Prayer Request 3/1 - 3/7

Tuesday
The population of elderly people in China is rapidly expanding while those of working age is shrinking.​ This presents a challenge to both government authorities and the ordinary people, including many Christians. Let us pray for all of the issues regarding the rapid aging problem in China. Ask the Lord that He might show the church how she can be most effective in serving this growing group of people both in and outside of her walls.
Wednesday
Cultural expectations and legal requirements put the onus on families in China to care for older family members, but neither the government nor society at large is adequately prepared to support this effort. For churches, the immediate concern, especially in rural areas, is caring for elderly pastors in their later years. Let us pray for the well-being of all of 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 ​for those ​who encounter difficult issues trying to care for elderly parents.
Friday
The church in China is the only entity that has access to a sizeable pool of potential personnel which include​s both professionals whose expertise could be applied specifically to senior care and unskilled workers who can be trained to carry out support roles. We pray for joy and a beautiful live testimony by believers who care for the elderly. May their joyful disposition be a constant blessing to those for whom they provide care.
Saturday
​Providing care for the elderly could involve Christians visiting and helping seniors who are living at home but whose families are unable 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 the urban churches that have senior caring ministries and those that have care centers. May the Lord grant them His love and lead many of these seniors to become believers in Jesus.
Sunday
Some churches and individual Christians in China 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
Churches in China that care for seniors can provide a way for the church to gain legitimacy within the society as the Christian people are seen caring for not only their own needs but those of their community. Let us pray for those believers who are already involved in caring for seniors that the Lord will encourage and strengthen them and provide all they need to continue this vital ministry.


星期二
中國的長者人口正迅速增加，工作年齡人口卻不斷縮減。這對於政府和一般人民來說，都是一個很棘手的形勢，而身在其中的基督徒也能不例外。我們為中國在這個領域中的需要禱告。求主向教會顯明祂的帶領和賜下智慧，明白如何以最有效的方式來服事這些快速成長的長者人口。
星期三
傳統的中國文化和法律的規定都要求家人要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。對中國教會而言，當下急切需要關注的問題，就是照顧年長牧者的生活，尤其是農村地區。我們為將退休及已退休的傳道人的身心靈健康祈求。
星期四
城巿裡的年輕牧者要面對的問題之一是要盡孝來照顧父母，通常他們的父母仍然住在鄉下或是鄉鎮裡。許多城巿教會的弟兄姊妹也面對相同處境。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的難題。
星期五
教會裡有許多從事不同職業的弟兄姊妹，當中有受過良好教育的專業人士，亦有可以接受訓練的肢體，可來擔任支援長者事工的角色。這些資源都可以給長者提供適切的照料和關顧。我們為一直忠心照顧長者的基督徒禱告，求神賜他們喜樂，美好的生命見證，吏因著他們的忠心擺上，活出了基督的愛，就能成為許多人的祝福。
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，也能引領長者認識福音，得著永恒的盼望。
星期日
目前已有不少個別的基督徒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，讓他們同心站出來，用服事神的心來事奉本地的長者族群。
星期一
關懷老人需要能讓中國教會在社會中建立正面形象，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教會禱告，求主鼓勵、加力他們，供應一切需用，讓他們能夠靠主恩典，繼續發揚光大這項重要的事工。