Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Prayer Request 3/27 - 4/2

Tuesday
In China, atheism is still taught in the schools. Although many Chinese are not real materialists, they hold certain preconceived notions that God does not exist and man evolved from apes. We pray that Christian parents will persist in teaching their children to know God and then never stop praying for their spiritual life and encouraging them to defend their faith and trust in God to be faithful. We also pray that they will be good spiritual examples for their children.
Wednesday
Some people in China believe religion is the antithesis of rationality and science, and is synonymous with ignorance and childishness. They think Christianity is incompatible with science and out of step with modern civilization. The majority of believers in China are not intellectuals. We praise God for urban churches started to have many members who have high education now. We pray for the spirit of unity for churches, so they will not despise believers who are poor, less educated and the lowly of the society.
Thursday
Some Christians in China believe that in order to achieve further church growth, it is necessary to encourage believers to gain scientific and cultural knowledge. They believe that this will help to eliminate the common notion that Christianity is opposed to science. We pray that believers will boldly proclaim God's Word and not be ashamed of it. May we all be rewarded in being able to witness how the Holy Spirit softens hearts of stone and makes good soil for the gospel.
Friday
The greatest challenge Christian parents in China face is that all children are indoctrinated with the propaganda and glorification of the Communist Party. All the students are strongly encouraged to join and pledge allegiance to the Little and Youth Leagues (a branch of the Party). We pray for the divine protection of all the youth from Christian families, so they can be like Daniel and his friends, able to preserve their faith, and not be ashamed of Jesus Christ, in the atheistic environment and among their friends.
Saturday
Obviously, China is a unique country in that atheism is taught as a default subject by the government in the school curriculum. Hence, generations of children assume that atheism is the "truth". We pray for wisdom and perseverance for Christian parents enabling them to teach their children that God is real and faithful. We also pray that Christian parents will be great examples of faith and dedication to God even when their children become teenagers.
Sunday
Christians in China encounter a constant anti-religion hostility. In the classrooms, teachers are always attacking different aspects of religions and feeding students all kind of negative information about them. The loss of children of believers from churches is a huge problem in the churches of China. We pray for spiritual leaders to have vision and use strategies to retain the young ones from drifting away from the faith. May the Lord help all Christian parents to teach their children to know God as well as be a living example of the faith themselves.
Monday
One challenge churches in China face is the prevailing anti-religion attitude. Although the government no longer suppress religions, Christianity is still singled out as anti-scientific. We praise God for many intellectuals who have become believers in the past two decades. We pray that the Spirit of God continues to soften hearts of many who still see Christianity as Western and anti-science.


星期二
中國教會面對的挑戰之一是反宗教的偏見。很多百姓在無神論教育的薰陶下成長,儘管並非徹底的唯物主義,但都堅持沒有神,人類源於古猿進化。我們要為信徒家長禱告,求主幫助他們有智慧和信心能堅持教導孩子從小認識神,不停為孩子的靈命祈求,並以身作則活出真實的信仰見證,與孩子一同經歷神的信實和慈愛。
星期三
很多中國人覺得信仰跟科學格格不入,與現代文明脫節,甚至是無稽之談。雖然信徒大多數沒接受過高等教育,不過在城市裡已有不少知識份子接受了福音,我們為此感恩。求主賜教會智慧,在肢體中不分社會地位高低、貧富,教育程度不同,都有合一的靈:「向甚麼樣的人,我就作甚麼樣的人。無論如何,總要救些人……所行的都是為福音的緣故,為要與人同得這福音的好處。」(林前9:22-23)
星期四
有些人認為,教會應鼓勵廣大信徒多學習科學和文化知識,以消除民眾認為「宗教與科學是對立」的偏見。我們為中國信徒禱告,求主使他們大有膽量廣傳福音,不以神福音為恥。有信心見證聖靈將石心化柔、蘊育成福音沃土的奇跡。「我們爭戰的兵器本不是屬血氣的,乃是在神面前有能力,可以攻破堅固的營壘,將各樣的計謀,各樣攔阻人認識神的那些自高之事,一概攻破了,又將人所有的心意奪回,使他都順服基督。」林後10:4-5
星期五
基督徒家長面對最大的挑戰,就是自孩子進入學校,需要接受愛國教育、無神論,鼓勵孩子宣誓加入少年先鋒隊和共青團。 求主保守青少年信徒能如同但以理和他的朋友們一樣,在教導無神論的學校、朋友和社交圈裡,能持守信仰,不卑不亢,勇敢為主作見證。
星期六
現今中國教育的課程,或許是世界上唯一最徹底的無神論, 導致幾代的孩子認為無神論即是真理。求主賜給信徒家長智慧和耐心,願意按著聖經的原則盡心培育子女,幫助他們建立穩固的信仰根基,以致在青春期成長的衝擊來到時不易被搖動。我們更為信徒家長以身教和信心的生活見證成為子女靈命承傳的楷模。
星期日
在學校課堂裡,教師們極力攻擊信仰,給學生傳遞宗教種種負面的知識。信徒子女普遍的信仰流失,是中國教會的一大問題。我們切切為中國信仰的屬靈承傳來禱告,求主賜給教會領袖異象和眼光來挽回、幫助父母親認真教導子女認識神和真理,也成為他們以信心跟從神的好榜樣。
星期一
雖然中國政府不再高壓反對信仰,但是基督教卻是唯一被戴上反科學罪名的信仰,好些人仍然對基督教存著十足的敵意。我們為中國教會過去二十年來,添加了許多知識份子信徒而感恩,求聖善的靈繼續軟化人心,能更全面深入地明瞭福音真理,不再將基督教簡略地當作洋教或是反科學而拒絕,甚至敵視。

