Posts
TuesdayPeople in China realize that the economy is not growing as fast as before and that it will certainly have an impact on their appetite for shopping which reflected in a slowdown in retail purchase. The willingness of believers to give to the church is greatly affected by the economy. May the Lord help each one of us so our faith will not be shaken but we will trust our heavenly Father to care for us.
Wednesday
The average household in China saves as much as forty percent of its income. In contrast, the savings rate in the United States is 5.2 percent and in Japan it is 1.8 percent. It will not be easy to get these people who are used to saving money to spend it. Saving is a virtue of Chinese people but it also deeply affects how the church works and how the pastors are compensated with too small salaries. May the Lord help us to be generous in our giving to God and His church.
Thursday
Most people in China have to save for retirement and health care expenses since the social welfare system of the country needs further development. Many people also save for education. Pastors in the house churches have a low salary, lack insurance for health needs or retirement, and have no funds for their children's education. We pray for God's grace and provision for all who serve God and that He will remind churches to honor their shepherds.
Friday
The government of China introduced short-term programs to spur spending. Cities handed out coupons to local stores and restaurants. In the rural areas, people were given rebates to buy big-ticket items like televisions, washing machines, and refrigerators. Life in the villages has improved greatly but church attendance has dropped. We pray for revival of rural churches in China so believers are not distracted by the ever-abundant entertainment and give up their church fellowship and prayer.
Saturday
The government of China has recently focused on introducing a nationwide pension system which provides universal medical insurance and upgrades the educational system. Many elderly people in China receive some governmental pension money so their livelihood is not a problem if they have children to support them. We pray for all of the seniors that the Lord will give them a healthy spirit to encourage each other and be models for other people in the churches.
Sunday
The growth in average wages rose by about ten percent in China last year but the total growth in wages actually slowed down because private firms were facing great financial difficulty and their basic costs continued comparatively high. Last year the salaries of very few pastors were adjusted upward. We pray that believers in China will care more about their pastor's family and even more importantly become friends with their pastors.
Monday
Some factors which contribute to young people turning to Christianity are: distrust for society as a whole, being an only child, the highly-competitive job market, an excessive information overload, and a broken family. We believe God has a beautiful plan for college students who come to know Him and we pray that all of the churches in China will see how critical it is to reach college students now.
星期二
中國經濟正在經歷疲軟期，一般家庭也意識到了，這當然也會影響到他們的消費意願。這就是發現零售消費領域的增長速度正在放緩的原因。信徒奉獻的意願也受到經濟疲軟影響。求主幫助我們對天父的信心不動搖，更是堅定相信我們是祂草場上的羊，神必看顧屬祂的人。
星期三
一般中國家庭會把多達四成的收入存起來。(美國和日本的居民儲蓄率分別為5.2％和1.8％。) 要讓更多中國存錢者變成花錢者，不會那麼容易。節儉雖是中國人的傳統美德，但是也嚴重影響到中國教會的合理運作，對傳道人的待遇也顯得苛刻。求主幫助弟兄姊妹能明白，我們可以省自己，但是為主、為教會就要按主的心意，樂意奉獻。
星期四
由於中國的社會福利制度仍有待完善發展，大多數人都要為退休和醫療存錢。中國人還要得存錢用於教育。家庭教會的傳道人除了收入低外，許多人沒有退休或醫療保障，更無法為子女的教育經費儲蓄。求主恩待所有服事主的同工，也提醒教會要關心敬重他們的牧者，並提供他合理的養生所需。
星期五
政府推行有刺激消費的短期方案，例如城市發放了當地商店和餐館的優惠券。在農村地區，購買電視機、洗衣機和冰箱這樣的大件物品，可以享受政府補貼。近年，農村生活已大有改進，但是農村教會人數卻大幅減少。我們為農村教會復興禱告，求主提醒信徒不因各樣的娛樂享受，失去一起團契禱告的火熱。
星期六
政府將注意力聚焦於推行全國性的養老保險制度，提供全民醫療保險和提升教育體系。許多中國老人開始有政府的退休金，如果他們有兒女奉養，生活不是大問題。我們為教會中所有的年長肢體禱告，求主賜他們活潑的身、心、靈，彼此激勵扶持，成為年輕人愛主的榜樣。
星期日
中國去年平均工資上漲了約10%, 然而，未來可能因各企業在經濟逆風的影響下削減支出，而私營企業亦面臨經營各種巨大困難，工資增長將開始放緩。傳道人的生活費往往落後於實際的經濟環境，我們為信徒能關心他們的牧者、師母及牧者的孩子禱告，更是成為他們的朋友及代禱者。
星期一
不信任的社會、一胎化的獨生子女、強大的市場競爭、過度的訊息量、離異的家庭等……都是促成這一代年輕人渴慕基督信仰的因素。我們相信神在這一代的大學生身上，有祂美好的旨意與帶領，求主讓眾教會看見他們一定要為主得到這一代大學生的使命感和迫切性。
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Prayer Request 2/17 - 2/23
TuesdaySince Mao Zedong’s time, few sins have been more repugnant to the Chinese Communist Party than forming factions. And under the current anti-corruption campaign, that abhorrence has resurfaced. Cadres should be the selfless tools of the party leadership’s will. Paul admonished us “to let there be no divisions among you; but that may be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1Co 1:10 ) We pray for true unity among churches in China.
