2012年5月22日星期二

Prayer Request 5/22 - 5/28

Tuesday
Since the economic reform in the 1970's, Christianity has undergone a huge change. Practically speaking, the tension of the past between officials and churches has diminished except for that in smaller cities. We praise the heavenly Father for the rapid numerical growth in believers in both the Three-Self and house churches. We pray that more believers will rise up to get involved in the churches, especially in the areas of visitation and caring for others which is greatly needed since there is a short supply of full-time church workers. May the Lord bless each one who serves Him without titles or recognition.

Wednesday
Recently the government in China has promoted the policy of the "harmonious society" which translates into a bit more liberal and relaxed atmosphere between the government and Christianity, Islam, Tibetan Buddhism, and Catholic churches. We do need to give thanks that believers can worship without interference despite reports that certain churches still have "conflicts" with local authorities. We pray for wisdom and patience from God for churches as they deal with their local officials. It is our prayer that believers will have their prayers answered and will give the glory to God.

Thursday
The official Three-Self churches have seen a huge growth in their membership and it seems that the house churches are no longer a threat to them. In fact, both groups have grown in numbers as the tension between them has lessened. There are many believers who attend worship in the Three-Self churches but participate in fellowship in house churches. Let us pray for solid teaching and discipleship training in both the open and house churches. May the Great Shepherd feed His sheep not only on Sundays but also in their daily walk with Him.

Friday
There is a large community of Wenzhou people in Rome where they are active in missionary work and they also often return to China to train lay leaders. The people in Wenzhou are entrepreneurial by nature and band together so when they set up their businesses one can expect to find a group of them. Many believers who are not from Wenzhou find themselves excluded from the inner core that makes decisions because they do not speak Wenzhou dialects. We pray that the unity of Chinese believers will rise above region, dialect, or even denomination with all becoming one loving accepting group.

Saturday
Many Christian businessmen from Wenzhou are not shy in telling others they are Christians, maybe even giving their company a Biblical name. Many of them rent their shop space and apply to use it legally as a religious meeting place. They invite their workers to worship on company time and they are glad to attend. Let us pray for all the Christian businessmen who reach out and share Jesus with their employees. May the Lord bless their efforts by giving them much fruit.

Sunday
Xian was once China's glorious capital for almost eight decades, but it has slipped significantly in terms of GDP output and average per capita income (even coming behind Urumqi in the Western China). Islam came to Xian in the seventh century, till this day, there is a large pocket of Muslim neighborhood. Today, Xian is a city known for its many colleges and the gateway to China's Northwest- the legendary Silk Road. Let us pray for the vibrant college ministries throughout the city and believers willing to share the Gospel with their Muslim neighbors.

Monday
Listening to radio is a favorite past time in China and there are countless radio stations and program. A whole gamut of radio shows are available, from advice on how to invest to commentaries on the Chinese literary classics, these programs attracts millions of listeners. Many believers are just Sunday churchgoers; they have a great void in their lives and are without divine guidance. Let us pray for Christians who are seeking true direction in their lives, those sincerely seeking wisdom in how to manage money and finding true gratification through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

星期二
70年代中國經濟改革開放後,基督教的發展也起了很大的變化。早期官方教會和家庭教會對立的情況,現在看來已經減緩了許多,不過有少數較小的城市仍然比較緊張。中國教會人數不斷增長,我們為此感謝天父。求主能興起更多弟兄姐妹來參與服事,尤其是在探訪及關懷事工上,以彌補全職同工短缺所產生的難處。也求神恩待默默為祂服事的人。

星期三
近期中國政府推廣「和諧」社會,基督教相對於伊斯蘭教、藏傳佛教和天主教較少涉及宗教組織,相對的活動比較寬鬆。我們為教會能平安無事,信徒敬拜不受干擾而感謝和持續代禱。少數教會仍然與當地官方有小小「磨擦」或意見分歧,我們為他們能有智慧、耐心來禱告,也求主賜福他們的事工,使信徒都能經歷禱告蒙應允,並將榮耀歸於神。

星期四
官方三自教會的信徒增長快速,因此家庭教會的存在對他們已經不構成威脅,中國境內兩種教會的發展都很興旺,張力自然就減少。不少信徒在三自教會參加主日崇拜,在家庭教會參加團契活動。我們為教會有好的門徒培訓課程禱告。也為主的羊都能得著餵養祈求,求主賜給眾教會在信徒靈命上,每天都能豐富供給,而不單單注重主日崇拜。

星期五
在羅馬有一個很大的溫州信徒群體,他們積極開展宣教工作,也常回國培育信徒領袖。溫州人大多不喜歡替人打工,他們分佈在不同的地區做生意,並且喜歡聚在一處,「不是溫州人,不懂溫州話。」所以不少信徒對於溫州教會總覺得格格不入,求主幫助中國教會能超越地域、方言或是宗派,因著 神的愛能彼此接納,看別人比自己強。

星期六
不少溫州基督徒是老闆,在路上常會看到與聖經相關的公司名稱,例如「約翰五金店」這類的工廠名字。這些基督徒會在工業城中租用地方,然後向當地政府申請批准他們合法聚會(但不歸官方三自會管理),通常都會得到當地政府批准。這些溫州老板會邀請他們來自各地的工人聚會,聚會時間也會算為工時,是有工資的,工人自然樂意來參加。我們為這些有聚會的工廠及老闆禱告,求主大大使用他們,為主多結果子。

星期日
西安曾是漢唐故都,做了中國歷史上八百多年的老大,然而現在西安GDP總量在全國40名外,個人收入水平也被後起的烏魯木齊超過。伊斯蘭教於七世紀傳入西安,為回族的形成奠定了基礎。今日的西安是一個龐大的大學城,也被認為是通往中國西北部和絲路的大門,讓我們一同為西安的大學生事工禱告,同時禱告此地的穆斯林也能同得福音的好處。

星期一
中國有為數眾多的電臺,也有各式各樣的節目,有財經也有講古經,都廣受歡迎,電臺節目也許可以排解一時的寂寞,卻無法讓他們在心靈深處獲得真正安慰。許多信徒也無止境的金錢追逐之中迷失了心靈的方向,求聖靈適時打開他們的眼睛和耳朵,提醒他們,唯有基督能給我們真正的滿足。

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