Prayer Request 5/26 - 6/1

TuesdayChina's education system, which offers nine years of compulsory schooling and admits students to colleges strictly through exam scores, is often hailed abroad as a paradigm for educational equity. China has also quadrupled its college graduates in the past decade. Vast majority of churches in China are unable to meet the basic spiritual need of their youth. We plead with the Lord to change this, so churches will not lose this generation of young people.
Wednesday
Chinese students' consistently performed excellently in all international standardized tests. But it is also a system that discriminates against its poorer citizens, thwarting social mobility at every step with bureaucratic and financial barriers. Many Chinese churches seem busy but lack young people on a closer look. Parents leave their children at home because no suitable programs for them. We pray for churches really would not be stumbling blocks for the little ones Jesus love, and seriously care about their second generation.
Thursday
A huge gap in educational opportunities between students from rural areas and those from cities is one of the main culprits. Some 60 million students in rural schools are “left-behind” children, cared for by their grandparents as their parents seek work in faraway cities. Coworkers in rural churches often lack understanding of youth and treating them instead like children, which drove them away. We pray the Lord be gracious to all the coworkers, so they have the resources and training to minister effectively the young people.
Friday
While many of their urban students attend schools equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and well- trained teachers, rural students often huddle in decrepit school buildings and struggle to grasp advanced subjects such as English and chemistry amid a dearth of qualified instructors. For many churches in China, none of the children will ever be present when they become teens. We pray for quickening of the Spirit on church leaders so they would not despise the young people, but have the vision that young people very much a part of His Body.
Saturday
For migrant children who follow their parents to cities, the opportunity for a decent education is similarly limited. The hukou system — residency status that ties access to subsidized social services to one's hometown — denies rural children the right to enter urban public schools. We pray for the youth ministry in China, the Lord raise up church leaders who have vision and boldness, to wake up churches to care about spiritual health of young ones in church. We too pray that churches respect and value those who minister to the young ones.
Sunday
Many migrant children are relegated to private schools that charge higher tuition and offer subpar education. Recent reforms are mostly limited to smaller cities. Most migrants have no choice but to send their children back to their rural hometowns. All parents expect the best for their children. We pray for believers who are not able to afford the best education for their children or those whose children are not the best students. The Lord comfort them, knowing God is faithful and good to those who love Him.
Monday
China requires the vast majority of students to take the national college entrance examination in their home province, and elite universities allocate higher admission quotas to first-tier cities like Beijing and Shanghai. We pray specifically for those young Christians who struggle academically, for their faith and trust in God, and overcoming the “inferior and less blessed” attitude Chinese churches often wrongly assigned to them.

星期二
中國的教育制度是九年義務教育，且將考試分數作為唯一標準來選拔大學生，在國外常常被褒獎為教育機會均等分配的典範。過去十年大學畢業生人數也增加了四倍。絕大多數的中國教會基本上無法照顧到年輕人靈性上的基本需要，錯失了建立教會新一代的良機。我們為中國的青少年事工代禱，求主改變這現狀，能把屬靈的生命承續下去。
星期三
中國學生在國際上的標準考試中成績卓越。但在現實上，中國教育制度卻有著欺貧凌弱，以官僚阻撓和收入門檻拖累著社會下層力爭上游的步伐等現象。許多教會也是表面上興旺，但細察其中的年輕人卻寥寥無幾，信徒把孩子留在家裡，因教會沒有提供給第二代的節目。求主恩待這些教會，能嚴肅關注第二代靈命的需求，不使主所愛的小子跌倒。
星期四
學生的教育機會和經費及各類資源的分配，城鄉之間存有極大鴻溝 。其根源之一是在農村有著6000萬“留守”兒童，他們由爺爺奶奶帶大，父母去了遙遠的城市打工。農村教會同工對青少年的心理了解不多，誤把他們當小孩般教導，使得青少年不願參加教會。求主恩待所有教牧同工，為他們預備合宜的資源與教材，也有人幫助裝備他們更有效地牧養年輕一代。
星期五
當青少年在城市的許多同齡人在設備一流的校園裡讀書，接受科班出身老師的輔導時，農村孩子們卻還都蜷縮在破敗的教室裡，缺少合格的英語、化學専業的老師。許多中國教會，兒童主日學事工根本無法過渡到青少年事工。求主催逼教會領袖，有長遠的眼光， 不輕視年輕人，而是視作同為主基督身子的肢體來關顧。
星期六
跟隨父母來到城市，所謂的農民工子弟，也無法得到等同當地學生的良好教育機會。因為戶口制度將他們獲得公共社會服務的權利與他們的出生地綁定，農民工子弟被擋在了城市公立學校的門外。我們為中國青少年事工代禱，求主興起有異象,有魄力的教會領袖，並喚醒眾教會對信徒第二代靈命的關懷，也能敬重、肯定那些參與青少年事工同工的忠心擺上。
星期日
很多民工子弟只能選擇教育質量較差，收費更高的私校就讀。最近的戶口改革多針對一些小城市。很多人別無選擇，只能將孩子送回農村老家。 望子成龍，望女成鳳乃是天下父母的心願。我們為信徒家長沒有經濟條件給子女上最好的學校，或是孩子學習不佳的禱告，求主安慰他們，讓他們深深知道，神是信實美善，絕不虧待愛祂的人。
星期一
中國要求絕大多數的學生在家鄉參加高考，而頂尖的大學又將更多的錄取名額分配給了北京、上海這些一線城市。我們特別為那些成績並不是很好的年輕基督徒來禱告，求主加添他們的信心，一心依靠神，也能克服教會信徒間常有“好成績就是上帝的祝福”等偏誤的觀念。