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Prayer Request 3/20 - 3/26

Tuesday
More and more Chinese​ are getting hooked on nicotine despite the repeated efforts of the government to control it, the public outcries, and the many campaigns to promote awareness of it. We pray for believers to be powerfully delivered from addiction even though their family members smoke, and especially for those who have teens who smoke. May the Lord set them free from all addictions to smoking, gambling and pornography.
Wednesday
Nearly seventy percent of Chinese smokers started between the ages of fourteen and twenty-two. Men smokers outnumber ​women who smoke by two to one. They learn to smoke though curiosity, rebellion, or peer pressure. Many Christian parents are deeply pained knowing that their children or other family members smoke. Let us join them in praying for God's deliverance from this harmful habit and that the Lord will open their hearts to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Thursday
More than half of the smokers in China started to smoke in their adolescent years and find it very difficult to quit, no matter their educational background. Those who are more highly educated are less likely to quit than those with less education.​ ​It is difficult for parents to teach their children not to smoke when a spouse smokes. We pray for believers who have unbelieving spouses but want their children to know Jesus​. May the Lord strengthen their resolve and give them patience.
Friday
During the last thirty years, the phenomenal economic growth and improvement of lifestyle in China have contributed to the spike in incidences of cardiovascular disease and stroke.​ ​There are many stroke patients in China and it is​ the responsibility of the families in the churches to care for these patients. We pray for patience, grace, and the joy of the Lord for them, especially in times of frustration and helplessness.
Saturday
China's embracing Western foods such as red meat and soda pop has exacerbated the obesity problem there. Fast food restaurants are very popular in many provinces, especially among rural children.​ ​Rural churches have millions of youth and children who grew up with some Bible ​knowledge but few of them have solid spiritual roots so they quickly abandon their faith when they go to work in the cities. We pray for the grace of God for them and His protection from temptation for the young ones in rural churches.
Sunday
Obesity is an alarming problem in China because many families move from villages to the cities and their physical activities are limited there. Smoking is also a widespread problem with more than half of the men who smoke in spite of the repeated efforts of the government to curb it.​ Young people in the rural churches will eventually move to cities to work so we pray that they will be spiritually equipped, have the habit of daily Bible reading and prayer before their leave their homes for work. We pray that like Daniel in the Bible, who refused to defile himself with the king's food, they will be able to resist temptation.
Monday
China is the world's largest market for tobacco with more than 300 million smokers--a whopping 33% of its adult population. Central and western China (including Yunnan province) have the highest percentage of smokers, with nearly half smoking more than half a pack daily. Since our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit purchased with a great price, we pray that all believers will take good care of that with which the Lord has entrusted to us and flee from all kinds of sin that defile us.