Wednesday
While graft is bad, it is usually considered the failing of an individual but cliquism as Mao called it, is seen as a political blight threatening the Party's bedrock unity. Cliquism is common in the churches in China where many would like to serve but feel they are excluded or not trusted. May the Lord open doors for them to serve and bless them for what they humbly do in His name.
Thursday
A long line of Chinese leaders see corruption as not only a symptom of personal greed, but also as that of dangerous disunity. The collapse of the Chinese dynasties was often accompanied by the spread of self-serving bureaucratic factions. Some leaders of the churches consider their church more spiritual than others and even forbid their members to fellowship with people in other churches. We pray for genuine humility and that we will see others as better than ourselves, not having false humility.
Friday
Han Feizi, an ancient philosopher advised, "If appointment to office is controlled by cliques. men will work only to establish profitable connections". He meant that these people would put the interest of their own family first and not think about the needs of others. In the churches, the leaders often keep things secret for security purposes but many believers feel they have no voice in the church and do not know what is happening in their churches since they are not in the "inner circle". We pray for wisdom and unity for the churches that are under close scrutiny of the police.
Saturday
In the cities of China yuppies are turning to Christianity. Buddhism attracts the middle class while Taoism has rebounded in small towns and the countryside. Islam is also on the rise, not only in troubled minority areas, but also among tens of millions of people elsewhere in China. We pray that churches in China will not settle down in contentment and become full of pride because of the large numbers of believers. May the Lord give us a burden to evangelize as we see the empty hearts of so many and the great urgency to save lost souls.
Sunday
On the streets of Urumqi, long a bastion of secular cosmopolitanism, there is a visible shift from headscarves and veils to pants, skirts, and high heels. Beneath the veneer of prosperity, there exists a serious tension between the Han Chinese and the local Muslims. Urumqi has twenty-two open churches plus other family churches. Their objective is to preach the gospel to the Han-based people. We ask God to add to the number of Christians those from the minority group as well.
Monday
Beijing has spent a great deal of money to woo the women in Xinjiang to their way of thinking. From 2000 to 2010 well over three million of the ethnic minority women enrolled in classes to learn tailoring, cooking, and computer skills. However, more recently, an alarming number of Uighur women have turned back to conservative Islam. The issues of divorce and remarriage are not usually topics of conversation in the churches in China, even among pastors. We pray for God's comfort and strength for all of the sisters who have lost their husbands. May the Lord give them good emotional support in their churches.
星期二
自毛澤東時代以來，拉幫結派幾乎是最令人反感的。近來頻密的貪腐行動正顯示這種憎惡重新浮出了水面。共產黨強调：所有幹部都應該是黨內領導層意志的無私工具。保羅也提醒教會：「你們中間也不可分黨，只要一心一意，彼此相合。」 (林前1:10 ） 求主賜給中國教會領袖們真有謙卑，效法主基督，有神僕人的心志。
星期三
貪污受賄已經是很惡劣的事，但它通常被歸類為屬於個人私德的墮落，而「小團體主義」（毛澤東也稱其為「山頭主義」）則被認為是嚴重的政治破壞，危及黨集中統一的基石。結黨或是「小圈子」也是教會常有的問題。不少想參與服事的肢體被拒絕，因為他們不被信任或不是核心同工。求主帮助教會能廣開服事的機會，並厚賜智慧、能力和恩典給那些為主謙卑擺上的弟兄姊妹。
星期四
許多人認為腐敗不光代表着個人的貪慾，也是失去團結的危險信號。 許多朝代的傾覆，都伴隨着官僚結黨營私風氣的盛行。「我們比你們更屬靈」、「不要與他們交往」是許多教會固守的態度。求恩主開我們屬靈的眼睛，叫我們明白自己也不過是一個蒙恩的罪人，以致能看別人比自己強，以基督的心為心，彼此包容、接納，互相守望、砥礪。
星期五
