Prayer Request 9/25 - 10/1

Tuesday
Shopping in China has slowed down along with the economy. The stock market and currency there have slumped and the trade war between China and President Trump has left many people feeling pessimistic. This recent downgrade of the "consumption culture" can be a potentially worrisome development. When people feel “less rich”, they often give less to their church. It is our prayer that every Christian will：“ In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ” (1 Thess. 5:18)
Wednesday
Consumer spending in China has not stopped but on the streets and on the internet, people are talking about cutting back on spending in ways both large and small. Young people talk about reducing their spending, and perhaps the most worrisome for the leaders, is the reluctance of the young people to have children. Many have worried about the prevalent attitude of over-consumption. Let us pray that young Christians will learn to put God and His work first. We pray they will care about God's work and His kingdom rather than their own needs.
Thursday
The talk among young people in China is about how to buy things cheaply from online vendors and save money. Retail sales this year have grown at their slowest pace in more than a decade. Wages in the private sector are growing at their slowest pace since the global financial crisis. There are several reasons believers do not give as much as in the past. One reason is they have little confidence in how the money is used. Financial transparency is difficult when the church itself is “illegal”. We pray for the financial need of every church, for the pastor’s salaries and ministry operation.
Friday
There are several factors which are driving down spending among young people in China. The cost of education is escalating and housing has become unaffordable for many in first-tiered cities like Beijing. Even many people who have high salaries are concerned because they do not expect their salaries to increase as they have in the past. Middle age believers in China do not give to their church as much as they should because they want to save for retirement and pay for an apartment for their children. We pray that God will change our hearts so we can fully trust Him for all our needs. （Matt. 6:21）
Saturday
Many young professionals in China do not expect their salaries to rise very much. In the past decade pay raises of fifteen to twenty percent a year weren't uncommon in fast-growing industries. Now people can hope for only a mere five percent. It is difficult to pastor and build up a church ministry when the members do not give financially. Let us remember the smaller and poorer churches, especially those in the countryside. May the Lord give them courage, strength, and vision to do great things--to see people coming to know Jesus and grow in Him even though they lack money.
Sunday
Young people are under pressure to get married, own an apartment, and ultimately pay for their parents' secure retirement. These requirements preclude the young people's being able to give sacrificially to the Lord's work or being able to answer His call to work for Him. We pray that God will call more people who are willing to work wholeheartedly for Him.
Monday
For some young people in China, their main financial worry is to save money for retirement. This is more important than even having a child. Others are saying, "No" to bigger households which is a problem for the central government who are already worried about the problem of aging in the land and the dwindling population. We know God is able to raise up young people who are gifted and also love the Lord above all things. We pray for believers who would resist the temptation and expectation of material wealth, but rather focus spiritual things, serving the church and His people.

