Prayer Request 2/2 - 2/8

Tuesday
China’s elderly population is expanding rapidly, while its working-age population is shrinking – a situation that is a challenge to both government authorities and ordinary people, including many Christians. Let us pray into this area of need in China. Ask the Lord that He might show the church how they can be most effective in serving the rapidly growing elderly population.
Wednesday
Cultural expectations and legal requirements put the onus on families to care for older family members, but neither the government nor the society at large are adequately prepared to support this effort. For churches in China, the immediate concern, especially in the rural areas, is caring for elderly pastors in their later years of life。Let us pray for the well-being of all the retiring and retired pastors.
Thursday
Younger urban pastors are faced with caring for parents who, in many cases, still live in the countryside or in smaller cities. Many of their congregants find themselves in a similar situation. With living space limited in the city, it may not be practical or desirable to have older relatives move in with the family. We pray for wisdom and patience who encounter difficult issues trying to care for elderly parents.
Friday
The church is the one entity that does have access to a sizeable pool of potential personnel, both professionals whose expertise could be applied specifically to senior care, as well as unskilled workers who could be trained for support roles. We pray for joy and beautiful life testimony from believers who care for elderly. May their joyful disposition be a constant blessing to those they care.
Saturday
This could involve Christians visiting and helping seniors who are living at home but whose families are not able to care for their needs. It could also involve setting up residential facilities for those who are no longer able to live in their own homes. We pray for some urban churches who have senior caring ministries, and even those who have care center. The Lord grant them His love and lead some seniors to believer in Jesus.
Sunday
Some churches and individual Christians have already begun to be involved in the ministry of caring for seniors, but there remains a huge and ever-growing need for such help. We pray that God might inspire and envision those Christians with the necessary skills and experience to play their part in serving their local elderly community.
Monday
Chinese churches getting into caring of seniors can provide a way for the church to gain legitimacy within the society, as Christians are seen caring not only for their own needs but also for the needs of their community. Pray for those believers who are already involved in caring for seniors. Pray that the Lord might encourage and strengthen them, providing all that is needed to continue this vital ministry.


星期二
中國的人口正迅速的老化，而勞動人口卻不斷縮減；這對於政府當局和一般民眾來說，都是一個很棘手的形勢，教會內這種情況也不例外。讓我們為中國在 "老有所終" 這個領域中的種種需要禱告。求主向教會顯明祂的旨意與帶領，明白如何以最有效的方式來服事快速成長的白髮族。
星期三
中國傳統文化和法律的規定都要求家人負責照顧年長的家庭成員，但是政府和社會都沒有足夠的配套來給予支持。對教會而言，當下急切需要關注的問題就是照顧好年長牧者，尤其是在農村地區。我們為將退休及已退休的傳道人的身心靈健康禱告，為他們能得到適切關顧來仰望、祈求神。
星期四
城巿的年輕牧者需要照顧父母的挑戰，通常他們年邁父母仍然住在鄉鎮裡。許多城巿教會的弟兄姊妹也需面對相同處境。城市的生活空間有限，讓年長的親人搬來同住或許不是最理想、切實可行的做法。求神賜城巿的弟兄姊妹智慧與耐心，以神的愛來克服各樣孝親奉親的難題。
星期五
教會裡有不少在關照長輩領域的專業人士，還有許多弟兄姊妹願意委身接受訓練來擔任支援的角色，這些資源都可以給長者提供適切的照料和關顧。我們為一直忠心、長期照顧長者的基督徒禱告，求神賜他們喜樂，美好的生命見證，因著他們的擺上，活出基督的愛，就成為許多人的祝福。
星期六
基督徒可以透過鄰舍層面的長者社區支援服務，探訪和幫助那些缺乏親人照顧的長者，亦可為長者提供一些家居設施，協助他們的起居生活。我們為有長者事工，甚至有養老院的城市教會禱告，求神加給他們愛心，也能引領長者認識耶稣基督，得著永恒的盼望。
星期日
有個別的基督及某些教會已經投入關顧長者的事工，然而這類的關懷仍然存著很大的需求，而且需要量只會越來越大。 求主感動那些具備專業技能和經驗的基督徒，賜他們異象，讓他們能整合起來，有效地事奉本地的長者族群。
星期一
關懷老人的需要，能讓中國教會在社會中建立一個正面的形象。因為基督徒不單顧自己，也顧及別人，更關心社區的需要。我們為已經投入長者關懷的信徒禱告，求主鼓勵、加力量給他們，供應一切需用，讓他們能夠繼續這項重要又有義意的事工。