Prayer Request 10/27 - 11/2

Tuesday
The most polluted provinces in China according to a recent poll​ were Henan, Hubei and Hebei. Beijing ranked fourth. All of those areas have heavy industrial factories that rely on burning coal. Vehicle exhaust also contributes to pollution. ​Prosperity theology is polluting many churches in China with believers seeking God only for blessings, health, and wealth. We pray that each of us would seek to follow Jesus and participate in the suffering of His cross.​
Wednesday
The most polluted provinces in China according to a recent poll​ were Henan, Hubei and Hebei. Beijing ranked fourth. All of those areas have heavy industrial factories that rely on burning coal. Vehicle exhaust also contributes to pollution. ​Prosperity theology is polluting many churches in China with believers seeking God only for blessings, health, and wealth. We pray that each of us would seek to follow Jesus and participate in the suffering of His cross.​
Thursday
The three cleanest cities in China​,in order, were all in the far west: Linzhi in Tibet, Lijiang in Yunnan Province and Altay in Xinjiang. Prosperity theology teaches "name it and claim it", all you need is have enough faith. We pray that we do not twist the Bible, taking God's promise out of context to satisfy our needs.
Friday
A new law in China give employees a paid annual leave.​ Those who have worked a year but fewer than ten years get a 5-day leave. Those who have worked ten years but fewer than twenty, get a 10-day leave--all in addition to national holidays. As more and more people travel on their vacations, it will be harder to have plan church events for the whole church. We pray for ministries in the church that there will be planning and participation by more of the members.
Saturday
In 2008 a survey showed that 76% of the respondents in China had a desire to retire (the highest in Asia).​ The official age for retirement is 50 (female) and 55 (male). Many believers in China say they will serve God more after they retire. We pray this will not be a mere empty promise but that they will learn to serve with their spiritual gifts. We also pray that leaders in the church will find ways to encourage people to serve.
Sunday
According to a new survey of “stress level”, China is number one and Hong kong the fourth in the world. Shanghai and Beijing are leading cities for being “most stressful”. Church life in Shanghai and Beijing can also be described as “hurried”, “rushed for time”. We pray for the caring ministries in these urban churches, and for the spiritual health of believers so they would not be merely “Sunday Christians”.
Monday
Official report says that 25% of Chinese women have experienced domestic abuse. Almost 40% of Chinese women who are in a relationship or are married have experienced some form of abuse. Pray that social attitudes towards domestic violence would continue shifting and that awareness of rights would increase.


星期二
政府的空氣污染數據顯示, 在三百六十個城市中，逾九成在今年首三個月未能達到國家空氣質量標準。中國教會世俗化是當今最大的問題。求主幫助信徒知道神造人的目的是，榮耀祂、信靠祂和敬拜祂，我們當追求內在豐盛的生命，越更像主，過聖潔的生活，而非外在的「福氣」。
星期三
空氣污染最嚴重的省份是河南、湖北和河北，北京排名第四。這些地區都有依賴燃煤的重工業工廠。另外，汽車排氣也是污染的來源。 「成功神學」也污染了許多教會，信徒只求神的賜福，求健康、物質豐裕。求主校正信徒的價值觀，學習背起自己的十字架跟從主，捨己事主愛人。
星期四
空氣質量最好的三個城市均位於偏遠的西部地區，依次是西藏的林芝、雲南省的麗江和新疆的阿勒泰。成功神學鼓吹：「你可以擁有你所祈求的一切，關鍵在於你是否有信心。」求主幫助我們不曲解聖經的原意，或是斷章取義的來使用聖經，滿足自己的需要。
星期五
新的法例給予職工享受有薪年假。工作滿一年至十年者，年假五天；滿十年至二十年者，年假十天。這是國定假日之外的福利。隨著越來越多人外出旅遊，教會在安排聚會上也需有適當的調配，求主賜教會領袖智慧來牧養，教會事工在長假時能正常運作，能更多的肢體能參與聚會。
星期六
早在2008年的一次調查顯示：七成六的中國受訪者渴望退休，在亞洲是最高的。一般退休年齡是女性是五十歲，男性為五十五歲。不少信徒會說，退休之後就會有更多機會服侍神。求主鑑察人心，但願這不是信徒不願參與事奉的藉口，又願教會更多鼓勵弟兄姐妹操練屬靈的恩賜，好能彼此配搭服事。
星期日
最新調查結果：中國是目前世界上壓力最大的國家之一。中國及香港，分列全球第一和第四。其中，上海、北京都排在城市的前列。在上海和北京的教會生活，可以說是「來去匆匆」，「趕時間」。我們為城市教會的關懷事工禱告，又求主幫助信徒靈命持續成長，而不是做一個「星期天的基督徒」。
星期一
婦聯估計有25%的中國婦女經歷過家庭虐待，在交往中或婚姻中的女性有將近40%經歷過某種形式的虐待。讓我為社會能更關注家庭暴力禱告，也為教會當中的牧者能夠有智慧的來幫助家中有難處的肢體代禱。