Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Prayer Request 11/27 - 12/3

Tuesday
China's government has imposed many religious restrictions in the past. The new rulings further these restrictions and are tightly enforced. Several churches in Henan have banned minors (18 years old and under) from attending church and some have canceled youth worship. We believe that God will protect His church and the faith of all the young ones in the church. We pray that God will use parents and others in the church, with new ways to encourage young people to love the Lord and serve as their example in service.
Wednesday
China is especially sensitive about the following groups coming in contact with religions: the Communist Party members, minors and college students. In the past two years, Party members were repeatedly warned against believing in any religion, this is now strictly enforced. For millenniums, Christian faith has continued, not dependent on the efforts of churches but by the teaching and parental modeling. We pray for godly friends for the young believers and children of believers, to seek holiness together and to encourage one another in loving the Lord.
Thursday
In the past few years, house churches have debated whether to register with the government and become a legal meeting point (not a legitimate church). Now, registered churches are required to comply with the new and stricter religious regulations. Many if not most of the house churches worship in a rented apartment. The new regulations impose a heavy fine on the landlords, which will likely force them to cancel the leases and evict the churches. We pray for faith and courage for all churches in this predicament, so they will find ways to adapt.
Friday
In banning the minors from entering churches, China’s government is equating churches with places of prostitution because it stipulates that no minors can enter a place of worship or participate in any form of religious activity. China’s law forbids converting anyone under the age of 18, but the new religious regulations go further and ban minors from entering churches. May the Lord have mercy on churches in China, through these seeming setbacks, finding ways to witness even in difficult political circumstances.
Saturday
As the new religious regulations are implemented, it, in reality, gives the local official control over the approved religious organizations. Pastors were arrested for violating just one of the many regulations. Since 2018, some churches were closed because mothers carried babies into the church worship service. The mood of Christians in China can change because the official religious policy can change overnight. The Lord reminds us all that we should never boast in the numbers of church attendance and the beautiful structure, but rather trust Him only with greater faith.
Sunday
Christianity has expanded rapidly in China, but the growth is uneven in some ways. Zhejiang, Henan, Jiangsu, Anhui, Fujian are the so-called Christian provinces where there are many believers. Therefore, local officials in charge of religious affairs there are under some pressure to enforce the new religious regulations. We pray for all churches in these five provinces, asking God to open a way for them and that they will have joy even in persecution. Through these difficulties, comes new opportunity and even greater fervor to be His witness.
Monday
The Chinese authorities have tightened Internet control, restricted especially online selling of Bible. Of the sacred text of China's five major religions, only the Bible cannot be sold in public which reflects the long-standing opposition to limiting Christianity. The Bible asks us to pray for those in power. We know our God is on the throne and in control of the hearts and minds of all authorities. God will cleanse His church, reveal His purpose and magnify Himself in what we do for Him.


星期二
中國今年二月起施行的新宗教政策其實並非全新的,許多限制一直存在,差別在於現時更嚴格執行。河南省有好幾家教會已禁止十八歲以下者進入禮拜堂,青少年崇拜亦已停止。許多教會的青少年事工都因新宗教政策受影響。我們深信神能保守教會和第二代的信心,我們切切仰望主,使用父母和教會的長輩,靠主用諸般智慧和身教,繼續鼓勵青少年愛主,也成為他們事奉神的榜樣。
星期三
新宗教政策下,有幾類群體是政府加強控制和不希望其接觸宗教,這包括共產黨員、未成年人士及大學生。近兩年尤其強調共產黨員不能信教,雖然過去就有限制,但這幾年管控較嚴格。幾千年來,信仰的傳承並不是靠教會,而是信徒靠著基督,用言傳與身教來使神的道傳開。求主為年輕一代預備相同信仰的良友,一起追求聖潔,彼此勉勵成長及愛主。
星期四
中國家庭教會過去幾年曾為是否向政府登記為合法的聚會點而糾結(不算是合法的教會)。現在,已登記的教會也一定要遵守嚴格的行政法規。許多家庭教會的聚會場地是租借的。在新政策下,房東會因租借場地給教會而面對重大罰款,迫使他們停止租借。我們為沒有註冊的家庭教會禱告,求主加添他們信心和膽量,能找到應變的方法,繼續聚集敬拜主。
星期五
令人遺憾的新規定是將宗教等同於色情製品,並規定任何未成年人士都不得進入禮拜場所或參加任何形式的宗教活動。中國的法律一直不許可向十八歲以下人士傳教,而新宗教政策再進一收緊 ,禁止十八歲以下人士進入宗教場所。求主額外施恩給中國教會,在這艱難時刻,禱告先於行動,切切仰望主,剛強壯胆,在困境中繼續為主發光。
星期六
新的宗教法規,使官方許可的宗教團體受當地官員的支配。如果違背其中一條法則,神職人員也被抓捕。2018年宗教法執行後,有些教會只是因為母親抱著嬰兒參加禮拜而被關閉。中國的宗教政策,往往一夜間就有變動,信徒的心境也大受影響。求主再次提醒我們,不能以教會人數,建築物的宏偉來誇口,而是專一依靠神,仰望主自己。
星期日
雖然中國基督教發展快,卻也有不均現象,如浙江、河南、江蘇、安徽、福建等可算是基督教大省,信徒人數較多,因此當地政府宗教局幹部也有些壓力,要想一些方法做治理。我們為這些基督教大省的教會祈求,求主為他們開路,落在百般試煉中,都以為大喜樂;也能因著這些難處,叫信徒靈命扎根更深,珍惜光陰更火熱為主作見證。
星期一
中國當局正加強網路控制,限制網上售賣聖經。中國五大宗教經典中,只有基督教的聖經不能在書店公開販賣,這反映當局更想限制基督教的發展。求主提醒神的眾兒女,要為一切在位執政者禱告,使我們可以敬虔、端正、平安無事地度日。「王的心在耶和華手中,好像隴溝的水隨意流轉。」我們深信神在寶座上掌權,君王的心思也在祂手中。祂必潔淨教會,彰顯祂的作為,興旺祂喜悅的人為祂所作的善工。

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