Prayer Request 8/15 - 8/21

Tuesday
Churches in China are profoundly affected by the rapid economic development there which is seen most obviously in the compensation which pastors receive. The great liberal attitude of the society also deeply affects the spiritual life of pastors and believers alike.​ We praise God for the economic prosperity in China and how so many churches are also involved in ​the ​construction and remodeling of their buildings. We pray for revival for the alarming decline in attendance many churches are experiencing.
Wednesday
Church leaders in larger Chinese cities have not been exactly generous in their salary packages for their pastors. There are still plenty of believers who hold​ the view that pastors must be poor in order to have faith in God or be spiritual. We pray that churches will see how wrong it is to treat God’s servants as their slaves, not respecting ​ their calls from God and​ that they are​ forsaking their secular jobs.
Thursday
In the past, pastors in China often served as volunteers in the churches or at least received a very low wage as they started out. Their main concern was how they could serve their churches and be involved in evangelism and caring. ​Let us remember these old or retiring pastors in our prayers that the Lord will provide for their needs in retirement and that they will know God will not forget their faithful service, work of faith, and labor of love years ago.​ ​(I Thess. 1:3)​
Friday
The new generation of pastors in China often inquire first about their salary, insurance, and vacation package, very much like they would in a secular job. Some believers consider these young pastors as unspiritual people and that they are treating​ church ministry as a regular job. ​We pray that churches in China will withstand the onslaught of materialism, that believers will love the Lord and care for their shepherd, loving the pastor and not simply demanding hard work with little wages.​
Saturday
The younger generation of believers in China see nothing wrong with pastors who demand adequate salaries to support their families. Some pastors in China dabble in multi-level marketing to supplement their incomes but those are harshly criticized. ​We pray that churches will value those who are laborers for Christ and not treat them as slaves. We also pray for faith for pastors to trust God to provide and know the Master rewards richly those who serve Him.
Sunday
As the older generation of pastors or seminary teachers retire in China, there are younger faculty members who are only thirty or forth years old​. They have had better training theologically than the other ones but they are lacking in pastoral experience and spiritual depth. ​Older pastors often consider praying before actually doing something while the younger pastors do not. We pray this new generation of pastors will not only have Biblical knowledge but will also practice the presence of God through the power of the Holy Spirit.​
Monday
The new generation of pastors in China who grew up during a time of prosperity held a vastly different view about sacrifice, serving, and commitment than their predecessors did.​ ​We pray that the older pastors will be willing to mentor and guide the younger ones by giving these younger ones opportunity and room to try out their newer ideas.​


星期二
經濟高速發展給中國教會帶來各樣衝擊，傳道人的工資問題最為明顯。日益開放的社會環境對教牧及信徒的屬靈生命也有極大的影響。我們為經濟繁榮感謝神，特別是許多教會能夠重建或改修；然而，我們也看到不少弟兄姊妹明顯對主冷淡了，甚至教會開始荒涼，求神施恩，再次復興。
星期三
有些中國大城市的教會領袖，在處理牧者一些實際生活問題方面上(尤其是經濟記念)，仍然很吝嗇。有些弟兄姊妹還持著上一代對物質的看法，認為傳道人要貧窮才屬靈，才算是憑信依靠神。求主校正教會錯誤觀念，不要以為神僕是因為失業才做傳道，他們乃是放下一切回應神的呼召。
星期四
過去傳道人開始在教會服侍，常常是先成為教會義工，或願意拿很低、甚至不夠糊口的工資。他們甘心擺上，期望神使用自己來關心肢體及這地區的福音需要。我們為老一代的傳道人或是將要退休的禱告，願神為他們預備所需要的養老費用，深知神不虧待他忠心的僕人；我們記念他們因信心所做的工夫，因愛心所受的勞苦 （帖前 1：3）。
星期五
現今新一代同工到教會事奉，先談工資、保險和假期等福利，有些信徒認為這些年輕同工視牧職為世俗工作，與社會上一般工作的面試已無差異，認為他們不屬靈。願神保守中國教會在物質主義衝擊中，仍能站立得穩。信徒愛主，也愛牧者，常常關心神僕的需要，而不是一味地要求傳道人要在經濟上憑信心過活。
星期六
有些新一代信徒認為牧者也有家庭，也應有較好的生活條件。有些牧者做傳銷來幫補家計，也遭受一些批評。求主幫助教會尊重和愛惜在教會裡服侍的同工，不應將他們看為自己的僕人一般。求主賜傳道人有信心，知道應該仰望神的供應，也堅定相信一切的好處不在神以外，而神為人所預備的亦超過我們的所求所想。
星期日
當老一輩傳道人或神學院的老師們陸續退休後，年約三、四十歲年輕一輩的漸多，他們的學識較多、學位較高，但牧會經驗及屬靈生命卻較淺。老一輩傳道人凡事禱告交託，但部分年輕牧者在這方面仍需多加操練。求主賜新一代牧者，除了有知識學問外，更有單純向主，忠心服事的心，學習對付老我，效法主捨己的愛。
星期一
年輕一代的傳道人，是在社會經濟快速發展的時代成長，他們的價值觀， 對受苦、事奉、委身等觀念跟上一代牧者有顯著的不同。我們為新一代傳道人有老一輩牧者的指導禱告。求主幫助老一輩能給予新一代傳道人機會及發揮的空間，讓他們實踐從神所領受的，使神的道薪火相傳。