Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Prayer Request 2/27 - 3/5

Tuesday
When China first opened up in ​the ​1980's, what the old pastors preached of those days ​still deeply influence​ and shape​ the theological tradition of churches in China today, especially the eschatology- their view of the end of time. We praise God for the older generation of pastors who endured severe persecution and understood intimately the meaning of suffering for Christ's sake. We pray their legacy and example of faithfulness under testing will always ​be ​a blessing to all believers in China.
Wednesday
The older generation of pastors in China were trained in the 1940's. They deeply believe “The world is corrupt, we should pursue the spiritual world. And, the world is increasingly corrupt; to seek growth in spiritual life, one must give up all attachment to the world.” ​We praise the Lord that the prevailing teaching of the churches in​ China is still to endure suffering and pursue a spiritual life. We pray that young believers will glean the benefits and values of those who suffered greatly for the sake of God's name.
Thursday
Leaders of the churches in China have been deeply influenced by​ ​their predecessors because they were led to Christ and mentored by them. Those today still believe very strongly that the material world is corrupt and believers should have no part in it. Churches in China have a different tradition and theological interpretation than their Western counterparts. We pray that church leaders can lead their flock​s​, applying the Word of God in this ever changing society and not simply stay unchanged with traditions and the​ir​ preferences.
Friday
Older pastors in China always preach: “ Loving God means​ a​ believer cannot love oneself or money. So, Christians should not engage in business, ​since ​having a business to make money is an expression of one's​ love for the world.” We believe God has blessed His churches in China greatly both spiritually and materially. We pray churches can endure the seduction of materialism and stay faithful to His calling to preach His Gospel in a society that is mad with money.
Saturday
The pastors in old China believed and preached, "There is no need for Christian counseling since all one needs to do is to pray and pray. They also taught that one should deny oneself, any talk about money was not spiritual, and that prayer is the answer to every problem. Such dogmas are still influential there. ​There are many forms of extreme teachings in the churches in China and each one denounces all others as non-Biblical​. We are called to pray for humility and a balanced approach to ministries and administration in the church and we also pray for healthy growth and unity.
Sunday
Church leaders of China today started serving in ​the ​1980's when China was opening up. They had little Christian resources and received all the​ir​ teaching from older pastors. This means, in terms of theological and spiritual tradition, they are identical to the previous generation of pastors. Believers in China have access to all kinds of teaching via the Internet. We pray for solid Biblical teaching in all churches and for tech-savvy believers. The Lord gives them discernment, not to be led astray by false teachers and extreme teachings.
Monday
Many church leaders in China today still uphold the spiritual values of the previous generation, especially in regard to social issues. Younger church leaders worry such social conservatism will lead to more criticism and will give​ the​ impression that churches refuse to change with time. We pray for the younger generation of church leaders as they assert influence and implement changes. May the Lord give them integrity, a vision of how churches could minister to young people who know little of past persecution, and want to engage in society.​


