Prayer Request 4/30 - 5/6

Tuesday
For decades, China harshly restricted the number of babies born. Now it is encouraging women to have more. It is a startling reversal for the Party, which only a short time ago imposed fines on those who had more than one child and compelled hundreds of millions to have abortions or undergo sterilization operations. Churches in China have not seriously focused on how to minister to the second generation, helping parents and the young ones to build faith in God. We pray that pastors will know how to help parents realize and accomplish the responsibility of raising a godly second generation.
Wednesday
Almost four years after easing its “one child” policy and allowing couples to have two children, the government has begun to acknowledge that its efforts to raise the country’s birth rate are faltering because parents are deciding against having more children. The young pastors in China are now mostly the product of the one-child policy. This means that in addition to the church work, they shoulder they have the responsibility to care for their parents. We pray for added strength for them as they take care of their parents and that they will be able to become a role model of honoring parents for their believers.
Thursday
The new campaign has raised the fear that China may go from one invasive extreme to another in getting women to have more children. Some provinces are already tightening access to abortion or making it more difficult to get divorced. Selective abortion is a major social problem in China. There is an overwhelming low view of birth and fetal lives, the same attitude is common among believers. However, pastors tend to ignore this issue. We pray that churches will be bold in teaching the Biblical view and help believers understand the heart of God about life.
Friday
In what appeared to be a trial balloon to test public sentiment, the provincial government in Shaanxi, in central China, called on Beijing to abolish all birth limits and let people have as many children as they want. This is so radical because most young Chinese have no siblings. We pray for the blessing of God for all the women believers in China, and that the Lord gives them good health and strength in their roles in marriage, work, and family. Above all, we pray they will experience His presence and be the source of great blessing to their households.
Saturday
Experts say the government has little choice but to encourage more births. China’s more than 1.4 billion population is aging quickly, with a smaller workforce left to support a growing elderly population that is living longer. Some provinces have already reported difficulties meeting pension payments. There are many old people in churches in China and this phenomenon will be even more pronounced in the future. We pray for vision and strategies to reach the younger generations and older folks in the community, and minister to those in churches.
Sunday
As in many countries, educated women in Chinese cities are postponing childbirth as they pursue careers. Young couples are also struggling with economic pressures, including rising housing and education costs. Young Chinese mothers often continue to work outside of their home after the birth of their children. Grandparents usually assume partially, if not totally the responsibility of caring for the children. We pray that believer parents will know helping their children to know God is the most important thing of raising children.
Monday
The “one child” policy also resulted in more boys than girls being born. Selective abortions, although illegal, were performed, reflecting the traditional preference for male children. Because of that and other factors, there are now simply fewer women to marry and bear children. The traditional preference for boy over girl babies is difficult to change. We pray that believers will have the Biblical view and value, knowing God gives boys and girls, without any preference. And, God desires the parents to manage the most precious gifts and blessing He graciously gives us.


星期二
數十年來，中國嚴格限制女性生育，現今卻鼓勵她們多生，這是一個驚人的轉變！前些年，絕大多數超生的父母還要被處以罰款，數億女性被迫墮胎或進行絕育手術。中國教會因著各種原因，沒有重視幫助信徒的第二代建立信仰。求主光照教會領袖體察主心意，又賜下智慧去協助信徒實踐神的託付，為神養育出敬虔愛主的第二代。
星期三
在放寬獨生子女政策(允許生二胎)近四年後，政府開始承認企圖提高出生率的努力不太成功，因為現今的父母不願意多要孩子。很多新一代傳道人都是獨生子女，除了為教會服事忙碌外，他們也要照顧家庭、關心父母。求主加添他們身心靈力量，也能盡上孝道，成為信徒孝敬父母的好榜樣。
星期四
為了增加人口和鼓勵生育，中國可能會從一個極端走向另一個極端。有一些省份已經收緊了對墮胎的控制，或者加大了離婚的難度。選擇性人工流產是中國社會的一大問題。這樣普遍對生育的輕率態度，甚至連信徒也存著相類的想法，牧者也不願多提這些的問題。我們為教會在這方面能秉持真理教導來禱告，願神幫助信徒認識神的心意，不要隨從世界的風俗，任意而行。
星期五
中國陝西省政府呼籲北京全面放開生育，讓人們想要多少孩子就生多少，這似乎是在試探公眾的態度。中國絕大多數的千禧一代都沒有兄弟姐妹。我們為神家中的眾姊妹禱告，求神賜她們身心靈健康，不論婚姻、工作、家庭和身為母親的角色都有神額外的恩典，天天經歷神的同在，成為身邊人的祝福。
星期六
面對老齡化問題，中國政府除了鼓勵生育外，似乎沒有其他更好的方法。中國是世界上人口最多的國家(超過十四億人口)，目前正經歷快速老齡化的嚴峻挑戰，一些省份已難以支付養老金。中國教會的特色本來就是老人多，自然更快反映出社會的老化現象。我們為教會有異象禱告，不單能吸引年輕一代，更有美好策略向社區中年長人士傳福音，並鼓勵年長信徒多參與服事。
星期日
中國城市裡受過教育的女性在追求事業的同時，也推遲了生育孩子。不斷上漲的住房和教育成本等經濟壓力，更令年輕夫婦疲於應付。年輕中國母親們在孩子出生後，一般都會繼續在外工作，孩子的照顧仰賴祖父母，甚至把幼小的孩子完全交給他們照顧。求主幫助信徒家長，明白養育兒女最重要也最有價值的是幫助孩子從小認識神，一生蒙保守祝福。
星期一
獨生子女政策導致出生的男孩多於女孩。由於重男輕女的傳統，儘管選擇性墮胎不合法，一些父母仍會因胎兒的性別而墮胎。因著這重男輕女的態度，以及其他種種因素影響，現在願意結婚和生育的女性數量也減少了。中國傳統重男輕女的價值觀，不是一、兩代就能改變的。我們為信徒有合乎聖經真理的價值觀禱告，知道孩子，不論是男是女，都是神所賜的，是父母要立志為主照顧經營好的神聖產業。

