Prayer Request 11/19 - 11/25

Tuesday
One-fifth of China’s population is elderly now, and by 2050 it is projected that number will be almost a half of the population, with tens of millions of widows. Jesus praised a widow who offered the only two little coins she had because she trusted God. We pray for all the believer widows in churches in China who trust God and serve their church in seemingly small and insignificant ways but always please please the Lord.
Wednesday
Some urban churches in China have sent people to help churches in the poor countryside. We pray that more churches will start doing similar short term mission, with the aim to help a church with evangelism or training of Sunday School teachers. It can be said that the once thriving rural churches are now in survival mode. We pray that church leaders, especially in the urban areas, will see the urgent need to help their nearby churches in the countryside both financially and with people who can preach.
Thursday
Average woman salary in China is less than 80% of what a man earns. Many women believe what hinder their career advancement is spending much energy on their family, lack of resources and social support, and inability to master the managerial positions. We pray for all the sisters in the churches in China. May the Lord give them wisdom in managing the finances of their families. The majority of these ladies work full-time so they must balance family and church with work. May the Lord give them strength, good health, and a close walk with Him.
Friday
In China, young couples do not want to have children because of the high cost of housing, education, medical care, retirement, and gender discrimination. Buying a house has emptied out the pockets of two generations of Chinese families. Chinese pastors speak little of giving, but believers must be reminded: “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse.... And test Me now with this, says Jehovah of Hosts, to see if I will not open the windows of Heaven for you, and pour out a blessing for you, until there is not enough room.” (Mal 3:10)
Saturday
In this grand plan to send millions of young people to villages, former revolutionary bases, areas suffering from extreme poverty and ethnic minority areas will receive top priority. Relations are often fraught between the Han majority, who make up more than 90% of the population, and ethnic minorities like the Tibetans and Muslim Uighurs. We pray for urban churches who in the past have helped churches in the poor countryside. May God continue to bless their efforts, even in the time of tightening control and pressure.
Sunday
The Chinese government plans to send millions of young people to the countryside which evokes the chaos of the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution, when Mao sent millions of “young intellectuals” into often primitive conditions in the countryside, while universities were closed for a decade. The Cultural Revolution was indeed a tumultuous time for China, but the deep scars on the churches of China are still healing slowly. We pray for the continuing healing of these wounds, forgiveness, and the grace of God for all of us.
Monday
Better benefits and services will not be enough to persuade all Chinese parents to have more than one child. People who are hesitant to have a second child cite workplace discrimination, high costs of education and the social strains on extended families as their reasons. We pray for China as she tackles the serious consequences of thirty years of the one-child policy. We also pray for the unity of hearts and faith in God for believer parents who are considering having the second child, knowing God will provide and help them overcome their concerns.

