Prayer Request 8/7 - 8/13

Tuesday
Filial piety is valued highly in the Chinese culture, so the Biblical concept of “leaving one's parents after marriage” is an abhorrent idea for Chinese believers. Let us pray for the relationship between believers and their parents/in-laws. May the Lord answer their prayers for the salvation of their unbelieving parents and may He heal those who have a strained relationship.
Wednesday
Modern day responsibilities of parents in China include buying an apartment for children entering marriage. Young Chinese have grown used to this gift too. However, parents also expect their children to care for them in retirement. We pray for young Christian married couples as they cope with the spoken and unspoken expectations from their parents, that they will be a good witness to their parents.
Thursday
One difficulty Christians in China face is what to do about funeral practices there, especially among non-believing relatives. Families are obliged to held elaborate and even extravagant rituals and ceremonies to show their affection for the deceased. We pray for Christians who are involved in the funeral of unbelieving relatives that the Lord will give them wisdom and guide them to be able to honor the deceased and win the favor and understanding of family members but still not compromise their faith in Jesus Christ.
Friday
In China, unbelieving families follow the local customs and superstitions for a funeral. The common practices include Taoist monks chanting, ‘warriors’ carrying the coffin, and loud band to escort the procession. Some Christians invite a church choir to sing instead. We pray for spiritual discernment for believers who are involved in planning a funeral, that they will know what is superstition or contrary to Bible teaching and be able to apply the essence of their faith in the mix of myriads of customs and traditions.
Saturday
Funerals in China now include offering of floral wreaths and incense. These are practices Christians should avoid since they are meant as worship to the deceased. However, laying flowers next to the deceased is a Christian practice that is not worshipping like the offering of incense. We pray that believers will always have a good relationship with their families, especially at the time of funerals. May the Lord give them wisdom to help their families, to be generous and a good witness for Jesus.
Sunday
In China, there is a customary “cleansing banquet” after the funeral. Christians have no need for such purification, but spending time with relatives during such a meal is a good thing. Believers know that superstition and folk customs are of no value. We pray that they will always be eager to help and to be there to comfort so their families do not see them as cold and heartless.
Monday
In China, Christians face the question of whether to wear the funeral sack clothing or not. This is a superstitious practice, so many believers wear black or white instead. Christians should not participate in the burning of paper money for the afterlife but they do need to gently communicate with their families why they don't do this. If they feel they must conform, they can help others fold the money but not in the burning of it. May the Lord give each of us wisdom and a good relationship with our unbelieving family members, especially our parents and in-laws.


星期二
在中國這個高度重視孝道文化的國家裡，幸福婚姻的第一個要求「離開父母」，是基督徒夫婦最難學的功課。讓我們為信徒夫妻和與雙方父母之間的關係禱告，願神垂聽他們為長輩靈魂得救的禱告，願救恩早日臨到他們。又求神幫助那些與家長關係緊張或不合的夫妻，讓他們能用神的愛和忍耐來化解相處當中的難處。
星期三
現代家長有一個必需要盡的責任，就是為計劃結婚的孩子買一棟房子，這也成了中國年輕人對父母想當然爾的期待。同時，家長也期望年輕夫婦能在他們生活有需要時及晚年或退休後照顧他們和養老。我們為年輕信徒夫妻在面對和處理父母的期望時 (不論是有聲或無言的)，都能給父母美好的見證。
星期四
中國基督徒可能遇到的另一種難題是如何操辦喪禮。因為近年的喪禮越來越盛大， 還添加了很多儀式，人們往往用舖張奢華的方式來表示他們對死者的愛意。我們為那些要籌備親人喪禮的基督徒禱告，求主使他們知道神的帶領，並且能夠有智慧找到正面的方式來尊榮逝者，讓至親好友能諒解而不至妥協信仰。
星期五
不信的家人常會依循當地的習俗舉行喪禮。比如請道士作法、僧尼念經，「戰士」來扛棺木，哀樂隊、陣頭班大張旗鼓的送走故人。有的基督徒選擇不邀請鼓號樂隊，而以感恩禮拜，請詩班來唱詩等方式追思先人。我們為信徒有屬靈的分辨力禱告，曉得哪些是傳統、迷信與基督信仰不符，哪些時候可將習俗融入信徒生活中而不違背真理。
星期六
基督徒要儘量避免一般喪禮中有捻香及獻「花圈」，這些祭拜神靈的儀式。基督教喪禮中，雖將鮮花放置遺體旁，但並沒有祭拜神靈的涵義，是可行的。求主幫助信徒平時就能得到家人的體諒，也事先有良好的溝通。 尤其在家中有喪事時，求主賜信徒有智慧多幫助家人、誠懇投入，流露基督馨香之氣，讓人看到基督徒不一樣的人生觀、價値觀。
星期日
中國式喪禮結束後，常有「解穢宴」招待吊喪的親友。基督徒不須解穢，但可藉著用餐有更多機會去陪伴或安慰喪家，也是好事。我們知道迷信與傳統殤禮習俗對逝者及生者的靈魂得救都是無用的。求主幫助信徒在社會禮俗中，該出現時，絕不缺席；能幫的忙也絕不推辭, 好使家人、親友看到我們與哀者同哀的誠意，非冷漠無情。
星期一
基督徒可以披麻帶孝嗎？孝服本身並沒有任何迷信之意，現在多半基督徒則選擇穿著以黑色、白色，取代傳統披麻帶孝。基督徒雖不作燒紙錢動作，但得事前多和親人溝通。求主賜我們智慧與未信的家人尤其父母及其他長輩彼此體恤尊重，和睦相處。