Prayer Request 1/11 - 1/17

Tuesday
Frugality is a Chinese virtue and a legacy of the past generations of poor Chinese. However, the 350 million Chinese between 18 to 35 years of age, who have not-so-frugal spending habits, are considered to be critical in the recovery of the world economy and one day pushing China ahead of America as the biggest consumer market. Young Chinese believers also feel very differently about how money is used in church. There is often tension between the young and old believers regarding monetary issues. We pray for unity and humility for all believers, especially regarding offerings and church spending.
Wednesday
China’s change from a state-planned economy to a market economy has spurred the recent consumerism. In the world’s second largest economy, buying discounted merchandise and using coupons are quickly becoming a way of life for young Chinese people. Young Chinese believers have many reasons to not give to their church. We pray that older believers can be a powerful model for them, in their generosity, hospitality and trust in God.
Thursday
The divorce rate in China has doubled in the past ten years, and one in five Chinese marriages doesn’t last. The generation of spoiled singletons, known in China as the post-1980s (1980's) generation is struggling with issues in marriage, i.e. forgiveness, understanding, tolerance and compromise. We pray for all of the young married believers in the churches in China where marital counseling is sparse. We pray for those who are doing such counseling as well as those who are struggling with their marriages.
Friday
Every year, tens of thousands of officials and professors in China are sent abroad to learn new management skills. However, once they, they often forget what they learned or their influence is minimized by the status quo. The call to change the way churches are "managed" invariably meets that same fate. Many feel that it is very hard to change the way things are done in the churches in China. Let us pray that younger leaders in the churches will be promoted and given an opportunity to lead and that the older pastors will imitate the humility of Jesus Christ.
Saturday
The gender imbalance in the rural churches of China is far worse than that in urban churches because so many of the young men have left for work in the cities. This is the overall picture through the countryside in China with about 90% of households not having young men at home. Without the comfort and help from above, serving in rural churches in China can be very discouraging but every one of those churches is a testimony of God's miracles. The Lord has raised up some sisters who work faithfully. We pray for them to have God's gifts so they may serve with unity and give glory to God without complaining.
Sunday
Churches in China tend to be feministic because there are more female than male members. This shows up in the praise, worship, testimonies, and even rituals. The atmosphere tends to be emotional, relational, soft, and tender. Being feministic is not a bad thing but the key is whether the gospel is preached or not. We pray that Chinese brothers will be revived with holy passion, will be more spiritual and less carnal, and will be able to stand firm being on fire for God.
Monday
Since the churches in China have very few men, it creates a conundrum for the sisters because there are no eligible Christian men. It is nearly impossible for Chinese women to marry someone who is less accomplished than she is and Chinese men feel awkward to marry someone "more capable" than they are. Many sisters feel parental pressure to marry "any available men" before they are too old. They struggle with whether to marry unbelievers and face discrimination by other married sisters. Let us remember them and pray for their spiritual life, friendship, well-being, and all of their needs.

星期二
中國人視節儉為美德，也是貧窮一代的遺產。現今介乎18-35歲之間的3.5億中國人的花錢習慣，被認為對促進世界經濟復甦，及幫助中國超越美國成為世界頭號消費市場，具有至關緊要的作用。在中國教會中，年輕與年長的信徒對教會如何運用經費常出現落差，甚至產生無言的張力。我們求主賜下合一的靈、謙卑的心，尤其在教會開支的討論上，有以神的國度為念，同心尊重聖靈的引導。
星期三
隨著從「計劃經濟」轉向「市場經濟」，中國的消費主義剛剛起步。對年輕一代來說，購買打折商品已成為一種生活方式。他們以作為「優惠券一代」而出名，也逐漸改變了這世界第二大經濟體的商業模式。年輕的中國信徒往往有種種不奉獻的理由，我們求主感動年長一代的信徒，能成為年輕人的榜樣，將神的物歸給神，甘心獻上，好客款待信徒，顯出他們對神真誠的委身。
星期四
在過去十年中，中國的離婚率增加了一倍，將近五分之一的夫妻以離婚收場。這現象尤其在所謂的「80後」格外嚴重。婚姻中彼此的寬容，理解，接納和妥協，是他們最掙扎的問題。一般教會能提供的婚姻輔的實在不多，讓我們在禱告中記念教會中年輕夫妻的需要。也特別為教會年輕信徒做婚姻輔導的同工代禱，也求主憐憫引導那些面臨婚姻破裂的年輕肢體。
星期五
中國每年送出不少高官和教師到歐美學習外國的管理觀念。然而學成回國後，就如「泥牛入海」被一種無形的強大勢力包圍而「銷聲匿跡」。要改變中國教會的傳統管理方式 也是很難。讓我們為教會能提拔新一代的領袖，有機會操練來禱告，也求神幫助他們在前輩身上學習到耶穌基督的柔順、謙卑。
星期六
農村教會中性別比例失衡現象比城市教會更加嚴重。這與青壯齡男子大量進城打工，以至十室九空相關，雖然男女比例懸殊，但和所處農村社會的性別構成比對照，其實頗為吻合，甚至可能略占優勢。在中國農村教會服事，很容易因為荒涼的光景灰心。但是在每一間教會，神總是為自己預備了一批忠心的姐妹。求主賜給她們恩賜，能處處榮耀主，沒有埋怨，合一的靈也在她們當中。
星期日
中國教會一般姊妹多於弟兄，使得教會文化朝女性化發展。教會在 詩歌，崇拜，見證和禮儀等方面受明顯影響，往往注重並追求溫馨的、個人化的、有柔情的氛圍。這樣的現象有憂也有喜，有好也有壞，但大使命的託付是不變的。我們要恆切禱告那復興的靈火再次點燃弟兄們。喚醒他們不貪愛世界，能站起來，走出來，為主大發熱心。
星期一
中國教會女多男少，給未婚姊妹的婚配帶來很大的難題。一般人的觀念是男子可以娶學歷和收入不如己的女人，女子要想「下嫁」不如己的男人卻需要很大的勇氣；而男子「高攀」也有很多障礙。未婚姐妹有許多難處，尤其來自家人「找個男人嫁了就好」的壓力。要找信主的配偶還是就妥協找未信主的，成為她們難以抉擇的問題。 在教會中她們也無法被有家室的姐妹完全的接納。讓我們特別記念她們靈命、友情、心理、全人的需要。