Tuesday
The new edition of the Modern Chinese Dictionary contains 600 new words and 3000 new phrases. It has been several years since the last edition was put out and since the government runs the publishing company, this is the official reflection of what is being said in China. Generally speaking, Christianity is not culturally connected with society as a whole in China and Christians are still seen as on the periphery of the community. We pray that churches can be a shining testimony that is engaging, relevant, and distinctive in China today.
Wednesday
Some of the commonly used new phrases were ostensibly not included in the new dictionary. For example, "tongzhi" (comrade) or "the left-over woman"(women who are highly educated but unable to find a spouse). The term comrade is commonly used in Hong Kong and Taiwan to refer to homosexuals in China. The discussion of homosexuality has caused a stir in Chinese churches recently. Let us pray that Christians will be seen as people who live out the compassion of Jesus Christ and not just as people who condemn and are legalistic.
Thursday
The use of tongzhi to describe homosexuality started in Hong Kong and Taiwan to make fun of the mainland's communists because Chinese leaders address each other as tongshi, meaning comrades. So it is quite normal that the Chinese government does not want to put this new meaning into the dictionary. Believers call each other brother and sister. May our love for each other as Jesus commanded us, be the greatest testimony for Him in China. There are too many poor examples of believers who fight each other and also of churches splitting due to in-fighting or power struggles.
Friday
Tongzhi literally means same will. The standard word for homosexual in Chinese is tongxinglian which translates literally as same sex love but many gay Chinese are said to view it as too clinical. Believers are far more than comrades. We are supposed to be of one accord, loving each other, and spreading God's word. We pray again for unity in the churches in China and that they will not attack each other because of petty theological differences or location, but will instead see others as better than they are.
Saturday
In traditional Chinese society only the emperors or rulers have the right and prerogative to edit the dictionary. By defining the meaning of words and restricting how phrases are used, rulers directly and indirectly have controlled how people think. Churches in China are still often seen as foreign and old-fashioned. We pray for change in this perception and that leaders in churches will know how to present the eternal message powerfully and relevantly to connect with the people and their culture effectively.
Sunday
Having "Chinese distinctiveness" is a buzzword in China which captures nationalist pride and a return to Chinese traditional values. However, the goal is to have what the Western world has to offer and blend them into Chinese taste and culture.The combination of house churches and the Three-self churches is perhaps what is most unique about China. We know they are both loved by the Lord and we pray for revival for each church as well as protection from the attacks of the occult. This is especially necessary for those sheep who don't have a shepherd.
Monday
The exposure to pornography among college students in China is not news to people who know about the country. The liberal and tolerant attitude toward sex among college students in China is truly shocking. Unfortunately, the churches in China have been mum about sex and most preachers find themselves unable to say anything that is fresh and convincing about it in the pulpit. We pray for the guarding of the minds of all believers, but especially the young ones. We ask, too, for wisdom and boldness for pastors to speak out against the sin.
The new edition of the Modern Chinese Dictionary contains 600 new words and 3000 new phrases. It has been several years since the last edition was put out and since the government runs the publishing company, this is the official reflection of what is being said in China. Generally speaking, Christianity is not culturally connected with society as a whole in China and Christians are still seen as on the periphery of the community. We pray that churches can be a shining testimony that is engaging, relevant, and distinctive in China today.
Wednesday
Some of the commonly used new phrases were ostensibly not included in the new dictionary. For example, "tongzhi" (comrade) or "the left-over woman"(women who are highly educated but unable to find a spouse). The term comrade is commonly used in Hong Kong and Taiwan to refer to homosexuals in China. The discussion of homosexuality has caused a stir in Chinese churches recently. Let us pray that Christians will be seen as people who live out the compassion of Jesus Christ and not just as people who condemn and are legalistic.
Thursday
The use of tongzhi to describe homosexuality started in Hong Kong and Taiwan to make fun of the mainland's communists because Chinese leaders address each other as tongshi, meaning comrades. So it is quite normal that the Chinese government does not want to put this new meaning into the dictionary. Believers call each other brother and sister. May our love for each other as Jesus commanded us, be the greatest testimony for Him in China. There are too many poor examples of believers who fight each other and also of churches splitting due to in-fighting or power struggles.
