Prayer Request 3/28--4/3

Tuesday
China announced several new sales taxes, on goods ranging from disposable wooden chopsticks to luxury items such as golf clubs, high-end watches, citing a need to protect environment and reduce the gap between rich and poor. China now consumes 1/3 of world luxury goods, but 30 millions Chinese farmers still live in poverty. Let us remember all the rural believers, whose unwavering love for Jesus serve as wonderful example for all of us .

Wednesday
The average starting salary for college graduates in Beijing is about 1580 yuans, about 16% lower than 2004. Overall, the lower trend is seen throughout the country. In Henan, some companies even offer 500 trial monthly pay, only a bit higher than laborers. Lower wages for college graduates have begin to reverse the thinking that college degree is worth a mint. College education typically cost a family 150,000 yuans. Let us pray for many rural church workers whose children cannot afford any higher educations past junior high .

Thursday
Women who wish and can afford to skirt the one-child policy, are trying artificial insemination, which produces twins or triplets. The extra one-time expenses more than justify the penalties incurred by having the second pregnancy. Being unable to conceive carries great social stigma for women and men alike. Let us remember all the believers’ families without children. May the Lord use them even more in serving the church .

Friday
Over-packaging or unnecessary packaging for a common item is a trend now, commanding hefty profit margin and meeting the demand for “luxury.” Liquors, perfume, health supplements and “moon cakes” are the most over-packaged, over-priced items. Finding a gift that stand out in China is getting more difficult, as more people can afford common items. Showing appreciation to church workers is something rare among China churches. Let us pray for such attitude of thanksgiving .

Saturday
Three things may become disadvantages for many who look for a marriage partner: Advanced degrees, advanced careers or high incomes. Finding someone else who is “compatible and properly matched” and not a “gold digger” proves harder to find. Finding a mate who shares a common faith in God and willing to serve is hard for countless women believers. We take the time to remember who desire marriage but remain single because of their dedication to Christ .

Sunday
Eighty percent of urban seniors express contentment with their lives. Nearly sixty percent are optimistic about their financial lives, yet forty-four percent do not feel secure. Their common fears are illness and strangers. Some urban churches have very strong ministries for senior citizens even including senior choirs. Seniors also make up a large percentage of people at prayer meetings. Let us pray for all who lead and serve the seniors in churches .

Monday
According to study on behavior, nearly 90% of Taiwanese will not reveal their venereal disease to their spouse or partner. In the Mainland, only 20% will reveal one’s infection or marital infidelity. Venereal disease prevention is hard both from a public and personal health standpoint. We pray for guarding of hearts from temptation for all believers .

星期二
中國財政部和國家稅務總局將對現行消費稅進行調整，從免洗筷到高爾夫球及球具、高檔手錶、遊艇和大排量汽車等奢侈品，均被列入消費稅新增項目，征以重稅，藉此保護環境、節約資源，並縮小國內日益嚴重的貧富差距問題。全球三分之一的奢侈品均由中國人所消費，但國內仍有3000萬農民仍為赤貧。讓我們在禱告中紀念所有的農村信徒，無論在任何情況，對主耶穌的愛堅定不移。

星期三
2005年北京地區應屆畢業生的月薪在1580元左右，較之2004年下降16%。全國各地的大學生薪酬近年來都普遍下滑。在河南，曾出現用以600元的大學招聘起薪。大學生薪酬偏低，反映在市場上就會導致一些家庭認為讀書無用，不利於提高全民素質。培養一名大學生約要投入15萬元。讓我們為著因無法負擔高昂的學費，不易繼續深造的教會傳道人子女禱告。

星期四
越來越多的中國婦女爲了避開一胎化規定，採用輔助生殖技術和促進排卵藥物，致使雙胞胎甚至三胞胎出生率不斷上升。一胞多胎的費用甚至高過於生育第二胎的罰鍰。「不孝有三，無後為大」，不論男女都背負著這項傳統的枷鎖，讓我們紀念所有沒有子女的信徒家庭，願主使用他們更多委身在教會中。

星期五
國內商品市場吹起過度豪華包裝之風，給商家牟取暴利留下巨大的空間，也滿足了富人追求「奢華」的虛榮心。過度包裝、包裝成本高昂的商品有：酒類、香水、藥品、保健品、月餅等。 隨著改革開放、越來越多人能負擔一般產品時，要尋找別出心裁的禮物也越來越不容易。然而，在中國教會中，向教會同工表達感謝之意的卻是少之又少，讓我們為著信徒能有感恩的心來禱告。

星期六
人人為之稱羨的「三高」：高學歷、高層次、高收入，反而成為尋找合適另一半的可能不利因素，要尋找一位「門當戶對」、不是「見錢眼開」的對象，並不容易。同樣的，姊妹尋求一位能與自己分享信仰、並願意委身服事主的伴侶，更是難上加難，讓我們記念因為獻身服事主而單身，但渴望婚姻的同工禱告。

星期日
中國老人過得幸福嗎？根據《中國老年人生活質量指數報告》，(個人經濟狀況和社會安全感是構成幸福感的最重要內容)八成受訪者表示心情平靜滿足，六成受訪者對個人的未來經濟狀況變化表示樂觀，44%老年人表示低安全感，主要害怕生病及陌生人攀談。一些城市教會有很強的老年事工甚至包括老年的詩班，教會禱告會的年長者出席比例也相當高，讓我們為著在教會中帶領、服事年長者的同工禱告。

星期一
根據研究，將近90%的臺灣人不願向配偶或伴侶承認自己罹患性病，中國內，僅有20%的人會告知自己感染性病或是否曾不忠於伴侶。無論從公眾或個人的健康觀點，性病預防均相當不易，讓我們為著信徒能夠保守心甚過保守一切，不受試探來禱告。