Prayer Request 3/26 - 4/1

Tuesday
A study shows that Chinese migrant workers who moved from villages to cities were rewarded with higher incomes but they actually ended up less happy than the people they left behind. Migrant believers have their own spiritual issues, they are so busy working and earning a living to support their families back in the village. We pray that believers would have faith and trust in God, and honor Him above all things. And they will also be able to overcome the temptation of living alone and away from their families.
Wednesday
Reasons may be complicated as to why migrants are not happy. Some reasons are unrealistic expectations, unfulfilled aspirations, insecure jobs, living in a neighborhood where everyone is wealthier. The true answer may be all of the above. Many migrants who are believers, although they may have the Bible knowledge but lack personal spiritual discipline. We pray that more rural churches will intentionally equip young people to know the lure of temptation by preparing them to live in the city.
Thursday
In China, the average income of rural-urban migrants was nearly 2 1/2 times higher than that of rural residents. Permanent residents of cities, with an urban residence registration or hukuo are wealthier than village people. It is difficult to estimate how many rural believers stopped attending church in cities where they live. We pray that God raises up people who will minister to them and bring them back to fellowship with God.
Friday
According to a study called “Happiness Study”, the happiest group of people is the people who had stayed behind in the villages, followed by Urban-born Chinese. Migrants in the cities are the least happy people in China. Urbanization and the massive migration from villages to cities in China will continue in the near future. We pray that church leaders will have the vision, urgency, and strategies in place to minister accordingly, especially to the massive number of migrants who are lonely and discontent.
Saturday
Migrants are the least happy people in China, partly because of economic and social discrimination. People from rural families have a rural residence registration or hukou, that can’t be altered even if they move to the cities, thus they are unable to enjoy many social benefits available to the city residents. It is very true that believers with the rural background cannot fit into urban churches well, their clothing, accents, and demeanors are drastically different. We pray that all believers will learn to accept and love people who are different and see how we all strive to conform to His likeness.
Sunday
Under the Communist rule in China, the country has been divided by what is sometimes known as an “invisible Great Wall” - the great divide of the urban versus the rural, and the poor versus the wealthy. We pray that church leaders would have vision and strategy to minister to the migrant believers in China's second and third tiered cities where most of the migrants in the near future will be moving to.
Monday
If people in China migrate to the cities, it is often much harder to access jobs, housing, education, and healthcare there for anyone with a rural hukou. Many are forced to leave their children behind in the villages, to be brought up by grandparents. It may be another generation before rural believers can be integrated into urban churches. We pray that city believers will be more accepting, putting aside their prejudices and even disdain toward their fellow believers from the villages.


星期二
據一項研究顯示，農民工在城市雖然得到更高的收入，但是卻比留在農村的人感覺生活不幸福和不滿意。信主的農民工有很多靈命上的挑戰。在城市裡，他們為口奔馳，還要在經濟上支持留在農村的家人。我們為他們能對神持守信心，學習仰望交託主禱告。求聖靈指教、引導他們，常常連於主，將主放在首位，也保守他們在遠離家人孤單自處的日子裡，不落入各樣的試探中。
星期三
從農村移居到城市的人感到不幸福的原因很複雜，其中可能因為期望落空、抱負實現無望、工作不穩定，自身對比於富裕社區内的高收入隣居等等；真正答案可能是以上因素均有。許多基督徒農民工雖然有些聖經知識，但靈命卻幼嫩。我們禱會農村教會多著重教導年輕信徒如何勝過城市的誘惑，幫助他們到城市打工之前就有心裡和靈命的好準備。
