Prayer Request 3/15 - 3/21

Tuesday
Wenzhou is fondly known as "China's Jerusalem" but a recent spate of demolition of churches or the crosses on them has turned this region into a land of sorrow and tears where many offer sympathy and others call for reflection. Churches in Wenzhou are at a definite crossroads. We know God works all things for good for those who love Him so we pray for comfort for those who have lost their churches or face persecution. We trust God will deliver the churches there and make them even stronger through these trials.
Wednesday
For illegally-built churches, both sides admit the illegality so officials offer this as the justification for forcible demolition. Church leaders however, point out the illegality of​ the building hoping for sympathy and understanding. They complain the heavy-handed treatment of the government. In the past some have fondly referred to the churches in Wenzhou as "the future of churches in China" which was probably not the correct observation. May the Lord protect His churches in China granting them purity, passion for His Word, humility, and unity.
Thursday
​Many of the believers in Wenzhou are business people who naturally exude a competitive spirit and in the past they actually tried to outdo each other as they constructed church buildings. These outlandish buildings with majestic facades are the root of the current problem.​ ​We pray that the churches in Wenzhou will not despair but instead will be a​n example to all believers in China in their love for the Lord and His people as they show their generosity by giving to help others.
Friday
Even pastors from Wenzhou freely admit that churches there compete in how big and fancy their buildings are. Perhaps the lack of equal effort and quality in ministry, the tendency of going ​through the backdoor and evading the law are their weakness. Some wonder if the rash to build huge churches in China is God's work or that of man but God reminds us that everything we do in His name is indeed for His glory only.
Saturday
It is regrettable that officials in China have resorted to forcible demolition of church buildings. However, these incidences should not result in only tears and demonstrations. Believers in China are at a crossroads so they need much reflection. Just a few years ago people in the churches were debating about whether to register with the government so they could openly build larger facilities or not. We pray for wisdom and direction from God for all the churches so they will have a vision of expansion and growth.
Sunday
The tension between churches and officials in Zhejiang Province is tenuous to​ say the least and the forecast of the religious climate in China is cloudy at best. Under these circumstances, house churches that meet in smaller groups seem like a safer and more stable option for Christians. During the great persecution of the Cultural Revolution, Christians met in homes. We pray that believers who are facing persecution will remain faithful and be ready for the new revival God will send.
Monday
In the face of the forced demolition of churches in Wenzhou along with the ​uncertainty of religious liberty in China, some ask if they should focus on getting people saved or turning their energy to evangelizing and making good disciples of believers. We pray that each persecution and setback the churches in China faces will be the refining fire to purify them and mold them to be more like Jesus.


星期二
素有中國「耶路撒冷」之稱的溫州市教堂及十字架強拆風波震動全球，巨型教堂一夜倒塌令很多人哀哭，同情與反思的輿論不絕於耳。站在十字路口的溫州教會乃至整個中國教會未來的走向如何，目前仍不明朗。我們深信萬事互相效力，為叫愛神的人得益處。神必會使溫州教會經過烈火更加堅強，我們尤要為其中的信徒們禱告，無論景況如何，都仍堅守主道。
星期三
一些大型教堂部份建築確實涉及違章興建，這是雙方都承認的事實，也是政府強拆的藉口。然而，中國教會方面指「違建」背後有隱情，應被理解和同情，政府處理違章教堂的手法亦過於粗暴。過去，不少人誇稱溫州乃是中國教會的未來。求主保守眾教會，即主自己的身體，賜下清潔的靈，更渴慕神的話語，更多學習謙卑，竭力保守合一的心。
星期四
溫州有很多基督徒是私營企業家，教會在過去有明顯的比較競爭意識，在建造教堂時出現攀比風氣，想把自己的教堂建得最大，造成樹大招風的隱患。求主安慰溫州教會不灰心，當外在的建築被拆除了，能看重修建内心的靈宮；更是在愛神、愛人上大有長進，樂意幫助眾教會，顯出他們在肢體之間的互助與慷慨，成為其他教會的榜樣。
星期五
溫州傳道人自己也承認當地確實存在建堂攀比之風，但福音工作是否亦獲得同等力度的投入，不禁讓人質疑。教會曾利用關係，沒按照法律行事也成了弱點之一。不少人會質問蓋宏偉教堂的動機是為了榮耀神，還是滲有私心？求主提醒我們在做任何神的聖工時，都能手潔心清，不依靠人的聰明，而是單一遵照神的原則，把榮耀完全歸給神。
星期六
近期中國政府強拆教堂的粗暴行為令人遺憾，也深深傷害了基督徒的感情。但是拆教堂的悲劇不能僅停留於眼淚與抗爭，信徒猶如站在十字路口，應該有更多的反思。幾年前，許多教會亦曾熱烈討論是否要註冊，公開大型的聚會。我們來為那些有計劃擴展，加添聚會人數的教會禱告，求主賜給他們從神來的智慧與明確指引。
星期日
現今浙江政教關係緊張，宗教信仰環境未來走向仍難把握。雖然家庭教會模式並非絕對百分百塑造安全、穩定的環境，但無疑可以將外在壓力降至最低。文革大逼迫中，家庭聚會幫助信徒保守了信仰；如今面對新的試煉，求主保守信徒依然持守信心，能準備好再次迎來新的復興。
星期一
有人提問，面對複雜、變幻莫測的未來局勢，信徒究竟要把精力放在爭取權益，還是廣傳福音和造就信徒靈命上？求神使用每一次的逼迫，每一件的難處，都成為神煉淨信徒的烈火，潔淨中國教會，把基督活化在信徒心裡，行事為人更有耶稣聖潔完全的樣式。