Prayer Request 4/23 - 4/29

Tuesday
In China, cocaine, ecstasy and crystal methamphetamine are all highly illegal, but despite waves of crackdown, the use of illegal drugs in China, new and older substances continues unabated. There are Christian ministries specifically helping the addicts with the love and power of Jesus Christ through proven programs, even as early as the 19th century. Although most churches do not know of their existence and what they do, we pray for them and their coworkers.
Wednesday
China keeps expanding its anti-drug campaigns which have included the high-profile arrest of celebrities like the son of the movie star Jackie Chan. However, some analysts question whether the police are winning a significant or lasting victory in what the authorities have called a “people’s war.” Churches have few resources to help people with any kind of addiction so they often say that addiction is due to "lack of faith in God to change". We pray for true salvation through Jesus Christ for all who are bound in the bondage of addiction as well as compassion for them by people in the churches.
Thursday
It is estimated that the actual number of addicts in China is roughly thirteen million and that seventy-five percent of them are younger than thirty-five with half of them suspected of using methamphetamine. Drug addicts may not attend churches, but their families do and they are too embarrassed to tell anyone about the people in their families who use drugs. We pray for God’s comfort and ever stronger faith in His healing for all who have a loved one who has a drug addiction. May the Lord hear and answer their prayers.
Friday
China has some of the world’s harshest drug laws: those caught trafficking large amounts of drugs can face the death penalty, the police send casual drug users to compulsory drug rehabilitation centers, which human rights groups say are little more than labor camps. Many who are involved in helping drug addiction are former addicts who were saved by God. We pray that they will continue to stay clean and depend on God as they help other addicts. “When you are converted, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32)
Saturday
Meth is popular because any illegal lab or factory in the mainland can make it. Some of the key ingredients in meth are derived from the herb ephedra, known as ma huang in Mandarin, a staple of traditional Chinese medicine used for treating colds and coughs. Addiction not only destroys a person but also his/her entire family. We pray that churches can be compassionate and come together to provide prayer and substantial support for the family. Often, the church finds it is too overwhelmed or does not even know how to help.
Sunday
Another reason for the low wages for pastors in China is Chinese pastors have always been poor so Christians wrongly assume “all pastors should be poor” and even believe Jesus loves the poor more than the rich or being poor makes one love God more. Churches and believers should do their part in providing for their shepherd. We pray that there will be believers in every church who would directly support their pastor, so their love for God’s servant is not merely in words but in action.
Monday
In China, heresy and cults from Europe and America have expanded a lot in the past decade. The main ones are the Jehovah Witnesses and the Mormon that have gained a following among the intellectuals and the middle class. There are many Chinese believers who lack a foundation of faith and cannot discern the truth. They are readily attracted by the "enthusiasm" of heresy followers. We need to pray for the solid teaching of the truth in all churches and for a warning to believers of how to guard against and know the ploys cults use to steal the sheep.


