Prayer Request 12/19 - 12/25

Tuesday
The Chinese government tolerates urban churches so long as they are not political, not growing too big and too fast, and not connected with foreign entities. We praise God for the many pastors and leaders who have become well educated and acquired social recognition and status. We pray that they attract and shepherd the growing ranks of a highly educated population more effectively.
Wednesday
Recently, there have been many instances of urban church leaders interviewed by the policies. The message seems to be clear that the government is watching closely. They know the existence and what’s happening in their churches. Many urban churches in China require their pastors to have formal theological training and formally ordained. We pray for better and more comprehensive training for all pastors in China.
Thursday
Many church leaders in the cities have good educations and are are highly respected. To a certain degree, the Chinese government also recognize their respectability and arresting them offer little benefits. We pray for continued support of supplies and spiritual transformation for all who are studying in the Tree Self system and also in the house church-affiliated seminaries and Bible schools.
Friday
City pastors in China have more social status and savvy to communicate with officials. Their ability and approach have significantly eased tension and fear between churches and the government. We pray for vibrant spiritual lives for all believers in China, whether they are in open-churches or house churches. We pray they can live out their love for God and can lead their friends and neighbors to know Jesus.
Saturday
In China, many urban churches refuse to join the Three-self Patriotic Movement, believing this is contrary to the Biblical mandate that Christ is the Head of the Church and hand the authority of their churches to the Communist Party. Every house church must struggle with the decision of to register with the government. We pray for their discussion and decision-making process。 May the Lord grant them peace as they earnestly seek His guidance.
Sunday
Among the unregistered churches in China’s cities, a majority of their pastors accept that government has legal authority in regulating churches. To them, they are willing to register if the government can provide concrete guidelines and policies. We pray that every church in China will have a clear vision to share the gospel and concrete steps to grow their ministries. We pray that every church seek opportunities to reach outside their walls to share God’s word.
Monday
As China urbanizes, many rural church leaders leave to work in the cities. Once they are gone, their churches quickly lose the tight-knit team spirit and become prey to the ravaging cults, especially those in more isolated regions. We pray for God's mercy that more churches will put an emphasis on the teaching of truth and help believers mature. We pray they are able to discern what is from God and what is of man and know how to resist the cults.


星期二
對政府而言，只要城市教會不搞政治、規模沒有發展得過快、過大，也沒有涉及外國，政府似乎也就睜一隻眼閉一隻眼。感謝神，許多城市教會的牧者開始有大學學歷，也有些社會地位和影響力，求主使用他們幫助教會能吸引和牧養更多高學歷背景的會友。
星期三
近來城市中的教會領袖被「請喝茶」（指被安全部門人員約見談話）的情況大幅增加。官方的策略似乎就是一直盯著點他們，知道他們是什麼人，以及在什麼地方。許多城市教會也開始要求傳道人有正規神學訓練，也要求他們正式被按立。我們為中國教會發展出更全備的訓練體制禱告。
星期四
新興的中國城市教會，其領袖通常受過良好教育，在社會上是受人敬重的。政府某種程度上也尊重這些人，如強把這些教會關停，對政府也沒什麼好處。我們來為中國的傳道人代禱，不論他們在三自或是家庭教會的神學院和聖經學院受造就，都能得著聖經的扎實訓練與完備的靈命朔造，學習忠心事奉。
星期五
當今的城市教會牧師們，有一些社會地位，比較懂得與政府溝通，消緩官方担心他們是反政府的疑慮。我們為他們有智慧應對合宜感恩，也為中國信徒禱告。求主保守他們不論是三自或家庭教會的，都能追求靈命成長，真實活出主的愛，以美好的生活見証引領他們的親友和鄰居來認識耶穌，得著永生的福份。
星期六
不少中國城市教會不願參加三自愛國運動，認為這樣做就違反了教會應以基督為首的聖經原則，也等於把最高權威讓位給共產黨領導的三自愛國運動了。所有家庭教會都要面對是否要向政府註冊的問題。我們為他們的討論過程禱告，求主回應他們在神面前尋求，並在主裡得著出人意外的平安。
星期日
大多數未註冊的中國城市教會領袖是承認世俗權威對管理宗教事務有其合法性。如果這種權威能有明確又合理的法規來規範和執行的話，他們是願意向政府直接註冊的。求主賜每個中國教會都有傳福音的異象，不僅對內有計劃來發展事工，也能突破教會有形的四堵牆，有對外展開的機會和策略。
星期一
隨著中國鄉鎮城市化，許多農村教會的骨幹力量都遷徙到城市打工，他們看到城市的情況，以前的團隊觀念自然而然瓦解了。但是許多異端卻選擇在更偏遠的農村建立團隊型的教會。求主帮男教會有更多真理教導，使信徒靈命能更加成熟，有屬靈的洞察力，能分辨哪些是出自人的作為，哪些才是主的心意，並能靠主敗壞異端的計謀，得勝有餘。