星期二
中國的經濟正在放緩，消費也隨之降溫。股市暴跌、貨幣貶值，以及中美貿易戰等等都讓許多人對前景悲觀。最近中國的「消費降級」文化是一個令人擔憂的問題。當信徒覺得自己「不那麼富裕」時，也因缺少信心而對教會的奉獻減少。求主幫助神的兒女，學習交託主，並靠主凡事謝恩，知道這是神在基督耶穌裡向我們所定的旨意。(帖前5:18)
星期三
雖然中國的經濟正放緩，但並不意味大眾的消費支出會停止。現時在街頭和互聯網上，談論更多的是關於大大小小的削減，而年輕人談論減少開支，首當其衝的也許是中國領導人最擔心的問題－不生孩子。過去不少人擔心中國過度的消費，尤其憂慮富裕的年輕一代的金錢觀。我們為年輕信徒禱告，求主親自吸引他們，甘心將將神放在首位，更多關心教會，以致普世的需要，而不單是自己的需求。
星期四
中國經濟表面上看起來似乎很強勁，事實上今年的零售額增長速度為十多年來最緩慢的。私營部門的工資增長速度為自全球金融危機以來最慢。現時年輕人談的是如何買便宜貨和多省錢。中國信徒奉獻不多，原因之一是對教會如何使用金錢沒有信心。當今大環境下，教會沒有合法地位與健全管理制度，難有財務透明。我們來為每個教會的財政需要、傳道人的薪資和事工運作禱告，求神供應教會各樣的需要。
星期五
一些長期因素拉低了年輕人的支出。除了教育成本上漲外，像北京這樣的一線城市的住房，對許多人來說已經負擔不起了。許多高收入者也感到焦慮，認為將來薪資不再會如過去一樣年年上漲 。中國教會的中年信徒也不太願意奉獻，因為他們要為自己的退休儲蓄，並為子女結婚時的房子買單。求主調整我們的心態，叫我們能完全信靠祂，不為明天憂慮，將神的物歸給神。(太6:21)
星期六
過去十年，在中國快速增長的行業中，每年加薪15%到20% 的並不罕見。現今年輕的專業人士已不再期望工資上漲太多，每年能有5％的加薪已不錯了。當信徒不願意奉獻，教會的牧養和事工推動就更艱難。我們要在禱告中記念弱小和貧窮的教會，尤其是農村教會。願神賜給他們事奉主的能力、勇氣和異象，成為神所要用的人，作成神感動他們做的工，引領更多人認識主。
星期日
現今許多年輕人都面臨很大壓力－趕快結婚、擁有一套房子，並最終能給予父母足夠的養老保障。如此沈重的期望及壓力，也阻止了許多年輕信徒能無後顧之憂來回應神的呼召服侍祂。我們求主興起更多堅心回應祂呼召，憑著信心踏出憂慮，願意為主擺上一切的信徒。
星期一
現今不少年輕人擔心自己將來退休後生活和經濟情況。雖然他們的父母會提醒他們趕快生孩子，但是他們認為這是次要。這對於擔心人口老齡化現象的中國政府來說是一個大問題。我們相信神必能為祂自己興起愛主又有恩賜的年輕人來事奉。我們來為信徒禱告，求主幫助祂眾兒女能靠主勝過物質的引誘，注目永恒，願意服侍教會和神的子民。

Prayer Request 9/18 - 9/24

Tuesday
Churches for migrant workers are a new phenomenon in China. They serve Christians from rural areas who have moved into the city but are unable to fit into the urban churches. They are established with a vision and burden to help rural believers retain their faith as they live in the cities. May the Lord have mercy on millions of rural young Christians who have some Biblical knowledge but have a rather shallow spiritual foundation and are the so-called "migrant workers" that they will be able to resist temptation and not stop attending church.
Wednesday
Churches for migrant workers are basically churches in the cities catering to rural believers who have moved there. These churches are not connected with rural nor those in the cities. We pray that churches in the villages will see the huge loss of their young believers once they move into cities. May the Lord raise up people to teach the youth what it meant to be like Daniel who was away from home but was still able to resist temptations and refuse to defile himself but continue to walk closely with Jesus.
Thursday
In theory, traditional rural churches can continue to minister to believers in the cities from these churches through migrant churches. However, the vast majority of migrant workers who go to the cities do not stay there permanently. Ninety percent of the migrant workers say they plan to return to their village homes eventually. Farmers and urban residents are inherently different and they do not mix well even in a church setting. We pray that people in churches will not look down on those who are poor and lowly but will be willing to accept them with God's love.
Friday
In reality, migrant workers in China cannot return to their homes in the villages for two reasons. First, their land is lost and with the extensive use of agricultural machinery, they will be penniless. Secondly, it is hard to revert back to the lifestyle of a villager once one has lived in the city. Migrant churches lack manpower and resources. We beseech the Lord for the vision to save the terrible fact of millions of rural believers drifting away from faith in cities and to stem the decline of rural churches in China.
Saturday
In China, migrants will most likely move back to towns near their village homes. When they return, they can function as God’s army landing in these smaller cities, equipped with a church and city-living experience. We should be excited for the prospect of Christians returning to smaller cities. We pray that they will provide the impetus to evangelize China as "returnees" from abroad have helped the city churches there.
Sunday
In China many of the urban believers work in factories and are potentially and logically the best people to invite others to come to church. We pray that God will move people in both the city and town churches to catch the vision and burden to share the gospel with migrant workers by being active in evangelizing and having strategies to preach and conduct services with them in mind as well as speaking at their level.
Monday
In China, migrant workers are perhaps the saddest segment of the population. They are basically trapped in cities, with little hope of a better future, unable to buy a home. We pray for Christian migrant workers in the cities in China that the Lord will help them to keep their faith, find a spiritual home, and not fall into temptation. We also pray that the Lord will hear their prayer to walk closely with Him and give them the desire to stay in the city.

