Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Prayer Request 10/30 - 11/5

Tuesday
The new religious regulations single out and levy heavy fines on landlords who rent to unregistered house churches. Geographically, China is huge and enforcement of law varies in degree from place to place. It is difficult to predict how local officials will implement these new religious regulations. In the past, house churches worshiped at homes of believers, rather than in public. It is not known whether they will return to worshipping at homes again. No matter where they worship, we pray that God will give them much faith and love, and the number of people saved will grow.
Wednesday
The new religious regulations will restrict any Chinese citizen from participating in religious activities abroad. In the past, it was possible to attend special meetings or training overseas as part of leisure travel. It is not clear how this new restriction will be enforced. Many Chinese students study theology in overseas seminaries. We ask the Lord for protection for them and their families and that He will enable them to finish their training and be equipped to be God’s servants and bless the churches they will serve.
Thursday
In the past, churches in China have had few if any meaningful programs for children and thus many parents chose to keep their children at home. Such a common practice led to very few children in church and believers’ children with little spiritual knowledge.We pray that churches will not allow their young ones to drift away, helping parents to know the heart of God, to teach their children to know God from a young age and so they will not stray from God.
Friday
Since 2014, many churches in Zhejiang Province have had their crosses forcibly removed. The outlook for churches was dire then but the great door of the Gospel was not shut. Churches throughout China have reported increased interference or clamp down, and more crosses have been removed in other provinces. We pray for churches in China as they face the tightening of religious policy and regulations. May the Lord give comfort and a bonus to all believers. We know that God is in control and He will safeguard His churches.
Saturday
Those churches that had their crosses demolished are still very much active today. Their focus is no longer on their buildings, but the are much more willing to invest their resources in building up spiritual leaders. A church is always about people rather than the building. We pray that more churches will see the great need of building leaders and training co-workers in every aspect of ministry, and seriously equipping new and younger leaders.
Sunday
In the past few years, opportunities to publish Christian books have decreased significantly in China. However, a lot more Christian materials are available through digital publishing, so the effect of Christian books has in fact expanded enormously. As churches in China adapt to tightening regulations, we pray for the grace of God and boldness to obey His calling and seek new opportunities for their churches.
Monday
The new generation of pastors in China has better education and resources for training. At the same time, they face huge challenges in how to pastor a more educated congregation and in a changing social environment. We praise God for many believers in urban churches who are quite well-educated or professionals. We pray for wisdom and vision for church leaders, and that they will know how to minister to the younger and more educated believers, especially when they themselves do not have a high education.


星期二
新的宗教事務條例懲罰出租聚會地點給家庭教會的房東。中國幅員太大,各地執法嚴謹程度未必一致,地方政府如何執法難以預測。過去政府對家庭教會的限制比較寬鬆,現今新例給家庭教會帶來許多阻撓。求主加添他們信心和愛心,不論前途如何,對主仍是一樣火熱。求主也繼續把得救的人數加給他們。
星期三
新的宗教事務條例規定人民不能到境外參加宗教活動。過去日子,弟兄姊妹因「自由行」或免簽證能到海外參加特會或培訓,但現下條例規定則變成違法,後續如何管控還需觀察。不少中國神學生在海外神學院接受訓練,求主保守他們能完成神學裝備,做一個合神心意的工人,成為神使用的器皿,都人得著益處。
星期四
教會如果沒有適合兒童的聚會,信徒多半便不會帶子女上教會,以致許多信徒的第二代失卻在教會受造就的機會。求主提醒教會不要再錯過下一代,也幫助信徒父母明白神的心意,教導孩子從小認識神,到老也不偏離。
星期五
在2014年浙江省的十字拆遷危機中,當時沒有人對基督教未來活動的空間樂觀,但福音的大門並未關閉。然而,這一年來,在其他省份裡,有更多教會的十字架也被拆掉。我們為面臨巨大壓力的中國教會禱告,祈求神親自安慰,賜下勇氣,叫愛祂的子民深信神知道他們的患難,在受苦的時候仍然至死忠心,祂必將生命的冠冕賜給他們。
星期六
那些被拆毀十字架的禮拜堂,至今仍然繼續有聚會。很明顯的是,他們事工的重點,不再是教堂的建築,而是更願意將資源投入領袖的培養及同工的建立。願主施恩,讓教會明白同工的培訓和栽培新一代的領袖是何等重要,這價值遠遠超過富麗堂皇的建築物。
星期日
過去幾年,中國出版基督教書籍的大大減少;然而,通過網路等電子媒介,信徒可以獲得更多基督信仰的內容,電子信仰產品的影響力已經大大擴展。因著宗教管制嚴謹,中國教會的事工空間日益減少。我們為中國教會向神求恩典和剛強的心,能繼續在逆境中,持守神的呼召,用諸般智慧把神的道傳開。
星期一
中國新一代教會領袖比他們的前輩有更好的教育和訓練的資源,可是,也面對更大的挑戰,不僅牧養一個高教育文化的會眾群,同時,也處在巨大變化的社會環境裡。我們為教會許多受過高等教育和專業人士禱告,求主幫助他們謙卑受教。又求主賜教會領袖有智慧和異象,曉得如何牧養這些年輕又有高文化的信徒,尤其牧者沒有同樣的背景,更額外需要主額外恩典。

