Monday, September 25, 2017

Prayer Request 9/26 - 10/2

Tuesday
Many Chinese intellectuals who became Christians while they were abroad are influenced by rational thinking. They often believe in only what they can see with their eyes and tend to approach understanding their faith rationally. When these people speak in a church, they are able to influence many people. Let us pray for this dangerous trend of rejecting the miraculous work of God and rationalizing the Christian faith among the highly-educated believers. We cannot pride ourselves on intellectualizing Christian faith and leave out God's sovereign power.
Wednesday
As more people in China move from the villages to the cities for work and to live urban churches need to be more committed and generous in helping the smaller poor churches in the countryside. ​We pray that churches will be more transparent and equitable in the way they compensate their pastors so it will at least be fair and all will get a similar salary. That way even poor churches will be able to provide the basic cost-of-living salary for their shepherds.
Thursday
Being a Christian pastor in China is an enigma to common people because their jobs are not legally defined or accepted socially, especially pastors from the unregistered house churches. They also need to face police scrutiny but cannot compromise their faith. We pray for pastors in China as they face so many challenges daily. May the Lord guard their hearts since Satan tries to strike the shepherds before the sheep. May the Lord bless their families and let them know that their calling is greatly blessed.
Friday
Pastors in China face a complicated interpersonal relationship because their roles and identities are foreign and not universally accepted socially. They have to deal with traditional cultural and political environment unfriendly to “foreign religion”. We praise God for pastors who are uncompromising in their conviction and faith. May the Lord give them daily strength, wisdom, cunning as snakes yet pure as doves, especially as they interact with local authorities and religious affair officials.
Saturday
Although migrant workers earn lot more in cities than those who stay in the countryside, they are excluded from key welfare benefits and subsidized housing reserved for registered city residents. Rural churches lack the manpower and offerings because young people move to cities to seek jobs. We thank God for pastors who stay and serve in rural churches, with meager or no salaries. The Lord richly rewards and blesses them, so they will not be discouraged but remain faithful in serving.
Sunday
Graduates of seminaries and Bible schools in China are not willing to return to their churches in the countryside because the compensation is much lower compared with urban churches. Whether to return to their home church is not only a practical issue but also a matter of faith. We pray for those who are returning to serve in villages, the Lord gives them strength, courage, and fruitfulness, knowing it is God’s calling and He will faithfully provide everything they need.
Monday
The number of young believers who decide to enter the ministry​ and enroll in seminary is dropping in the major cities of China. Those who do, would prefer to enroll in Hong Kong or abroad. Those enrolled in seminaries in China are mostly from villages. ​We pray for all who are planning to enter ministry full time--for their learning of theology, ministry, and interpersonal skills so they will know how to "live in poverty or in plenty" and not blindly follow what is merely entertaining and easy or what is in vogue.​


星期二
在城市教會中,有不少基督徒是在國外信主的知識分子,他們的信仰偏重理性,一切都由理性來判斷。他們在教會中所主張的看法和意見,往往能影響許多人。我們為中國教會禱告,求主幫助信徒不落入「理性主義」的負面影響裡:將信仰過於知識化和理性化,拒絕神大能奇妙的作為,忽略我們的信仰是憑著信心,不是憑著眼見。
星期三
中國人口從農村移到都市,城市教會需要更多承擔,以一個大地區教會,甚至一個大中國教會的心胸來關心農村教會微弱的生存現況。求主幫助教會在傳道人的待遇上更透明,以免有待遇不公的情況。 就算是貧困的教會,至少也要給予傳道人基本的生活需要。
星期四
中國的傳道人的社會角色及身份定位不清,政府也沒有明確的職業定義,一般人也不明白或被社會大眾所認可、接納。尤其是家庭教會的傳道人,在持守信念之外還要面對政府的壓力。我們為家庭教會傳道人能面對每一天特殊的處境來禱告, 願神保守他們的心懷意念,因惡者總是先攻擊牧人。求主賜福他們的家庭,深知他們的呼召是蒙福的。
星期五
中國傳道人的人際關係複雜,社會角色及身份定位不清,也不是普遍能被接納的。他們還要適應在傳統文化和在特別的政治環境中來帶領教會。我們要為傳道人不妥協信仰感恩。求主賜下智慧、能力,能謹慎合宜地面對每一天特殊的境遇,尤其在他們與當地的公安,宗教局的應對中,蒙得上帝的保守跟眷顧。
星期六
儘管農民工在城市裡掙的錢比留在鄉下的人多,但很多社會福利及住房補貼項目卻享受不到,這些通常是保留給有城鎮戶口的居民。年輕信徒外出打工,造成了農村教會老化,在人、財上嚴重短缺。我們為所有憑信心事奉或是帶職不支薪的農村傳道人感恩。願主報答、祝福他們的忠心擺上,不為眼前的處境灰心喪膽。
星期日
現在神學院畢業後, 一般傳道人都不願回到農村事奉,想在城市裡的教會服事,主要原因是城市和農村教會的收入相差太大了。這是考量實際生活上的需要,也是信心問題。 我們為那些要回農村教會服侍的人禱告,求神大大加添給他們能力,膽量和果效。深知神的呼召是沒有錯誤的,只管剛強壯胆邁岀大步,祂必信實供應一切需要。
星期一
大城市的年輕人奉獻自己讀神學的人數下降,有些則會跑到香港或海外讀神學。而在內地接受神學訓練的,多是來自農村的子弟。我們為預備進入神學院的新生代禱,求主幫助他們不單單是吸收新的神學知識、事工技巧及與同工交流,更能學會像保羅所說的:懂得如何處卑賤與豐富,不盲目地隨著社會潮流和風氣擺動。