星期二
中國控煙,公眾支持,媒體呼籲,政府也捨得花錢。然而,過去種種控煙努力似乎都打了水漂,在上百個國家吸煙率都在下降的時候,中國煙民數量和煙草消費卻節節上升。我們為信徒家中有人抽煙的,尤其是已經吸煙的青少年禱告,求主幫助人看見這些不健康的嗜好所帶來的禍害。我們也記念仍受著嫖、賭、色情網、電玩等各種癖瘾捆綁的信徒禱告,求主加力給他們,順著聖靈而不是順著肉體得著真正的自由。
星期三
中國七成煙民吸煙始於十四至二十二歲,而十四歲以下開始吸煙的男生數量是女生的兩倍。這個時期的青少年對新事物好奇又自我,便容易在追求同輩認同的心態下嘗試吸煙。許多基督徒父母因自己的孩子及家人抽煙而擔憂痛心,求主垂聽他們的禱告,幫助煙民脫離這罪的轄制,又感動那些頑固的心靈,早日接受耶穌基督為救主,過一個健康平安的生活。
星期四
中國煙民有五成左右都在未成年時期開始吸煙。一個人無論學歷高低,戒掉一個成癮的毛病都是艱難的。隨著學歷的升高,嘗試戒菸的人數反而降低。當父母其中一方抽煙,就很難阻止孩子不吸煙。我們為那些想引領孩子認識主耶穌,從小給孩子基督教教養,但配偶卻是不信的信徒禱告,願主加添他們信心及忍耐,靠著恒久的愛心盼望將一切交托主。
星期五
過去三十年,中國經濟快速增長,生活方式逐漸富裕,這反成了心肌梗死和腦猝中等心血管疾病發病率急劇上升的原因之一。教會中也有不少中風的信徒或是需要長期照顧的家人,求主賜給他們有耐心,在煩躁無奈中仍有神賜的恩慈,更是有主的喜樂。也求主在教會充足預備支持鼓勵他們的屬靈伙伴,在代禱與關懷方面給予他們強而有力的扶助。
星期六
中國對紅肉和汽水等西方食品的欣然接納導致健康問題加劇。快餐店在中國很多省份大受歡迎,肥胖症的問題也日益嚴重,特別是在農村孩子當中。百萬農村青少年,雖然在家鄉的教會認識信仰,但真正在靈命和屬靈操練上有扎實根基的卻寥寥無幾。。他們一旦到了城市工作,往往無法持守信仰來抵擋引誘,也停止聚會。求主堅固農村教會的年輕人和孩青少年子的信心,親自吸引他們渴慕追求認識主更深。
星期日
隨著從鄉村遷至城鎮的中國家庭增加,體力活動水平普遍降低,也是中國肥胖症增多的因素。此外,吸煙癖好廣為盛行也是社衛問題之一,縱然政府採取了多項措施打擊吸煙,但依有超過一半的男性是煙民。農村教會的年輕信徒大都進城找工作,求主感動農村教會能在年輕人離鄉之前,教導他們效法但以理在王宮不玷污自己,有讀經禱告親近神的恒常屬靈操練,以致靈命能繼持續成長。
星期一
中國的煙民超過三億(將近三份之一的成人人口),是全世界最大的香煙市場。中西部地區以及雲南是煙民比例最高的地方,近一半的吸煙者平均每天會抽香煙十根到一盒。願主提醒我們保養顧惜好自己的身體,更是不被罪玷污自己。因為神教導我們:身體是聖靈的殿,是神用重價贖回來的,一定要自潔自重,為神珍重。

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Prayer Request 3/13 - 3/19


Tuesday
In China, living together without marriage is considered to be no big deal and people are puzzled by the opposition of the church. Some believers even openly question why churches continue to preach against it.​ We pray pastors can teach powerfully and effectively God's command, possessing wisdom as they admonish their members who cohabitate. “Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.” 1 Cor. 6:18
Wednesday
The attitude toward sex is very liberal and cohabitation is prevalent in China. Apartments for unmarried couples near college campuses are in​ great demand and very profitable to run.We pray that young Christians will please the Lord as they encounter temptation and remember that we are purchased with a great price and are to glorify God in our bodies. (1 Cor. 6:20)
Thursday
​Cohabitation is a real issue that pastors in China face now. No matter the size or location of their church, they will​ be asked to conduct a wedding by a couple who are living together. We pray for these pastors that they will have wisdom, grace, and use Biblical principles in being able to counsel those young people to live a life pleasing to God Who charges all shepherds to lead and guide the sheep entrusted to them.
Friday
Many Chinese Christians still believe marital affairs​ will not happen to church families. We pray specifically for Christian couples that they will guard their hearts and be diligent in protecting their marriage. “Have respect for marriage. Always be faithful to your partner, because God will punish anyone who is immoral or unfaithful in marriage. “ Hebrews 13:4
Saturday
In China, the common attitude now is “get married for a good life, and get a divorce for a better life.” Gone is the conservative view of marriage, in its place are the quality of life and happiness of marriage. We pray for believers who are contemplating divorce or are separated. May the Spirit of God convict them and​ teach them how to please the Lord and trust Him for the strength and love to save their marriage.
Sunday
Christianity emphasizes family harmony and morality, opposing all immoral sexual behaviors. These beliefs cause others in China to see Christians as being stubborn and intolerant hypocrites. Christians who fail in their marriage or commit sexual sins lose their testimonies. We all need to glorify God in our bodies. We pray for those weaker believers so they will not be stumbled by the news of famous preachers who have​ committed immorality.
Monday
In China, the “sexual revolution” seems to have no limits. The media seems to be driven by people who use it to promote a moral agenda that is completely hostile to the Word of God. Chinese media also promotes​ the pursuit of wealth promiscuity and promiscuity. We need to pray for all believers so they will constantly safeguard their minds and thoughts, just like Joseph in the Book of Genesis who uttered “how could ​I ​do this and sin against God?”

