Prayer Request 8/30 - 9/5

Tuesday
Gymnastics has always been a dominant sport for the Chinese Olympic team but they failed to score any gold or silver medals in Rio. This year they won the fewest number of gold medals they have won since the 1996 Atlanta ​Olympics. It is only natural that Christians compare the attendance at their churches. Many churches in China feel inadequate and unable to evangelize due to their small size. May the Lord have mercy on us so we don't merely look at sizes but look on Him Himself.
Wednesday
Sports officials and coaches in China ​concluded that the Chinese team this year was too young and lacked experience. The level of competitiveness has slid significantly and their training was less than desirable. Many pastors enter ministry with theological training but lack interpersonal skill and maturity so they give up serving when they encounter setbacks. We pray especially for those who are having difficulty in ministry and the young pastors who are struggling with interpersonal issues.
Thursday
China sent more athletes to the Rio Olympics than any other country (410) but seventy percent of them were first-time participants with an average age of only twenty-four (the youngest Olympic team for China since 2008).​ When many young pastors begin serving in their churches, they must shoulder all of the responsibilities without having any mentor to guide them. May the Lord have mercy on churches so they will honor those who labor among them and value these young pastors who work hard to serve the Lord.
Friday
People ​in China have a "victim mentality" about the Rio Olympics. Eighty percent of those surveyed believe that the referees were biased against Chinese athletes but many of those same athletes publicly apologized to the nation with tears for their poor performance. Believers in China usually blame their pastor for a lack of growth in their church ​which is one reason churches have difficulty in finding a pastor.​ ​ May the Lord have mercy on those churches that have turned cold or are without a shepherd and may we each one repent of the places where we have fallen.​
Saturday
The authorities in China have announced a massive layoff in the coal mining and steel businesses which will leave 1.8 million ​people unemployed. We pray that believers will be sensitive and try to help those who are unemployed in their churches. There are many ways they can care for them materially but we pray the church will help them spiritually to walk closely with the Lord during this time of testing of their faith.
Sunday
Currently there are about twelve million people engaged in the coal and steel industry in China and recent layoffs account for almost 15% of the workers in those industries. ​Being unemployed and with limited financial means is very hard in China where "face" or one's image is very important. We pray that churches will be a place for not only those who are comfortably situated financially or "very blessed of God" but a place where all members of the body of Christ practice His love.
Monday
The economy in China is facing tremendous recessionary pressures with some companies struggling to keep alive and without job openings. With the new wave of graduates looking for work, job markets promise to be very tight. As the economy in China slows down, we pray that churches will play an important role in helping believers to trust the Lord and continue to give to God in good times and in bad times as well.


星期二
體操一向是中國隊的強勢項目，但在這次里約奧運會金牌銀牌數皆掛零。中國在里約奧運得到金牌，是1996年亞特蘭大奧運會以來奪金最少的一屆。有些信徒會暗暗比較教會人數，甚至許多小教會，會認為自己資源有限，沒有能力傳福音。求主憐憫我們，不看人數多寡，而是忠心將那份從神手中接過的恩賜，盡力獻上為主所用，讓人得著永生。
星期三
中體育局官員和教練總結今年的奧運戰果，認為中國隊今年太年輕，缺乏經驗；尤其有些項目水平大幅下滑是因運動員的培養與磨練不足。許多中國傳道人雖有一些神學裝備，但因年輕缺少處世做人經驗，不少在服事不順利時就放棄了。我們特別為在事奉人遇見困難，人際關係不佳的年輕牧者禱告，求主安慰和勉勵他們重新站起，能把他們的恩賜再如火挑旺起來。
星期四
今次里約奧運，中國派出超過410名運動員，是派出最多選手的國家，而其中七成選手是第一次參加奧運。選手平均年齡24歲，是近三屆奧運會以來最年輕的團隊。許多新訓練出來服事的傳道人，立刻要獨自擔當牧養的責任，沒有人在旁指導，遭遇的挑戰可想而知。求主恩待中國教會，敬重牧者，也愛護和扶持年輕願意服事的肢體。
星期五
中國人往往具有受害者的心態，80％以上的中國人認為奧運會的裁判員對中國有偏見。不少中國運動員因表現不佳而含淚向國家道歉。一般信徒將教會不增長歸咎於傳道人，許多教會沒有牧者，也歸因於此。我們為冷淡、沒有牧者的教會求神的憐憫，幇助他們悔改，回想從哪裏墜落的，從失落的地方重新得力站起來。
星期六
中國宣布將針對煤礦和鋼鐵業大舉裁員180萬，希望可以藉此解決產能過剩的問題，不少礦工未來得另謀生路。我們為信徒禱告，能不輕看那些下崗、沒有固定收入的肢體，並能成為神祝福的管道，除了在金錢上能幫助有需要的人外，也能關心扶持和安慰面臨信心考驗的人。
星期日
目前從事煤礦和鋼鐵業的勞工大約有 1,200萬人，這次裁員的人數佔了該產業 15%的人力。在中國人眼中，失業和經濟陷困是一件很沒臉的事，甚至喪失個人的尊嚴。求神幫助眾教會，不僅是那些生活無憂的人的聚集處，更是那些窮乏人得著溫暖的地方。願神的兒女能靠著主，敞開自己的生命成為別人祝福，活出基督的愛。
星期一
中國經濟正面臨巨大的衰退壓力，一些公司在生產和運作上都面臨困難，導致職缺不足。最近又剛加入一批畢業生，新鮮人忙著找工作也為就業市場帶來壓力。隨著中國經濟的放緩，我們為神的眾兒女禱告，惟願無論景況如何，都學習依靠神，繼續憑信心奉獻，在艱難中操練信心的功課。