Prayer Request 11/22 - 11/28

Tuesday
Churches with mostly Wenzhou believers usually have good theological training and teaching. Most of their members are business people. These churches are more likely to plant new churches, but they are territorial by nature. Whenever Wenzhou believers gather, they always revert to speak in their dialect which is not understandable to others. We pray all churches will intentionally be inclusive, not just trying to attract intellectual or rich people, but also to include those not-so-well educated and laborers.
Wednesday
In contrast to the churches with believers from Wenzhou, the churches in Anhui and Henan have a definite cultural inferiority among the believers. The majority of rural believers in China are found in churches in these two provinces. We specifically lift up believers in Anhui and Henan. May the Lord revive them once again and strengthen them through His Word and by His Spirit. May their passion for Jesus once again be strong and may they not be led astray by cults and extreme teachings.
Thursday
​Efforts by the government of China to expand health insurance have made a difference in the countryside there. More people living in rural areas now have some kind of coverage but it is not usually so generous as that given to city dwellers. Economic and welfare improvement are very evident in rural China but the majority of churches there are in decline because the young people have left to work in the cities. We pray for wisdom, strength, and passion for those believers who are now leading churches that have no pastors.
Friday
​Health insurance for women in China is not so good as that for men. Females, rural residents and people in low income groups all have fewer health care subsidies but still pay a higher out-of-pocket premium. Many if not most of the co-workers in rural churches are now poorly educated women. We praise God because they serve wholeheartedly. May the Lord give them wisdom and boldness to share His Word along with opportunities to receive more training.
Saturday
​The middle class in China is composed of professionals, managers, white-collar workers, and business owners. They are a stabilizing pillar of the governance of the Communist Party.​ We thank the Lord because the Middle Class is also the new majority of many urban churches. These people in turn attract and bring in more people with similar backgrounds to the churches. We pray that they will be more committed, serve humbly, and give generously to their churches.
Sunday
​The casinos are only "the tip of the iceberg"​ when it comes to gambling in China. Although gambling is strictly forbidden, it is still widely popular and complex. Private gambling for high-rollers is a complex enterprise but gambling for common folks is found practically everywhere including underground betting. "So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof." (Proverbs 1:19) We pray for families of believers that are ravaged by gambling. May the Lord deliver their loved one from bondage and restore the broken relationship.
Monday
​Gambling is an illness which afflicts millions and millions of people in China, including Christians and even​ some pastors. This vice causes families to break up, deeply impairs ministries in the churches, and brings shame to God's name. We pray for all who are in the bondage of gambling and greed. May the Spirit of the Lord deliver them and heal their broken families. May each of us be a good witness for Jesus Christ.


星期二
溫州人為主的教會，有獨樹一格的神學傳統與教導體系，具有完整的組織和積極的擴張意識 ，溫州教會組成多來自工商業背景。每當信徒聚在一起，總是以溫州話交談，其他人很難融入。我們禱告教會能不分教育程度高低、錢財多寡，也不分打工或上班的身份地位，誠意地接納所有人。
星期三
與溫州教會相反的是安徽和河南的教會，那裡的信徒不少有相當的文化自卑意識。而這兩個省份正是農村家庭教會的大本營。我們要特別紀念安徽和河南的信徒們，願神再次賜下復興，以祂的話語和聖靈的能力保守並堅定衆教會，叫他們對主耶穌的熱心不減，也不被邪教和極端教導所誤。
星期四
政府在醫療保險方面變革起到了一定作用。越來越多的農村居民在異地享受到了一些醫保，但通常不及許多城市居民享有的政策優厚。農村的經濟和福利是有進步的，但是許多農村教會正在沒落中，因為年輕一代都進城打工了。我們為留下的信徒求智慧，力量和火熱的心智，尤其是在那些沒有傳道人的教會承担了帶領職責的弟兄姊妹。
星期五
在醫療保險的福利上，中國女性比男性獲益少。相較之下，女性、農村居民和低收入群體享有的醫療補貼較少，自付比例較高。留在農村教會的主要同工，大多數是姐妹們，沒有受過太高的教育。我們為她們願盡其所能服事神感恩，求主加添她們智慧和能力，能大膽傳講神的話，也有機會接受更多裝備與培訓。
星期六
中國的中產階級是由專業人士，管理人員，白領員工和業主組成的。如果這群人的規模、收入和滿意度增加，中產階級可以持續成為共產黨統治的穩定支柱。中產階級也是近來城市教會的主體成員，他們邀請朋友使得教會人數日益增加。 我們為屬於中產的肢體能有更多委身投入、謙卑服侍和慷慨奉獻來代禱。
星期日
賭場只是中國人好賭性格的冰山一角。官方嚴厲禁賭，但是賭博活動十分龐雜。富豪隱秘的聚賭極少受到干擾，平民日常的賭博基本半公開化，地下博彩業更是興旺。"凡貪戀財利的，所行之路都是如此；這貪戀之心乃奪去得財者之命"。（箴1:19） 我們要為被賭博摧殘的信徒家庭禱告，求神的憐憫臨到，拯救和醫治他們的家。
星期一
賭博蠶蝕了許多中國老百姓、也影響基督徒甚至一些傳道人的心靈，帶來家庭的不和，嚴重破壞教會的牧養和見證。我們為被賭博與貪戀錢財捆綁的信徒禱告，求聖靈釋放他們，也醫治破碎的家庭。但願每一位信徒都能勝過貪婪的試探和誘惑，成為反映主耶穌榮美的好見證人。