星期二
在中國的民工教會是一種新興的教會。進城的農民信徒把故鄉的根拔起遷居城市，卻很難扎入城市教會的新土裡。為了不讓這些信徒流失，一些有異象和負擔的民工信徒開始建立自己的教會。求主恩待百萬農村青少年的靈命，他們在家鄉教會曾領受一些聖經知識，但靈命基礎初淺，一旦離家到了城裡工作，成為所謂農民工，就少有能持守信仰，抵擋引誘，且許多也不再參加聚會。求主引領他們找到屬靈的新家。
星期三
地點坐落在城市中的民工教會基本成員來自農村；民工教會的興起，與傳統農村家庭教會或新型城市家庭教會都沒什麼聯繫。求主幫助教會領袖看見青年信徒進城打工後易流失的問題，從而著重培育青年信徒的靈命；又求主打發工人教導年輕人，如同但以理一樣，在新環境裡諸多試探中不玷污自己，且持續與主保持親密交通，緊緊跟隨主。
星期四
理論上，透過民工教會，傳統農村家庭教會可以將自己的生命觸角伸進城市。但是，進入大城市的民工，絕大多數不會在城巿永久留居，九成民工表示最終要返回家鄉。農民與城市居民差異極大，就是在城鎮的教會中一起聚會，也難以深入交流。求主憐憫，幫助教會不輕看貧窮弱小的肢體，願意跨出自己的固有圈子，突破隔閡。
星期五
失和農業機械的廣泛使用，農村不再需要密集式人力耕作。其次，他們一旦過慣了城市的生活，很難重新適應農村生活形態 。民工教會基本成員來自農村，但他們的事工缺少人力和金錢。求主恩待中國教會，賜下異象，如何挽回百萬不再聚會的農村信徒，以及挽救傳統農村教會的沒落，大量信徒的流失。
星期六
返鄉農民最終很可能只能歸回接近故鄉的縣鎮，而他們從大都市獲得的福音與文化的優勢，會使他們成為縣鎮福音化運動中的空降兵。求主使用「城歸」信徒，在故鄉附近的城鎮帶動福音的工作，如同「海歸」基督徒在城市家庭教會中所起的作用。
星期日
在中國的城市教會中，有很多信徒是從事藍領工作的，他們是帶領其他工廠民工來教會的好助手。求主興起城鎮教會的信徒們，能回應神的大使命，有異象和心志向農民工傳福音。以健全的佈道策略，做好佈道的工作。特別是有活潑的聚會氣氛和愛心關懷能吸引他們，配合他們不同的背景和程度，幫助他們融入神的大家庭。
星期一
農民工或許是中國社會族群中最悲哀的一群，大部分人被迫滯留在城市裡，卻無法長期居留，也買不起城市的房子。我們為來廣大的農民工信徒祈求，在生活忙碌又人生地不熟的環境裡，盡快到找到能落腳的教會。也求主保守他們的信心，不落入各樣的試探，成就信徒的心願，不遠離神和祂的保守及祝福。

