Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Prayer Request 11/21 - 11/27

Tuesday
As migrant workers move to cities in search of work​ in China, we think of children and elderly people who are left behind in their village homes. But, lately, many of them are taking their children and elderly parents with them to live in the cities. ​So rural churches in China are losing not only the young ones but, entire families. We pray for the workers in rural churches that God will give them vision, strategies, and strength to know how to teach, especially the young ones and leave all to Christ before losing them to the exodus.
Wednesday
Lately, the percentage of migrant workers in China who are older than fifty years has increased from eleven to fifteen percent. This ​ reflects not only the general aging of migrant workers but also shows that older people from the villages are entering cities in China. It is definitely a good thing that families can stay together as a unit so we pray that these older rural believers can quickly find a spiritual home in the cities and adapt to the new living environment and pace there.
Thursday
It is a good thing for older people from village​s to​ join their adult children in cities in China. But, the young migrant workers find their older parents do not hold the same view​ as they do​ and the older​ people feel they're totally at loss in the city and with the new way of living. We pray for older rural believers, as the Lord gives​ them faith and help​s​ them see that it is their mission to be the watchman for their families in the city, to stand in the gap and to remind the young ones to love the Lord.
Friday
In China, those who move into cities and are age 60 or more, often feel lost because of the totally strange neighborhood and crammed living arrangement with children and grandkids. They are relegated to cooking and taking the grandkids to kindergartens. We pray for kindness, patience and gentleness for these older believers now living in cities, so they will be the channel of His blessing and full of the joy of the Lord.
Saturday
Three major issues older rural people moving ​into cities face in China are: low wages/benefits, poor working conditions, and a lack of medical insurance coverage. Only a third of them have some kind of government assistance and that is certainly inadequate for living in a city. We know that it is not easy to find a church home for older rural believers who live there. We pray they will continue to grow spiritually and not give up their habit of attending church.
Sunday
Elderly people from the countryside ​in China ​have to make great sacrifice to move into the city with their children, and once in the cities, they lose the traditional family leadership role they enjoyed in the village setting. We want to pray for the older rural believer​s​, as they reunite with their children in the cities, ​that ​they will continue to have spiritual influence and be the reminder of God’s word in their homes.
Monday
​More than half of the older rural residents who move into the cities in China must rely on their children to help them financially. Others have to look for work themselves to make ends meet. They have little education or skill so they resort to the hard work and low pay of cleaning jobs.​ We pray for God's grace for those believers who live with their families that they will not lose their fervor for God, be able to keep their faith, and even teach their grandchildren to know God from an early age.


