Prayer Request 2/26 - 3/4

Tuesday
A new era has arrived for the church in China. What are Chinese churches doing to prepare for and respond to this changing environment? In the past year, many churches have reported a dramatic rise in restrictions. We praise God because He is always with the Chinese believers and is close to them in times of trouble. We know that God uses trials and persecutions to bless and refine his Church, pruning and making them ready so they will bear more fruit.
Wednesday
The great majority of churches in China can be described as “traditional” in their style of worship. However, the newer churches in the cities offer contemporary worship and preaching that are popular and appealing to young Christians. The leaders of traditional churches are generally older and will need to plan for their eventual successor. We pray that God raises up new leaders, like Moses and Joshua to lead a new generation in their footsteps.
Thursday
Traditional churches in China are mostly patriarchal and the leaders are the sole decision makers. We are thankful for the faithful service of the older pastors whose labor will be rewarded by the Master. We pray for His blessing for them to continue to be effective even in their advanced age, and that the churches will appreciate their contribution. At the same time, we pray that the Lord will raise up younger leaders to serve.
Friday
The Chinese government regulates many aspects of private family life, including religion and pregnancy. Marriage and family are seen as a stabilizing force and the government wants to keep men and women in marriages. We pray for the spiritual well being of believers and their families who are going through a divorce, so they will rely on His grace to face many hurdles during this traumatic time. We pray for God’s comfort, lessening of their guilt and regret, and that He will enable them to continue to glorify God.
Saturday
In all the divorces in China, husbands and wives share a similar level of education. Divorce rates are higher among those who have a junior high education or lower. Nearly all cases involve child custody issues. Many Christian women in China have husbands who are unbelievers or not-so-strong Christians. They are indeed the so-called “spiritual single parents”. We pray that God will give them a powerful testimony at home, and answer their prayers for the salvation of their husbands and children.
Sunday
It will be helpful for churches in China to form smaller groups or fellowships, led by a trained coworker, for those who are divorced or going through a marital breakup.Each Christian couple has its own set of unique problems and different abilities in coping with stress and pain. We do pray specifically for their children, asking God for special mercy so they will not hate God but be able to hang onto their faith.
Monday
It is difficult to know how much of the current growth of urban churches is due to new conversions or ​ the ​influx of rural believers. Rural migrants are beginning to move and settle in the second- and third-tier cities​ in China​. City residents often look down​ on​ people from the countryside. We pray that churches will be ready to adjust and accommodate the rural believers, ministering to them without pride and prejudice.


星期二
在過去一年，中國教會進入了一個新時期，我們看見從當局來的限制和逼迫大幅度增加。中國教會如何預備及回應正在改變中的環境？ 感謝神，「主曾說：我總不撇下你，也不丟棄你。」(來13:5) 神必與信徒同行(尤其在艱難的時刻)。求主在逼迫患難中祝福並煉淨祂的教會，使他們生命更豐富，更加有能力彰顯基督，結出更多豐碩果子。
星期三
中國教會的聚會多是傳統模式，近年一些新興的教會吸引了許多年輕信徒參加，因為有契合他們喜好的風格的敬拜讚美，而講台證道也較傳統教會生動、實用。傳統教會的領袖一般比較年長。求主賜教會忠心的接班人，如同摩西和約書亞一般，以前人為榜樣，注重承傳與開創性，帶領教會迎向新世代。
星期四
中國許多教會往往用「家長式」帶領教會，屬靈領袖有極大權柄。這樣的領袖在艱困時期特別能犧牲自己，照顧群羊。我們為老一輩傳道人的忠心擺上感恩，深知主必賞賜。求主賜他們身心靈健壯，教會亦不忘記他們的擺上。我們也為教會的傳承禱告，求神賜下合祂心意的工人，帶領會眾承接新世代的挑戰。
星期五
中國政府對個人家庭生活常施加管制，包括宗教信仰和生育計劃。婚姻和家庭被視為一種社會的穩定力量，政府希望男女保持婚姻關係。我們來為離婚信徒的靈命和家庭祈求，願他們能依靠神的恩典來面對失婚後的種種難題。又求神親自安慰這類信徒，無論在甚麼景況裡，都滿有屬天的喜樂與平安，並能繼續榮耀神。
星期六
在所有中國的離婚案件中，夫妻同為高學歷的離婚率要高於那些高、初中學歷的夫婦，而幾乎所有案例都牽涉到爭奪子女的撫養權歸屬。教會中有許多姐妹的丈夫在屬靈追求上與她們步伐不一致，甚至還有不少是未信的。她們真是所謂的 「屬靈的單親」。求主幫助她們在家中有美好的見證，以主的愛來愛丈夫和家人；又記念她們的丈夫、子女能早日得著救恩。
星期日
教會若能為離婚或正遇婚姻難題的肢體成立適合的小組或團契，並由受過訓練的同工在其中負責帶領，應該會對他們有很大的幫助。每一對基督徒夫妻的婚姻狀況不同，而每個基督徒身心靈能承受的壓力和痛苦的程度也都不一樣。我們特別為身經離異家庭的孩子禱告，求主賜下格外的憐憫和恩典，撫慰他們的傷痛，保守他們的信心，對神不產生怨恨而放棄信仰 。
星期一
當今中國城市教會的增長，很難知道多少是由於新人信主或農村信徒的湧入。近年農民工開始搬遷並在中國的二三線城市定居。城市原有居民經常看不起新遷入的農村人。我們祈禱教會能調整心態，為主準備好容納農村的信徒，按著神心意牧養他們，沒有不討神喜悦的自以為是的驕傲和偏見。