Prayer Request 1/16 - 1/22

Tuesday
​In 2015, the average age of marriage in China was twenty-six and the expense for marriage was exorbitantly expensive, exceeding what most Chinese of that age could afford. It is a special blessing for a church to host a wedding which is a sign of vibrancy in the church to be followed by adorable little ones later. We pray that God will bless many churches in China with young and newly-wedded couples bringing joy and renewal to them.
Wednesday
In 2016, the average cost of a wedding in Shanghai was 200,000 Renminbi or about $30,000 U. S. This does not include the cost of an apartment and a car which are widely considered prerequisites for an engagement and are typically purchased by the parents of the young man. ​Parents prepare financially years in advance for the marriage of their only child. We pray that those who are believers will pray for Christian friends for their children and it is never too early to pray for a godly spouse for one's children.
Thursday
In China, matchmaking remains popular because each side knows exactly what the other’s background​ is and candidates are approved by parents from the beginning. Chinese parents and churches alike are usually timid on subjects of dating and sex. We pray that parents and churches ​ alike should have sessions on what God desires of them and about Biblical dating way before​ the dating age comes.
Friday
Patriarchal values are making a comeback in modern China. Many Chinese families have entered the middle class and they want to solidify their status by marrying people from a similar background. Marriage is a decision that affects the whole family. ​Without a good parent-child relationship, it is difficult for Christian parents to insist or even suggest seeking a believer for marriage for their child. We pray that Christian parents will improve their parenting skills and know how to rear a godly child as well as be an example of faith for their children.
Saturday
In 2010, the birth rate in Taiwan dropped to 0.895 per childbearing age woman, lowest in the world. It did improve to 1.175 in 2015. But, by 2060, Taiwan will be the country with the lowest birth rate. Declining birth rate will invariably affect the second generation ministry in a church, especially children's Sunday School. We pray that church leaders will have strategies in place and concrete approaches to improve their current programs.
Sunday
In 2016, in Taiwan the average age for marriage was 34.4 for men and 31.4 for women which is much higher than it was a decade earlier. "Marrying late and being childless" and "staying single" are serious social issues requiring the intervention of the government. ​Taiwan is the most liberal country in Asia in terms of the gay movement. We pray for churches there as they speak out against legalization of homosexuality, non-traditional families and other social issues.
Monday
Young people in Taiwan pursue college or advanced degrees, but the job market is very competitive and salaries ​ are depressed. They worry about starting a family, delay marriages and hesitate to have more than one child. Young people in Taiwan are very political. We lift up the young believers in Taiwan as they try to express the Biblical family values in the public arena and engage in political processes.

星期二
按官方統計，2015年中國平均結婚年齡為二十六歲。然而，大多數這個年齡的人都無法承擔結婚所需的鉅額花費。能在教會舉行婚禮實在特別的有福氣，求主祝福教會有更多年輕弟兄姊妹，願意在主裡建立家庭，為教會教會帶來活潑生氣和新生力軍。
星期三
2016年，在上海舉辦一場婚禮的平均費用為二十萬人民幣，這尚未包括一套公寓和一輛車的費用。公寓和汽車被普遍視為訂婚的先決條件，而且往往是由男方父母提供。中國家長很早就開始為子女的婚禮費用作準備。求主提醒信徒們為自身為家長及有成年子女的肢體代求，得要早早為孩子的伴侶禱告，願神賜給孩子一位敬虔愛主的配偶。
星期四
現今在中國，相親仍然大受歡迎，甚至相當普遍。這因為從一開始，兩家父母就明確知道對方的家庭背景，對象已然經過了篩選，這樣比較有效率。中國家長向來含蓄，鮮有公開談論異性交往與性生活的議題，教會更是如此。求主幫助教會趁早刻意預備機會，教導年輕信徒要立定心志，在異性交往上討神喜悅，仰望神的引導與預備。
星期五
近年，家長制的價值觀正在復興中。很多中產家庭希望通過與同背景的人結婚鞏固社會地位，因此孩子的婚姻就關乎全個家族。有良好的親子關係，家長才能建議孩子結交基督徒的朋友。求主幫助信徒家長能改進他們的親子關係，有智慧養育愛主的子女，最重要的是，成為孩子的信心榜樣。
星期六
台灣生育率2010年便以0.895（每名育齡婦女平均生育子女數字）掉入全球之末、2015年生育率稍有改進1.175，但直到2060年，台灣恐仍難逃成為全球生育率最低國家的命運。生育率的劇減必定會影響教會第二代事工，尤其是兒童主日學。 求主賜教會領袖有對策，更是要改善現有主日學事工。
星期日
2016年，台灣平均結婚年齡為男34.4歲，女31.5歲，較十年前高。「晚婚不生」或「不婚不生」是社會很大危機，政府正鼓勵年輕人早點結婚。近年台灣已成為亞洲中同志運動最前衛的國家。我們為台灣的教會禱告，求主幫助教會在同性戀合法化及多元成家議題上，能表明並活出聖經的教導，成為社會的光和鹽。
星期一
台灣年輕人雖然普遍有大學或研究所學歷，可是畢業進職場工作不穩定，薪水亦不高，自然會擔心結婚生子拖累未來。因為結婚年齡延後，生第二胎機率也隨之減少，又或不敢生第二胎，人口當然越來越少。台灣年輕一代比以往更關心政治。我們為年輕一代信徒禱告，能靠著神，按聖經原則在公共場合為神出聲，用正確的渠道明確表達立場。