Prayer Request 12/26 - 1/1

Tuesday
Outside of China, it is common to hear the incorrect notion that government is bent on persecuting churches. Another misconception is that open and house churches are archenemies. The unpredictability of official policy toward churches is a sure thing in China. We pray for wisdom and grace for all the unregistered urban churches. We pray for their ministries to grow unhindered.
Wednesday
During the time of the destruction of crosses in Wenzhou, no churches were shut down. This was a government warning to churches not to gloat with giant crosses on top of their big church buildings. We pray that churches will not show off their buildings and wealth. We pray for good works be the salt and light of their community.
Thursday
In the past, there was the notion that house churches and government churches were enemies. Today, more dialogues and interactions between these two are taking place. We pray for growth and effective ministries for all churches in China, government and house churches alike. We praise God for their vibrant growth and ask the Lord for His continuing favor to increase their numbers.
Friday
Currently, politics are not the major problem facing urban churches. The most urgent question for these churches is whether they should be on their own as an independent church or to join other churches as a federation. Many churches in China have started to emphasize and distinguish their own theology. To this extent, other churches are considered Biblically wrong. May the Lord give us all His humility, heart and mind of unity in Christ.
Saturday
The Chinese government tolerates the large churches in big cities that claim hundreds of believers. They worship publically but are not registered with the government, thus they are illegal churches. We give thanks for these large churches in China. We pray that their love for the Lord will increase, maturing governing structure, and active community involvement will be the model for all churches.
Sunday
It is actually a huge task for the government to monitor, control, and close down urban churches in China, especially given their rapid growth. The Chinese government is very specific with that churches about not having financial ties to foreign entities. We pray for the protection and fruitfulness of works carried out by all foreign churches and mission agencies.
Monday
“Left behind” children is a social issue that is impossible to solve. First, rural parents need to go to cities to find work out of necessity. Then, the cost of education and living is so expensive in the cities and force the parents to leave their children behind. We pray for parents who are believers ​but are emotionally distant or even have very little communication with their children. May the Lord heal their brokenness in the relationship so they can once again fulfill their God-given role and duty.

星期二
在海外的地方，經常聽到政府強力迫害教會的說法，甚至也會聽到說教會是反政府，政府就來打壓他們了。另一個不少人認為的看法是，三自教會和地下教會完全格格不入，但這跟事實是有些不同。目前中國政府的宗教政策似乎很難預測。求主賜恩給未登記的教會，能有智慧地繼續發展神國事工。
星期三
在溫州的拆十字架事件中，政府的目的是對規模過大的教會施以小懲大戒，因為它們的發展得太大了，這些教堂頂上的巨型十字架對官方而言有點似在炫耀揚威。求主赦免過去有些教會炫耀自己建築物和財力的罪惡，並再次提醒我們，神看重工人過於工作，甚願神的兒女有好見證，成為社區的鹽和光。
星期四
過去有個觀點是，家庭教會和三自教會（受政府管控的、官方的)，兩者對立，水火不容。現在這兩者的對話、聯繫與互動比以往要好得多。我們為城市教會、三自和家庭教會禱告，求主使眾教會都有更多發展空間，事工更有果效。我們也為城市教會的興起感恩，求主繼續添加他們的人數及火熱愛主的心，繼續追求靈命成長。
星期五
當今城市里裡的家庭教會所面臨的主要問題並不是政治，而是教會想要自成一派，或是結盟。這是牧師們會最關心的問題，而不是擔心政治干預。近來不少教會開始標榜自己的神學，甚至認為其他教會的觀點是錯誤。求主將那賜人智慧和啟示的靈賞賜給我們，使我們真知道祂，並教導我們有顆謙卑受教並在主裡合一的心。
星期六
雖然有些教會規模巨大，數以百計信徒，也沒有註冊，實際是游走在法律邊緣的，然而政府仍會選擇容忍這類城市中的大型教會。我們特別為這些大型教會感恩，願他們有智慧繼續把握機會傳揚福音。又求主幫助他們在愛主的火熱心志，和相對成熟的教會行政體制，以及社區的參與等方面，都成為眾教會的榜樣。
星期日
因為目前城市教會在各地數量激增，故對中國政府而言，把所有教會都納入政府管控，或把它們全部關閉，都是一項巨大的工程。政府特別在意教會與國外有金錢方面的關係。我們為海外教會和宣教機構在中國的各項事工得蒙保守代禱，願主祝福多結果實。
星期一
中國目前的“留守兒童”是非常難以解決的社會問題。因為首先絕大多數父母在本地沒有發展的機會，都是迫於無奈必須外出打工，藉以改善生活 。接著是，城市裡生活成本太高，特別是教育和住房對外來人口的限制，使得父母無法把孩子帶出去。 我們要為信徒父母禱告，許多人跟子女的關係不親密、疏遠、甚至沒有聯絡。求主賜下親子關係的醫治，使家庭能回復至神所設定的角色與責任。