Prayer Request 9/11 - 9/17

Tuesday
Some churches in China impose restrictions on the pastor's wife or ignore her roles which depresses her and impairs the pastor's service also. Pastors should protect and promote their wives and teach the church to respect them, not to take the wives for granted. We pray for believers who will pray and care more for their pastor's family. As more sisters befriend their pastor's wife and encourage women in churches to serve together, they can bring about revival in their churches.
Wednesday
The pastor's wife is very important because she stands guard with the pastor to provide counseling and care for the women in the church whether they are married or single. Many single women in the church are pressured to marry non believers, partly because there are no eligible brothers available. We pray for God's comfort and joy for them, having the wisdom to fend off pressure from their unbelieving parents.
Thursday
In China, there are many indigenous heretical groups with names like "Eastern lightning", "Disciples", "Three servants", "Ling ling jiao", "Cold water", "Crier", and "King". These heresies have much influence on the rural churches but are less a threat to the more educated urban churches. May the Lord have mercy on those believers who have fallen victim to the cults and deliver them from deceit and bondage. We pray the truth of Jesus Christ will set them free and give them the true salvation of the mind and soul.
Friday
In rural China, many pastors and believers are ignorant of or lack basic Biblical truths, and they are easily swayed by false doctrines spread by the cults. Lack of spiritual teaching means that believers are easy prey for the cults and heresies. We pray that our Lord will give them the wisdom to discern what the false is and not to spread it.
Saturday
Many heretical groups and cults lure church leaders with bribery or sex. They also intimidate pastors with bodily harm. It takes a long time and great effort, through counseling and orthodox teaching, to recover from the ravage of wolves. We pray for wisdom for believers to discern truth from falsehood and to prevent the savage attacks by the cults. We also ask the Lord to comfort His children when their church suffers turmoil, vicious lies, and a split, knowing that our Lord is on His throne.
Sunday
In many parts of China, heresies and cults are rampant, many have infiltrated the local churches and forced believers to leave. Despite official suppression, cults are still active. We pray for pastors and believers to possess the basic Biblical truth. Many leaders are content to have a large congregation, but fail to provide the solid teaching and lack faithful workers who desire to do His will.
Monday
Churches in China have benefited from the South Korean missionaries, but the heresies and extreme teachings from South Korea have also done much damage to many churches in China in recent years. False teachings from Korea have been particularly active in major cities, attracting students and even intellectuals. We ask the Lord to corrupt the trickiness of these wolves in sheep's clothing. May the Lord protect His own sheep that they "will be no longer infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming." Ephesians 4:14


