Prayer Request 3/27 -- 4/2

Tuesday
There are 1.5 million single professionals in China, mostly between the ages of 25 to 35. They are considered to be the elite with lots of disposable income, but it makes finding a compatible mate much harder. In every church, one can find unmarried believers, especially women. Pressure from their families to marry any eligible man is great, even to marry a non-believer. We pray for them specifically, for their love for the Lord, for comfort from Him and that God would honor their desire .

Wednesday
To get around the “one child policy,” wealthy people in the Guangzhou and Shenzhen areas simply pay the fine of 100,000 yuan (12,500 USD) for each child born. Such a phenomenon is common with business owners and is now the ultimate status symbol. Some believers have more than one child by simply not registering their residency- “hukou.” Let us pray again for the need of Sunday School training and materials, as the number of children in church is often alarmingly and disappointedly few .

Thursday
To get around the “one child policy,” the poor hide their kids (by not registering their residency) and the rich simply pay the penalty. Many poor people complain that the ability to have more than one child is the ultimate injustice, widening the perception of the wealth gap. For most, struggling to pay for education expenses for one child is already overwhelming. Let us pray that the earnest desire of Christian parents is the salvation of their only child, especially as many find church boring, have no friends there, or think it is out-of-context for their young .

Friday
Nearly 1 in 3 Chinese families have problems with domestic violence, according to the Women’s Federation. “All husbands beat their wives” is the common misconception.Very few will reveal their plight at home for fear of shame. We remember all the ladies in church whose husbands oppose their church involvement and even threaten physical harm. May the Lord grant them mercy, comfort and support in the fellowship of other godly women .

Saturday
In Chinese fortune telling, “Blissful marriage and give birth to a son in three years” is considered one of the best fortunes a person can get. With the “one child policy,” such a fortune is even more “precious.” Many believers are not able to conceive and have chosen to pour their energy into serving in church. May the Lord bless them and reward them with many spiritual children and their marriage, a model of caring and love .

Sunday
Is this the slippery slope of Chinese morality? Having a concubine is in vogue, especially among the businessmen, officials and celebrities. What was once a stigma is now deemed as a measure of success? We need to pray even more diligently for the believers’ families. More resources and, most importantly, positive role models are needed badly. We lift up all the Christian husbands for being such godly role models and being considerate .

Monday
Legally, having a mistress or concubine in China is not prosecuted; although the Party tries to police a few bad apples. The Communist Party has tried hard to reform by cleaning up corruption, moral degeneration and nepotism recently. Let us pray for all the sisters who struggle with the infidelity of their spouses and try to forgive. We sympathize with their pain and pray the Lord will bring healing and blessing to their families .

星期二
在中國有一百五十萬年齡介於25至35歲的單身專業人士。他們都是高收入的社會菁英，但卻很難找到相匹配的伴侶。在教會有很多單身的信徒，尤其是女性。有些家人會給他們很大的壓力，要他們嫁給條件好的男人，甚至是非信徒。讓我們為她們禱告，求神給予慈愛和安慰，也求神為她們預備合神心意的配偶。

星期三
在中國廣州和深圳等經濟發達地區，超生一個孩子至少需繳人民幣10多萬元罰款，但這種經濟處罰對高收入的私營企業業主和名人們卻毫無約束力，多生育反而成了富人的身份象徵。有些信徒爲了超生，可能選擇不登記戶口。很多的信徒都有孩子，可是到教會的兒童人數卻十分的少。讓我們會教會主日學的教材和師資訓練的提升、以至能夠吸引孩子來禱告。

星期四
爲了不受制於政府計畫生育，「窮人躲著生；富人罰著生」。這項生育限制無形中加大了貧富差距的社會矛盾。一般人面對一個孩子的教育費已足以讓他們頭痛；基督徒父母還需擔憂孩子的救恩。有些孩子們覺得教會落伍，節目枯燥無趣，也沒有朋友，都不願隨父母到教會。讓我們為這些孩子的靈命禱告，求神也幫助教會在日新月異的時代中找到更能幫助孩子信仰的方法。

星期五
根據中國婦聯會的統計，有將近三分一的家庭有家暴問題。許多婦女甚至以爲「那有老公不打老婆的？」，這種普遍的想法加上「家醜不外揚」的觀念，使多數受害者選擇繼續沈默。教會裏也有信徒因爲信仰而遭到丈夫的反對甚至暴力的威脅。求主施恩憐憫她們，藉其他愛主的姐妹來安慰並幫助她們，也求主藉她們的美好見證來感動她們的丈夫。

星期六
在命理相術中，在房星日嫁娶「婚姻美滿，三年得貴子」被視爲最好的福氣。在一胎化政策中，『得貴子』更顯得珍貴無比。有許多信徒因爲不育而選擇把精力投注於教會事奉。求神祝福他們，不僅擁有美好的婚姻和許許多多屬靈的子女，並且以愛心和關懷成爲衆人的榜樣。

星期日
在中國，「妻妾成群」反而讓經商、為官、當主持、當明星者增添榮耀和魅力。瘡疤變成了獎章，醜惡變成了光榮。難道這不是道德滑坡的悲哀？我們更應該為信徒的家庭禱告。教會除了需要更多維繫美滿婚姻及家庭方面的資源外，更需要有正面的榜樣。讓我們為身為丈夫的基督徒們禱告，成爲敬虔齊家的好榜樣.

星期一
在中國，重婚罪一直都是「民不告官不究」的「自訴案件」。許多名流、富豪或官員都是「妻妾成群」。最近共產黨內正努力掃除貪腐、道德敗壞和朋黨勾結，而揪出幾宗重婚案，令人心忡忡。不過這也僅限於黨員。我們要記念丈夫出軌的姐妹們。她們在受到配偶不忠的傷害下，需要設法饒恕。讓我們體諒她們的苦痛，以禱告拖住她們，求主醫治並賜福她們的家庭。