中國人精神需求增加,旅遊除了遊山玩水之外,還要有精神價值。有「中國的耶路撒冷」美名的溫州,近來遭受到不斷的打壓。我們為溫州信徒不灰心,緊緊依靠、仰望神來代禱,願主為他們開路,保守教會的建築物。
星期日
中國新領導人正在推動傳統儒教和佛教,打壓基督教。要求在全國開展宣傳運動,立足「中華優秀傳統文化」,培育「社會主義核心價值觀」。我們為最近教會受到更多的限制,家庭教會也面臨了來自官方更大的壓力來代禱,求主保守眾教會,也特別為那些受逼迫的信徒們求神的憐憫,但願復興的火在逼迫中燃燒更加旺盛。
星期一
信徒中經歷過文革的人的思想和沒經歷過文革的人的很不一樣,在事奉上有相當明顯的差別。在教會中爭奪話語權的背後,往往是貪婪地要緊緊握住權力。許多中國教會的傳道人的屬靈生命是不成熟的。求神興起成熟的工人來收割莊稼。同時也願神改變我們在主裡與肢體在靈里的合一,在教會和聖工中賜下謙卑服事的好榜樣!

Tuesday, December 09, 2014

Prayer Request 12/9 - 12/15

TuesdayIn China, the sale of cosmetics now outstrips that of groceries in supermarket. In 2013​ Chinese women spent 13.3% more on cosmetics than in the year before. The disposable income of the average Chinese has definitely increased in recent years. Churches, however, have a difficult time preaching about giving, due to the lack of transparency in the use of church finances. Let us pray for increased giving by all Christians, not just that toward the renovation of the building.
Wednesday
In the cosmetics market in China in 2013, European brands led all others but Korean brands are also very popular due to their association​ with the well-liked K-pop and actresses on Korean soap operas. We praise the Lord for the support and teaching the Korean churches have given in China in the past twenty years. There are still more gospel workers in China from Korea than from any other country. May the Lord bless and reward all the churches in Korea that send them.
Thursday
Foreign brands of cosmetics been selling well in China, but Chinese own brands of cosmetics have yet to catch on. ​Some of them have been given names in Chinese that when pronounced phonetically, sound very much like French brand names. When it comes to worship style and methods of outreach, churches in China value tradition and usually are not willing to try something new. We pray for renewal of churches that will help them not to be afraid of spirit-guided and vision-driven ministries that are full of passion.
Friday
Every year many people are baptized in the churches in China but still many are lost to the church due to a lack of good follow-up. Every church needs to ask why the sheep don't stay and the leaders must face that issue.​ ​We pray that God will stir us up to heed the problem of the exodus and loss of believers from the church. We need to be very concerned that our churches fail to grow and stand in the gap to keep the sheep from leaving the flock.​
Saturday
Many​ of the churches in China have experienced growth but then reach a bottleneck and stop growing even though there are new people joining. This has led to a saying in China that "pastors are made of steel but believers flow like water from one church to another." ​May God alert us to the terrible problem of loss of believers that many churches are experiencing. The problem is found in both urban and rural churches but the reasons behind it are different.​
Sunday
​Since the government has relaxed its religious policies, the number of churches in China has exploded. In the meantime pastors find themselves overwhelmed with sermon preparation and little time or energy to care for the growing number of believers. ​As a result, many believers in China​ do not receive any personal attention from their pastors and we want to pray for them. May the Lord give every believer the proper pastoral attention and fellowship from brothers and sisters so they will be nurtured and grow spiritually.
Monday
Urban​ churches in China no longer face the challenge of having too few copies of the Bible or a safe place to worship. Their real challenge is the inability to retain believers due to a lack of the solid preaching of the Word of God and a general lack of commitment to God and their church. We pray that every church will provide the warmth of a family for every member, attracting and retaining newcomers. We also pray that believers will be loving and caring, not only their own circle of friends but every new comer.

