Prayer Request 6/6 - 6/12

Tuesday
Most people with mental disorders in China never receive treatment. There is a stigma attached to such ailments. Some think that people with psychiatric conditions are possessed by evil spirits. Many people in the church still see mental illness as either devil possession or merely a medical problem.​ We pray that churches will be willing to reach out and care about these people showing love and compassion and helping them to grow spiritually.
Wednesday
Many Chinese people see mental disorders as a sign of weakness and regard them as socially contagious​ people. A relative of someone with a serious disorder may find it hard to get married. Families sometimes have their kin treated far from home to hide the "shame" of their condition or even keep them hidden at home. ​Very few of the pastors in China have any training or even the time to care for people with mental illness. May the Lord give mercy and strength to the families of those thus afflicted​. We pray that family members can find a support system among believers.
Thursday
China is woefully ill-equipped to treat mental conditions. The psychiatric system was largely dismantled after the Communists seized power in 1949. Under Mao, those who displayed symptoms of depression risked being viewed as traitors to the socialist cause, which was supposed to fill everyone with enthusiasm. Today, depression can be easily managed by medications. We pray that the Great Physician, the Lord Jesus will heal of​ those who are weary and heavy-burdened.
Friday
Few Chinese were diagnosed with depression until the early 1990s. By then China's health system was beginning to lose state funding. Hospitals were having to support themselves, and psychiatric services were not seen as money-maker​s​.Caring​ for​ those with mental illness can never be a task for pastors only. We pray that more believers will rise up to minister to​ those who are mentally ill in church​es​ and provide practical help, in love and with ​the ​love of Jesus.
Saturday
The taboo against mental illness is fading and attitudes are beginning to change in China.​ Outpatient visits have increased by more than ten percent each year.The use of antidepressants is rising fast and young educated urbanites are increasingly using the Internet to seek help privately for their mental health problems. Churches in China are still hesitant to accept those who are “different and disabled”, but believers cannot love preferentially. So, we pray the Lord helps us to help all who need the healing of the Great Physician, with His compassion and ​ thus​ overcome our fear​ of these precious people​.
Sunday
In China, under the new religious regulations, finances of religious groups will be greatly scrutinized. Theology students who study abroad could be monitored more closely. And people who rent or provide space to illegal churches may face heavy fines. Much of the transactions in churches are not transparent or properly recorded, easily become the evidences of government’s accusation of financial impropriety. We pray for integrity of all church leaders in how they handle church finance, so they will be “above reproach...dishonest in business dealing.” (Titus 1:7)
Monday
Many unregistered churches rent their meeting places while the landlord turns​ a blind eye, but under the new policy, they will be highly reluctant to lease to churches. Many house churches have tried to apply for the official registration with the government but have not been successful at all. We pray for these churches, so they will make the best decision and their faith in the Lord will not be shaken.


星期二
大多數中國精神病患者從未接受治療。這種疾病往往被社會大眾污名化，有些人甚至認為精神病患者是被邪靈所附。不少教會仍然簡單化地看待精神疾病是屬靈問題，或理解為醫學問題。求主幫助教會願意接觸和關心憂傷的心靈，給予精神病患者愛和憐憫，以及提供屬靈上的幫助。
星期三
不少人認為精神疾病是患者意志力薄弱的表現，並認為是社會性的傳染病：患有嚴重失調的人的親屬可能很難結婚。家庭有時會把他們的親人送到遠方，去隱藏他們病情的「恥辱」，或者把他們藏在家裡。一般教會牧者沒有心理資訊的知識的裝備，更缺時間去幫助精神患者。求主憐憫添力量給家中有此病患者的信徒，幫助他們能體諒患者的波動情緒，並聯同其他信徒形成支援系統來幇助患者和家屬。
星期四
中國嚴重缺乏治療精神病的條件。1949年共產黨掌權之後，便廢除精神病學系統。在毛澤東帶領下，期望每一個人都熱切崇拜社會主義，而那些表現出抑鬱症狀的人則被視為叛徒。現今，抑鬱症患者已可用藥物控制病情，治療過程也並不複雜。懇求我們偉大的醫生主耶穌，能親自撫平憂鬱的心靈，也供應病患適切的醫護幇助。
星期五
在上世紀九十年代以前，很少人被診斷患有抑鬱症，這全因那時的衛生部缺乏國家的經濟支持；醫院為要養活自己，不得不放棄被視為「不能賺錢」的精神病服務。 關心教會中在心理健康方面有需要的人，這絕不是牧者一人能獨自承當的。求主興起各教會，呼召人願意付上愛心與時間，關注這個社群需要的肢體，能給予實質上的幫助。
星期六
中國人近來終於意識到心理疾病不能一味忌諱不談，態度亦有所轉變。精神病患門診人次每年增長超過10％，抗抑鬱藥的使用亦正迅速上升。也有越來越多年輕及受過教育者使用互聯網尋求心理輔導。有些教會還是無法完全接納 「異常」和「有殘障」的人。求主幫助弟兄姊妹體會主愛人的心腸，越過人的軟弱去幫助憂傷的靈魂。
星期日
在新的宗教政策之下，已經向政府登記宗教團體的財務會受到更加嚴格的審查。前往海外學習的神學生也會受到更嚴密的監控。中國教會過去沒有設立健全的會計制度，往往無法通過政府審查。求主幫助眾教會的領袖手潔心清，經得起神與人的檢驗，做「神的管家，必須無可指責……不貪無義之財。」(多1：7）
星期一
過去，房東出租給沒有註冊的家庭教會，可以裝著不知道其用途。但在新的宗教法之下，向非法教會出租或提供空間的人，可能會面臨巨額罰款。有些教會曾嘗試租用或購置會堂，但每每受到政府的干擾，合約不明不白地被終止了。我們為各地未登記的家庭教會禱告，求主保守他們，帶領他們在這樣艱難的環境下，知道該如何調整。