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Prayer Request 10/23 - 10/29


Tuesday
Churches in China have improved much in the past two decades, especially in the qualities of pastors and their preaching, but some problems persist. Houses churches usually put great emphasis on spirituality to the extreme of denouncing anything else as secular and evil. We pray for the powerful preaching of Biblical truth balanced with their own life testimonies.
Wednesday
In urban churches in China, there are many new believers who are young and need attention from their pastors. This increases the workload of pastors because there are fewer properly trained and full-time pastors to start with. We pray for wisdom for urban pastors so they could train those who are able to teach and to care, and build up a team of coworkers.
Thursday
A typical pastor in China has an enormous and exhausting workload. They often answer tens of phone calls for guidance daily, in addition to their busy schedule of caring, follow up, visitation, preaching and evangelism. Pastors are not supermen. They have families and need to care for their aging parents. We pray for wisdom so they will have both a balanced ministry and family life.
Friday
Pastors in China are stretched thin physically and emotionally because they usually have multiple congregations at different meeting points. They have no time for personal pleasures and exercise. Also, they are under constant stress because of the tenuous political and security concerns. We pray for God's special grace for His servants. We pray, too that believers would appreciate and value their pastors and families, expressing often their thanks of their pastors in concrete and practical ways.
Saturday
In China, pastors cannot enjoy the social benefit and health coverages like regular employees because house churches are not deemed legal entities and they often do not possess the proper “hukou” - residency permit required for social benefits. We remember the labor of all pastors and their family's needs. We pray that churches will step up to meet their needs, showing love and care for their shepherds, rather than wrongly demanding pastors to live by faith.
Sunday
Many pastors in China are spiritually overextended. Among the house churches, there are few or no resources to help with spiritual renewal. A time of rest or sabbatical is practically unheard of. We pray for many pastors who feel spent and nearly burnt out. May the Lord have mercy on them, giving renewal and revival to them and their families.
Monday
In China, the pastor's wife is perhaps the loneliest person in the church. Traditional machismo and a low view of the pastor's wife, many only see them as helpers and some even ignore their roles. Many pastor's wives are literally silent or in the shadow. We pray that God comforts them, letting them know their sacrifice is treasured by Him. We pray, too that churches will see the spiritual gifts they possess and encourage them to serve accordingly to build up the house of God.

