Prayer Request 1/8 - 1/14

Tuesday
In China, there is a big problem with aging. Many people are aging at once. In the past eighteen years, the percentage of people over age sixty has nearly doubled ​(10% to 17.3%). An urgent concern facing urban Christian families is how to care for aging parents. We pray that believers will have wisdom, tenderness, and patience as they care for their elderly parents.
Wednesday
By 2030, China will become a society with many old people ahead of ​the ​government population prediction, with 25% of the population over age 60 years old. Churches in China ​​already have a high percentage of elderly ​people ​will be much “greyer” in the near future. We pray for good strategies in place now to minister to the elderly, especially the spiritual health and evangelism ​for ​older people.
Thursday
In China, it is commonly said that being old is not terrible, but being old and poor is. The poverty rate of people over 60 in China is about 17.5%, which is much higher than the average of that of developing countries. We pray that some Christians in China would consider how to help ​in ​the care of the elderly, not only in their churches but also those lonely and poor people in their communities.
Friday
Pastors in China carry a heavy workload. They face a potential crisis in their family lives too. Their families really need our attention and ​the ​prayers of their congregation​s​ to stand in the gaps. We pray that God will give grace and mercy to each of the people who work in churches so they will see the seriousness of the issues whether in their families or of those in their particular church and that the Lord will renew them in strength and refresh them with excitement anew to serve Him and give glory to God in all they do.​
Saturday
Children of pastors in China are at high risk of being unbelievers themselves.​ Although they grow up in Christian homes, like Eli and Samuel's children in the Bible, children of godly parents are not necessarily godly people. May the Lord give blessings to the descendants of the righteous and remind them of the example of their parents as they fear God. Then, may they themselves want to fervently serve the Lord.
Sunday
The children of pastors in China face the constant pressure to "please the entire church" and are told by their parents to behave in front of the members of the church so it is easy for these children to become hypocritical and judgmental. We pray for all the pastor's kids in China, even as they see the “dark side” and the weakness​es​ of believers, that they will not lose faith in God, knowing the Heavenly Father always honors​ those who serve Him faithfully.
Monday
Pastor's children in China often feel neglected or ignored because their parents are so involved with the ministry needs in their churches. The children do not understand why their parents are so dedicated to the church and yet sacrifice them.​ We ask the Lord to remind all church workers in China to fulfill their role and responsibility as parents, that they will keep the promises they make to their children, show that they genuinely care for them, and also be good role models for them


星期二
中國老齡化的特色是老化人口成長速度快、規模大。十八年間，六十歲以上人口幾乎倍增（從10%上升到17.3%）。城市基督徒家庭也正面臨一個緊迫問題，就是如何照顧家中的老齡長輩。求神在信徒照顧年邁父母親時，賜下充足的愛心、溫柔、忍耐與智慧。
星期三
據估算，到了2030年中國將提前進入超級老齡化社會，即六十歲以上人口大約佔全国人口的25%。中國教會現在已是普遍的高齡化，在不久的將來將會變得更加「蒼白」。求主幫助教會懂得如何牧養年長信徒，特別是針對如何維繫他們的靈命強健和積極向社區老人傳福音。
星期四
有句俗話：「年老不可怕，不夠錢養老才可怕。」中國六十歲以上人口的貧困率約為17.5%，遠高於發展國家的平均水平。我們為神能興起一些中國信徒參與老人照顧的事工禱告，目標是不僅照顧好教會內的長者，更能普遍關注到社區中的孤獨和貧窮的老人們。
星期五
傳道人除了在事奉上嚴重超負荷外，他們的家庭亦存著潛在危機。傳道人的家庭需要更多的關懷和禱告，從而防患於未然，不給撒但留下破口。求主額外施恩憐憫，幫助傳道人看見事情的嚴重性 ，使他們能歸回安息，重新得力，奔跑不困倦，行走不疲乏；在服事上更火熱更有信心，並將所得榮耀歸給神。
星期六
傳道人的子女是高危的未信主群體。雖然成長時有比別人更多的機會聽到福音，認識主耶穌。敬虔傳道人的孩子未必一定會敬畏主，正如聖經上有許多慘痛的例子：以利和撒母耳的兩個兒子。願恩主賜福義人的後代，也保守傳道人的子女從小看見父母的服事榜樣，自己也生發敬畏神的心，愛慕服事主的蒙福之路。
星期日
傳道人子女從小就被父母教導要有敬虔樣式。他們往往面對在教會內「要得讚賞」的試探，也很容易落入偽善和被論斷的試探裡。我們來為傳道人的子女祈求，雖然會看見弟兄姊妹軟弱或「黑暗」的一面，但不失去對神的信心，也堅定相信若有人忠心服事主，天父必尊重他。
星期一
傳道人子女往往因父母教會的服事過重，會覺得被忽略。傳道人也因沒有時間陪伴子女，對子女「情感虧欠」。有些孩子會對父母在教會的擺上不認同，甚至有成為「犧性品」的感受。求主提醒傳道人服事教會和家庭要平衡，在親子關係上盡責，對孩子遵守諾言、愛護陪伴，成為他們靈命和生活上的好榜樣。