古代哲人韓非子曾說（大意是）：「官員的任命若任由派系來控制，人們私下就會儘力交結有利自己的人脈關係，根本不為人民著想。」不少信徒常覺得他們不受教會重視與信任，如同外人一樣。 教會領袖有時也為了安全顧慮而不願太多人知道教會內務。求主賜給教會在被官方監察下，仍有智慧做好與各個肢體間的聯繫與交通。
星期六
在大城市，白領一族傾向青睞基督信仰；佛教吸引中產階級；道教則在窮鄉僻壤較為流行。另一方面，信奉伊斯蘭教的人也在漢人中增加。求主叫我們不因城巿教會人數加增而自滿，而是看到人心的空虛，永恒真理和救恩的寶貴，信徒要加倍努力傳揚福音，拯救廣大失喪的靈魂。
星期日
烏魯木是個世俗化和多元化並存的大都市。如今在烏魯木齊，頭巾、面紗，與褲子、裙子和高跟鞋混搭了起來。在繁榮的表面下，其實漢人與當地穆斯林的關係嚴重緊張。烏魯木齊市已有22間公開教會，及許多家庭教會，其傳福音的對象還是以漢人為主。我們求神不斷地將得救的人數添加給教會， 更是激動漢人信徒願意關心其他少數民族能得著真理與救恩。
星期一
政府花費巨資，在新疆爭取女性的支持。從2000至2010年，超過300萬名少數民族婦女參加了裁縫、烹飪和電腦培訓班。 但是，近來卻有越來越多的維吾爾女性轉向保守化的伊斯蘭教。教會一向不談離婚、再婚、及老年婚姻等問題，甚致在牧者間也少涉及。牧者實在不知如何幫助和牧養有此需要的會眾。我們為失去丈夫的姐妹們禱告，求主安慰並加添她們力量，在教會中能得到接納與適切的關注。
Wednesday
While graft is bad, it is usually considered the failing of an individual but cliquism as Mao called it, is seen as a political blight threatening the Party's bedrock unity. Cliquism is common in the churches in China where many would like to serve but feel they are excluded or not trusted. May the Lord open doors for them to serve and bless them for what they humbly do in His name.
Thursday
A long line of Chinese leaders see corruption as not only a symptom of personal greed, but also as that of dangerous disunity. The collapse of the Chinese dynasties was often accompanied by the spread of self-serving bureaucratic factions. Some leaders of the churches consider their church more spiritual than others and even forbid their members to fellowship with people in other churches. We pray for genuine humility and that we will see others as better than ourselves, not having false humility.
Friday
Han Feizi, an ancient philosopher advised, "If appointment to office is controlled by cliques. men will work only to establish profitable connections". He meant that these people would put the interest of their own family first and not think about the needs of others. In the churches, the leaders often keep things secret for security purposes but many believers feel they have no voice in the church and do not know what is happening in their churches since they are not in the "inner circle". We pray for wisdom and unity for the churches that are under close scrutiny of the police.
Saturday
In the cities of China yuppies are turning to Christianity. Buddhism attracts the middle class while Taoism has rebounded in small towns and the countryside. Islam is also on the rise, not only in troubled minority areas, but also among tens of millions of people elsewhere in China. We pray that churches in China will not settle down in contentment and become full of pride because of the large numbers of believers. May the Lord give us a burden to evangelize as we see the empty hearts of so many and the great urgency to save lost souls.
Sunday
On the streets of Urumqi, long a bastion of secular cosmopolitanism, there is a visible shift from headscarves and veils to pants, skirts, and high heels. Beneath the veneer of prosperity, there exists a serious tension between the Han Chinese and the local Muslims. Urumqi has twenty-two open churches plus other family churches. Their objective is to preach the gospel to the Han-based people. We ask God to add to the number of Christians those from the minority group as well.
Monday
Beijing has spent a great deal of money to woo the women in Xinjiang to their way of thinking. From 2000 to 2010 well over three million of the ethnic minority women enrolled in classes to learn tailoring, cooking, and computer skills. However, more recently, an alarming number of Uighur women have turned back to conservative Islam. The issues of divorce and remarriage are not usually topics of conversation in the churches in China, even among pastors. We pray for God's comfort and strength for all of the sisters who have lost their husbands. May the Lord give them good emotional support in their churches.