星期二
中國教會經過近二十年的發展,傳道人的生命素質和講台訉息的質量已有很大提升,但許多明顯的問題仍然存在。過去家庭教會特別著重靈命的追求,十分強調聖俗兩極化,易流於極端屬靈而無法融入現實生活。求主賜牧者秉忠心有力地傳講聖經的真理,更能以自己的生命見證來平衡所傳的道。
星期三
城市新興教會的第一代基督徒比例較高,且亦以青年居多,需要牧者關照處極多,牧養的需要量非常大。另一方面,傳道人總比例較低,而受過裝備的全職傳道人更是不足,許多講台服事是由帶職事奉的弟兄姊妹承擔的。求主賜牧者智慧,將神的教訓交託那些忠心善教導的人,培養他們分擔牧養、關懷的責任,而不需一人挑起教會所有的重擔。
星期四
許多中國牧者往往每天要接幾十個輔導電話,再加上個人關懷、探訪跟進、宣講話語和傳揚福音等工作,常常使他們筋疲力竭。牧師不是超人,他們也需要在家中盡上孝親、教養子女、聯繫配偶等人倫責任。求主賜他們智慧,能有平衡的事奉與美滿和樂的家庭,讓生命和生活都成為喜樂、蒙福的見證。
星期五
中國傳道人普遍有身心靈透支的情況 ,由於聚會點太多和分散,事工繁忙,致使疲於奔命,且身體又缺乏鍛練。另一方面,政治環境及安全因素導致傳道人心理承受重壓。願主恩待祂的僕人,感動羊群知道體貼珍惜牧者和他們家人的擺上,學習常以實際方式來表達對他們的感激。
星期六
由於戶籍制度及家庭教會尚未有合法的身份,導致家庭教會傳道人的醫保和福利都嚴重缺乏,造成許多神僕均承受極不公的對待。我們再次記念中國傳道人的辛苦服侍,還要擔心子女的教育。求主感動教會在財物上供應傳道人,將關愛化為實際的行動,盡上會眾當盡的本份,而不是一味要求他們靠信心生活。
星期日
中國傳道人的靈性嚴重透支,尤其家庭教會的牧者。面對各方面的資源不足,安息年制度不健全,再加上能為教會守望的屬靈長輩亦嚴重缺乏,致使他們瀕臨耗盡的危機。許多牧者處於只出不進的狀態,沒有休假,也沒有靈命更新,非常危險。 求主施恩憐憫,醫治他們的身、心靈和家庭關係,願神的靈來復興他們和他們的家庭。
星期一
中國牧者的妻子(師母)或許是教會中最孤獨的角色。因為華人文化的大男子主義或教會看師母角色的偏差,許多人都忽略師母的作用或視其擺上為理所當然。許多師母處於隱於背後,默默無聲服事的狀態,求主安慰她們,知道自己的擺上是神所寶貴,所悅納的。我們禱告:教會能肯定師母的恩賜及擺上,讓她們能按著神的心意參與服事,共建神家。

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Prayer Request 10/16 - 10/22

Tuesday
Half of the people in China believe that sexual discrimination is real there and it is much harder for a woman to find a job than it is for a man. Even among the highly educated people, women who have a doctor's degree are considered odd. The idea of equality of women under Mao has given way to frustration and discrimination for many women. Let us pray for all the sisters serving in the churches that they will receive a double portion of the Spirit and serve joyfully with dedication and love.
Wednesday
Half of the young people in China say they have no religion at all. About 1/4 believe in Communism and another 1/10 believe in Buddhism, Christianity, or Islam. Although China's constitution guarantees religious freedom, Communism and atheism are universally taught at all levels in the educational system.We uplift all the children of believers and ask the Lord to safeguard His Word which they learned at home through the inspiration of their parents even though their schools that are often hostile to Christianity.
Thursday
People have pointed out that the extreme polarization of wealth in China is socially unstable and dangerous. According to the standard set by the government, a family making 60000 to 500,000 RMB yearly,an monthly income of at least 50,000 is considered a middle-class family. Such monthly is unheard of among Chinese pastors so by this definition Christianity in China is still a religion of the poor. Let us pray for the churches in China that the shepherds will be faithful in spite of the financial and spiritual poverty of many churches.
Friday
There is a big competition among municipalities to host the “official worship” of famous Chinese historical figures. Many of these public festival or events are elaborate, meant to promote awareness, tourism, investment, or pure financial interest. Chinese are embracing the practice of ancestral worship with a vengeance. Let us pray for this trend, for people to look to fill the spiritual void and to avoid any shortcut to divine blessing.
Saturday
Most of the youth in China struggle with uncertainty about their futures. Their parents are much more concerned about the grades and future lives of their children. A majority of the young people feel their parents care only about their grades and a great majority of the parents agree that academic performance is the most important thing to them. We pray that Christian parents will know that godly children are really the thing that pleases God.
Sunday
The Communist Party has strictly forbidden any of their members to participate in any religious activities. People say that one in three of the members are religious--most commonly Buddhist, Taoist, and Muslim, in minority regions. Let us pray for those Party members who are practicing Christians. They have much to lose once their faith and convictions are exposed. We pray for their faithfulness to God, their fellowship in their local church and their growth in Christ.
Monday
The Communist Party must wrestle with these key issues in forbidding its members to practice religion: 1. Is Guanyin (goddess of fertility) an object of art or a deity to worship? 2. Is Islam a lifestyle or a faith for all Muslim minorities in China? Many Christians display Bible verses or a picture of the Cross at home to proclaim their faith. We praise God for the boldness of these Christians and pray they may they always be a powerful testimony for the gospel to their neighbors.


