Tuesday
Many members of the Chinese Communist Party are becoming interested in the various religions and it is threatening the unity and national leadership of the party whose members are required to be atheists and not believe or engage in other religious practices, or be expelled from the Party. We take this time to pray for the spiritual walk of all the party members who have been baptized or are secret believers in Jesus. May the Lord give them extra strength, wisdom, and protection, and above all a close walk with Jesus that is based on a strong commitment to glorify Him daily.
Wednesday
The ruling Communist Party may be slowly showing a greater tolerance toward the different faiths that are beginning to flourish on Mainland China. It is known that party officials have used their influence to build Buddhist or Taoist temples or used public funds to promote religion-based tourism but when it comes to their members, the party has no room for such religions. Every year some churches (both open and house churches) encounter tension and opposition from the local authorities as well as the local Buddhist temples. We pray for patience and wisdom for the congregations involved. May the Lord give them boldness to share their faith and the love of God with their neighbors.
Thursday
According to official records there are a combined100 million believers in Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Christianity in China. Officially there are 25 million Christians (18 million Protestants and 6 million plus Catholics). All of these numbers, however, appear to be unrealistically low. The Communist Party boasted a total of 80 million members in 2010. Churches in cities have seen a growth in attendance but many have also observed that most people show up only on Sunday and are not really committed to or connected with the fellowship. We thank the Lord for all the numeric growth but we ask Him for a genuine revival of believers who are truly committed to God and do not attend church simply as something fashionable to do or a mere habit.
Friday
Former Prime Minister of Singapore spoke frankly, "Things only get done in China through relationship, and corruption remains the biggest the biggest challenge." To change how Chinese people think and their attitude will not be easy. In general, there is a lack of transparency in how churches handle finances and offerings. We ask the Lord to give church leaders with integrity, who are faithful steward, having wisdom in how to use the church funds. It is good that God's people live a simple and clean life, so even when they are tempted by those want to bribe them, they can resist the temptations.
Saturday
In many parts of China, family and marriage issues are not deemed important or even mentioned in churches. It is a common phenomenon that only the wives attend the church, and they usually come to church despite the opposition from their unbeliever husbands. We know it is much more effective when husband and wife serve together in church. We pray for all those who serve to be pure in their sex lives, faithful in their marriage. Couples with solid marriage are the key to stable ministry and to the society as a whole as well.
Sunday
In the past, the rural churches were the mainstream of the China churches. In recent years, urban churches have experience an explosive growth. But these new churches in the cities badly need shepherds, quality and well-trained pastors to shepherd the highly educated church members. Take gambling as an example, millions of Chinese are addicted to it, and even church workers have succumbed to such addictions. We sincerely pray for protection from God on all the church workers and their families. They face the same temptations as we all do, may the Lord keep their hearts from the evil one, the snare of lust and greed.
Monday
In the past two decades, China churches, rural churches in particular are at a crossroad. Contrary to the numbers people outside of China quote, there is quite a gap between what is reported and the actual numbers and true health of China churches. We pray for more prayer warriors from within churches in China, people who would stand at the gaps, be the alert watchmen for churches, through their prayers bring keen insight to the needs of churches. We ask the Lord for more people who would intercede for China churches, blessing Chinese believers and keep churches from the attacks from the evil one.
星期二
共產黨警告，黨員信教將造成黨的分裂。一個黨員如果積極參與宗教團體生活和傳教，甚至利用黨員身份保護、或推動非法的宗教活動，組織就應及時採取措施，使其退黨。我們在禱告中記念不少黨員雖然沒有公開受洗，公開信仰，但已經相信主耶穌為他們個人的救主，願他們每日花時間親近神，天天跟隨主，以榮耀祂為心願。
星期三
近幾年中國政府雖對宗教有相當程度的寬容，各個宗教也蓬勃發展，但黨員信教卻仍是禁止的。地方黨員使用影響力，或移用公款來興建佛、道教寺廟，大搞宗教旅遊。每年都有教會與當地的公安有些摩擦或衝突，其中也包括了三自教會。近來教會公開的活動更是受到當地佛教勢力的反對和打壓。讓我們為這些教會的領袖們有耐心和智慧來代禱，求主賜他們分享神大愛的勇氣，也知道如何在當地社區裏成為一盞明燈。
星期四
截至2010年底，中國共產黨黨員總數達到8,027萬人。據官方的估算，中國各種宗教有信徒1億多人，信奉主要有佛教、道教、伊斯蘭教、天主教和基督教。其中有兩千五百萬基督徒，約六百萬天主教徒。近年來城市教會人數增加，但不少信徒只在星期天出現,並沒參加任何的團契。我們為中國教會數字成長感謝神，但也懇求主帶領我們的心渴望與主同行,有真正靈命的復興，而不是將信仰當做一種時尚或是個人的興趣。
星期五
前新加坡總理李光耀說：中國靠關係辦事的做法根深蒂固，因此貪污仍是中國面對的最大挑戰，要改變人們這方面的想法和態度並不容易。一般中國教會在金錢處理上，仍欠透明度。求神賜給教會有正直的領袖，在主面前做忠心有見識的好管家，尤其在處理錢財上有智慧。也求主幫助信徒過清潔、儉樸的生活，成為這黑暗世界裡的明光，甚至那些想賄賂他們的人，亦為生此念頭而羞愧。
星期六
中國很多地方的教會都不甚注重婚姻家庭問題，在教會中亦少有提及。一個普遍的現象就是很多姊妹的丈夫都不來教會，有的甚至還逼迫姊妹。夫妻同心合意服事神，效果是深廣的。我們求主為中國教會賜下聖潔的僕人，更保守信徒在婚姻中忠誠，遠避淫行。這不僅是教會穩定的基礎，還會成為整個中國社會穩定的重要因素。
星期日
過去，農村教會是中國教會的主流力量，直至最近幾年城市福音「爆炸」，中國教會有了新氣象。然而，這些城市教會極需牧養，沒有受過神學訓練的人，是很難牧養這些以知識分子為主的城市教會。以賭博為例，賭博正蠶蝕千萬的中國老百姓和基督徒，甚至傳道同工的心靈，嚴重破壞教會的牧養和見證。我們為牧者及其家庭禱告，求神保護他們置身於艱難和誘惑之中，落入魔鬼用情慾、錢財所織造的網羅。
星期一
中國教會（尤其是農村教會）經過了20多年的發展後，現在正處於轉形期。與海外通常報導不同的是，國內教會人數上的增加與實質上的復興存在著很大差異。我們求神為中國教會設立更多忠心的守望者，用禱告來堵住各處破口。這些守望者時刻警醒，敏銳洞察教會的需要，及各種隱而未現的問題，並在神面前呼求禱告。神也會因著他們的代禱，大大地賜福中國教會，保護教會免受惡者許多的毀壞。
2011年12月26日星期一
2011年12月19日星期一
Prayer Request 12/20 - 12/26
Tuesday
Nearly 90% of the global Christmas-related gift or products are manufactured in China. Since the world financial crisis in 2008, although the amount of products exported from China continued to grow, the profit margin thinned to only 5% due to the rising cost of raw materials, labor, and the appreciation of the renminbi and many factories have been barely able to stay profitable. Many churches will be hosting special Christmas programs in the coming weeks and we pray for their efforts to bring new people to church. May this be a special opportunity to share and introduce Jesus to people who live in their neighborhoods.