星期二
有些教會長期對牧者的妻子寄予無形的壓力和冷落，易導致她們抑鬱，更使牧者的服事大打折扣。因此，不僅傳道人需更關心愛顧自己的妻子，教會也要防止將師母「落單」，要敬重師母，而不是希望「買一贈一」。求主興起更多信徒去關心傳道人家庭，尤其是師母。讓更多姊妹成為師母的屬靈同伴，藉著姊妹們的熱心參與，使教會整體一同成長。
星期三
許多中國教會的師母都有很重的服事：一方面照顧事奉忙碌的丈夫和家庭，另一面亦要輔導、關心教會中已婚和未婚的姊妹。教會裡許多姊妹都面臨極大的張力，尤其教會女多男少，是要堅持按神心意還是因社會壓力而與不信的人結合。我們要為面對這壓力的姐妹們禱告，求主安慰她們，賜下喜樂，也能有智慧應付父母「趁早嫁人」的壓力。
星期四
中國自生的異端邪教有「東方閃電」、「門徒會」、「三班僕人」、「靈靈教」、「冷水教」、「呼喊派」、「被立王」等。這些異端對農村教會和城鄉結合地區影響力比較大，對知識分子群體影響較小。求主憐憫拯救那些落入異端的信徒，帶領他們脫離邪教的控制與欺騙，讓他們真正認識耶穌基督的真理，得到身心靈的自由和永恒的救恩。
星期五
在中國農村很多傳道人和信徒由於不明白或是缺乏基要真理的教導，很容易被邪教的歪理迷惑。因著信徒缺少屬靈教導，往往成為異端邪教擄掠的對象。求主憐憫廣賜信徒們智慧，能分別何謂錯誤的教導，而不是老被欺騙甚至將其謬道輾轉傳播，也能預備更多靈性紮實的信徒彼此守望，堅守真理。
星期六
許多異端行賄教會領袖們，或以色財引誘教會帶領人，或恐嚇殺害不從者，軟硬兼施最後達成目的。被異端衝擊過的教會，需要經過相當長時間的牧養和教導才能扭轉康復過來。求主賜信徒智慧，能分辨真理並拒絕傳遞歪道，免得落入異端的陷阱，被披著羊皮的狼吞吃。又求主安慰祂的兒女，當教會受盡困難，內爭分裂，離經叛道時，讓他們看見耶和華仍然坐著為王 ，神一直掌權。
星期日
中國有許多地方的異端邪教猖獗，甚至滲透佔領教會，造成信徒離開。儘管政府予以壓制，邪教仍然活躍。我們為牧者和信徒都有基本聖經真理知識禱告。願我們儆醒禱告，彼此提醒：教會不是以人數多為滿足，而是有堅固真理的教導為根基，且有忠心遵行神旨意的信徒為柱石，一同建成的堡壘。
星期一
韓國宣教士曾為中國教會做出很多貢獻，但來自韓國的異端和極端對中國教會的破壞也不少。近年，活躍於各大城市的各式各樣韓國異端，吸引了不少學生，甚至高知識分子的興趣。求主敗壞魔鬼的詭計，喚醒中國教會要警醒守望。「使我們不再作小孩子，中了人的詭計和欺騙的法術，被一切異教之風搖動，飄來飄去，就隨從各樣的異端。」(弗4:14)

Prayer Request 9/4 - 9/10

Tuesday
Most people with mental disorders in China never receive treatment. There is a stigma attached to such ailments. Some think that people with psychiatric conditions are possessed by evil spirits. Many people in the church still see mental illness as either devil possession or merely a medical problem.​ We pray that churches will be willing to reach out and care about these people showing love and compassion and helping them to grow spiritually.
Wednesday
Many Chinese people see mental disorders as a sign of weakness and regard them as socially contagious​ people. A relative of someone with a serious disorder may find it hard to get married. Families sometimes have their kin treated far from home to hide the "shame" of their condition or even keep them hidden at home. ​Very few of the pastors in China have any training or even the time to care for people with mental illness. May the Lord give mercy and strength to the families of those thus afflicted​. We pray that family members can find a support system among believers.
Thursday
China is woefully ill-equipped to treat mental conditions. The psychiatric system was largely dismantled after the Communists seized power in 1949. Under Mao, those who displayed symptoms of depression risked being viewed as traitors to the socialist cause, which was supposed to fill everyone with enthusiasm. Today, depression can be easily managed by medications. We pray that the Great Physician, the Lord Jesus will heal of​ those who are weary and heavy-burdened.
Friday
Few Chinese were diagnosed with depression until the early 1990s. By then China's health system was beginning to lose state funding. Hospitals were having to support themselves, and psychiatric services were not seen as money-maker​s​.Caring​ for​ those with mental illness can never be a task for pastors only. We pray that more believers will rise up to minister to​ those who are mentally ill in church​es​ and provide practical help, in love and with ​the ​love of Jesus.
Saturday
The taboo against mental illness is fading and attitudes are beginning to change in China.​ Outpatient visits have increased by more than ten percent each year.The use of antidepressants is rising fast and young educated urbanites are increasingly using the Internet to seek help privately for their mental health problems. Churches in China are still hesitant to accept those who are “different and disabled”, but believers cannot love preferentially. So, we pray the Lord helps us to help all who need the healing of the Great Physician, with His compassion and ​ thus​ overcome our fear​ of these precious people​.
Sunday
In China, under the new religious regulations, finances of religious groups will be greatly scrutinized. Theology students who study abroad could be monitored more closely. And people who rent or provide space to illegal churches may face heavy fines. Much of the transactions in churches are not transparent or properly recorded, easily become the evidences of government’s accusation of financial impropriety. We pray for integrity of all church leaders in how they handle church finance, so they will be “above reproach...dishonest in business dealing.” (Titus 1:7)
Monday
Many unregistered churches rent their meeting places while the landlord turns​ a blind eye, but under the new policy, they will be highly reluctant to lease to churches. Many house churches have tried to apply for the official registration with the government but have not been successful at all. We pray for these churches, so they will make the best decision and their faith in the Lord will not be shaken.