星期二
中國八十年代改革開放,好些老牧者在教會傳講的信息,漸漸形成那一代信徒的屬靈傳統,其中影響最深遠的神學思想是末世觀。感謝主保守一眾老牧者,當火煉的試驗臨到他們時,他們能以受苦的心志當作兵器,堅守住信仰。求主繼續使用他們生命的見証和忠心的服事,成為眾信徒的榜樣。
星期三
上世紀四十年代受神學裝備的老牧者們,深信「世界的一切都是敗壞的,只有屬靈的世界才是人應追求的。世界只會越來越敗壞,追求屬靈生命的成長,必須放棄對世界的所有依戀。」感謝神!當今中國教會仍然注重「寧願吃苦受難也要走十架路」的靈命操練。願年輕一代信徒能效法老一代如何為主的名捨己受苦的心志。
星期四
今日許多中國教會領袖因是八十年代信主及受老牧者教導,所以也認為世界是敗壞的,信徒要逃避它。中國教會在傳統和神學上的解讀與西方教會大有不同。求主幫助教會領袖順勢在不同的社會環境中,專心尋求主的心意,而不是堅持人的傳統。能以更開放的心胸、靈巧的策略帶領群羊到神面前。
星期五
有些中國老牧者認為「愛主不能愛自己,更不能愛瑪門;因此基督徒不應做生意,開店賺錢是愛世界的表現。」我們相信神願意祂的眾子民都有蒙福的生活,上帝不論在靈命和物質上也已大大祝福了中國教會。我們為教會能勝過物質富裕中的種種引誘禱告,在這向錢看的社會中,盡忠地勇敢與鄰舍分享福音的大好消息。
星期六
中國老牧者往往認為「凡事禱告就好,不需要輔導。」「愛主就要捨己,談到錢就是不屬靈。」這些屬靈觀對今日教會仍有極大的影響力。中國教會的這些觀點造成一些偏差和爭端,容易走極端,容易指責他人的講解不合乎聖經。我們為教會有真正合一的心,竭力追求和睦來禱告,求主賜給我們謙卑,不偏激,不論斷,靈命能健康地成長。
星期日
今日的中國教會領袖,大多是在改革開放初期開始事奉,那時基督教資源不多,他們完全順服上一代牧者的教導, 可以說教會的屬靈傳統在世紀之交仍沒多大變化。現今中國信徒藉著網路,能吸收到各式各樣的屬靈教導。求主賜給眾教會有優良的信息教導,栽培信徒有能力分辨何為真理,更要棄絕假教師,遠避異端邪道。
星期一
現今不少教會領袖秉持著上一代的屬靈觀來面對當前的社會問題。一些年輕信徒領袖擔心這種保守思想只會遭到社會上更多負面批評,也擔心教會抗拒改變,失去面對新世局的適應策略。我們為年輕一代的教會領袖們禱告,求主加能賜力,賜下異象能服事新一代的信徒,雖然沒有像上一代的受苦經歷,卻有深切影響這一世代社會的感動力。

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Prayer Request 2/13 - 2/19

Tuesday
Among China’s urban churches, there are believers of all backgrounds, but they are clearly younger and more educated now. Every church has these groups: college students or young intellectuals or professionals, middle age or older believers, retirees and migrant workers. We pray for urban church leaders having vision and good strategies to minister to the diverse groups of church members, each having its own special needs, but able to care for them well as a good shepherd.
Wednesday
In China, college students and young intellectuals are more open in making contact with churches and even attend services. Often, they are open to the Gospel when they search for answer of their difficulties in lives. Churches in China needs a new generation of pastors who understand and minister to the college students. In the meantime, we pray for these young seekers and believers will have patience, humility and willingness to serve in church.
Thursday
In China, urban churches are younger and more educated because of large number of college students and graduates joining. Overall quality has improved too as young people grow spiritually, getting involved in serving and even willing to serve full time as pastors. We praise the Lord for these intellectuals becoming pastors and able to minister to a vastly more educated believers now. We pray that the Lord guard their hearts of serving, not merely by their gifts and strength, but rather by faith and with prayer.
Friday
In China, some of the intellectuals in church are professionals with good-paying jobs and respectable status. But, they are generally busy and not likely to be involved in church. At present this group is mainly made of people who had education abroad. Those believers who had exposure to churches overseas, often have difficulties with the lack of transparency and highly authoritative administrative style of churches in China. We pray for them as they adjust with humility, not judging deliberately, but willing to serve in church.
Saturday
A small number believers in urban churches in China are the returnees. Since the economic reform and opening up 30 years ago, about 160,000 Chinese students have returned after receiving education abroad. Many of them have become Christian while in foreign countries. They do have certain influence because of their ability in contributing financially, but they have certain issues in mixing well in their local church. Let us pray for them specifically, the Lord connect them with mature believers who can spur them to grow spiritually and willing to submit to their church leadership.
Sunday
Among the urban churches in China, there is also a large group of middle and older believers, they are mostly retirees, many grew up in Christian homes and have been a believers all their lives. Often, they are more pious and firm in their faith. We pray for these Christians so they will be greatly used by God in their churches, serving Him with time and their spiritual knowledge. The Lord use them especially in caring of fellow believers and helping pastor in visitation.
Monday
Among the urban churches in China, some are relatively new believers. They come to know the Lord because of relatives or friends who have shared the Gospel with tem. There are also some who were baptized while they visited their children abroad. We pray for these new believers so they will continue to mature in the Word of God and stay fervent, begin to serve in church, and begin to lead others to Jesus Christ with the powerful testimonies of their transformed lives.