星期二
超過一半中國人認為中國普遍存在性別歧視,其中女性找工作比男性困難就是一個明證。即便受過高等教育,擁有博士學位,女性也會被投以異樣的眼光。挫折及歧視取代了毛澤東年代高唱的男女平等待遇的理想。我們禱告主,幫助所有姊妹們能按著神賦予的恩賜服事教會,尊主為大,懷著感恩的心事主愛人。也從神獲得加倍的靈力,在委身事奉中享受與神同行時滿溢的喜樂與充實。
星期三
中國半數的年輕人聲稱自己沒有宗教信仰。大約有四份之一人信仰共產主義;另外有十份之一信奉佛教,基督教或回教。雖然中國的憲制保障宗教自由,然而共產主義和無神論思想卻無孔不入滲透整個教育體制。我們要為中國信徒的子女禱告,求主親自堅固祂自己的話語,幫助下一代能從父母身教、言教上學到真理,保守他們在抗拒基督信仰的學校環境中能持守信仰。
星期四
人們認爲中國貧富兩極化將使社會不安定。根據政府的標準,年收入六至五十萬人民幣便可歸類為中產階級。一年六萬,相等於月入五千,全中國幾乎很少傳道人是月薪五千元的。按上述標準,中國的基督教可説是窮人的信仰。我們為中國教會禱告,求神大大加力給神的僕人們。在經濟和靈命都貧乏的許多教會裏面忠心服事,仍能以主為樂,事奉滿有果效。
星期五
中國各地風行「公祭熱」,引發了「祖宗爭奪戰」。對歷史名人的爭奪,已成全國的潮流。無論是爲了推廣文化意識、促進旅遊、拉投資、建功德或商業利益,這些公共慶典大都辦得有聲有色。祭祖是華人根深蒂固的文化傳統,近年來拜祭活動更是越演越烈。可惜人們用這些方式求平安和祝福是枉然的,求主讓人看到獲得神真實祝福的正確途徑。
星期六
很多中國青少年對未知的前途感到憂慮。事實上父母比自己的孩子更加重視他們的學業成績和前途。超過一半的年輕學子認為父母只關注他們的學業成績,而絕大部分的父母也認為盯好孩子學業成績是他們最重要的任務。求主校正基督徒父母的目光,能明白培育出敬虔的下一代才是真正討神喜悅之處。
星期日
共産黨嚴禁黨員參與一切宗教活動。非正式統計約有三分之一的黨員有宗教信仰,其中最多信奉佛教、道教和伊斯蘭教(少數民族地區)。我們特別記念基督徒黨員,一旦信仰被公開,他們會蒙受極大的損失。我們禱告:為他們向神的忠心服事、在教會的團契、以及在主裏的成長向神求恩。
星期一
在中國若要全面禁止黨員涉及宗教活動,共産黨必須首先解決幾個課題:其一,觀世音是藝術雕像還是膜拜的神像?其二,伊斯蘭是回民的生活方式還是宗教信仰?許多基督徒在家中掛放聖經金句或十字架,表明自己的信仰。我們為這些家庭勇於公開信仰而感恩,求主保守並使用他們在街坊鄰里當中成爲福音最有力的見證。

