Prayer Request 10/17 - 10/23

Tuesday
​In China, President Xi tells the ninety million plus members of the Communist Party, "Don't call me President. Don't call me Party Secretary, just call me Comrade.​ However, the term comrade has taken on a different (homosexuall) connotation in modern China. In the past, there were few pastors with titles in China, ​and ​everyone ​was addressed as pastor. But, this is changing as many flash their title of “reverend”. It is Biblical to aspire to be a spiritual leader (1 Timothy 3: 1), but we pray our spiritual character will mature as we serve, rather than seek only titles.
Wednesday
Under Mao Zedong and even well into the 1980's tongzhi or comrade was the nearly universal form or address within the Communist Party.​ As China has become more modern and Mao suits have given way to Western-style suits and ties, the term comrade has become outdated. We praise God for various titles of pastors such as preachers, elders, deacons, doctors, presidents, prophets, and even the the wife of the pastor. May the Lord guard our hearts and thoughts not to envy titles but be like the Apostle Paul and "take pride in my ministry" (Romans 11:13).
Thursday
Among gay men in China, “tongzhi” is most often used as a term of affection and solidarity and a catchall label for sexual minorities. Churches in Taiwan are deeply involved in the political process to oppose the​ government’s same-sex marriage proposal. We pray for Chinese churches everywhere, ​that they ​will do more in teaching young believers why churches must remain Biblically​-oriented​ and have a good testimony at the same time.
Friday
Nowadays​ in China, people typically refer to one another as “Mister,” “Miss” or “Madam.” Strangers often address one another as “young miss,” “beautiful woman,” “handsome man” or “master.” Should Christians value titles just like the business world​ does​? We pray for all who serve in church​es​ throughout China that they will be faithful, model their​ lives​ after the Great Shepherd, feeding and even giving their lives for His sheep.​
Saturday
Within the Communist Party of China, only top-level leaders are typically referred to as “comrade.” Commonly, at the lower levels, the term “comrade” has been replaced by a grab bag of titles like “deputy secretary,” “boss,” “C.E.O.,” “grandfather” and “brother.” ​Newer pastors in China all want to be ordained and having a seminary degree, the higher the degree and the more degrees one has, the more honor, trust, and respect he gets. We pray the Lord will remind each of us that spirituality is not found in advanced degrees nor in the pursuit of affirmation but rather in seeking praises only from God above.​
Sunday
In China, a recent directive was announced to impose discipline and purge cliques within the Communist Party. The same announcement also suggested that “to uphold the democratic and equal relations among comrades within the party, and all party members must call each other ‘comrades.’ ” Young pastors in China are attracted to big name Chinese pastors and televangelists, whom they considered as having a big ministry and financially successful. We pray for churches and pastors alike, not chasing to chase after what the world deems successful, famous and "​cool​"​.
Monday
These days many join the Communist Party in China as a path to power and wealth and being worthy of being called a comrade."O​ne can call every member of the Party a comrade, but there is always someone who has more power and importance than you do!" We pray that pastors in China will not fall into the trap of overemphasizing titles and salutations. We pray for believers who will truly respect and value their shepherd, ​ as well as​ honor God’s worker and servant among them.


星期二
中國共產黨習主席對約九千萬的共產黨員發出一個信息：「不要叫我主席，不要叫我總書記，叫我『同志』。」他原意是敦促黨員避免提及職位和尊稱，可惜這個詞在今天社會裡的含義已經大有變化。過去，中國教會對牧者一概以傳道人稱呼，但近來卻非常講究擁有按立牧師的頭銜。信徒都當羨慕聖工(提前3:1)，求主幫助我們跟隨主的人，學效主的榜樣及透過服事使屬靈品格更趨完全，而不僅是愛慕地位與頭銜。
星期三
自毛主席領導下的中國開始直至80年代，「同志」一詞對共產黨員而言都是個通用稱謂。不過，隨著中國現代化，中山裝讓位於西服領帶，「同志」這個名詞不僅已經過時，而且變成另一種全新的意思。現今中國教會内已出現有不少頭銜：牧師、傳道、長老、執事、博士、院長、先知、師母。求主保守我們的心懷意念，忠心服事主而不要追求名銜，如同保羅所堅持的「敬重我的職分」（羅 11：13）。
星期四
在中國的男同性戀群體中，「同志」最常被用來表達團結友愛，是對性少數群體的統稱。台灣也幾乎通過同性婚姻合法化。教會是台灣反同志婚姻運動中的主力。我們為各地華人教會禱告，求主使用祂的兒女能像明光照耀，顯在這彎曲悖謬的世代裡，幫助年輕信徒知道聖經對同性戀不失準則的教導，也能在社會中有美好的見證和對所持立場的合適表達。
星期五
現今中國人通常彼此稱呼「先生」、「女士」或「夫人」。陌生人則用「小姐」、「美女」、「帥哥」或「師傅」來稱對方。在商業社會中，講究身份尊貴與頭銜，在教會裡教牧同工是否也追逐這些屬世的「成功象徵」？我們為中國的牧者禱告，求主加能賜力，叫他們能忠心事奉，效法大牧者的榜樣，只討父神的喜悦，專注於餵養神所託付的羊群，甚至擺上性命。
星期六
在黨內，通常只有高層領導被稱為「同志」。在基層當中，「同志」則由各種職位替代。另外，還有各種稱呼，比如「老闆」、「老總」、「老爺子」和「老大」。某些中國傳道人比從前更注重學位與頭銜，認為學位越多、越高，便會越被人信賴和仰慕。求主光照我們，提醒我們：屬靈深度不是來自高學歷，而走十字架的路也不要希祈別人的肯定，而是單單存著討主喜悅的心。
星期日
習主席建議「堅持黨內民主平等的同志關係，黨內一律稱同志」。這一項新的指令，目的是加強紀律，清除黨內派系。有些中國的年輕牧師，非常崇拜海外某些著名的華人教會領袖或電視傳道人，因為他們的事工大，名利雙收。求主保守眾教會尤其是傳道人，不追求世人所看重的東西，或人們眼中的「酷」，而是存著一份「讓我愛而不受感戴，讓我事而不受賞賜」的單純的心志，為得神為我們在天上所存留的榮耀冠冕。
星期一
如今有很多人加入共產黨是為了做官發財， 很難說他們是真正的同志。「權力就是權力，你可以稱所有黨員都是同志；但是在同志當中，某一小撮人還是核心。」在教會裡不該把頭銜看得那麼重。我們為弟兄姊妹能真心愛護神的僕人禱告，又為神的工人不追逐頭銜、名譽，及會友多少來禱告。