Prayer Request 3/5 - 3/11

Tuesday
As China looks for ways to shore up its domestic economy, the government cracks down on “daigou” (intermediate buyer) and the lowering of import duties to encourage consumers to make purchases at home rather than chasing lower prices abroad. We praise God for the highly-educated and higher-salaried young believers in China, especially among the urban churches in the past two decades. They have certainly injected much vibrancy, excitement and higher expectations into their churches. We pray for them to have a deeper sense of belonging and a willingness to serve.
Wednesday
The average age of luxury shoppers in China is 28, a majority of them have college degrees and are far better educated than their parents. More than 50 percent of luxury customers live in second- and third-tier cities like Tianjin and Dalian, where there are few premium malls. Young Chinese believers have the pressure of car and mortgage payment, plus children’s educational expense. We pray that they will be filled with the love of God and faith in Him, and grow spiritually. May the Lord also provide them older believers in their churches to be role models of love and faith for them.
Thursday
Chinese customers now are responsible for 32 percent of luxury goods worldwide, and it is expected to grow to 40 percent by 2024 and power 75 percent of the growth of the global market. Unsurprisingly, millennials, particularly educated women, will be the driving force. Chinese churches value the authority and hierarchy based on age, which frustrates and even disappoints many young believers. We pray for the correction of our attitude, especially for humility and the desire to seek a closer walk with Jesus for all young believers.
Friday
There is a new phenomenon among churches (including those in the rural area) in China, that is some young seminary graduates are unable to find a place to serve effectively. This is totally different than the shortage of the pastors of the past. We pray that churches will see this sad development, and leaders together find a way to rectify this huge waste, perhaps by allowing young pastors to lead a smaller congregation or creating ministry opportunities. We also pray that young preachers do not lose their first love and passion to serve God.
Saturday
In China, young believers are very busy and they need time alone with God, especially in this digital age where so much information bombards us constantly. These so-called Millenial believers need to have a transformed mindset, not just to seek an escape from the hectic schedule, but to prioritize their church commitment. We pray for God’s mercy in helping the young and new believers to grow in the knowledge of His Word and seriousness in obeying His commandments and seeking to please Him in their lives.
Sunday
It has been suggested that young people from different churches in the same city should gather together and hold some activities, not merely for socializing or match-making, but to give them a sense of community. We ask the Lord to prepare young pastors to shepherd young people, and to raise up more young people who have a better understanding of the Bible. We pray they are willing to influence their peers and even become the little shepherds among them, training them to be bold in sharing the gospel with their peers and even to lead others in fellowship.
Monday
The new generation of believers in China face a very different kind of pressure from the previous believers, these sources of stress are mostly from work pressure, children’s education and the tension with mothers-in-law. We pray for wisdom for church leaders, so they will have deep insight into the lives of young believers, and the determination to make Biblical teaching applicable and relevant to them, such as cohabitation, abortion, social values, homosexuality, online games and so on.


星期二
政府正設法提振國內經濟，打擊代購，並降低進口關稅以鼓勵消費者在國內完成購買，而不是到國外去尋求更低的價格，這些措施很可能收到成效。 過去十多年，一些中國城市教會開始有更多高知識、高薪水的年輕信徒加入。他們帶給教會活潑的生氣，也對教會有不同的期望。我們為年輕一代的信徒感謝神，也為他們有歸屬感，能更多參與服事來禱告。
星期三
中國奢侈品購買者的平均年齡是28歲，多數上過大學，比他們父母受的教育高得多。超過半數的奢侈品消費者居於天津、大連等二、三線城市，這些地方沒有多少供應高端品牌的商場。在教會裡，年輕一代有購房買車的壓力，他們在奉獻的事上還需要更多操練和學習。求主的愛不斷感動人心，隨著靈命的長進，信心也越增加。更願年長的信徒在愛心和信心上能成為年輕信徒的好榜樣。
星期四
現時中國消費者佔全球奢侈品銷售額約32%，到2024年可望增到40%，並在全球市場增長當中佔75%。千禧一代 (尤其受過良好教育的女性) 將成為這一增長的驅動力。中國教會往往講究長幼有序，許多決策由屬靈長輩做決定。年輕信徒常會有挫折感，甚至對教會的帶領感到失望。求主校正年輕信徒的心態，有謙卑受教的心，繼續在靈命上更有追求。
星期五
中國教會現在有個新現象，就是中國城市(包括農村)早已不是羊多牧人少的狀況，而是有大量投閒置散的年輕神學生没有位置開始他們有效的服侍。求主幫助教會看見這個可悲的破口，一同擺上禱告求神開出路，或許讓他們帶領一個小組等，對於教會是一件合適的事。求神讓教會著意幫助年輕傳道人，不失去回應主呼召的火熱。
星期六
在中國，年輕信徒在繁忙的生活裡，非常需要來到上帝面前安靜心靈。在資訊泛濫的數碼媒體世界裡，新世代信徒需以另一種心態來應對生活，不是為了逃避現實而是要反思人生，騰出空間來事奉上帝。求神施恩，幫助教會中年輕的信徒們，在神的話語中多有長進，也真實願意遵守神的誡命，過一種討主喜悅的生活。
星期日
有人建議，教會牧養年青人時應該建立一個系統，「聯同鎮上所有教會的青年人都聚在一起，讓他們相互認識，定期為他們舉行一些社交活動，讓他們組成自己的小圈子。我們將這樣的活動成為牽線。」求主預備年輕的傳道人來牧養青年人，又興起那些對聖經比較有系統認識的青年，願意被主使用，影響同輩甚至成為他們當中的小牧人。
星期一
新世紀一代信徒在生活中面對的工作壓力、兒女教育與婆媳張力等等挑戰，都與上一輩信徒大相徑庭。求主賜教會領袖有智慧切入年輕信徒的實際生層面，講壇的應用也能針對他們的情況給予合乎真理原則的適切指引。例如在關於同居、墮胎、同性戀、網路遊戲等等社會價值判斷的範疇，都能裝備信徒在世俗潮流中立稳腳步，堅守真道。