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。