星期四
中國城鄉民工的平均收入高於農村居民接近2.5倍。擁有城市居住登記或戶口的城市永久居民遠比農村居民的生活富裕得多。目前到底多少農民工信徒到了城裡不再參加教會聚會？數目難以估計。我們求主興起關心民工的信徒，願意幫助他們在城市裡繼續持守信仰，結伴同走天路。
星期五
根據一項名為「快樂研究」的資料顯示，農村居民最幸福，其次是城市出生的人，而從農村移居到城市的人是最感受不到幸福的一群。中國的城市化正不斷加速，求主賜教會領袖有異象來牧養這一大批遷徙而至的農民，把握機會給正值感到孤單無援的人群，適時介紹天父上帝的愛、主耶穌無價的救恩。
星期六
離鄉別井到其他省會工作的人最感到不幸福，部分原因可能是面臨生活環境巨大轉變、經濟壓力和社會歧視。具有農村背景的信徒不容易融入城市教會，他們的服裝、口音和氣質都與城巿人截然不同。求神幫助神的兒女能在主的愛裡，學習接納和愛護與自己不同的人，跟隨主的腳蹤行，活出主的樣式。
星期日
共產主義領導的中國，似乎被城與郊、貧與富等等一道道「無形的長城」分裂了。求神賜教會領袖對中國二線和三線農民工的福音需要有負擔、有所因應。因為在不久的將來，這些城市將會迎來大批來自農村的居民進駐，大家應如何裝備好自己為主的國度使命擺上，收穫發白的庄稼，滿足神的期許。
星期一
農民工在城市越來越難就業，因戶口仍在農村，不能享有城巿的住房、教育和醫療保健等福利；許多人都被迫將孩子留在農村，由祖父母撫養，在農民工融入城市教會之前，這些兒童又將成新一世代了。我們為「留守兒童」禱告，求神額外施恩憐憫，在沒父母直接照顧下，仍能身心健康成長；也有機會認識福音，早得神的慈愛和恩典。也求神挪去城市信徒的偏狹和自傲，以恩慈接納從他鄉來的主内肢體。

Prayer Request 3/19 - 3/25

Tuesday
China is facing its most precipitous decline in population in decades. China’s notorious “one child” policy may have achieved its original aim of slowing population growth, it has also created new challenges for the government. Young Chinese couples who are predominantly one-child themselves are not interested in having more children. We pray that Christian parents will see children are gifts from the Lord and know that it is more than providing education but also teach children to know the Lord from a small age.
Wednesday
China raised the limit to two children for all families in 2016, in hopes of encouraging a baby boom, but it did not work. A decline in the birth rate and an increase in life expectancy means there will soon be too few workers. Aging of pastors and church members, in general, is an obvious trend too. We need to pray for the Lord of the harvest to provide more workers for His field, who effectively minister to the needs of the ever-increasing numbers of seniors in church.
Thursday
The birth rate in China went up slightly after the relaxation of the one-child policy but continued to fall again in 2017, with 17.2 million babies born compared to 17.9 in 2016. Although the number of families having a second child rose, the overall number of births continued to drop. Many young Chinese couples consider having children as expensive and troublesome. We pray for Christian families that they will see raising children to love the Lord is the most blessed and rewarding accomplishment of their lives and enjoy the fruit of their labors.
Friday
In China, the total number of births for 2018 could fall to as low as 15 million. The fertility rate required to maintain population levels is 2.1 children per woman, a figure known as “replacement level fertility.” Let us pray for the children's ministries in China. It is always God’s desire that parents shoulder the responsibility of raising up godly children for Him. We pray for vision and strategies for church leaders as they work out ways to provide worship for the entire family under the given restrictions.
Saturday
China’s fertility rate has officially fallen to 1.6 children per woman, but even that number is disputed. As in other countries, there are myriad reasons for the declining birth rate, including rising prosperity and new opportunities for women to work outside of the home. Couples who are both the only child have a heavier burden in caring the elderly parents of both sides. We pray that all believers will fulfill their responsibility of honoring their parents, supporting them financially and spiritually, so they would also be blessed by the Lord.
Sunday
China’s economic expansion has created a society where many young couples now struggle with economic pressures, including rising education and housing costs, making it difficult to have even one child, let alone two. Let us pray for Christian parents and grandparents who will pledge themselves to be the spiritual pillars in their families, like Joshua who proclaimed, “as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord”.
