Prayer Request 5/30 - 6/5

Tuesday
Children of the wealthy and those who have good connections in China enjoy enormous educational advantages over others there. They can buy their way into elite kindergartens, and primary schools as well as hire tutors that are beyond the reach of most families. Urban churches offer more and better children's programs than the rural churches do. We pray for more training and resources to equip Sunday school teachers and that parents will step up to teach the little ones.
Wednesday
Until quite recently, the only criterion for admission to college was the student's score on the gaokao (annual university entrance exam) administered to millions of students each summer. That, however​, tended to produce students who lacked diversity and to reward rote learning over creativity and talent. Christians in China tend to emphasize learning and memorizing the Bible which is wonderful but we pray that each of us would be not only a hearer of God's Word but also a doer of it. May the Lord give each of us a humble heart to live out His command to love our neighbors.
Thursday
Over the past decade, new policies in China gave some​ universities permission to consider adding new factors to their curriculum such as musical ability, athletic prowess or skill at learning foreign languages. However, these changes may open up more opportunity for corruption. ​Churches in China put great emphasis on uniformity and the status quo. We pray for believers and pastors who have vision and gifts enabling them to have nontraditional ministries. May​ ​the Lord bless them with fruit and make them great witnesses for Jesus Christ.​
Friday
Wealthy families in China have another alternative to sending their children to a school near home. Many now bypass the Chinese university system by sending their children to the United States or some other country for college and some go abroad for even high school.​ Big or urban churches can offer many programs or ministries, which small and rural churches can only dream of. We pray that small-church pastors in China will not be intimidated but continue to be faithful and fruitful with what the Master has entrusted ​to​ them.
Saturday
In China, the gaokao (annual university entrance exam) determines the​ fate of all students who want higher education and future success. But, the zhongkao (academic test for Junior High School students held each June) decides whether he or she can get into a good local high school. We pray for those from Christian families who are taking these two examinations this year, that ​the Lord will ​give them wisdom and strength, so they can handle the academic pressure and still grow spiritually.
Sunday
Central government funding for social services ​in China ​is often based on local household registration, or hukou figures, which do not account for migrants living in cities without an urban registration. This means, migrant workers are entitled to many social benefits. Christians from villages often find themselves unable to fit in​to​ churches in the city, some simply give up trying. We pray that more church leaders will welcome and reach out to the migrant believers in their communities and even launch ministries to care for them.
Monday
​In the churches in the cities of China, there are many unmarried young Christians. Traditionally, churches have preached against dating​ and marrying unbelievers and want the youth to find a potential mate inside the church. We lift up our prayers for all the young believers who are dating that the Lord will provide for them what their hearts desire. We pray, too, for faith and a healthy interpersonal relationship for those who continue to wait for God to bring His choice for them, especially for those sisters who are still single.

星期二
富有且人脈廣泛的中國家庭的孩子，在教育方面享有巨大的優勢，他們可以進入上好幼兒園和小學學習，聘請優秀的家庭教師，這對於大多數中國家庭來說都是無法實現的。城鎮教會的兒童事工當然會比農村更豐富。我們為優質的主日學老師的培訓禱告，求主興起更多人才和資源，也興起更多的家長挑起教導自己教會第二代的重大責任。
星期三
高考成績至今仍然還是中國大學唯一的錄取標準，每年夏天都會有數百萬學生參加高考。但這往往會培養出缺乏多樣性的學生群體，鼓勵死記硬背，為考試而學，而不是激發創造力和栽培才能。傳統中國教會強調聖經知識和背誦，這是一件美事。求主幫助我們不但是聽道的人，且能行道。願神賜給我們都有謙卑受教的靈，能活出愛我們鄰舍的使命。
星期四
在過去十年中，新政策允許一些大學在錄取學生時考慮其他因素，比如音樂才能、運動專長或外語能力。但是這樣的改進又可能為富賈權貴子弟開方面之門，造成更多腐敗。中國教會向來重視一致性與維持現狀。我們特別為那些參與非傳統式服事的信徒和傳道人禱告，願神大大加添他們能力與恩賜，使他們所做的聖工大有果效和見證。
星期五
富裕的中國家庭還有另一個選擇：很多家長繞過中國體制，直接將孩子送到美國或其他國家上大學，甚至高中。城市和人多的教會有能力與資源提供許多不同的節目和事工，這都是小型教會或農村教會無法想像的。我們要為他們禱告，不灰心喪膽，而是忠心、盡力完成主人所交託我們的，深信質璞的屬靈生命的教導與承傳是討神喜悅的。
星期六
中國一年一度的高考，似乎決定了高中學生們一生的命運。但是，每年在六月舉行 給初三的學生的“中考”，更是決定學生是否能進入好的高中。我們為今年有子女要考高考、中考的信徒家庭禱告，求神不單是加添他們子弟們智慧，能順利考上理想高中，更是在壓力之中仍然能把神放在首位，有屬靈的追求。
星期日
中央是根據當地的戶籍登記，即戶口數據為社會服務撥款。可是這些數據並不算入在城市生活卻沒有城​​鎮戶口的外來人口,使得民工無法享用基本服務。外地信徒常會覺得他們無法融入當地教會，甚至就放棄聚會。求主興起教會領袖們，能關顧到這些主内肢體的屬靈需要，帶動教會實際地關心社區中的外地信徒群，甚至鼓勵發展民工事工，牧養同樣蒙主憐愛的羊。
星期一
在城市教會中，普遍存在大齡未婚青年信徒現象。由於強調信與不信的分別，教會一般教導信徒不會在信徒之外尋找自己的婚戀對象，而把目光投放在教會之內。我們為在交友階段的青年信徒祈求，願主為他們預備。我們也為仍然沒有找到合適對象的信徒禱告，尤其是姐妹們，能對神有信心，也有健康的人際關係。