Prayer Request 9/18 - 9/24

Tuesday
China's population of Internet users, already the world's biggest, has risen to 538 million, driven by rapid growth in wireless Web surfing. Nearly 40% of Chinese are able to access the Internet. This represents an increase of 900-fold in the past 15 years. There are plenty of Bible study materials and sermons which are easily accessible online. We pray that believers will have wisdom in discerning what is orthodox and truly Biblical. We also pray that believers will not disparage their own pastor’s teaching for viewing famous preachers online.
Wednesday
In the Chinese villages and among the migrant workers, people are using their phones to access the Internet. 146 million villagers use the Internet, gaining almost 15 million users in the past 6 months. Almost a third of Chinese Internet users are in the rural regions. Rural China is no longer closed or backwards compared to the past couple decades. But, the level of preaching and teaching in rural churches are still catered to peasants. We pray for strong teaching that will be highly applicable to all ages and challenge believers to live out their faith.
Thursday
At present, nearly one in three Chinese Internet users is a farmer. This means Chinese farmers are no longer out of touch, and the younger generation in villages are very much aware of current events now. This significantly closes the information gap between the cities and villages in China. Young people go to cities to find work, so rural churches in China are mostly young children and the elderly, with little to offer the teens and young adults who remain. We pray that churches can find ways to attract the young people, and not give up in teaching the little ones about God and the Bible.
Friday
The demography of Chinese Internet users are changing, with more people from rural areas and grassroots surfing online. This dramatically shifts how people get their news. They can get news and comments from Internet postings without the limitation of the official version and outlets. Despite the government’s effort to clean up Internet porn, the use of the computer is still the key area of temptations for believers and pastors alike. We pray for victory over the lustful eyes for all of us. May we ask God to guard our hearts and mind, so we can live a life of holiness, not merely in appearance.
Saturday
As the Internet and size of Chinese netizens expand, there is a huge virtual space for the competing public versus. the official opinions and views. For examples, in the incidences of Wenzhou train wreck and the forced abortion of a 7-month pregnant woman in Shaanxi, officials were forced to change their decisions because of microblogging. There are many Christians who share their Christian views and express their faith publicly online. We pray that Christian postings online and blogs can have positive influence, not merely to a few readers but to the whole society as well.
Sunday
Recently, Chinese regulators tightened control over online video, telling providers they must prescreen all material before making it available. Chinese government complained that some online video was vulgar, pornographic, or too violent. Internet addiction and pornography are big problems for Christian youth as well. We pray for parents whose children are in such struggles. We pray that wisdom be with the parents. May the Lord answer their prayers and give them patience.
Monday
The following Internet content are strictly prohibited in China: endangering national security, leaking state secrets, subversion of state power; harming national honor and interests; inciting ethnic hatred and undermining national unity; undermine national religious policies; spreading rumors to incite illegal gatherings, disturb social order or undermine social stability contents. In general, Chinese Christian websites are not censored much. We pray for all who download Bible study content and use them to teach. May the Lord give them wisdom and courage, not only in teaching Biblical knowledge, but most importantly living out His Words.

 