Monday
The most profound cause of the drop in birth rate in China is the “one child” policy. Fewer children were born, and because of cultural preferences for male offspring, fewer of them were girls. Most churches in China do not have many young believers. Young sisters are often pressured by their parents to marry earlier and often with non-believers. We ask the Lord to give them the very best marriage partners and provide them mature elders in the church who would care and minister to them.
  星期二
中國正面臨數十年來最急劇的人口下降情況。雖然過去的「一胎」政策已經實現了其放緩人口增長的目標，但是也給政府帶來了新的挑戰。一般年輕夫婦自己就是獨生的一代，認為養育孩子的代價太大，沒有興趣多生孩子。但願基督徒夫婦能看見孩子是神賜的產業，也明白教養子女不只是「教育」、「養育」，更是要付代價讓兒女從小認識神，培育出敬虔的後裔。
星期三
政府抱著引發嬰兒潮的希望，在2016年把家庭生育孩子的上限提高到兩個。事隔兩年多，暫未見成效，出生率仍然偏低，再加上預期人口壽命延長，意味著勞動人口將劇減。中國牧者和信徒的老齡化也是一個明顯的趨勢。我們求莊稼的主差派更多工人收割果實，也能供應教會中越來越多的老齡信徒的需要。
星期四
中國自2016年起可生第二胎後，出生率有短暫上升，但到2017年再度下降，從2016年的1790萬下降到2017年的1720萬。儘管生二胎的家庭數量有所上升，但總體出生率繼續下降。許多中國年輕夫婦認為生養孩子既昂貴又麻煩。我們為信徒家庭禱告，求主幫助他們體會養育孩子一生愛主，是他們最蒙福和最有價值的事情，也能享受辛苦的成果。
星期五
中國2018年的出生嬰兒總數可能降至1500萬。若要維持人口水平，每個婦女需生育2.1個子女，這個數字被稱為「更替生育率」。隨著社會的富裕和老齡化，許多發達國家的生育率都下降。神的心意清楚表明父母有為神養育敬虔後裔的責任。我們為中國教會的兒童事工祈求，求神賜教會領袖有異象和策略，在現今種種的限制中，讓孩童能有機會接觸信仰，與全家一同敬拜神。
星期六
官方公佈的生育率已降至每位婦女生育1.6個孩子，有專家們認為這個估計算還是偏高了。與其他國家一樣，生育率下降的原因有很多，包括富裕程度不斷增長，以及女性更多外出工作的新機會。夫妻若同是獨生子女，會有更沉重的負擔，因要贍養雙方的年老父母。我們為信徒在孝敬父母上有美好的見證禱告，不單單是盡力供養，也能關心他們的靈命，與他們分享福音的好處，得着屬天的福氣。
星期日
中國的經濟發展造就了這樣一種社會：許多年輕夫婦現在生活在巨大的經濟壓力之下，教育和住房等生活成本上升，讓他們感到要一個孩子都有困難，更不用說要兩個了。我們為基督徒的父母和祖父母禱告，叫他們願意成為家族中的屬靈樑柱，多代人的祝福，如同約書亞宣稱；「至於我和我的家，我們必事奉耶和華。」
星期一
中國生育率下降的最深層原因是實行三十多年的「一胎」政策。這政策不僅導致少生了孩子，還在傳統偏好生男的情況下，做成男多女少的現象。教會中的年輕人本來就不多，加上父母親的催促與焦慮，姊妹們與未信者交往的可能性很高。我們特別為姊妹們禱告，求主將最好的賜給她們，也興起教會的長輩們來關心她們的身心靈健康。

Prayer Request 3/12 - 3/18

Tuesday
In 1950, the legal age for marriage in China was 20 for men and 18 for women. At present, China has the oldest legal marriage age in the world, 22 years old for men and 20 years old for women. We pray for young believers that they will seek God's will and guidance in selecting a lifelong partner, and that they will commit this biggest decision in life to Him. We also pray for wisdom as they communicate Biblical principles to their unbelieving parents and that they will be able to overcome any opposition.
