Prayer Request 4/12 - 4/18

Tuesday
Opposing Japan is a foundational anchor for contemporary Chinese nationalism, and it is difficult to understate the depth of antagonism toward Japan in China. It is readily visible in everyday life within China. Hatred of Japanese has also deeply poisoned churches in China and present​s​ a great hindrance to their missionary effort. We pray for real understanding of God's unconditional love for us and removing of our self-righteousness.
Wednesday
The vilification of Japan can be found both in casual conversations and in the stream of shows on Chinese television that repeatedly re-create scenes of past Japanese aggression. Beijing can easily tap this source of nationalism by flaming such vilification. Church leaders in China like to boast of "having the largest number of believers" or "God uniquely uses Chinese to complete world evangelism". We pray that God will mightily use the churches in China because they are humble and consecrated to be used by the Master.​
Thursday
Even​ school children in China are taught to hate Japanese because of their past aggression and such hatred has also permeated the churches. When churches in China promote missions, it is mostly based on the notion that Chinese people are the best missionaries God can use rather than their compassion for lost souls. We pray that we will reflect deeply about our motives for missions and church ministries. May the Lord remove our pride and ego, such as the prophet Jonah had, and give us His compassion.
Friday
Chinese nationalist sentiment toward Japan was so toxic that Beijing appears to have come to the realization that bluntly engaging Tokyo on disputed territory carried too much risk. Beijing is being deterred in the East China Sea by the depth of anti-Japanese sentiment in China. ​No churches in China will consider sending missionaries to Japan even though she is their neighbor​ and is in great need of the gospel. May the Lord give us true repentance and forgiveness for those who are our enemies.
Saturday
Traditionally churches in China tend to talk mostly about the needs of ministry and rarely about the issues their own families face. Even when others ask, they will make only brief remarks such​ as, "Each family has its problems!" Believers in China wrongly consider a preacher who speaks of his/her family problems as "not spiritual". We pray that pastors will have the boldness and humility to share their difficulties and receive godly advice and practical help.
Sunday
In China, many pastors have their spouse living or serving in another church, or far away in another city or even ​a ​different province. Their marital relation is shaky at best, lacking the minimal mutual support and understanding because there is no time to see each other. ​May the Lord be gracious to the families of pastors so they will intimately know Jesus as the Head of their household and also the balance between ministry and family. May God guide their hearts to preserve their marital status.
Monday
​Among the churches in China, those have ties with Wenzhou churches are the usually fairly wealthy. These churches are deeply connected to their home church in Wenzhou. have good administrative structures, and​ give generously. Churches started by people from Wenzhou tend to have cultural and even religious superiority. We give thanks for the rapid growth of those churches associated with Wenzhou and pray the Lord will use them to reach many people in each of the cities.


星期二
反日是當代中國的民族主義一個基錨，中國人對日本仇恨的深度是難以低估的，這在中國人的日常生活當中隨時可見。可惜這些對日本的仇恨，深深毒害著中國教會，成為宣教的攔阻。求主賜我們能體會神對卑微軟弱人施展祂大愛的恩慈，更幫助祂兒女除去一切的自義與苦毒，以基督的心為心。
星期三
「醜化日本」是中國老百姓天天的話題，電視中時時都有日本侵略中國的劇情。政府可以隨時煽動起民族主義反日的激情。中國教會領袖喜歡誇稱「中國有最多的基督徒」或「神要使用中國人完成福音傳遍天下」。我們要為中國教會禱告，求主賜給我們謙卑，分別為聖作祂合用的器皿，按著祂的旨意服侍這世代的人。
星期四
中國從孩童起就教育記恨日本的侵略，如此的仇恨延續到教會。近來中國教會大喊差傳，自認中國人是福音傳遍地極的最後一棒，但是卻無法克服對日本人的仇恨。我們來為中國教會禱告，在差傳上能有深刻的反思，用神公義、憐恤的高度待人。神叫太陽照好人，也照壞人；降雨給義人，也給不義的人。願屬神的人不要有先知約拿的狹隘，多有神憐憫人的心腸。
星期五
中國人反日的民族主義是非常可怕的，政府知道與日本的領海爭議，必會造成極大、難控制的結果。北京政府現正防止東海任何爭議導致反日情緒更加惡化。儘管日本是中國的近鄰，卻也是最少基督徒的國家。可嘆沒有任何中國教會會想要向日本人傳福音，求主賜給我們一顆寬廣、真正悔改和願意饒恕的心腸。
星期六
傳統上，中國教會工人通常只談事工上的需要，很少提到自己家人的情況。即使被別人關心問候，他們亦只會簡要回應，如「每個家庭都有自己的問題！」中國弟兄姊妹一般錯誤地認為，傳道人提到自己家庭的問題就是「不屬靈」。求主校正我們心思，又賜牧者謙卑和膽量，與肢體分擔自己的難處。願神預備能實際幫助他們予以守望、忠告的屬靈良友。
星期日
不少中國傳道人夫婦在不同教會，甚至不同城市，不同省份事奉，由於沒有固定的時間和機會相處，致使夫妻缺少相互理解和支持。求主特特恩待傳道人的家庭，不但認定基督是他們家之主，更是知道如何平衡教會事奉和家庭的需要，保守他們心懷意念，鞏固家人、親子的根基。
星期一
在中國教會中，最富有的當然是屬溫州教會。各地以溫州人為主的教會，都與故鄉的教會有緊密的關係，結構完整，財政資源豐富。溫州人的教會迅速增長是神的作為，我們感謝神。但溫州信徒帶領的教會往往懷有在文化上甚至信仰上的優越感。願主使用他們謙卑在主前，在更多城市將福音傳開。