Wednesday
In recent years Christmas has become a special holiday celebrated by many families in China. It is common for Chinese parents to worry about what Christmas gift to give to their only child and where to eat the big Christmas meal. Should they host a Christmas party? Should they tell their child the story of Santa Claus or not? Chinese children and young people are very much into celebrating Christmas but the true meaning of Jesus' birth is totally lost in China. We pray for believers that they would at least boldly share the true meaning of Christmas with someone this season and not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thursday
The higher standard of medical services in recent times has increased the need for donated blood which is estimated to be about 70,000 donations daily and it is predicted to rise to 120,000 daily in four years. However, in spite of the government's repeated efforts to promote blood donations, Chinese people in general are unwilling to donate. Only 8.7% of the population have ever given blood versus 45.5% in other high-income countries. Giving without public recognition or expressed appreciation is not common in China. In the Buddhist temples the names of donors are usually carved and displayed in stone. Many believers prefer to serve in prominent and visible positions or ministries rather than hidden ones. We pray for the spirit of selfless giving and serving in the church, not seeking praise from people but doing it to please our Lord.
Friday
Chinese people are afraid to donate blood because in the 1980's many people in Henan sold blood to earn money and through that due to the use of contaminated equipment contacted AIDS and the fear still lingers. Another reason for a shortage of blood is that there has been a great migration of the population to the cities and thus the cities find themselves in short supply of the blood needed for medical use. Many Chinese believers are not willing to give what they should to the church because there is a lingering doubt concerning the misuse of church offerings. We know it will take a lot to change this feeling of mistrust as well as the lack of transparency regarding church finances in general but we ask the Lord to evolve this way of thinking into one where believers are generous and rich in all kinds of good deeds.
Saturday
The new edition of the “Xinhua Zidian” takes into account that Taiwan and Hong Kong have retained more traditional forms of writing Chinese than China where it was radically simplified in 1939. The new dictionary contains 13,000 terms but 1,500 characters also written in the old way have been included in this edition. More and more events are being held and attended by believers from the mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. We thank the Lord for the vastly increased exchange of believers of different regional backgrounds. We remember in prayer all the training in the church conducted inside China by believers from Taiwan and Hong Kong which seems to be better tolerated by the government than that by overseas Chinese.
Sunday
Terms that are no longer applicable to modern life like “meiyou” (kerosene) or “hezuoshe” (agricultural co-operative) have been removed from the 2011 edition of the dictionary. New terms include harmony, media, good of the people, and migrant worker. Many young people have difficulty understanding some of the terms in the Bible simply because the current favorite Chinese Bible was translated a century ago. We pray for the use of several new Chinese versions of the Bible but even more importantly that the churches in China can speak the same language as the young people on the street and those who grew up with the internet.
Monday
When they say, “Good bye” in China people often say, “Bye bye”. But until now there was no Chinese way of writing that. There is now. Beijing’s guardians of the language have deemed “Bai bai” the correct written form and it has been included in the new edition of China’s best-known dictionary. Honestly speaking, the majority of the churches in China have difficulty attracting young people to come there. One reason is that the churches do not address the issues that teens and youth face. We thank the Lord for the young Christians and ask the Lord to bless them with not only the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus but boldness to share their faith with their unbelieving and even resistant parents rather than being a secret follower of Jesus.
" Building Church Leaders Training Tools" Building Church Leaders is a ministry intended to provide Chinese churches a wide variety of leadership Training Tools in Chinese via downloads through BCL website.
星期二
全球近90%的聖誕節禮品產自中國，自08年金融危機後，出口雖繼續保持增長，但由於物價上漲、原料和人工成本上升及人民幣升值等因素影響，許多廠商的利潤率僅5%左右，甚至處於虧損邊緣。許多教會正籌備聖誕特別聚會，藉此邀請未信朋友來認識救主的降生，我們為這個寶貴機會向神禱告，求主預備人心來就近祂；又為信徒們有熱誠、有信心和勇氣發出邀請，與鄰舍和親友分享這個大好的信息。
星期三
中國興起慶祝聖誕節的潮流，家長們都費心如何給寶貝一個繽紛的聖誕 —去餐廳吃大餐？購買聖誕禮物？在家辦個聖誕聯歡會？還是給孩子講講聖誕老人的故事？這是眾多家長近期最為關心的話題。中國的孩子和年輕人特別喜歡慶祝聖誕，但大部份人其實對聖誕的真義毫不知情。求主賜給中國信徒大有膽量，並在生活中有美好見證，能與朋友分享神子耶穌降生的意義，也能將基督救恩清楚講明白。
星期四
按現時醫療服務量的增長測算，中國每天需有約7萬人捐血，而四年之後將增至12萬人。然而中國人對無償捐血的觀念十分薄弱，儘管政府積極鼓勵捐血，但效果不彰，人口捐血率只有8.7%，遠遠低於世界高收入國家的45.4%。在中國寺廟中，捐贈者大名是以金字刻在石柱為記，沒有掌聲及讚賞的事少有人做。在神的兒女中，很多人捨默默的服事，而選擇突出和顯眼的事工。求主幫助我們學習捨己，賜給我們不求掌聲而是單單要討主歡喜的心志。
星期五
中國人害怕捐血是因上世紀河南地區許多人賣血賺錢時，在沒有衛生保護情況下染上艾滋病，以致現今對捐血仍有陰影。此外，大量患者流向醫療資源相對集中的大城市和中心城市，導致用血量大增，都市血液缺口明顯。好些中國信徒不願盡自己本份奉獻，最大原因是對教會的財政運作沒信心。這跟教會的財政不透明是相關聯的，求主改變信徒這種心態，賜給我們一顆單純作在主身上的心，也在各樣善事上成為富足。
星期六
新版《新華字典》考慮到台灣和香港仍保留的中國傳統正體字，新版字典中有13000條款，1500正體字被納入。自從1949年後，大陸開始使用簡體字。這兩年來，大陸與台灣和香港的信徒有更多一起相聚的特會及聚會的機會，我們要為此感謝神，讓來自不同背景的弟兄姐妹能彼此學習勉勵。我們特別記念台灣、香港教會在各地的培訓。許多事工近年來比較穩定，少受干擾，我們為他們所作的感恩。
星期日
新版《新華字典》新增若干與國計民生相關的詞語，譬如在「民」字的解釋中添加「民生」，「關注民生」；「和」字中新增「和諧」一詞；「工」字的例證中新增「農民工」。也取消了「煤油」或「合作社」等舊名詞。教會使用最普遍的和合本聖經，是一百年前翻譯的白話文，但是對80後的年輕人，許多詞句都很陌生甚至難以理解。現有幾種不同的中文聖經版本，我們為它們能被使用，幫助信徒明白神的話來禱告。更重要的是，中國教會能跟在大街上行走的年輕人和那些在互聯網長大的一代，有共同的語言來溝通。
星期一
《新華字典》第11版根據時代的變化，本次修訂包括增補字音。比如中國人道別時常說的「拜拜」，也成為正式的中文字，而「拜」加入新的讀音bái。絕大多數的中國教會在吸引年輕人踏進教會有相當的難度，其中一大原因就是教會不能從年輕人的角度來溝通。我們要為教會中的年輕信徒感恩，願神祝福他們，不單有聖經的知識，也有膽量能公開他們的信仰，告訴不信主的父母神的救恩。
《建造教會領袖》事工所推出的訓練材料，是一套全面性和實用性的領袖訓練指南，幫助你培養領袖，使他們能同時兼顧聖經原則和從策略性的角度來思考教會的事工。
Nearly 90% of the global Christmas-related gift or products are manufactured in China. Since the world financial crisis in 2008, although the amount of products exported from China continued to grow, the profit margin thinned to only 5% due to the rising cost of raw materials, labor, and the appreciation of the renminbi and many factories have been barely able to stay profitable. Many churches will be hosting special Christmas programs in the coming weeks and we pray for their efforts to bring new people to church. May this be a special opportunity to share and introduce Jesus to people who live in their neighborhoods.