星期二
自毛澤東時代以來，拉幫結派幾乎是最令人反感的。近來頻密的貪腐行動正顯示這種憎惡重新浮出了水面。共產黨強调：所有幹部都應該是黨內領導層意志的無私工具。保羅也提醒教會：「你們中間也不可分黨，只要一心一意，彼此相合。」 (林前1:10 ） 求主賜給中國教會領袖們真有謙卑，效法主基督，有神僕人的心志。
星期三
貪污受賄已經是很惡劣的事，但它通常被歸類為屬於個人私德的墮落，而「小團體主義」（毛澤東也稱其為「山頭主義」）則被認為是嚴重的政治破壞，危及黨集中統一的基石。結黨或是「小圈子」也是教會常有的問題。不少想參與服事的肢體被拒絕，因為他們不被信任或不是核心同工。求主帮助教會能廣開服事的機會，並厚賜智慧、能力和恩典給那些為主謙卑擺上的弟兄姊妹。
星期四
許多人認為腐敗不光代表着個人的貪慾，也是失去團結的危險信號。 許多朝代的傾覆，都伴隨着官僚結黨營私風氣的盛行。「我們比你們更屬靈」、「不要與他們交往」是許多教會固守的態度。求恩主開我們屬靈的眼睛，叫我們明白自己也不過是一個蒙恩的罪人，以致能看別人比自己強，以基督的心為心，彼此包容、接納，互相守望、砥礪。
星期五
古代哲人韓非子曾說（大意是）：「官員的任命若任由派系來控制，人們私下就會儘力交結有利自己的人脈關係，根本不為人民著想。」不少信徒常覺得他們不受教會重視與信任，如同外人一樣。 教會領袖有時也為了安全顧慮而不願太多人知道教會內務。求主賜給教會在被官方監察下，仍有智慧做好與各個肢體間的聯繫與交通。
星期六
在大城市，白領一族傾向青睞基督信仰；佛教吸引中產階級；道教則在窮鄉僻壤較為流行。另一方面，信奉伊斯蘭教的人也在漢人中增加。求主叫我們不因城巿教會人數加增而自滿，而是看到人心的空虛，永恒真理和救恩的寶貴，信徒要加倍努力傳揚福音，拯救廣大失喪的靈魂。
星期日
烏魯木是個世俗化和多元化並存的大都市。如今在烏魯木齊，頭巾、面紗，與褲子、裙子和高跟鞋混搭了起來。在繁榮的表面下，其實漢人與當地穆斯林的關係嚴重緊張。烏魯木齊市已有22間公開教會，及許多家庭教會，其傳福音的對象還是以漢人為主。我們求神不斷地將得救的人數添加給教會， 更是激動漢人信徒願意關心其他少數民族能得著真理與救恩。
星期一
政府花費巨資，在新疆爭取女性的支持。從2000至2010年，超過300萬名少數民族婦女參加了裁縫、烹飪和電腦培訓班。 但是，近來卻有越來越多的維吾爾女性轉向保守化的伊斯蘭教。教會一向不談離婚、再婚、及老年婚姻等問題，甚致在牧者間也少涉及。牧者實在不知如何幫助和牧養有此需要的會眾。我們為失去丈夫的姐妹們禱告，求主安慰並加添她們力量，在教會中能得到接納與適切的關注。
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Prayer Request 2/10 - 2/16
TuesdayChina has announced that she will end the harvesting of organs from executed prisoners. Chinese people do not believe in organ donation because of their traditional belief that our parents give us everything--our bodies and hair and to honor them, we will never hurt our body. We pray for faith for the many young believers who face resistance or opposition from their unbelieving parents. May the Lord enable them to live out the life of Jesus Christ and be able to win their parents over to him through their good and kind testimony.
Wednesday
Organ donation designation on the driver’s license is not well accepted because Chinese consider it a bad luck. Even if people are prepared to donate, there are fears that their body parts may be traded for profit and end up on the black market. The Lord helps us to appreciate the real meaning of “our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit”, so we will all avoid all sins and seek to keep our bodies sanctified.
Thursday
In China, there are only about 1500 voluntary organ donations with 10,000 procedures performed for about 300,000 people who need an organ transplant each year. We pray for God's grace and mercy for believers who are in need of an organ transplant and their family members who are their caretakers. May they experience His vivid presence daily as they suffer physically,
Friday
Of every million people in China only 0.6 have signed up to donate their organs when they die. To plug the shortfall, the country has relied overwhelmingly on organs from prisoners on death row. Many pastors there emphasize "denial" and "sacrifice" in their sermons. We pray that we all will truly appreciate the heart of Jesus and use these words not merely as buzzwords but will be willing to help other believers who are in need.
Saturday
The government in China has a website to make it easier to become an organ donor but few young people are willing to discuss it with their families and commit to do it. Surveys have indicated that financial incentives such as payment of funeral and medical bills might help. Often Christians do good deeds with conditions or benefits attached. We ask the Lord to help churches to be successful in leading people to Jesus but also to show the love of Jesus unconditionally in their outreach efforts.
Sunday
The churches in China emphasize the need for a woman to get married and start a family and many of the sisters in the church are pressured by their families to get married. In order to find a believer for a husband some of them have to date and marry those who are five to ten year younger than they are. There are always issues and problems with dating and marriage when the women are older in Chinese society. We pray for wisdom for the pastors who are counseling these couples. We ask, too, for divine wisdom for all pastors as they minister to young believers.
Monday
Some factors which contribute to young people turning to Christianity are: distrust for society as a whole, being an only child, the highly-competitive job market, an excessive information overload, and a broken family. We believe God has a beautiful plan for college students who come to know Him and we pray that all of the churches in China will see how critical it is to reach college students now.