Friday
Tongzhi literally means same will. The standard word for homosexual in Chinese is tongxinglian which translates literally as same sex love but many gay Chinese are said to view it as too clinical. Believers are far more than comrades. We are supposed to be of one accord, loving each other, and spreading God's word. We pray again for unity in the churches in China and that they will not attack each other because of petty theological differences or location, but will instead see others as better than they are.
Saturday
In traditional Chinese society only the emperors or rulers have the right and prerogative to edit the dictionary. By defining the meaning of words and restricting how phrases are used, rulers directly and indirectly have controlled how people think. Churches in China are still often seen as foreign and old-fashioned. We pray for change in this perception and that leaders in churches will know how to present the eternal message powerfully and relevantly to connect with the people and their culture effectively.
Sunday
Having "Chinese distinctiveness" is a buzzword in China which captures nationalist pride and a return to Chinese traditional values. However, the goal is to have what the Western world has to offer and blend them into Chinese taste and culture.The combination of house churches and the Three-self churches is perhaps what is most unique about China. We know they are both loved by the Lord and we pray for revival for each church as well as protection from the attacks of the occult. This is especially necessary for those sheep who don't have a shepherd.
Monday
The exposure to pornography among college students in China is not news to people who know about the country. The liberal and tolerant attitude toward sex among college students in China is truly shocking. Unfortunately, the churches in China have been mum about sex and most preachers find themselves unable to say anything that is fresh and convincing about it in the pulpit. We pray for the guarding of the minds of all believers, but especially the young ones. We ask, too, for wisdom and boldness for pastors to speak out against the sin.
星期二
歷時7年修訂新出版的《現代漢語詞典》第6版收錄了大量新詞酷語，新詞典共收錄新字600多字，新詞3000多條，解詞新義400多項，引發社會各界的強烈關注與熱議。整體而言，基本上基督教在中國是與文化與社會脫節的。信徒仍處於社會邊緣的地位。我們祈求耶穌基督的教會能成為社會的一盞明燈，能與社會對話，關切實際人生各層面的和諧，但仍保有其超然世俗的聖潔特質。