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Prayer Request 9/19 - 9/25

Tuesday
In the past, migrant workers in China were typically young people but now quite a few of them are over sixty years old--people who have lived in villages much of their lives. Many rural believers drift away from faith once they land in cities. We pray for Christians who have a burden f​or these rural believers and can give them practical assistance and encouragement when they are spiritually down and weak in the cities.
Wednesday
Nearly ninety percent of older migrant workers in China do not have medical insurance since the coverage is effective only back in their village. So when these people are seriously ill or unable to care for themselves, they have to return to their village to get medical coverage.​ We lift up older Christian migrant workers for their physical and spiritual health, that they will continue to walk closely with the Lord even as they are away from their home church.​
Thursday
The younger generation in China finds they have little time for their parents who have come to join them in the cities. The older folks are most concerned about their health and wish not to burden their children with their medical expenses.​ We pray for the families of rural believers who have settled in the cities. May the Lord give them wisdom, add to their faith and patience, and help them trust the provision of the Lord as they face myriads of challenges and hardships.​
Friday
The decline of rural churches in China is real and heartbreaking. Many rural pastors see their churches deserted while believers are spiritually weak and ill. The pastors feel depressed and defeated, even blaming themselves for being poor shepherds.​ We pray for those pastors who feel despondent or helpless in their ministries. May the Lord renew their body, mind, and spirit and let them know that what the Great Shepherd requires is faithfulness and He will richly reward their sacrifice and effort
Saturday
There is still much inequality in compensation for pastors in China with a huge disparity​ between rich and poor churches. Historically, pastors have been poorly paid. However, in some large cities, some pastors have similar incomes as comparable civil servants. Poor salaries definitely discourage those who plan to go into church ministries full time. May the Lord be gracious to them and give them faith so they will see that He seeks workers for the harvest and will take care of those who answer His call.
Sunday
The amount of compensation has not really improved for the majority of pastors in China, especially those who serve in the villages. Most of them are still serving as volunteers while farming on the side and barely having enough to make ends meet. Some rural pastors have abandoned their churches to work in cities, leaving their churches in desolation and open to attacks by the cults. We pray for the financial need of rural pastors and protection for all rural churches that have no shepherds.
Monday
Although the treatment of pastors in China has improved, the root problem has not changed because believers there still falsely believe that "pastors should be poor to be spiritual." May the Lord have mercy on His churches in China. We pray that believers will respect their pastors as servants of God, honor them, and treat them well so that young believers will also desire to receive God's call to serve Him.


