Prayer Request 5/6 -- 5/12

Tuesday
One of the challenging problems confronting House Churches is the working of evil spirits such as Qi gong, fortune telling, etc. Many national believers are attracted to the marvels of wonders and paranormal activities and although the Bible warns believers not to dabble in such practices, many are still drawn to what they consider supernatural power. Let us pray for strong teaching against such movements in the church and the loss of wayward sheep through them.

Wednesday
For many of the young “post-1980”couples, their ideas of marriage are very different than that of their parents. They emphasize "liberty", demand individual privacy, and an unrestricted circle of friends as well the ability to participate in individual activities. The thinking and worldview of these young people is foreign to their elders, especially in the Chinese churches. But we cannot give up this whole generation. May the Lord give wisdom and patience to people in the churches and help them to know how to connect and minister to all young people.

Thursday
"Going Dutch" or each one paying for his/her share of their financial obligations is popular among young couples in China whether they are married or not. Husbands make the mortgage payments and wives pay the living expenses. They each support their parents individually. They claim that this way, in case of divorce, the financial affairs are simplified. Let us intercede along with all Christian parents praying for their children who are starting their families, especially those who marry unbelievers. We desire their children to know and love the Lord as their parents do.

Friday
We praise God because there are more young people in many urban churches in the last ten years than there were in the past. But there are issues about marriage for these young singles. Many women believers feel disappointed or have lost hope in seeking a potential mate among believers. Marriage counseling is very new or unheard of among churches in China and many of those who do counseling are women pastors. Let us pray for faith for all of those who want to get married and desire to honor God in their marriage.

Saturday
When Chinese believers have a family crisis or marital conflict, seeking counseling from the pastor is rarely an option because they are unavailable and/or untrained to do it. Counseling is generally done by older, mature ladies in the church and is limited to prayer and advice only. Marital problems among believers are of epidemic proportions and the counseling ministry is in its infancy in Chinese churches. Let us pray that faith in God is lived out in the homes of all believers, especially in those of people who are married to unbelievers or lukewarm Christians.

Sunday
Henan is the most populous province, but it is also one of the poorest. Many Henan people have left their villages with only an elementary-school education to seek work in cities and other provinces. Seeking a better life in cities is the main reason that is driving the tidal wave of migrant workers in China. Many migrant workers were once church attendees back in their villages, but they have not found places of worship in cities. Let us pray for continuing faith for all the Henan migrant workers and some Wenzhou-supported churches, who are reaching out to them.

Monday
One reason why China has the world’s highest rate of female suicide is that rural women continue to have little social status. The traditional low view of women is pervasive in most villages, especially the poor regions. There is a huge divide between the women in the cities and in the villages. Let us pray for all the rural sisters in Christ, may they be spiritually strong, not only in their families but also reaching out to help other women in their neighborhood.

星期二
辨識「邪靈」是目前中國家庭教會所面對的最新挑戰。許多肢體往往也熱衷於追求超自然的靈異經驗，如練氣功、算命看相、筆仙等活動，甚至被邪靈所附而不自知。聖經明確教導我們不可涉及此類活動，求主幫助眾教會對於屬靈方面的認識與警醒，都有正確的了解，也有智慧去面對和適當的處理。

星期三
許多「80後」的年輕夫妻族群，他們高聲呼喊「自由」的口號，認為夫妻間不應干涉彼此的社交圈，彼此擁有各自的朋友，不需要丈夫或妻子過問，否則便干犯了個人隱私權。在中國教會中，許多長者難以體會這年輕一代的價值觀及思想。求神讓同工們能有更多智慧和耐心來服事他們，讓「80後」不會和教會與牧者脫節。

星期四
年輕中國夫妻的財產管理以「AA」制為主，那就是婚前約定，收入自用，財產自有，開銷各自負擔，各自負責管理各自的金錢。丈夫負責房屋貸款，妻子負責生活開銷，甚至在奉養雙親上也是各自經濟獨立的，彼此沒有義務負責對方的雙親任何生活花費。因著離婚率盛行，夫妻間爲了預防將來離婚後發生財務糾紛，便以此方式應變。願神感動所有基督徒父母的心，使他們更迫切為他們子女的婚姻禱告，特別是那些娶嫁了未信主配偶的。

星期五
近十年來城市教會年輕人增多，我們為此感謝神。但另一方面許多棘手的問題接踵而至，許多嚮往婚姻的年輕單身族面臨找不到合適對象的困境，或者受有關婚姻問題的困惑。目前城市教會正面臨婚姻輔導體系尚未完善建立，缺乏受過專業輔導培訓的人員，特別是弟兄。我們也為許多渴望建立基督化家庭榮耀神的弟兄姐妹禱告 。

星期六
當弟兄姐妹在婚姻上遇到危機或衝突時，由於現實中少有受過專業婚姻輔導的牧者能協助他們，只能求助於教會中一些年長的姐妹或是信得過的基督徒，通常也僅能提供代禱和非專業的建議而己。我們求神繼續興起同工能接受更多的婚姻專業輔導訓練，把神的真理及價值觀帶給眾信徒，能在日常中活出信心的見証，尤其是配偶是不信者或靈性軟弱者。

星期日
河南是中國第一人口大省，卻也是最貧窮的省份之一。許多只受過小學教育的河南人，離鄉往城市和其他省份去覓職。到城市圖更好的生活的念頭，是中國的民工巨潮的主要成因。許多民エ都曾是農村教會的信徒，只是在城市裡沒有找到崇拜聚會的場所。讓我們為所有河南民工能持守信仰來禱告，也記念那些由溫州信徒支助，致力於向河南人傳福音的教會。

星期一
中國農村婦女的社會地位低微，是中國女性自殺率冠於全球的原因之一。傳統男尊女卑的觀念滲透中國農村，貧窮地區尤其嚴重。而城市婦女和農村婦女的地位和待遇則有天淵之別。讓我們特別為農村的主内姊妹們禱告，願她們靈裏靠主剛強，成為一盞為主發光的燈臺，不但能夠輔佐家人，更可以神的愛和安慰幫助周遭不幸人。