Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Prayer Request 4/23 - 4/29


Tuesday
A powerful earthquake jolted China's Sichuan province near the same area where a devastating quake struck five years ago. Casualty toll could climb. This is also the home to China's famous pandas. Let us pray for rescue efforts not only for the residents but also for the tourists in the affected area. Chinese Christians responded to the disaster relief last time and became a powerful testimony of the love of Jesus to the nation. We pray that churches will do the same again.
Wednesday
Years ago, the whole of China applauded 9/11 as a punishment to the United States. After the Boston bombing, far from inflaming the deep antipathy that many Chinese feel for U.S. foreign policy, there was a widespread outpouring of empathy instead. Chinese believers share the tendency of judging others very quickly and relentlessly. Let us pray the Lord will convict us all of our pride and self-righteousness, and fill us with humility and thanksgiving for His mercy and grace.
Thursday
In the past, Chinese people who studied abroad and then returned to China were regarded as very lucky. They were called "the returnees" and were guaranteed the best jobs with bright prospects of getting rich. We praise God because many of them came to know Jesus while they were abroad. It is estimated that ten percent of these "returnees" became Christians. We want to pray that they will continue to walk with Jesus and also for the many churches they have started.
Friday
Times have changed and now many Chinese students who have studied abroad go home with no prospect of a job at all. They are euphemistically called "the seaweeds"--washed ashore on the beach and useless. Let us pray for those who have returned to China but are unable to find a good job, especially those who have accepted Christ while they were abroad. May they always trust the Lord and find strength and comfort from above.
Saturday
Returnees with their foreign education are not so well accepted now in China as they used to be since those who have graduated in their motherland have a better grasp of English than before and they command smaller salaries. The returnees are known for their cantankerous attitudes and they do not fit well in the Chinese corporate culture. Let us pray specifically for those Christian graduates who have returned to China and are seeking for jobs. We know they have an adjustment to make and we pray for their spiritual adjustment, too, that they will find a church where they can fit in and have fellowship in Christ.
Sunday
Employers in China are not very warm to new returning graduates. Bosses in China want obedient employees who do not challenge their ideas and do not demand high salaries. We want to pray for powerful testimonies and cultural sensitivity for the Christians who reach out to share Jesus with students from China. May the love of Christ shine through their lives and draw their Chinese friends to the Lord.
Monday
Scholars have observed that as China's standard of living improves but the disparity between the rich and the poor widens, people are more open to religion and there is a greater demand for satisfaction of spiritual needs. We know affluence tends to make lukewarm Christians and we have observed the decline in church attendance that comes with it. We pray for revival of all of the churches in China--those that have a burden for others who are marginalized by society and the impoverished rural churches.

星期二
四川雅安7級地震,各界雖然奮力的搶救中,傷亡人數仍然持續上升中。五年前四川大地震也在附近,這裡是所謂大熊貓的家鄉。我們一起為災區搶救禱告:求主憐憫保守仍陷險境的居民和遊客。上一幾次大型災難發生時,許多基督徒參與救災和重建,我們為中國教會繼續能有同樣為主做美好的見證代禱。
星期三
幾十年前,美國遭911恐怖襲擊之後,整個中國叫好。這次波士頓爆炸事件,中國的反應卻是廣泛的同情,而不是以往對美國外交政策的反感。有些信徒對別人的境遇往往會幸災樂禍,甚至即刻毫不留情地批判他人,求主赦免我們的自義及不知自省,教導我們多有謙卑和感恩的心。又提醒我們敏銳於聖靈的感動,對不幸的人知道有關懷、代禱的責任。因我們得享平安,免於試探,不遭凶險,並不是我們真比人強,乃是出於耶和華諸般的慈愛、憐憫和保守。
星期四
有一段時間,在海外接受過較高等教育的中國留學生被視為他們那一代中最幸運的一群,統稱為海歸派。他們在畢業返國後,幾乎可以保證有最好的事業發展,成為富人。感謝神,許多在海外留學的人有機會聽聞福音。據估計,來自中國的學生當中約有10%在海外求學時歸主,求主保守海歸派基督徒的信心和靈命能持續成長,日日與主同行,也祝福他們所成立及參與的教會興旺。
星期五
隨著中國經濟發展階段的演進,相較於早期海歸派返國後的風光機遇,現今許多留學生返國後很難找到好工作,他們被謔稱為「海草派」──即被浪潮沖上海灘,無所用途的海草。我們為從海外返國、但目前尚未找到合適工作的留學生禱告,求主讓他們轉向祂,堅定信心,在祂裡面獲得力量、安慰和鼓勵。
星期六
海歸成為海草的原因包括中國本地畢業生的外語能力已普遍提升、海外歸國學人自我預期的薪資較高,還有他們比較「愛吵架」的態度,都與中國企業文化不相符。求主幫助返回中國的基督徒畢業生,他們在海外居住數年之後,往往要重新面對本國的文化調適問題,求主保守他們能夠儘快找到合適的教會,繼續參與聚會也有團契生活。
星期日
中國雇主們對現今返國的海歸不太歡迎,主要原因是,國內雇主需要的是肯聽話,絕對服從又不要求高薪的員工。而海外回國者較不符合雇主的要求。我們要為所有有心向海外中國人傳福音的教會與肢體禱告。求主賜他們剛強勇氣當福音的大使,用美好生命為主作見証,讓主的愛能透過他們湧流到中國朋友的生命中。同時也有更高的文化敏銳度,幫助中國學人尊重並兼容中西文化的優點,懂得考量國情,順勢變通。
星期一
社會學者認為:當前中國社會貧富分化日益嚴重等社會問題,使民眾的精神壓力日益增大,人們更加需要宗教的慰藉,對精神生活的要求也隨之提高。生活富裕反而使信徒冷淡,聚會人數也普遍減少。我們為此禱告,求主興旺全中國各地區的教會,能回應神興起祂的兒女處在這世代的大使命。提醒眾弟兄姐妹對於社會邊緣人更有負擔,尤其不要忘記扶持貧困的農村教會,也是神對我們的託負。

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