Prayer Request 6/30 - 7/6

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
雖然不少教會不斷教導正確的婚姻觀，以及合神心意的家庭，但是，信徒甚至教會領袖的離婚卻越來越多。求主保守信徒不在婚姻問題上失腳，並以貞潔的婚姻來尊榮主；求主使用教會的講道信息，堅立信徒的信心，為主持守純正，建立美滿的家庭。
星期三
大約每十三個中國人就有一人患精神疾病。病者不僅是成年人，甚至高校學生和孩童也越來越多患有不同程度的心理障礙問題。教會實在沒有能力及資源幫助家中有精神病的弟兄姊妹。求主賜給信徒有愛心、同情，並願意支援的心，而不是躲避或以定罪態度看待。
星期四
農村居民的重性抑鬱障礙、心境惡劣障礙和酒依賴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，但同工缺乏相關的裝備來輔導和牧養他們。求主幫助農村同工儘快得到支援和培訓來應對這些問題，也能更實際地幫助信徒。
星期五
中國生活指數不斷提升，教會的支出有增無減，無論是日用品、食品，以及同工來往牧養的交通費亦同樣增加。我們為通脹下的中國教會禱告，求主供應發展事工所需要的資源。求主顧念那些過著清貧生活的教會同工，信徒也願意更多奉獻支持神的僕人與神家事工。
星期六
由於物價上漲，一些中國教會無法提供全職工人的生活費。傳道人只好也必須去打工養家糊口。許多牧者告訴自己，這只是“暫時過度性”，因為他們的內心充滿了愧疚。我們為教會能供給全職的同工，使他們不必擔心家庭經濟問題和子女教育，認真牧養羊群，照顧神的家
星期日
中國物價上漲，有些清貧的教會更是無法為全職同工提供生活費。有些同工為了養生，就需打工賺錢來養活家庭。不少牧者自認這是一種「試探」，同時心裡充滿內疚。求主保守全職同工專心事奉，不要過份憂慮家庭的經濟問題。求主為他們預備生活及兒女的教育費用。
星期一
不少信徒信主年日不長，很多事情都不懂。中國人祭祖的傳統是不合聖經原則，如：老人家去世後不當跪拜，清明、冬至慣常祭祀先人的事亦不應參與。求主賜給信徒堅強的信心來持守信仰原則，使他們在未信親人眼前蒙恩，並能見證神的榮耀。