Tuesday, November 04, 2014

Prayer Request 11/4 - 11/10

TuesdaySome of the urban churches in China are very vibrant with weekly Bible studies and leadership training classes. Some even have regular outreach and​ testimony meetings in public areas. We pray for all of the young leaders of churches in China that the Lord will give them vision, courage, and innovative ideas for ministry so they will not only be able to minister to their flocks but will also know how to lead their churches in this new age.
Wednesday
There are urban churches that have a library with the ability to distribute devotional and Bible readings, and church news through cell phones which promotes better fellowship among the members and also reaches out to seekers. Many churches are taking advantage of technology to connect believers. We pray for the increasing use of these tools to improve follow-up of members and help believers to grow spiritually in their Christian lives.
Thursday
People who work in the churche​s in China today are busy even to the extent that many do not find time for a quiet time or even prayer. Not a few pastors resort to "copy and paste online sermons". May the Lord refresh all the busy people who work in churches so they will have time to meditate and apply God's word, not merely for preaching but also to be personally renewed in spirit so by their close walk with the Lord and their steady sustained faith in Him, they are good examples for all believers.
Friday
Some churches in Eastern China face a bottleneck in ministry. Their young people have left for work in the city and since their pastors have their own businesses to care for, they are serving only part time. To make matters worse, many older leaders are reluctant to loosen control of church affairs. ​We pray for a radical change in the status quo, for revival, for the training of a new generation of leaders.​ It will not be easy but we pray for faith for leaders and believers not to be discouraged in their seeking to know God's and help their church to grow.
Saturday
The middle-aged and older leaders in the church in China need to affirm and support their younger counterparts more. Younger leaders need the support and blessing of their church to reach young people which then shows the church beautiful teamwork. We pray that more churches in China will live out this picture of their leadership team working effectively together, raising up more full-time workers, and allowing young people to reach their potential​ with "the young and the old serving together as a team" in an ever diverse congregation.
Sunday
"Going Countryside" refers to the custom colleges have of sending students to rural regions to provide assistance in culture, science, technology, and health each summer. It is a way to allow students to apply what they have studied and to expose and familiarize them with the rest of the nation. Churches in remote areas are often very poor and in desperate need for teaching about the Bible and the Christian life. We know the need is great and we pray with great faith that the Lord will move people to support these needy remote churches.
Monday
The original intention of "Going Countryside" was to expose college students to the​ remote rural areas of China but in doing this, through these students the schools are also being evaluated and ranked. If a student does any special thing in the field or a TV interview, that would increase the ranking of their college. Churches in Southwest China are poor but they are persistent in serving the Lord faithfully. We pray the Lord will open the doors of the gospel there and supply the needs of the pastors and cause the churches to thrive in this spiritually desolate region.

星期二
中國有些城市教會非常活潑,每週都有小組查經聚會,周間晚上也有領袖訓練,還有定期的戶外佈道和見證分享。我們為中國所有教會新一代的青年領袖們禱告,求主賜他們服侍的創意、眼光和魄力,不僅能勝任關照羊群的責任,更能為教會的牧養和教導工作帶來適切時代發展的模式及方向。
星期三
有些城市教會有自己的圖書館,並透過手機網絡向信徒發放靈修、讀經材料和教會事工資訊,這不僅有助信徒之間的連結,還方便他們向慕道朋友轉發福音資訊。感謝主賜福城市教會能利用發達的科技聯繫信徒,求主藉這些工具增進弟兄姐妹主內的情誼,相互扶持,也幫助肢體們的靈命成長,活出基督的樣式。
星期四
同工事奉繁忙,有時甚至沒有時間好好靜下心來靈修和禱告。不少傳道人講道前沒有足夠的預備,就只將網絡上的講章拚湊一番, 應付過去。求主憐憫那些忙碌的內地牧者,靈裡得著更新,有更多時間學習與默想神的話語和實踐聖經真理,可以緊緊與主同行,在主裡信心堅固,繼續在事奉道路上走得更遠,成為信徒的好榜樣。
星期五
華東地區不少教會所面對的『瓶頸』是年輕人離鄉去打工,還有教會主要負責人都是帶職事奉,時間不夠用,以及教會老一輩領袖無法走出根深蒂固的寡頭家長制服侍觀念。我們為這些教會能突破固有現狀,興起和培訓新一代接班人禱告。求主幫助教會除去改變的阻力,不論領袖或是信徒都能憑著信心,願意朝向更合神心意的發展方向邁步前進。
星期六
教會的中年和年長同工對年輕同工若能有更多肯定和支援,年輕同工也帶著信心和祝福去服事,是何等美好的事!求主提醒我們注重教牧團隊的互相配搭,培育全職同工,發掘有潛質的年輕人,做到「新老搭配,發揮果效」,使教會能服事社會上更多不同階層及年齡群的人。
星期日
大學生「三下鄉」是指各高校在暑期開展的送「文化、科技、衛生」下鄉的社會實踐活動。「三下鄉」作為大學生社會實踐的一種形式,原意是讓學生長見識、增閱歷、知國情。邊遠地區的教會除了物資短缺外,靈命栽培和聖經教導的事工也非常貧乏。我們憑信心相信神必會興起更多願意追隨祂的人,以不同形式支援邊遠教會的發展。
星期一
「三下鄉」的本意是給大學生體驗邊遠地區或是農村的生活, 如果學生在下鄉期間有 一些特殊成果、被電視、電台訪問了,所就讀的學校也在考核排名時,得以加分,而新聞報導正是加分的重頭。中國西南地區的教會經濟條件差,但仍持守使命、堅守崗位、忠心事主,我們為這些教會感恩!求主繼續打開福音的門,供應同工的需要。使神的家能在荒涼的地區興旺!

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