Prayer Request 8/21 - 8/27

Tuesday
Urban churches in China face external pressure from the government and overwhelming secularism but the root problem that shakes them from within is a shallow theological and inadequate administrative structure. ​Superficially, urban churches are growing in numbers but we pray for a revival of believers in the cities. Many people are merely going to church but not getting involved in serving God in their churches.​
Wednesday
A real hidden crisis in the churches of China is a lack of unity. Every church cares about its own and not about speaking with another church whether it is a TSPM​ or house, urban or rural, evangelical or charismatic church. God forgives our pride, our boasting, and false humility. We pray for a spirit of unity for all churches, always seeing what we can learn from others, generous in giving our praise and spurring​ one another in love for the Lord.
Thursday
There is not only lack of unity between churches but also within a church. It is very common in China to have strife between co-workers. People are critical, judgmental, and denounce one another.​ We pray for church leaders who criticize or attack other churches​ or pastors for being unspiritual. It is sad that younger believers will imitate their exact behaviors and harbor a critical spirit. “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”（Eph.5:21)
Friday
Unity of churches in China is not calling for each one to have the same theology, system of worship, or church administration. True unity is expressed in many forms but oneness in truth, in God's spirit, and in mission. Unfortunately, false humility and spiritual pride abound. These are not pleasing to our Lord so we pray that all the leaders will imitate our Lord and model His sacrificial love for the members of their church. "For we being many are one bread and one body." (l Cor. 10:17)​
Saturday
The greatest hidden crisis and danger churches in China have is the issue of pride, and believers are prideful of the rapid growth and booming ministries of their churches. This is the same way Chinese are very nationalistic and proud of China’s economic and militarily might. We pray for true humility for all believers in China, so they will stand firm before the​ Lord Jesus.
Sunday
Another hidden crisis of churches in China is the issue of ambition. Some church leaders put enormous emphasis on numeric growth of members and meeting points. It is said, politics​ within churches are just as bad as outside. ​The merciful Lord forgives all of us so we pray that churches in China will have a pure, simplistic approach and a clean heart so a great revival can come. "And I will give you pastors according to Mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." (Jer. 3:15)
Monday
A hidden problem among churches in China is the fast approach to faith. Ministries are done quickly, but the price we are paying is making the truth of God shallow, superficial and all too practical. We praise God for a large number of conversions, but the follow-up and discipleship of new believers are much harder. We pray that God will raise up more teachers willing to disciple, mentor and follow up these baby Christians.

星期二
當前中國城市教會正面臨嚴峻的考驗。外在的壓力、世俗的誘惑，固然會動搖教會；然而最致命的問題卻是隱藏於教會自身 — 根基不穩固，結構不合理。表面上，城市教會人數大有增多，可是我們要為信徒靈命扎實，經歷復興來祈求。不是只有參加聚會，而是更願意參與教會事工和委身投入服侍。
星期三
中國教會自身隱藏的危機之一是有目共睹的彼此間不同心、分門別類、各自為政。三自教會與家庭教會，城市教會與農村教會，福音派與靈恩派之間的以自我為中心，互不相容。求主赦免我們的驕傲，挪去祂不喜悅的自誇、虛假的謙卑。幫助教會之間有合一的靈，能看見別人的可取之處進而學習、讚美，並且能愈發熱心愛主，同心協力興旺福音。
星期四
在有些教會内部裡，同工間相咬相吞，彼此論斷指責、缺乏寬容與接納。我們要為中國教會領袖禱告，當他們責備某些教會情況、批評某傳道人不屬靈時，年輕的信徒往往也會依樣畫葫蘆，仿傚他們的苛責與不接納的行徑，滋長隨意批評論斷的心態，對靈性造成極大的虧損。求主教導我們： 當存敬畏基督的心，彼此順服。（弗5:21）
星期五
教會的合一並不是指所有教會都要有同樣的神學觀、制度或一致的聚會形式。其實教會的多樣化也是富有創意的神的美意。真正的合一，應是在真理裡的合一，在聖靈裡的合一和在使命裡的合一。外在顯露的虛假謙卑，屬靈上的驕傲，都不是主耶穌所喜悅的。求主讓眾教會都願真心效法祂自己，有大牧者犧牲的愛。「我們雖多，仍是一個餅，一個身體。」（林前10：17）
星期六
中國教會隱藏的危機之一就是驕傲。當教會急速增長，事工越來越興盛的時候，中國教會也受到「驕傲」的隱形大軍猛烈的攻擊。有些信徒自詡中國經濟強大、國力強盛，也覺得中國教會頗有可誇之處。我們再一次求主賜給教會「謙卑的斗篷」，以致將來在主的審判台前能站立得穩。
星期日
教會自身隱藏另一個危機之一是野心。許多教會世俗化地發展人際關係的手段，在中國教會隨處可見。 有些教會領袖更將發展教會作為滿足自己野心的目標，自豪於人數增長與事工的效果。求主憐憫赦免我們的自義和不足，願中國教會都能保持當初單純、質樸、潔淨的心，以此迎接大復興。「我也必將合我心的牧者賜給你們。他們必以知識和智慧牧養你們。」（耶 3:15）
星期一
中國教會自身還有一個隱藏的危機就是信仰速食化。現在的中國社會似乎越來越追求「快」了。在神家中流行起速食的代價，就是使主的真道變得膚淺、表面和所謂的「實用」。感謝主，近年信主人數的確增長很多，然而信徒靈命的跟進、栽培及門徒訓練都是極重要的建造工程。我們禱告主興起更多有負担的師資，願意輔助靈命幼嫩的主内肢體。