Prayer Request 3/14 - 3/20

Tuesday
For million of women in China, square dancing in public has turned out to be an inexpensive and highly popular way to exercise. The Olympic fever in 2008 made public dancing a social norm and a new phenomenon. It is a great blessing when women can serve together in a church.​ ​ May the Lord grant us a heart like that of Christ as we pray for unity in the church--not to compete or compare, forming cliques but rather to be humble and always to see others as better than we are.​
Wednesday
As China urbanizes and people from villages move to cities, women are participating and socializing in the venue of pu​blic dancing. Many of these​ ladies are about fifty to sixty years old. One of the hallmarks of the churches in China is the abundance of many sisters who are retired but are still in only their fifties. We ask the Lord to raise up among them many who will selflessly serve their churches like Mary and Martha who served Jesus.
Thursday
Most of the "Da ma" (Chinese aunts) in ​China​ have experienced the Cultural Revolution.They were fervent politically in their youth as Mao's Red Guards and they did hard labor in the countryside along with raising havoc. ​The Cultural Revolution seriously scarred churches in China leaving believers with an ugly tendency to contest and challenge their leaders. We pray that the Lord will grant us His love and humility to accept, to believer, to hope, and to bear all things so we can all serve together in unity.​
Friday
​"Da ma" (Chinese aunts) are famous for expressing their opinions and refusing to accept the suggestions of others. In their younger days they were the revolutionaries who followed the orders of the Party that had little respect for privacy or personal ideas.​ ​There is still a great deal of critical spirit in the churches of China. Unity among churches is often mentioned but there are still conflicts and residual hurts that cripple many churches. We pray again for unity and humility for ourselves as well as them.​
Saturday
People who live near the public danc​ing places in China complain bitterly about the loud noise that comes from them. There is much tension between the "Da ma" (Chinese aunts) and the neighbors necessitating new rules to control the noise. ​In the churches in China, it is common to see people lashing out over some inconsequential matter, too. May the Lord have mercy, enlighten us, and remove all the filth. the evils of our old selves and give us soft hearts the obey the truths that will deliver our souls from sin.
Sunday
Domestic violence is widespread in China but it is largely seen as a private matter. Victims have been unable to speak out about it or report it to the police because they faced pressure from their family, shame, and even the indifference of the police. We pray that Christians who suffer domestic abuse will find special comfort from the Lord. We praise God for believers who quietly provide comfort, assistance and even shelter for sisters who suffer abuse at home.
Monday
Traditionally in Chinese society, physical violence toward ​a ​wife and children are viewed as a private matter, neighbors and even relatives will usually not interfere or intervene. The new law against domestic violence will definitely spur changes and at least promote open discussion about abusive men. ​We pray that churches will devote more time to teaching how to be godly men, true spiritual leaders at home, and fathers who do not discourage the family and live emotionally detached lives.​


星期二
低成本的廣場舞很快成為中國大媽們最流行的鍛煉身體方式。2000年代末期，為迎接2008年北京奧運會做準備，中國政府推出全民健身計劃，公眾對廣場舞的興趣進一步升溫。教會中的姊妹熱心服事是教會極大的祝福，求主保守教會有合一的心，不爭兢、不攀比、不結黨，存心謙卑，各人看別人比自己強，以基督的心為心來榮神益人。
星期三
隨著中國快速城鎮化，來城市務工的鄉村女性最先參加的活動往往就是廣場舞。大部分廣場舞愛好者都是有點年紀的女性，年齡介於五十至六十歲之間。中國教會的特色之一是有許多五十來歲卻已經退休的姊妹群。求主在她們之間興起更多人願意回應神的愛，為群羊無私擺上，如馬大和馬利亞服事主一般的心志。
星期四
大多數中國大媽都曾經歷文革，年輕時都狂熱地參與過集體政治運動，例如當過紅衛兵，上山下鄉、批鬥等等運動。她們一般有相當強烈的主見。文革的經歷嚴重影響中國教會，彼此不服的後遺症至今仍無法復原。求主保守教會在主裡合一，肢體之間在主愛中凡事包容、凡事相信、凡事盼望、凡事忍耐，謙卑地彼此搭配服事。
星期五
許多大媽樂於發表自己的意見，卻彼此不服。這些大媽由於自身經歷，往往只服從國家意志，不太尊重隱私或個人意志，崇尚集體主義，高舉黨的主權。現今中國教會中，仍然有批鬥的痕跡。教會雖然高舉合一，但是會眾間個性衝突，不願原諒，常造成教會無法團結一致。我們為教會合一祈求，願主賜給我們真正的謙卑，願意遵行主教導，以愛彼此接納、順服。
星期六
廣場大媽跳舞的噪音引起附近居民抱怨，影響睡眠，也打擾孩子做作業。彼此間的關係緊張，造成許多地方官員擬法規來限制擾民。中國教會畢竟也受到種種政治文化影響，會众常為小事就破口指責，彼此攻擊。求主憐憫，幫助我們脫去一切污穢和盈餘的邪惡，存溫柔的心領受那所栽種的道，乃是能救我們靈魂的道。
星期日
家暴的情況在中國相當普遍，可是卻僅被視為隱私。受害者一直無法訴諸於口或是舉報，因為他們往往要面對家庭壓力、鄰里的羞辱和警方的冷漠。求主親自成為各地家庭暴力受害者的安慰者。我們特別為那些默默安慰、幫助，甚至提供避難所給受害者的信徒感謝神，求主賜下智慧愛心並記念所擺上的努力。
星期一
體罰(其實是毆打)配偶或兒女一向被視為私人家庭事務，鄰舍或親友都不太介入。雖然大家習以為常，但的確需要改進。新法律必然會引發何謂好男人的建設性討論。求主幫助中國教會對促進家人關係有更多教導，幫助弟兄成為合神心意的男人，能成為一家的屬靈領袖，而不是冷漠和暴躁的丈夫和父親。