Prayer Request 12/15 - 12/21

Tuesday
Under China's one-child policy, parents naturally spend their money to buy an apartment or car for their only child so real estate and booming car sales are closely tired so the number of marriages.​ We pray for parents who are believers that the Lord will help them to lead their families to fear and serve God and that they themselves will be models of true Christians to their children.
Wednesday
In contrast to the twenty-year old in major Asian cities, those in China pay more attention to quality brand names, and service rather than the cost of merchandise.​ Churches have not appealed to and integrated the young people in China because of their traditions. We pray older believers and church leaders will know how to pass on the baton of faith and not become a stumbling stone for young believers.
Thursday
When young Chinese make a purchase, the important factors are product quality (27.5%), brand name (25.5%), performance (15%), ease of purchase (12.5%), and service (11 %). Older Chinese are frugal so the churches are utilitarian and thrifty by nature which is not appealing to today's youth. We pray that church leaders will be willing to understand the young people and make adjustments to attract them to church.​
Friday
Most companies make the mistake of thinking consumers in China want cheap goods but​ those who are in their twenties (especially women) spend half of their disposable income and detest cheap merchandise. To be honest, many of the ideas which older Chinese believers insist on are not Biblical but rather come from culture and tradition. We pray that churches will understand God's desire, not insist on "a spiritual appearance", and be more like the young people as they pursue truth.
Saturday
When purchasing shampoo, young consumers in China will first exclude all the cheap brands and only then make their selection from all of the higher priced brands.​ ​Churches in China give the impression of insisting that young people should obey the elders rather than obeying God. We pray the Lord will remind us, especially the leaders, not to ask for respect from church member but to be examples of humility and love to God.​
Sunday
Chinese young people use the price of a merchandise as a benchmark for quality. They hate bargains​ and are leery of food safety concerns in China, "Quality cannot be cheap.” We praise God​ because churches in China are getting younger but today's youth think differently from their elders. We pray for more young leaders in the churches and that older leaders will know how to cultivate the young people and know how to let go and allow the younger ones to flourish.
Monday
​Believers need teaching from the church to grow and know God's will for their lives. Churches in China greatly need teaching ​ on building Christian families and holiness in their daily lives. Teaching for believers takes a long time. We pray that the churches will have systematic teaching designed to equip believers with truth and exemplified before them so they will not become hypocritical Pharisees.


星期二
在「計劃生育」政策下的中國，子女結婚時父母出錢買房、買車近乎理所當然。房地産和汽車的銷售熱潮與結婚有著密切的關聯。我們來為弟兄姊妹來禱告，求主幫助能立志經營敬畏神、敬拜主的家庭，並成為子女愛主、跟随主的好榜樣。
星期三
跟亞洲其他幾個國家的主要城市相比較，中國的二十多歲年輕人的消費傾向多重視品質、品牌與服務，價格似乎不是主要因素。目前中國教會還不太能吸引年輕一代，年輕人也不容易融入教會傳統的文化。求主幫助老一代信徒曉得如何做好信仰的傳承，有智慧能知道如何放手讓新一輩來承擔信仰的使命。
星期四
中國年輕人消費，重視的因素依次為産品品質（27.5%）、品牌（25.5%）、性能（15%）、購買時的便捷性（12.5%）、服務態度（11%）等。華人老一代講究「儉」，教會的東西也是「能用就好」，年輕一代卻 不一定能接受。求主給教會領袖們更多願意了解年輕一代，也願意在各方面有所調整，來吸引更多年輕人進入教會。
星期五
多數企業的盲點是認為中國消費者都是以價格為導向的。但事實上，二十多歲的年輕人(特別是女性)可支配的收入多半用於消費，他們討厭便宜貨。誠實說，中國教會老一代堅持的一些觀點和作法，許多並不是聖經原則，而是中國傳統。我們為教會能抓住神的心意，擺脫「外表的屬靈」，擁有更多年輕人對待信仰真理的真誠無偽。
星期六
在選購洗髮水時，年輕人常常將最便宜的品牌從選項中剔除，然後從價高的品牌中開始比較商品。教會中常會要求年輕人絕對要「聽長輩的話」而不是「聽神的話」。求主提醒我們，尤其是教會領袖同工們，不是單向地期待會友的尊敬，而是成為他們謙卑愛主的好榜樣，在敬虔、恩慈、服事上榮神益人，討神的喜悦。
星期日
中國年輕一代厭惡，不信任便宜貨，因為在食品安全問題多發的中國裡，「有品質的商品不可能賣得那麼便宜」。跟上一輩相比，年輕一代的確有著不同的思考模式。我們在為中國教會年輕化感恩的同時，也為教會能吸引年輕人來認識教會禱告；為教會能有更多年輕人成為教會領袖祈求時，也求主幫助老一代知道如何栽培年輕人，並懂得放心、放手讓他們參與，累積經驗在主裡成長、成熟。
星期一
中國教會當前需要的教導是：建造基督化的家庭，和保守教會的聖潔。信徒的成長需要教會的教導，明白神的旨意，不是教導給信徒兩三個信息就能完成的。我們來為講壇上的教導者禱告，願主在真理上裝備他們，能有系統地教導真理，更有聖潔的榜樣，以生命影響生命，不淪為假冒為善的法利賽人。