星期二
提起中國農民工進城的情況,同時也會連上留守兒童和空巢老人的問題。然而過去幾年越來越多農民工開始將父母和孩子一起都接到城市生活。過去農村教會失去年輕人,現在連老人和小孩也開始離開。我們為農村教會同工禱告,求主加能賜力,幇助教會的領袖們堅心仰望神。忠於託負,有異象及策略來拓展神的聖工,尤其是把握時機教導孩童們認識主,把人引到主面前。
星期三
近來超過五十歲的農民工比例從11%上升到18%,這除了反映農民工老齡化外,還顯示農村老人進城的關鍵趨勢。農村老人能跟城巿的家人團聚是一件好事。求主幫助從農村來到城巿的信徒能儘快找到屬靈的家,適應新的環境與生活節奏。
星期四
來自農村的老人到了城市,很自然的給農民工家庭生活帶來益處;只是,老一輩不容易適應城市生活。另一方面,年輕一代和老父母的看法不同,使得老年人覺得自己對城市的新生活方式完全失去信心。求主加添老一代信徒的信心,堅守神給自己的使命,成為家人的信仰守望者,站在破口上,為全家都敬虔愛主恆切禱告。
星期五
在中國從農村遷徙到城巿中的六十歲以上老一輩,由於身處陌生的社區環境,許多時感到無所適從,三代同堂就只能淪為替孩子煮飯或照顧和接送孫輩的角色,常懷無奈和無力感。求主賜老一輩信徒有愛心、忍耐和細心,成為神恩典的管道,滿有主的喜樂。
星期六
隨子女移居城市的老年農民面對低工資低保障、工作環境惡劣以及醫保不全面等三大問題。他們中僅有三分之一享受農村低保,當然靠這筆錢根本不足以在城市生活。求主賜在城巿中來自農村的基督徒,繼續追求靈命成長,雖然不容易找到屬靈的家,但也堅持不停止聚會。
星期日
農村的老年人付出巨大代價才能進入城市,而他們來到城巿後,卻也失去了家庭中的傳統主導角色。我們為老一代基督徒禱告,當他們與子女在城巿相聚時,能堅心倚靠主,常常靠主喜樂,在家中成為屬靈的領袖。也常以神的話語激勵、勸勉家人,發揮出屬靈的影響力,為主做美好的見證。
星期一
有超過一半遷往城巿的老年農民工得依靠兒女生活,其他的則必須自己找活幹賺錢。他們大多數沒有受過教育或僅有小學學歷,只能從事一些體力勞動,工作時間長又報酬低的清潔工是最普遍的工種。我們要為這些信徒們祈求,願主賜下足夠的恩典,尤其是三代一起居住的,不失去對神火熱的心,也能持守信仰,忠心教導孫輩從小認識主,為主培育出敬虔蒙福的後裔。

Tuesday, November 07, 2017

Prayer Request 11/7 - 11/13

Tuesday
New mobile phone-based media allow personal conversation, group chat, and broadcast news. WeChat is one such media and is very popular in China. We pray for wisdom for believers and churches so they can master these new tools to share the Gospel and promote better fellowship.
Wednesday
Christians can use WeChat to share Jesus with their circles of friends. This is the most common, efficient and easiest way. Many believers are timid and afraid of sharing their faith. We pray for courage and wisdom so we can all share the gospel. Wisely using WeChat to share with others what God has done in our lives.
Thursday
Christians can literally turn their circle of friends on Wechat into a base for personal evangelism. It is best not to be too pushy or send messages too often. If you chose to forward Christian articles to their friends, be sure to verify theological accuracy and add personal reflection. We know faith without works is dead, so we pray that believers will not only share their faith but also have a good testimony of their lives.
Friday
Churches and fellowships can use the new media to share the Gospel. Two common ways are to form groups and use the group chat. Within the group, people can share news, events, prayer requests, answer questions, as well as sharing Bible and testimony. We pray for more intimate fellowship as churches use Wechat. Be reminded, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29 ESV)
Saturday
Wechat is adopted by many Chinese churches and fellowship groups. However, there is a big difference between online and offline groups. Speaking in person is irreplaceable. We pray Christians will intentionally build a personal relationship with people they share the Gospel with online. Strive to lead our online friends to actual fellowship and church. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thess 5:11)
Sunday
It is said that young Chinese cannot live without their phones or social media now. In China, people’s lives and their source of information are now totally dependent on social media. We pray for revival among China’s young people turn to Jesus. We too pray that churches will intentionally attract and engage them to join a warm and welcoming fellowship.
Monday
In China, cults also heavily utilize social media to attract followers. They present themselves as Christians, but lure the unsuspecting believers into their own groups. This is also a common method of their proselytizing and organizing meetings. We praise the Lord that churches in China have ultimately been strengthened by the lessons learned from dealing with the Eastern Lightning cult. We continue to pray for protection from all extreme and devious teaching of the false teachers.