星期二
從2015年起中國將「停止」使用死囚器官。「身體髮膚，受之父母，不敢毀傷，孝之始也。」是中國人傳統孝敬父母的觀念，器官捐贈容易與損毀身體和不孝聯想在一起。不少年輕信徒在屬靈追求上要面對未信父母的阻力，甚至反對；求主加添他們的信心，能活出基督的樣式，以溫柔和美好見證，贏得父母的贊同。
星期三
中國人向來喜歡圖吉利，忌諱與死亡有關聯的事物，連選車牌號、樓層標示都是避開4，更別說領駕照前先註明萬一車禍死亡的身後事了。既使有意願捐赠遺體器官，也有顧慮至終會淪落於黑市被不肖者盗賣謀利。求主幫助我們銘記身體是聖靈的殿，要分別聖，遠避淫亂的事，竭力追求並持守聖潔。
星期四
中國每年僅有1,500名器官捐贈者。但令人吃驚的是，每年卻至少實施了1萬個器官移植手術。再者，每年都會增加30萬名需要器官移植的病人。我們特別為那些患染重病，正在等候移植的信徒禱告。求主的憐憫和恩典臨到他們以及其家人，在肉身的病痛中每天都能親身經歷神信實不變的慈愛與安慰。
星期五
中國人一向忌諱捐贈器官，每千萬人中只有六千人願意在死後捐器，過去政府使用死囚的器官來增加器官移植的供應量。耶穌的身體是為我們而捨的，教會教導「捨己」和「全然擺上」，我們禱告弟兄姊妹們都是 感恩主的赦罪救贖，體會上帝的心腸，而不是僅僅喊著口號，卻不願真心付出行動。
星期六
中國政府設有一個鼓勵年青人捐贈器官的網站，讓民眾更容易成為器官捐贈者，可惜乏人問津成效不彰；而有心人亦不敢與父母坦白溝通這類事情。有人認為，或許某些獎勵、贊助葬禮或醫療費用可以成為另一種推動力。信徒幫助人是否也附帶條件或為得著某些好處？求主幫助教會在進入參與社區時，不但能領人歸主，也能無條件地分享神的愛。
星期日
中國教會信徒的婚戀常面臨「女大男小」的困擾。很多愛主的「大齡」姊妹因為弟兄太少的緣故還未出嫁。在家人壓力之下，有些「大齡」姊妹與比自己小五到十歲的弟兄談戀愛和結婚。但這些「姐弟戀」常會面臨意想不到的困難，例如別人異樣的目光、外型的匹配、身心靈的契合等等，求主賜智慧給牧者來牧養適婚年齡的信徒，以及輔導這類情侶和夫婦。
星期一
不信任的社會、一胎化的獨生子女、強大的市場競爭、過度的訊息量、離異的家庭等等，都是促成中國這一代年輕人對信仰十分渴望的因素。我們相信神在這一代的大學生身上有祂美好的旨意，求主讓眾教會能看見他們一定要為主得到這一代大學生靈魂的迫切性。
Wednesday
Organ donation designation on the driver’s license is not well accepted because Chinese consider it a bad luck. Even if people are prepared to donate, there are fears that their body parts may be traded for profit and end up on the black market. The Lord helps us to appreciate the real meaning of “our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit”, so we will all avoid all sins and seek to keep our bodies sanctified.
Thursday
In China, there are only about 1500 voluntary organ donations with 10,000 procedures performed for about 300,000 people who need an organ transplant each year. We pray for God's grace and mercy for believers who are in need of an organ transplant and their family members who are their caretakers. May they experience His vivid presence daily as they suffer physically,
Friday
Of every million people in China only 0.6 have signed up to donate their organs when they die. To plug the shortfall, the country has relied overwhelmingly on organs from prisoners on death row. Many pastors there emphasize "denial" and "sacrifice" in their sermons. We pray that we all will truly appreciate the heart of Jesus and use these words not merely as buzzwords but will be willing to help other believers who are in need.
Saturday
The government in China has a website to make it easier to become an organ donor but few young people are willing to discuss it with their families and commit to do it. Surveys have indicated that financial incentives such as payment of funeral and medical bills might help. Often Christians do good deeds with conditions or benefits attached. We ask the Lord to help churches to be successful in leading people to Jesus but also to show the love of Jesus unconditionally in their outreach efforts.
Sunday
The churches in China emphasize the need for a woman to get married and start a family and many of the sisters in the church are pressured by their families to get married. In order to find a believer for a husband some of them have to date and marry those who are five to ten year younger than they are. There are always issues and problems with dating and marriage when the women are older in Chinese society. We pray for wisdom for the pastors who are counseling these couples. We ask, too, for divine wisdom for all pastors as they minister to young believers.