星期二
化妝品是當今的中國百貨店最大的賣點,遠超過食物及雜貨。根據2013 年的資料,婦女花在化妝品的購買,每年有13.3的增長率。近幾年中國人生活普遍富裕起來,但是教會信徒的奉獻卻沒有相對的增加,傳道人也難強調奉獻的重要性,因為許多教會的財政收支缺少透明度。 求主幫助信徒甘心樂意為事工增加奉獻,而不是單單為了建堂奉獻。
星期三
在2013年中國化妝品市場裡,歐洲品牌仍然領先其他產品,但是近來韓國化妝品的需求也非常旺盛,這是跟風靡中國的K-POP和韓劇的女名星大有關係。我們感謝神,在過去20年韓國教會給予中國教會極大的資源及培訓的幫助。今日在華的韓國宣教士人數眾多和事奉認真,也是眾目睽睽的好見證,願主祝福韓國教會的忠心擺上。
星期四
本土的化妝品品牌還沒有真正建立好品牌形象,泊來品化妝產品在中國銷售成績持續亮麗,。 一些國產品牌特意取發音時聽起來像法國的名牌化妝品的中文名字。論到敬拜方式,行政及傳福音,中國教會一向是偏於保守、講究傳統,很少會給予新的嘗試或創新。我們要為教會的更新禱告,求主時時啟示事工異象,也幫助弟兄姐妹願意順從聖靈的導引,心志火熱的跟隨基督 。
星期五
中國教會每年受洗人數不斷增加,但同時,在不同地區也出現了信徒日益流失的現象。每一個教會都需要自問「羊兒」為何離開牧場?教會領袖與牧者該如何面對一個個轉身離開的背影?求主激動我們關心教會「後門」的大問題。關注教會信徒在流失的現象,探究為什麽教會人數不能持續增長?願大家都能夠用心查出原因,找出方法來堵住破口,把守教會的「後門」。
星期六
一般而言,當教會發展到一定階段,便出現了「瓶頸」,明明有很多新的信徒加入教會,可信徒人口基數增長卻並不顯著。因此,不少人戲稱教會是「鐵打的牧師,流水的信徒」。 求神提醒我們,多關心現今教會非常嚴重的信徒流失問題。雖然農村教會和城市教會的影響原因不盡相同,但是會友流失的問題同樣嚴重。求主賜給我們智慧,知道信徒流失的原由,和解決之道。
星期日
自宗教政策放鬆,教堂開放、教會恢復活動後,全國教堂如雨後春筍,教友人數劇增,講台牧養便成了當務之急。可是教會事務繁多,牧者們有時面對眾多慕道友和信徒而分身乏術、有心無力。嚴格來說,許多中國教會仍然是以「放牧式」的牧養方式來餵養會眾。我們為那些沒有足夠牧者關心的信徒禱告,求主幫助每個信徒都能在教會得到系統性的牧養和弟兄姐妹彼此的勉勵,使靈命不斷成長。
星期一
城市教會當下所面臨的挑戰,不再是能否有足夠數量的聖經看,有否場地供聚會;而是會眾人數上的流失,實際上更是信仰的流失。即是信徒需要重新認識信仰,回歸信仰,對神委身,對教會委身的挑戰。教會是信徒的家,也是代表神迎接各方慕道朋友的地方。我們求主讓每個教會都有家的溫暖特質,能吸引新來的人,讓會眾加入教會時能感受到這個家有關愛、有歸屬感,這需要信徒都有愛心,關心新來的人,而不是只找自己的老朋友。

Tuesday, December 02, 2014

Prayer Request 12/2 - 12/8

TuesdayThe gulf between the haves and have-nots in Hong Kong is among the world’s widest. Expatriate business people are at the very top, while the domestic servants from Southeast Asia are at the bottom. Churches in Hong Kong became deeply divided over the recent political demonstrations. We pray for unity of believers, safeguarding of His churches, respecting and loving one another. May the Lord give us maturity, rather than resenting or hateful against each other.
Wednesday
Domestic servants, called helpers cannot apply for permanent residency in Hong Kong. They are subject to a special pay scale, about two-thirds less than Hong Kong’s minimum wage of $3.87 an hour. If dismissed, they have fourteen days to leave the country. We pray for some local churches and groups of believers who reach out to foreign workers in Hong Kong and Taiwan. There are churches that allow foreign workers to use their facilities and people who share the Gospel of Jesus with them, especially those from Muslim countries.
Thursday
Admittedly, traditional Chinese religions have had a great deal of influence on the development of Christianity in China. Many older people regard Christianity as merely another sect. During the 1980's when the rural churches grew quickly, many were led and organized in a team fashion similar to the way Buddhist and Taoist religions were. ​It is always difficult for churches in China to reach​ older people because they follow traditional religions and are physically limited from traveling to other places. We pray that believers will intentionally reach out to the seniors around them showing them the love of God and leading them to salvation in Jesus Christ.
Friday
In both Anhui and Henan where the people are not impoverish but have lower educational standards than other places in​ China, rural churches organized and led in team fashion are very common. We pray that every leader in the churches in China will have a shepherd's heart along with the attitude of a servant so they will not merely desire to be respected but will have humility and the fragrance of our Lord Jesus Christ in their lives.
Saturday
The​ educational system in China is known and criticized for its overemphasis on the mere regurgitation of facts as well as the fierce competition it causes. Families with means enroll their children in extra/cram classes to get them ahead since there is so much competition even beginning in elementary school. We pray especially for parents whose children are not academically strong that the Lord will open their eyes to see how precious their children are and then will have faith to trust God's great plan for their children.
Sunday
Some of the key churches in major cities of China have run into a bottleneck in expanding their ministry.​ They have grown into congregations of hundreds and even thousands of people which has forced them to move from renting an apartment to renting an entire floor of an office building to accommodate the crowds at the Sunday services. We praise God for adding numbers of saved people to these congregations and enlarging their churches and ask the Lord to give them the space they need and that they will find favor in the eyes of local officials who constantly monitor large church gatherings.
Monday
Many churches in China know neither where nor how to begin a​ youth ministry. Some of the church leaders appreciate the need to reach out and minister to young people but the traditional form of worship they use makes it difficult to attract the youth. These churches often emphasize Bible knowledge and the teachings in it without making practical life applications. We pray that churches will truly accept youth and their culture by making changes in some of the age-old traditions and even more by being an example of faith for these young people.