星期二
過去的農民工都是青壯年人,但是近年來,中國六十歲以上的農民工數量增加了很多。其中不少人是在農村生活了一輩子之後,才遷移到城市生活的。許多農村基督徒在城巿中流失了信仰。求主興起對農民有負擔的弟兄姊妹,主動給予他們實際的幫助,在他們信心軟弱時給予扶持和勉勵。
星期三
在醫療方面,90%的老齡農民工有醫保,但是僅限在家鄉自己醫保所屬地才能使用。所以當他們有重病或無力照顧自己的時候,只能再度回鄉了。我們來為老年農民工信徒禱告,求主賜他們身心靈健壯,雖然人在外地,既使沒有教會的支持,也仍然能保持與主親密關係。
星期四
在城巿裡的年輕一代幾乎抽不出時間和來自農村的父母從事家庭活動。而大多數的老人們最關心自己的健康,也不希望生病累及子女。我們為在城巿裡那些來自農村的信徒家庭祈求,在面對各樣挑戰時,求主賜他們智慧,又給他們信心和忍耐,學習仰望恩主的供應。
星期五
中國農村教會目前面臨嚴峻的危機。傳道人看到教會的荒涼,信徒靈性的軟弱、乾渴,不少同工感到沮喪、氣餒,甚至責怪自己的牧養不善。我們要為中國教會中,灰心甚至想放棄的傳道人禱告,求主復興他們的身心靈,深知大牧者要求我們的是要忠心,而我們所有的擺上、努力,都必蒙祂的記念。
星期六
今天中國教會給傳道人生活上的支持差異極大。有些地區教會領袖的各種收入不低於相近級別的公務員,也有傳道人待遇差。傳道人生活貧困, 甚至還要為生活的需要奔波,必定影響有心接受神學裝備的肢體,求主恩待,加添願意回應神呼召者的信心,看見廣大禾場需要工人,願意獻身擺上,把信心仰望在這位凡事必預備的神。
星期日
中國傳道人的待遇沒有真正改變。特別是農村傳道人,基本是義工傳道人,一邊務農,一邊傳道,過著十分清貧的生活。有些傳道人不得不離開教會外出務工,從而造成農村教會的更加荒涼和異端邪教的興起,求主紀念他們的需要,保守們的教會不受虧損。
星期一
雖然中國傳道人的待遇已有明顯的改善,但植根在會眾内心深處「傳道人要窮才屬靈」的觀念並未根本改變。求主憐憫中國教會,幫助信徒不單是將傳道人看作是神的僕人,更能敬重厚待他們,使年輕一代有心成為傳道人的,不會避而遠之,輕忽了主的恩召。

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Prayer Request 9/12 - 9/18

Tuesday
In China, students are already immersed in classes and textbooks promoting loyalty to the Communist Party as the bedrock value. A new Communist Party directive now demands that students must be more patriotic and be totally devoted to the Party. Education in China is totally atheistic. We pray for all children from Christian homes, so they will not lose their faith in any stage of their education.
Wednesday
In China, the new “patriotic education” will be taught in each stage and aspect of schooling, through textbooks, student assessments, museum visits and the internet which is the chief source of information for many young Chinese. Students in China are constantly evaluated for their patriotic behavior and Christian students face tremendous pressure to conform and not have any religious belief. ​ We pray for young people from Christian families, that they will have boldness and trust in God as Daniel and his friends did.
Thursday
In China, all college students receive instruction to “always follow the party” thoroughly. They are also taught the dangers of speaking negatively of the history of the Party, the nation, revolution, reform, the opening up, as well as of vilifying ​the ​Party’s heroic figures. College years are the very first time most Chinese students come in contact with Christian groups. We pray for student ministries and the fruits they bear, as the school officials are clamping down on Bible study groups and Christian teachers leading them.
Friday
Students in China have been indoctrinated that the Communist Party is the sole engine of progress in modern Chinese history, rescuing China from humiliating subjugation to foreigners and restoring China to a position of respect and power on the global stage. Many students start living in school during junior high years and only return home a couple of weekends monthly. We pray for the parent-child relationship for believers. May the Lord impress on believers the importance of praying for the spiritual health of their children, and not merely their academic studies.
Saturday
Since 1989, when students led the protest that occupied Tiananmen Square in Beijing, Party leaders have made a priority of inoculating them against any liberal values. ​Evangelism among college students is always in the gray area of laws and many students are pressured not to attend services or to inform the officials about them. We pray for the safety of those who lead and the students who attend the services. May the Lord give them great faith and help them to be fruitful in their ministry.​
Sunday
By the end of 2014, almost 1.7 million Chinese students were studying abroad, many of them in Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States. Over 300,000 Chinese students are in the United States. ​We praise God for the many who have come to know Jesus as they study abroad. May​ the Lord strengthen their faith, help them to continue to grow, and even find a Christian mate. Above all, we pray they will also share their faith with their friends and families back home.
Monday
Of the million or so kindergarten teachers and aides across China, only about 60,000 (6 %) are male. Retention of male teachers is a serious challenge because male teachers complain that they are lonely, disrespected and considered to have little career ambition. ​We praise God for all who are involved in teaching the ​little ones in the churches, especially the brothers. May the Lord raise up more of them and may they see the importance of teaching the young ones to know Jesus and not be providing only babysitting so adults can worship in peace.