星期二
大多數中國精神病患者從未接受治療。這種疾病往往被社會大眾污名化，有些人甚至認為精神病患者是被邪靈所附。不少教會仍然簡單化地看待精神疾病是屬靈問題，或理解為醫學問題。求主幫助教會願意接觸和關心憂傷的心靈，給予精神病患者愛和憐憫，以及提供屬靈上的幫助。
星期三
不少人認為精神疾病是患者意志力薄弱的表現，並認為是社會性的傳染病：患有嚴重失調的人的親屬可能很難結婚。家庭有時會把他們的親人送到遠方，去隱藏他們病情的「恥辱」，或者把他們藏在家裡。一般教會牧者沒有心理資訊的知識的裝備，更缺時間去幫助精神患者。求主憐憫添力量給家中有此病患者的信徒，幫助他們能體諒患者的波動情緒，並聯同其他信徒形成支援系統來幇助患者和家屬。
星期四
中國嚴重缺乏治療精神病的條件。1949年共產黨掌權之後，便廢除精神病學系統。在毛澤東帶領下，期望每一個人都熱切崇拜社會主義，而那些表現出抑鬱症狀的人則被視為叛徒。現今，抑鬱症患者已可用藥物控制病情，治療過程也並不複雜。懇求我們偉大的醫生主耶穌，能親自撫平憂鬱的心靈，也供應病患適切的醫護幇助。
星期五
在上世紀九十年代以前，很少人被診斷患有抑鬱症，這全因那時的衛生部缺乏國家的經濟支持；醫院為要養活自己，不得不放棄被視為「不能賺錢」的精神病服務。 關心教會中在心理健康方面有需要的人，這絕不是牧者一人能獨自承當的。求主興起各教會，呼召人願意付上愛心與時間，關注這個社群需要的肢體，能給予實質上的幫助。
星期六
中國人近來終於意識到心理疾病不能一味忌諱不談，態度亦有所轉變。精神病患門診人次每年增長超過10％，抗抑鬱藥的使用亦正迅速上升。也有越來越多年輕及受過教育者使用互聯網尋求心理輔導。有些教會還是無法完全接納 「異常」和「有殘障」的人。求主幫助弟兄姊妹體會主愛人的心腸，越過人的軟弱去幫助憂傷的靈魂。
星期日
在新的宗教政策之下，已經向政府登記宗教團體的財務會受到更加嚴格的審查。前往海外學習的神學生也會受到更嚴密的監控。中國教會過去沒有設立健全的會計制度，往往無法通過政府審查。求主幫助眾教會的領袖手潔心清，經得起神與人的檢驗，做「神的管家，必須無可指責……不貪無義之財。」(多1：7）
星期一
過去，房東出租給沒有註冊的家庭教會，可以裝著不知道其用途。但在新的宗教法之下，向非法教會出租或提供空間的人，可能會面臨巨額罰款。有些教會曾嘗試租用或購置會堂，但每每受到政府的干擾，合約不明不白地被終止了。我們為各地未登記的家庭教會禱告，求主保守他們，帶領他們在這樣艱難的環境下，知道該如何調整。