星期二
最新報告，到上個月底，中國網民人數已達5.38億，早已居世界之首。這15年來增長了近9百倍，目前上網普及率已近40%, 同時，手機首次成為最大上網終端。在網上找中文的查經資料或講道視頻，實在是琳瑯滿目。求主幫助信徒有分辨的智慧，能清楚何謂正統，什麽是合乎聖經的教導。同樣的，求主不叫信徒因看了許多著名牧師，就輕看了自己的傳道人，也失去了謙卑受教的心。
星期三
手機的上網功能使農村和流動人口中的網民大幅上升，農村網民現已達1.46億，半年來增加了1464萬，佔網民總數的27%強。農村其實已不再是從前的封閉及落後景況。但在農村教會的信息與教導仍然是以低教育水平的接受者為主。我們為農村教會能提供更有力的教導並能吸引更年輕的信徒禱告，尤其是內容不單能讓各年齡層的信徒於生活中實踐出來，也以真理、信心來堅固信徒，回應現實社會現象。
星期四
目前，農民上網的人數已經佔中國網民總數的27%強。這種網民群體比例的改變，農民的知情度提高，尤其是年輕農民，對更新信息和諮詢嚴重匱乏的中國農村的狀況有重大意義。因著年輕人湧向城市打工，農村教會以老人，小孩子為多數，但教會也無法在屬靈上供應留下來的年輕人。我們為農村教會不但能有策略、方法吸引年輕一代，也能提供孩童在認識神和真理上有良好的教導來禱告。
星期五
網民中的群體成分發生改變，向農村和基層擴大，對中國的整個傳媒系統和新聞形式有巨大影響。目前中國已經存在兩個互動和競爭的輿論場域-官方媒體和民間的網絡輿論。儘管政府努力清理網絡色情內容，來自網絡上的不良內容，仍是信徒也是教會領袖面臨的極大引誘所在。求主給我們能力來勝過試探，勝過眼目的情慾，也保守我們的心懷意念，能有聖潔的生活，而不是僅僅在有個敬虔的外表。
星期六
由於互聯網發達及網民增加而形成的一個虛擬空間的巨大輿論場域。比如溫州動車事故、陝西強制懷孕七個月的孕婦墮胎等，都是因微博輿論強大，最後政府才不得不出面解決。網上有不少基督徒分享他們的觀點，也分享他們的信仰。我們特別為這些在網上張貼基督教信息的信徒們祈求，求主使用這些的分享，更是能對社會大眾形成一股正面的鉅大影響力。
星期日
最近，官方收緊控制在線視頻，規定所有視頻供應商，在內容公開使用之前，必須預審所有材料內容。政府一直強調，一些網上的視頻過於低俗，色情或過於傾向暴力。上網成癮和色情也是基督徒青年們的一大問題。我們為有這樣問題的信徒家庭來禱告，求主賜給父母們有智慧，垂聽他們的呼求，更加添他們耐心。
星期一
有些互聯網內容是不許可的：危害國家安全、洩露國家秘密、顛覆國家政權的；損害國家榮譽和利益的；煽動民族仇恨、破壞民族團結的；破壞國家宗教政策的；散佈謠言、煽動非法聚集、擾亂社會秩序、破壞社會穩定的內容等等。大多數的基督教網站沒有被封殺。我們為所有在網站下載查經資料，也用於教會教導的人禱告，求主幫助他們有智慧和勇氣，不僅能教導別人聖經知識，更是能切實活出神的話語。