Prayer Request 5/19 - 5/25

TuesdayThe gospel reached China more than two centuries ago and there have been rumors that China would be a major country to send missionaries to other places. Some even talked of the churches in China sending enough missionaries out to surpass the nations in the West. We pray for humility in everything we do as we imitate those who are imitating Christ before us. May the Lord convict us of our tendency to be arrogant and bragging.
Wednesday
Chinese believers "taking the gospel back to Jerusalem" and "churches in China sending out 100,000 missionaries" still remain as elusive goals and empty slogans. Chinese people tend to make a slogan and paint a grand picture for things without even doing any planning. We pray for repentance for our arrogance and the sin of trying to profit from any movement.
Thursday
According to a report from a recent missions conference, there are 29,000 missionaries from the United States, 20,000 from South Korea, and 300 from Mongolia in the world. But, China gave the frustrating answer, "We are still waiting to send them out." We pray that the churches in China will not just find a slogan for everything ("Back to Jerusalem" is not exclusively Chinese.) but will be truly obedient and deeply committed to please God rather than merely speaking eloquent words.
Friday
Global evangelization is not the exclusive task of the churches in China. The idea of their completing the last leg of the Great Commission and somehow finishing what American and Korean churches began cannot be supported Biblically. There are always many false claims and a lack of accountability when a large donation is involved and money has always been a problem in the churches in China but we pray that the new generation of leaders will be God-fearing and seek to please only the Master.
Saturday
It is an alarming fact that many Arab countries have taken notice and been troubled by the propaganda of the "Back to Jerusalem" movement. We know that sending missionaries to some countries should be done cautiously and we pray that believers in China will learn to serve quietly and do all things well whether in missions or at home.
Sunday
The "Back to Jerusalem" movement has exposed the weakness of churches in China as well as their lack of candidates, poor strategies and planning. Much of the organization and fundraising for the movement were done from abroad and China herself merely provided missionaries. It also exposed how power and money caused even leaders to be corrupt. We pray that the churches in China will learn to co-operate with others and not want to just do things their own way.
Monday
Currently the churches in China are unable to raise money the way countries in the West do. Without legal status, house churches cannot raise funds for any large mission projects. In the past churches in China have provided their people with money that came from abroad. We pray that these churches will soon be sending both people and money--give to the Lord the best they have rather than being content with second best.

