Prayer Request 3/10 - 3/16

TuesdayBolstered by a slate of domestic films during the Lunar New Year holiday time, China's monthly box office earnings surpassed those of the United States for the first time. Rural churches usually have a much higher attendance when those working in the cities return for the holiday. We pray for revival for these visitors because many of them have not been attending church and have drifted away from God for many reasons.
Wednesday
The Lunar New Year holiday which typically falls between mid-January and mid-February is one of the top periods of the year for people to go to movies in China. During the holidays foreign films are barred to clear the way for domestic films or co-productions. Churches in China like to use catchy phrases to set goals. But as they return to normal after the New Year holiday, we pray churches will not lose the enthusiasm of their new ministry goals and will continue to fan the fire of serving the Lord.
Thursday
At one time, the villages in China had 60-70% of the population of the country but nearly 150 million farmers have gone to the cities to work so the villages have lost many people and the rural churches have suffered in attendance and finances. There was a great revival in the rural churches in China in the last century but today churches are in decline and cults are nearly all over. We pray for revival fires to once again be lighted in the churches so the faith of believers will be strengthen and the work of the cults will be defeated.
Friday
The Communist Party came to power in a peasant revolution in 1949 and the government immediately collectivized the farmland which is a major source of revenue for them. The young and the strong are nearly missing in rural churches because they work in the cities. We praise God for those who are serving Him and ask Him to give them strength and spiritual gifts to serve the remaining older people and children who usually have no Bible training.
Saturday
In areas near cities, local officials often rezone agricultural land and sell it to developers at a huge profit, sometimes setting off violent protests by the residents who are left out. Young farmers without land work in cities but their thick countryside accent, actions, and long working hours prevent them from be accepted by urban churches. We pray for those people who could minister to the spiritual needs of these uprooted young landless farmers.
Sunday
Because farmers do not own their land, they cannot sell it and get a large, lump sum payment that could be used to make a new start. Nor can they mortgage land for funds that could be reinvested in their farms or in other businesses. Farmers are no longer as poor as they once were, but they lack the skill of good investment. Often, they lose all their savings when family members became ill. Churches often make poor financial decisions. We pray for good financial stewardship for believers and churches alike.
Monday
On college campuses in China, the cults are more active than Christians. Some of them are well-trained and aggressive in recruiting students who cannot distinguish between the two since they are unfamiliar with the Bible and its teachings.We pray for more Christians to get involved in campus ministries, for leaders who are passionate about their work and that they will have good connections with the students.

星期二
在農曆新年假期幾部國片的帶動下，月度票房收入首次超過美國。由於許多在外工作的人都從城裡回老家過年，春節成為農村教會聚會人數最多的時候。我們為所有「訪客」的靈命復興祈求，願主的真理和信實再次堅固我們的信心，激勵信徒追求屬天永恒的福份。因為一旦信徒到了城裡打工，許多時就有種種原因或藉口遠離信仰。
星期三
農曆新年通常在公曆的一月中旬和二月中旬之間，是中國人看電影最多的時段之一。假日期間通常不上映外國電影，為的是給國產片或聯合拍攝影片掃清道路。 每逢新年，教會也喜歡立定新計劃，但是卻往往僅流於口號而已。一旦春節過後，教會就再次故態復萌「常態化」。我們求主賜下火熱服侍神的心，為能不失去目標與異象禱告。
星期四
中國有60%-70%人口屬農村戶籍，但是農民進入城市謀生的人數卻達1億5千萬之多，導致農村人口大幅度減少，農村教會在人數和經濟上也走下坡。農村教會曾在上世紀經歷過靈命的大復興，但是目前的光景卻非常暗淡，異端、邪教比比皆是。我們求主加添農村教會信徒的信心，再次將復興的火降在他們當中，潔淨神的家和羊群，敗壞異端所有的作為。
星期五
1949年，中國共產黨在一次農民革命中掌權，並迅速實現了農田的集體化。同時，土地國有也是政府收入的一個主要來源。農村教會的少青壯年人都出外謀生，通常只在春節回家鄉。我們為農村教會的服事者感恩，雖然他們普遍是一般信徒，也沒有神學訓練，但是卻有一顆忠心事主的心。儘管教會中都是老人、婦女和兒童，求神賜給服事者恩賜與能力，無論得時不得，都盡心為主教導和牧養祂的羊。
星期六
在城市附近地區，地方官員經常會重新劃分農業用地，然後不顧居民的感受，以巨額土地出讓金把它交給開發商，有時還會引起居民的激烈抗爭。由於鄉音有異、階層分疊和作息時間無法配合一般的教會活動，農民工很難溶入城市教會。求主在各處興起有負担的弟兄姊妹，樂意去關心年輕一代農民工的靈命，以服事主的心態去牧養這群失去地上及天上屬靈立足点的一群。
星期日
中國農民沒有土地的所有權，無法出售屬於國家的土地，得到一次性的資金用來開業。他們也無法抵押土地，去做其他投資。有些農民雖然不再像往昔般貧窮，但是在理財上缺乏知識，通常因家人生了大病就會失去所有積蓄。農村教會在金錢支配上也缺乏智慧，不能明智管理財務。我們為他們都能成為神忠心良善的好管家代求。
星期一
在大學校園異端中非常活躍，甚至比純正基督徒還要火熱。有些訓練有素的異端信徒更積極向那些識別能力差、對聖經陌生、缺乏真理知識的學生下手。我們為更多基督徒能參與大學校園事工祈求，求主給神兒女有愛人靈魂的心，以好的生命見証和好人緣與眾人相處，並認真以純正真理栽培剛信主的學生。