Prayer Request 5/17 - 5/23

Tuesday
During the past 15 years, while passively adapting to urbanization, churches in China have also considered what they can do for society. As the pace of urbanization accelerates, churches must think about their role and responsibilities in mission. We pray that as the number of Christians increases in China, the Lord will open opportunities for believers to be shining witnesses for what the Bible teaches in a society that is totally caught up in making money and corruption.
Wednesday
Churches in China face four challenges: 1. High mobility of the population with church members being very transient, 2. Poor leadership skills among the pastors, 3. The marriage issue among Christian singles, 4. The marginalization of churches in the society.What is impossible to man is possible with God and we believe the Lord will lead churches in China in this urbanization process helping believers to love the Lord more and help the churches both urban and rural to continue to grow.
Thursday
In 2015 7.49 million students graduated from high school in China while in 2016 the number was 7.65 million. Each one of these people will enter the job market that is already affected by the slowdown of the economy and the newly shuttered factories. Hence, many migrant workers will not have a job this year. Every year, young people leave their home church in the villages to work in cities. Many of them drift away from faith and no longer attend church. We pray for them, that the Lord will draw them close to Himself, answer their prayers, and keep them from all temptations and harms temptation and harm.
Friday
The state-owned steel and coal industries in China will cut 1.8 million workers due to their over-capacity. Although the government vowed to provide retraining to workers for a new job, the Northeast region will be deeply affected by this massive layoff. The anxiety created by the economic slowdown and forced retirement will definitely affect the giving in churches. We pray for churches in northeast China. Some have sent out missionaries to other parts of China who rely on the financial support of their home churches.
Saturday
To tackle the aging population, unemployment and productivity issues, China plans to delay the mandatory retirement age to be implemented in 2022. As of 2015, more than 220 million people or sixteen percent of the population had reached sixty years of age. Every year many pastors retire but they have little in savings or pension so they must depend on their children for support. We remember them in our prayers, asking the Lord to give them good health, a joyful family life, and provide their financial needs, especially for medical expenses.
Sunday
All female personnel in China who are in leadership positions as well as senior female professionals will now see their retirement age extended to 60 years of age, an increase of 5 years. Many experts called for a uniform retirement age of 65 for all. Retired but relatively young believers have been the core of volunteers for churches in China. We pray that many more will offer their energy, experience and gifts to be used by God to bless their churches.
Monday
Currently, the ability to pay for pension by each province in China is not uniform, some provinces can pay up to 40-50 months, while others can afford to pay only another 1-2 months. Once a Christian retires, their giving to church drops immediately. We pray for faith in God for all retirees, knowing God will be faithful and give them a burden to spend more time in churches, helping in visitation, caring and even teaching.


星期二
過去15年來，中國教會雖然是被動地適應著都市化的趨勢，但也有思考到能為社會做些什麼。往後的日子，都市化會更加迅速，教會也應該向神求問，自己未來如何界定在宣教事工上的角色和責任。我們祈求神更多加添中國基督徒的人數，叫信徒在這金錢掛帥，滿佈腐敗黑暗的社會中，成為明亮的燈檯，將聖經中神規範的價值觀分享出去。
星期三
當今中國的都市教會中正面對四項挑戰：一是人口浮動，會友停留時間短暫；二是牧師的領導力不足；三是年輕單身基督徒尋找同信仰對象困難；以及教會極少參與社會服務。在人不可能的，在神都有可能。我們相信神要帶領中國教會在都市化的轉型當中，讓信徒更加愛主，城市和農村的教會一樣的成長。
星期四
去年中國的高校畢業生是749萬，今年將有765萬高校畢業生就業。由於整體的經濟緩慢，生產企業經營困難，將會造成更多農民工找不到工作的情況。每年都有許多年輕信徒離家進城打工後，就不再踏入教會甚至離棄信仰。我們求主保守他們的心懷意念，逃避試探與一切的罪惡，保持與主的關係，緊緊地倚靠神。
星期五
國營的鋼鐵和煤炭業，產能過剩，將有180萬人下崗。雖然中央財政拿出巨額安頓下崗的職工，但是對東北地區來說，仍然會有極大的影響。經濟緩慢加上大批工人下崗的消息，使人心恐慌，信徒奉獻減少。東北教會一直以來都在全國傳福音，支持各地的宣教士，我們求主紀念東北教會的需要。
星期六
中國面對人口老化、失業和生產力的問題,促使漸進式延遲退休方案將在2022年正式實施。2015年，60歲以上的老人已達2.2億，佔人口16%。每年都有傳道人退休，但他們都沒有積蓄或退休金，只能依靠兒女過日。我們在禱告中紀念他們，求神賜他們健康、喜樂的家庭生活，特別是為他們預備醫療費用。
星期日
中國2015年起,女幹部和具有高級職稱的女性技術人員的退休年齡，從55歲延至60歲。許多專家和機構建議將男女退休年齡定在65歲。退休卻仍有精力的信徒是中國教會事奉人員的主幹。我們禱告有更多退休肢體能將時間、經驗和恩賜擺上，讓神使用他們成為教會的祝福。
星期一
當前中國全國養老金的支付，存在極大的不平衡，有的省份能發放40到50個月，有的省份只能發放1至2個月。信徒退休之後沒有固定收入後，金錢的奉獻自然會減少。求主賜給他們信心，深知信實的主必看顧屬祂的人，更賜他們羨慕聖工的心，樂於參與探訪和關懷有需要的人。