Prayer Request 10/10 - 10/16

Tuesday
Although Western China has seen a lot of development in recent years, college students still choose to remain in the big cities in the East after graduation. This is a major reason why churches in Western China find it difficult to establish a stable group of younger believers and a team of coworkers. It is natural to seek a job in good places. We pray for raising up of church workers who will follow His calling and be willing to stay in places not necessarily the most developed and may the Lord richly bless their dedication and their families!
Wednesday
In recent years, Beijing has sponsored the ambitious economic program to "Develop Western China". At the same time, we hope that churches will see the great potential for them in the West of China as well as the great spiritual need of the region. We pray that churches in Eastern China will see the West as a great field ready for harvest and be willing to support their less fortunate counterparts there with short term mission teams and financial assistance.
Thursday
Ningxia, a province in north-central China has nearly 3,000 mosques, but only a handful of Christian churches. In the capital Yinchuan, there is only one Bible study fellowship among all the colleges there. There is definitely a great need for the gospel there. We pray that churches in China will not only see the spiritual need of Han Chinese in western China, but also the seemingly more difficult task of sharing the Gospel with the Hui people there.
Friday
China’s leader called for all Communist Party members to fight the infiltration of foreign influence through religious means. This is obviously in reference to Muslims in Xinjiang but also includes all Christian churches, especially the unregistered house churches. May the Lord have mercy on His churches and give both mainland overseas church workers wisdom to cope with any ever-tightening rules and continue the good work. We pray for churches that are debating whether to register with the government or remain "illegal".
Saturday
China's leaders have called for its members not to be involved in religion. Members of the Communist Party must be truly Marxist and atheists. This worries many because they think it is a sign that the government will further tighten its grip on religious activities. We pray for people who are members of the Party but are afraid to profess their faith in Jesus for fear of being disciplined or losing their benefits or retirement allowance. May the Lord strengthen their faith and increase their love for Him.
Sunday
In China, authorities have tightened regulations in several provinces concerning the safety of children left behind while their parents go to work in the cities. Tens of thousands of children are left in rural villages and are abandoned, abused, or uncared for by their guardians. May the Lord protect and grant safety to the millions of "left-behind" children, move the local churches to look after their spiritual needs, and help them experience the warmth of Christian love offered by the church people.
Monday
In China, many children of believers attend Sunday School when they are small, but drop out after a few years. This is why teachers of Children's Sunday school have an important role and task in exposing and guiding the children to learn the Biblical truth. May the Lord raise up more dedicated teachers, provide them with solid training so they can have a deeper understanding of Christian educational concepts, and be able to make good use of the teaching materials in grooming future leaders.


星期二
近年中國西部地區雖然也發展了許多，但很多教會裡的大學生在畢業後仍然選擇去沿海一線城市，這是造成西部的教會成員不穩定，同工團隊亦較難建立最主要的原因。一般人期望在條件較好的地區工作是人之常情，我們求主興起合祂心意的工人，帶著異象在條件較差的地區服事，讓神使用。願神加倍祝福他們的服事，也祝福他們的家人。
星期三
近年政府推動經濟「西部大開發」的同時，中國教會也當看到未來西部教會發展所帶來的巨大潛力和能力，眾信徒也需要投入一場屬靈方面的「西部大開發」。我們為東部的教會能看見西部正待收割的禾場的巨大需要禱告，求主感動教會關心西部困難的教會，在短宣和經濟上實際地支援幫助他們。
星期四
寧夏共有三千間清真寺，但基督教會卻屈指可數，很多乾渴的靈魂沒有途徑聽到福音。大學裡的基督徒團契更是稀有，根本不足以牧養和滿足當地數萬名大學生的屬靈需要。求主讓弟兄姊妹不僅看到西部漢人教會的需要，更留心如何有智慧地把握機會向當地回民傳福音，也為這群未得之民的靈魂得救，多多擺上禱告。
星期五
國家呼籲黨員要抵抗海外勢力透過宗教方法滲透到中國。當然，政府擔心的是在新疆的回教徒，不過同時也涵蓋所有的教會。在宗教法頒布之後，中國的非官方教會將受到更多的壓力。願神憐憫祂的教會，給予弟兄姊妹有智慧，應付未來的變化，繼續忠心服事。我們也為那些正在討論是否要向政府登記的教會祈求智慧。
星期六
對於部分中共黨員私下信教的問題，習主席指出，黨員必須嚴守馬克思主義，也必須是堅定的無神論者。許多人擔心政府的宗教政策越變嚴厲。我們為有心相信主耶穌的黨員禱告，他們擔心失去黨員身份，包括福利和退休金等好處。求主加添他們信心，又親自用祢的愛來吸引他們，讓他們在主裡得到真平安與喜樂。
星期日
中國當局加緊了留守兒童的安全規範。在幾個省份裡有上萬名留守兒童在農村沒有監護人，遭受家庭暴力，甚至被遺棄。 願神保護這些留守兒童們的安全，並感動當地的教會能有效介入，關心他們屬靈的需要，幫助他們在基督裡能體驗主的愛與溫暖。
星期一
許多信徒的孩子在小時候還上教會，長大一些就停止了。所以，兒童主日學教師在指導孩子學習基督真理方面，發揮著關鍵性的作用。願上帝興起更多愛主的工人，為主日學老師提供有系統和綜合的訓練，使他們在信仰有紮實的根基之餘，並能更多了解基督教的教育概念，善用教材來教導兒童，為將來新一代的教會領袖奠定穩固根基。