星期二
近年出現許多以手機為平台的新媒體,能「個人對話」、「群組聊天」,也能立刻發佈消息。「微信」就是現時在中國最普及的此類平台,幾乎人人都使用。 我們禱告教會和信徒都能有智慧掌握和使用現今的科技新媒體來廣傳福音,且能藉此促進肢體相交和彼此關顧。
星期三
基督徒在「微信」中,可以通過「個人對話」、「群組聊天」、「朋友圈」、「個人公眾平台」等等渠道進行福音分享。「朋友圈」可以說是接觸面最大、被最普遍使用的方式之一。許多信徒自認膽小內斂,不知道如何與陌生人打開福音話匣,求主賜我們勇氣,又有智慧使用科技,以致更有效分享信仰,見證神的作為。
星期四
基督徒是可以將「朋友圈」作為「個人佈道平台」,但是最好不要一次發太多信息。轉發一些好文章前,應當對內容的真理準確性把關,並且最好能加入個人觀點。求主幫助信徒透過生活各個層面分享信仰,也能行出來使人看出神兒女不平凡的人生。「沒有傳道的,怎能聽見呢?」求主激勵信徒常作準備,隨時見證主。
星期五
教會和團契能利用新媒體傳福音和建立教會;「群組聊天」和「團契的公眾平台」是最常用的兩種方式。在群組中,可以發佈消息、代禱事項、屬靈資源、信仰提問、經文探討和靈裡學習等等。 感謝主,許多教會團契確實能藉著「微信」有更親密的肢體生活。求主保守我們,「污穢的言語一句不可出口,只要隨事說造就人的好話,叫聽見的人得益處。」(弗4: 29)
星期六
線上的群組應當和線下的聚會相結合,不可以「線上」完全取代「線下」。微信公眾號是越來越多被教會、團契使用的傳播方式。求主幫助信徒與福音對象能建立線下的個人關係,基督徒在線下活得出真實的見證才是叫人認識主的關鍵。我們應當利用「朋友圈」把人導向團契和教會。「 所以,你們該彼此勸慰,互相建立,正如你們素常所行的。」 帖前 5:11
星期日
「現代的年輕人沒有手機和社交媒體就活不了」這並不是誇張的評論。年輕人的生活、信息來源幾乎都是以新媒體為中心。我們為中國年輕信徒得著復興禱告,並求主親自吸引年輕人接受耶穌為主,相信祂能給予他們生命的真正意義。同時也為教會青年事工禱告,願教會有良作策略能吸引他們加入在主裡溫暖的團契。
星期一
邪教也大量使用「微信」來吸引人跟隨。他們冒充基督徒,引誘那些毫無戒心的信徒進入他們的團體。這是他們傳教和組織聚會的常用方法。感謝主,中國教會在面對東方閃電邪教的攻擊上學了功課,以致站立得穩。願神繼續保守眾教會紮根真理,遠避他們的詭計,不受偏激和假教師所惑及脅迫。

Wednesday, November 01, 2017

Prayer Request 10/31 - 11/6

Tuesday
We praise God for many young Chinese who not only received education abroad and also the salvation of Jesus Christ. But, it is not easy to retain their new found faith and continue their church lives. This is indeed the fruit of student ministries by many overseas Chinese churches, but much effort to follow up the new converts is needed, to ensure the continuing spiritual growth and discipleship, so their faith will survive the corrupt environment back home.
Wednesday
The Chinese government is actively educating students going abroad to prevent religious conversion, by reminding students to avoid contact with churches or accepting offers from Christians. We pray for all kinds of opportunities for churches to reach Chinese students near them. God gives churches understanding of the mind of young people, so churches can be more effective in engaging young students.
Thursday
It is a tremendous challenge for the young converts to return home because China is atheistic, overtly hostile to Christianity and extremely materialistic. Life in China is also drastically different than in the West. We pray for unwavering as the returnees seek job in the extremely competitive market and pressure from their unbelieving parents who are shocked by their newfound faith.
Friday
All the students going abroad to study are the only child at home, their parents have paid for their education with savings. When they return to China, they will continue to live with their parents and later, live in an apartment paid for with parents money. We pray for these young Christians as they return home and face pressure from their parents whether financially or to pursue other goals and not ignore their Christian faith.
Saturday
Chinese students who converted while studied abroad have no church experience in China, so they are literally stranger to churches and have no Christian friends there. Unfortunately, churches in China also look down on them because of their youthfulness and even suspect their faith is not tested or genuine. We pray that these young converts will not become discouraged and give up finding a spiritual home and the Lord will move churches to treasure these babes in Christ.
Sunday
Many consider the college students in China are the best group for evangelism and a field ripe for harvest. But, many who become Christians stopped attending churches after graduation because of the myriad of temptations and pressure from their families. We pray for all college students who have been exposed to the gospel outside of China, the Lord protect the seeds sown, and make the soil fertile, bring people to water and so there will be abundant fruits.
Monday
It is a fact that churches in China badly need more pastors. Although there are many who are receiving training and being equipped now, but many more are existing the church ministry. Many pastors are burnt out physically and spiritually. We pray for God’s grace in giving them plenty of quiet time to pray and meditate on His words. We pray that more believers will help out in church and share the ministry load with their pastors.


