Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Prayer Request 07/28 - 08/03

TuesdayThose young people who were born after 1990 are China's first generation to grow up with the internet. Mobile internet has been part of their life and an integral part of their education. Many older Christians in China are not tolerant of young people and often criticize them. We pray for mutual acceptance between the young and the older ones in churches and that there will also be appreciation of the faithfulness and vibrant spirits of each group.​
Wednesday
The virtual world of the internet is very important to the young people who were born after 1990 in China and they are much more immersed in materialism than their older contemporaries. Older Christians often criticize young people saying they are very materialistic but the older ones fail to model trust in the Lord and generous giving to these same people they are criticizing. May the Lord have mercy on each of us.​
Thursday
People in China born after 1990 are not only the "first internet generation" but they are also a "consumerism generation" because they have experienced the life of prosperity in modern China as it has shifted from a country that promoted saving to one of spending. May the Lord give wisdom to all believing parents so they will not honor their "only children" more than they honor God​ and will teach them the way of the Lord so they will not stray from God's way.
Friday
​The people in China born after 1990 are all only children so they often have conflicting​ feelings. They feel special with much self-confidence and self-esteem. But on the other hand, they also feel insecure, afraid of being left alone, and afraid of being left out of things. We praise God for leading many of these youth to salvation through college ministries. We pray for a solid foundation for their faith and that the Lord will use them mightily for His kingdom.
Saturday
We tend to generalize and say all young people are alike but there are big differences between those born in China between 1990 and 1995, those between 1995 and 2000, and those born after 2000​. Each age group claims to be unique. In the churches of China those who are twenty-some years old are quite different from those who are thirty-some years old and they have quite different needs. We pray that leaders in the churches will see the importance of ministering to young people carefully and with dedication.
Sunday
The people in China who were born after 1990 like to get involved with things and express themselves rather than just sitting and being taught about things. They are a restless generation and​ seek instant gratification so their "thing" is to order their meals online and have them delivered. We pray that churches will know how to adapt their worship, style of teaching, and even their format of fellowship to allow more young people to get involved and learn from their teaching.
Monday
​In China premarital cohabitation is very prevalent both in churches and in society as a whole, especially among young people. Similarly, marital infidelity is eroding in Christian families. We pray that all believers will be diligent to protect their marriages and ​guard their homes with Biblical truths. We know this pleases God because the evil one seeks to destroy what God intended for each of us.

星期二
新一代中國人所謂的 " 90後" 被特殊化,是中國第一代互聯網原住民。特別是95後,他們生下來的第一天就有了互聯網。他們在上小學或者初中的時候,就遇到了已經普及的移動互聯網。許多長輩總是看不慣年輕一代的想法與作風,認為他們不合聖徒體統。願主賜給我們有彼此接納的心,教會長幼間能學習對方的信心與活發精神。
星期三
互聯網的世界才是90後真實的主體世界 — 他們的消費也是通過互聯網,他們的榮耀、精神寄託也都在互聯網上。那些比他們年長的人所關注的卻是這個物質世界。年紀大的信徒常會挑剔年輕人追求物質滿足,但是卻無法變成典範,成為年輕信徒全然依靠神,樂意奉獻的榜樣,求主憐憫我們。
星期四
90後在「互聯網第一代原住民」的身份上,還疊加了「消費升級」—他們經歷了中國從儲蓄社會到消費社會的升級,從小吃喝不愁,是中國第一代「消費主義人群」。求主賜給信徒家長智慧,不看重自己的孩子過於耶和華,而是常常為自己的獨生子女守望代禱,求神保守他們走當行的路,到老都不偏離。
星期五
90後因是「獨生子女」,常有自相矛盾的一面:一方面是有着極高的自信和自尊,覺得自己是與眾不同的,但又特別害怕被落下,追求共同感,害怕孤獨,害怕與時代脫節。感謝神自己吸引了許多二十多歲一代在大學校園裡接受了救恩,求主賜給他們的靈命有根有基,又大大使用他們成為神國度裡的棟樑。
星期六
仔細說起來,90年後的人跟95年後的人、跟2000年的人,區別都非常大。僅概括地用「90後」來形容他們,他們會不高興的。二十歲及三十歲的中國信徒確是非常不一樣,牧養的理念及方式也不同。求主幫助教會領袖能看見針對年輕一代的福音事工的重要性,又能細心、全心地牧養他們。
星期日
90年後絕對是網絡優先。他們特別喜歡表達和參與,不喜歡被強迫坐著接受灌輸。同時,他們也是沒有耐心的一代,所有的東西都希望即時滿足,所以網上訂餐,快遞送飯就能迎合他們的需要。求主幫助教會,在敬拜、教導,甚至團契溝通方法上能有所突破改進,刻意讓年輕一代有更多參與和學習的機會。
星期一
在中國普遍婚前同居, 尤其流行在年輕的一代人當中。這是整個社會的問題,也深刻地影響著教會。 同樣地,有第三者介入,也是信徒面臨的婚姻危機。我們為信徒能戒慎恐懼地保守婚姻,以聖經原則建造家庭來祈求,這是最蒙神喜悅的,因為魔鬼最樂意拆散信徒的家庭,破壞神與人和人與人的關係。

