Prayer Request 7/24 - 7/30

Tuesday
A very prestigious junior high school in Beijing​ requires incoming seventh graders to complete the Chinese language homework for the following summer, to do calligraphy, to recite classic poems, to complete required book reading, visit a museum , and then to make a report of their summer experiences. ​Many churches offer summer activities or even retreats for their youth. We pray that the young people will not only know more about God but will also realize that God has a special plan for them and be willing to follow Jesus even though they are still young.​
Wednesday
In China, young people who are going into junior high are required to do math and English homework before they can enter​. Schools discourage students from playing computer games and require them to play Sudoku instead. There are also English stories they are required to read. ​We pray that Christian parents will use the summer break to help their children work on their relationship with the Lord--that they will help them to pray and daily read the Bible along with sharing stories of Jesus with them.​
Thursday
In contrast to China, students in Taiwan who are going into junior high school have little homework​ to do that summer. Junior high and elementary schools in Taiwan no longer require homework during summer and winter breaks. ​Many Chinese Christian parents allow their children to skip church during the school year. ​ We pray that churches will have a concrete strategy to help parents teach their children to walk with Jesus and to know that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."
Friday
The people in China who are in their 20's are much more liberal than their predecessors were. While there is still some stigma in rural China against divorce, some either "marry quickly and divorce quickly" or they were hurried into marriage by their parents.​Divorced people are no longer confined to middle-aged people. They also include younger couples. We pray that churches will accept them without criticism and that they will have a clear strategy to help them grow spiritually and know that God always loves them.
Saturday
A majority​ of young people in China work far away from home. Many married couples have a poor relationship because they live apart for a long time because of jobs. Wives often cited poor relationship and chauvinism as reasons for divorces. We pray for Christian couples who live apart because of work, that God will give them extra grace, protect their marriages, and give them the determination to safeguard their minds.​
Sunday
In China, about fifteen percent of divorce petitions are due to domestic violence which is next to the top reason for divorce. Men are the overwhelming culprits, engaging in beating and verbal abuse. Most churches there are still "stuck" in deciding whether a divorce is Biblically sanctioned.We pray that churches will provide counseling​, assist in temporary separation, or accompany the couple to tests, reports, and seeking legal aid.
Monday
The law in China now readily grants a divorce if evidence of physical violence, abuse, or abandonment​ can be proven and interventions have failed. ​We pray that churches will attempt to provide​ at least some teaching on preserving marriages. Pastors are often overwhelmed with many ministry demands, and we ask the Lord to raise up mature older believers whom young couples can model and seek for guidance and encouragement.


星期二
北京一所著名中學對初中新生的暑假作業要求，光是國文科就有五項，包括書法、背詩、閱讀及參觀首都博物館等，再加寫兩篇暑期經歷。教會也嘗試給年輕人一些暑期活動，例如營會。我們為年輕人在這些特別聚會中，不單對神的認識增加了，更是能親身經歷神在他們身上的作為，明白神對他們的美好計劃，並在年輕的時候就願意委身，一生跟隨主。
星期三
中國初中生的暑假作業，不只國文、數學和英文，還另外要閱讀有關數學的書，練習題目，還推薦國一新生拋開電動遊戲，玩很熱門的益智遊戲數獨（sudoku）。英語則是要求至少閱讀二十篇英語小故事。我們為信徒家長能把握暑假更多建立親子間與神的關係禱告，求主賜他們智慧向孩子分享信仰，也幫助孩子建立天天讀經和禱告的屬靈良好習慣。
星期四
相較中國，台灣小學生上國中就沒有太多要求。兩、三年前，國中和小學都已「取消」學生寒暑假的作業。許多信徒家庭在孩子上學的日子裡，都讓孩子「主日不必去教會」。求主幫助教會也有明確的策略，校正家長的眼光，看屬天的事比屬世的事更重要，幫助孩子知道「敬畏耶和華是智慧的開端」。
星期五
雖然90後年輕人的思想比70後、80後開放，但離婚在農村還是不光彩的事，非迫不得已不會選擇離婚。90後年輕人大多受閃婚閃離的新潮觀念影響，或因父母催促而倉促結婚，後又因感情不和而離婚。現今教會中，離婚的不限於中年族，也有年輕人。求主幫助教會能給予這些信徒聖經輔導，而非一味指責。求主幫助教會，有清晰的策略來建造信徒的靈命，也讓他們曉得神的愛不離不棄。
星期六
現在中國的年輕人大多外出務工，夫妻普遍不能住在一起或就近上班，造成夫妻長年分別，感情逐漸淡薄；再加上丈夫的大男子主義作祟和脾氣暴躁，導致很多女性選擇離婚。我們要為信徒夫妻禱告，他們在無奈情況下不得不長久分離，求主加添他們更多恩典，保守他們的心懷意念，尊重主和配偶的盟約，有智慧遠避誘惑和試探。
星期日
夫妻申請離婚的原因中，大約有15%是因為家暴，是離婚原因的第二位。其中，絕大多數是男性施暴 (毆打和辱罵)。許多教會領袖在遇到信徒家庭發生家暴時，仍停留在討論是否應該離婚的階段。求神幫助中國教會能安排輔導者以陪伴、安慰，協助暫時分居，陪同去驗傷、報警、尋求法律援助等等實際行動來支援受傷害的肢體。
星期一
在家庭暴力的問題上，如果一方能證實自己身體遭暴力、虐待或被遺棄，且曾嘗試尋求調停仍無效，新的中國婚姻法會批准離異。 求主幫助教會能提供適當的婚姻輔導。傳道人可能無法兼顧教會各方面的需要時，求主使用靈命成熟的年長肢體，成為年輕夫婦效法的榜樣，也能適時給予輔導和鼓勵。