Tuesday, October 09, 2018

Prayer Requeset 10/9 - 10/15

Tuesday
China is aging at an alarming rate. She has 150 million people who are over sixty-five years old (about 10.8 % of the population) so for every one hundred people in China eleven of them are over sixty-five years old. The graying phenomenon is particularly pronounced among the rural churches in China. Although this poses a great challenge to church workers, we trust God has a great plan for the churches in China and He can still bring about a revival.
Wednesday
China is the only country in the world with more than 100 million elderly people. Over the past decade, the number of people over eighty years old in China has almost doubled to more than twenty million. Many pastors consider that ministry to elderly people is a waste of time and produces no benefit for church growth. We pray for all who share the gospel with elderly people who are not believers that the Lord will give them the bountiful joy of seeing lost souls saved.
Thursday
As young people leave home to work in the cities, the number of elderly people living on their own has grown to fifty percent. Among them, 33 million are disabled or at least partially so. Many older believers have become homebound and simply cannot get to church. We thank the Lord for those who visit, taking food to share and pray with them. As Jesus has said, “They have done it unto Him”.
Friday
China has established a basic social pension system. Currently, there are 58 million retirees who receive state pensions (a mere 4.5% of the population) and the new rural social pension should cover 60% of all the counties. Many Chinese start to collect a pension when they are fifty-five years old. We pray for this age group of believers who have much time and are able to help out with ministry in the church that God and the leaders in the church will inspire them to serve in their respective places of worship.
Saturday
In 2010,one elderly person was supported by five working-age people in China. A new estimate says that the ratio will drop to three people of working age to support each elderly person by 2020. There are older believers who are able to visit and care for other elderly people in their church. We pray that God raises up more of them to be a great blessing to their church and a wonderful example for young believers.
Sunday
The traditional Chinese value of "raise children to provide retirement” has become untenable under the one-child policy. Young couples must now care for four elderly parents because they are the only children in their families. Many elderly believers live in terrible loneliness, their children are far away and the church is essentially their family. We pray that young believers will treat them with respect and show them tenderness, being willing to spend time with them.
Monday
Many elderly Chinese are accepting the idea of going to a nursing home. Only 1.8% of the elderly population in China lives in a nursing home compared with 2-3% in a developing country. There is usually a long waiting list to get in. Unfortunately, sometimes churches must care for elderly people who are neglected and even "abandoned". May the Lord richly bless those who reach out to those elderly people in need showing them the love and compassion of Jesus Christ.
 
