Prayer Request 9/13 - 9/19

Tuesday
The culture of brown-nosing becomes a costly competition during Teacher Appreciation Day, a national holiday in ​China in September, when students of all ages are expected to bring gifts to their teachers. Beside​s the pastor, ​churches have many who teach or lead fellowship group​s or classes. We praise the Lord for all the teachers in churches, asking God for wisdom, humility and more spiritual gifts as they serve the Body of Christ.​
Wednesday
In the past, a floral bouquet or fruit basket would suffice for a teacher's appreciation gift. Now many Chinese teachers expect to be given designer watches, expensive teas, gift cards, or even vacations.​ Churches in China have not been very good in showing appreciation to those who serve, wrongly thinking that “praise from men means loss of praise from God”. It is our prayer that we will not be stingy in showing appreciation to those who serve whether visible or behind the scen​e.​
Thursday
It is said that the value of gifts to teachers has grown fifty times from a decade ago. In Inner Mongolia, some parents said, more assertive teachers welcome debit cards attached to bank accounts that can be replenished throughout the year. ​Serving the Lord​ should never be for money, power or influence. We pray for churches that have lost confidence in or are dissatisfied with their leaders. May the Lord show them how they can correct it and help them to pray earnestly for their church and its leaders.
Friday
The news about corrupt officials who have multiple mistresses in China is no longer a shocker. Sexual immorality and corruption go hand in hand in China's society today and the young people there have very few good role models for their romance and married life. We pray for good solid Bible teaching and a good role model for young believers in the churches in China. May the Lord raise up couples who will minister to young people and help them to desire courtship and marriage that is blessed by the Lord from the very beginning.
Saturday
The military in China is ending the so-called "paid services" which means they are giving up army-operated hospitals and hotels which have been a "cash cow" and provided a huge income.​ Corruption is everywhere in China and is a way of life. We pray for all believers who are striving to live their lives knowing that God is the Master and they want to resist temptation to greed.
Sunday
The latest effort to improve and fight corruption in the military in China was preceded by the recent announcement​ that they are going to cut 300,000 troops. Despite these reform efforts, much resistance and deviation in their implementation can be expected. Church tradition and attitude are probably the hardest to change. We pray the Lord will bring revival and renewal to many churches in China, first by changing the attitude many churches hold so dearly. “we are the one​​ who are spiritual and on fire for Him.”
Monday
In 2017 the Communist Party will hold its next National Congress and it is likely that at that time they will reveal the next line of succession.​This is a difficult time for China as the economy slows and job prospects are poor for the unemployed and those newly graduated. Besides praying for the political leaders, we also pray for those who are replacing retiring pastors or are new to leadership in the church. May the Lord give them vision, a clear sense of the priority of the ministries God has given them, and a spirit of unity in the churches.


星期二
九月的教師節是一個全國性節日，各年齡層的學生照例都會給老師帶來禮物，溜鬚拍馬的文化由此變成了一種代價不菲的競爭。牧者以外，教會還有負責各年齡層或團契教導的事奉者，我們為他們感恩，願神加添他們智慧、謙卑和更多屬靈的恩賜來服事主的身體。
星期三
過去，一束花或一個果籃就足以表達對教師的謝意，如今許多老師期望收到的是出自設計師的名錶、昂貴的茶葉、禮品卡甚至度假遊。中國教會不太會表達對事奉者的感激，信徒也認為「得人的獎賞就失了神自己的獎賞。」願我們常為每一位不論在人前或幕後的服事者感恩，求神也改變我們不吝嗇於讚美他們。
星期四
教師節禮物的行情和價值與十年前相比，已經漲了五十倍。內蒙古一些家長稱，有些老師喜歡收到借記卡，因能從銀行賬戶全年都可以充值。 服事神的人決不應該是為財利、權力或影響力。我們為那些對教會領袖失去信心或不滿意的肢體禱告，求主教導並幫助他們懂得更多為教會領袖們及服侍同工禱告。
星期五
貪官擁有許多情婦已經不算是新聞了。現代的中國社會淫亂和腐敗是相連的，對一般中國年輕人而言，他們根本沒有戀愛和婚姻的好榜樣。我們為中國教會教導者不單能給予年輕信徒聖經教導，也更能活出美好的見證來禱告。求主興起一些夫妻來關心教會中的年輕人，幫助他們從青春年少初期，就能渴慕神所祝福的戀愛和婚姻。
星期六
中國軍隊將在未來三年結束有償服務業務。這意味著，解放軍將放棄軍隊開辦的醫院和酒店等對外服務業務。「腐敗」在中國是一種不足為怪的生活方式，甚至可說是無處不在。我們為信徒時時靠主警醒度日，不陷入貪婪的誘惑來禱告。「所以我們既得了不能震動的國，就當感恩，照神所喜悅的，用虔誠、敬畏的心事奉神。」(來12:28)
星期日
結束有償服務業務是軍隊改革和反腐運動的最新舉措，政府剛宣布將開始裁軍30萬人。「上有政策、下有對策」，許多人都認為這些改革必遭到巨大阻力。許多教會不合宜的傳統和態度不是一下子就能改變的。求主在眾人心裡動工，幫助我們遵行神的旨意而不是人的意思，也改變我們的態度，不再自認「只有我們是屬靈，別人都冷淡」。
星期一
當2017年中國下一屆共産黨人民代表大會時，很可能揭露新一代領導人。經濟的緩慢，下崗及就業機會減少都是政策上的難題。我們除了為在上位掌權的祈求之外，也該為教會新一代領袖禱告，他們或將取代即將退休的一批牧者，或剛接任新的牧養責任。願神賜給他們異象，有屬靈的洞察力，能用和平彼此聯絡，竭力保守聖靈所賜合而為一的心。