星期二
福音傳入中國至今已經超過二百年。十多年前開始有人談論中國何時會成為宣教大國，甚至有人誇口中國必做普世宣教的超級巨星，超越西方國家。求主提醒並幫助我們在任何事上都有謙卑的心志，能效法屬靈前輩，正如他們效法主一樣；不憑人意誇口，自高自大。
星期三
中國弟兄姊妹回應將福音「回歸耶路撒冷」(Back to Jerusalem〔B2J〕)運動，提出差遣十萬宣教士的口號，然而跨文化宣教浪潮至今仍只是「只聞樓梯響、不見人下來」。 中國人熱衷喊口號，往往先講卻不做是我們的弱点。求主光照我們，赦免我們的自傲和總想在各型運動中”占個地”的罪。
星期四
據不久前一個匯報，美國宣教士人數有29,000、韓國(剛超越) 20,000、蒙古300，至於中國，卻是一個令人氣餒的回應:「候選者正蓄勢待發中！」。我們為中國教會禱告，讓大家不要將「回歸耶路撒冷」口號化，因普世宣教不限於此，也不專屬於中國人。求主幫助教會學習忠心跟隨、順從祂的帶領和默默擺上，盡心討神喜悦，而不是大放厥詞。
星期五
普世宣教的使命並不是福音只能沿著美、韓、中、耶路撒冷的路線前進。這樣的思路是既輕率又沒有聖經根據的。金錢總是敗壞中國的教會。當牽涉到大筆奉獻及捐款，就必定會有很多虛假和不透明發生。我們禱告新一代的教會領袖能全然讓主得著，成為敬畏神，專一討主喜悅的新血輪。
星期六
由於「回歸耶路撒冷」運動的宣傳聲浪，一個負面的警訊是，許多中東阿拉伯國家已經開始對中國教會的宣教動向起了疑慮。其實在創啟地區開展宣教事工的首要姿態，就是要低調與務實，求主幫助我們，不論在宣教事工或其他事奉上，都應學習沉穩、全然倚靠主的帶領，因為祂是得勝的旌旗。
星期日
「回歸耶路撒冷」的運動，暴露了中國宣教士的不足，教會沒有良好的策略與規劃。而參與的模式也大多是由海外教會組織項目、籌募資金，中國教會只是差派宣教士參與其中，少有能獨立支持宣教差傳的。 其間往往也暴露了金錢和權勢能敗壞教會的領袖。求主幫助教會能體認到為主的國度，宣教不是孤軍作戰，更要有意願與別人溝通與合作。
星期一
中國教會目前所處的環境，很難照搬西方式的資金籌募 。因為教會仍未能取得合法、獨立的身份，更遑論合法籌募資金的資格。中國教會向來是「出人」，而讓海外「出錢」。我們為中國教會早日能「出錢出力」來代禱，願信徒都能將主所賜下最好的奉獻給主 。

Prayer Request 5/12 - 5/18

TuesdayChina used to have thirty-two safe harbors to receive abandoned ​babies but many cities, including Guangzhou, Jinan, and Xiamen have shut them down because they were overwhelmed by the sheer number of babies that they were receiving. ​Christians are supposed to show their love by caring for the orphans and widows rather than by debating theological issues as Chinese Christians like to do. We pray that we will love with deeds and actions rather than just words.
Wednesday
The vast majority of abandoned babies​ in China have severe disabilities or some kind of illness. When parents face the prospect of the enormous cost of caring for them, they give up the babies since there is no welfare system or assistance available for them. In China Christians are not known for their charitable deeds. We pray that more believers will show the love of Jesus in their neighborhoods and be visible to the public so Christianity will not be marginalized.
Thursday
​Some Christians are involved in the adoption of and ​caring for abandoned babies in China. They pour out the love of Jesus Christ on them and adopt one or more babies. Some even have formal orphanages to care for them. We praise God for the wonderful examples these believers set for us. May the Lord richly reward them and supply their needs financially and with helpers.
Friday
Some Christians raise funds to adopt abandoned children or do so with their own meager income. Their work is very difficult but they believe we should love every life because each one is created in God’s image. Chinese believers know that we should love our neighbors but they often are unwilling to get involved. We pray that churches will not discount the importance of a ​social caring ministry, but be compassionate like the Good Samaritan.
Saturday
Although more than half of the people in Taiwan support same-sex marriages according to recent polls, the city of Taipei has the reputation of being the most friendly to gays of any city in Asia. Gays can serve openly in the Taiwanese military and textbooks in schools must be tolerant to gays. We pray that churches will be unified in their Biblical position but still known as loving and non-judgmental.
Sunday
Officially, the government of China adopts a non-interfering stand toward homosexuality but offers no legal protection. Beijing, however, has a low tolerance for those who have AIDS or for groups that advocate same-sex marriages. Unlike the vast majority of churches in China, many churches in Taiwan are known for their political activism. We pray for wisdom that churches will know how to present their opposition without coming across as old-fashioned and full of bigotry.
Monday
The gospel reached China more than two centuries ago and there have been rumors that China would be a major country to send missionaries to other places. Some even talked of the churches in China sending enough missionaries out to surpass the nations in the West. We pray for humility in everything we do as we imitate those who are imitating Christ before us. May the Lord convict us of our tendency to be arrogant and bragging.

