Prayer Request 1/19 - 1/25

Tuesday
For Chinese children and their devoted parents, education has long been seen as the key to getting ahead in a highly competitive society. But, money and guanxi (connection) are more important than grades for success. We ask for faith from God for Christian parents who worry about their children’s education. Knowing God will surely bless the descendents of the righteous. ​ May the​ Lord correct how we see ourselves that we are entrusted to raise godly children for Him.
Wednesday
In China everything has its price, from admission to the best schools and placement in​ top classes to leadership in Communist youth groups. Even seats in the front rows of classrooms or being selected to be the class monitor can be bought. Many Christian parents feel sad because they do not have the money to provide the best education for their children. May the Lord strengthen their faith in Him so they will know God will certainly provide what they need if they seek His kingdom first.
Thursday
Many of the illegal fees schools in China demand are collected as "voluntary donations". Educational bribery start as early as kindergarten. Parents know full well that such practices are illegal but they feel that unless they pay, their children will not get into a school. Chinese parents have no second thoughts about spending​ all of their money for their children's education. We pray that believers will understand that God requires us to rear godly children who love Him since this is His desire and pleasure.
Friday
The state-run educational system in China is being overrun by bribery and cronyism. which has broadened the gulf between the "haves" and the "have-nots" as Chinese families see their hopes for the future sold to the highest bidder. We pray for comfort for those parents whose children are deemed to be academic failures. May the Lord help them to accept their children as they are and encourage them to walk closely with God all of their lives.
Saturday
Corruption has invaded every part of society in China and the educational field is no exception. Corruption begins even before the first day a child goes to school because the competition for admission to elite schools has created a lucrative side business for school officials and others connected to them. May the Holy Spirit comfort those parents who feel hopeless since they do not have the money or connections to get their children into the best schools. We pray that churches will preach strongly on the fact that God is in control even in the places where there are great inequalities and that He has a plan for each one of our lives.
Sunday
Parents in China who have fewer direct connections have to bribe a chain of people so their child can be admitted into a kindergarten. The farther removed you are from the school, the more money you must pay to get in. Young parents do not want their children to get behind even when they are young. We pray that more churches will see the need to teach the Bible to the very young​ children and that parents themselves will be willing to get involved in children's ministries in the churches.
Monday
​The cost​ of education in China can rise as students get closer to college. The news media recently reported that the going bribery rate for admission to a high school linked to the renowned Renmin University in Beijing is $80,000 to $130,000 US dollars. ​One big reason for believers in China not to give to their church is worry that they will not have enough money for their children's education if they do. May the Lord have mercy on​ them so they will know how to trust Him and know that He will provide abundantly and realize they will lack nothing as they live in Jesus Christ.


星期二
在孩子的心目中，以及一心為孩子的家長眼裡，教育一直是在競爭激烈的中國社會中開啟上升之門的鑰匙。但是，在現今的中國教育制度裡，錢和關係甚至比成績更重要。信徒同樣會為子女的教育和前途擔憂。求主校正弟兄姊妹的眼光，認清自己只是孩子的「托管」者，父母的重責是為主培育敬虔的後裔，深知神必祝福、保守義人的後代。
星期三
在中國教育環境裡，幾乎什麼都有價碼。從入學、進重點班到當團幹部，就連靠近黑板的座位和班長職位都可以用錢來買。 許多信徒家長感嘆自己沒有足夠經濟能力，不能給孩子最好的教育或升學條件。求主堅固信徒家長對主的信心，先求神的國和神的義，仰望主的信實帶領。
星期四
許多學校費用都是校方明目張膽要求家長的「自願捐款」。教育賄賂現像在孩子進入幼兒園之前就已經開始了。家長當然知道這是不合法，但是要是不出錢，孩子就上不了學，或是遭受到比較不好的待遇。花錢在子女教育上是家長認為天經地義的責任。求主幫助信徒明白、教養子女敬虔愛主更是重要，這才是真正討主喜悅的擺上。
星期五
中國的公立教育體系盛行賄賂和走後門現象。由於有這種腐敗現象，中國家庭眼看著他們對未來的期望都被出賣給了有錢，有關係的人，貧富之間的鴻溝也越來越大。願主安慰那些對子女的成就或升學機會不看好的信徒家長，求主幫助他們接納子女，更是能用屬靈的價值觀來鼓勵孩子一生行在神的心意中。
星期六
腐敗滲透中國每個角落，教育界也不例外。甚至孩子還沒上一天學，這種事情就已經開始了，因為精英學校的入學競爭給學校領導及其關係戶開闢了一個利潤豐厚的副業。求聖靈賜下安慰，挪去信徒家長的無奈感，又願每個教會也能常常提醒信徒，世界雖然有很多不公不義，但神一直掌權，祂在我們的子女生命中也有美好的計劃與帶領。
星期日
沒有人脈關係的家長需要賄賂一連串的人，才能讓孩子被幼兒園錄取。跟學校的關係越疏遠，要送的錢越多，才能有門路。年輕信徒家長也怕「孩子輸在起跑線上」。求神幫助教會看見信徒第二代從小需要有聖經教導的重要性，家長也要負起責任，積極參與教會兒童事工。
星期一
在越接近高考的教育階段，家長花費可能會越高。最近中國媒體報導，要入讀著名的北京人大附中，現行的賄賂費用從8萬美元到13萬美元不等。為子女預備教育費用，是信徒不願奉獻的一大原因。求神憐憫我們，叫我們知道如何單單依靠祂，神必照祂榮耀的豐富，在基督耶穌裏，使我們一切所需用的都充足。