Prayer Request 4/5 - 4/11

Tuesday
It will take another generation to change the Chinese habits of saving and spending. In the old days, the government provided a lifetime job with a pension afterwrd. Now, however, the prospect of losing one's job is very real so everyone must save money on his or her own. It is a common attitude among Chinese to feel that they are not rich at all and this perception often stops believers from giving to God. Churches also often feel the same way so they do no do any ministry because they see themselves as poor. May the Lord help us to fix our eyes on Him, not just counting what we have in the bank or in church savings.
Wednesday
For the majority of the house churches in China, the concept of church administration is very foreign. The church is often run by one person and without accountability so there is a great need for training along these lines. We pray for those who are teaching classes along these lines and that the leaders in the churches will be able to realize that accountability in their churches promotes healthy church growth, raising up new leaders, and protecting the church from slanders.
Thursday
The most difficult part of student minstry in China is discipleship which includes training them to lead Bible studies and small groups along with evangelism. These are necessary but time-consuming and challenging areas of service. One real problem is the monitoring and interference of the police or officials which is a big concern on every campus. Many students have believed in Jesus but have not revealed their decision to their families because of the expected opposition. We pray for God's strength for all of those who are discipling college students and for His protection on these new seedlings of the faith. May there be people to nurture all those who have professed faith in Jesus.
Friday
With the one-child policy in place in China, there is one younger couple to take care of four elderly parents. The cost of caring for seniors has also skyrocketed as rural communities become more urbanized. Chinese know that if they do not save enough money themselves there might not be anyone to take care of them when they get old. We as Christians should honor our parents and take care of them when they get old. Let us pray that young believers will not only care for their elderly parents but that they will do it in gentleness and love so they can be a good witness for Jesus and be able to share the salvation of Jesus with them.
Saturday
In the past only old people in China lived alone. Now middle-aged parents find themselves with an empty nest. It is common that these parents suffer from depression, a sense of loss, and anxiety. Theoretically the middle-aged "empty nest syndrome" can last up to twenty-five years. We pray for all the believers who fall into this category. May they find more time to get involved in church work and help out where they can by serving effectively using their spiritual gifts.
Sunday
Part of the risk of leading college students in China is attracting the attention of police, especially when the group gets larger. Even students are forced to be informants for the police. There are many unique challenges in a ministry to college students and it is also time-consuming because it requires a great deal of discipleship. It is not easy to see concrete short-term results. It is nearly a universal problem that some college students are threatened and warned not to attend the Bible studies, or forced to become informants. We pray for God's mercy on those who are forced to be a "Judas". May the Lord give them another chance to experience His abundant grace.
Monday
There are many young intellectuals who have become Christians and some have even become pastors. The question is, "How do they support themselves?" Pastors in rural churches can often support themselves because they have at least a plot of land to grow food. But for those who serve God in the cities, it is a different story since the churches often do not collect enough to support a pastor.For the intellectuals who want to go into full-time ministry in China, there is no such thing as a "salary and benefit package". That means opposition from their parents and even no marriage prospects. We must pray for God's grace and faith for every young person who is deciding to answer God's call to serve in a church in China.

星期二
中國人存錢多、消費少的現象，可能需再過一代才會改變。昔日政府提供「鐵飯碗」，從搖籃到墳墓的公共服務體制早已打破。現時中國幾乎沒有社會安全網，大家盡可能預留錢以防失業及養老。中國人總覺不足，有此心態的信徒也不願甘心樂意奉獻。有些教會領袖也是先看經費才考慮神事工的需要。求主幫助我們「盡力賺，盡力省，也盡力奉獻」，不是只顧積攢屬世的物資，而要學習用信心仰望主的供應。
星期三
家庭教會對於「教會治理」方面還很陌生。良好的教會治理可以幫助教會健康成長，更能避免撒但的攪擾和貪婪的陷阱。我們為教會裏的領袖及教師禱告，求主賜下智慧，幫助他們在治理的理念和實務方面有扎實的根基，在神、在人面前都用清潔、無虧的良心，忠心管理好神的家，好叫教會有健全的成長，並培育出蒙神悅納的新同工，保守教會聖潔無瑕。
星期四
學生事工最大難題是牧養。如何訓練他們帶領查經、傳福音、領小組、探訪等等「實務」工作，都面臨「長期」與「實際」的「障礙」。在中國每所學校多少都面臨「官方的監督」制度的濫權，危害聚會自由。許多大學生信主不告知家人，恐引起反對，也怕會影響未來的工作機會。我們為栽培大學生的輔導、領袖們禱告：求主加添他們力量，也保守這些新生的嫩苗，能不斷有人來澆灌。
星期五
中國計劃生育政策導致四個老人只有一對年輕夫婦照顧。由於城市化和沉重的養老負擔，過去養兒防老的「社會保障」模式已瓦解，更需儲蓄以供不時之需。「人若不看顧親屬，就是背了真道，比不信的人還不好，不看顧自己家裏的人，更是如此。」(提前5:8)。我們為所有年輕信徒禱告，求主幫助他們不僅願意照顧年邁的父母，更能流露主的溫柔和愛，為主做美好的見證，從而分享主耶穌救贖的恩典。
星期六
以往老年人才會面對“空巢”的情況，但現在許多中國中年人家庭，已陸續由“三口之家”變成“二人世界”。適應不良者會出現鬱悶、失落、焦慮等情緒，若得不到適當的輔導，這種“中年空巢”症狀有可能達25年之久。我們為進入空巢期的肢體帶禱，求主使用他們的擺上和教會的參與，讓他們運用神所賜的屬靈恩賜來服事教會，造就信徒。
星期日
當牧養的大學生人數一多，就容易會被「關注」。學生中也會有人被迫向警方報告。學生工作本來就需要長時間而有效率的訓練工作，很難在一時真收到具體、長遠的績效。的確有些學生受到類似壓力，而成為”做報告”者。幾乎每個牧養大學生的同工，都會遇到這種難題。我們為處理這樣的問題，同工們都有智慧，及憐憫的心。也為這些「身不由己」的「猶大」們，求 神憐憫他們，再給他們機會去真正經歷主的恩典。
星期一
許多年輕的知識份子成為基督徒、其中還有獻身當傳道人的，然而生活的出路是一大難題。農村傳道人或許還有種田、收麥與養殖等自給自足的機會，但都市知識份子的傳道人，常常需面臨斷糧斷炊的「麵包供應問題」。知識份子想要獻身全時間服事，不單要擔心「養活自己」，也要擔心是否能有相同負擔的同伴同行。有些還要面對未信主的父母親嚴厲反對。求主賜恩典信心給所有正在思考回應神呼召的年青人。