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Prayer Request 07/21 - 7/27

TuesdayMillions of ordinary investors who piled into an ever-soaring Chinese stock market over the last year, are bracing for a roller-coaster ride. Many are retired people who could not afford the high-flying real estate so they borrowed money to put in the stock market. Many Christians also got caught up in the stock frenzy and entire churches got swept away in making fast money. We pray that all believers will be reminded once more of the danger of greed. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation… (1 Timothy 6:9)
Wednesday
During the past year the stock market in China has looked like an episode of madness when the crowds of investors seemed to lose their senses. They borrowed money on a slim margin and bought shares they couldn't afford gleefully believing ​the price of stocks moved in only one direction. We pray for God's mercy on believers who are now in debt because of their loss in the stock exchange. Let us remember to "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."" (Matthew 6:33)
Thursday
In China, mom-and-pop investors, rather than big institutions, make up the bulk of stock purchases. As droves of investors jumped in, the stock market boom began to head into bubble territory. Such smaller players don't necessarily have the resources to withstand the volatility. ​"He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, or he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 5:10). We pray that the Lord will really challenge us and help us to know who is the master of our lives--God or money.
Friday
In recent decades​ Christianity has been growing in popularity in China but church leaders say there has been a crackdown on Christians since the authorities have been demolishing churches and removing crosses from the skyline. Many pastors have expressed their concern and feel that churches need to be more cautious and low-key. We pray for the churches in China, especially those that are in a bind with the officials. May the Lord help all churches to witness in their "restricted and limited" environment.
Saturday
It is the Tibetan strain of Buddhism rather than the Chan (Zen)​ tradition once popular in China that is attracting new converts, particularly students, young professionals and business people. It appears that both the changing and the physical, spiritual practices of Tibetan Buddhism are appealing to some people. We praise God for the urban churches in China even though the people there are known for being so busy with careers, caring for families, investments, and buying apartments. May the Lord give the pastors wisdom to know how to minister to these people.
Sunday
Buddhism is treated by most people in China more as a culture than a religion. People may visit temples or read Buddhist books, but few treat it was a religion that requires serious commitment. Many believers also are merely carnal and only attend church but have no spiritual life. May the Lord have mercy on all the weak and lukewarm Christians and remind each of us that we should "count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:8)
Monday
Chinese people who identify themselves as Buddhists do many non-Buddhist spiritual things such as believing in feng shui, consulting fortune tellers, practicing​ qi gong, as well as sampling books and practices of other religions. May the Lord have mercy on those Christians who foolishly believe that these practices are "harmless". We pray that churches will have clear and powerful teaching against such things and the believers will wholeheartedly trust in God because "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