星期二
目前全中國共有三十二個棄嬰島試點，廣州、濟南、廈門等地的棄嬰島因為接收嬰兒的數量過多，對福利院的財力和人力都帶來巨大的挑戰, 多已經關閉或暫停。關心孤兒寡婦，是在神面前信仰虔誠的具體表現和真實見證。弟兄姊妹們熱愛神的話語，喜歡從知識的角度來追求信仰，求主幫助我們不是單單愛主的話，更是以行動來活出信仰。
星期三
絕大多數中國棄嬰都有殘疾或重大疾病。面對對殘疾兒童、重病兒童的補助若政府有完善政策，能減少家庭因不堪重負而拋棄嬰孩的機率。中國人提到行善事，一般人不會直接聯想到教會或基督徒。求主幫助我們能進入社會，有實際的愛心與行動，活出耶穌基督的教導。
星期四
有不少中國基督徒對棄嬰收養非常關注，甚至親力親為。他們憑著基督的愛，收養一個或更多棄嬰，也有一些人​​想辦法建立正規的收養機構。我們為這些基督徒感恩，求主加添他們力量和資源，來幫助更多的孩子, 更能成為弟兄姊妹愛神愛人好的學習榜樣。
星期五
有些基督徒​以自己微薄的收入來領養棄嬰，他們籌集資金、照料孩子的辛苦實難形容。但他們相信每一個生命皆有神形象， 都是我們應該愛的對象。弟兄姊妹雖然知道聖經教導我們要愛鄰舍，但是多半看輕社區關懷的工作，求主憐憫我們，多有好撒瑪利亞人的愛心。
星期六
台灣允許同性戀者光明正大在軍中服役，台北更被號為「亞洲對同志最友善的城市」；官方要求教科書中提倡對同志的包容。在過去幾年的民調中，有超過一半的台灣民眾支持同性婚姻。我們為教會能合一，又能持守聖經的立場禱告，求主幫助我們按真理表達愛心，不落在彼此攻擊、批判當中。
星期日
中國政府對於愛滋團體與爭取同性戀權的容忍度較低, 但對同性戀者相關活動多採取”沒看見”的態度, 基本上也沒有相關的法令來保障他們的權益。台灣不少教會在同性戀等社會議題上採積極的參與, 這跟絕大多數中國教會的景況不同。我們為教會有智慧來面對新時代的各樣挑戰求智慧，尤其是教會如何守住聖經的立場卻不被社會大眾誤解為過時及偏執。
星期一
福音入中國至今已經超過二百年。十多年前開始有人談論中國何時會成為宣教大國，甚至有人誇口中國必超越西方國家，成為普世宣教的領航者。求主賜給我們謙卑，能效法屬靈前輩，正如他們效法主一樣；而不是憑人意誇口，自高自大。