星期二
在毒品問題全球化的大背景下，中國境外毒品滲透和國內製毒蔓延相互的影響，傳統毒品和新型毒品相互疊加，毒品網上傳播和網下蔓延相互交織，雖經政府大力嚴控，仍無法遏止新舊毒瘾患者的增勢。福音戒毒源遠流長，中國早在十九世紀已有福音戒毒；他們以神的愛，主耶穌全人拯救的大能，藉著有效的方式幫助吸毒者。求主繼續使用這些事工，成為許多人的祝福！
星期三
面對嚴峻複雜的毒品擴散形勢，中國政府著力構建全覆蓋毒品預防教育、全環節管控吸毒人員、全鏈條打擊毒品犯罪、全要素監管制毒物品、全方位監測毒情態勢、全球化禁毒國際合作的“六全”中國毒品治理體系。面對毒癮的問題，教會常是不知所措或責怪吸毒者沒有信心和毅力來戒除。我們為主耶穌的救恩速臨到受毒癮綑綁的人禱告，也求主使教會多有憐憫愛心來幫助他們。
星期四
2017年，全中國禁毒部門共破獲毒品刑事案件14萬起，打擊製販毒團集團5534個，抓獲毒品犯罪嫌疑人16.9萬名，繳獲各類毒品89.2噸，目前毒品形勢穩中可控。有些信徒的家人染有毒癮，他們心裡憂愁卻因要保護家人或感羞恥而不敢請弟兄姊妹代禱。求主親自安慰、醫治他們的家庭，願神垂聽、回應他們帶著眼淚的呼求。
星期五
中國的禁毒法律是世界上最嚴厲的：買賣毒品可被被判處死刑，並且警方有權將偶爾吸毒的人員送去強制戒毒中心。據人權組織稱，強制戒毒中心幾乎和勞改營無異。好些福音戒毒同工也曾經有毒癮，蒙神拯救後有負擔向吸毒者傳福音。求主保守加添他們力量，不再跌倒，而是如同《路加福音》22章32節「你回頭以後，要堅固你的弟兄」。
星期六
冰毒很流行，因為中國許多非法實驗室或工廠都能輕易製造出冰毒。冰毒的一些關鍵原料取自麻黃，這是治療感冒和咳嗽的主要中藥。任何的癮癖不單是影響自身，更是禍延全家。教會往往不知如何幫助有這方面難處的家庭，也不好意思主動介入。求主賜下智慧，心存憐憫，讓教會除了為吸毒者的家人齊心禱告外，更能實際施予援手。
星期日
老一代牧者一生愛主，曾面對許多艱苦的日子，往往造成信徒認為傳道人「就是應該如此」，甚至有人認為貧窮才能愛主，主耶穌會更愛窮人。求主興起教會中有奉獻心志的信徒，盡力照顧年長牧者，給予「一對一」的支援幫助，將關愛化為實際的行動，盡教會與信徒當盡的本份。
星期一
目前來自歐美的異端邪教在中國橫行。來自美國的異端邪教主要有「耶和華見證人」和「摩門教」，他們在知識分子和中產階級當中很有市場。有不少基督徒沒有扎實信仰根基，只有一股火熱，不能分辨真理，被異端的「熱心」吸引。求主幫助教會加強真理的教導，也裝備信徒如何防備和識破異端邪教的技倆。

Prayer Request 4/2 - 4/8

Tuesday
China’s medical system is in a crisis. Waiting in long lines to see doctors is a requisite and patients must go to bigger cities to see a specialist. We pray for believers who have relatives, especially older parents with chronic illnesses. The Lord gives them physical, emotional and spiritual strength, and enables them to fulfill the responsibility of honoring their parents and enables them to share and witness His love.
Wednesday
The economic boom in the past thirty years has transformed China from a poor farming country into the world’s second-largest economy. It is true that the cradle-to-grave system of socialized medicine has contributed to the improved life expectancy and maternal mortality rates there. We praise God for the prosperity China has enjoyed and we pray for continuing growth of His body there, whether it is in good or bad time, knowing His hands are always with those who love Him.
Thursday
Wealthy Chinese have access to the best care in top hospitals with foreign doctors, but the rest of people are relegated to hospitals that are overcrowded. In the countryside, people must rely on village clinics or travel hundreds of kilometers to find an adequate hospital. Seeing a doctor in China requires money, time and also guanxi (connection). We pray for believers who are ill, that the Lord provides the treatment and care they need, adding faith and bringing about healing to them.
Friday
China does not have a functioning primary care system which is the first line of defense for illness and injury. There is only one general practitioner for every 6,666 Chinese. (The World Health Organization suggests an international standard of one for every 1,500 to 2,000 people) China has a shortage of pastors, especially those who can serve full-time and care effectively for the spiritual health of their believers. We pray that God will raise up more who are retired and spiritually mature, to provide guidance, advice and marital counseling, especially for the younger believers.
Saturday
In China, people will rush to a big hospital and demand to be seen by a specialist, instead of going to a clinic or a doctor, even for a minor illness like a fever or a headache. Last winter, flu-stricken patients packed and camped out overnight in the corridors of several Beijing hospitals. Chinese believers also believe that famous oversea preachers are not only more spiritual but also better speakers than their own. We pray that all believers will stop comparing their shepherds with others, but rather will start to appreciate and honor their own pastors.
Sunday
In China, hospitals are always understaffed and inundated with patients. Medical specialists are overworked and often see two hundred patients daily. Often, frustrated patients resort to violence and assault the medical personnel, which is infamously called: “yi nao,” or “medical disturbance.” Younger Chinese pastors often feel insecure or inferior because they lack the spiritual depth and the sacrifice of their predecessors. They see themselves as less gifted than the famous preachers abroad. May the Lord comfort all who serve Him faithfully, grant them a deep sense of accomplishment, and the knowledge that God is pleased with them.
Monday
The shortage of doctors is an urgent problem for the Chinese government as it grapples with the mounting health problems of its vast population. Heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and chronic lung disease account for eighty percent of deaths in China. We lift up all believers with chronic illnesses, that the Lord gives them faith and joy as they face difficulties daily, grants them the strength and health they need, and even more, that they will become prayer warriors for churches under persecution.


