Prayer Request 6/24-- 6/30

Tuesday
Volunteerism gained a new status and recognition in China following the earthquake. Millions saw how others went to disaster areas and served without reimbursement. That is a visible shift of the mentality on the streets which says, "What is in it for me?" It is hard to know whether this shift in thinking will be permanent or not but interest in religions has increased. Let us pray that Christianity will not remain a minority belief religion and Christians will not be marginalized in society in the coming decade.

Wednesday
The earthquake has become a watershed event for Chinese society. The Central government has been able to reclaim its legitimacy and role as a caretaker of the people. Undoubtedly the Communist leaders showed their connection to the people. The government allowed Christians volunteers to help in the rescue efforts to identify themselves and display Christian sayings, such as "Jesus loves you". Let us pray that the relationship between the government and churches, especially house churches, will be improved.

Thursday
In Chengdu hospitals, immediately following the earthquake in Sichuan, Christians quickly came and volunteered to help. Although it was unplanned and had little coordination, this was the first time believers from all parts of China were mobilized. Since Chinese Christians have long been regarded as invisible, we thank the Lord for this open door to help. May all the Christian churches be more active and prominent in their communities to serve and proclaim God's love boldly.

Friday
The concept of missions is taking root in churches in China. Many of them are now forming short-term mission teams to go to other parts of the country. Many urban Christians have but little idea of the poverty and misery found in rural areas. Numerous people will go on these trips this summer. As young Christians see how privileged and comfortable their lives are, we pray the Lord will open their eyes to see the suffering of others and even move them to share God's love by giving their lives to work for Him.

Saturday
About sixty-seven percent of the people in China live in villages and many of them dream of being in cities instead. Because there are about thirty million "ming-gong"(rural migrant workers) in every large city rural churches are declining in membership.We definitely need to pray for the leaders of rural churches that they will find new ways to minister to their "ex-flock" who are now working in the cities. We need workers and vision to reach these "ming-gong" families, especially the believers.

Sunday
Some churches in China are involved in the movement to take the gospel to Muslim countries, especially those in the Middle East. We are thankful for this increased awareness of missions but we need to pray for the millions of Chinese Muslims (often restaurant workers and street vendors) who live in the cities in China.Even more importantly, we must confront and confess our own deep and unspoken ethnic pride, fear, and ambivalence toward these Muslim neighbors.

Monday
More and more young people are going to church in urban areas in China and this leads to a need for someone to minister to those who are single, and especially to those who want to marry but have no Christian prospects. These churches have a pressing need for someone to do premarital counseling along with ministry to singles. We lift up those who are doing the training and the counselors themselves. Many church workers are single ladies and we pray specifically for their wellbeing and strength.

星期二
汶川大地震過後，中國人對志願工作的意識大大更新。大家都看到了許多人不求回報地進入災區救援和服務，過去人們唯利是圖的心態顯然有了大轉變。這樣的轉變是否會持久，難以預料，但可以肯定的是人心將更趨向宗教信仰。我們禱告在未來的十年裏，基督教在中國社會不再是被邊緣化的「少數人」的宗教，而是成爲中國人的主要信仰。

星期三
五一二地震將成爲中國社會文化轉型的分水嶺。中央政府一直扮演民眾道德與精神家園導師的角色，黨領導與人民的接聯互動盡顯無遺。政府允許基督教義工參與救援時，能表明信仰並表達如「耶穌愛你」之類的説辭。求神讓教會-特別是家庭教會與政府的關係能進一步改善。

星期四
四川地震一發生，成都醫院立時湧入許多基督徒志願協助救災。雖然缺乏完善的計劃和組織，但這卻是中國各地信徒首次一同積極動員。一直以來，中國信徒在社會上都近乎隱形，我們要感謝主，這一次能夠公開以基督徒身份參與救援，也禱告所有基督教會在各自的社區中能夠更加活躍，作鹽發光，更勇於宣揚神的愛。

星期五
近來，中國宣教風氣正在興起，許多教會紛紛組織「短宣隊」到各地宣教。以往城市基督徒對農村貧苦生活僅止於耳聞。今夏則親至農村短宣。我們要為此可喜的現象感謝神，也求神幫助所有參與的信徒們學會感恩，從他人的疾苦中看到自己的使命，願意更深地建造裝備靈命根基，更多經歷神大能的同在，參與宣教和獻身事主，傳揚神的愛。

星期六
中國約有六成人口在農村，住到城市裡是很多人的夢想。大約每一個大城市平均都有約三千萬民工。農村教會的人數相對日漸減少，而城市的民工家庭需要更多信徒來照顧。求主打開農村教會牧者的眼光，讓他們能看見新的宣教觀和新牧養策略，能培養更多年輕的傳道人夫婦，進入城市，開展傳福音和建立教會的工作。

星期日
中國有些教會對「福音傳回耶路撒冷運動」很有負擔，也在積極招募、培訓年輕的宣教士去中亞、中東的穆斯林國家宣教。我們爲此感恩，但也需要記念在中國城市裏許多的回族群體，當中有很多是餐館業者和攤販，他們也急需要福音。求神幫助我們回應回族鄰舍的福音需要，更挪去我們內心隱藏的畏懼和矛盾，甚至種族優越感。

星期一
現在國內城市教會中的年輕人越來越多，這些單身以及期盼婚姻卻苦無基督徒對象的族群，亟需牧者的帶領和有效輔導。感謝神，一些教會已看到婚前輔導和對單身者輔導的需要。我們要記念所有正在提供輔導培訓的輔導員們，也特別為其中的許許多多單身女傳道禱告。求主親自供應、裝備她們自身及專業上的需要，賜她們夠用的力量和智慧。