星期二
過去一年,數以百萬計的普通投資者湧入不斷飆升的中國股市。近日,他們遭遇了像過山車似的大起大落。這些人中,有些是退休人士,有些更是借錢來炒股。不少信徒也染上了炒股熱,甚至全教會都沉迷於賺快錢。求主再次提醒所有信徒貪婪的危險,因為「那些想要發財的人,就陷在迷惑、落在網羅……」(提前6:9)
星期三
中國過去一年裡,就像又上演了一場群眾性的癲狂劇,很多投資者像失去理智般借錢炒股,買入他們原本負擔不起的股票,興高采烈地以為股價只升不降。求主赦免那些因炒股賠錢,欠債的信徒,又額外施恩憐憫,幫助他們度過當中的艱難。願神的兒女都緊記主的教導:「你們要先求祂的國和祂的義,這些東西都要加給你們了。」(太6:33)
星期四
在中國大量購買股票的皆是大媽、老爹級的小散戶,而不是大機構。投資者蜂湧入市,但毫無警覺股市正走向泡沫化的危機。可悲這些散戶不一定有足夠的資源承受股市波動。「貪愛銀子的,不因得銀子知足;貪愛豐富的,也不因得利益知足。這也是虛空。」(傳 5:10) 求主校正我們的心態,認清主宰我們的是創造天地萬物的神,還是金錢?
星期五
雖然基督教在中國也經歷了極大的復興,但是教會領袖表示,當局一直沒有放棄對教會的監管,近年更有教堂和十字架遭地方政府拆毀的事件。近來,許多牧者說,他們必須謹慎,教會也要低調。我們為中國教會禱告,求主為那些遭逢困難的教會開路,給所有教會在「受壓和有限的空間中」,有智慧又有膽識地為主做見證。
星期六
近年來藏傳佛教在中國十分興旺,吸引了許多學生、年輕的專業人士和企業家信奉,而不是過去流行的傳統禪宗佛教。我們為許多城市教會有不少高學歷的年輕家庭感恩。這批年輕白領群的難處是「忙」— 忙事業、忙孩子、忙投資、忙置屋等等,求主賜牧者恩典與智慧,用神的話語來引導、扶持和牧養他們。
星期日
大多數中國人把佛教當作文化看待,他們去廟裡燒香,讀讀佛經,只是一種傳統習信,但把佛教當作真正信仰的並不多,也缺少嚴肅的委身。教會信徒中也有冷淡、世俗化的,只來聚會卻無委身參與服侍。求主憐憫那些不冷不熱,軟弱的羊群,也再次提醒我們將身體獻上當作活祭,以耶穌基督為一生的至寶。
星期一
中國許多所謂的佛教徒,也會做很多不是佛教信仰的行為,例如看風水、算命、練氣功,甚至閱讀道教書籍和跟從其做法事。可惜也有不少無知的基督徒,認為涉及這些行為「不傷大雅」。求主憐憫,賜給教會對這些事有清楚明確的教導,幫助信徒知道,專一仰望依靠神,敬畏耶和華才是智慧的開端!

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Prayer Request 7/14 - 7/20

TuesdayThe change in wedding accessories alone reflects a fundamental shift in society in China. For the first time in the history of Chinese family life, the child, is regarded as the center of the family, rather than parents or grandparents. Honoring children more than God is the key reason why the faith of Christians is not passed on to their children. We pray that believer parents will resolve to teach their children to fear the Lord, so they will not deviate from His way all of their lives.
Wednesday
Most newlyweds in China now are single children, born since the one-child policy was introduced more than 30 years ago. Parents have more to spend if they only have to fork out for only one wedding(usually, both sets of parents share the wedding costs). Many young married couples have unbelieving parents, so we pray they will have good relationships and testimonies, not only to their parents, but also with their in-laws
Thursday
In the contemporary weddings in China, love is far more often spoken about. The result is evident in weddings, which now have its focus on the couple, although both sets of parents are represented, but their position is peripheral, unlike in the past. We pray that every wedding of Christian couples will be a beautiful testimony of the love of Jesus Christ, and giving all the glory to God because of the sharing of the faith of the bride and groom, with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Friday
Weddings in China often feature a day of wedding photos, shot before the event, with the couple in a range of outfits against romantic backgrounds, but with no family members. The buzz of the wedding will certainly fade. We pray for all the newlywed Christian couples, so they will not forget God’s grace in their life together, not cutting back serving in church because of being busy or neglecting their pursuit of Him.
Saturday
Rural house churches generally lack the theological and Biblical foundation, rural believers also tend to be passionate but simple in reasoning and discerning. This is the reason why every heresy starts and flourish among China’s rural churches. We pray for mercy of the Lord for all rural believers, the power of Holy Spirit protect them, May they gain depth in Biblical truth and able to discern lies, fallacies from the truth.
Sunday
Tourism, immigration, and investment from the mainland have fueled public anger in Hong Kong along with an increasingly strident "localist" movement. Churches are deeply divided on the issues of election politics, human rights, and the future of Hong Kong. We thank the Lord for the churches in Hong Kong that have always been vocal about injustice and have had a good witness in the society. Let us pray for unity in all of the churches and healing for many frustrated Christians.
Monday
In Hong Kong, public frustration is running high, and the government has already alienated many of the younger residents, who could pose a long term problem. More and more identify themselves as citizens of Hong Kong rather than China. Churches in Hong Kong have been very mission-minded and have always been most supportive of churches in China. We pray that this tight bond will not suffer now and in the future.

