Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Prayer Request 3/17 - 3/23

Tuesday
Many in China were very savvy consumers. The viral epidemic had turned them into online buyers, even to buying groceries from the neighborhood markets. Online purchases transcend any restriction of movement. We pray that churches will begin to brainstorm how to provide spiritual feeding and equipping online, in addition to the Sunday preaching.
Wednesday
The viral epidemic caused all the churches to be not able to have normal worship and pastors unable to meet the members. Many churches did the only option possible by conducting services online or using social media. We pray that churches in China will put effort into sharing, communicating with the media. Most importantly, producing quality and solid spiritual content that will nourish their members and benefit other churches too.
Thursday
During the lock-down in China, believers could only contact each other via social media. But, only a few churches could provide teaching online or have the ability or experience of sharing their teaching online. We pray that more pastors will be able to use the internet and social media effectively in their ministry,and there will be a revival among believers because of these useful tools.
Friday
Preaching must be practical and spiritually relevant because many preachers in China give the impression of speaking from an ivory tower. Followers will naturally look for online content if they feel unfed spiritually, especially young believers. We pray that leaders and believers will see how to use all kinds of media, text, voice, and video to get the word of God to believers.
Saturday
During the viral epidemic in China, the only businesses operating profitably have been those able to get orders online and deliver to customers. May the gracious God give church leaders who possess vision and ability to teach, and believers who are mature and willing to serve. Just as Paul said, “ And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Tim 2:2 NIV)
Sunday
Of course, churches are not take-out restaurants or businesses, but we must be innovative (not imitating) in how to lead people to Jesus.We pray for His wisdom for churches in preaching the gospel, leading people to Christ and building up His Body. We must reach out to more people, lest we are marginalized and our light ceases to shine.
Monday
In the past, inviting friends and relatives to church meetings has been the way of evangelism in China. But, the new religious policies and the viral epidemic have shut this door. In China, the only viable and effective way of ministry now is to care in a small group and conduct one-to-one discipleship. We pray that many believers will emerge well-equipped and deeply love the Lord.

星期二
許多中國人雖然已經是網絡消費的老手,但是沒想到一次疫情,連日常到附近商場、超市、菜場採購食物,都換成以網絡代替出行。雖然人身自由受制,幸好網絡卻仍能暢通無阻。求神幫助祂的眾兒女無論在甚麼景況下,都有彼此相愛的心,使眾人能認出我們是祢的門徒。又求主給教會帶領者智慧,除了主日講台证道之外,教會還可以怎樣利用現代網絡科技提供信徒和慕道朋友充足的靈糧和屬靈裝備?
星期三
這次新冠肺炎疫情令教會無法正常聚會,許多牧者甚至不能與信徒相見;也有教會使用社交媒體或進行線上聚會。顯然,網絡聚會成為當下基督徒唯一可行的「聚集」方式。求主幫助教會在資訊、溝通和媒體上下功夫,最重要是內容要紮實;有屬靈份量的內容不但能造就自己教會的信徒,更因資源共享而能幫助各地的肢體在主裡一起同心互勉, 一起成長。
星期四
中國信徒因疫情被迫隔離留在家中,只能使用互聯網與外界聯繫,可惜並沒有多少教會能有能力和經驗即時提供網絡上的屬靈資源。在這次疫災中,也試驗出好些信徒的實際靈命狀況:平日少有靈修和禱告,也沒有獨立追求成長的習慣。求主興起中國教會在運用互聯網等社交媒體, 幫助信徒靈命增長,例如網上牧養、講道、相交,甚至佈道。又提醒信徒切實將神的話行出來,「好比一個聰明人,把房子蓋在磐石上,雨淋、水沖、風吹,撞著那房子,房子總不倒塌,因為根基立在磐石上。」(太7:24-25)
星期五
些得不到飽足的信徒(特別新一代信徒),有人會虛弱無力,有人會在網上尋找其他資源,這都不是教會希望看到的。求主藉著這次人看為的禍患,提醒和光照屬靈領袖和信徒的心,並興起人曉得如何用諸般智慧,或文字或語音或錄音,使神的話能暢通無阻,供應群羊。
星期六
經歷這次疫情,很多企業才發現「線上獲客」能力的本質。由於客人不能進門,而那些仍能持續營業的,正是那些能接受網上訂單,也能做到把貨物送到客戶門前的公司。求主施恩給眾教會,為神家預備更多有遠見的領袖,積極栽培那些善於教導人的主僕 ,又興起靈命成熟,甘心擺上的信徒承擔職事。「你在許多見證人面前聽見我所教訓的,也要交託那忠心能教導別人的人。」(提後2:2)
星期日
教會雖然不是一間餐廳或一門生意,然而如何吸引人來接受福音?我們也可以有智慧參考現今社會上企業有效經營的模式(注意:是參考,不是照搬)。讓我們牢記教會的責任是傳揚福音,領人歸主,建立基督的身體,求主時常提醒我們不要倚靠人的聰明,乃要仰賴祢所賜的智慧,務求接觸更多靈魂,不被社區邊緣化,不做斗底下的燈。
星期一
邀請親朋到教會參加聚會的傳福音方式在中國一直以來都行之有效。然而在新宗教政策和當前的疫情下,這道門被迫關上了。現時,將牧養化整為零,以小組形式互相關懷,和做一對一的門訓,是最有效和最實際的方式。我們祈求主藉著現今這樣的考驗,興起更多有好裝備,堅定愛主的信徒,同心協力為主作工。

1 comment:

Zanmei said...

为什么没有新的代祷事项?