Prayer Request 10/18 - 10/24

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多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當中的屬靈爭戰。講台上有關合神心意的婚姻及家庭的信息不多，也有牧者感覺此生活議題好像不夠屬靈。求主給中國教會更多著力於以聖經為根基的實踐性婚姻與家庭教導。
星期三
導致中國離婚率高的原因很多，有些和夫妻間相處的關係有關。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。國内受過完整輔導婚姻的傳道人中實在太少了，加上社會觀念上離婚不再是恥辱，以至於許多信徒就直接辦理離婚，也不通知牧師。求主幫助中國教會能有更好而有效的方式，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。避開這種法規限制的方法之一，就是夫妻合法離婚，但仍繼續住在一起。同居和婚前性行為在中國教會已不再是大驚小怪的事了；而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。我們為所有牧者們有膽量，恩慈和智慧以聖經的真理來輔導會眾在婚姻聖潔上蒙神保守、賜福禱告。
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方面，多少還有隔閡。我們為教會能更有策略地輔導和造就，幫助她們靈命成長來禱告。
星期六
「結婚是為了過得很好，而離婚是為了過得更好。」這是當今許多中國夫妻們的信念。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。我們要為眾多在婚姻中掙扎的弟兄姊妹代求，求神為他們預備能給予輔導，提醒的屬靈長輩。更為這些正在經歷父母離異的孩子禱告，求神保守與醫治。
星期日
網路對於中國人的婚姻和離婚的態度有著重要的影響。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、婚後出軌有高度的相關。我們必需知道撒旦正無所不用其極的要破壞信徒的婚姻和家庭。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
導致中國離婚率增加有不少原因：如異地工作對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、便利的離婚手續和權益的改進等。教會裡既使是年輕夫妻，在關係互動上也有很多問題。我們為教會中有成熟的夫妻能以神賜的智慧，屬靈的忠告，經歷的分享來輔導年輕夫婦，更求聖靈保守並大能醫治教會年輕、有各種需要的家庭。