Prayer Request 12/6 - 12/12

Tuesday
In China, the slogan of “China Dream” is ubiquitous, it is a vision of a cohesive, equal society, increasingly wealthy and healthy, and happily wedded to Communist Party rule, ardent patriotism and traditional values. The nationalistic and patriotic sentiment do not bode well for churches in China, since Christianity is still deeply suspected of having foreign ties and agenda. We pray for growth of churches and spiritual growth of all believers in China
Wednesday
As China’s total wealth has rapidly grown, there are increasingly pronounced imbalances in Chinese society. This is reflected not only in the polarization of incomes and wealth, but also in plainly observable disparities in education, health and other social protections. The disparity of rich and poor churches in China is also widening. We pray church leaders, especially those in the cities will step up and offer some solution to this problem and try to provide some assistance now.
Thursday
The top one percent of Chinese households possess one-third of the country's domestic wealth while the bottom quarter of them hold only one percent of it. The disparity is greatest in access to housing, education, and health care. Christian philanthropy is still in its infant stage in China. We pray that believers who are blessed by the Lord will first give themselves to God then devote their efforts to helping churches that have few resources. We pray many more wealthy believers will step up and give for the sake of God's Kingdom.
Friday
​In every society, family background plays a powerful role in determining the level of education of ​the people there, but in China political privilege is also an important factor. Having a father who is a Communist Party member also has a clear, positive effect on the number of years an individual will be able to go to school. Many families in China encourage their children to join the Party so they will have the opportunity to advance better. We pray for faith and trust in God for believers who struggle to know how to give their children some advantages in getting ahead.
Saturday
In China, discrimination against girls has weakened, but it remains a powerful factor in the opportunity for schooling. On average, boys receive 1.5 more years of schooling than girls. Many church workers are female and they face pressure from their family to get married or take on other better jobs. This is particular hard when their parents are not yet believers. We remember their physical and emotional need.
Sunday
Unequal access to health care has been a source of dissatisfaction for many in China, especially residents of the countryside and small towns where medical insurance has been less widely available and where there are fewer doctors and hospitals. ​Many workers in rural churches must farm to support themselves since they have little money for health care o​r education for their children. We pray that God will bless them with not only good health to serve Him and the Lord will help their children to do well in school.
Monday
Christmas is one of the rare and precious occasions for churches in China to have multi-generational services. Usually there are presentations by the seniors, adults of all ages, and especially the children.​ ​We pray for more opportunities for church members of all ages to be together, learning from and edifying each other. We thank the Lord for all of the little ones who perform in the Christmas programs. May the Lord help them to know Jesus well while they're still young.


星期二
在中國隨處可見“中國夢”的標語—一個有凝聚力的平等社會，日益富裕，樂見共產黨的統治，熱切追求愛國主義和傳統價值觀。民族主義和愛國情操對中國教會而言，恐怕沒有太多好處。因為在政府眼中，基督教是與外國有所聯繫和有其自己的議程。我們為中國的教會數量和信徒的靈命更新長進代禱。
星期三
儘管中收入迅速增加，貧富不均及教育和醫療等社會保障方面的機會不平等現象也在加深，中國貧窮和富裕教會之間的差距也更大了。我們求神幫助教會領袖，尤其是在城市教會中，能有策略提供一些解決的方法，也能提供一些嘗試性的策略來幫助貧弱的教會。使在神的家里眾肢體間彼此的幫補。
星期四
中國收入最高的1%家庭擁有全國三分之一的國內財富，而收入最低的四分之一家庭只有1%。最明顯的差距是在獲得住房、教育和醫療服務的機會上。基督教慈善事業，在中國仍是處在嬰兒階段。求主感動興起富裕的信徒，先將自己擺上為主使用，滿有神國度觀的視野和胸襟，致力於幫助貧窮的教會。
星期五
家庭背景在決定個人的教育水平上舉足輕重，這是所有社會共有的現象。在中國，父親是否為共產黨員（政府官員幾乎必須是黨員），更是一個人教育程度的決定性因素。許多家長巴不得自己的孩子有機會入黨，才有更好的前途發展。信徒家長也盼望能給孩子一些優勢，求主加添他們對主的信心和依靠，能隨事仰望主。
星期六
雖然中國對女生的歧視有所減弱，但這仍然是影響她們接受教育機會的重要因素。平均而言，男生上學年限比女孩多一年半。許多教會的同工是姐妹，她們的家人會施予各樣的壓力，尤其是未信主的父母親，往往會要求她們快快成家或找一份待遇更好的工作。我們在禱告中求主記念她們身心靈裡的需要。
星期日
中國農村和小城鎮的居民，醫療機會不平等也一直是人們滋生不滿情緒的一個原因。這些地區的醫療保險覆蓋面較窄，醫生和醫院也較少。許多農村傳道人耕種養生，根本談不上醫療保險和子女教育費用。求主施恩祝福他們有健康的身心靈事奉主，也給他們的孩子聰明智慧，在學校學習上表現良好。
星期一
在中國教會的聖誕晚會裡，最寶貴的場面是四代同堂，老、中、青、兒童們一起。每個年齡都用他們的特色節目來歡度聖誕，見證主耶穌的平安和喜樂。我們為中國教會能有更多跨越年齡代溝，彼此造就的機會禱告。特別為主日學的孩子們表演感恩，願主幫助他們從小明白耶穌降生的意義。