Prayer Request 10/22 - 10/28

Tuesday
In the past, churches in China emphasized much on holiness and spirituality, but nowadays churches have appealed to the masses with the "cheap gospel." Some churches are no different than supermarkets, offering a few hours of “entertainment” in exchange for donations. Other churches are more like clubs, avoiding the topics of holiness and even become dens of thieves. We pray that churches will be a living testimony of Jesus, leading sinners to salvation with His gospel. May His refining fire, especially in a time of great persecution, keep His churches holy and reject all sins.
Wednesday
In the past, house churches in China were “patriarchal” and pastors were unchallenged. As churches gradually adopt the Western model of hiring and termination of pastors, many pastors in the house churches are less willing to talk about sins and want to avoid offending people. We pray that more believers will see the importance of prayer and get involved in prayer ministries. We ask the Lord that more leaders will be willing to invite their members to pray and have a part in the decision-making process of their church.
Thursday
In the past, church membership in China was very stable and believers were committed. Nowadays, church-hopping is the norm, so believers go where the preaching is appealing and leave churches that make them uncomfortable or point out their sins. We pray that believers will see their pastor as a shepherd who will lead them on the right path, help them grow spiritually, and be committed to their church. Just as Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24)
Friday
Some "Christians" in China see their church as a "supermarket" in which they can pick and choose. Such a dangerous attitude is like Simon the sorcerer whom the apostle Peter severely rebuked. None of us should take the church pulpit lightly or treat it as a place of entertainment. Pulpits do not belong to church leaders to use to entertain. The pulpit is for preaching the word of God, The podium belongs to God and those who preach must “correctly handle the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15).
Saturday
Pornography is especially a big issue for the Christian believers born after 1980 to the 1990's. The internet and social media have plenty of them it in spite of censorship. Young people struggle with addiction to it and constant temptation. “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16). We pray that there will be more pulpit messages on holiness because if we stay silent, churches will be without discipline and become no different than social gatherings. We too pray that believers will not be self-righteous but show love, compassion, and justice.
Sunday
This is the time for Christians in China to live a holy and victorious life at all costs. Pulpits everywhere must not avoid the subject of holiness, even though doing so will offend those who live in their sins. "It is the best of times, it is the worst of times.” The truth of God and tempting contents from the devil are all readily available online. We pray for His mercy as all believers must stay alert and diligent to keep ourselves pure.
Monday
Cohabitation has become very common among young people in China. More than 30% of those born after 1980 have lived together before marriage, and to some extent, such prevalence is higher than in many Western countries.Many young believers have engaged in premarital sex before they came to know Jesus and many more have an addiction to pornography. We pray for their struggle to break the bondage as they repent and seek His power to overcome.

星期二
中國教會過去十分注重追求過聖潔生活，但現今不少教會卻以「廉價福音」來衝擊國人的心。有些教會如同超巿，給會眾拿奉獻買幾個小時的舒心；有些教會如同俱樂部，不講「聖潔」，甚至變成了賊窩。我們為教會禱告，能活出基督的見證，引領罪人認識及接受救人的福音。求主也保守教會有主的聖潔，不容罪惡滲入教會。
星期三
昔日家庭教會多是家長式帶領，牧者有主導地位。隨著西方教會模式逐步向中國家庭教會移植，一些教會開始實行牧師聘任制。在該制度之下，有些牧師講道就不敢得會眾，也避免談論罪的議題。 求主提醒信徒更多參與教會的禱告聚會，教會領袖也願意鼓勵弟兄姊妹同來為教會守望，共建神家，使教會走在合神的心意的路上。
星期四
已往中國教會的會友流動不大，教會信徒委身度高。現今卻有到處聽道的風氣，一旦教會的信息或紀律影響了某些信徒的利益，他們就選擇離開，再選一個感受舒服的教會，這是一個非常危險的情況。求主校正信徒的目光，也幫助牧者曉得如何牧養群羊，讓他們能健康成長，對教會有歸屬感並委身服事。 「若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，背起他的十字架，來跟隨我。」（太16:24）。
星期五
某些「基督徒」只是把教會當成自己選擇的「超市」。有如此的態度者應思考那個被彼得嚴厲責備的行邪術的西門。講台不是用來消費的，講台不是長老執事的，講台也不是信徒的，講台乃是神的。求主時刻提醒站講台的人，該為神按著正意分解主的道（提後2:15）。
星期六
在80後90後青年學生信徒當中，受情慾捆綁的比例非常之高。由於互聯網的普及和智能手機等即時通訊工具的流行，眼目的犯罪速度和機率大大提升，正所謂「鎖鍊和地獄在包裡揣著」。非聖潔不能見神，因為神是聖潔的（彼前1:16），教會講台在聖潔上面臨極大的挑戰，教會若是不宣講聖潔，不執行紀律，就會變成賊窩。求主幫助教會，以極大的愛和憐憫，公義地處理此類問題。
星期日
在這個時代中，基督徒需要不惜一切代價，立定心志過聖潔得勝的生活。教會的講台在回應這個問題的時候絕不能遮遮掩掩，因為在這件事上，不得罪人就會得罪神。「這是一個最好的時代，也是一個最壞的時代」。沒有一個時代比這個時代更容易尋找真理，沒有一個時代比這個時代更容易尋找撒但。求主憐憫我們，在這末後的日子不要像別人一樣睡覺，總要警醒謹守，等候主再來。
星期一
婚前同居行為在年輕人中變得越來越普遍。三成以上的80後男女曾有過婚前同居行為，在某種程度上已趕上甚至超過了許多西方國家。由於許多年輕人在信主之前就已經有過婚前性行為，或者長期被淫亂視頻或淫亂行為捆綁, 我們為他們在信主之後，在悔改成聖的路面臨許多挑戰有主的恩典和力量來禱告。