Prayer Request 5/5 - 5/11

TuesdayA career in the People's Liberation Army is becoming less attractive for talented young Chinese, even as the country's military is increasingly in need of educated soldiers, sailors and airmen to operate its rapidly growing arsenal of advanced weapons. We praise the Lord for the churches in China, especially those in the cities where there are many well-educated believers and pray for pastors who are equally well-educated to be able to minister to the young and more intellectual members.
Wednesday
The one-child policy in China which is now well into its third decade has led to a generation of only children in the cities who have an option of a variety of careers and that makes a career in the military less attractive. Becoming a pastor used to be an option for young believers in the villages but now they simply go to work in the cities where wages are good. Let us pray about the ever-worsening shortage of workers in the rural churches of China. Many churches have been without shepherds for years.
Thursday
After decades of peace, young Chinese are not keen on joining the military. Retired soldiers no longer receive the favorable treatment from government-owned enterprises they once did, so the incentives to join the military are fewer now. Pastors' salaries have historically been poor and have not been adjusted for inflation. Some churches still insist their shepherd should be poor in order to live by faith. We pray again for churches to correct this wrong idea and treat their pastors with respect.
Friday
China plans to increase military spending by 10 percent to about $145 billion USD this year. But, as China becomes prosperous, young people are not as interested in joining the military. It is a fact that churches in China will spend much on buildings but very little for the compensation of their pastors. We pray the Lord will revive His churches so they will first take good care of their shepherds and honor God's servants with adequate salaries.
Saturday
In the Eastern Chinese province of Shandong, a heavily populated region that has traditionally supplied a disproportionate share of the military forces of China, the number of recruits has steadily dropped in the past six years. Burnout is a huge problem for pastors in China. They are spiritually, physically, and emotionally spent. We pray for renewal of all of the pastors there so they can serve with direction, preach with inspiration, and regain the passion they once had.
Sunday
In the past, parents in Shandong used to vie to get their children enlisted in the Chinese army, and some even tried to bribe the recruitment officials, but now the opposite is true. The shortage of pastors in China is a longstanding problem with little evidence of improvement. We pray for those who will answer God's call to ministry to know that serving the Lord is not only a great blessing but is glorious and pleasing to God.
Monday
Many of the young people attracted to a career in the army in China do not have the skills needed to advance the army. Pastors in China are expected to perform many duties, big or small, much like a caretaker. They pour out so much but receive so little replenishment. We pray that pastors will receive renewal from above and appreciation from their church members.

星期二
儘管中國武裝部隊對受過教育、能操作先進武器的士兵、水手和飛行員需求甚殷，解放軍的工作對有才華的年輕人的吸引力正在降低。中國教會，尤其是城市的教會，逐漸有許多高知識份子加入，我們為此感謝神！我們也為教會需要有相同甚至更高教育背景和充份裝備的傳道人來牧養他們代求。
星期三
獨生子女政策在中國已邁入第三個十年， 各大城市中的獨生子女有很多職業可以追求，從軍不再是首選。信徒父母知道傳道人生活艱難，捨不得孩子獻身，甚至阻擋其全職服侍。成為傳道人也曾是農村年輕信徒的選項之一，如今農村青年直奔城市謀求更高薪工作。求主幫助教會能有改進，信徒父母在神面前有正確的價值觀，懂得為從上而來的呼召感恩，也以作神的工人為榮。
星期四
經過數十年的無戰爭狀態，年輕人對國防觀念淡化，退伍軍人亦享受不到在國企工作等曾經享有的好處，從而導致部隊的吸引力減弱。許多農村信徒寧可去打工，也不願意服事教會，因為傳道人的待遇非常差。我們再次求主感動教會信徒，能尊敬牧者，並關心供應他們合理的養生所需，也讓神的家有糧。
星期五
中國今年將計劃增加軍費10%，達到9000億人民幣 (約1450億美元)，然而，中國的經濟繁榮造成年輕人不再愛「從軍」了。令人難過的，許多中國教會寧可花費在硬體的建設如蓋教堂等，卻不願意改善傳道人的過低待遇。求主再一次復興中國教會，且先從好好照顧、尊重、不虧待傳道人開始。
星期六
山東省原屬人口多的大省，也是傳統的兵源大省，但是新兵的人數在四、五年前就開始減少。中國傳道人非常容易耗盡（burnout），包括靈力、精力和體力。求主安慰、復興祂忠心的僕人，更新他們的靈命，好叫他們事奉有異象，生活再燃熱情，能給人屬靈的供應和幫助。
星期日
過去，山東的父母會搶著讓孩子當兵，一些人甚至賄賂招兵官員，但此情況已不復存在。 教會傳道人短缺已不是一朝一夕的問題，目前也還看不到改進的跡象。求主幫助得著神呼召的信徒，知道他們能服事教會是何等大的福氣，更是尊貴榮耀又蒙神喜悅的美事。
星期一
現今，許多被徵召入伍的年輕人，都不具備現代化的軍隊所需要的技能。中國傳道人所做的工作，事無巨細，幾乎充當了信徒全方位監護人的角色，他們給出的多，自己得供給的少。我們為許多傳道人全然擺上的心感恩。求主親自供應他們一切的需用，在艱難中更深經歷從上而來的更新；廣濶他們屬靈的量度，歡歡喜喜作主合用的工人， 也在牧養中得到會眾的敬愛。