Prayer Request 4/18 - 4/24

Tuesday
China’s first national law against domestic violence was implemented in March, 2016. The law marked a significant advance of the country’s existing laws by legally defining domestic violence and extending legal protection to victims. Chinese churches are seldom able to address the issue of domestic violence. Pastors feel awkward and are inclined to dismiss it ​as unimportant or consider it as something a God-fearing woman would endure. We thank the Lord for laws offering real protection to those who are suffering ​abuse ​at homes.
Wednesday
The new domestic violence laws allow close relatives to file a complaint on behalf of victims who may not be able to do so on their own. This would then allow police or women’s federations to request restraining orders from the local courts. ​We pray for a change in attitude toward abuse taking place in homes, including the attitude of police toward it so that the issue can be discussed and dealt with more openly and new laws enforced so that the lives of victims will improve.​
Thursday
Although the new laws concerning domestic abuse represent significant​ progress in China, the deeply entrenched mindset is summed up in this idiom, "Don't wash your dirty linen in public." Domestic violence is even more prevalent in China's vast rural areas than in the cities. We pray for all who are experiencing violence but are unable to share their suffering with others. May the comfort of our Lord be with them because He is the Healer and the Deliverer of all who are oppressed and call on Him.
Friday
If the new​ domestic abuse laws are to have an impact in China, there must be a serious effort to change the traditional attitude and mindset of male dominance which is still very much alive and strong in the rural culture of China. There are many Christian men and even pastors who have issues of violence toward their family members. We pray for conviction by the Holy Spirit and a renewal of heart for these brothers as well as complete healing for their families. "My beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." James 1:19, 20
Saturday
When a policeman in China receives a call to intervene in domestic violence, it is still not clear to what degree he should intervene or try to solve the problem. ​The effect of the law is greatly diminished if the local police fail to pay attention to such calls. ​We pray for wisdom for church leaders, not only in bringing awareness of spousal abuse to their churches but also an increased involvement in caring and counselling those who have marital problems and physical abuse at home.​
Sunday
Churches in China must reconsider how they will respond to domestic violence. Some Chinese Christians have reported “My parents won’t become Christians because my sister’s husband beats her, and he claims​ that he’s a Christian.”We pray for conviction of​ the​ Holy Spirit on brothers whose temperaments​ are carnal and ​who ​commit sinful deeds because “God hates divorce and violence against ​one's ​wife.” (Mal 2:16) We pray that there will be prompt assistance and therapy for them and their families.
Monday
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon that believing ladies are repeatedly beaten by their unbelieving husbands. Many pastors in China would simply urge the victims to endure with love and patience, not considering their need for protection and refugee. ​It is true that the vast majority of pastors in China have little or no training in marital counseling​. We pray for materials, curriculum, and actual training that would equip pastors so they can at least adequately handle the cases of domestic violence in their churches.


星期二
第一個針對家庭暴力的法例於2016年3月生效，是一大進步，從法律的層面定義家庭暴力侵犯人權，並為受害者提供法律的保障。基督徒對家暴常因難堪而閉口不言，亦有認為是他人隱私小事，更甚者是要求受虐的姐妹仍要一味地「順服」丈夫。感謝神讓新法明文保護家暴受虐者，也求主幫助信徒能夠正視此議題，知道正確處理有關困難。
星期三
經歷家暴的婦女有個共同點，就是她們無法脫離家暴的關係，或是無法透露她們承受的痛苦。新法律允許近親代替無法自行發聲的受害者提告，之後就可以由警方或婦女聯盟向法庭申請禁制令。求主改變中國人對家暴的態度(包括警方在內)，讓大眾關注問題的嚴重性，才有望解決這問題，確實地改善家人的生活。
星期四
雖然在法例上針對家庭暴力的條例已有改進，然而，最難改變的是「家醜不可外揚」的心態。這種隱瞞家庭暴力的態度在農村地區更是根深柢固。我們為那些正經歷暴力，又無法向其他人透露痛苦的人禱告。求主親自臨在，安慰這些遭苦害的人；因為神是不甘心使人受苦痛憂愁，願意施恩拯救，幫助這些人的神。
星期五
中國新家暴法律如要真有影響力，家庭暴力不能視為「家務事」，尤其是中國農村傳統大男人思想得要改變。弟兄們甚至傳道人ㄒ們也有大男人發怒即動手的問題。求聖靈光照指出我們的罪， 醫治那些在家人關係上有難處的家人。也時時彼此提醒“要快快的聽，慢慢的說，慢慢的動怒，因為人的怒氣並不成就神的義。(雅各1：19，20）
星期六
新的家暴法律執法時仍有一定的難度。警局收到家暴報案時，如何判斷施暴的程度？他們要解決問題到什麼程度？如果地方警局未能留意家庭暴力的問題，這個法律的功效就會大幅削弱。求主賜智慧給教會領袖，能提高信徒對家庭暴力的防範意識，並從關懷身邊的人及服侍對象作為開始，及早察覺家庭暴力的存在並有效處理發生後續的輔導。
星期日
基督徒也必須思考自己要對家庭暴力如何反應。教會中也有許多家暴的例子，有信徒說：「我的父母不願意信主，因為我姐姐的丈夫打她，而他是個基督徒。」求主光照這些弟兄的心，認罪悔改。求主引導和幫助家人能分辨施虐者的精神方面是否異常或有暴力傾向等，盡快給予治療。明瞭神的心意：「休妻的事和以強暴待妻的人都是我所恨惡的！」（瑪拉基2：16）
星期一
信主的姐妹被不信主的丈夫毆打的情形並不罕見。許多牧師只會叫受害者用愛和忍耐來回應，完全沒有考慮她們需要獲得即刻的人身保護和庇護所。絕大多數的牧者都沒有婚姻輔導的裝備，求主為教會充足預備這樣的人才、教材和實際的培訓，幫助牧者能對家暴受虐者採取起碼的合宜處置而照管好主的家。