Monday
Some factors which contribute to young people turning to Christianity are: distrust for society as a whole, being an only child, the highly-competitive job market, an excessive information overload, and a broken family. We believe God has a beautiful plan for college students who come to know Him and we pray that all of the churches in China will see how critical it is to reach college students now.
星期二
從2015年起中國將「停止」使用死囚器官。「身體髮膚，受之父母，不敢毀傷，孝之始也。」是中國人傳統孝敬父母的觀念，器官捐贈容易與損毀身體和不孝聯想在一起。不少年輕信徒在屬靈追求上要面對未信父母的阻力，甚至反對；求主加添他們的信心，能活出基督的樣式，以溫柔和美好見證，贏得父母的贊同。
星期三
中國人向來喜歡圖吉利，忌諱與死亡有關聯的事物，連選車牌號、樓層標示都是避開4，更別說領駕照前先註明萬一車禍死亡的身後事了。既使有意願捐赠遺體器官，也有顧慮至終會淪落於黑市被不肖者盗賣謀利。求主幫助我們銘記身體是聖靈的殿，要分別聖，遠避淫亂的事，竭力追求並持守聖潔。
星期四
中國每年僅有1,500名器官捐贈者。但令人吃驚的是，每年卻至少實施了1萬個器官移植手術。再者，每年都會增加30萬名需要器官移植的病人。我們特別為那些患染重病，正在等候移植的信徒禱告。求主的憐憫和恩典臨到他們以及其家人，在肉身的病痛中每天都能親身經歷神信實不變的慈愛與安慰。
星期五
中國人一向忌諱捐贈器官，每千萬人中只有六千人願意在死後捐器，過去政府使用死囚的器官來增加器官移植的供應量。耶穌的身體是為我們而捨的，教會教導「捨己」和「全然擺上」，我們禱告弟兄姊妹們都是 感恩主的赦罪救贖，體會上帝的心腸，而不是僅僅喊著口號，卻不願真心付出行動。
星期六
中國政府設有一個鼓勵年青人捐贈器官的網站，讓民眾更容易成為器官捐贈者，可惜乏人問津成效不彰；而有心人亦不敢與父母坦白溝通這類事情。有人認為，或許某些獎勵、贊助葬禮或醫療費用可以成為另一種推動力。信徒幫助人是否也附帶條件或為得著某些好處？求主幫助教會在進入參與社區時，不但能領人歸主，也能無條件地分享神的愛。
星期日
中國教會信徒的婚戀常面臨「女大男小」的困擾。很多愛主的「大齡」姊妹因為弟兄太少的緣故還未出嫁。在家人壓力之下，有些「大齡」姊妹與比自己小五到十歲的弟兄談戀愛和結婚。但這些「姐弟戀」常會面臨意想不到的困難，例如別人異樣的目光、外型的匹配、身心靈的契合等等，求主賜智慧給牧者來牧養適婚年齡的信徒，以及輔導這類情侶和夫婦。
星期一
不信任的社會、一胎化的獨生子女、強大的市場競爭、過度的訊息量、離異的家庭等等，都是促成中國這一代年輕人對信仰十分渴望的因素。我們相信神在這一代的大學生身上有祂美好的旨意，求主讓眾教會能看見他們一定要為主得到這一代大學生靈魂的迫切性。
Tuesday, February 03, 2015
Prayer Request 2/3 - 2/9
TuesdayChinese men and women try to buy favors to get ahead in business ventures, often by courting officials at night clubs or through drinking and sex. They feel they can get ahead only by cultivating officials over banquets and socializing. Many believers are unable to get out of after-work socialization so they suffer both physically and spiritually. We pray for Christian families devastated by excessive business socializing. May the Lord give them healing in both their spousal and parent-child relationships.
Wednesday
The effect of the recent crackdown in China is quite dramatic The nightly visit to the Karaoke Club has practically stopped. Government officials are afraid to accept anything, including gifts and dinner invitations. Some officials have even returned gifts they received before the crackdown. May the Lord open our eyes to our own filth and sins and search our hearts, We pray especially for those who serve in churches, for the Bible tells us "There is no one righteous, not even one." (Romans 3:10)
Thursday
The government crackdown in China seems to have had a dramatic effect in the short term. It has eliminated corrupt entertainment practices which seem to be at the heart of it but one unintended consequence has been bureaucratic paralysis. Jesus warned that in the last days there will be false Christs and false prophets who will deceive the very elect (Matthew 24:24). We pray the Lord will corrupt the work of the deceivers, those who love money, and the "wolves in sheep skin" in His church.