星期二
人口老齡化是貫穿中國二十一世紀的基本國情。約有五分之一的人口是老年人，預計到2050年前後，中國約老年人口占總人口34.9%，其中數千萬人是寡婦。主耶穌曾稱讚投了兩個養生小錢的寡婦。我們也要為中國教會中大有信心的信徒寡婦感恩，雖然她們的人生在人眼中並不美滿，但因著倚靠主卻能活出討主喜悅的人生，成為神合用的器皿。
星期三
有些城市教會派人去幫助貧困鄉村的教會。我們為有更多的教會做類似的短宣事工禱告，尤其是幫助教會傳福音或培訓主日學教師。許多過去興旺的農村教會現在是奄奄一息。求主感動城市教會的領袖，看到他們附近農村教會的迫切需要，靠著神的恩典在靈性上和經濟上給予支援。
星期四
女性的平均薪酬不到男性的八成。很多中國女性認為阻礙她們在職場發展，主要是因為花費較多精力照顧家庭、缺乏資源和社會支持，以及在高級管理崗位上能力不足。我們為姊妹們禱告，求主賜她們智慧管理家庭，包括財務。絕大多數姊妹不僅是雙職婦女，有些還要照顧老人，並參與教會服事。求主賜她們力量、身心靈健壯，與主親密同行。
星期五
年輕人對鼓勵生育政策感到無奈，除了因為不想生，還有不敢生。住房、教育、醫療、養老、性別差異導致的不平等就業等等都讓年輕人疲於奔命，而單是購買房子已經掏空了很多中國家庭兩代人的腰包。若傳道人在講台上不敢談奉獻，信徒是不會學習也去經歷：「你們要將當納的十分之一全然送入倉庫，使我家有糧，以此試試我，是否為你們敞開天上的窗戶，傾福與你們，甚至無處可容。」 （瑪3:10)
星期六
在數百萬年輕人志願下鄉的宏偉計劃中，那些前革命基地，極度貧困地區和少數民族地區將成為優先地區。其中包括與漢族關係緊張的藏族和穆斯林維吾爾族等地區。我們為過去一直在幫助貧困鄉村教會的城市教會感恩，在現今收緊控制和巨大壓力的時候，求主繼續保守他們的工作。
星期日
政府計劃將數百萬中國年輕人送到農村，喚起了1966-76文化大革命的混亂局面的回憶。那些年日毛澤東也將數百萬「年輕知識分子」送入落後原始的農村，全國大學也關閉了十年。文革確實是中國一個十分動盪的時期，其帶給中國教會深深的傷痕仍然在緩慢癒合中。讓我們禱告求神使這些創傷能完全癒合，並賜給我們都有從神而來的寬恕和恩典。
星期一
更好的福利和服務不足以說服每個人多生孩子。有些不考慮生二胎的夫妻援引工作場所歧視、教育成本和大家庭的社會壓力作為論據。我們為中國政府禱告，能有效處理一胎化政策三十多年來造成的結果。又為考慮生育第二個孩子的父母禱告，求主賜夫妻同心，不單是看客觀環境，更是按聖靈的感動，仰望主的供應。

Prayer Request 11/12 - 11/18

Tuesday
Before the great restriction in China, many new house churches offered more lively worship and appealed to young people. These churches had an indelible influence on the traditional churches. We pray that believers would be rooted in the word of God, not merely seeking emotional highs or exciting sermons, but rather hunger for His words, walking closely with Jesus, and living a life that pleases God. 
Wednesday
The majority of churches in China are conservative. Church leaders and their management styles tend to be paternalistic and command great authority over all aspects of their churches. Even in this time of great trial, we pray for churches to have more brothers and sisters who will aspire to good work, be willing to serve, and be steadfast and persevere under the great testing that is on them now.
Thursday
Traditional churches in China are paternalistic and emphasize obedience. The newer churches, especially in the cities, adopt a more team approach and naturally appeal to younger believers. The Apostle Paul did not specify a certain style of church leadership and governances. We pray that churches of all different styles of leadership will overcome the current hardship and continue to advance the kingdom of God.
Friday
Many young Christians in China grew up in the traditional churches and later attended the churches in the cities, and they “fall in love” with the contemporary worship and preaching offered in these vibrant churches. We pray for great faith and boldness from the Lord for all the young believers in China, so they will not be shaken in the time of pressure, but continue to meet and serve, and mature spiritually.
Saturday
The so-called “new churches” in China offer contemporary worship, management styles, Bible study methods, fellowship organizations, etc. Although these are nothing new in the west, they are new for many traditional believers in China. We are grateful to the traditional churches, and countless ministers, brothers, and sisters who have served faithfully. There will always be tension between different styles of worship and ministry. We pray that all churches and leaders will glorify God and build up their believers.
Sunday
Smartwatches designed for children's use are very popular in China, with prices ranging from 7 to 150 USD. Parents are buying them because of their great fear of their children being kidnapped. “Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children, it will be a refuge.” Prov. 14:26 (NIV) Satan often attacks the children where the parents have a gap spiritually. We pray that God will remind parents that the consequences of our lack of self-control and sin always affects our children. 
Monday
The functions of smart watches for children are rapidly evolving, from being capable of making a phone call and remote monitoring to social contact, a dictionary function, listening to music and video streaming, etc, much like a smartphone. We pray that believer parents will be godly and seek to please God, bringing up their children to know God from a young age, providing them an example of service and being a blessing to their children.