Wednesday
In recent years Christmas has become a special holiday celebrated by many families in China. It is common for Chinese parents to worry about what Christmas gift to give to their only child and where to eat the big Christmas meal. Should they host a Christmas party? Should they tell their child the story of Santa Claus or not? Chinese children and young people are very much into celebrating Christmas but the true meaning of Jesus' birth is totally lost in China. We pray for believers that they would at least boldly share the true meaning of Christmas with someone this season and not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thursday
The higher standard of medical services in recent times has increased the need for donated blood which is estimated to be about 70,000 donations daily and it is predicted to rise to 120,000 daily in four years. However, in spite of the government's repeated efforts to promote blood donations, Chinese people in general are unwilling to donate. Only 8.7% of the population have ever given blood versus 45.5% in other high-income countries. Giving without public recognition or expressed appreciation is not common in China. In the Buddhist temples the names of donors are usually carved and displayed in stone. Many believers prefer to serve in prominent and visible positions or ministries rather than hidden ones. We pray for the spirit of selfless giving and serving in the church, not seeking praise from people but doing it to please our Lord.
Friday
Chinese people are afraid to donate blood because in the 1980's many people in Henan sold blood to earn money and through that due to the use of contaminated equipment contacted AIDS and the fear still lingers. Another reason for a shortage of blood is that there has been a great migration of the population to the cities and thus the cities find themselves in short supply of the blood needed for medical use. Many Chinese believers are not willing to give what they should to the church because there is a lingering doubt concerning the misuse of church offerings. We know it will take a lot to change this feeling of mistrust as well as the lack of transparency regarding church finances in general but we ask the Lord to evolve this way of thinking into one where believers are generous and rich in all kinds of good deeds.
Saturday
The new edition of the “Xinhua Zidian” takes into account that Taiwan and Hong Kong have retained more traditional forms of writing Chinese than China where it was radically simplified in 1939. The new dictionary contains 13,000 terms but 1,500 characters also written in the old way have been included in this edition. More and more events are being held and attended by believers from the mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. We thank the Lord for the vastly increased exchange of believers of different regional backgrounds. We remember in prayer all the training in the church conducted inside China by believers from Taiwan and Hong Kong which seems to be better tolerated by the government than that by overseas Chinese.
Sunday
Terms that are no longer applicable to modern life like “meiyou” (kerosene) or “hezuoshe” (agricultural co-operative) have been removed from the 2011 edition of the dictionary. New terms include harmony, media, good of the people, and migrant worker. Many young people have difficulty understanding some of the terms in the Bible simply because the current favorite Chinese Bible was translated a century ago. We pray for the use of several new Chinese versions of the Bible but even more importantly that the churches in China can speak the same language as the young people on the street and those who grew up with the internet.
Monday
When they say, “Good bye” in China people often say, “Bye bye”. But until now there was no Chinese way of writing that. There is now. Beijing’s guardians of the language have deemed “Bai bai” the correct written form and it has been included in the new edition of China’s best-known dictionary. Honestly speaking, the majority of the churches in China have difficulty attracting young people to come there. One reason is that the churches do not address the issues that teens and youth face. We thank the Lord for the young Christians and ask the Lord to bless them with not only the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus but boldness to share their faith with their unbelieving and even resistant parents rather than being a secret follower of Jesus.
" Building Church Leaders Training Tools" Building Church Leaders is a ministry intended to provide Chinese churches a wide variety of leadership Training Tools in Chinese via downloads through BCL website.
星期二
全球近90%的聖誕節禮品產自中國，自08年金融危機後，出口雖繼續保持增長，但由於物價上漲、原料和人工成本上升及人民幣升值等因素影響，許多廠商的利潤率僅5%左右，甚至處於虧損邊緣。許多教會正籌備聖誕特別聚會，藉此邀請未信朋友來認識救主的降生，我們為這個寶貴機會向神禱告，求主預備人心來就近祂；又為信徒們有熱誠、有信心和勇氣發出邀請，與鄰舍和親友分享這個大好的信息。
星期三
中國興起慶祝聖誕節的潮流，家長們都費心如何給寶貝一個繽紛的聖誕 —去餐廳吃大餐？購買聖誕禮物？在家辦個聖誕聯歡會？還是給孩子講講聖誕老人的故事？這是眾多家長近期最為關心的話題。中國的孩子和年輕人特別喜歡慶祝聖誕，但大部份人其實對聖誕的真義毫不知情。求主賜給中國信徒大有膽量，並在生活中有美好見證，能與朋友分享神子耶穌降生的意義，也能將基督救恩清楚講明白。
星期四
按現時醫療服務量的增長測算，中國每天需有約7萬人捐血，而四年之後將增至12萬人。然而中國人對無償捐血的觀念十分薄弱，儘管政府積極鼓勵捐血，但效果不彰，人口捐血率只有8.7%，遠遠低於世界高收入國家的45.4%。在中國寺廟中，捐贈者大名是以金字刻在石柱為記，沒有掌聲及讚賞的事少有人做。在神的兒女中，很多人捨默默的服事，而選擇突出和顯眼的事工。求主幫助我們學習捨己，賜給我們不求掌聲而是單單要討主歡喜的心志。
星期五
中國人害怕捐血是因上世紀河南地區許多人賣血賺錢時，在沒有衛生保護情況下染上艾滋病，以致現今對捐血仍有陰影。此外，大量患者流向醫療資源相對集中的大城市和中心城市，導致用血量大增，都市血液缺口明顯。好些中國信徒不願盡自己本份奉獻，最大原因是對教會的財政運作沒信心。這跟教會的財政不透明是相關聯的，求主改變信徒這種心態，賜給我們一顆單純作在主身上的心，也在各樣善事上成為富足。
星期六
新版《新華字典》考慮到台灣和香港仍保留的中國傳統正體字，新版字典中有13000條款，1500正體字被納入。自從1949年後，大陸開始使用簡體字。這兩年來，大陸與台灣和香港的信徒有更多一起相聚的特會及聚會的機會，我們要為此感謝神，讓來自不同背景的弟兄姐妹能彼此學習勉勵。我們特別記念台灣、香港教會在各地的培訓。許多事工近年來比較穩定，少受干擾，我們為他們所作的感恩。
星期日
新版《新華字典》新增若干與國計民生相關的詞語，譬如在「民」字的解釋中添加「民生」，「關注民生」；「和」字中新增「和諧」一詞；「工」字的例證中新增「農民工」。也取消了「煤油」或「合作社」等舊名詞。教會使用最普遍的和合本聖經，是一百年前翻譯的白話文，但是對80後的年輕人，許多詞句都很陌生甚至難以理解。現有幾種不同的中文聖經版本，我們為它們能被使用，幫助信徒明白神的話來禱告。更重要的是，中國教會能跟在大街上行走的年輕人和那些在互聯網長大的一代，有共同的語言來溝通。
星期一
《新華字典》第11版根據時代的變化，本次修訂包括增補字音。比如中國人道別時常說的「拜拜」，也成為正式的中文字，而「拜」加入新的讀音bái。絕大多數的中國教會在吸引年輕人踏進教會有相當的難度，其中一大原因就是教會不能從年輕人的角度來溝通。我們要為教會中的年輕信徒感恩，願神祝福他們，不單有聖經的知識，也有膽量能公開他們的信仰，告訴不信主的父母神的救恩。
《建造教會領袖》事工所推出的訓練材料，是一套全面性和實用性的領袖訓練指南，幫助你培養領袖，使他們能同時兼顧聖經原則和從策略性的角度來思考教會的事工。
2011年12月13日星期二
Prayer Request 12/13 - 12/19
Tuesday
For many travel agencies in China, the year-end government tour groups are their biggest business. They set up so-called "Big Client Departments" to cater to these high-end groups and provide tailor-made pleasure trips called "Fact-finding Seminars" or "Business Opportunity Evaluation Trips". The sole purpose of these trips is to spend whatever is left in the annual budget before the new fiscal year begins. "This is not our money, let us spend it!" is a prevalent attitude in China, not only for office workers but also for people who work in the church. We need to pray that all believers commit to good stewardship and realize all they have belongs to God so they need to manage the money, time, and talents He has given them well.