Prayer Request 9/11 - 9/17

Tuesday
In ping pong, China is still the world champ but Chinese people are falling out of love with the game. A less insular and more worldly China may be turning away from the sport of Mao Zedong's ping pong diplomacy which was once a source of tremendous national pride and obsession. China is changing and so must the churches there. Let us pray that the churches in China will not always be known as "churches of the old, the very young, women, and the illiterate". We ask the Lord for a revival among believers and unity in the churches.
Wednesday
As the nationalism that once fueled the popularity of ping- pong sport recedes and China focuses less within and more on the outside world, its increasingly globally-minded citizens are shifting their attention to Western sports. Many will say that believers in China are not only distracted by many things but they are no longer passionate about evangelism. No matter the cause or reason, we beseech the Lord to revive our love for and dedication to Him.
Thursday
China's dominance in table tennis has grown into a monopoly of the game since its 1988 introduction at the Olympics. Chinese players now are found in great numbers in foreign teams. However though once obsessive audiences in China were barely watching the games, now the television rating for ping-pong is at an all-time low. Church attendance in China is also down especially among the once vibrant churches. We remember in prayer all of the churches and pastors in the villages. Life is certainly better and churches are now competing with outside entertainment.
Friday
The impression that the popularity of ping-pong is declining in China can seem widespread there, especially among young people. Once hailed as the popular "sport for all people", it is now increasingly perceived as a leisure activity for the old people. It is true that many churches have little appeal for young people because their way of worship is not the same as the long-time traditional worship and management of the churches. We ask the Lord for wisdom for the churches to see the great need to reach the younger generation and that the "old guards" will allow younger leaders to serve.
Saturday
On a national level, athletes like the basketball star Yao Ming and the hurdler Liu Xiang are new symbols of China's athletic prowess. Swimmers Sun Yang and Ye Shiwen after their record-breaking performance in London sparked a celebration in Beijing but the victories in table tennis barely raised an eyebrow. Churches in China have always been slow to cultivate and promote a new generation of leaders. We pray specifically for pastors and church leaders who are younger than fifty, for a close personal walk with Jesus, for purity in their private lives, and humility in serving.
Sunday
The former strong link between table tennis and China's national prestige seems to be weakening as people move on from their old somewhat insular ways. Young people are interested in the sports played in the West and even the officials are seeing that table tennis is a symbol of an outdated China. The thing that is evading many church leaders is the knowledge of how to connect with young people and communicate God's eternal message to them in a fresh and relevant way. Let us pray for those churches that are changing the way they worship by forming small groups and actively inviting their neighbors and friends to participate.
Monday
As China has become more educated, more worldly, and more middle-class, its tolerance for heavy-handed state management of athletics is running low. With the enormous rise in popularity of sports such as basketball and soccer, table tennis might soon descend from its long-held place at the center of sports in China. We pray for the way church workers are being trained these days. Not only do they need to know the Bible well, they also need to be able to communicate convincingly with young people. We pray especially for those who are studying the Bible but still working at their regular professions, that they will have strength and a true desire to serve.

星期二
雖然中國乒乓球仍然稱霸世界，但中國人對乒乓球已沒有昔日的熱情。日趨全球化的中國，對於毛澤東的「乒乓外交」(曾一度是民族的自豪和痴迷的運動)已不再迷戀。中國社會不斷改變，教會與福音工作亦宜順應時代而調整策略。現今許多教會仍囿於「四多」(老人、小孩、婦人及文盲)的狀態，求主幫助牧者有智慧傳揚主道及做牧養工作；又願主親自吸引人來快跑跟隨祂，復興祂的信徒們並賜合一的靈聯合眾教會。
星期三
乒乓球運動雖然曾經提升不少中國人的民族精神，但時至今日，對外接觸頻繁的普羅大眾已逐漸對西方國家的運動更感興趣。今日俗世的誘惑各式各樣，一些信徒在跟隨主的路上開始迷惘，不再有起初傳福音的火熱心志。求主賜下屬靈的洞見， 幫助我們勝過這些試探，再次更新我們對神的愛，全然委身於主。
星期四
乒乓球自從1988年在漢城奧運會第一次引進後，一直是中國選手的天下；中國球員現今亦被廣為羅致到各國的球隊中。然而，一度被追捧的乒乓球賽，今天的收視率卻極度低迷。許多信徒再不因主而心滿意足，甚至被世界吸引而離開主，尤其一些曾是非常興旺的教會，今日光景很荒涼。求神親自用慈繩愛索把人帶回祂的愛中，以致能享受真正的福樂。我們特別要為所有農村教會和牧者們禱告，當地生活水平雖有提高，但信徒的心卻因世俗娛樂而變得低沉了。
星期五
乒乓球在中國受歡迎的程度正在下降，年輕一代幾乎對乒乓球毫無興趣。曾經喻為「全民運動」， 現今卻成為老年人休閒活動的代表。許多中國教會對年輕一代而言，毫無吸引力。傳統冗長的聚會模式及保守封閉的作風都叫他們敬而遠之。求主幫助教會看見年輕人靈性上廣大又迫切的需求，有智慧去接觸及牧養新一代信徒，並且能成為典範的靈命導師，願意為主建造、培育及扶助年輕人接棒。
星期六
游泳運動員孫楊和葉師雯在倫敦奧運驚人的佳積，激起了全國的熱情；可是乒乓球的金牌得主卻沒獲得相對的關注。從國家層面看，籃球明星姚明和中國飛人劉翔這般的運動員代表了新中國的競技實力。所謂「敬老尊賢」，使得中國教會不能充份地為主栽培和鼓勵新一代的領袖。我們為年齡在五十歲以下的傳道人祈求，願他們都能在靈命上更親近主，生活上行出聖潔純全，在服事中也更能有主的謙卑。
星期日
從前乒乓球和中國的國威之間，強有力的鏈接似乎已被削弱，人們把乒乓球當作過時、封閉的運動。年輕人對西方體育的興趣大增，連官方也把乒乓球視為中國過時的象徵。許多中國教會的領袖忽略增強如何與年輕一代溝通的知識及技巧，並用有創意、與實際生活聯結的策略來傳達神永生的福音。我們禱告主，幫助這些教會改變「老套說教」，而能改善崇拜方式，代之以成立不同的小組和殷勤邀請朋友、鄰居等努力，來分享神的大好信息。
星期一
中國越全球化，中產階級更多崛起，對政府統籌運動員的訓練的方式也越有新的主張。中國人對籃球和足球運動的普及與愛好正逐日升溫，對乒乓球的熱衷相對冷淡。將使它很快從長期盤距的中國體育主軸心退位。我們為中國的傳道人培訓事工禱告，求主預備合適的訓練，使他們不僅能熟悉聖經真理，更能與年輕一代有美好的溝通和心靈連結。讓我們為那些帶職接受神學裝備的學員祈求，求主賜給他們充足體力，也有真誠的服事意願及正確的心態。