星期二
計劃生育政策在中國推行了三十多年,社會產生了根本改變。孩子(非父母或祖輩)成為家庭的中心人物。「一切都是為子女」也是中國教會信徒子女信仰無法傳承的根由,求主幫助我們不要愛子女勝過主,而是定意要教導兒女敬畏耶和華,一生都走行在主的旨意當中。
星期三
現今大多數的新婚夫婦都是在近三十年出生的獨生子女,他們的父母也因此有更多的錢花在自己唯一子女的婚禮上(通常雙方父母會共同承擔婚禮費用)。許多年輕的夫妻都有不信的家人,我們禱告夫妻倆能在雙方家人面前有美好的見證。又特別求神保守、祝福他們與配偶父母間的和諧關係。
星期四
現在的婚禮中,中國人不再忸怩於表達自己的愛。新婚夫婦是婚禮的主角,在婚禮進行中彼此頻繁地表達愛意,而雙方家長的地位卻被邊緣化,成了婚禮上的象徵。我們禱告基督徒的婚禮能成為見證主耶穌之愛的美好機會。
星期五
在婚禮前,新婚夫婦通常都會花上一整天的時間,輪番穿上數套禮服,在浪漫的背景下拍攝婚紗照,當然,他們的家人是不會出現在這樣的背景中的。新婚的浪漫總會過去,我們要為新婚信徒禱告,求主幫助他們在新的生活中不忘神的恩典,不因種種的忙碌而減少教會的參與,或疏忽對神和靈命成長的追求。
星期六
農村家庭教會普遍缺乏真理根基和神學體系的建造,農村的弟兄姐妹又在思想上比較單純,雖然熱情但缺少真理上的辨識力,於是目前各樣異端紛紛選擇中國農村家庭教會為舞台。讓我們齊來禱告,求主親自帶領農村家庭教會的弟兄姐妹,求聖靈用大能來護衛他們,更求主賜下分辨諸靈的恩賜,幫助他們在真理的根基上茁壯。
星期日
中國人入港旅遊、投資和移民原不是壞事,卻因兩地制度及文化的差異而不斷引發衝突。加上過多觀光客及移民已超過香港的承載力,引起部份香港人的憤怒,助長日益激烈的“地域化”運動。求主幫助對香港時政立場分歧的基督徒,繼續熱心傳揚福音,關懷弱勢,為社會公義發聲,成為美好見証。更求主保守香港教會持守合一,並醫治那些對現世失望的信徒。
星期一
香港公眾對中國的不滿情緒日益高漲,而政府已被年輕人邊緣化,越來越多年輕人不看自己是「中國人」,而是以「香港人」自居,這會造成長期的問題。香港教會一直是華人教會的宣教榜樣,也是長期大力支持中國教會的忠心夥伴。我們為香港和中國教會的緊密關係,在近期或將來都不受影響來禱告。