Wednesday
The Central Government of China has repeatedly warned of the need for supervision for officials in the matter of budget management but it is no secret that government agencies at all levels have their so-called "public services budget" which they can use for anything whether it is gifts, events including big meals, or recreation all in the name of "public service". Unfortunately this kind of corruption exists in the churches as well. Before we condemn others we pray for integrity for all church leaders and those who handle the finances in them. We pray, too, that churches will be free of any suspicion of misuse or squandering and waste of God's money.
Thursday
Recently, Chinese online booksellers have been having an all-out price war and have even given away bestsellers. Bargain pricing has dramatically changed the landscape of the Chinese book market and disrupted traditional bookstores in an unhealthy competition. Unfortunately, readers of books are confused of how booksellers make a profit. We praise God that Christian bookstores that provide spiritual reading materials and train believers to pay for Christian books have sprung up in quite a few cities. However, the vast majority of Chinese believers do not have the habit of reading this kind of books. We pray for spiritual growth, especially for those in the younger generation who seldom read traditional books.
Friday
In mainland China once a woman is past the age of thirty, she is considered a "left over" and this has become a major social phenomenon with those who are twenty-five to twenty-eight also becoming very worried about their marriage prospects. The number of Chinese singles is climbing with more women unmarried in the cities and more men in the villages. In the urban churches in China, there are many sisters who are single or unable to find suitable mates, especially those who have a university degree or are professionals. We remember them in our prayers as they wait patiently for the Lord's own provision. We ask the Lord to bless them with joy, a heart of thanksgiving, and a trust in God that knows He will give them the very best.
Saturday
One reason China has so many "left over ladies" is that young women are more realistic, materialistic, and picky than men when it comes to choosing a mate. They no longer want to marry someone purely on love alone but demand that their potential mates have a good income and a good job--expecting that their mate will have better qualifications than themselves. Being a single female believer in the Chinese church is rather awkward since the older women want to match them with young men who aren't necessarily appropriate Christians. Single Christian men are not easy to find and there are very few fellowships that are designed to accommodate single young women believers. Let us pray for the spiritual health of all of the single sisters so they will feel a sense of self-worth and be strong to resist temptation.
Sunday
The official projection is that by 2020 China will have twenty-four million bachelors. However the numbers in the cities will be dramatically different from those in the countryside. In cities, single women will outnumber single men because women will not marry men who cannot afford to buy a house while in the villages there will be few women of marriageable age available due to the one-child policy. There are some churches that have fellowships for singles but this is quite rare and even then only in the larger cities. Most Chinese believers still hold the view that being a single is a "defect". We pray that churches will really care about the spiritual health of all single believers, not just whether they are married or not, but will encourage them to deepen their commitment to God and their church.
Monday
Due to the traditional culture and value system, many Chinese women attach great importance to the financial ability of their potential partners which also mirrors current social and economic conditions. Many Chinese men are unable to find a wife because they do not have a good job or are unable to provide for their families by buying a house or a car, etc. It is said that men in China who have adequate financial means are getting harder and harder to find. Many young Christians come from non-Christian families but their parents naturally expect them marry any good prospect quickly without consideration of their faith. May the Lord help those who experience parental pressures to marry unbelievers. We pray for a good relationship with their parents and that they will continue to be a good witness to them.
星期二
「政府團」即政府機構組織的考察團，儼然成了中國眾旅行社年末最大的生意。這些團隊出門從來都是只要最好、「最貴」，其他無所謂， 目的是要將機構一年財政預算，在年終之前花掉。「反正不是我的錢」是中國人不好的心態，不僅僅在上班族，連服事於教會同工中也有此類趨向。 讓我們為能成為神忠心善良的好管家禱告，我們一切都屬於祂，有責任管理神託管我們的金錢，時間以及恩賜。
星期三
借用公家名義來消費、搞活動、大吃大喝，幾乎是中國公家機關的專利。雖然官方一直強調，要高度重視財政支出預算的執行與管理，堅決制止「年底突擊花錢」，但每個單位都有所謂的公共服務支出 ，用來做各樣娛樂的開銷。可惜這種腐敗的風氣也多少影響了中國教會。在指責他人之先，我們為所有教會領袖及經手管理教會財政者禱告，求主賜他們正直的心，不讓教會有任何財務誤用或浪費奉獻的嫌疑
星期四
近來中國網路書店掀起了一場規模龐大的價格戰，甚至有「零元售書」。低價促銷改變了圖書市場，更嚴重打擊了傳統書店，這樣的競爭難稱健康。頻繁的價格戰很自然地令讀者懷疑：這麼低的折扣都能賺錢，圖書的利潤到底有多少？感謝主，近來許多城市都有基督教書房，提供屬靈讀物，也漸漸改變了從前基督徒只讀「不要錢」書籍的習慣。然而絕大多數中國信徒並無閱讀屬靈書刊的習慣，讓我們為信徒在靈命追求，尤其是年輕的一代更有長進禱告。
星期五
在中國，「剩女」已儼然成為一種社會現象。大陸地區女性超過三十歲未出嫁就算是剩女了，若二十七、八歲還沒對象,就開始有壓力，甚至有的二十五、六歲就開始擔心嫁不掉了。中國單身人數攀升，城鎮剩女多於剩男，鄉村則剩男多於剩女。城市教會常有許多未婚或己達適婚年齡但尚未有對象的姐妹們，其中高學位或專業白領族的比例更高。我們為她們在主面前，耐心等候神最美好的預備來祈求。求主賜她們常懷喜樂和感恩，深信神對她們有美好的計劃.
星期六
中國「剩女」多可能是現在中國的女人太現實，太物質，擇偶時眼睛向上看, 擇偶條件不再僅只是因為愛，往往都要求男士收入高、工作好；一般都遵行男強女弱的傳統格局。在中國教會，身為單身相當尷尬，好心的中年姐妹們會特別關心要介紹男友，但是教會中合適的弟兄卻少而又少。單身姐妹也很難打入年紀相近的家庭團契，更少有專門為她們成立的團契。我們為所有單身信徒靈命健康來祈求，願主保守她們能肯定自我的價值，不落入自憐也堅強抵擋試探。
星期日
依據官方調查，到2020年中國會出現二千四百萬男光棍，這數字是城鄉適婚人口的總計，若細分，鄉村未婚男子多於女性，城鎮則未婚女子多於男性。原因是農村再窮也能過日子，但獨子政策使男多女少。而城巿高房價、高物價的形勢下，男人收入低，女方就不願嫁。在中國極少有單身團契。一般仍視單身為「缺陷」，願教會除了關心未婚信徒感情的需要，更要關心他們靈命上的成長，鼓勵對神和教會有更深的委身。
星期一
很多女性重視伴侶的物質條件與傳統文化息息相關，也與當前經濟形勢有關。大多數男性找不到結婚對象,是因經濟條件較差，一般女性不願輕易下嫁。許多年輕基督徒是來自不信主的家庭，他們的父母親不會從孩子的信仰角度來考量,只希望他們能快點找到對象儘早成家。求主幫助面對家長催婚壓力的信徒，讓他們能與父母親保持良好的關係，也能繼續為主做美好的見證。
For many travel agencies in China, the year-end government tour groups are their biggest business. They set up so-called "Big Client Departments" to cater to these high-end groups and provide tailor-made pleasure trips called "Fact-finding Seminars" or "Business Opportunity Evaluation Trips". The sole purpose of these trips is to spend whatever is left in the annual budget before the new fiscal year begins. "This is not our money, let us spend it!" is a prevalent attitude in China, not only for office workers but also for people who work in the church. We need to pray that all believers commit to good stewardship and realize all they have belongs to God so they need to manage the money, time, and talents He has given them well.
