Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Prayer Request 7/30 - 8/5

Tuesday
The richest internet moguls in China think their employees should work more. Collectively they say that those who can work long hours are called "a huge blessing" and those who have frittered away their days "are no brothers of mine"'. Many young Christians in China live among unbelievers who can be hostile to their faith which is shallow in depth, and they have little time or energy in growing in faith. We pray for the spiritual growth of all young working Christians.
Wednesday
Rank-and-file tech workers in China, discouraged by a weakened job market and downbeat about their odds of joining the digital aristocracy to protest online against what in China is called the “996” culture which means working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. We ask God to give the uncompromising spirit of Daniel to all young believers in China as they face pressures from the society, in school or at work, even as they were forbidden to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and face the ridicule and pressure from their peers and superiors.
Thursday
For years, Chinese tech employees have worked such long hours that they make Silicon Valley’s workaholics seem pampered. Ten years ago, people rarely complained about "996", but now they are resisting the idea of the "996" working schedule. Unfortunately, most young believers still have the same values and life outlook after their conversions. They remain self-centered and deeply influenced by utilitarianism and hedonism. We pray for the transformation of lives and no longer conforming to the world for them.
Friday
Whether a young believer in China is a student or a working professional, his or her life is definitely busy and under stress. The demand to work overtime means weekends are equally busy. Since the demand to work overtime is almost "normal", young people in China practically spend their free time on the Internet or mobile phones. We need to pray for dedication and commitment for them because they have to strive to participate in church regularly and serve as well.
Saturday
Even Chinese state media has called on employers to ease back with demanding employees working overtime. Angst about 72-hour workweeks speaks to a deeper gloom in China’s digital industries. Many young believers in China are immature and have difficulty building a trusting relationship. Young people in the same church often have very different educational and social backgrounds which further impede friendship building. We pray for the relational and spiritual growth of all young believers, that the Lord gives them older and godly friends in their church.
Sunday
In China, many house churches in the cities have fewer than 100 members and do not have full-time pastors. Even the preachers are bi-vocational and unable to cover the needs of members, especially the myriad of problems young believers tend to have. Young believers who come to a city to study or work from another city face great spiritual challenges and temptations. They are most likely lost to follow up because they have no friends in the new city. We pray that more mature believers will see a great need and care for the young believers who are in their church.
Monday
The “996” system symbolized possibility and advantage for Chinese tech entrepreneurs, creating the distinction of hustle that supposedly set China’s companies apart from Silicon Valley’s. While China requires overtime pay, the laws are haphazardly enforced and companies usually insist workers are working voluntarily. Young believers are stumble easily because of the poor conduct or spiritual examples in their church (especially the leaders). The lack of good models confuses them and even makes them feel that church is no different than the world. We pray for God’s mercy and that He will prepare good spiritual role models for them.

星期二
好些中國富有的互聯網大亨認為能做科技業長工時是「一種巨大的福氣」,很多人想做也都沒有機會,也表示:「混日子的人不是我的兄弟!」不少年輕信徒對信仰沒有深入認識,沒時間、精力放在信仰的追求上;他們周圍的不信者對信仰大多表示懷疑或沒有興趣。我們為年輕在職信徒的靈命日益增長禱告,求主幫助他們有正確的工作觀,並在工作中見證神。
星期三
科技業一般員工對不景氣的就業市場灰心喪氣,所以對中國電商老闆所推崇的「無薪加班文化」更「吞不下去」。他們在網路上組織反對「996 」 (早9點到晚9點,每週工作6天) 文化。年輕信徒現今承受多方壓力,不被鼓勵公開傳福音,平時也有可能遭到同學、同事、朋友的冷嘲熱諷,單位裡的升職也會受到壓制。求主賜年輕信徒有像但以理般的堅定心志,能面對社會壓力,無論在學校或是職場都能靠主常存喜樂。
星期四
過去十年科技業的工時也越來越長,理工科人才投入這行業的越來越多。中國996加班原是他們自覺引以為傲的標記。有些年輕人信主後,價值觀與人生觀卻沒有明顯改變,他們還是自我中心,深受世俗主義、享樂主義等影響,即使感受到主的愛,卻少了付代價跟從的決心。求主親自吸引他們,曉得用「金、銀、寶石」來建造靈命的工程,以致將來得著天上永恒的賞賜。
星期五
年輕基督徒無論在學或在職的,往往都處於一個非常忙碌與緊張的狀態之中,加班加點司空見慣,連周末也幾乎沒有休息的時間。他們即使有空餘,也是消耗在網絡與手機上,以此作為放鬆的方式。加班在中國幾乎是「常態」,信徒能穩定出席崇拜已經不易,更談不上參與服事。求主幫助年輕信徒不被「世上的思慮」纏累,並能盡量固定聚會,持續委身於讀經和祈禱的時間,立定心志與耶穌同行以致能從忙碌中抽身。
星期六
面對網路科技業員工批判996的聲浪,官方媒體亦表示:「面對經濟下行壓力,很多企業都面臨生存考驗,企業的焦慮可以理解……但緩解焦慮的方法不是讓員工加班越多越好。」不少年輕信徒在各方面仍然處於成長階段,在缺少伙伴的情況下,往往容易變得非常自我。再加上教會裡的年輕人彼此的學歷、社會地位相差較大,更不易建立屬靈同伴的關係。我們來為年輕人的靈命成長禱告,求神預備合適的屬靈長輩和益友來扶持建造他們。
星期日
不少城市家庭教會的人數在一百人以下,且多是沒有全職牧者帶領。同工基本是帶職事奉,整體服事的力量不夠,對年輕人的牧養也跟不上他們切身的需要。外地來求學或工作的年輕人會面臨更大的挑戰及試探,卻沒有得到及時的關懷與牧養,最容易流失。求主憐憫,也興起教會成熟的肢體來關懷、輔導神家中年輕信徒生活上的挑戰和靈命的成長。
星期一
據說讓中國企業比矽谷企業更加突出的秘訣是「996式」的忙碌。雖然中國的勞動法要求支付員工加班費,但法律只是一種形式,絕大多數勞工都是無償加班,而且科技企業往往堅稱,他們的員工加班是自願的。年輕信徒在信心上容易被絆倒,常因教會裡弟兄姊妹(特別是教會的同工)的屬靈榜樣不夠,讓他們感覺困惑,甚至認為「教會還不如社會」。求主憐憫,讓我們的目光,定晴在主耶穌基督身上,也謹慎我們的言行和心思意念,努力成為別人靈命成長的好伙伴。 

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