星期二
中國從1999年起加速進入高齡化社會。中國65歲以上老年人超過1.5億人,在2016年就已占總人口的10.8%,也就是每100個中國人裡,就有11個65歲以上的老人。農村教會的老齡化是明顯的事實,對農村傳道人更是巨大的挑戰,維持牧會確實不易。我們深信神對中國教會的未來有祂美好的計劃,願神的僕人繼續做好管家的本份,按時分糧,等候復興的到來。
星期三
中國成為目前世界上唯一老年人口超過一億的國家。近十年裡,八十歲以上高齡老人增加了近一倍,總人數已經超過二千萬。有不少傳道人覺得做老人事工對教會成長沒有直接的實質上的好處。求主校正有這樣心思的肢體,更求記念那些積極關心年長信徒及向社區中老人傳福音的弟兄姐妹。願神賜給他們更多參與靈魂得救的喜樂。
星期四
隨著年輕人外出工作,父母與子女異地居住,中國城鄉中的空巢老人越來越多,現在幾乎高於一半的家庭;其中失能、半失能老年人數多達三千三百萬。許多年長信徒無法出門,更不能參加聚會,往往困守家中。我們為那些恆常去探訪、分享食物,也陪長者讀經和禱告的肢體獻上感恩,因為他們的愛心,就是做在主的身上。
星期五
雖然中國向來有基本的農村社會養老保險,但是能領取養老金的人數只有占人口的 4.5%(5170萬人)。現時在新政策下,百分之六十的農村都有養老保險。 許多人過了五十五歲就在拿養老金。我們祈求主,感動這些年紀尚有可為的信徒,在有時間和精力下,能多作主工,參與教會各樣的事工。願教會領袖能激勵他們,在教會有更多的參與和服事。
星期六
按2010 年人口比例,每五個中國勞動人口負擔一個老人。預測到2020年,約三個勞動人口負擔一個老人,至2030年,約二點五個勞動人口要負擔1個老人。教會中也有不少精力充沛的長者,可以去探望關懷其他的老人,且能分享救恩。求主興起更多有這樣心志的弟兄姐妹,成為教會的祝福和年輕信徒的榜樣。
星期日
在一胎制下,傳統的「養兒防老」觀念已經變成異想天開的事。兩個獨生子女組成的家庭要承擔四個或以上老人的養老,無論在經濟上還是精力上,都給年輕人「難以承受之重」的責任和壓力。許多年長的信徒非常孤單,他們的孩子在外地打工,教會肢體就是他們實質上的家人。我們求神幫助年輕信徒們,尊重教會的長者,關心他們如同自己的父母。
星期一
老年人已逐漸開始接受搬入院養老的方式,但中國社會養老服務實在遠遠不足,往往有長長一串等候名單。中國養老床位總數僅佔老年人口的1.8%,低於發展中國家2%至3%的水平。教會常常需要照顧那些被家人忽視,甚至「拋棄」的老人。願神大大的祝福那些為長者們伸出援手的信徒們的擺上,感謝他們以耶穌的愛及憐憫來關心照顧這些長者。

Tuesday, October 02, 2018

Prayer Request 10/2 - 10/8

Tuesday
Most Chinese churches still teach that when an abused sister seeks a divorce, she commits adultery. Some preachers even go as far as to say that abused women cannot divorce, and she must endure persecution and suffer for the Lord and for righteousness, to conquer evil with good. We pray for women in churches suffering domestic violence. May the Lord open a door for them. We pray that churches can actually help the victim by involving the police, and not criticizing them with the Bible. May the Lord help us to accept, care, love, heal and help them with concrete actions.
Wednesday
Domestic violence happens in every church, but many churches still teach that victims should never consider divorce. Sometimes, the husbands involved are church leaders. Victims of domestic violence are afraid to call the police or inform their church to save face. May the Lord have mercy on us. Christian men cannot be double-faced at home or in church, nor can they excuse themselves for lack of control of their temper. We pray for the Spirit of God to bring repentance, help them to be truly born again, and know the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ.
Thursday
On March 1, 2016, the first anti-domestic violence law was formally implemented in China. Domestic violence refers to the physical and mental infringement of family members by beating, binding, mutilation, restriction of personal liberty, and frequent verbal abuse and intimidation. The church is the House of God, the Body of Christ. So, churches should function as the city of refuge and a haven of love. We ask God to give church leaders wisdom in how to help all victims of domestic abuse, not only in their church but also in their community.
Friday
After the implementation of the "Anti-Domestic Divorce Act". the number of reported victims has increased greatly as more family members, classmates, colleagues, or bystanders call the police to report abuse. Officially, one person dies of domestic violence every day in China. There is still much room for improvement in how a church can help victims of domestic violence. We pray God will raise up pastors who deeply care about the family and can preach strongly on helping men to love the Lord. "The Lord hates the one who mistreats and divorces his wife" (Mal. 2:16)
Saturday
The "Anti-domestic violence law" also includes all kinds of beatings, such as parents hitting children, parental abuses, hitting husbands, boyfriend beating girlfriend (those in cohabitation), ex-husbands hitting ex-wives (divorced but living together). There are also many believers who are enduring restriction of personal freedom, those who suffer frequent intimidation. We pray for them and pray the Lord gives them strength and protection. We pray that they will have wisdom knowing how to protect themselves and their children.
Sunday
In the past three years, cities in Northeast China's Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning Provinces actually had a higher percentage of divorces than cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.We pray for believers who are seeking divorce because of infidelity. We pray they will not give up their marriages so easily, but will rather seek the will of God with much prayer. May the Lord comfort them in the time of disappointment and hopelessness.
Monday
According to experts, the Chinese government’s efforts to reduce divorce stems from the Confucian belief that a stable society is made up of wholesome families. “Only through tens of thousands of harmonious families can the whole society achieve harmony.” We pray that God will surround those who are considering divorce with Christians, to accept them, giving them time and space to heal. And, when they are ready to open up, believers will listen attentively, with patience, pray with them and provide them with appropriate advice or assistance.


