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)