Wednesday
The Central Government of China has repeatedly warned of the need for supervision for officials in the matter of budget management but it is no secret that government agencies at all levels have their so-called "public services budget" which they can use for anything whether it is gifts, events including big meals, or recreation all in the name of "public service". Unfortunately this kind of corruption exists in the churches as well. Before we condemn others we pray for integrity for all church leaders and those who handle the finances in them. We pray, too, that churches will be free of any suspicion of misuse or squandering and waste of God's money.
Thursday
Recently, Chinese online booksellers have been having an all-out price war and have even given away bestsellers. Bargain pricing has dramatically changed the landscape of the Chinese book market and disrupted traditional bookstores in an unhealthy competition. Unfortunately, readers of books are confused of how booksellers make a profit. We praise God that Christian bookstores that provide spiritual reading materials and train believers to pay for Christian books have sprung up in quite a few cities. However, the vast majority of Chinese believers do not have the habit of reading this kind of books. We pray for spiritual growth, especially for those in the younger generation who seldom read traditional books.
Friday
In mainland China once a woman is past the age of thirty, she is considered a "left over" and this has become a major social phenomenon with those who are twenty-five to twenty-eight also becoming very worried about their marriage prospects. The number of Chinese singles is climbing with more women unmarried in the cities and more men in the villages. In the urban churches in China, there are many sisters who are single or unable to find suitable mates, especially those who have a university degree or are professionals. We remember them in our prayers as they wait patiently for the Lord's own provision. We ask the Lord to bless them with joy, a heart of thanksgiving, and a trust in God that knows He will give them the very best.
Saturday
One reason China has so many "left over ladies" is that young women are more realistic, materialistic, and picky than men when it comes to choosing a mate. They no longer want to marry someone purely on love alone but demand that their potential mates have a good income and a good job--expecting that their mate will have better qualifications than themselves. Being a single female believer in the Chinese church is rather awkward since the older women want to match them with young men who aren't necessarily appropriate Christians. Single Christian men are not easy to find and there are very few fellowships that are designed to accommodate single young women believers. Let us pray for the spiritual health of all of the single sisters so they will feel a sense of self-worth and be strong to resist temptation.
Sunday
The official projection is that by 2020 China will have twenty-four million bachelors. However the numbers in the cities will be dramatically different from those in the countryside. In cities, single women will outnumber single men because women will not marry men who cannot afford to buy a house while in the villages there will be few women of marriageable age available due to the one-child policy. There are some churches that have fellowships for singles but this is quite rare and even then only in the larger cities. Most Chinese believers still hold the view that being a single is a "defect". We pray that churches will really care about the spiritual health of all single believers, not just whether they are married or not, but will encourage them to deepen their commitment to God and their church.
Monday
Due to the traditional culture and value system, many Chinese women attach great importance to the financial ability of their potential partners which also mirrors current social and economic conditions. Many Chinese men are unable to find a wife because they do not have a good job or are unable to provide for their families by buying a house or a car, etc. It is said that men in China who have adequate financial means are getting harder and harder to find. Many young Christians come from non-Christian families but their parents naturally expect them marry any good prospect quickly without consideration of their faith. May the Lord help those who experience parental pressures to marry unbelievers. We pray for a good relationship with their parents and that they will continue to be a good witness to them.
星期二
「政府團」即政府機構組織的考察團，儼然成了中國眾旅行社年末最大的生意。這些團隊出門從來都是只要最好、「最貴」，其他無所謂， 目的是要將機構一年財政預算，在年終之前花掉。「反正不是我的錢」是中國人不好的心態，不僅僅在上班族，連服事於教會同工中也有此類趨向。 讓我們為能成為神忠心善良的好管家禱告，我們一切都屬於祂，有責任管理神託管我們的金錢，時間以及恩賜。
星期三
借用公家名義來消費、搞活動、大吃大喝，幾乎是中國公家機關的專利。雖然官方一直強調，要高度重視財政支出預算的執行與管理，堅決制止「年底突擊花錢」，但每個單位都有所謂的公共服務支出 ，用來做各樣娛樂的開銷。可惜這種腐敗的風氣也多少影響了中國教會。在指責他人之先，我們為所有教會領袖及經手管理教會財政者禱告，求主賜他們正直的心，不讓教會有任何財務誤用或浪費奉獻的嫌疑
星期四
近來中國網路書店掀起了一場規模龐大的價格戰，甚至有「零元售書」。低價促銷改變了圖書市場，更嚴重打擊了傳統書店，這樣的競爭難稱健康。頻繁的價格戰很自然地令讀者懷疑：這麼低的折扣都能賺錢，圖書的利潤到底有多少？感謝主，近來許多城市都有基督教書房，提供屬靈讀物，也漸漸改變了從前基督徒只讀「不要錢」書籍的習慣。然而絕大多數中國信徒並無閱讀屬靈書刊的習慣，讓我們為信徒在靈命追求，尤其是年輕的一代更有長進禱告。
星期五
在中國，「剩女」已儼然成為一種社會現象。大陸地區女性超過三十歲未出嫁就算是剩女了，若二十七、八歲還沒對象,就開始有壓力，甚至有的二十五、六歲就開始擔心嫁不掉了。中國單身人數攀升，城鎮剩女多於剩男，鄉村則剩男多於剩女。城市教會常有許多未婚或己達適婚年齡但尚未有對象的姐妹們，其中高學位或專業白領族的比例更高。我們為她們在主面前，耐心等候神最美好的預備來祈求。求主賜她們常懷喜樂和感恩，深信神對她們有美好的計劃.
星期六
中國「剩女」多可能是現在中國的女人太現實，太物質，擇偶時眼睛向上看, 擇偶條件不再僅只是因為愛，往往都要求男士收入高、工作好；一般都遵行男強女弱的傳統格局。在中國教會，身為單身相當尷尬，好心的中年姐妹們會特別關心要介紹男友，但是教會中合適的弟兄卻少而又少。單身姐妹也很難打入年紀相近的家庭團契，更少有專門為她們成立的團契。我們為所有單身信徒靈命健康來祈求，願主保守她們能肯定自我的價值，不落入自憐也堅強抵擋試探。
星期日
依據官方調查，到2020年中國會出現二千四百萬男光棍，這數字是城鄉適婚人口的總計，若細分，鄉村未婚男子多於女性，城鎮則未婚女子多於男性。原因是農村再窮也能過日子，但獨子政策使男多女少。而城巿高房價、高物價的形勢下，男人收入低，女方就不願嫁。在中國極少有單身團契。一般仍視單身為「缺陷」，願教會除了關心未婚信徒感情的需要，更要關心他們靈命上的成長，鼓勵對神和教會有更深的委身。
星期一
很多女性重視伴侶的物質條件與傳統文化息息相關，也與當前經濟形勢有關。大多數男性找不到結婚對象,是因經濟條件較差，一般女性不願輕易下嫁。許多年輕基督徒是來自不信主的家庭，他們的父母親不會從孩子的信仰角度來考量,只希望他們能快點找到對象儘早成家。求主幫助面對家長催婚壓力的信徒，讓他們能與父母親保持良好的關係，也能繼續為主做美好的見證。
2011年12月6日星期二
Prayer Request 12/6 - 12/12
Tuesday
The first group of China's "1990's generation" is nearly ready to graduate from college. The newly twenty-some youth are often labeled as "avant-garde, having a strong character, rebellious, and self-centered". The end of the calendar year and the beginning of the New Year constitute the traditional season for graduating college students to go out and hunt for jobs. They are interviewing in many places and feeling the pressure to find employment. Finding a good job in China often requires an inside connection (guanxi) and a "good background". We remember all the young Christians who are looking for work, especially those who are having difficulty finding it. It is our prayer that they do not lose faith in God and will continue to trust Him in every aspect of their lives.