星期二
中國的城市教會中會衆來源眾多,但明顯的趨向年輕化和知識化。目前城市教會的主要會衆群體有這幾種:在校大學生與青年知識份子及專業人士、中老年傳統基督徒、下崗工人和民工。我們為教會領袖,有神來的異象和有效的策略來牧養經濟文化背景諸多不同的群體。雖然會友的需要非常不同,但都能忠心為主牧養好各類的羊群。
星期三
大學生和青年知識份子往往思想開放、也比較願意接觸教會而來到教會,並且能夠在教會中找到困擾他們的人生問題的解答。現今教會更需要新一代的牧者,能牧養大學生,瞭解他們特別的文化和需要。求主賜給這群信徒更多忍耐與謙卑,願意熱心參與教會服侍。
星期四
由於眾多大學在校生和畢業生的湧入教會,使其年輕化和知識化的趨勢越來越明顯,會眾整體素質也越來越高。他們在教會中迅速成長,擔負起各項教會基層事工的日常運作,也有人獻身于傳道事業。我們為這些高素質的肢體能獻身感恩,求主使用他們能餵養教育程度越來越高的信徒們,也保守他們的服侍,不是靠著才能,力量,而是憑著信心,藉著禱告結出豐碩的果實。
星期五
教會知識份子信徒中還有一部分是專業人士,他們有固定的工作,較豐厚的收入,受過較高的教育和社會地位,但是卻普遍是忙碌的。其中主要出自於海歸派人士。從海外回來或是在海外信主的人,習慣了國外教會的透明度,牧會方式,其實也不太容易融入中國本土式的教會。求主保守並賜下謙卑的心志給海歸信徒,不刻意去比較,而是樂意融入,以參與服侍為神家带來新的氣象。
星期六
中國改革開放以來,約有 16 萬人回國,是所謂的海歸。這批人中有不少在國外時成爲了基督徒。 這部分人在國內城市教會的整體人數還不多,但具有一定的影響力,在經濟方面的奉獻也比較多。海歸的信徒在們在全面融入教會方面還存在一定的問題,我們求主預備成熟的信徒,成為生命成長的良師好友,激勵他們靈命繼續成長,也能尊重順服傳統中國式教會領導。
星期日
城市教會中還有一個比較大的群體是中老年基督徒,不少是退休的普通市民。他們有的是出生于傳統的基督徒家庭,從家庭中承受基督教信仰,一般都比較虔誠與堅定。我們為這批信徒祈求,願神大大使用他們的時間,靈命基礎更進深,在教會有更多的服侍,尤其是在關心有需要的會友,探訪新來的慕道者等聖工,成為協助牧者的支柱。
星期一
城市教會中還有些是近年來信主的肢體。他們也有不少是因著親戚或朋友分享福音信了耶穌,也有的在出國探親時受洗,回來再尋找教會。我們為他們感恩,願主保守他們持有當初的火熱,多有追求。不單只在聖經的知識上大有長進,也能幫助別人,甚至在他們的親友圈子中見證神的改變與作為,領人歸主。

Tuesday, February 06, 2018

Prayer Request 2/6 - 2/12

Tuesday
There are plenty of dating shows on TV in China. One of the most memorable and provocative statements from these shows is "I'd rather cry in a BMW than laugh on a bicycle." Young believers in China face tremendous temptations in a society that sees nothingwrong with premarital sex and cohabitation. We pray that they will know the Biblical reasons to keep themselves pure for God and for the one whom the Lord has prepared for them.
Wednesday
"Chinese Dating" is a very popular television show which spins a new twist by giving parents of contestants power over their children's choices, a power that reflects Chinese society today. Many young believers come from non-believing families and their parents have different sets of values and priority for marriage. We pray for young single believers that they would seek God's will and patiently await God's provision in finding a mate who shares the same faith.
Thursday
In popular TV dating shows in China, parents have a lot of input into the selection of a potential mate by the contestants. The outspoken blunt opinions and demands contribute to the appeal of the show. Chinese parents have enormous influence in the marriage of their children. We pray for parents who are believers and have children of marriageable age, that the Lord will give them wisdom and a good relationship so they will be able to remind their children to honor and trust that God will provide the very best for them.
Friday
Although arranged marriages in which family elders hired matchmakers to find spouses for their children, were banned by the Republican government in the 1930's, a weekly dating show has again evoked this tradition in China. It is a beautiful ministry that a mature and godly person can introduce and match young believers even though they are from different churches. We pray for more fellowship of young Christians from different churches and also via social media.
Saturday
Chinese millennials are often portrayed as the excessively indulged and protected products of the one-child family policy. It seems that they are yielding to their parents who are ready to provide them with everything, even a spouse. Parents will do anything for their only child and even spoiling them. We pray that Christian parents will instead, teach their children to fear God, help them to form spiritual habits and learn to serve God from a small age.
Sunday
In China, parents of eligible young men concern most about the financial strength of their sons. While parents of girls must be content with whether their daughters are young, pretty and innocent looking. One reason Chinese parents had so much say over their child's marriage was that many of the parents were paying for it. We must give thanks because children are an inheritance from the Lord. We pray that believers will know God has entrusted children to them and will continue to remind them to walk closely with Jesus, even after they have grown up and have formed their own family.
Monday
Many young people in China cannot afford to marry without the help of their parents. Later on they will still need their parent's help to care for their children. Parents in China really give too much protection and support to their only child which has given rise to a generation that has never really grown up. We pray that young Christian parents will teach their children to fear God and that those who are grandparents will continue to exert a godly influence by taking their grandchildren to church, praying with them, and sharing Bible stories with them.


