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。