Wednesday
In 2012 there will be 6.8 million college graduates in China, a whopping 200,000 more than there were last year. If one includes the two million college graduates who did not find a job in the last two years, there will be ten million of them looking for work. Many of them will be shocked to find that one who has graduated from college will often make less than a laborer with only a junior high education. In the student ministry in China, one big problem is a lack of follow-up for those who become believers. We pray for those who have become Christians in college but are now leaving for work in cities where they are not familiar with churches or know few Christians whom they can contact. May the Lord provide believers who will welcome them, make them feel at home, and help them continue to grow spiritually.
Thursday
A former top religious affairs official claimed, the atheist Communist Party can unite people with different religious beliefs under the party's policies that dictate freedom of worship. "As long as we are united politically and have mutual respect regarding spiritual beliefs, religion can play a positive role in social harmony."We lift up in prayers all the officials who are in charge of church matters at all levels of the government and polices who carry out the orders. Bible teaches us to pray for those who govern over us and so believers will find favor and able to worship unhindered.
Friday
In the house churches, the Low-key Christians are basically fundamentalists. They stress the power of the gospel to change people and all society. We pray for those believers who prefer not to engage in dialogue with the officials but instead, with their limited resources, devote themselves to evangelism. May the Lord give them an abundant harvest because of this quiet sharing of the gospel.
Saturday
There are 16 million smokers under the age of 15 in China, boys between age 13 to 15, a whopping 33% are smokers already. Even primary schools often have the names of Chinese cigarette brands, such as Zhongnanhai or Liqun, over their gates or have promotional slogans in the playground. Adolescents is the age group that is often missing in so many China churches. Churches do not have anything to offer to interest or retain kids growing up in churches. We pray for this sad phenomenon and ask the Lord to change how church leaders view about young people and willing to invest their time to inspire, involve and integrate the adolescents.
Sunday
China's state-owned tobacco corporation is so large and full of cash. It donates and helps build schools in Sichuan and Yunnan, these schools are typically named as Tobacco Hope School and carries cigarette advertisement. Many of them even prominent feature company's slogan; ” Talent comes from hard work – Tobacco helps you become talented.” Children smoke because their parents smoke or have friends who smoke. We pray for all the believers whose children are smokers and worse, losing spiritual interest or have long stopped attending the church. We have faith that God listen and answer earnest prayer of all parents who desire to see their children used by God.
Monday
There were 1.2 million tobacco-related deaths in 2005, and if this trend continues, it is estimated that 3.5 million Chinese will die of smoking in 2030, which accounts nearly half of all tobacco-attributable deaths in the world. The current smoking ban in public places was to take effect in 2011 but it is nearly impossible to enforce. It is not easy to live with a spouse who smokes and who is an unbeliever or one who have drifted away from God. Smoking and drinking almost always go hand in hand. We lift up all believers whose have not stopped praying for the salvation and transformation of their spouse. May the Lord grant them patience and faith in Him.
星期二
中國首批「90後」大學生即將畢業進入職場。這批被一些輿論貼上「前衛、個性、叛逆、自我」標簽的年輕人，在歲末的招聘季裡奔波於大小城市尋找崗位，首次感受到就業的龐大壓力。在中國要找個好工作往往需要拉關係或有好的背景及條件。許多年輕基督徒也正尋找工作，求主幫助他們不以工作來衡量一個人的生命價值，並且能夠懂得使用神所創造的環境和材料，培養並發揮祂所賜的才幹。
星期三
2012年大學畢業生規模達到680萬人，比上年增加20萬。再加上前兩年200萬沒有實現就業的人數，今年累計有近千萬人要找工作。不少畢業生震驚於寒窗十六年後，他們的工資可能還不及外出打工的初中同鄉。中國學生事工的一大問題是學生信了主，一旦離校就不再去教會。我們為所有將步入社會，尤其是前往沒有教會聯絡或無熟識基督徒的城市，求主預備教會及基督徒來跟進他們，使靈命繼續得著栽培，與弟兄姊妹在愛中彼此建立。
星期四
前國家宗教事務局長第一次聲稱，共產黨雖然不信神，但能管理實行宗教信仰自由政策團結信教群眾，發揮宗教在促進社會和諧中的積極作用。在各級政府階層，都有專門管理宗教的官員，地方的公安也要執行政策及管理教會。聖經教導我們要為執政掌權者禱告，好叫信徒能平安度日，崇拜不受阻礙。讓我們常常為他們有恩慈，行公義，有從神來的智慧治理邦國社會來祈求。
星期五
在中國家庭教會中，「低調派」的基督徒是屬於「基要真理」派。他們注重福音，與「三自」的低調派有類似的立場，相信惟獨福音能改變人心和社會。我們記念這些較為持守政教分離立場的信徒，因知道自己在實力上的限制，故不願與政府有太多交往。求主讓他們在熱心廣傳福音時，看見神給他們的豐盛果實。
星期六
政府統計顯示，中國年齡15歲以下吸煙者就有1600萬，年齡13到15歲間的男性少年吸煙率幾乎高達三分之一。中國有不少學校，包括小學也不難在學校操場或門墻上看到以中國名牌香煙命名捲菸如中南海或利群等，香煙品牌的宣傳口號。青少年是所謂中國教會遺失的一代，許多的教會無法吸引青少年來教會，在教會長大的孩子一旦到了青少年時期就消失了。這是多麼可惜可悲的事實，求主幫助教會領袖們願意投資在青少年靈命工程上，鼓勵激發全教會積極融入青少年的事工。
星期日
中國國營煙草公司常以慈善捐獻名義對偏遠學校提供大量贊助。尤其多集中在四川、雲南，主要是建立「煙草希望小學」，學校不但有煙草企業標誌，也有橫書標語：「天才出於勤奮，煙草助你成材。」 孩子們在家看爸媽吸煙，在外又有朋友吸煙，自然也學會吸煙。我們為信徒有孩子抽煙的來禱告，更傷心的是孩子失去屬靈的胃口，不願意去聚會，甚至早已遠離神。求神不但垂聽我們祈求，更幫助那些有信心認真地禱告求主使用他們孩子的父母。
星期一
在2005中國有120萬人因抽煙有關而死亡，如繼續此趨勢，在2030年中國每年將有350萬因吸煙而死，那時中國幾乎會佔全世界抽煙死亡人數的一半。中國2011年在全國公共場所禁煙，但根本無人力執行，罰款也毫無見效。對一個信徒而言, 配偶不願停止吸煙是難過的。煙酒不過是外表行為，配偶不信神或是早已遠離主，靈命停滯才是痛心的事。這些信徒天天為配偶得救禱告，我們記念他們，求主加添他們耐心和信心，不放棄繼續禱告。
The first group of China's "1990's generation" is nearly ready to graduate from college. The newly twenty-some youth are often labeled as "avant-garde, having a strong character, rebellious, and self-centered". The end of the calendar year and the beginning of the New Year constitute the traditional season for graduating college students to go out and hunt for jobs. They are interviewing in many places and feeling the pressure to find employment. Finding a good job in China often requires an inside connection (guanxi) and a "good background". We remember all the young Christians who are looking for work, especially those who are having difficulty finding it. It is our prayer that they do not lose faith in God and will continue to trust Him in every aspect of their lives.
Wednesday
In 2012 there will be 6.8 million college graduates in China, a whopping 200,000 more than there were last year. If one includes the two million college graduates who did not find a job in the last two years, there will be ten million of them looking for work. Many of them will be shocked to find that one who has graduated from college will often make less than a laborer with only a junior high education. In the student ministry in China, one big problem is a lack of follow-up for those who become believers. We pray for those who have become Christians in college but are now leaving for work in cities where they are not familiar with churches or know few Christians whom they can contact. May the Lord provide believers who will welcome them, make them feel at home, and help them continue to grow spiritually.
