Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Prayer Request 8/16 - 8/22

Tuesday
Taiwan has a large gay community and is one of the most progressive places in Asia in terms of LGBT rights. Many have expected Taiwan to be the first Asian country​ to sanction same-sex marriage. We pray for God’s mercy for all who practice a​ homosexual lifestyle. May the Lord convict all of us that we are all sinners saved by His grace. “As it is written: "There is none righteous, no not one;” Rom 3:10 (MKJV)
Wednesday
The island of Taiwan's annual gay pride parade is the biggest in Asia. Taiwan is also considered the most gay-friendly country in Asia.​ ​We pray for all Chinese churches that they will not only teach Biblical truth and speak against all kinds of sin but will put these teachings into action in their communities.
Thursday
Homosexuality is still controversial with people in the older generation and gay marriage is opposed by politically influential, socially conservative, and Christian groups so many LGBT people won't "come out" to their parents or employers. We pray for young people from Christian families who are in a homosexual relationship or any other​ relationship that is not pleasing to God. We pray that the Holy Spirit will convict them and bring about repentance.
Friday
A poll in 2013 showed that 75% of Christians opposed legalization of same-sex marriage while only a slight majority of Buddhists, Taoists, and the greater portion of the public were in favor of it. LGBT supporters accuse Christians of hating them. We pray that believers will speak the truth in love and above all clearly proclaim "We do not hate you. We love you because Jesus loves all of us."
Saturday
LGBT groups advance their causes in a well-organized and determined fashion​ but in contrast, the majority of the churches in China still do not even mention the topic of sex in the church and choose not to speak of any political issues in the pulpit. We pray the Lord will awake every sleeping church that is content with isolating itself within the four walls of its church building. May the Lord help each Christian to be a light in a dark world.
Sunday
Chengdu and Chongqing in Sichuan province are known as China's most gay-friendly cities. Other cities with many migrants are more diverse culturally and the attitude of locals toward gays is usually "none of my business". ​A vast majority of churches in China avoid talking ​about sex or related topics, considering it unspiritual. We pray that churches will teach clearly and boldly in every area of the lives of people so believers will know what God's will is for their lives and bodies.
Monday
Gays in Mainland China face great pressure. Once parents discover their children are gay, many chose to disown them. Many gay men in China choose to conform to ​the social norm of marriage and start a family. ​We pray for believers when their children stray away from God and live in sinful relationships. May the​ Lord grant them His unconditional love to accept and love their prodigal children and never give up praying for them come to God.


星期二
台灣擁有亞洲最大的同志社群,也是亞洲最先爭取LGBT(Lesbians女同性戀)權益的地方。許多人認為台灣很有可能最早通過同性婚姻合法化。我們為同性戀者禱告,求恩主憐憫他們。又求主提醒我們都只是蒙恩的罪人,並不比任何人優越,「就如經上所記:沒有義人,連一個也沒有。」(羅 3:10)
星期三
台灣每年10月舉辦一年一度的同志遊行,參與及支持的人數逐年增多。2015年舉行的同志遊行吸引超過78,000人參與,雖然規模不及歐洲國家,但也成為亞洲規模最大的爭取同志權益活動。求主幫助華人教會對同性戀有合宜的態度,雖然不認同同性戀行為,卻應該支持有心改變的人,幫助他們能認識福音而帶來機會和希望。
星期四
雖然台灣在性平等是亞洲最前衛,但是在老一輩中依然極具爭議性,同性婚姻也遭到立法的阻擋。許多人仍選擇對父母或雇主隱瞞性向。我們為來自基督徒家庭的年輕人禱告,求主幫助他們逃避一切淫行(不僅是同性戀),活出神的心意。
星期五
根據2013年一項民意調查顯示,75%的台灣基督徒反對同性婚姻合法化,但半數以上的佛教徒和道教徒,以及大多數老百姓卻贊成。求主幫助信徒能持守真道、也有愛心,能正面地回答:「 教會的立場是恨惡同性戀的罪,愛同性戀者,甚願幫助同性戀者認識真神。」
星期六
同性戀勢力是有計劃有組織的步步推進。絕大多數華人教會少有提及「性」的議題,一般教會持守政教分離的原則下,亦不會在講壇上碰觸政治議題。求主喚醒衆多沉睡的教會,不要將自己孤立在教會的四面牆內,而是要做燈臺上的光,照亮黑暗的世界。
星期日
隨著西部大開發的步伐加快,外來人口加大,文化多元,再加上當地人思想開放,所以對同性戀的理解程度很先進,不排斥另類群體,四川省被稱為「中國GAY都」。絕大多數中國教會閉口不談性或相關的議題,認為這都不屬靈。求主幫助教會能在各方面能正確和清晰地教導信徒聖經的真理,過討主喜悅的人生。
星期一
中國的同性戀者面對很大壓力,很多家長發現自己的孩子是同性戀後,選擇的是將其「掃出家門」。許多同志還是會選擇「回歸主流」— 與異性結婚,建立家庭。我們為信徒父母禱告,當他們知道子女得罪神,有不討神喜悅的行為時,願主親自安慰他們的心,並賜他們力量,用主的愛和智慧來輔導孩子,幫助他們脫離黑暗。

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