Prayer Request 6/9 - 6/15

TuesdayChina has broadened its​ ideological drive against Western liberal ideas by attacking all foreign textbooks. The Minister of Education warns against the "Western Values" imported in textbooks. We praise God for all of the college fellowships, some attached to churches, some started by students, and some totally independent . No matter what their affiliation, we pray for faithful leaders who love the Lord.
Wednesday
The Communist Party is strengthening its control on the intellectual life in China and is eradicating avenues for spreading ideas about the rule of law, liberal democracy, and civil society which they regard as dangerous or contagious and feel it could undermine the power of the Party. Some "independent college fellowships" refuse to interact with other churches and instead develop into a church of their own. We pray for orthodox teaching, good role models, and the Lord's blessing with more students coming to know Jesus Christ.
Thursday
​Party officials have a saying: "​Never allow statements that attack and slander Party leaders to be heard in classrooms, never allow teachers to grumble and vent in the classroom passing on their unhealthy emotions to their students.""Independent college fellowships" complain that churches do not understand students. We pray that many church leaders will truly care about this ministry rather than seeing students as a burden and people who do not contribute to the offering.
Friday
​Many colleges and universities in China have used English textbooks and translations of them have become popular. Many students who are aspiring to study or work abroad believe that mastering foreign works is essential to their success. Many church leaders are hesitant to go into college ministries because they perceive that working with students is politically sensitive and will attract undue interference by the police. We pray for courage to witness for Jesus and that churches will have vision and passion to evangelize.
Saturday
​Chinese universities widely use foreign textbooks but professors often add a Chinese spin on the material. Much of that literature is about foreign problems and how foreigners approach them and this material is still ahead of life in China. Many leaders feel that student ministries require much but give little to the churches in return in the long term. We pray that students will grow spiritually and quickly find a church after they have accepted Jesus.
Sunday
​While the Party in China is unlikely to ban English textbooks,​ it is determined to cleanse schools of politically troublesome ideas. Officials in the Department of Education demand that the leaders in the universities endorse this ideological clampdown. The government policy on schools can change anytime so we must continue to pray for college ministries. May the Lord bless all who sow the seed, those who water it, and the harvesters. We know He will greatly use the Christian college students.
Monday
​On can find "direct sale" in churches throughout China, but a deeper problem is that the attitude of many pastors toward ministering in the churches has changed. Many now see the pastorate not as a calling but merely a job. We pray for godly men and women who will serve the Lord and His sheep faithfully in China. Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care... not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve... being examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:2-3)

星期二
中國反對西方自由主義思想的意識形態運動，進一步擴大到批判外國的教科書。教育部門官員要求禁止傳播西方價值觀念的教材進入課堂。我們為各地的大學生事工感恩，有的是連接於教會，我們特別為那些是學生們自發組建的，甚至是離開教會獨立創辦的大學生團契祈求，求主為他們預備信仰純正，忠心愛主的帶領者。
星期三
共產黨正加強對知識分子生活的控制，施行於徹底封堵法治、自由民主和公民社會思想傳播途徑等一系列措施。他們認為這些思想非常危險，會動搖其對權力的控制。有些「獨立學生團契」不願意與教會相連接，自行發展成為一間教會的型態。 我們為他們有正統的教導，美好的生命榜樣禱告，又求主神祝福、使用他們引領更多學生信主。
星期四
共產黨在加強對學術界的控管中強調：「決不允許在大學課堂攻擊誹謗黨的領導；決不允許教師在課堂上發牢騷、泄怨氣，把各種不良情緒傳導給學生。」「獨立大學生團契」認為教會不懂如何做學生事工，因此選擇不與教會合作。 求主感動更多教會領袖能真正關心大學生，摒除學生是教會的重擔，或對教會在財務上沒有什麼「奉獻」的狹隘觀念。
星期五
中國高校使用英語教科書及其翻譯版本作為教學教材十分普遍。很多渴望去國外求學或工作的學生認為，精通外國著作對取得成功至關重要。許多教會雖然鄰近高校，但因為學生是敏感群體，為了保證教會「不被干擾」，所以多不願做學生事工。我們為眾教會有傳福音的異象和火熱祈求，又求主賜下勇敢為主作見證的膽識和信心。
星期六
雖然大學常會使用國外的課本，但是老師講課的時候，往往會加以中國化。很多文學著作都是外國的著作，其衝突張力及問题解決方式都是源於外國的社會、政濟背景，深究而言這些生活題材還是超前於中國的國情。不少教會也認為，學生事工需要投入很多资源，短期內卻少有回報。我們禱告: 學生信主之後，不但靈命有成長，也能儘快加入適合的教會，開始肢體生活。
星期日
儘管不大可能徹底封殺外國書籍，但要求學校清除政治上使其擔憂的思想的決心不可阻擋。政府官員要求高校主管一致擁護這行動。政府和學校對學生參與團契的政策隨時會改變，我們決不能停止為大學生事工祈求，求主恩待每一位撒種、澆灌及收割的。我們深信神將會大大使用信主的大學生。
星期一
中國各地教會都有直銷滲入的現象，但更嚴重的問題是傳道人服事的心態開始變得不純正，不少神的僕人變質了，往往視牧會僅為一份職業，不是出於神的選召。求主恩待中國教會，賜給我們真正有忠心、正直又愛主的牧者，能按著神旨意照管群羊，不是出於勉強，乃是出於甘心，也不是因為貪財，乃是出於樂意，更不是轄制所託付他們的，乃是作群羊的榜樣。(彼前5:2-3)