Prayer Request 9/4 - 9/ 10

Tuesday
More than 17,000 "violent incidents" took place at hospitals nationwide in China in 2010. Recent stabbings of doctors by patients or their relatives have crystallized public discontent with the healthcare system (the largest in the world) there. Sadly, many Chinese approve or even applaud attacking doctors as revenge. Let us pray about this dangerous shift of attitude toward violence. May the Lord give believers a spirit of gentleness and help each of us realize our call to be peacemakers at home and at work.
Wednesday
These days it is not uncommon for people in China to vent their grievances or frustrations with violent riots or physical attacks on others. They feel that is the only way to get reprieve or an answer from the officials to whatever injustice they feel they have encountered. As believers we should pray about the injustice and ills in society. We pray that Christians will have a bold voice in China, but first we ask the Lord to give churches unity of spirit and a burdent for the lost souls in their communities.
Thursday
With the broadening coverage of government-sponsored health insurance, more patients are now demanding care. Hospitals are in disarray with beds overflowing into the corridors and shouting matches between patients and staff. We pray for many people who are ill but unable to afford the necessary medical care they need, especially believers and their families. We ask the Lord for mercy and that He will answer their prayers for healing and bring glory to His name.
Friday
In China doctor-patient relationships are continuing to worsen. Doctors are overworked and underpaid so, in order to make more money, many push drug sales or charge extra for their services. Patients are faced with huge medical expenses, only brief consultations, and often care that is of a poor quality. Let us remember those Christians who are in the healthcare field and ask the Lord to give them a beautiful testimony and a sweet spirit so they will not only be a comfort to those they care for but also be able to share the love of Jesus in their hectic work routines.
Saturday
An official report said that of all the beneficiaries of the government's massive investment in healthcare in China, 80% went to the 8.5 million members of the Communist Party. Based on the World Health Organization's ranking of the quality of healthcare, China ranked in the bottom quarter of 191 nations. In this world it is hard to achieve true equality. We pray for all who reach out in the name of Jesus to show His love to and care for the poor, the sick, the dispossessed, but are rejected by society. May the Lord bless them and use their work to glorify our Heavenly Father.
Sunday
People in China are actually fascinated by all of the politics in Taiwan and cannot get enough of the official reports on television or other news media, especially the reports of the predictions for the elections and the results. Chinese believers are also familiar with all the sermons featuring pastors in Taiwan. We praise the Lord that these pastors can feed the unseen flocks through the internet or DVD. We pray that more churches in Taiwan will rise up to help serve the churches in China.
Monday
When an overseas Chinese returns to China or a Chinese business is promoting itself, they talk about the special connection they have with influential people or that they have a special relationship with a key government official. Chinese churches, especially the house churches, operate on the basis of connections, special relationships, or whether they share the same theology. We pray for unity for all the house churches in China and that they will be able to accept each other, that they will have a broader perspective of the Kingdom, and that above all they will put a greater emphasis on a personal relationship with God.

