Prayer Request 10/27 - 11/02

Tuesday
After the founding of the Republic of China, the so-called "black society" criminal enterprises were eradicated but a recent string of high-profile crackdowns and the sentencing of organized crime bosses shows that criminal activities have come back in full swing. It is apparent that criminals today are not only much more sophisticated but also well-connected with corrupted officials in high places. Prosperity without God leads only to moral depravity and decline. China today needs Jesus more than ever before. Let us pray for the softening of the hearts of people in China, the advancement of the gospel and for believers to be bold to share Jesus with their neighbors.

Wednesday
During 2008 and 2009 direct sales marketing has enjoyed two wonderful years of growth in China, expanding about 60% annually. Cosmetics, health and cleaning products, home-health care equipment, and small appliances are the most popular items. Direct marketing came to China in 1990 and grew phenomenally but was shut down by the government and did not regain approval until recently. Many Christians, including church workers, are also caught up in the fever of direct sales and the promise of making good money selling to friends. Marketing to church members brings uneasiness and complicates that relationship. Let us pray that all believers will have this same excitement about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with their friends and relatives.

Thursday
In recent years the "Greater Suzhou Area" has become a magnet for foreign investors with nearly two thousand Taiwanese-owned high-tech factories there. Their being close to metropolitan Shanghai, having an efficient local government, the availability of a high-quality pool of laborers, and the famous Suzhou hospitality have all been contributing factors to the success of these efforts.　There are many opportunities for ministry in this area, such as churches started by Taiwanese businessmen, student ministries, outreach programs to factory workers, house churches made up of expats, and Bible study groups for engineers. Let us pray for these unusual opportunities in several areas in China where there are many foreign-owned factories.

Friday
It is not quite fair to blame the lack of quality leadership in the churches of China on the leaders themselves. The people in the churches must also share the blame because they falsely believe the shepherds are servants who are to work with a reward given only when they get to heaven. They assume their leaders can serve 24/7 without caring for their own families. We must pray fervently for God's protection for our leaders when their marriages crumble and their children do not have parents to spend quality them with them. Satan also attacks them with visions of money and fame and temptations to illicit sex. When the shepherds fall, the sheep scatter, the churches suffer and the name of Jesus is shamed.

Saturday
Getting affordable medical care in the cities in China is not easy and in the villages it is even harder. People often avoid going to a doctor and decide to self-medicate by spending a fortune for medicines that are unsafe, low quality, and expensive. A serious illness will easily wipe out savings for most families.　Let us pray for believers who have family members who need medical care that it will not be either a psychological nor a medical burden. May the Lord give them wisdom, peace, and His comfort.

Sunday
Chinese government is cracking down on illegal financial entities--those companies or individuals who promise high return or rapid gain for investments. Many put their life savings into these so-called "safe investments" because banks offer very low returns and stocks have been beaten down. Believers are not immune to greed and often fall prey to get-rich-quick schemes. Let us pray for contentment and guarding against greed for all of us.

Monday
China has the busiest railways in the world. She carries 1/4 of the world's traffic on 6% of its tracks. China is building a whole new network of high-speed trains, not only faster but connecting all the key cities from the inland west to the eastern coast. The Beijing-to-Shanghai line will cut the journey time between the two cities from ten hours to four.　Church workers can move about much easier and become more efficient in ministry which require traveling. There are lots of temptations especially when believers leave home in China. We pray for God's strength in resisting sexual temptation for all of us. May we all walk closely with Jesus and the Holy Spirit remind us that our body is His temple.


星期二
解放之後，黑社會曾在新中國銷聲匿跡，但是近來全國各處一連串打黑除惡的行動，正顯示中國黑社會勢力與高官貪污已經成為當前極其嚴重的問題。社會繁榮富裕卻沒有神，只會導致道德敗落。我們深知現今中國比任何時期都更需要主耶穌！求主軟化並打開中國人民的心門，拯救他們脫離罪惡的捆綁，又賜信徒有勇氣與鄰舍分享福音。

星期三
過去兩年，中國的直銷巿場迅速發展，每年的增長率更達60%之多。最受歡迎的五類商品為化妝品、保健食品、保健器材、清潔用品及小型家電。其實，直銷的概念早已在九十年代初從外國引入並開始漸露頭角，但後來遭政府禁止，直至近年才恢復開放。許多信徒(抱括牧者) 也捲入直銷熱潮，熱衷向親戚朋友推銷，以取得不錯的回報。然而這卻使原本單純的主內弟兄姐妹關係變成複雜，隨之衍生許多誤會和難處。求主幫助信徒常存清潔的良心，不要成為別人的絆腳石。也祈求信徒對分享福音有更大的熱忱，願意與親友共享主耶穌的好消息。

星期四
「大蘇州」近年成為全國外商投資增長率最高的地區，區內有近二千家台資高科技製造廠。「大蘇州」地區鄰近上海，地方政府有效率，人民素質高，且民風淳厚，均是其優勝之處。在蘇州內有不少傳福音的機會，例如台商教會、學生福音事工、工人福音事工等；此外，還有「海歸」的家庭教會和工程師組成的查經班。讓我們繼續為當地的福音擴展禱告，也為其他有外資的地區祈求，願福音也得著如同「大蘇州」地區般的發展機會。

星期五
教會傳道人和領袖的素質下降或變質，教會也難辭其咎。教會常常認為傳道人是神呼召來服事教會的僕人，會有天上的賞賜為代價，所以傳道就是要「隨傳隨到」，至於他們的家人：「神會照顧」。我們要切切祈求主保守教會的領袖、傳道們。當他們的婚姻瀕臨破裂，孩子缺少父母的陪伴和教導，又或面對撒旦用名利才色攻擊誘惑時，求主保全他們的婚姻家庭和品格健全。免得跌倒，羊群四散，教會受害，使主名受羞辱。

星期六
在中國的城市中負擔得起醫療保健已屬不易，在農村則更難。人們有病常不去找醫生而是自行服藥，結果在不安全，低質量且昂貴的藥物上花費了大量的錢財。對大部分的中國家庭而言，一場重病就能輕易地耗光所有的積蓄。讓我們一起為家中有成員生病需就醫的基督徒們禱告，求神挪去弟兄姐妹的心理負擔和醫療負擔，並賜他們智慧，平安，和從主而來的安慰。

星期日
中國政府正着手打擊非法金融實體-就是那些公司或個人通過向投資者許諾高額或快捷的報酬來騙取投資。因為銀行的儲蓄回報率很低，而股票市場也一路下跌，許多人把畢生的積蓄都投注在這些所謂的「安全投資」上，不幸結果是蕩然無存。人性中的貪婪即便基督徒也不能免疫，成為這些快速致富騙局的犧牲品。讓我們為所有的基督徒禱告，求神讓我們能常常知足並對貪婪的誘惑時時保持警覺。

星期一
中國的鐵路系統是世界最繁忙的，載客量佔世界的1 / 4，但卻只有世界6％的行車路軌。近年，中國積極建造一個全新的高速鐵路網，不但速度更快，而且從內陸西部到東面海岸，連接更多主要城市。不久的將來，北京至上海線的行車時間，將從10小時減至4小時。交通便捷也有助教會同工更方便、有效地在多個城市服侍。但出門在外形孤影單，也格外容易受到試探誘惑。求主的靈常常提醒屬祂的人，身體是神的殿，總要保持與主親密的關係，才有力量抵擋仇敵的攻擊(尤其性的誘惑)。