Friday
This web of business and government officials is the way things are done in China, entertaining and buying favors is the core of this practice. But, when corrupt officials are afraid to start any ambitious project, it could generate economic repercussions. Many Chinese Christians run their churches as a family business, creating many errors and stumbling blocks. May the Lord remind us of His true humility, not seeking the praise of men nor the power to control.
Saturday
The recent crackdown from the top on down will lead to political purges but the leadership in the Party will avoid repeating the Cultural Revolution when those they purged came back to power and in turn purged them. The critical spirit and distrust of the era of the Cultural Revolution are still felt among older church leaders. We pray for genuine servant leadership among all of those who are leaders in the church, that they will not merely demand respect but be a model of sacrificial service to those they are leading.
Sunday
Doing business in China requires both guanxi (relationship)and bei jing (background). Guanxi can be cultivated and can be bought but bei jing is something one is born with and is based primarily on relationships in either one's own or one's spouse's family. Many believers think it takes connection and family relationship to be in the inner circle of the church. Unfortunately, conflicts in churches have further enhanced this misconception. We pray the Lord will once again cleanse His church in China.
Monday
Successful business people in China are starting to complain that they are doing all right but there is this other level of people who are way above them who have bei jing (background). They complain, "I will never have that so they are the only ones who can really succeed." We pray for believers, especially the younger ones, who feel they do not have a good enough family background to get a good job or social advancement. May the Lord give them a heart to seek and depend on Him completely.
星期二
許多中國人(無論男女)都認為在商界要想獲得成功，就必須拉關係，當中的手段包括在夜總會拉攏政府官員，常常涉及豪飲和性行為。他們覺得只有通過用宴請和社交活動才能成功結交官員。我們為信徒家庭中因社交應酬而嚴重損害夫妻與親子關係的，祈求主施恩憐憫，赐下修復的機會。也求主挽回陷入其間無法自拔，傷害身心，靈命跌倒的信徒。
星期三
近來政府反腐的效果相當顯著，人們上卡拉OK廳的情況也劇減。目前許多政府官員不敢接受任何東西，包括禮物和飯局邀請。求主光照我們，叫我們都能看得見自己的污穢與罪惡，因為聖經說「沒有義人，連一個也沒有」(羅三10)。願神監察我們的心思意念，好手潔心清地朝見主面。尤其那些在教會裡有服事的信徒，更要靠主謹慎自守。
星期四
從短期來看，中國反腐的效果立竿見影。這場反腐運動遏止了大眾影視傳媒中的腐敗風氣，正中貪腐的靶心；還導致了一個意想不到的後果，就是官僚機構癱瘓。主耶稣警告我们要防備「假基督和假先知」(彼後3:3)，求主敗壞教會中欺騙群羊、貪財的「披著羊皮，裡面都是殘暴的狼」的人。
星期五
多年來，在中國做成事情的方法就是官商勾結，貪腐活動似乎是以利益交換為核心。當因掃貪而官員們因著心存忌諱而不敢啟動任何重大項目時，這又可能對經濟不利。許多信徒也以世俗的觀念與方式來處理教會行政管理，造成許多誤謬偏差，求神提醒我們真有主的謙卑，凡事忠於主的托負，而不是喜好人的稱讚及權力。
星期六
目前中國政府自上而下地開展反腐行動，會導致接二連三的清洗及運動。中共領導人不會忘記文革的教訓，尤其是反腐行動如果開始在中低級別官員中引發大量不滿的時候。教會中，尤其在年長一代的人當中，仍能看到文革時代鬥爭的態度與方式。我們特別為年長的信徒領袖禱告，求主賜給他們謙卑作僕人的心志，效法主為門徒洗脚的榜樣，不是要求別人尊敬。
星期日
在中國做生意需要關係和背景。關係是可以培養的，可以拿錢換取的，但背景卻是與生俱來的。背景是基於親屬關係的家庭，或配偶的家庭。不少信徒也認為在教會有影響力也是靠關係和背景，可惜有些教會的確也有爭權的情況，這更加鞏固他們這個錯誤的觀念。求主潔淨祂的教會，又校正神兒女的眼光，能真正明白神對教會的心意。
星期一
中國商人們抱怨說，他們的生意做得雖然不錯，但還有另一個層次的人比他們強多了。他們抱怨說：「我永遠不會有那種 "背景"，他們才是真正能成功的人。」求主幫助自認沒有好家庭背景的信徒，要專心仰望、依靠耶和華。
Wednesday
The effect of the recent crackdown in China is quite dramatic The nightly visit to the Karaoke Club has practically stopped. Government officials are afraid to accept anything, including gifts and dinner invitations. Some officials have even returned gifts they received before the crackdown. May the Lord open our eyes to our own filth and sins and search our hearts, We pray especially for those who serve in churches, for the Bible tells us "There is no one righteous, not even one." (Romans 3:10)
Thursday
The government crackdown in China seems to have had a dramatic effect in the short term. It has eliminated corrupt entertainment practices which seem to be at the heart of it but one unintended consequence has been bureaucratic paralysis. Jesus warned that in the last days there will be false Christs and false prophets who will deceive the very elect (Matthew 24:24). We pray the Lord will corrupt the work of the deceivers, those who love money, and the "wolves in sheep skin" in His church.