 

星期二
2010年，中國竟然有17,000樁醫患糾紛和砍殺醫生事件。這樣的惡性事件頻頻發生，正揭示了這個世界最大的醫療制度，存有極嚴重的問題。很可悲的是，社會上卻有不少人為砍殺醫生的人拍掌叫好，如此的社會氣氛實在可怕。我們需要切切為此禱告，求主幫助我們活出祂的溫柔與謙卑，並在家中及職場裡做一個使人和睦的人。
星期三
近年，中國各地常有民眾暴動發生，有的因為滿胸怨氣無處可洩，有的因為被欺負要討回公道，人們以為這是能引起有關單位正視問題的唯一途徑。身為基督徒，我們要為社會的敗壞與不公禱告，求主給信徒有膽量幫助弱勢者，更賜下教會合一的心，以及關心社區中失喪靈魂的負擔。
星期四
中國政府改善醫療服務的政策，是希望更多民眾能看病，但是供不應求，目前根本無法應付，導致在醫院裡走廊也放著病床，病人與醫護人員相互吼叫更是家常便飯。我們為家中有長期病患的信徒禱告，正所謂「一人生病，全家受窮」，求主憐憫，醫治眾人的身體與心靈的病痛，且無論處身在什麼樣的境況裡都能榮耀神。
星期五
醫生與病人關係不斷惡化，醫生工作繁重又收入低，以致出現診治態度冷淡、操作不規範、收紅包、藥醫勾結、歧視窮人、沒有仔細看病、收費不合理等等情況。我們為基督徒的醫護人員祈求，因著他們美好服事態度，不但安慰患者與家屬，也能分享和見證主耶穌的愛。
星期六
一份官方報告說，政府投入龐大的醫療費用，80％受惠的是850萬以黨政幹部為主的群體。在世界衛生組織成員國醫療分配公平性的排序中，中國位列191個國家中倒數第四位。的確，這個世界難有絕對的公平，我們為那些奉主耶穌的名，以祂的憐憫去關心貧窮、無依、被棄絕的信徒感恩和禱告，願主賜福他們所作的工，使一切榮耀歸給在天上的父。
星期日
中國百姓極其關心台灣的政治動態，電視及新聞雖有偏官方的角度報導，但仍略略掌握台灣選舉的動向。信徒透過網路、DVD等媒介，對台灣的牧者也是相當的熟悉。感謝主透過科技，讓牧者能餵養看不見的羊群。求神復興更多台灣的教會，也使台灣教會能更多幫助中國教會。
星期一
海外華人企業進入中國，或中國的企業跟外國企業談判，都要炫耀自己與政府的關係密切，官商謀合無間。中國教會間也是很講究關係的，能彼此認識，有共同的神學，在家庭教會是極其重要的。我們求主賜中國家庭教會能彼此接待，有合一的心，也能更有國度觀和注重信徒與神的關係。