Prayer Request 12/11 - 12/17

Tuesday
Ethnic discrimination is still a big factor why even some of the best-educated Uighur and Tibetan migrants struggle to find work. Tibetans and Uighurs have distinct surnames which are different from the Han Chinese, and Uighurs appearances are quite different from the majority of Chinese. We know the ethnic discrimination is long-standing and deep-rooted, but such bias has badly hurt the efforts of churches to show love and to evangelize. We ask His forgiveness and may the Lord give us all humility and His love for others.
Wednesday
There are government programs trying to help some Uighurs, Tibetans and other minorities to obtain a better education. Affirmative-action policies can boost their chances of attending universities. Many Han Chinese consider it is unfair and a waste of time to help the ethnic minorities. This further perpetuates the resentment and discrimination against them. We pray for repentance and removal of our ethnic pride, as the Lord gives us a tender and compassionate heart for all lost souls.
Thursday
One scheme, known as the Xinjiang Class, sends thousands of Uighurs as well as Han Chinese from Xinjiang every year to other parts of China to complete their schooling. But it also encourages them to return. But, only half of the graduates actually return to Xinjiang. Not even the Han Chinese want to go live and work in Xingjian if they have a choice. We pray for believers who have vision and passion to go to Xingjiang, to strengthen the churches there and build friendship with local Muslims.
Friday
The government has made token efforts to create job opportunities for Uighurs on the coast, sending busloads of them to work in factories. But most employers are wary of hiring Muslims because of their distinct languages and diet. Such governmental schemes could be a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel with Uighurs and we pray that churches will see it as their mission to connect with Muslim workers, establish friendships, and show God's love to them.
Saturday
Tibet is indeed hard soil for spreading the gospel since there are only a few thousand Tibetan Christians there (less than 0.2%). with only thirty to forty house churches where both Han Chinese and Tibetans worship together. There are gospel tracts and Bibles in the Tibetan language, including the Jesus film which is a good tool to use in sharing the gospel. Let us pray for believers in Tibet that the Lord will strengthen their faith and give them the courage to share Jesus with others.
Sunday
Tibetans are basically friendly and some well-educated Tibetans are even open to Christianity which provides a great opportunity for evangelism. In general, Tibetans outside of Tibet proper (places like Sichuan or Yunnan provinces) are far more receptive to the gospel than those in Tibet itself. Let us pray for Tibetan churches and pastors, as they reach out to their own people in their own language. We pray the Spirit of God moves mightily, opening the door of their hearts to accept Jesus and set them free from the deep spiritual darkness.
Monday
One reason some people suggest for the poverty of pastors in China is that some enter the ministry after a business or academic failure or illness so they feel inadequate for the job and are content to be poor. Churches in China teach very little of the truth of tithing, and some even wrongly believe that preaching on giving offerings is a sign of a lack of faith. We pray for the strong preaching of giving among all churches, so believers will know giving to God is a way to receive more blessing from Him.


星期二
疆民或藏民即便是教育程度較高的也很難在城市找到工作，主要原因是種族歧視。疆民或藏民在姓名上容易辨認，維族人的體貌特徵亦明顯有於漢人。 漢人輕視少數民族如維族和藏人等，並非一時三刻之事；令人遺憾在中國教會裡亦存相同的情況，以致沒能關注少數民族的福音需要。求主赦免我們，叫我們多體貼主的心，有祂的謙卑和對人的憐愛。
星期三
中國政府正致力讓維族、藏族及其他少數民族獲得更好的教育，以扶助他們獲得高等教育的機會。這些優惠的政策，在漢人眼中卻看為不公平和浪費，造成更多的歧視和厭惡。求主在人心裡動工，讓我們更柔和謙遜，除去自義式的種族優越感，知道每個人在神眼裡都是寶貴的，沒有誰比誰更優越，誰比誰更配得到神的祝福。
星期四
每年所謂的「新疆班」保證上萬的疆民（不僅有維族人，也包括新疆的漢族人）在其他省份完成大學，並鼓勵他們學成後返回新疆；但是僅有約半數「新疆班」的畢業生願意返回。漢人一般都不會搬到新疆居住或就業。我們為信徒禱告，求主賜下異象和熱忱，感動人願意遷到新疆，建立及鞏固那裡的教會，也盼能藉著友誼來向當地的居民分享信仰。
星期五
中國政府雖然看似已儘力為少數民族在沿海地區創造就業機會，讓他們能夠進入工廠工作；然而多數僱用單位卻因信仰不同的飲食和語言溝通困難而對加以提防。當少數民族離開原居地出外就業，這是向他們傳福音的大好機會。求主興起信徒，願意特别來關心城市裡的回民工人，分享神的愛。
星期六
西藏是一塊福音硬土，現在藏族只有數千名基督徒，信全族人口不足 0.2%。目前西藏境內約有三十所非公開的教會，信徒包括漢族和藏族。藏族已有藏文聖經、福音單張和小冊子，包括《耶穌傳》，這都是向藏民傳福音的好工具。求主大大加添西藏信徒信心與能力，賜給他們智慧及膽量向親友們分享基督耶穌。
星期日
藏民態度友善，一些受過大學教育的藏民更對基督信仰持開放態度，這是一個何等大的福音契機！尤其是在西藏以外（例如四川和雲南地區）的藏民比較容易接受福音。我們禱告：藏民教會及傳道人能充份發揮使用母語傳福音的便利；又願神的靈先在人心裡作工，打開人的心門，好讓他們願意接受耶穌，脫離屬靈的黑暗權勢。
星期一
中國傳道人普遍經濟較為拮据，其中一個原因是好些人是因生意失敗、學業無成、身體有病等才去做傳道，他們自覺貧困，也安於貧困。中國教會少有金錢奉獻的教導，甚至錯誤認為提及現實的經濟需要就是沒信心的表現。求主幫助傳道人按聖靈感動傳講真理，不偏執亦沒有忌諱，來幫助信徒明白奉獻給神，是蒙受神更多賜福之道。