2011年10月25日星期二

Prayer Request 10/25 - 10/31

Tuesday
In a recent survey of the math, science, and reading test scores of students from various countries, students from Shanghai were at the top in all subjects while students from Hong Kong ranked in the top three. Education experts attribute the high results for Chinese students to a "unique dedication to education of Chinese parents". Chinese parents devote much attention and effort to the education of their child. We pray that Christian parents will realize that God desires to have our children love and serve Him and will likewise devote attention to teaching them spiritual things.

Wednesday
Eighty percent of the high school students in Shanghai are taking extracurricular studies or attend cram schools to prepare for the college entrance examination. Their parents usually closely supervise their nightly homework which averages three to four hours daily. Eighty percent of the high school students in Shanghai go on to college--among the highest in all of China. We pray the Lord will bless the Christian parents who do their best to help their children with their education. May He remind us all that He has a good plan for our children and help us to trust Him for that plan rather than just asking Him to bless them.

Thursday
Shanghai began to provide free education for the children of migrant workers last year, a thing previously unheard of in China. This year in the public schools in that city, students whose parents are not residents of Shanghai outnumber those who are residents. Many parents in rural churches feel their children will never have a good education. Above all, it is our responsibility to teach our children to fear God. May the Lord give us assurance that He will take care of our children and their futures.

Friday
According to an international survey of forty countries, “How's Life?” ranked China last in a report aiming to offer a picture of how people subjectively assess their lives. The survey used indicators ranging from income to jobs, housing, education, environment, health, and security as elements to measure the well-being of people. It is easy for Christians to forget to give thanks for everything they have. In the same vein, it is easy for believers to be critical of their church and the people in it as well. We pray that believers will be truly thankful and learn to accept those who disagree with them in the church.

Saturday
Although China has become the world's second largest economy, it still lags behind developed countries in living standards. The income of people in China is lower than that of people in developed countries but prices are often higher. Take housing as an example, many Chinese people will probably never be able to own their own house. Buying a home for their only child is now the passion and a big goal for parents in China. We pray for those believers who do not own a home. May the Lord help them to know that He has not forgotten them and may they learn to trust God for everything they need.

Sunday
In terms of their "satisfaction with life", people in China have to deal with the worry of safe food. There are many scandals regarding recycled cooking oil, poisonous milk powder, and pork with questionable origins that have rocked the confidence of consumers in the food they buy. This is unheard of in developed countries. It is natural for average Chinese people to be cynical about what they buy and eat. May the Lord grant all of us the peace and faith to know that He is faithful to care for us and that "God's blessing adds no anxiety".

Monday
China's one-child policy is a bit of a misnomer. In most cities couples are allowed only one child but there are exceptions. Couples in which both partners are single children are allowed to have two children. There are also some Christian families who have after much prayer, decided to have more than one child so they have to pay the penalty for it as well as paying for the education of the "extra" child. We lift these families in our prayers as they try to instill Biblical values in their children's lives and determinate to love them as a special gift from the Lord.


星期二
最近發佈的國際性學生評估項目(PISA)測試,在數學、科學和閱讀的測試,上海學生在各個科目中全都名列第一。而香港學生則排名在第三名。教育專家把這樣的成績歸功於「中國父母對教育的全心投入遠高於其他國家的父母」。中國家長們對孩子的教育是如此的投入和關注。讓我們禱告基督徒家長對於神的心意也是如此的投入和關注,知道神盼望我們的孩子能夠一生愛祂、服事祂。

星期三
上海的中學有80%以上的高年級生參加課外輔導班。此外他們每天還在家長的密切監督下做3到4個小時的家庭作業。上海高中畢業生約有80%進入大學就讀,遠高於全國的平均大學升學率。求神讓基督徒父母也能盡最大的努力教育神所賜的兒女。知道神在孩子的生命中已有最好的計劃,相信主會帶領他們走人生道路, 而不只是單單要求神祝福、保佑孩子屬世上的亨通發達。

星期四
從去年開始,上海是中國第一個向所有外來人口的子弟提供免費義務教育的城市。今年公立小學裡的外來人口學生數首次超過了設籍上海的孩子。許多農村教會的家長,覺得子女因為他們沒有好的教育機會而永遠無法出人頭地。 求主賜給農村信徒們願意為主養育敬畏神的後代,相信祂信實的應許,照顧我們的孩子,引領他們一生。

星期五
根據一份全球性權威調查,包括40個國家的人民生活品質報告:中國老百姓對生活的滿意度排名倒數第一。該項調查的衡量標準包括收入、就業、教育,環境,醫療,住房等11項指標。對基督徒而言,忘記「凡事謝恩」是我們常犯的毛病。信徒在教會中也是如此,弟兄姐妹之間,彼此挑剔不合,不能相愛。求主賜給我們一顆感恩的心,學會用數算恩典的心態來感激神與別人的付出,並尊重、接納那些在主裡和我們有不同意見、看法的弟兄姐妹。

星期六
中國目前雖然已經是世界第二大經濟體,但老百姓的生活水平,和己開發國家還有一段差距。中國人收入並不比己開發國家的人民多,但物價卻比他們高;許多人辛苦一輩子,很可能還買不起房子。為子女買房,已經是中國父母天經地義的任務與生命目的。我們特別為那些買不起房子的信徒禱告,願神賜給他們信心,學會信靠神,體驗神並不放棄或忽略他們,神必供應我們一切所需。

星期日
論及所謂的生活品質滿意度,中國許多的老百姓曾經吃到而且可能還正在吃著地溝油、毒奶粉、問題豬肉,這樣的現象在己開發國家是不會有的, 而他們的人民也完全不需要擔心有這樣的事發生。中國老百姓對所買的食物沒有信心是能了解的。求主賜給信徒們屬天的平安,也有信心, 相信神的照顧是美善的,是不改變的,如同箴言十章22所說, 我們有信心「耶和華神所賜的福,使人富足,並不加上憂慮。」

星期一
中國的一胎化政策其實有例外情況,雖然在大多數城市裡,夫婦一般只允許生一個孩子,但是如夫妻雙方均是獨生,他們則有機會獲准生兩個孩子。有些基督徒家庭,經過禱告後,決定生第二個孩子,他們清楚知道有罰款,也要為孩子的教育費用張羅。我們為這些「超生」的家庭禱告,求主堅固他們的信心,認定孩子是神所賜的產業,並為主教養敬虔的後裔。

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