Prayer Request 12/20 - 12/26

Tuesday
To meet the soaring demand for higher education which many families consider a pathway into the growing middle class, ​the government in China has built hundreds of universities in recent years.​ Many young people there are first exposed to Christianity in college. We pray for the evangelistic efforts of young Christians who invite their friends to Bible study groups. May the Lord reward them with great fruit and much joy.
Wednesday
Chinese children spend years preparing for the gaokao, the all-powerful national exam that determines admission to universities in China. A few points on the examination mean the difference between a good and a bad university, and a life of wealth or poverty. ​We pray for those young Christians who could not get into the university of their choice. May the Lord give them faith that our Heavenly Father has prepared the best for us so they will honor Him in every part of their lives.​
Thursday
College enrollment in China reached 26.2 million in 2015, up from 3.4 million in 1998m with much of the increase found in the three-year polytechnic programs.​ ​The total number of​ people graduating from college is rapidly increasing and this are more college graduates in churches as well. We pray for the need of higher education for pastors in China so they can communicate more clearly and understand their younger congregations better.
Friday
In China, nearly all college students graduate within four years according to official statistics so they feel there is no need to work hard. The feeling is "They don't really flunk anyone. The contract is, if you got in here, you get out."​Recently school officials have been pressuring Christian teachers who are involved in Bible studies for students. We pray for all of the ministries on or near college campuses. May the Lord give them safety and boldness in sharing Jesus.
Saturday
The slowing economy in China has made it difficult for university graduates to find work, with about one-fifth​ of them remaining unemployed immediately after graduation and many settling into low-paying jobs. The shortcomings of the educational system leave many students struggling to find programs that match their aspirations. We praise the Lord for the many Christian groups that attract large attendance and even a large number of conversions. We pray for the difficult part of follow-up and helping these baby Christians to find continuing church life.
Sunday
Primary and secondary schools in China are often derided as grueling, test-driven institutions that churn out students who can recite basic facts but have little capacity for deep reasoning. To the majority of these students, their study is motivated mostly by the fear of examinations. Many are impressed by how Christians can recite the Scripture so well. We praise God for this emphasis on Bible memorization but we pray, too, that none of us will become legalistic or fail to apply the principles in it and live out God's Word.
Monday
Critics argue that teachers in China​ place an unhealthy emphasis on test preparation and rote memorization at the expense of critical thinking skills and creativity. They also say international exams overrule the strength of China's system because they exclude students from the poorer regions. Many Christians in China like to debate their views of the Bible and often get into heated arguments. We pray that each of us will have a deep and balanced conviction of Who God is and also have the humility to learn that others love the Lord just as much as we do.


星期二
許多家庭認為高等教育是步入日益壯大的中產階層的途徑，為了滿足人們對高等教育的極大需求，中國政府近年來興建了數百所大學。中國許多年輕人都是在大學團契裡第一次接觸基督教。基督徒大學生邀請同學參加團契成了傳福音最好的方法，願主賜給他們美好的果實和服事的喜樂。
星期三
中國的孩子們花多年準備高考，因高考成績決定進入哪所大學。而幾分之差往往決定進入好大學或壞大學，也決定了未來的生活是富有、還是貧窮。我們為那些沒考進最好大學的基督徒禱告。求神加添他們信心，知道天父在我們身上有最好的計劃與帶領，我們要在每一件事上認定跟隨祂、榮耀祂，祂為我們預備的地界必座落在佳美之處。
星期四
與1998年的340萬高校在校生人數相比，2015年高等學校在校生人數已達到2620萬，增長的大部分來自三年制的專科高校。中國有高校程度的人不斷增加，教會會眾的教育程度也是如此。我們為有更多大學教育的傳道人來向神祈求，也為他們更能了解年輕一代，與之溝通交流禱告。
星期五
幾乎所有中國的大學生都可以在四年後順利畢業，這降低了他們努力學習的動力。“只要考進大學，就能畢業，這是一種約定。”近幾年學校對於可基督教在學校附近的活動緊縮。我們為校園及學校附近的學生事工代禱，求神賜給他們傳福音的勇氣，也保守他們的聚會平安順利進行。
星期六
近來經濟發展放緩，使大學畢業生較難找工作。其中約有五分之一在畢業後隨即進入失業狀態，還有不少勉強做著薪資不高的工作。 高等教育制度的缺陷使學生難以找到與志向相符的課程修習。中國校園的事工興旺和多人歸主是我們所感恩的。我們繼續為學生事工最難的一環--信主之後的跟進和畢業後能持續教會生活來禱告。
星期日
中國的中小學教育常被批評為，只會死記硬背基本知識規條，使學生精疲力盡，幾乎沒有培養深度推理的能力。對於大多數學生來說，應付好考試才是最大的學習動力。中國教會強調聖經背誦，不少信徒真能熟記經文，這是非常值得感恩的。求主幫助我們避免落入教條主義，或無法深刻體會神的心意，行不出祂的旨意。
星期一
批評者指出，教師過分強調預備應試和死記硬背的學習方法，卻犧牲了教導學生擁有批判性思維能力和創造力。 國際考試也誇大了中國教育體制的成功，因這些考試把貧困地區的學生排除在外。不少中國信徒好爭辯對聖經文意不同觀點的理解。求主賜我們對祂有正確及更深的認識，還加上謙卑與尊重別人，體認到他人也是一樣的愛神。