Prayer Request 9/22 - 9/28

TuesdayThere are many pastors who are thirty years old in the churches in China and most of them are better trained theologically than their older counterparts. Although, young pastors have the Bible training and basic teaching skills, we need to pray for improvement and maturing of their leadership skill, and ability to work with people of different ages and walks.
Wednesday
Young pastors in China also face challenges later on in life when their become husbands/wives/parents because the churches demand so much of their time, it will be difficult to know how to balance both areas of life.May the Lord also prepare mentors for them, to help them grow spiritually and personally, nurturing them to be a new generation of church leaders。
Thursday
Widespread infiltration of cults and sects into the church in China has caused many believers to leave the churches. Cults and sects remain active despite official clampdown on them. The biggest is Eastern Lightning (aka Church of Almighty God) which often targets leaders. May the Lord have mercy on those believers who have fallen victim to the cults and help them to see through the deceit, bondage, and control in them. We pray the truth of Jesus Christ will set them free and give them true salvation in mind and soul.
Friday
In the rural regions of China, many pastors and believers are ignorant of or lack teaching in basic Biblical truths so they are easily swayed by the false doctrines spread by the cults. There is a dearth of spiritual resources so believers usually cannot tell what truth is. May the Lord bless believers with wisdom to help them identify the false teachings of the cults which deceive many and not to spread them.
Saturday
China’s aged population will reach 248 million by 2020. An official report states that 14 provinces could not pay the old age pensions owed to their senior citizens in 2011. That number has increased to 19 in 2012. Caring for the elderly in the churches of China is greatly needed and it cannot be shouldered by the pastor alone. We pray for more believers who will serve the elderly people in the churches. May the Lord remember them and richly reward their acts of love.
Sunday
There have been debates over the issue of delaying the mandatory retirement age of 55 in China. However, this would be complicated so now there are suggestions that the time for retirement be flexible and the policy tailored to each different sector. As the policy of respect for the elderly wanes, may the Lord teach young believers who have grown up under the "one-child policy" to support and look after their parents, not only financially but also to be a great Christian witness to them.
Monday
The​ ​people in the new Middle Class like to be fashionable but they do not feel they must wear limited editions of luxury outfits. Instead they feel that a clean and fresh hairstyle, healthy skin, and decent clothing are enough. They are environmentally conscious and involved in doing charitable works. Young professional families usually find that both spouses are busy executives trying to balance work, young children, and church. We pray for their marital relationship, guarding of their hearts from temptation of all kinds, and wisdom in rearing their children.

星期二
現在中國教會中開始有 30歲多歲（80後）的牧者，與上一代的傳道人相比， 他們普遍都有更好的神學訓練。雖然他們有較好的聖經和神學知識及訓練，但在領導才能和靈命的成熟度上，我們更要為他們向神代求守望，求主厚賜做人的智慧和愛心，能帶領、牧養，供應教會中各樣不同人的需要。
星期三
年輕的牧者成家有孩子之後，一定會面臨平衡教會與家庭生活的大挑戰。中國教會普遍要求牧者把教會的需要高過於家庭。願主保守年輕傳道人的成長，為他們預備能幫助他們的導師，給他們好的忠告和提醒，能在個人靈命、品格及健康家庭生活上，繼續成熟成為新一代的教會領袖。
星期四
有許多地方，異端邪教猖獗，甚至滲透佔領教會，造成信徒離開。儘管官方予以壓制，邪教仍然活躍，尤其是“東方閃電”（也叫“全能神”），特別以教會領袖為攻擊的目標。求主憐憫拯救那些落入異端的信徒，帶領他們看穿欺騙，走出邪教的控制，叫他們真正認識耶穌基督的真理，得到身心靈的自由和永恒的救恩。
星期五
許多農村的牧者和信徒由於對聖經真理的基礎缺乏認識，當邪教異端攻擊時，就不知所措。加上許多農村教會沒有什麽屬靈的資源可言，信徒不能分辨真理與異端的區別。求主保守牧者和信徒，能分辨邪教的虛假與欺騙。並求主賜給眾信徒智慧，能分辨真理並拒絕傳遞歪道，免得落入異端的教導，被披著羊皮的狼吞吃。
星期六
官方報告說，到2020年，中國的老年人口將達到2.48億。在2011年，全國有14個省，還缺欠養老金的支付，這數目在2012年，增長到19個省份。教會針對年老信徒的關懷工作，是個龐大的需要，已不是牧者一個人能做好的。我們為所有服侍老人的信徒感恩，神紀念他們的愛心。也求主興起更多能關顧年長者事工的弟兄姐妹，回應主對這些服事的呼召。
星期日
延遲 "強制55歲退休"的議題，在中國引發了極大的爭論。政府需要提供新的政策，准許在不同的行業中，有靈活的退休政策。面對不斷增長的高齡人口，尤其在尊重老人觀念減弱的今天，願主教導年輕信徒，要承擔照顧他們父母的責任，不單單是經濟上的，更是盡到在主裡的孝道，成為好基督徒的生命見證。
星期一
中國新中產階級雖熱愛時尚，但不是限量版的奢侈品包，而是一個乾淨清爽的髮型、健康的膚色以及得體的衣著。 新中產階級也熱愛環保和參與慈善項目。城市教會中的年輕專業人士家庭，一般都是夫妻倆忙碌工作，照顧孩子，還要忙教會。我們為這些年輕信徒夫婦的婚姻禱告，求主保守他們的家庭，不落入各樣的引誘和試探，更有智慧養育敬虔愛主的孩子。