Prayer Request 7/26 - 8/1

Tuesday
The living standard in both urban and rural churches in China has greatly improved. However, when it comes to spiritual growth, the giving of offerings and attendance at Bible courses there has been a weakening or even a lukewarm spirit in many.​ May the Lord guard His churches from the onslaught of materialism and affluence. May God help us each one to have a steadfast love for Him and never stop caring for the poor, weak and small churches.
Wednesday
House churches in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces are greatly influenced by Shanghai churches. In terms of church administration and governance, churches have adopted the “federation model”, meaning their churches are usually tightly banded. ​We pray that all pastors will have the heart of both a servant and a shepherd so they will be truly humble and exude the fragrance of our Lord, not just enjoy the respect others of others and expect it.
Thursday
Those who serve in churches, seminaries, and Bible schools in China receive little compensation. In second or third tier cities monthly wages are often less than $500 USD, but in the villages it can be as low as $150 USD or even less. We pray that Christians in China will value their pastors and care for the needs of their families so they can serve without worry or anxiety. "Nevertheless, the one who receives​ instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor." (Gal.6:6 NIV)
Friday
In the impoverished provinces, believers still hold the idea that "poverty makes better pastors, so they will have more faith". Many churches spend on building, rather than increase ​the ​pastor's wage. ​Pastors are very busy serving in the church and often neglect their family time. We pray for God to bless them with a healthy family life, especially in the​ ​areas of marriage and parent-child relationship.​
Saturday
Pastors often feel guilt and shame along with the conflicting feeling of gratification​ when their children gain admission to a university because they know they are not able to afford the huge financial burden which that causes (tuition, board and room cost $3000. US yearly. )We pray that pastors will have faith knowing God will bless their children because they are following God's plan themselves. We pray that children of the pastors will also know that the Lord will provide for their needs because they are blessed.
Sunday
Many Chinese pastors or Bible teachers tend to focus only on the exposition of Bible, neglecting the application. They often do not incorporate real life applications in their sermon preparation. Imbalance of Biblical knowledge and application is evident among many Chinese believers. We pray that our faith is not merely knowledge but a transforming power of the Spirit that set​s​ us apart for His sake.
Monday
​Pastors in China tend to give the standard answer of "Have faith in God" whenever anyone (including themselves) struggles with doubts and​ questions. This answer has limited value. We pray that pastors will get training that will help them to observe, think, and make application from the Bible. May the Lord grant them sincerity and boldness to share their inadequacies and failure with those who struggle.


星期二
如今的教會，不論農村教會還是城市教會，越是生活富足，在信心、奉獻，聖經學習等各個方面上，就越看到長進。「軟弱」或「不冷不熱」成了教會常用的形容詞。 求主幫助我們，保守信徒在物質豐富的環境中，仍能持守對神的愛，不停止關心那些貧困的肢體和弱小的教會。
星期三
江浙一帶深受上海影響，地方性聯邦制雛形的“家庭教會”發展很普遍，在這些地區，教會彼此中有很密切的聯絡。我們為教會領袖們有愛群羊的心志禱告，不但如此也有僕人的心志，不只是喜愛被人尊重，而是真有謙卑，流露主的香氣。
星期四
在中國教會、神學院或聖經學校服事的牧人，金錢上的供應向來甚少，在大城市或許好一點，在二、三線地區則往往是每月在二、三千元以下，而在農村更少於一千元，甚至沒有。求主教導及提醒中國的信徒，教會與工人不是僱傭關係，「在道理上受教的，當把一切需用的供給施教的人。」(加6:6)
星期五
在一些偏遠省份，信徒仍存著牧者要刻苦服侍、鍛鍊心志的觀念，也有些教會寧花錢在建築物上而不支持牧者的生活需要，叫牧者的生活捉襟見肘。 牧者日復一日地忙於牧養服事，常犧牲了照顧家庭的時間，求主賜福牧者的家庭，額外恩待牧者的婚姻及親子關係能持續地健康成長。
星期六
若傳道人的子女考上大學，也不知是喜是悲，因為未必能支付龐大的學費（每年學費、宿費及生活費合需人民幣20,000元），讓他們深感對子女的虧欠。求主加添傳道人信心，知道神不虧待義人的後代，也叫傳道人的子女有同樣的信靠，深知自己是蒙福的，他們的一生在神手裡。
星期日
許多中國牧者或聖經老師在帶領查經時，只著重經文的解釋，卻忽略經文的生活應用，把當中的教導與實際處境分割。信徒在聖經知識與應用上常常失衡，求主幫助我們不要停留在頭腦上的知識，乃是擁有聖靈改造生命的力量，能靠主在這彎曲悖謬的世代中分別為聖。
星期一
許多中國傳道人面對信徒(甚至自己)遇上疑惑、困擾或掙扎時，往往只能提供「我們應對神有信心」的「標準答案」，這種回應未免過於籠統，對於靈命成長和信心突破的幫助有限。求主裝備牧者，使他們能善於觀察、思考和投入神的話語中，又賜他們真誠和膽量，勇於分享自己靠主在失敗中站起來的見證，讓人知道我們都是蒙恩的罪人，需要主耶穌天天來扶持。