星期二
在學校課程和教材中,其基本價值是對共產黨的民族主義式忠誠。一項新指示,要求教育者必須培養中國學生更加忠黨愛國。中國教育是無神論的。我們為來自基督徒家庭的孩子禱告,願主在每個教育的階段裡都保守他們不失去信仰。
星期三
中國教育部要求教師們將「愛國主義教育」融入到每個教育階段裡,如課本、學生評價、博物館參觀和互聯網中等等。互聯網是中國許多年輕人的主要信息來源。中國的學生隨時都要有愛國的表現,信徒的孩子在這樣的氛圍下,必定面臨極大的壓力,衝擊其信仰。求主賜他們有像但以理和三朋友一樣的勇氣和信心。
星期四
教育部文件要求高等院校要更徹底地教導學生「永遠跟黨走」,「講清楚否定黨史、國史、革命史和改革開放史以及詆毀英雄人物的危害性」。大學是許說人第一次接觸基督信仰的時候。現時許多院校已開始禁止校園的查經班和團契。我們在禱告中記念各處的大學生福音事工和他們所結的果子。
星期五
中國各級學校透過種種方法,直接或間接教導學生:共產黨是中國現代史上唯一的進步力量,結束了喪權辱國的歷史,讓中國重新在全球舞台上獲得了尊重和權利。許多學生在初中階段就在學校寄宿,一個月只回家一、兩個週末。我們為信徒的親子關係禱告,求主幫助家長們能重視孩子的靈命成長,而不僅僅是學業成績。
星期六
自從89年學生在天安門廣場的抗議活動後,防止學生受自由思想的價值觀影響,已被當局視為當務之急。在中國向大學生傳福音是法律的灰色地帶。近來校方頻頻施壓,不許可學生參加聚會,或是要向校方通報。我們為帶領查經班的弟兄姊妹和參加者的安全禱告,求神保守他們,厚賜他們信心靈巧像蛇,馴良像鴿,仍能結實豐碩。
星期日
據中國教育部統計,截至2014年底,有近170萬中國學生在國外留學,其中很多在澳洲、英國、加拿大和美國,其中在美國留學的中國學生也有30萬之多。感謝主,不少出國的學生有幸信了主耶穌!求主堅定他們的信心,幫助他們尋到靈命長進之路,也有屬靈同伴和主內的伴侶,並能將福音與他們的朋友及國內的家人分享。
星期一
中國有約100萬名幼兒園教師或教學助理,其中男性只佔6%,約6萬名。在中國,留住男教師是一項巨大的挑戰,很多男教育者抱怨自己感到孤單和不獲尊重。我們為所有參與教導教會第二代的弟兄姊妹感恩,特別是弟兄們。但願神興起更多弟兄,看見引領孩童到主面前的重要性,是幫助孩子從小認識神的建設工程,而不僅僅是把兒童事工看做主日大人聚會時的權宜托兒服務。

Monday, September 04, 2017

Prayer Request 9/5 - 9/11


Tuesday
In the past decade, there has been clearly a revival of ‘Sinology’ in China, shown with a great fervor and pride for traditional culture. The revival of Sinology has raised awareness and educated people about Chinese classics and popularized the traditional Chinese culture. Many Chinese Christians wrongly believe that Confucian filial piety is identical to the Biblical honoring of your parents. We pray that young believers will understand why Jesus commanded of us, He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me(Matthew 10:37)
Wednesday
Beijing has encouraged many universities in China to set up a Cultural Academy, to study specifically classical culture, including Confucianism. Such a revival of Chinese classics has revived resentment toward "foreign religions". Some young scholars even condemn celebrating Christmas and "forgetting our ancestors" Many Chinese believers know little about the history of Christianity and do not know how to defend the accusation that Christianity is a foreign religion. We pray for depth and understanding of our faith and avoiding the superficiality of "believing in Jesus and I will be blessed.” mentality.
Thursday
After the implementation of the Reform and Opening Up policy in 1978, Western culture has literally flooded China, and this deluge included the entertainment culture and its accompanying postmodern ideologies. We praise God for the impressive economic improvement in China in the past forty years. But, it is also a fact that fewer people attend church now. So, we pray for the outpouring of the fire of revival and that believers will be fervent for the Lord once again.
Friday
By 2015 there were more than two hundred variety shows on all the broadcast channels in China, nearly surpassing the numbers of the television series. Talent shows featuring contestants and new singers are the darling of television programming there. There are some well-known Christians in the circle of Chinese celebrities. We pray that their stories and news will be an encouragement and example to those who are their fans, and our Heavenly Father will be glorified.
Saturday
Postmodernism advocates individual liberty and opposes the imposition of traditions. It also expresses contempt for any form of authority and encourages people to deconstruct and ridicule the classics, including religions, especially Christianity. In China, the media always depicts Christianity negatively and is a stumbling block to those who seek the Lord. We pray for the protection of churches to be holy, and that pastors and believers alike will be diligent and fear the Lord.
Sunday
Obviously, the fact that recreational media bombards us with messages that are contrary to Christian values is not unique to China. We pray that all of us will understand His desire for us to guard our minds, especially the younger believers, because God said, “be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord.” (Heb 12:14)
Monday
As the society becomes more open, attitudes toward sex have shifted gradually in China. In the 1980’s, people generally considered that cohabitation, extramarital affairs, and homosexuality were shameful. Nowadays, people think these are normal. Cohabitation is a major issue among churches in China, as pastors try to counsel the young believers. We pray for wisdom for pastors so they will be sharing the Biblical teachings clearly and firmly, and help their people to live a life pleasing to the Lord。

