Prayer Request 4/28 - 5/4

TuesdayBefore 1949​ there were many denominations in the church in China but after the Communist rule began, they all disappeared. Recently many house churches have been seriously debating whether they should again become part of a denomination. We praise God for the phenomenal growth of house churches in China, especially those in the cities. May the Lord bless them as they search together for the future direction of their churches--if they should become a registered church, buy their own property, or join a denomination.
Wednesday
House churches are supposed to be without denominational affiliations but they tend not to associate with one another. In fact there is much distrust and bickering among the leaders of these churches with each leader considering himself or herself unique theologically.​ ​It is a challenge to preserve genuine unity among the people in house churches. We pray for openness in dialogue and an exchange of ideas and sharing of resources among these churches. May the Lord grant all leaders His humility and help them to live a true example of servant leadership.​
Thursday
The majority of the house churches ​ in China​ function independently and fail to associate with others in any ministry efforts. Some of them are part of a "team" but even the leaders of the team cannot articulate their theology, their pastoral approaches or their methods of governing. Unfortunately many leaders of house churches see their own style and method of management as the only and correct way to lead a church which creates problems of accountability and even abuse. We pray for those who are hurt under such leadership. May the Lord comfort them and help them to still grow spiritually.
Friday
China is the biggest source of outbound tourists globally and many countries are changing their rules for visas as record spending​ by these Chinese tourists sets off a race around the world for a share of their dollars. As more and more Chinese people visit our countries, we pray that many will take the opportunity to visit local churches and find out more about the Christian faith.
Saturday
The disposable income in China has been rising steadily recently​ and would-be travelers got an additional boost during the past year from more a more favorable exchange rate in many countries. Both the United States and China now offer a ten-year visa. Pray that local Christian believers in the countries Chinese tourists visit will be welcoming and helpful towards them. Pray that there will be openings to sensitively share their faith.
Sunday
The number of visitors from mainland China to Hong Kong during the Chinese Lunar New Year fell for the first time in many years due to a growing resentment of Chinese tourists there. Let us pray about the difficult relationship between tourists from mainland China and the local people in​ Hong Kong that those who are seeking to bring peace into the situation will have wisdom. Pray over the difficult relationship between mainland Chinese tourists and the local Hong Kong people. Pray for wisdom for all those seeking to bring peace into the situation.
Monday
Previous complaints from people in Hong Kong about mainlanders have covered issues such as their buying property there, their exporting milk powder, and mothers giving birth there​ so their babies can qualify for residency. We pray that the churches in Hong Kong will not allow this kind of contentious feeling to affect their support of churches inside China. In the past many have seen helping churches in China as an obligation but that feeling is waning visibly recently.

星期二
1949年以前，中國教會有明顯的宗派之分；1949年共黨主政之後，宗派就不存在。近來，許多家庭教會正熱烈討論是否加入宗派。感謝神家庭教會有顯著的增長，特別是在城市裡。願主祝福引導教會在尋求的發展方向時，尤其是在，求主在是否登記，購買產業或加入一個宗派等重大決定。
星期三
中國家庭教會雖然表面上沒有宗派，但卻是最分離的教會群，因為教會之間沒有實際的聯結，甚至有人評論，每個教會領袖就樹立了自己的宗派。教會要想有真正的合一，實在面臨著很大的挑戰。我們為教會能真誠的交往，彼此供應，分享資源來禱告，願神賜給領袖們有謙卑的心與僕人的榜樣。
星期四
很多教會都是各自為政，即使有些合一的嘗試，有時也顯得不得要領；有的雖然形成團隊，但在神學教導、牧養和治理上卻面臨難以解決的問題，不易突破的瓶頸。可惜有不少教會領袖，常以自己的風格和管理方式來照管神的家，沒有商榷餘地，甚至濫用信任。我們為那些在這樣的領導下受到傷害的信徒禱告，求主親自安慰、幫助他們，靈命繼續有成長。
星期五
中國是全球最大的出國觀光客來源。各國政府正在重擬簽證規則，希望能在中國觀光客的花費中分得一杯羹。當越來越多中國人到海外旅遊時，求主讓許多人能有機會前往當地的華人教會，認識耶穌基督，得到這份永恒的禮物。
星期六
中國人可以隨意支配收入一直穩定提升，去年則因為有利的外幣匯率而使得出國觀光人數大幅提升。美國與中國簽證互惠的條件下有效期十年的簽證。求主幫助海外華人教會看到這樣的禾場，並能開啟能與他們分享信仰的門。
星期日
今年春節期間香港的陸客人數是20年來第一次下降，陸客面對的是香港當地人越來越大的怒氣。我們為陸客與香港人之間的緊張關係代禱，讓彼此之間因為有更多的認識能彼此接納。
星期一
過去香港人對於大陸客的抱怨包括購置香港地產、進口奶粉，以及大陸籍母親到香港生產，以便孩子取得居住權。過去，香港教會理所當然地支援中國教會，幫助培訓了許許多多的傳道人，求主幫助教會不因此而改變初衷，仍然忠心服事影響中國教會。