星期二
相親節目在中國不是新鮮事物,其中最有代表性又最有爭議性的宣言,莫過於「我寧願坐在寶馬車裡哭,也不願意坐在單車後面笑。」在婚前性行為和同居氾濫的風氣中,年輕信徒實在面臨極大的試探和考驗。求主幫助他們明白聖經的教導,知道神的心意是要我們為主,也為神所預備的伴侶持守貞潔。同時也相信神會為自己預備最合適的良伴。
星期三
《中國式相親》電視節目間接賦予父母干預子女選擇的權力,這反映了中國當下的社會實況。許多教會中的年輕人來自非基督徒的家庭,其父母對婚姻與擇偶有完全不同的考量。我們來為年輕單身信徒禱告,求主提醒他們要切切尋求神的心意,等待神的預備,選擇有共同信仰的人作為終身的伴侶。
星期四
在中國,有些父母能在年輕人的婚姻中起決策作用,他們出現在相親節目中,立場鮮明地說出自己的要求,大大增加這類節目的受歡迎程度。在現實中,中國年輕人的婚姻決定的確是很受父母影響的。我們為主內家長禱告,求神賜他們有智慧教養子女和有良好的親子關係,從小教導他們要選擇與信主的人同負一軛。當孩子在適婚年齡時,也不斷提醒子女要將神放在首位,莫因一時孤單或肉體軟弱而成為自己一生的虧損。
星期五
在中國雖然「包辦婚姻」已在上世紀三十年代已被政府取消,但近年每週播出的電視節目《中國式相親》就讓人再次想起中國傳統的「父母之命,媒妁之言」。教會中若有成熟和敬虔的長輩,能為年輕信徒來牽線認識,這是非常美,也是極有價值的服事。我們為年輕信徒之間的團契與交流,也包括基督徒交友網站來禱告,求主保守管理這些相關的服事和媒體平台。
星期六
千禧一代,往往被描繪成中國獨生子女政策下,受父母過度縱容和保護的一代。他們發現自己在順從父母的意願下成長,父母就會隨時準備為他們提供一切,包括配偶。父母會寵愛獨生子女,為他們預備一切,似乎是這種社會環境下的人之常情。我們卻特別要為信徒家長禱告,求神幫助父母要按著神的心意教導子女,敬畏神遠離惡事,幫助他們建立屬靈的習慣,並學習在教會中服事。
星期日
若有適婚的兒子,中國家長最關心是孩子的經濟實力。若有女兒,就以其年輕、漂亮和單純為談婚論嫁的本錢。父母之所以能左右子女的婚姻,其中一大原因就是為孩子的婚姻開支買單。子女是神所賜的產業。 我們為信徒明白神託付我們來管理孩子來禱告,神的美意是要父母為神教養出敬虔的後代,就是到老也不偏離,有蒙福的一生。
星期一
若沒有父母的幫助,很多中國年輕人是結不起婚的;有些人甚至在婚後仍然要依附父母,需要他們幫助帶孩子。事實上,過份保護和支援,讓中國產生了一代長不大的孩子。求主提醒年輕的基督徒父母要警覺,現今社會對教養孩童的風氣並不正確,小心自己也落在偏差的價值觀裡。求主幫助基督徒祖父母能繼續有敬虔的影響力,把孫子輩帶到教會,和他們一起禱告,分享主耶穌的故事。