Prayer Request 2/12 - 2/18

Tuesday
In the past, the average life expectancy in the southern part of China has been at least five years longer than that of people in the North. This discrepancy is attributed to the widespread use of coal in the northern provinces and the serious pollution which it cost in devastating the health of people there. There are also many differences between house churches in the northern and southern China. In general, churches in the north usually members of a larger group. Let us pray for these churches, the Lord give them unity of hearts, to spread the gospel, to accept and build up one another, and the Body of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday
Scandals involving food and drugs have endangered the lives of many children in China. The most recent one involved hundreds of thousands of children who received faulty vaccines. The news angered the public, rattled confidence in the government and amplified frustration with the health care system.We need to pray for the spiritual health of all the children of believers in China. May the Lord remind all parents to fulfill their responsibilities, not only praying for their children but also teaching them to know the Word of God from a young age.
Thursday
The current health system cannot adequately support China's population of more than one billion people. Hospitals can no longer meet the needs of the public. The large gaps and inequalities threaten to undermine China's progress, social stability, and financial health. Churches in China are also struggling to meet the need of the growing number of believers. Again, we beseech the Lord to protect His churches in this difficult time, strengthen and comfort those who are oppressed and even forced to change their practice of faith.
Friday
The Chinese government said the “two-children” policy is working. While the total number of births dipped to 17.2 million last year, however the percentage of families with two children has climbed from 36 percent in 2013 to 51 percent today. We pray for believer families with two or more children specifically that the Lord will help these parents to teach their children to know God at an early age as well as learning to pray to Him, especially in this time of many restrictions of children going to church.
Saturday
Experts warn it will be difficult to change people’s reproductive behavior. The Chinese government needs to provide more support to families planning to have a second child by providing more child welfare, such as early education, maternal and child health care. Many Christian parents do not want their children to become a pastor because the life of a church worker is hard and they very likely will not be able to support their parents financially when the parents are old. We pray that believers will honor their parents and even be able to lead them to believe in Jesus.
Sunday
Grandparents on both sides are expected to help with childcare in China, especially with the one-child generation. Many see this is as an exchange or a requirement for the parents to receive support from their children when they are old. We pray that Christian parents will spend both quality and quantity time with their children and help them to know the love of God, especially families with only one believer or spiritually strong parent. May the Lord grant them strong faith, help them to trust His faithfulness, and be joyful in all things.
Monday
In China, young couples are hesitant to have a second child because their parents can only help with the caring for grandkids if they have good health. Maternal grandparents also pressure their daughter to work outside of the house and not to stay at home caring for children. We pray that believer parents can effectively manage their home, especially when they are both the only-child. The Lord gives them wisdom and grace in handling the stress of honoring their aging parents and caring for their children.


星期二
近數十年來，南方人的平均壽命至少比北方人長五年，其中最大原因是北方地區廣泛使用煤炭，導致嚴重污染，對健康造成毀滅性影響。中國北方與南方的家庭教會也有許多不同。一般而言，北方的家庭教會通常是團隊式帶領。我們為這些團隊式的教會禱告，求主幫助他們竭力保守合一的心，在主裡同心興旺福音，凡事包容、彼此建立，讓神的家得以茁壯成長。
星期三
過去幾年食、藥醜聞層出不窮，危及中國民眾健康。最近，數十萬兒童被發現接種了問題疫苗，激怒了公眾，動搖了人們的信心，並加劇了人們對醫療系統的疑慮和不滿。我們為信徒的兒女的靈命健康禱告，父母要為主盡上培育敬虔後裔的神聖責任，不單是為孩子禱告，更要教導他們從小認識神的話語，一生蒙福。
星期四
現今的醫療系統不足以支撐接近中國十四億的人口，醫院已經無法滿足公眾的需求。貧富極大的差距和權益分配的不平等，威脅著中國的進步、社會的穩定和財政體制的健康。中國教會也在盡力提供更多服事來回應信徒的需求。我們懇求恩主保守祂的教會，加能賜力。又求主安慰受壓迫、甚至被迫害而放棄信仰的小羊。
星期五
政府表示「二孩」政策正在起作用。雖然去年的總出生人數下降至1720萬，但有兩個孩子的家庭比例從2013年的36%攀升至今天的51%。我們為有兩個孩子的信徒家庭禱告，求主使用父母(尤其在新宗教事務條例實行下)從小幫助孩子認識神，也能學習禱告，操練依靠、仰望神。
星期六
專家稱，改變人們的生育行為是很困難的。政府需要給生第二胎的家庭更多支持，並投放更多兒童福利：包括增進幼兒早期教育和母嬰健康。許多家長不願意自己孩子成為教會的傳道人，因為中國的傳道人生活艱苦，沒有經濟能力奉養他們，更不能期望孩子能給他們養老。求主提醒信徒要孝敬，更能帶領未信父母認識耶穌基督，得著永生的盼望。
星期日
讓父母幫忙照顧自己的孩子在中國是很普遍的事。獨生子女們認為父母幫助照顧孫輩是理所當然，不然父母老了就得不著他們回報的照顧。求主幫助信徒能有效管理時間，與子女的相處不僅有質也有量，好讓孩子能從父母身上感受天父的大愛。我們特別為家長中還有一方未信主或靈命軟弱的家庭禱告，求主賜下堅定的信心，知道神的信實從沒有改變，凡事仰望主的帶領，靠主常常喜樂。
星期一
雖然父母可以幫助照料孫子女，但因老人體力有限，常會力不從心。為此，許多夫妻在考慮到有限的人力物力下，不打算要第二胎。女方的家長也不希望自己的女兒一輩子在家照顧孩子，而是能在外工作，擁有經濟的獨立能力及職業的成就感。求主幫助信徒夫婦有計劃地管理自己的家，尤其雙方均是獨生子女的，更有主的恩典既能照料年邁的父母，也能關心子女的成長需要。