星期三
有些常用新詞沒有被新詞典收錄進去，比如「同志」、「剩女」(大齡未嫁之高知識女性)等。對官方而言，新詞典不收錄「同志」很正常，因最早是港台地區的人用「同志」來形容中國的同性戀者。近來華人教會為同性戀的議題有極大的討論，也引起了轟動。我們為華人基督徒能活出耶穌基督的憐憫來代禱，而不是讓世人誤認為我們只是善於自義式地定人之罪，卻 毫無愛心接納關懷失喪的靈魂。
星期四
「同志」是共產黨最重要的、最常用的稱呼。 港台人士用「同志」的字眼來稱呼同性戀者，本身即有種政治諷刺的意味， 所以共產黨也不願把這個重要的稱呼加上一層同性戀的含義在內。信徒間以弟兄姐妹相稱。願我們都能切實彼此相愛，如同我們的主耶穌這樣的吩咐我們，因為世人看見我們真誠相愛，就知道我們是祂的門徒。中國信徒間不合和教會分裂的例子太多了，求主憐憫並保守我們都有合一的好見証，願意尊主為大，彼此謙卑服侍，竭力追求和睦。
星期五
“同志”的字面意思是「同樣的意願」。在中國的“同性戀”的標準字是「同性戀」，從字面上翻譯為「同性愛」。但許多同性戀者認為，「同性戀」太露骨應有其他字眼取代。信徒同心合意，彼此相愛做成主的工，這本是遠超過只有共同志向。 我們再次為中國教會合一禱告，不因神學的小差異而彼此攻擊，也不因有農村與城市的地域性或經濟條件之差別而不合，而是能看到別人總有比自己強的優點而感恩。
星期六
在傳統中國社會中，只有王朝或是當權者才有權編輯詞典，並通過編詞典來規範它所統治的人民的用語甚至是如何思維等。編詞典通常是當政者的特權，而不是人民的權利。當今的中國教會在一般人心中，仍是個外國宗教，或屬老一代的信仰。我們求神親自改變這種觀念。我們也禱告教會領袖們能有智慧，將我們寶貴永恆的信息，與文化與社會與百姓更有效地連結起來。
星期日
「中國風」是當今中國最流行的詞句。流露出民族自豪及關注傳統的心境。就是要接受西方的優點，卻也要符合國人的口味。我們求主興旺他自己的教會，特別保護、看顧受到異端攻擊及冷淡而沒有牧者的群羊。
星期一
中國大學生接觸色情氾濫的資訊，尤其是來自網路的，已不再是新鮮事。他們面對情色內容，對性的開放及放縱等現象的容忍度實已令人瞠目結舌，教會卻是閉口不提「性」，牧者在教導年輕人時也是充滿無力感，詞窮於無法以新鮮又切中青少年的需要作有力的教導。求主保守每位信徒，尤其是青少年的心，也幫助牧者在教導性教育方面，都能有智慧以真理作基礎，敢於責罪，確保信徒都有清潔的身心靈，蒙神喜悅。
歷時7年修訂新出版的《現代漢語詞典》第6版收錄了大量新詞酷語，新詞典共收錄新字600多字，新詞3000多條，解詞新義400多項，引發社會各界的強烈關注與熱議。整體而言，基本上基督教在中國是與文化與社會脫節的。信徒仍處於社會邊緣的地位。我們祈求耶穌基督的教會能成為社會的一盞明燈，能與社會對話，關切實際人生各層面的和諧，但仍保有其超然世俗的聖潔特質。
星期三
有些常用新詞沒有被新詞典收錄進去，比如「同志」、「剩女」(大齡未嫁之高知識女性)等。對官方而言，新詞典不收錄「同志」很正常，因最早是港台地區的人用「同志」來形容中國的同性戀者。近來華人教會為同性戀的議題有極大的討論，也引起了轟動。我們為華人基督徒能活出耶穌基督的憐憫來代禱，而不是讓世人誤認為我們只是善於自義式地定人之罪，卻 毫無愛心接納關懷失喪的靈魂。
星期四
「同志」是共產黨最重要的、最常用的稱呼。 港台人士用「同志」的字眼來稱呼同性戀者，本身即有種政治諷刺的意味， 所以共產黨也不願把這個重要的稱呼加上一層同性戀的含義在內。信徒間以弟兄姐妹相稱。願我們都能切實彼此相愛，如同我們的主耶穌這樣的吩咐我們，因為世人看見我們真誠相愛，就知道我們是祂的門徒。中國信徒間不合和教會分裂的例子太多了，求主憐憫並保守我們都有合一的好見証，願意尊主為大，彼此謙卑服侍，竭力追求和睦。
星期五
“同志”的字面意思是「同樣的意願」。在中國的“同性戀”的標準字是「同性戀」，從字面上翻譯為「同性愛」。但許多同性戀者認為，「同性戀」太露骨應有其他字眼取代。信徒同心合意，彼此相愛做成主的工，這本是遠超過只有共同志向。 我們再次為中國教會合一禱告，不因神學的小差異而彼此攻擊，也不因有農村與城市的地域性或經濟條件之差別而不合，而是能看到別人總有比自己強的優點而感恩。
星期六
在傳統中國社會中，只有王朝或是當權者才有權編輯詞典，並通過編詞典來規範它所統治的人民的用語甚至是如何思維等。編詞典通常是當政者的特權，而不是人民的權利。當今的中國教會在一般人心中，仍是個外國宗教，或屬老一代的信仰。我們求神親自改變這種觀念。我們也禱告教會領袖們能有智慧，將我們寶貴永恆的信息，與文化與社會與百姓更有效地連結起來。
星期日
「中國風」是當今中國最流行的詞句。流露出民族自豪及關注傳統的心境。就是要接受西方的優點，卻也要符合國人的口味。我們求主興旺他自己的教會，特別保護、看顧受到異端攻擊及冷淡而沒有牧者的群羊。
星期一
中國大學生接觸色情氾濫的資訊，尤其是來自網路的，已不再是新鮮事。他們面對情色內容，對性的開放及放縱等現象的容忍度實已令人瞠目結舌，教會卻是閉口不提「性」，牧者在教導年輕人時也是充滿無力感，詞窮於無法以新鮮又切中青少年的需要作有力的教導。求主保守每位信徒，尤其是青少年的心，也幫助牧者在教導性教育方面，都能有智慧以真理作基礎，敢於責罪，確保信徒都有清潔的身心靈，蒙神喜悅。
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