星期二
在中國城市裡，新興教會的模式漸漸影響傳統教會，尤其觸動時下青年基督徒要創新擺脫古舊的心。我們特別爲在當今處境中的中國信徒靈命有根基禱告，願主提醒我們不再追求人多熱鬧，也不是對生動的講道趨之若騖，而是滿心渴慕神的話，多與主有親密的靈交，行事為人切實活出主的樣式，討主的喜悦。
星期三
中國教會向來以保守傳統為主，教會長執們傾向用「家長式」帶領教會，在決策上，屬靈領袖有極大權柄。現今雖然教會處在諸般的艱難之中， 求主仍然興起弟兄姊妹羨慕善工，願意多有服事，又為他們能在巨大的考驗中，持守真道並忍耐到底，堅信主的公義、憐憫與慈愛，永不離棄祂的兒女。
星期四
傳統中國教會一般是「家長式」帶領，強調順從。新成立的教會鼓勵團隊事奉，自然比較能吸引年輕一代。我們深信神藉保羅教導給教會許多建立教會的原則，是放諸四海而皆準的。求主幫助祂的兒女們能把這些真理應用在自身的時空地域裡，剛強壯胆地勝過苦難，繼續拓展神的國度。
星期五
不少青年基督徒曾在傳統的教會信主，後來到了大城市接觸了新興教會，更喜歡那些教會的崇拜和講道型式與内涵，甚至加入了那些教會。我們來為年輕信徒禱告，求神賜給他們充足的信心與膽識，在這時代能不畏懼，繼續堅定參與聚會和服事，使靈命大有長進。
星期六
中國新興教會模式包括教會的崇拜型式，決策和管理模式，查經方法及團契形式等等，這些在海外並不能用「新興」來表達，但對於中國基督徒來說，卻是聞所未聞的新鮮事。我們為傳統的中國教會感恩，神賜下無數忠心服事的傳道人和弟兄姊妹。當信徒開始嘗試不同風格的敬拜與事工時，常會遇到張力，求主加力又引領教會行在祂心意當中。我們為各種風格相異的教會都能榮神益人禱告。
星期日
兒童智能手錶在中國特別流行，最便宜的只需五十元左右，最貴的大約一千元。這個市場是中國特有的，因為兒童誘拐、丟失事件頻發，促使家長盡可能為孩子購買智能手錶 。「敬畏耶和華的，大有倚靠，他的兒女，也有避難所。」（箴言14：26） 家長在哪裡有破口，兒女就會在那裡受撒旦的攻擊。求主提醒做父母的不要隨從肉體，因為父母生活的沒有節制與犯罪往往會殃及孩子。
星期一
目前市場上的兒童手錶功能從比較單一的定位、打電話、遠程監控，逐步發展到社交聯絡、字典、聽音樂，看視頻等等，功能齊全堪比一部智能手機。願上帝指示做父母的信徒，如何做個神所喜悅的家長。讓我們從小就把孩子帶到主裡面，認識祂、跟隨祂，又作孩子的服事的榜樣，成為他們一生中最美的祝福！

Prayer Request 11/5 - 11/11

Tuesday
Every Lunar New Year in China there is a massive shift of population from cities to the countryside. During this time, rural and urban churches experience a brief pendulum shift – the emptying of urban churches while rural churches become crowded. Afterward, the migration shifts back to cities.Let us pray that both urban and rural churches in China will continue to share the gospel even in the time of hardship. We pray that there will be leaders who have visions and strategies to help churches in China deal with issues associated with the migration of people.
Wednesday
Some have observed that the seeming revival of urban churches in China was, in fact, the result of the flow of the rural population into cities with no net gain of new converts. We pray the migrant workers will be able to integrate into urban churches and grow spiritually. We pray for the serious decline of rural churches. We pray about the serious decline of rural churches, that believers in those churches will find a spiritual home in the city and continue to grow spiritually.
Thursday
Many urban churches have claimed that they sincerely want to disciple believers from the countryside, migrant workers often struggle to understand their identities and how to fit into urban churches. Although urban churches nurture migrant Christians, we also pray that there is a serious, genuine effort to invite, include, and integrate them into the church by the leaders and people who champion the cause of their church.
Friday
When it comes to tithes and offerings, the migrant workers are often torn between supporting the urban churches and their less well-off rural churches. The suspicion is migrant workers feel their rural church need their giving more. Many urban pastors are so busy taking care of their members that often place the migrant ministry as lower priority. We pray that more church leaders will see the importance of reaching migrant workers in their neighborhood despite of their limited time and resources.
Saturday
Although some churches take care of migrant workers, they still continue to struggle to integrate into the local urban life and are often left to fend for themselves. There is a huge gap between rural and urban believers culturally and financially. We pray that the love of God will come and fill this gap so all believers can see each other as brothers and sisters
Sunday
These migrant workers often form groups, resulting in a church divided between migrants and city residents.China is actively trying to do cross-cultural missions but we pray that they will be people that would see they are a mission to reach and help the migrant workers in the cities and help them to integrate into the urban churches
Monday
Both urban and rural churches face the challenge of ministering to an ever-fluctuating floating population amidst China’s urbanization drive.There's a certain tension between members from the cities and those from the village at any church. We pray that believers will live out God's love to include and minister to people they are not comfortable with.

