Prayer Request 6/16 - 6/22

TuesdayAlthough many churches in China are beginning to teach the subject of Biblical marriage and how to build a godly family, divorce is now more common among believers and even church leaders than in the past. We pray that believers will honor the Lord with their families and avoid any stumbling in their marriages. We also pray that churches will redouble their efforts to preach God's word on how to glorify Him in marriage and family
Wednesday
In China, about one in thirteen people suffers from mental illness. More and more high school students and even children are being diagnosed with varying degrees of mental disorders. Churches there do not have resources to help believers with family members who are mentally ill. We pray for love, compassion, and a willingness to help all believers with mental illness rather than ignoring them or being judgmental toward them.
Thursday
Severe depression is common in the villages in China. Serious mental illness and alcohol abuse are more common in the villages than in the cities. Churches are having more and more members with mental illness but the pastors are not equipped to counsel or help them. We pray for more resources and training for pastors so they can provide practical help to those afflicted.
Friday
The cost of living is rising rapidly in China and operating expenses for churches have increased significantly as well. Pastors and church workers face the rising costs of living expenses and transportation to do their daily visitation. We pray for increased giving by believers as their churches face increased costs of ministry and that they will generously support their pastors and church workers. We pray, too, for God's provision and faith to trust God for the impoverished pastors.
Saturday
Due to inflation, in China some churches are unable to provide money for living expenses for full-time workers. To keep healthy, some co-workers have to go out and earn money to be able to feed their families. Many pastors consider themselves as "tentative" workers but their hearts are full of guilt. Pray that that there will be full-time workers who are able to serve and not have to worry about family economic problems and their children's education.
Sunday
As the cost of living soars in China,more and more financially poor churches are not able to support a full-time pastor. Many pastors are forced to take a side job in order to provide for their families. Many pastors feel guilty and defeated because they can serve the church only part time. We pray for all of those pastors still serving their churches full time. May the Lord relieve their financial worries and provide for their families as well as the educational expenses of their children.
Monday
Many new Christians in China do not know that traditional ancestor worship is not Biblical. For example, believers should not kneel and worship after the passing of parents and on special days of remembrance of their ancestors. May the Lord strengthen us to hold on to the principles of our faith and gain favor with our unbelieving relatives. May we be God's witnesses in our families.

星期二
雖然不少中國教會已開始教導正確的婚姻觀，及如何建造合神心意的家庭，但相對於往昔，信徒甚至教會領袖離婚的情形卻越來越普遍並增多中。求主保守信徒在婚姻上以貞潔的婚姻來尊榮主；求主使用教會的講台來堅立信徒忠誠於婚盟的純正信念，以美滿的婚姻家庭來榮耀見証主。
星期三
中國大約每十三人中就有一人患精神疾病。病者不僅是成年人，甚至大學生和孩童也越來越多患有不同程度的心理障礙問題。教會目前實在沒有能力及資源來協助家有精神病患的弟兄姊妹。求主賜給信徒有愛心並願意支援的心，以同情而不是躲避或定罪的態度對待他們。
星期四
中國農村居民的重性抑鬱障礙、心境惡劣障礙和酗酒的患病率更高於城市居民。教會中患精神疾病的信徒也在增加中，但同工缺乏相關的裝備來輔導和牧養他們。求主幫助同工儘快得到有關的支援和培訓來應對這些嚴峻的問題，也能更實際地回應並幫助信徒的需要。
星期五
中國的生活指數不斷提升，教會的支出也相對地飛漲，無論是日用品、食品，以及同工來往牧養的交通費亦同樣攀升。我們來為通漲下的中國教會發展禱告，求主供應各項事工所需的資源。更求主顧念那些過著清貧生活的教會同工，也感動信徒願意更多奉獻支持神的僕人與神家中的需要。
星期六
由於物價上漲，有些中國教會無法提供全職工人的生活費。為了生計和保險，傳道人只好也必須外出打工養家糊口。許多牧者告訴自己，這只是目前“暫時過度性”的，因他們的內心充滿了愧疚。我們禱告教會能供給全職的同工，使他們不必擔心家庭經濟和子女教育問題，而能專注於牧養羊群，照顧神的家。
星期日
中國物價上漲，清貧的教會更無法為全職同工提供全額生活費。同工為了生計，就需打工賺錢養活家庭。不少牧者自認這是一種「試探」，同時心裡也充滿內疚。求主信實為他們預備生活及兒女的教育費用，也保守全職同工能專心事奉，不過份憂慮家庭的經濟問題。
星期一
不少中國信徒由於信主年日不長，並不瞭解很多傳統習俗與聖經原則是抵觸的。譬如：每逢傳統的清明、冬至祭祖及老人家過世或忌日，信徒不宜視為鬼神而上香、跪拜、占卜等，如仍願參與有關活動，應以緬懷、感恩的心鞠躬默禱，表達敬意及哀思。求主賜信徒智慧、靈巧及信心來持守信仰真理，使他們在未信親人眼前以好德行和愛心蒙恩，並見證神的榮耀。