Wednesday, July 03, 2019

Prayer Request 7/2 - 7/8

Tuesday
Youth activism in Hong Kong has ebbed in recent years and legions of young supporters have been left bitterly disenchanted. Recently, however, the movement has been re-energized. Young people have shown up in masses to rally on the streets. Recently the churches there had to take a stand on social and political issues and stood for Biblical viewpoints. We pray that all believers will "act justly ... love mercy and ... walk humbly with (their) God." Malachi 6:8
Wednesday
Compared with older generations, young people in Hong Kong feel less affinity with mainland China and are more likely to see themselves as having a distinct Hong Kong identity. Young people protested against the imposition of patriotic educational curriculum in schools in 2012. Young Christians in Hong Kong today are much more vocal and involved in social issues than they were formerly. We pray that they are not only full of a sense of justice but also fervent in serving in their church. May the Lord use them mightily.
Thursday
This is the political awakening of this generation’s political awakening, which has accelerated along with the erosion of the freedoms which have long set Hong Kong apart from the mainland, and as they have begun to fray, young people say they feel the threat more sharply. In the past, mainstream Chinese churches have often shunned political issues. Recently, churches in Taiwan and Hong Kong have been more involved in elections and the passage of laws. We pray that believers will be the light and salt of society and to glorify God in their workplace. 
Friday
Parents of young people whose children participated in political activism worry because they fear their children will be arrested and sentenced to jail. However, public anger grew when the chief official compared her harsh response to theirs and said that Christian parents and churches should discuss with their children how to live out their faith and be visible in our society. We pray that our young people will have the heart and mind of Daniel and his three friends. May the Lord remind us that we should always model our faith on theirs. 
Saturday
Although Christians may face fear and ridicule, justice is one of the core teachings of the Bible. People of God must live an ethical life, and God holds us accountable when the needs of the oppressed are neglected, such as orphans, the poor, widows, and strangers. "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people." (Proverbs 14:34) Social justice is not only important but necessary! Let us continue to pray that Christians will not be marginalized but have influence in their society.
Sunday
A nationwide campaign is underway in China to rename residential communities with foreign-sounding names. Officials in many cities are demanding name changes on the grounds that those names are “admiring foreigners” and lack cultural confidence. Although China claims to have religious liberty, Christianity, Catholicism, and Islam are regarded as foreign religions, with overseas influences and are closely monitored, unlike Taoism and Buddhism. We pray for God's mercy and unwavering faith in God for all believers in China.
Monday
Buildings with foreign names are also targeted in China. “Admiring the foreigners” is the chief reason. An official document claimed that these "grandiose, foreign, strange, weighty names" lack geographical significance, damage the national culture and hinder the people's lives and productivity. Many house churches meet in an office building, but local police have pressured their landlords to cancel their leases and threatened them with heavy fines. We pray for churches that must relocate or meet in smaller groups. May the Lord comfort them and give them the joy and boldness to continue meeting.

星期二
香港自2014「雨傘運動」中知名的領導者被判刑入獄後,公民運動亦有所減弱 。然而,近日港府因修訂逃犯條例,香港人再次走上街頭。求主掌管眾人的心,竭力尋求和睦,並「行公義、好憐憫、存謙卑的心與主同行。」 (彌六8).
星期三
與老一輩相比,香港年輕人與中國大陸的關係不那麼密切,很多人均認為自己擁有獨特的香港人身份,而不是中國人的身份。2012年,年輕人就曾經挺身抗議學校推行愛國主義教育課程。香港教會裡的年輕人也熱衷參與社會維權活動。我們為教會年輕一代禱告,不單單有正義感,更有熱忱在教會中積極參與並服事,願神大大使用他們。
星期四
2012年香港政府試圖在學校推行愛國主義教育課程是這一代年青人政治覺醒的開始。隨著公民自由開始受到限縮,年輕人感到了更大的威脅。過去華人教會往往選擇遠避政治,近年來臺灣及香港教會更多以社會公民的身分參與選舉及法律的修訂和通過,我們求主幫助教會能秉持聖經真理回應政治議題,成為社會的光和鹽,信徒們也能在職場上榮耀主。
星期五
父母必定擔心自己的孩子因參與政治活動而受傷或被捕。當香港特首在對青年人嚴厲行動之後,自比為一個關愛孩子的母親時,反而激怒了香港民眾。教會和信徒家長應該跟子女更多討論如何活出信仰,而不是在社會中成為隱形人。我們為年輕一代都能有但以理和三位朋友愛主的堅定心志,我們也成為他們的美好信仰榜樣來代求。
星期六
儘管基督徒可以為主受苦,面對恐懼和諷刺恒久忍耐,但聖經真理的核心價質--公義,還是要堅持的。神的子民要持守道德的生活,也不應忽視受壓者,如孤兒、窮人、寡婦的需要。「公義使邦國高舉;罪惡是人民的羞辱。」(箴言14:34)社會公義不但是重要,而且必要!願主幫助基督徒在社會上不被邊缘化,能充份發揮基督的愛與和平的影響力。
星期日
政府正展開一場全中國范圍內打擊”洋地名”, 政府要求好些住宅小區修改名稱,理由是那些名字「崇洋媚外」,不夠「文化自信」。比如包括“凱撒豪庭”、“夏威夷海岸”和“維多利亞花園”等。說雖然中國宣稱有宗教自由,但基督教、天主教和伊斯蘭教卻被視為洋教,在其背後有海外勢力嫌疑,因而所受控制與道教和佛教完全不同。求主恩待祂的子民,在越艱難的日子更緊靠主,對神的信心堅定不動搖。
星期一
改名運動除了社區之外,建築物的命名也受到管制,「崇洋媚外」依然是一條主要原因。官方的文件稱,這些「大、洋、怪、重」等不規範地名,割斷了地名文脈,損害了民族文化,妨礙了人民群眾生活、生產活動。許多家庭教會租用辦公大樓聚會,近來宗教緊縮, 當局往往迫使房東取消租約,並以巨額罰款威脅。我們為必須遷移的教會或小組聚會祈求,願主安慰和開路,並賜他們喜樂和勇氣繼續敬拜讚美神。

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