Wednesday
Marrying at a very young age and having children early is a common phenomenon in rural China and can be attributed to the local tradition, failure of the local officials to enforce the minimum marriage age, and the fact that guardians condone the practice of early marriage. Many challenges exist for the children's ministry in the rural churches, which include the low educational level and lack of parenting skills of the parents. We pray that God will help them to grasp the love of the Heavenly Father, the warmth of the church, and the knowledge of God’s plan for them early in the children’s lives.
Thursday
Beginning in 2016, the Chinese government forbid minors less than 16 years of age to be separated from their legal custodians and living alone. This was meant to curb the common problem of rural parents leaving their children behind to work in the cities, but the effort has not been effective at all. Many rural villagers leave their newborns and entrust them to the grandparents so they can work in the cities. May the Lord have mercy on all Christian parents, so we will not be found wanting in fulfilling our God-given responsibility of raising our children.
Friday
China’s leader, Xi famously said that “houses are built to be inhabited, not for speculation.” However, the feverish housing market continues unabated. Currently, almost twenty-two percent of China’s urban housing stock is unoccupied, leaving nearly fifty million empty homes. In China, it is quite common that urban Christians buy stocks and speculate on real estate. We pray that all believers will be good stewards of the money God gives us. May the Lord give each of us a heart of thanksgiving, always ready to honor Him above all things, and care more about the Kingdom of God and the need of the church.
Saturday
Housing speculation has troubled China’s leaders for years, as some cities and provinces tightened buying restrictions only to see money flooding into other areas. Rampant price gains also mean millions of people are shut out from the market, exacerbating inequality. Many Chinese are tied up in stocks or houses, and Christians are no exception. The Bible reminds us: "Godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Tim. 6:6). We pray that each of us would have the right attitude toward money and know how to be a good and faithful steward.
Sunday
Holiday homes and the empty dwellings of migrants seeking work elsewhere account for some of the unoccupied properties, but purchases for investment are a key factor in keeping the vacancy rate high. That’s despite curbs and official policies discouraging the purchase of multiple dwellings. In the past, house churches have rented their apartments for places of worship. Recently, landlords are canceling their leases due to pressure from the local police. We pray for wisdom as churches scramble to find alternative places for worship. May the Lord grant them much faith, passion, and boldness to share the gospel.
Monday
Experts have said, “There’s no other single country with such a high vacancy rate. If there should be any cracks emerge in the property market, the unoccupied homes would be offloaded and hit China like a flood.” Giving to the church reflects the faith of believers, especially in economic downturns. Often, church ministries are put on hold because the giving decreases. We pray for God's mercy so we all will focus on Him, the One who abundantly provides, rather than the fleeting wealth.

星期二
中國1950婚姻法規定婚齡為男二十歲，女十八歲。1980年修改婚姻法後，男不得早於二十二歲，女二十歲，是目前世界上法定結婚年齡最大的國家。我們為年輕信徒禱告，在選擇一生的伴侶上願意尋求神的旨意和帶領，慎重地交托給神。我們又為他們懂得如何向未信的父母溝通聖經的原則禱告，並能克服一些屬世的價值觀衝突，繼續和家人有和諧的關係。
星期三