星期二
近十幾年來,「國學熱」席捲中國的大江南北。國學的復興向民眾普及傳統文化,對提高國民素質是有意義的。許多中國基督徒認為聖經的孝敬父母與儒家的孝道是完全等同。求主幫助年輕信徒明白,神要我們「在主裡」聽從父母,並不越過信仰的底線。主耶穌也曾教導:「 愛父母過於愛我的,不配做我的門徒。」(馬太10:37)
星期三
在官方的鼓勵下,中國許多大學設置了國學院,加強包括儒學在內的古代經典文化的研究。國學復興也帶來對「洋教」的排斥。有些年輕學者譴責中國人熱衷過聖誕節是數典忘祖。許多信徒對基督教來華的歷史一知半解,也不知如何為基督信仰做辯護。求主裝備信徒,面對世界的質詢有能力回應,深入了解被排斥的因由,以致能作出合宜的應對與辯解,而不是只有「信耶穌就得好處」的膚淺。
星期四
改革開放後 (1978年之後),各種西方文化大量湧入中國,帶有後現代主義色彩的娛樂文化也隨之而入。我們向神感恩:近四十年來的經濟發展,人民生活得以改善。然而教會對信仰趋於冷淡,聚會人數減少也是事實。求主在這些年間,復興祢的作為,親自吸引信徒快跑跟隨祢,不被物質至上的價值觀影響對信仰更深入的追求。
星期五
2015年,在全中國電視頻道中,有超過二百檔綜藝節目,甚至快超過電視劇,成為這個時代的熒幕新寵兒。在龍魚混雜的娛樂圈中,有基督教信仰的藝人明星倒是不少,我們為他們有美好的見證祈求,求主幇助他們持守真理,帶給「粉絲」們正直、良善的好榜樣,也能歸榮耀給父神 。
星期六
後現代主義普遍主張個性解放、反對傳統、蔑視權威、對於經典文化敢於解構、惡搞;尤其對基督信仰的挑戰和牴毁絲毫不容情。中國社會對教會往往加强負面渲染,必定易成為許多人信主的絆腳石。求主保守祂的教會仍然持守純正,牧者和信徒都敬虔、警醒度日,秉公義、好憐憫,存謙卑的心與神同行。
星期日
在後現代主義思潮推波助瀾下,全球的大眾媒體和娛樂界不斷渲染不合乎基督信仰的文化和欠缺道德約制的生活方式,中國的社會也無可倖免地深受沖擊。求主幫助我們能明白神的心意,保守自己。也特別為年輕信徒祈求,願他們能明白並竭力持守聖潔而蒙福,因為「神的旨意就是要你們成為聖潔,遠避淫行。」(帖前4:3)
星期一
中國社會日益開放,人們的性觀念也逐步開放。在八十年代,未婚同居、婚外情、同性戀等都是令人羞恥的事,而今日卻是司空見慣,人們已習以為常。未婚同居,也是牧養中國教會年輕一代的一大問題,求主賜牧者智慧,將神的心意鄭重及清楚地傳講,幫助信徒明白要過討神喜悅的生活。用聖潔、尊貴,守著自己的身體,不放縱私慾的邪情,好像那些不認識神的外邦人一樣。(帖前4:4-5)