Prayer Request 10/11 - 10/17

Tuesday
Since 2004, China’s divorce rate has risen for ten consecutive years. In 2013 more than 3.5 million couples applied for divorce. ​We recognize that this is not only a social problem; it is also a spiritual problem--a spiritual battle within the church for the families of believers. Many pastors do not think that messages on family issues are spiritual enough for their sermons. We pray for more Biblical and practical teaching on marriage in churches.​
Wednesday
There have been various reasons given for an increase in divorce in China--money, property ownership, relationships. Some couples may also ​arrange divorces to avoid paying taxes, arrange household registration (hukou). or accomplish other ends. Pastors in China really do not have the time and training to provide marital counselling. Since divorce is no longer a stigma, many believers simply go ahead without informing their pastor. We pray churches will have better ways and means to minister to those who have marital difficulties.
Thursday
Some Chinese initiate a fake divorce in order to purchase a second home. That is because some cities in China prohibit one couple from owning more than one home. One way around this is for the couple to obtain a legal divorce, but to continue to live together. ​Cohabitation and premarital sex are no longer uncommon in churches in China. To speak against it is not popular and usually means that people are driven away from the church. We pray for wisdom, boldness, and sensitivity for all pastors in China who find it awkward to ​teach Biblical truth.
Friday
Chastity is no longer the only standard of virtue​ by which​ a Chinese woman is measured. Women can be very financially independent and in fact, many ​have ​opted to stay single or simply​ living together without marriage. Many churches have a large number of divorced sisters. Although they are generally accepted, it is not easy for them to be involved in the fellowship. We pray for more​ efforts intentionally ministering to those who are divorced to help them grow spiritually.
Saturday
“We marry for a good life and divorce for a better life” is the mantra for many Chinese couples now. They stress quality of life and marriage, rather than holding onto the traditional ​"​stay-married no matter what​"​ attitude. We pray for believers in China who are struggling with their marriages. May the Lord provide them with competent spiritual mentors who can guide them well.​ We pray, too, for healing for believers whose grown children are considering divorce.
Sunday
The internet has a huge impact on the attitude toward marriage and divorce in China. Liberal sexual attitudes and all kinds of online dating​ tools have paved the way for widespread premarital cohabitation and affairs in the marriage. We must be cognizant of Satan's schemes to destroy the marriages of believers. We pray for more teaching and resources on marriage and the family for both urban and rural churches.
Monday
Some reasons contributing to ​an​ increase of divorces in China are: marital strains of migrant workers, the capricious and unyielding approach of the one-child-only generation towards marital struggles, people waiting longer to get married, and greater convenience and rights protection in divorce cases. The marriages of even young Christian couples​ are at risk. We pray for wisdom, godly advice, and the healing power of God for many mature couples in the churches who serve as mentors and mediators for young couples in their churches.


星期二
中國的離婚率自2004年以來連續10年遞增。2013年，全國共有350餘萬對夫妻辦理離婚手續。離婚不僅是一個社會問題，也是教會內部和信徒家庭屬靈的爭戰。講台上有關合神心意的婚姻及家庭的信息不多。求主給中國教會更多以聖經為根基的婚姻與家庭教導。
星期三
導致離婚率高的原因很多，有一些和夫妻間的關係有關。有一些和金錢及財産有關。舉例來說，他們為了「避稅、辦理戶口等原因」而離婚。受過完整輔導婚姻的傳道人中實在太少了，加上離婚不再是恥辱，許多信徒就直接辦理離婚，也不通知牧師。求主幫中國教會能有更好的方式協助婚姻有困難的家庭。
星期四
有些夫妻假離婚，以便購買第二棟房子。這是因為中國有部分城市禁止一對夫妻擁有一棟以上的房子。避開這種限制的方法之一就是夫妻合法離婚，但是繼續住在一起。同居和婚前性行在中國教事會不再是大驚小怪。但是傳道人要教導合神心意的婚姻是有困難的，多半只會使當事人離開教會。我們為牧者有膽量，恩慈和智慧來輔導他們。
星期五
當今中國社會，貞操不再是人們評價女性純良的唯一標準，女士也能選擇單身或同居，不必依靠男人的經濟支持。許多教會中多有離婚的姐妹，雖然她們能被弟兄姊妹接納，但是在信徒深度的交通及事工的投入，多少還有隔閡。我們為教會能輔導和造就，幫助她們靈命成長。
星期六
「結婚是為了過得很好，而離婚是為了過得更好。」相對於過去比較保守的婚姻觀念，現代人的中國人更加注重生活品質和婚姻幸福感。為眾多在婚姻中掙扎的中國信徒祈求，神為他們預備能給予輔導，提醒的屬靈長輩。我們也為信徒家長，他們的孩子經歷婚姻困難,求神的醫治。
星期日
網路對於中國人的婚姻和離婚的態度有重要的影響。中國人性觀念的『開放』和社交媒體中的『交友工具』，為婚前同居、婚後出軌有高度的關係。撒旦要破壞信徒的婚姻家庭，這是我們必需知道的。求主為中國教會，不單單是城市教會，也在農村教會中，預備更多婚姻及家庭的教導及資源。
星期一
有不少原因導致中國離婚率增加：如異地工作夫妻情感關係的衝擊、獨生一代在婚姻問題中的「任性」與「不肯讓步」、晚婚、離婚手續和權益改進等。教會裡的年輕夫妻關係也大有問題。我們為教會中有成熟的夫妻能輔導年輕的，神賜智慧，屬靈的忠告，經歷的分享，聖靈醫治教會年輕的家庭。