星期二
香港是世界上貧富差距最大的地方之一。最富裕的是拿高薪的外國商務人士,而最貧窮的是外勞,如來自東南亞的女傭人。最近香港教會因政治立場的差異而分裂,肢體間傷了合一。求主保守祂的教會,學習彼此相愛和尊重,更求主幫助我們靈命和品格更趨成熟,以免基督的身體因著信徒屬世血氣的爭拗,成為那惡者仇敵襲擊眾教會和羞辱神的破口。
星期三
香港法院已宣判作為家庭雇傭的外藉人士不能申請永久居留。外傭現時的薪金只有香港本地人最低工資(每小時3.87美元)的三分一。他們一旦被解僱,需在14天內離開香港。我們要為在香港和台灣地區關懷外籍勞工的教會代禱,求主感動教會願意開放場地、設施供他們聚會,也藉著關心、接納,與她們分享主耶穌的福音,尤其是為主接待那些來自回教國家的外傭。
星期四
中國民間傳統宗教深深影響基督教,甚至有些老年人認為基督教與民間宗教差不多。在上世紀八十年代,農村教會的團隊制度與民間宗教非常相似。教會不容易接觸老年人,一方面是長者們受民間宗教影響極深,另一方面他們固守鄉里,在行動上亦不方便到教會參與聚會。求主恩待信徒,能刻意將福音分享給年長者,藉著關懷與愛心,為主引領他們歸主。
星期五
團隊類型教會多在安徽、河南這些經濟還在發展的中部地區,當地是基本溫飽解決了,但精神文化層面仍落後的地方。我們為教會領袖有愛群羊的心禱告。不但如此,也有僕人的心志,不是喜愛被人尊敬,而是願意謙卑服事,生活言行都流露著主的香氣。
星期六
中國的教育因為過於注重死記硬背以及激烈的競爭而飽受詬病。條件好的家庭常常會讓孩子參加各種輔導班,指望他們比同齡孩子起跑早,會更有優勢。學生從小學到大學,每一階段都要面臨激烈的競爭。我們特別為孩子學業成績不出色的家長禱告,願主幫助他們能看見祂所賜的產業是多麼寶貴,不對神失去信心,相信神在每一個孩子身上都有祂獨特的計劃和美好的引領。
星期日
近來一些重要城市的家庭教會再次遇到發展瓶頸的挑戰。這些教會的信徒迅速增長,形成了幾百人到上千人的教會。有些教會也已經從社區家庭聚會的模式,轉型到寫字樓、甚至包下整層樓當堂會聚會的模式。我們要為得救人數的加添感謝神,求主為他們預備聚會的場所,也使他們在主管的官員眼前蒙恩。
星期一
許多教會對青少年事工感到無從下手。教會領袖知道青少年需要被神得著及引導,但實際上教會傳統的敬拜模式難以吸引青少年進入教會。中國教會一般偏重孩子聖經知識、條規,但教導和種種與現實生活脫節。求主感動牧者能從真正接納年輕人及他們的文化開始,也嘗試更新教會的種種傳統。會眾們更是在生活言行之中活出好見證,成為青少年信仰的典範。