Thursday
A former top religious affairs official claimed, the atheist Communist Party can unite people with different religious beliefs under the party's policies that dictate freedom of worship. "As long as we are united politically and have mutual respect regarding spiritual beliefs, religion can play a positive role in social harmony."We lift up in prayers all the officials who are in charge of church matters at all levels of the government and polices who carry out the orders. Bible teaches us to pray for those who govern over us and so believers will find favor and able to worship unhindered.
Friday
In the house churches, the Low-key Christians are basically fundamentalists. They stress the power of the gospel to change people and all society. We pray for those believers who prefer not to engage in dialogue with the officials but instead, with their limited resources, devote themselves to evangelism. May the Lord give them an abundant harvest because of this quiet sharing of the gospel.
Saturday
There are 16 million smokers under the age of 15 in China, boys between age 13 to 15, a whopping 33% are smokers already. Even primary schools often have the names of Chinese cigarette brands, such as Zhongnanhai or Liqun, over their gates or have promotional slogans in the playground. Adolescents is the age group that is often missing in so many China churches. Churches do not have anything to offer to interest or retain kids growing up in churches. We pray for this sad phenomenon and ask the Lord to change how church leaders view about young people and willing to invest their time to inspire, involve and integrate the adolescents.
Sunday
China's state-owned tobacco corporation is so large and full of cash. It donates and helps build schools in Sichuan and Yunnan, these schools are typically named as Tobacco Hope School and carries cigarette advertisement. Many of them even prominent feature company's slogan; ” Talent comes from hard work – Tobacco helps you become talented.” Children smoke because their parents smoke or have friends who smoke. We pray for all the believers whose children are smokers and worse, losing spiritual interest or have long stopped attending the church. We have faith that God listen and answer earnest prayer of all parents who desire to see their children used by God.
Monday
There were 1.2 million tobacco-related deaths in 2005, and if this trend continues, it is estimated that 3.5 million Chinese will die of smoking in 2030, which accounts nearly half of all tobacco-attributable deaths in the world. The current smoking ban in public places was to take effect in 2011 but it is nearly impossible to enforce. It is not easy to live with a spouse who smokes and who is an unbeliever or one who have drifted away from God. Smoking and drinking almost always go hand in hand. We lift up all believers whose have not stopped praying for the salvation and transformation of their spouse. May the Lord grant them patience and faith in Him.
星期二
中國首批「90後」大學生即將畢業進入職場。這批被一些輿論貼上「前衛、個性、叛逆、自我」標簽的年輕人，在歲末的招聘季裡奔波於大小城市尋找崗位，首次感受到就業的龐大壓力。在中國要找個好工作往往需要拉關係或有好的背景及條件。許多年輕基督徒也正尋找工作，求主幫助他們不以工作來衡量一個人的生命價值，並且能夠懂得使用神所創造的環境和材料，培養並發揮祂所賜的才幹。
星期三
2012年大學畢業生規模達到680萬人，比上年增加20萬。再加上前兩年200萬沒有實現就業的人數，今年累計有近千萬人要找工作。不少畢業生震驚於寒窗十六年後，他們的工資可能還不及外出打工的初中同鄉。中國學生事工的一大問題是學生信了主，一旦離校就不再去教會。我們為所有將步入社會，尤其是前往沒有教會聯絡或無熟識基督徒的城市，求主預備教會及基督徒來跟進他們，使靈命繼續得著栽培，與弟兄姊妹在愛中彼此建立。
星期四
前國家宗教事務局長第一次聲稱，共產黨雖然不信神，但能管理實行宗教信仰自由政策團結信教群眾，發揮宗教在促進社會和諧中的積極作用。在各級政府階層，都有專門管理宗教的官員，地方的公安也要執行政策及管理教會。聖經教導我們要為執政掌權者禱告，好叫信徒能平安度日，崇拜不受阻礙。讓我們常常為他們有恩慈，行公義，有從神來的智慧治理邦國社會來祈求。
星期五
在中國家庭教會中，「低調派」的基督徒是屬於「基要真理」派。他們注重福音，與「三自」的低調派有類似的立場，相信惟獨福音能改變人心和社會。我們記念這些較為持守政教分離立場的信徒，因知道自己在實力上的限制，故不願與政府有太多交往。求主讓他們在熱心廣傳福音時，看見神給他們的豐盛果實。
星期六
政府統計顯示，中國年齡15歲以下吸煙者就有1600萬，年齡13到15歲間的男性少年吸煙率幾乎高達三分之一。中國有不少學校，包括小學也不難在學校操場或門墻上看到以中國名牌香煙命名捲菸如中南海或利群等，香煙品牌的宣傳口號。青少年是所謂中國教會遺失的一代，許多的教會無法吸引青少年來教會，在教會長大的孩子一旦到了青少年時期就消失了。這是多麼可惜可悲的事實，求主幫助教會領袖們願意投資在青少年靈命工程上，鼓勵激發全教會積極融入青少年的事工。
星期日
中國國營煙草公司常以慈善捐獻名義對偏遠學校提供大量贊助。尤其多集中在四川、雲南，主要是建立「煙草希望小學」，學校不但有煙草企業標誌，也有橫書標語：「天才出於勤奮，煙草助你成材。」 孩子們在家看爸媽吸煙，在外又有朋友吸煙，自然也學會吸煙。我們為信徒有孩子抽煙的來禱告，更傷心的是孩子失去屬靈的胃口，不願意去聚會，甚至早已遠離神。求神不但垂聽我們祈求，更幫助那些有信心認真地禱告求主使用他們孩子的父母。
星期一
在2005中國有120萬人因抽煙有關而死亡，如繼續此趨勢，在2030年中國每年將有350萬因吸煙而死，那時中國幾乎會佔全世界抽煙死亡人數的一半。中國2011年在全國公共場所禁煙，但根本無人力執行，罰款也毫無見效。對一個信徒而言, 配偶不願停止吸煙是難過的。煙酒不過是外表行為，配偶不信神或是早已遠離主，靈命停滯才是痛心的事。這些信徒天天為配偶得救禱告，我們記念他們，求主加添他們耐心和信心，不放棄繼續禱告。
2011年11月22日星期二
Prayer Request 11/22 - 11/28
Tuesday
Very few children who grow up in rural China want to become teachers. Chinese farmers hope their children will get out of being farmers by getting college degrees and few farmers want their children to return to the countryside. They definitely do not want them be become poor teachers there. Very few Christian Chinese parents will encourage or allow their children to serve the Lord because of the lack of respect and low wages they receive. Let us pray about this problem and that the churches in China will honor God's workers and treat them fairly.
Wednesday
There are about forty million Chinese peasants who have lost their land but a mere ten percent of the migrant workers who once were farmers are willing to return to the villages. There are, however, two main obstacles that keep migrant workers from being residents in the city--there are residence restrictions and public services are not available to them. They really have no land to return to but still eighty percent of them want to stay in the cities. We want to remember those seminary students who want to return home to serve in their home churches but since they know the salary is so meagre they struggle to fulfill God's will. How will they support their families? Often they are criticized and their ministry efforts go unappreciated also.
Thursday
According to a survey 35-45% of the new generation of migrant workers between the ages of 16-30 no longer have their homestead land back home to cultivate so they essentially are not able to support themselves in the villages. Only 8.8% of migrant workers desire to return to the villages and of the young migrant workers only 7.7% have that desire. Although the harvest is plentiful the workers are have always been few. Rural churches have constantly lacked shepherds and scarcely any Christians parents in rural areas want their children to be church workers. Rarely do young people now consider serving full time in rural churches. May the Lord have mercy on them, especially those pastors whose faith is wavering and they are thinking of stopping their work in the villages altogether.