在一些農村地區，長期存有早婚早育現象是不爭的事實。除因當地的習俗外，其中有基層治理失序，監護人失責等多層問題。農村教會的兒童事工有很多挑戰，例如家長教育水平偏低，也不懂得管教子女。我們為農村孩子禱告，願主幫助他們能領受天父的愛、教會的溫暖、從小認識主為他們捨命，並在他們身上有美好的計劃與帶領。
星期四
中國政府2016年立例，凡未滿十六歲者不得脫離監護單獨居住生活，目的是要解決農村留守兒童監管不到位問題，但收效甚微。許多農村村民生了孩子後就到城市打工，把子女托給祖父母養育，常年不相見。我們為農村年輕信徒在養育子女的神聖責任上不失職祈求。求主憐憫，也提醒我們盡上主所定規做家長的責任。
星期五
中國國家主席習近平曾公開說過：「房子是用來住的，不是用來炒的。」不過炒房熱潮似乎並沒有因而有任何降温。目前，中國房屋的空置率為22%(超過5分之1)，全國空置房屋超過5千萬戶。不少城市信徒除了炒股票外，也炒房地產，這風氣相當普遍。求主幫助信徒做金錢的好管家。願信徒存著感恩的心，將主擺在首位，更多關心神的家和神國度的需要，而不是事奉瑪門。
星期六
多年來，炒房地產的問題一直困擾著中國的領導者。一些城市和省份收緊限購，可是這只是叫資金湧入其他地區。房價瘋狂上漲也意味著數百萬人無法購屋，造成嚴重財富不平現象。許多中國人的錢，都套在股票或房子上，連基督徒也不例外。聖經說：敬虔加上知足的心便是大利了（提前六6）。求主幫助我們在敬虔愛主上也是同樣的富足, 成為祂在地上忠心良善的好管家。
星期日
中國閒置空屋多，部分原因是是民眾購買度假別墅、以及移民工到外地工作造成的空房。但是，空屋子最主要的原因是被用來炒賣，儘管政府的政策是不鼓勵購買多套房子。家庭教會過去都是租房子為聚會，最近卻因著公安的壓力，屋主既不敢也不願意租給教會了。求主賜教會有應變的智慧，在艱難中緊緊依靠神，更火熱愛主，傳揚福音。
星期一
有專家警告，世上沒有一個國家像中國有如此高的空屋率，只要中國的房地產市場出現一點「裂痕」，那麼拋售潮將如洪水般衝擊中國。 在經濟壓力下，信徒若缺乏信心，金錢奉獻上很快就會反映出來。教會在經費不足下某些事工難免要停緩。求主恩待教會，専心注目在那豐盛供應我們的主，而不是不定的錢財。

Prayer Request 3/5 - 3/11

Tuesday
As China looks for ways to shore up its domestic economy, the government cracks down on “daigou” (intermediate buyer) and the lowering of import duties to encourage consumers to make purchases at home rather than chasing lower prices abroad. We praise God for the highly-educated and higher-salaried young believers in China, especially among the urban churches in the past two decades. They have certainly injected much vibrancy, excitement and higher expectations into their churches. We pray for them to have a deeper sense of belonging and a willingness to serve.
Wednesday
The average age of luxury shoppers in China is 28, a majority of them have college degrees and are far better educated than their parents. More than 50 percent of luxury customers live in second- and third-tier cities like Tianjin and Dalian, where there are few premium malls. Young Chinese believers have the pressure of car and mortgage payment, plus children’s educational expense. We pray that they will be filled with the love of God and faith in Him, and grow spiritually. May the Lord also provide them older believers in their churches to be role models of love and faith for them.
Thursday
Chinese customers now are responsible for 32 percent of luxury goods worldwide, and it is expected to grow to 40 percent by 2024 and power 75 percent of the growth of the global market. Unsurprisingly, millennials, particularly educated women, will be the driving force. Chinese churches value the authority and hierarchy based on age, which frustrates and even disappoints many young believers. We pray for the correction of our attitude, especially for humility and the desire to seek a closer walk with Jesus for all young believers.
Friday
There is a new phenomenon among churches (including those in the rural area) in China, that is some young seminary graduates are unable to find a place to serve effectively. This is totally different than the shortage of the pastors of the past. We pray that churches will see this sad development, and leaders together find a way to rectify this huge waste, perhaps by allowing young pastors to lead a smaller congregation or creating ministry opportunities. We also pray that young preachers do not lose their first love and passion to serve God.
Saturday
In China, young believers are very busy and they need time alone with God, especially in this digital age where so much information bombards us constantly. These so-called Millenial believers need to have a transformed mindset, not just to seek an escape from the hectic schedule, but to prioritize their church commitment. We pray for God’s mercy in helping the young and new believers to grow in the knowledge of His Word and seriousness in obeying His commandments and seeking to please Him in their lives.