星期二
中國許多教會在面對姊妹遭家暴時,仍然認為離婚「若不是為淫亂的緣故,就是犯姦淫」,甚至說絕對不能離異,應當看為是為主忍受逼迫,為義受苦,要以善勝惡。我們為經歷家暴的肢體禱告,求神為她們開路,而教會也能給予實質幫助及法律諮商,而非一味的以經文批判。求主幫助神的兒女以實際行動來接納、關懷、愛護、醫治和陪伴。
星期三
教會裡有家暴的情況,並不是鳳毛麟角,然而,許多教會仍然教導絕不可離婚。有時施暴的丈夫竟是教會的領袖,受家暴的姊妹為了面子和子女,不敢報警或在教會公開真相。求主憐憫及聖靈提醒弟兄,不能在家和教會做兩面人,也不能以控制不住自己為藉口傷害人。但願神的靈叫人悔改重生,靠著主犧牲捨己的愛,活出彼此切實相惜相愛。
星期四
中國從2016年3月1日起正式實施首部《反家暴法》。其中明訂"家庭暴力"是指家庭成員之間以毆打、捆綁、殘害、限制人身自由,以及經常性謾罵、恐嚇等方式實施的身體、精神等侵害行為。教會是神的家,基督的身體,也是神設立的理所當然的「逃城」- 愛的蔭庇處。求神賜屬靈領袖聰明智慧,能更積極介入,實際幫助教會中和社區中的家暴受害者。
星期五
《反家庭暴力法》實施後,受暴者報警率飆升,許多是受害者的親人、鄰居、同學、同事或旁觀者代為報警 。據統計,平均每天超過一人因家暴致死。教會在如何有效幫助家暴受害者方面,還有很大改進空間。求主興起關懷家庭事工的信徒和牧者,能給予適切的幫助與輔導;更求主憐憫,教導弟兄做一個真正的大丈夫,成為合神心意的男人。「休妻的事和以強暴待妻的人,都是我所恨惡的。」(瑪 2:16)
星期六
《反家暴法》包括了各樣毆打行為,比如家長打孩子、兒子打父母、老婆打老公、男友打女友(同居關係)、前夫打前妻(兩者離婚後不分家)。現今仍有不少信徒在婚姻關係中被限制人身自由,遭經常性謾罵,恐嚇,或冷漠忽視。我們為他們禱告,求主加添力量,也保護他們身心安全、健康,同時,也有屬天智慧知道如何保護好自己和孩子們。
星期日
從城市及省份來看,近3年離婚率最高的城市並非集中在北京或廣深等大城市,而是黑龍江省。而吉林、遼寧等東北地區的離婚率也相對較高。我們為面對因外遇要離婚的信徒們禱告,在極度的失望中,求主幫助夫妻先不輕易放棄,不管事情看起來多麼無望,彼此都能嘗試努力挽回,不斷擺上禱告、做神喜悅的事。
星期一
專家說,中國政府關注和防止離婚源於儒家信仰,篤信一個穩定的社會要由完整的家庭組成。「只有千千萬萬個家庭細胞和諧了,才能實現全社會的和諧。」求主為有意離婚者的周邊,都預備有愛心的基督徒,提供接納與陪伴,並給他們時間和空間,當他們願意敞開分享時,用心傾聽,一起禱告,也能有合適的諮商輔導或相關的協助。