Friday
This web of business and government officials is the way things are done in China, entertaining and buying favors is the core of this practice. But, when corrupt officials are afraid to start any ambitious project, it could generate economic repercussions. Many Chinese Christians run their churches as a family business, creating many errors and stumbling blocks. May the Lord remind us of His true humility, not seeking the praise of men nor the power to control.
Saturday
The recent crackdown from the top on down will lead to political purges but the leadership in the Party will avoid repeating the Cultural Revolution when those they purged came back to power and in turn purged them. The critical spirit and distrust of the era of the Cultural Revolution are still felt among older church leaders. We pray for genuine servant leadership among all of those who are leaders in the church, that they will not merely demand respect but be a model of sacrificial service to those they are leading.
Sunday
Doing business in China requires both guanxi (relationship)and bei jing (background). Guanxi can be cultivated and can be bought but bei jing is something one is born with and is based primarily on relationships in either one's own or one's spouse's family. Many believers think it takes connection and family relationship to be in the inner circle of the church. Unfortunately, conflicts in churches have further enhanced this misconception. We pray the Lord will once again cleanse His church in China.
Monday
Successful business people in China are starting to complain that they are doing all right but there is this other level of people who are way above them who have bei jing (background). They complain, "I will never have that so they are the only ones who can really succeed." We pray for believers, especially the younger ones, who feel they do not have a good enough family background to get a good job or social advancement. May the Lord give them a heart to seek and depend on Him completely.
星期二
許多中國人(無論男女)都認為在商界要想獲得成功，就必須拉關係，當中的手段包括在夜總會拉攏政府官員，常常涉及豪飲和性行為。他們覺得只有通過用宴請和社交活動才能成功結交官員。我們為信徒家庭中因社交應酬而嚴重損害夫妻與親子關係的，祈求主施恩憐憫，赐下修復的機會。也求主挽回陷入其間無法自拔，傷害身心，靈命跌倒的信徒。
星期三
近來政府反腐的效果相當顯著，人們上卡拉OK廳的情況也劇減。目前許多政府官員不敢接受任何東西，包括禮物和飯局邀請。求主光照我們，叫我們都能看得見自己的污穢與罪惡，因為聖經說「沒有義人，連一個也沒有」(羅三10)。願神監察我們的心思意念，好手潔心清地朝見主面。尤其那些在教會裡有服事的信徒，更要靠主謹慎自守。
星期四
從短期來看，中國反腐的效果立竿見影。這場反腐運動遏止了大眾影視傳媒中的腐敗風氣，正中貪腐的靶心；還導致了一個意想不到的後果，就是官僚機構癱瘓。主耶稣警告我们要防備「假基督和假先知」(彼後3:3)，求主敗壞教會中欺騙群羊、貪財的「披著羊皮，裡面都是殘暴的狼」的人。
星期五
多年來，在中國做成事情的方法就是官商勾結，貪腐活動似乎是以利益交換為核心。當因掃貪而官員們因著心存忌諱而不敢啟動任何重大項目時，這又可能對經濟不利。許多信徒也以世俗的觀念與方式來處理教會行政管理，造成許多誤謬偏差，求神提醒我們真有主的謙卑，凡事忠於主的托負，而不是喜好人的稱讚及權力。
星期六
目前中國政府自上而下地開展反腐行動，會導致接二連三的清洗及運動。中共領導人不會忘記文革的教訓，尤其是反腐行動如果開始在中低級別官員中引發大量不滿的時候。教會中，尤其在年長一代的人當中，仍能看到文革時代鬥爭的態度與方式。我們特別為年長的信徒領袖禱告，求主賜給他們謙卑作僕人的心志，效法主為門徒洗脚的榜樣，不是要求別人尊敬。
星期日
在中國做生意需要關係和背景。關係是可以培養的，可以拿錢換取的，但背景卻是與生俱來的。背景是基於親屬關係的家庭，或配偶的家庭。不少信徒也認為在教會有影響力也是靠關係和背景，可惜有些教會的確也有爭權的情況，這更加鞏固他們這個錯誤的觀念。求主潔淨祂的教會，又校正神兒女的眼光，能真正明白神對教會的心意。
星期一
中國商人們抱怨說，他們的生意做得雖然不錯，但還有另一個層次的人比他們強多了。他們抱怨說：「我永遠不會有那種 "背景"，他們才是真正能成功的人。」求主幫助自認沒有好家庭背景的信徒，要專心仰望、依靠耶和華。
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