星期二
婚前同居在中國已被視為理所當然,一般人對教會為何還要反對婚前同居不解,有些信徒甚至懷疑教會還能在這立場上堅持多久。求主幫助傳道人能堅定有力地教導神的話,也有智慧勸告那些已經選擇同居的會友。「你們要逃避淫行。人所犯的,無論什麼罪,都在身子以外,惟有行淫的,是得罪自己的身子。」林前 6:18
星期三
中國社會對性的態度越來越開放,未婚同居已成為越來越嚴重的社會問題。一些大學周邊地區的「情侶宿舍」有供不應求的現象,更是商人在大學城區賺錢的好方法。求主保守年輕基督徒在這些試探中,深知神保守我們婚姻的心意,堅定持守貞潔,因為「為我們是重價買來的。要在我們的身子上榮耀神。」 (林前6:20)
星期四
未婚同居現象近來甚至也波及神的教會。無論是大教會或小教會,又或所在甚麼城巿,同居的情況都是一個擺在牧者們面前的事實。牧者們都曾遇到同居男女要求為他們舉辦婚禮的情形。我們向聖潔的主呼求,既然神已經將群羊託付給牧者,他就有責任加以監督引導,好在末日向主交賬。求主賜傳道人有智慧、恩典和清楚教授聖經原則的機會,能幫助同居的會友離開不討神喜悅的生活。
星期五
不少基督徒還認為婚外情只會發生在那些「婚姻有問題」或「婚姻不幸福」的人身上,事實上,婚外情亦可能出現在看來正常的夫妻,甚至信徒家裡。我們為信徒夫妻祈求,求神保守他們的心懷意念,又幫助他們儆醒自己心思,謹守保護自己的婚姻。因為神訓誡我們要嚴肅看待婚約:「婚姻,人人都當尊重,床也不可污穢;因為苟合行淫的人,上帝必要審判。 來13:4 )
星期六
現在流行的婚姻態度是「結婚是為了過得很好,而離婚是為了過得更好。」反觀中國過去較保守的婚姻觀,現代人講求的是生活質量和婚姻幸福感。我們為預備離婚或已經分居的信徒禱告,願聖善的靈感動他們明白神的心意,也願意依靠神賜的力量和祂的愛,來修補破裂的關係,挽回與重建他們的家。
星期日
基督信仰注重家庭的和睦、具有極強的倫理性、反對一切不道德的性行為。因而在很多人看來,基督徒是一群頑固不化,缺乏包容,甚至是偽善的「怪物」。我們為每個信徒都能在生活上見證榮耀神禱告。不少信徒在婚姻,貞潔上失敗,就失去了應有的見證。 又求神保守軟弱的信徒,不因他們看見名牧或信徒跌倒而對信仰失望冷淡。
星期一
中國開放的社會風氣導致對信仰的遠離,「性革命」似乎完全肆無忌憚。推動媒體的力量是來自提倡與神的話語相悖的道德議題的人。媒體天天宣揚報導放縱自我,笑貧不笑娼。求主幫助眾信徒,在這末世時代,保守自己心懷意念,更有像舊約的約瑟般的心志:「我怎能作這大惡,得罪神呢?」

