Prayer Ruquest 12/23-12/29

Tuesday
From junior high on, Chinese pupils are taught about Christianity: "In the first century, the Romans occupied and ruled Palestine ruthlessly; so people dreamed of a savior to deliver them. Jesus was born and gave hope to people in desperation" This is how each student in China is taught. Let us pray that more people will come to the true knowledge of this Savior of the world and that more believers will be willing to share with others, especially during this Christmas season.

Wednesday
Through the opening of franchised restaurants, genuine Peking duck will soon be available in Taiwan and fresh ducks from Beijing will be flown in. Direct fights between Taiwan and some cities in China have already started. We look forward to this new two-way flow of pastors and believers as they visit each other and worship together. May the Lord use this opportunity to stir up more churches as they exchange stories of His grace and blessings.

Thursday
One problem in urban churches is the disparity and tension between the rich and the poor. Some are the "newly rich" or very well-off from their businesses or real estate while others live on a limited income or pension. This tension makes shepherding difficult because the poor feel they are neglected or slighted. We pray for true love, consideration and unity between believers in all of the urban churches.

Friday
Prosperity has brought many professionals and "lao ban" (business owners) to the churches. They are very different from the older majority of believers who are retired blue-collared workers or even the less-educated people. They are also more likely to give to church building projects and general offerings. We praise God that the churches in China are shedding the image of "a church for the poor and uneducated" but many pastors are intimidated by the wealth and education of this new group of Christians. We pray for all the pastors and believers in the church that they will know how to Biblically minister to their wealthy and better educated brothers and sisters.

Saturday
Direct commerce, shipping, and postal delivery have started between China and Taiwan. This is both historic and convenient. It will save much time and expense, especially for merchants from Taiwan who have factories and business in China. We thank God for bringing this moment which many thought was impossible in their lifetime. May the Lord bring both sides closer to each other, not only sharing experience and resources but becoming one in Christ.

Sunday
Although we rarely hear reports of them, incidents of rioting often ignited by the perceived injustice of local officials have steadily increased in China. When they think they have been robbed of their rights, people are now more daring to protest en masse than they were in the past. We pray for those churches who are negotiating with the authorities regarding their church property rights and restrictions of worship. May the Lord give them wisdom, favor before men and the liberty of worship they seek.

Monday
The rising price of food, the prohibitive cost of health care, the disparity between the rich and the poor and unemployment are top concerns for people in China. Believers share the same concerns but we are called to seek His kingdom first and all these will be provided for us. We pray for assurance of His promise and peace for all who trust and believe in Jesus, especially those who are unemployed and are hurting financially.


星期二
中國的教科書上從初中到大學，這樣描述基督教：第一世紀的巴勒斯坦人受羅馬統治，處境悲慘，幻想有救世主來拯救他們，於是就有了耶穌的降生，給絕境中的人們以精神的 寄託。」在這聖誕佳期，求主在神州賜給我們更多的靈魂能認識祂，真心接受耶穌為他們個人的救主，也興起基督徒願意與人分享耶穌基督寶貴的救恩。

星期三
海峽兩岸關係逐步改善。隨著數個城市開始直航，北京烤鴨店將以連鎖經營模式在台開業，屆時正宗北京烤鴨將能在臺灣市面出售，鮮鴨也會陸續從北京空運到台。我們期待直航能促進兩岸牧者及信徒進一步展開更多的互訪交流。願主祝福這些機會，能帶動彼此有更多的分享及砥礪，復興兩岸更多的教會。

星期四
中國城市教會的一大問題是貧富懸殊及其產生的張力。有些會友因從事生意或房地產投資而坐擁龐大財富，晉身「新富」行列，有些卻一貧如洗，僅靠微薄的薪金和退休金過活。這些現象對教會牧養造成很大壓力，貧窮的會友往往感到遭受冷待或輕視。讓我們祈求城市教會的信徒都能以愛心相待，真誠關心他人，在主裡合一。

星期五
經濟繁榮把很多專業人士和商人（老闆）帶進教會。他們與很多退休藍領工人或大多數學歷較低的教會老信徒明顯存在巨大差異。新一批信徒也較多支持教會建堂或一般奉獻。我們為中國教會可以擺脫一貫「貧窮及教育程度低」的形象感恩；祈求主幫助這批新貴們學習以謙卑感恩的態度服事眾人。同時也為教會內所有教牧及信徒都能懂得如何善用財富，及運用合神心意的原則來牧養學歷較高，富裕的弟兄姐妹代禱。

星期六
海峽兩岸直接通商、通航、通信的「大三通時代」正式拉開序幕。這個歷史性時刻給兩岸帶來不少便利,尤其是為在大陸設廠或從事貿易的台商節省不少時間和成本.讓我們為這難以置信卻成為事實的歷史性時刻獻上感謝,願上帝使兩地信徒不單能保持更緊密連繫,相亙間且能有更多交流的機會，有智慧互享資源,更操練在主裡合而為一.

星期日
近日在內地司法判決結果而激發的暴力事件與日俱增。雖然類似事件少有公開報導，當一些人認為自己的應有權利受剝奪時，相對於過去的沈默啞忍，他們會更敢於提出抗議。讓我們為那些特別需要與當地政府在教會業權及聚會限制等進行磋商的教會禱告，願上帝賜他們智慧，能在執政者面前蒙恩，獲得自由敬拜的權利。

星期一
食物價格飆升、醫療等相關開支節節上調、貧富懸殊、失業等是中國人目前需急切面對的頭號問題。信徒們也必須面對相同的生活挑戰。我們相信神應許：先求祂的國，其餘的一切都會加添給我們。讓我們仰望神的恩典，求祂堅定自己的應許，賜平安與所有信靠祂的人，尤其是正處失業及受累於金融危機的人士.