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。