星期二
中國新年期間將會有數百萬中國勞工回鄉過年，從都市轉移到農村地區，形成世界上最大規模的年度人類遷移活動。在這段時間裡，農村和都市教會經歷到短暫的鐘擺效應 — 都市教會空蕩盪，農村教會擠滿人，假期結束基督徒又從家鄉蜂擁至城市。讓我們祈禱中國的城鄉教會積極傳福音禱告。我們也禱告求主賜下智慧，叫教會領袖有遠見和戰略幫助中國教會處理人口遷移問題。
星期三
有學者研究，城市基督徒的復興現象只是表面，實際上是因為農村人口流入城市的結果。城市中可能不一定有許多實質上的新信徒。農村教會衰落的嚴重性不容小覷，我們祈求神的恩典和復興的火再次臨到農村的教會。我們也為農民工禱告，求神施恩及預備工人幫助他們能夠融入城市教會，在靈命上繼續成長。
星期四
雖然絕大多數城市教會都有心栽培農民工，但是來自農村弟兄姊妹始終很難融入城巿教會之中，在身份角色的認同和如何參與事工方面，總有格格不入的感覺。我們來為城巿教會禱告，願她們真誠的邀請及接納能幫助農民工投入其中，也求神裝備城巿教會領袖和弟兄姊妹，好使他們知道如何幫助農民工屬靈的成長。
星期五
談到奉獻時，農民工信徒經常在支持城市教會或貧窮的農村教會之間徘徊，農民工覺得農村教會資源緊絀，更需要給予支持。有些城市教會的牧者忙於照顧已有的弟兄姊妹，往往把農民工的事工看為次要。有些教會領袖認為自顧不暇、沒時間和缺乏資源再去幫助他們社區的農民工。求主施恩及感動人心，賜下異象讓更多教會領袖感受到這份事工的重要和急廹性。
星期六
雖然有些城巿教會有針對民工的事工，但大多是蜻蜓點水式的培訓，或單獨零星的事工，沒有一套系統的策略和方案。有些城市人對民工沒有好感，遺憾的是連信徒亦如此，總覺跟他們格格不入。求主赦免並幫助信徒不按外貌待人，也不看輕同為主内肢體的弟兄姊妹，能謙卑在主裡，真實操練彼此接納和相互幫補，同心建造神的家。
星期日
在城巿教會有一個現象，就是來自農村的工人信徒很自然地會組成各種小組，以致教會的外地工人和都市居民之間無形間就有了隔閡。當神的兒女想到要做跨文化事工的同時，求神讓信徒看見向農民工傳福音就是一個宣教使命，幫助農民工認識信仰，生命成長，成為忠心跟從神的門徒，和睦地融入教會大家庭裡。
星期一
年輕的農民工在城市參加了團契、查經班，又有一群同齡的弟兄姊妹互相支持，但回到家鄉的教會，盡是老年人，沒有了年齡相約的人，在教會好像離開了以往的生活圈子，加上覺得牧者的講壇資訊乏善可陳，便有了到教會是浪費時間的感受。求主賜智慧和愛心給農村教會帶領者活出見證，有策略和耐心栽培青年人，又預備那些對聖經比較有系統認識的年輕人來做帶領，成為一個小牧人來關顧年輕的一代。