星期二
我們為許多到海外留學信主的年輕人感恩。然而他們回國後,能夠持守信仰並有正常的教會生活,的確是一件不容易的事。這些海外教會學生福音工作所栽種的福音種子,極需要國內教會繼續跟進、培育,求主幫助眾教會在敗壞的社會風氣中,用心澆灌使其靈命成長,成為閃耀真理之光的燈台。
星期三
中國政府近來積極防止留學生在國外接受宗教信仰。不僅加強各樣的精神教育,提醒學生們不要在國外輕易接受教會邀請,也要防備基督徒的好意。黎明之前的環境特別黑暗,求主幫助我們有智慧與熱心把握各種機會,向身邊的留學生傳福音。也求主幫助教會能瞭解年輕人的心態和需要,更有效接觸他們,打赢這場屬靈的戰爭,為主奪回這些失喪的靈魂。
星期四
對信主不久的中國留學生而言,回國確實是個極大的挑戰。大環境不僅是無神論,且對基督教存敵對態度,整個社會充滿拜金主義。再者國內的生活環境和工作形態,都跟國外非常不同。我們禱告,求主堅定初信年輕人的信心,在找工作的難關裡,忍耐等候神的帶領。面對不信主的父母時更能堅守信仰,為主做美好的見證。
星期五
現今的中國留學生絕大部是家裡唯一的孩子,留學費用都是父母供給的。我們為回國的年輕信徒禱告,他們通常要面對家長的施壓,因為他們的經濟來源出於父母,住的房子也是父母支付的。許多父母亦會用各樣方式要求他們先考慮其他追求,不要將神放在首位。求主幫助他們,既不影響與父母的關係,又能堅守信仰立場而不輕易妥協、動摇,失去永恒的救恩。
星期六
那些在國外信主的留學生,沒有參加中國教會的經驗,所以回國後,在沒有任何屬靈朋友的支持下,不容易找到合適的教會。有些教會也輕看他們年幼,以為他們的信仰沒基礎,甚至懷疑他們信主的經歷。求主幫助年輕信徒不要自卑、退縮,看自己合乎中道;又求主提醒教會要珍惜這些在國外信主的年輕肢體,願意以愛心扶持、建造他們。
星期日
許多人認為中國大學生最容易接受福音,是個發白的禾場。可惜大多在學校裡信了主的人,畢業後往往經不起各樣的引誘及家人的壓力,就沒有繼續參加聚會。我們為有機會接觸福音的大學生禱告,求主預備他們的心田,讓神的話如同種子撒在好土裡,得到充份的澆灌並能持續成長,結出百倍果實。
星期一
中國教會不斷增長,但 教會全職事奉的同工仍極少;再者,傳道人受到足夠裝備的人數奇缺。而許多為神擺上的牧者們因忙於牧養群羊,連他們起碼的「安息日」都沒有了。我們為這些身心、靈性上嚴重透支的牧者們禱告,求神施恩,賜他們有足夠與神單獨交流及默想神的話語的時間。又求神親自吸引更多信徒熱心參與教會服事,減少牧者的壓力。