星期二
到醫院診治排大隊是司空見慣之事，且要到大城市才有專科醫生，這是中國醫療制度陷入危機的徵兆。我們要為家中有長病患者的信徒禱告，特別是有年老的父母需要照顧。求主加添他們身、心、靈力量，在忙碌生活中能盡上孝道，更能分享主，見證神的愛。
星期三
過去三十年經濟迅速增長，把一個貧窮的農業國變成世界第二大經濟體。從搖籃到墳墓的社會主義醫療制度提高了預期壽命，降低了孕產婦死亡率。現今許多中國人已不用為基本生活擔憂，求主賜他們願意尋求生命終極意義的心，以致能找到愛他們的主。我們也為主的身體能在新宗教政策下繼續成長禱告，不論是順境與逆境，都知道神與祂所愛的人同在。
星期四
在中國，只有富人才可以到有外國醫生註診的頂級醫院接受最好的醫療服務，大多數人只能去人滿為患的醫院求診。在農村，人們必須依靠鄉村診所，或跋涉數百公里尋到最近的醫療設施診治。中國人看病，不單要花錢、花時間，更要拉關係。我們來為病中的信徒禱告，求主為他們預備及時和適切的治療，尤其要加添他們的信心，深信神的信實無變，無論健康或患病，主自己都有美意。
星期五
中國沒有一個有效的初級保健系統，作為對疾病和受傷的第一道防線。在中國每6666人才有一名全科醫生，而國際標準是每1500至2000人就有一名。中國教會普遍缺少足夠的全職牧者，無法全面關心信徒們的屬靈情況。我們求主興起更多退休或靈命成熟的信徒，能給予年輕信徒生活指導，尤其是關心他們的婚姻，提供指導和分享經驗。
星期六
有些中國人患病時不是先到社區診所看病，而是迫不及待地到大醫院去看專家(即使是發燒頭痛這種小病)。去年冬天，流感患者曾在北京幾家大醫院的走廊裡蓋著毯子過夜。中國信徒也認為外國的牧者更屬靈，講道更有力，總是比自己的牧者好得多。求主幫助信徒，不將自己的牧者與別人來作比較，而是願意更多關心他們，為他們擺上禱告。
星期日
醫院人手不足，病房人滿為患。專科醫生的工作量過大，每天要診治超過二百個病人。病人感到懊惱，甚至訴諸暴力。在中國，攻擊醫生的行為非常普遍，常常出現所謂的「醫鬧」，醫患關係惡劣。有些中國傳道人相當自卑，覺得自己比不上老一輩牧者的犧牲、屬靈，也比不上外國名牧的才華。求主校正祂僕人眼光，只要忠心做討主喜悅的事，神必將事奉祂的能力賜下。我們記念這些牧人，在一切屬靈的智慧悟性上，滿心知道神的旨意。
星期一
中國政府正努力解決龐大人口日益嚴重的健康問題，增聘醫生刻不容緩。心臟病、中風、糖尿病和慢性肺病的死亡佔中國死亡率達80%。我們為長期疾患信徒禱告，求主賜他們喜樂的心，加添所需要的力量，使他們能用神所賜的安慰去安慰那遭同樣患處的人；也能成為禱告的勇士，為在苦難中的眾教會祈求。