Prayer Request 5/10 - 5/16

Tuesday
The Communist Party in China considers all religions capable of being organized and that they are connected with powers outside of China, as a challenge of their own authority to rule. Let us continue to pray for the churches in China because of the uncertain policy the government takes toward them. May the Lord have mercy so that believers are not seen as a threat to the government but as a positive influence.
Wednesday
China is extremely cautious in her approach toward any organized religions because of the possible connection with religious entities abroad, creating and possessing untoward influence and control. “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.” Prov. 21：1 (NIV) Let us pray for all levels of officials who are in charge of executing religious policies and actions. We pray for favor for believers in their eyes.
Thursday
The Chinese government has given up restricting religions, instead it grants believers a certain freedom of worship but still controls them with bureaucracies. However, the recent demolition of church buildings in Wenzhou shows how the government can apply restrictions whenever it wants to. We do thank the Lord for giving Christians more freedom, and we pray that churches will use these windows of opportunity to be His witness and spread the gospel.
Friday
Religion is not a high-priority issue for the Chinese government; it has its own long list of urgent matters. When Christians live out their lives as the light and salt of the world, they can exert a powerful influence in society, business and even in politics. As Christians become active and effective when the government allows, people will look to Christianity for answers. We pray churches will go into the “world”, living out the love of Christ and care for the needs of people in the community.
Saturday
Some churches in China , especially those in rural areas, are caught between following Biblical teaching and traditional practices. Some lack Biblical training and do not even reject customs that are not Biblical. We pray that rural pastors will know and teach the truth of the Bible, and honor God above all. May all pastors have wisdom, teaching their flocks how to honor God more than the traditions of man.
Sunday
Customs vary from region to region in China. When a parent dies, a pious son must kowtow so others will attend and help with funeral arrangements. In many places, funerals are held by a Taoist monk. Many Christians in China do not know whether to bury their parents with Christian rites or Taoist practices. We pray churches can always help their members know how to resolve these conflicts of Biblical teaching and local practices. We pray for a good testimony for all believers.
Monday
The divorce rate among Christians in China has shot up sharply reflecting that of society as a whole. There are many Christian single-parent families with neglected children, this makes believers more difficult to be a witness for God. We pray for more marriage counselors. May the Lord help us to honor the sacred marriage covenant and may He help all pastors as they counsel believers not to give up quickly on their own marriages.
 
星期二
對中國政府來說，宗教不僅是個人道德或靈性的決定。他們認為有組織的宗教能夠集結支持、建造連結關係，並且有可能建立與共產黨對立（至少是不配合）的權力中心。目前中國的宗教政策仍然不明朗，非常需要信徒持續的禱告。求主施恩憐憫，讓政府不視基督徒為威脅，而是一班對社會各階層均有正面影響力的好公民。
星期三
中國對於宗教採取謹慎的態度，是因為擔心宗教組織 (尤其是與海外的宗教組織有關係)的發展，會讓其擁有過大的影響力或控制力。「君王的心在主手中，就好像河道裡的水，隨他意而流轉。」(箴21:1當代譯本）。我們為負責制定和執行宗教政策的官員禱告，求主引導他們的決定能善待神的子民。
星期四
中國政府似乎放棄嘗試控制宗教, 以管制取代全面限制的法規，基督徒也有某些程度的信仰自由。然而，最近溫州教會建築的強拆事件反映出地方政府仍然會派個理由，給信徒各種難處。我們為近年中國教會多了一點空間感恩，求主幫助信徒能夠把握這種自由所帶來的契機，成為好的見證人，將福音廣傳。
星期五
宗教並非中國領導人的優先考量事項，他們還有很長一份問題清單要處理。當基督徒努力在生活中「做光做鹽」時，他們就能在中國的社會、企業，甚至在政治上發揮影響力。在政府許可的空間裡，教會能成為人民尋求人生解答的對象。 求主賜信徒智慧、膽量，而不是採取「出世」的態度，積極在社區中流露基督的愛，並關心鄰舍的身、心靈需要。
星期六
有些中國教會，特別是農村教會，常常處於遵守聖經真理和奉行傳統風俗的拉扯之中。由於教會缺乏真理的教導，往往盲目跟隨民間風俗，做出不合神心意的事。求主幫助農村教會的牧者能教導純正真理，尊主為大，並且有智慧引導信徒以聖經原則處理民間風俗的問題。
星期日
中國各地都有自己的風俗，例如：父母離世後，孝子必須向參與喪禮和來幫忙處理喪事的人叩頭答禮，不然就不合乎傳統禮節；又有好些地方的喪事都是在道場舉行或是請道士來辦理。這類傳統習俗往往帶給信徒壓力，求主幫助教會，在面對與信仰有衝突的傳統習俗時，能給予信徒正確的指導，信徒亦能靠主做美好的見證。
星期一
隨著社會的發展及開放，信徒的離婚率也越來越高，很多家庭破裂，造成不少單親家庭；也有孩子因缺乏照顧，流浪街頭，失了神兒女的見證。我們為中國信徒不斷加增的婚姻問題禱告。求主幫助信徒能尊重神所設立的婚姻。更求主使用牧者的輔導，讓信徒絕不輕易放棄婚姻，並能有效處理家庭問題。