Prayer Request 3/11 - 3/17

TuesdayThe attack in Kunming strains the already tense relations between China's Han and Uighurs. Kunming as the capital of Yunnan is a rare city, where so many ethnic groups reside and intermingle very peacefully. There are many Christian ministries and charitable projects in Yunnan. We pray that this tragic incident will not impede the good works done there and the harmonious relationship built up with the officials.
Wednesday
To the regular Chinese, Xinjiang is a land of sweet melons, colorful mosques and an exotic people fond of impromptu song and dance. But, the prejudice toward Uighurs, the majority residents of Xinjiang is totally different. People in the churches in China talk much about how their mission efforts to the Muslims are superior to those of the Westerners. We pray they will first of all be humble, have a deeper understanding of the Muslims and then add on the compassion of our Lord without any ethnic superiority.
Thursday
In the eyes of the average Chinese, Uighurs or any Muslims from Xinjiang are people who sell nut-and-fig cakes or grilled lamb kabobs on the street. Even children are told that Uighurs all carry knives and make money as pickpockets so they cannot be trusted. Christians claim that the Muslims far away need the Lord but they still have much distrust of and even despise the Muslims on the street. We pray that each of us will deeply reflect our own view of the Muslim minorities in the light of the Lord's compassion within us.
Friday
Decades of propaganda by the Communist Party have failed to soothe the distrust and suspicion that colors the attitudes of many Han Chinese people whose interactions with Uighurs are often limited to fleeting exchanges on the streets of cities in China. We pray for a good relationship between the Han Chinese and all ethnic minorities to improve their living conditions and not merely to assimilate them into the culture. May the Lord raise up Christians who can put themselves in the shoes of the Uighurs and become their advocates.
Saturday
Many Han Chinese people in Xinjiang see themselves as second-class citizens as compared with the Uighurs and feel the governmental policy favors the Uighurs but the Uighurs themselves generally think otherwise. Mosques are everywhere in Xinjiang but churches are very rare and Christian gatherings are greatly restricted. We pray for the Han Christians there that they will be salt and light with the passion to share Jesus Christ with their friends.
Sunday
Although the government emphasizes that Chinese people are not merely the Han people but include many ethnic groups sharing the same cultural heritage, many of the ethnic minority groups who have their own culture, language, religion, and history of independence, such as the Tibetans, Mongolians, and Uighurs do not see themselves as Chinese. We pray for salvation of Muslim students studying in Xinjiang. We also pray for wisdom for the political leaders in Xinjiang to know how to improve the volatile situation there and also open the doors to the gospel and give Christian churches favorable opportunities.
Monday
There are Muslims who bear deep hatred for Han Chinese or the religious extremists, like those who are in the independence movement but they are in the minority. The great majority of Muslims are friendly and hospitable. We pray that out of this tragedy there will be many more who will pray for the Muslims in China and believers who will befriend them, even become experts and advocates for them rather than just wanting ethnic minorities to be assimilated

星期二
昆明慘案考驗維漢民族關係。昆明是雲南這個多民族大省的首府，很少有內地城市像昆明乃至整個雲南般，聚居各民族而相安無事。雲南有許多基督教的事工及慈善項目。我們祈求主憐憫，盼望這次悲劇不會阻擾或影響到當地福音事工，以及多年來與當地政府對基督教較為正面的態度。
星期三
漢人普遍對新疆的了解，一般限於那裡的哈密瓜、色彩斑斕的清真寺，以及滿溢能歌善舞回族人的異域情調；但對維吾爾族人或新疆的其他回族，態度卻又完全不同。當論及回教地區的宣教， 教會總認為中國人比西方人更合適，沒有他們的包袱。我們為中國教會禱告，求主感動我們能先有謙卑的心，滿有主的憐憫，更多認識穆斯林的需要，而不是民族優越感。
星期四
在一般人眼中維吾爾族人或任何從新疆來的回民，就是在街頭販賣花果糕或烤羊肉串。連小孩子都認為維吾爾族人都是隨身帶刀，靠當扒手掙錢，不能信任。基督徒都說穆斯林非常需要神的救恩，但卻常帶著懷疑甚至鄙視的態度，不願和街頭的穆斯林交往。求主光照祂的眾兒女，深刻反省自己對穆斯林的態度，是否有主耶穌的愛。求主興起信徒作委身的禱告者和持續向鄰近穆民作見證。
星期五
官方幾十年的宣傳工作並沒有消除許多漢人對維吾爾族人的不信任和懷疑。他們與維吾爾族人的接觸通常僅限於在中國城市街頭轉瞬即逝的買賣交易。我們為漢族能與其他少數民族有良好互動關係禱告，求主感動信徒能幫助少數民族發揮所長，改善自己的生活環境，而不單是想拉他們融入漢族文化。求主興起基督徒能從少數民族的角度來理解他們對現狀的不滿，成為他們的「好撒馬利亞人」。
星期六
現在許多新疆漢人認為自己在新疆是二等公民，維吾爾人比漢人高人一等，可是維吾爾人卻感到恰恰相反，從而心理感到失衡。清真寺在新疆到處林立，但卻極難找到一間教堂，基督徒聚會也很受逼迫。求神帶領並剛強在回民社區的漢族基督徒，有憐憫心腸，能在生活上做鹽做光，勇敢向朋友傳揚、見證基督。
星期日
雖然政府強調中國就是中華民族，各民族擁有共同的文化，但那些有自己文化、語言、宗教以及有自己的民族獨立歷史，如：西藏、蒙古、維吾爾等民族還不能認同自己是中華民族。求神揀選在新疆學習的少數民族大學生，早日接受福音。我們也求神在新疆相關領導身上作工，加添他們聰明智慧，改進不滿的民情，開放有利於基督教的政策與傳福音的大門。
星期一
除了少數和漢人有深仇大恨的極端分子之外（如「東突厥斯坦」運動者），大多數的穆斯林都很親切及好客。求主藉著昆明暴力事件，興起更多禱告的勇士，願意為回民守望代求，成為少數民族的朋友；為主作和平之子，了解這族群的需要。而不是單單想要改變他們的思想及生活方式。