Prayer Request 8 /14 - 8/20

Tuesday
Since the new religious policy was implemented in China, many house churches have been shut down due to their "illegal religious activities". Christianity is now perceived of as a political danger which is vulnerable to "foreign infiltration" so it is tightly controlled. This crackdown has caused believers to be scattered and some have even left their churches or ministries. We pray for continuing love and fervor for those who now worship in smaller groups in their homes. May the Lord use them to take the gospel to more people and places (Acts 8:1-4)
Wednesday
The new religious policy in China allows house churches to be registered in their neighborhoods. However, many overzealous local officials are forcing house churches to join the Three-self churches, rather than simply register with the authorities (and technically be able to worship openly). We know there are always many difficulties involved in complying to the laws of the land. Many church leaders have strong personal convictions and have had bad experiences. We pray these people would have wisdom and vision as well as favor with the authorities.
Thursday
As the religious policy in China tightens, some house churches are forced to relocate. Local officials often threaten the landlords to "get rid of the tenants engaged in illegal activities" lest they themselves face fines or seizure of property, so they would either cancel the lease or raise the rent steeply so a house church could no longer afford it. Many churches have to meet in smaller groups at homes, rather than together in their rented facilities. Let us pray for churches who are debating the very thorny question of whether to register with the authorities in order to worship legally. May the Lord give them peace and faith in these difficult days.
Friday
The new religious policy has also deeply affected student ministries on many college campuses in China. There is a lot more pressure from teachers than in the past, and school officials specifically warn students not to attend these small Bible study groups. In general, there has been a drop in attendance. Many young people come to know about Christ for the first time through campus ministries. We pray for boldness and strength for both the leaders and the students. May the Lord reward their dedication and bless them with a good harvest of souls.
Saturday
Even as the religious policy tightens in China, many believers have shown resilience in dealing with pressure and continue to rely on the Lord. More and more people have realized the importance of discipleship through families and small fellowship groups and sharing the truth orally, instead of relying on books and handouts. We pray that Christian parents will realize that it is the responsibility of parents to rear godly children and not delegate that responsibility to God Himself or to the churches or Sunday schools. May there be a revival of family worship in the homes of Chinese believers.
Sunday
China's divorce laws state that residential property is not regarded as jointly owned and does not need to be divided equally in the event of a divorce. Instead, whoever paid for the apartment or house is the legal owner and gets to keep it in its entirety. The divorce rate in China is rising and in churches too. We pray for more Christian families to bear witness for Christ in this time of high divorce rates and “quick marriage, quick divorce” among the young people. We specifically pray for Christian fathers to wake up and take up their God-given responsibilities for their families.
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
自從新宗教政策實施以來，更多的家庭教會因著“非法宗教活動”被關閉。基督教似乎比其他宗教更有政治危險性，由於易受 “外國滲透”，而受到官方更嚴密管制。教會被關門，導致信徒分散，有些信徒甚至放棄信仰。我們為那些分散在家中，以小組方式崇拜的信徒禱告，求神保守他們，愛主更深，多有火熱，也因著信徒被分散，將福音傳給帶更多的人（使徒行傳8：1-4）。
星期三
新的宗教法要求家庭教會註冊。然而，許多地方官員過於熱心，強迫家庭教會加入三自教會，而不是單單的註冊登記（就能公開的崇拜）。向政府註冊和按照法規上報教會活動，對不少信徒是很難接受的。不少教會領袖對註冊有堅定看法和個人經歷，我們為教會領袖有智慧，事工異象，更是能在官員眼中蒙恩。
星期四
隨著宗教政策的收緊，有些家庭教會被迫搬遷。地方官員也會威脅房東終止 “從事非法活動的房客”，不然就被罰款或扣押。因此，房東會急著取消租約，或是大幅提高租金，迫使教會放棄活動。許多教會需要放棄租用的房子，改成以小組在家中聚會。我們為那些正在討論是否要註冊的家庭教會禱告，求主賜給他們平安和信心。
星期五
中國新施行的宗教法，也深深地影響了許多大學校學生的事工。來自教師和學校當局的壓力，警告學生不要參加任何聖經學習小組和聚會，這都使出席人數下降。大學團契是許多中國年輕人第一次認識基督教的地方。我們為學生事工帶領人和在團契中信主的學生，能更有膽量和能力祈求。特別為新學年的預備，求神祝福報答他們的侍奉與擺上。
星期六
因著中國新的宗教法，更多信徒也在學習如何在壓力中，緊緊依靠神。因著政策收緊，信徒也要接受在家中聚會的方式，通過小組和家庭聚會，操練門徒訓練和用口語分享真理，而不是一味依賴書籍和講義。我們為基督徒父母能重新認知家長有責任培養孩子敬虔愛主，而不是將上帝託付的責任推卸給教會或兒童主日學。求主喚醒和復興所有中國信徒的家庭，再次重視家中的信仰生活。
星期日
中國離婚法規定，房產在離婚時不被視為共同擁有財產，不需要平均分配。相反的，房產是誰買的就是合法擁有者，可以完全保留。中國的離婚率在上升，而在教會信徒中也是如此。在這個離婚普遍和年輕人“閃電結婚，閃電離婚”的時代，我們為有更多的信徒家庭能高舉基督，為神作見證。特别要為身為基督徒的父親覺醒，能挑起神託付男人在家中應有的責任來禱告。
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，求主使用更多靈命成熟的年長肢體，能成為年輕夫婦效法的榜樣，也能以恩慈給予輔導和鼓勵。