Wednesday, March 07, 2018

Prayer Request 3/6 - 3/12

Tuesday
In the urban churches in China there are believers of all backgrounds​ but they are clearly younger and more educated now than they were formerly. Each church has these groups: college students/young intellectuals or professionals, middle age or older believers, retirees, and migrant workers. We pray that leaders in the urban churches will have a vision and good strategies to minister to the special needs of each of the diverse groups and care for them as good shepherds.
Wednesday
College students and young intellectuals in China​ are more open today to make contact with churches and even attend services than before. Often this openness comes when they are searching for the answer to difficulties they face. ​Churches in China need a new generation of pastors who understand and minister to college students. In the meantime, we pray these young seekers will have patience, humility, and the willingness to serve in their churches.
Thursday
In China, people in urban churches are​ younger and more highly educated than before because of the large number of college students and professionals. The overall quality in the churches has improved also as these young people grow spiritually and become willing to even serve as pastors of churches. ​We praise the Lord for these new pastors who are able to minister to a vastly more educated believer now. We pray that the Lord will guard their hearts to serve and that they will do so by faith and prayer, not just by their gifts and strength
Friday
In China, some of the intellectuals in the churches are professional people who have good-paying jobs and a respectable status in the community. However, they are generally busy and not likely to become involved in the church. At the present time this group is mainly made up of people who were educated abroad.​ ​These believers who were exposed to churches overseas often have difficulty with the lack of transparency and the highly authoritative administrative style of the churches in China. We pray for them as they adjust, that they will be humble, not deliberately judging but being willing to serve God there.​
Saturday
A small number of believers in the urban churches in China are those who have returned​ from study abroad. Since the economic reform and opening of China thirty years ago, about 160,000 students have returned to China after they finished their studies abroad. Many of these people have become Christians while they were in foreign countries. These people do have a certain influence in the churches in China because of their ability to contribute financially​, but they do have issues when it comes to mixing well with the believers already there. Let us pray for them specifically that the Lord will connect them with mature believers who can spur them to grow spiritually and be willing to submit to the leadership of their church.
Sunday
In the urban churches in China, there is a large group of​ middle-aged and older believers who are mostly retirees. Many grew up in Christian homes and have been believers all of their lives. Many are very pious and firm in their faith. ​We pray that these Christians will be greatly used by God as they serve Him with their time and spiritual knowledge in their churches. May the Lord use them, especially in caring for fellow believers and helping their pastors in visitation.​
Monday
​Some of the believers in urban churches in China are relatively new Christians. They have come to know the Lord through relatives or friends who have​ shared the gospel with them and some were baptized while they visited their children abroad. ​We pray that these new believers will continue to mature in the Word of God and stay fervently following the Lord as well as beginning to fervently serve in their churches​ and begin to lead others to Jesus Christ with their powerful testimonies of transformed lives.


星期二
近年中國的城市教會明顯年輕化和知識化。目前城市教會的主要會衆群體有幾種: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。我們為教會領袖禱告,求主賜下異象,有策略來牧養經濟文化背景不同的群體。雖然弟兄姊妹的需要各有不同,但牧者都能按著神的心意看顧牧養。
星期三
大學生和青年知識份子往往思想開放、也比較願意接觸信仰而來到教會,並且能夠在教會中找到解決人生問題的答案。求主為教會預備新一代牧者,能有智慧和足夠的裝備來更好的牧養大學生,了解他們特別的文化和需要。也求主賜給這批信徒更多忍耐和謙卑,能積極參與教會服事。
星期四
由於大量大學在校生和畢業生湧入教會,使整體會眾越來越年輕化和高知識水平。他們在教會中迅速成長,擔負教會基層的日常工作,也有人獻身專心以傳道為事。我們來高學歷年輕人願意服事及獻身感恩,求主使用他們能餵養教育程度越來越高的信徒,也保守他們的服事,不是靠著勢力和才能,乃是靠著神的靈以信心和禱告成就事工。
星期五
教會知識份子信徒中還有一部份是專業人士,主要來自海歸。他們擁有固定的工作,較豐厚的收入,受過較高的教育和有社會地位,但是他們普遍是忙碌的。從海外回來的,或是在海外信主的信徒,習慣了國外教會的透明度及牧者的牧養方式,其實也不太容易融入中國教會。求主保守他們,賜給海歸信徒有謙卑追求,不刻意去比較,而是樂意參與服事的心態。
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。海歸信徒通常不易全面融入教會,我們求主預備成熟的信徒,成為他們的良師好友,激勵靈命繼續成長,也能願意委身中國式的教會領導。
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。其中有些是出於傳統基督徒家庭,從家庭中承受基督教信仰,一般都會比較虔誠與堅定。我們為這批信徒祈求,願神大大地使用他們,因著有時間,信仰亦有深度,在教會有更多的服侍,尤其是關懷有需要的會友,探訪新來的慕道友和協助牧者等等。
星期一
城市教會中不少會眾是初信的。他們有不少是因著親戚或朋友分享福音而接受相信主耶穌,也有的在出國探親時認識相信並受洗,回來再尋找教會。我們為他們感恩,求主繼續吸引他們,持續追求走屬天道路,不單在聖經的知識上大有長進,也能幫助別人,在親友圈子中見證神對他們人生的指引與奇妙作為,領人歸主。