Tuesday, July 07, 2015

Prayer Reuest 7/7 - 7/13

Tuesday
Throughout China, ambitious projects with multibillion-dollar price tags are already underway. These include the world’s largest bridge and the biggest airport. We praise God for the​ many churches ​that ​have reopened and even more undergoing rebuilding since 1980. We pray for that churches in China will see the importance of investing in theological education, training of church workers and have an adequate compensation for pastors.
Wednesday
Some modern audacious engineering feats in China include the longest natural gas pipeline and a canal diverting water 1,500 miles from the south to the parched section of the north (at a price tag of $80 billion)​ Every couple​ of​ days, a new church is completed in China because believers are willing to give toward building project​s​.We pray for churches that are poor or unable to have their own facilities that the Lord will give them courage to spread ​the gospel and be eager in doing His work.
Thursday
Building​ enormous infrastructure projects seem​s​ to be a Chinese tradition, from the Great Wall to the Grand Canal and the Three Gorges Dam. For centuries, China has used colossal public-works projects to showcase its engineering prowess and project its economic might. Believers tend to flock to new churches with fancy and expansive facilities too. We pray that affluent churches will always be channels of God’s blessing​ and​ never forget to help those poor rural churches around them.
Friday
Shanghai, a spectacularly rich metropolis of 25 million residents,​ is considered a model for​ a​ Chinese city. Undergirding the city is a patchwork of supersize infrastructure — huge airports, subway lines, sewage systems and power plants. A competition to build newer churches has become a trend in some affluent Chinese cities. We pray for spiritual building, rather than merely physical construction for many churches that have become “big church building​s​ but with few believers”.
Saturday
Shanghai is building the world’s largest Disney Resort. The city can afford the huge price tags because it is a fast-growing financial center and a major tourist destination. Other Chinese cities try to copy Shanghai but don’t have the means to pay for such huge projects. We can say that some church leaders serve with impure motives​ and attitude​s​, thus creating confusion,​ and​ hurting their sheep in their churches. We pray for the conviction of Holy Spirit on our own motive​s​ of how we serve Him. May the Lord purify His own churches.
Sunday
Tianjin, a city 70 miles southeast of Beijing, has borrowed heavily to create what some have called a replica of New York City. However, that area is a virtual ghost town with dozens of office towers and luxury developments sit​ting​ empty or half completed. In recent years, “success theology” has confused many believers. Churches are judged ​by ​whether God has blessed them by the size of their building and attendance. We pray for grace for those who serve Him faithfully and gives to​ the​ Lord sacrificially.
Monday
The city of Lanzhou is in northwest China, its local government plans to flatten the tops of 700 low-level mountains to make way for a new business district, despite concerns about the damage to the local ecosystem. Many churches have become cold and believers are materialistic, they expect preachers to do the all the ministries because they are paid. We pray for revival, a strong sense that churches are in a crisis and an urgent need to rediscover the passion for evangelism.
 
星期二
造價數十、上百億美元的建設項目已經在中國各地展開,比如世界最長的大橋、世界最大的機場。自八十年代起,許多教會重新開放,近來也有許多教堂重建。我們為這些感恩,也求主幫助教會能同時看見投資建築物以外的神學教育、栽培事奉人員,以及改善同工合理代遇的重要性。
星期三
雄心勃勃的中國建設工程項目也包括了世界最長的天然氣輸送管道,以及耗資800億美元,綿延1500英里的南水北調工程。中國每一、兩天就有新禮拜堂落成,因為有些地方的信徒樂於奉獻建堂。我們要為窮困沒有自己禮拜堂的教會禱告,求主叫他們不失去為主傳福音的勇氣,並熱心興旺神的工作。
星期四
中國似乎有延續築造巨型基建工程的傳統。從長城到大運河再到三峽大壩,數百年來,龐大的公共建設項目展示着非凡的工程技能和經濟實力。許多信徒也喜歡建造新的教堂,擁有新的設備。我們為富有的教會禱告,求主使用他們成為神祝福的的管道,更不忘支援鄉村貧困的教會。
星期五
上海這個擁有超過2500萬居民、無比富庶的大都會,被視為中國城市的典範。由大型機場、地鐵、污水處理系統、發電廠等超大規模的基礎設施構成的網絡,為這座城市提供了有力的支撐。在中國富裕的城巿裡,比拼興蓋教堂也成了風氣。我們要為許多「大教堂、少信徒」的教會祈求,求主賜教會更多注重信徒靈命的建造,而不是攀比會堂的設備。
星期六
上海正建造世界最大的迪士尼樂園。上海負擔得起這個大手筆的投資,因為她是全國的金融中心,又是熱門旅遊勝地,其他城市實在沒有如此雄厚的經濟實力。教會領袖若帶著不純潔的事奉動機與態度,會造成教會的混亂,甚至羊群流失;求聖靈鑒察我們自己服侍的動機和心態,也求主潔淨祂自己的教會,成為聖潔無瑕的教會。
星期日
天津市曾大規模舉債, 在北京東南約70公里處打造一座市鎮,宣稱是形同紐約的翻版。實際上如今這個地方已經成為鬼城,數十棟寫字樓和豪華的住宅區空空如也,處於爛尾狀態。近年來成功神學造成許多信徒的混亂,教會也以禮拜堂的外觀、會眾多寡做為衡量蒙神祝福大小的指標。求主恩待保守那些單纯追隨主,願意為主基督擺上,忠心事奉的信徒。
星期一
在地處西北的蘭州,儘管有人擔心會破壞當地的生態系統,當地政府依然支持了一項削平700座小山來修建新商業區的計劃。許多教會逐漸冷淡,信徒世俗化,事工都期待那些支薪的傳道人去做,求主復興我們,讓我們對興旺教會及拯救失喪靈魂有危機意識,傳福音有逼切感。