Sunday
It has been suggested that young people from different churches in the same city should gather together and hold some activities, not merely for socializing or match-making, but to give them a sense of community. We ask the Lord to prepare young pastors to shepherd young people, and to raise up more young people who have a better understanding of the Bible. We pray they are willing to influence their peers and even become the little shepherds among them, training them to be bold in sharing the gospel with their peers and even to lead others in fellowship.
Monday
The new generation of believers in China face a very different kind of pressure from the previous believers, these sources of stress are mostly from work pressure, children’s education and the tension with mothers-in-law. We pray for wisdom for church leaders, so they will have deep insight into the lives of young believers, and the determination to make Biblical teaching applicable and relevant to them, such as cohabitation, abortion, social values, homosexuality, online games and so on.


星期二
政府正設法提振國內經濟，打擊代購，並降低進口關稅以鼓勵消費者在國內完成購買，而不是到國外去尋求更低的價格，這些措施很可能收到成效。 過去十多年，一些中國城市教會開始有更多高知識、高薪水的年輕信徒加入。他們帶給教會活潑的生氣，也對教會有不同的期望。我們為年輕一代的信徒感謝神，也為他們有歸屬感，能更多參與服事來禱告。
星期三
中國奢侈品購買者的平均年齡是28歲，多數上過大學，比他們父母受的教育高得多。超過半數的奢侈品消費者居於天津、大連等二、三線城市，這些地方沒有多少供應高端品牌的商場。在教會裡，年輕一代有購房買車的壓力，他們在奉獻的事上還需要更多操練和學習。求主的愛不斷感動人心，隨著靈命的長進，信心也越增加。更願年長的信徒在愛心和信心上能成為年輕信徒的好榜樣。
星期四
現時中國消費者佔全球奢侈品銷售額約32%，到2024年可望增到40%，並在全球市場增長當中佔75%。千禧一代 (尤其受過良好教育的女性) 將成為這一增長的驅動力。中國教會往往講究長幼有序，許多決策由屬靈長輩做決定。年輕信徒常會有挫折感，甚至對教會的帶領感到失望。求主校正年輕信徒的心態，有謙卑受教的心，繼續在靈命上更有追求。
星期五
中國教會現在有個新現象，就是中國城市(包括農村)早已不是羊多牧人少的狀況，而是有大量投閒置散的年輕神學生没有位置開始他們有效的服侍。求主幫助教會看見這個可悲的破口，一同擺上禱告求神開出路，或許讓他們帶領一個小組等，對於教會是一件合適的事。求神讓教會著意幫助年輕傳道人，不失去回應主呼召的火熱。
星期六
在中國，年輕信徒在繁忙的生活裡，非常需要來到上帝面前安靜心靈。在資訊泛濫的數碼媒體世界裡，新世代信徒需以另一種心態來應對生活，不是為了逃避現實而是要反思人生，騰出空間來事奉上帝。求神施恩，幫助教會中年輕的信徒們，在神的話語中多有長進，也真實願意遵守神的誡命，過一種討主喜悅的生活。
星期日
有人建議，教會牧養年青人時應該建立一個系統，「聯同鎮上所有教會的青年人都聚在一起，讓他們相互認識，定期為他們舉行一些社交活動，讓他們組成自己的小圈子。我們將這樣的活動成為牽線。」求主預備年輕的傳道人來牧養青年人，又興起那些對聖經比較有系統認識的青年，願意被主使用，影響同輩甚至成為他們當中的小牧人。
星期一
新世紀一代信徒在生活中面對的工作壓力、兒女教育與婆媳張力等等挑戰，都與上一輩信徒大相徑庭。求主賜教會領袖有智慧切入年輕信徒的實際生層面，講壇的應用也能針對他們的情況給予合乎真理原則的適切指引。例如在關於同居、墮胎、同性戀、網路遊戲等等社會價值判斷的範疇，都能裝備信徒在世俗潮流中立稳腳步，堅守真道。