Friday
Chinese men from the villages leave their wives at home to care for the children and elderly parents as well as to do the farming so they can go to the cities and work. As one travels throughout rural China it is alarming and frightening to find it so difficult to see any young men around. The villages are left with mostly the children and old people. Many leaders in the rural churches are still trying to spend their limited resources to build the church building rather than investing in future talents for the kingdom. We pray that the Lord will burden these leaders with a true desire to raise up new leaders, not merely keeping them busy working in the church but entrusting them with real responsibilities and training them for making critical decisions.
Saturday
In the rural areas of China children are left behind with elderly grandparents when their parents go to work in the cities. Far more important than meeting the basic needs of the children is how the grandparents could have the energy and knowledge to help the children do their school work. There are many stories of juvenile crimes, elderly abuse, and robbery. Some of the rural church leaders whether intentionally or unintentionally "abuse" their pastors by giving them extremely low wages because they claim they themselves are volunteers who do just as much work as the pastors do. This is a common practice. May the Lord convict each of us so we will know how to treat His workers with respect and encourage them by supporting their families financially.
Sunday
Chinese people are fond of the number 8. For example, the 2008 Beijing Olympics started on August 8 at 8:08 p.m. It is pronounced like the word for "getting rich". The same zeal is found in getting an 8 on one's license plate, phone number, and even in the price of food. Merchandise and hotel room rates are set in 88 yuan, 888 yuan, or 1888 yuan. Sadly there is a lot of this competitive mentality among the churches in China also. Many are engaging in building bigger and prettier church buildings to show off. Unfortunately this saddles churches with large debts and high interest rates. May the Lord be gracious to His church and help us to be good stewards knowing we should invest in people (future leaders) rather than mere outside things.
Monday
In the past churches in the cities of China have helped support rural churches by sending pastors to them to preach or give special training. These efforts are good but lack long-term impact. In terms of team work, there is a big gap between the believers in cities and those in the villages in overcoming the differences in their life styles, their sentiments, and how they do things, We pray there will be more urban churches, especially those in the wealthy regions, that will be willing to support the impoverished rural churches. We need leaders with vision and broad shoulders to bring about a partnership between rural and urban churches and to help the poor and smaller churches to be self-supporting.
星期二
中國很少有農村孩子長大後想當老師。現在大部份的農民都希望自己的孩子接受教育，考上大學進而脫離農夫這門行業。少有人願意自己的孩子再回到農村，尤其回來當窮教書的。大多數信徒家長不鼓勵或允許自己孩子全職事奉主，在他們的觀念裏，牧者不受尊重，且多是清貧困苦。讓我們為這種現象和錯誤的觀念來禱告，求主改變中國教會, 讓信徒敬重神的工人，並以愛心照顧他們的生活需用.
星期三
中國失地農民約4千萬，願回鄉民工不足1成。現在農民工入城的主要難題，一是戶籍限制和公共服務的城鄉分割，二是老家的宅基地和承包地，「八成農民工即便不放開戶口也將長期留在城鎮。」我們特別紀念許多來自農村想回鄉服事的神學生，他們家鄉的教會無力供養，不回去又於心不忍，一邊是神的託付不能不做，一邊是家庭的重擔——做不下去，有時還會面對這樣那樣的批評和論斷。
星期四
根據研究數據顯示，新生代農民工中，16至30歲，百分之35到40在老家沒有地；無法在農村養活自己。願意回農村定居的農民工只占8.8%。只有7.7%的新生代農民工願意回農村定居，而老一代農民工的比例為13.3%。農村教會「羊多牧人少」，「莊稼多，作工的人少」，但有多少父母願意、敢將自己健全的兒女奉獻為傳道？ 又有多少青年基督徒樂意去教會全職事奉？求主憐憫，也幫助那些現在信心動搖，想放棄服侍的農村教會傳道人。
星期五
農村年輕人到城市打工，多半是男人出去打工，太太在家裡照顧孩子、老人甚至幫助種地。在很多省份，鄉下幾乎沒有年輕人了，家裡就剩老人和孩子，問題相當嚴重。今天農村教會不少負責同工「重基建、輕人才」- 願意花錢在教會硬件建設上，但缺乏「人才」建設的認識。 求主幫助教會領袖們真有心栽培接棒的年輕一代，而不只是說說，或是只讓他們有很多的工作，卻沒有擔負實質的責任。
星期六
中國內地許多年輕人留下自己的子女給父母照顧，自己進城工作。老年人除了照顧孫子的衣食住行，最困難的則是教育問題，根本沒有精力照顧到這個層面。再加上社會問題，犯罪問題，欺負老年人，有的老年人有些錢，鄉下的流氓地痞可能就敲詐老年人，種種對老年人不利的情形。有的農村教會負責人因自己多年來一直是「義工」，就有意無意地在生活上壓低專職傳道人的待遇，此現象在農村教會司空見慣。我們為教會能以合乎聖經的教導，尊敬神的僕人，照顧神的工人來禱告。
星期日
中國人對數字「8」的喜愛程度超乎想像。從2008年北京奧運會開幕式的時間—8月8日晚上8時零8分就能看出。「8」和「發」財發音相似。不只車牌號，電話號碼，從食物價格到商品，酒店客房價格，經常會看到88元、888元、1888元 。教會也會有攀比心態，不少教會把資金盲目投放在「大教堂」建築上，甚至為了滿足虛榮心而不惜借高利貸，使得教會債台高築。求主恩待祂的教會，知道如何當個好管家，願意在教會人才上投資更多，培養願意事奉的後續人才。
星期一
過去城市教會對農村教會的支援， 大多是教牧人員來農村教會證道或主持特別節目，雖然立意可嘉，但效果卻是短暫的。 團隊在與農村信徒情感上、生活習慣等諸多方面的認同還有許多間隙。我們求主感動更多的城市教會，尤其是經濟相對發達地區的教會，更有負擔支援農村教會， 有異象的領袖們更多鼓勵城市和農村教會成為夥伴，為教會能自給自足而出力。
Very few children who grow up in rural China want to become teachers. Chinese farmers hope their children will get out of being farmers by getting college degrees and few farmers want their children to return to the countryside. They definitely do not want them be become poor teachers there. Very few Christian Chinese parents will encourage or allow their children to serve the Lord because of the lack of respect and low wages they receive. Let us pray about this problem and that the churches in China will honor God's workers and treat them fairly.
Wednesday
There are about forty million Chinese peasants who have lost their land but a mere ten percent of the migrant workers who once were farmers are willing to return to the villages. There are, however, two main obstacles that keep migrant workers from being residents in the city--there are residence restrictions and public services are not available to them. They really have no land to return to but still eighty percent of them want to stay in the cities. We want to remember those seminary students who want to return home to serve in their home churches but since they know the salary is so meagre they struggle to fulfill God's will. How will they support their families? Often they are criticized and their ministry efforts go unappreciated also.
Thursday
According to a survey 35-45% of the new generation of migrant workers between the ages of 16-30 no longer have their homestead land back home to cultivate so they essentially are not able to support themselves in the villages. Only 8.8% of migrant workers desire to return to the villages and of the young migrant workers only 7.7% have that desire. Although the harvest is plentiful the workers are have always been few. Rural churches have constantly lacked shepherds and scarcely any Christians parents in rural areas want their children to be church workers. Rarely do young people now consider serving full time in rural churches. May the Lord have mercy on them, especially those pastors whose faith is wavering and they are thinking of stopping their work in the villages altogether.
Friday
Chinese men from the villages leave their wives at home to care for the children and elderly parents as well as to do the farming so they can go to the cities and work. As one travels throughout rural China it is alarming and frightening to find it so difficult to see any young men around. The villages are left with mostly the children and old people. Many leaders in the rural churches are still trying to spend their limited resources to build the church building rather than investing in future talents for the kingdom. We pray that the Lord will burden these leaders with a true desire to raise up new leaders, not merely keeping them busy working in the church but entrusting them with real responsibilities and training them for making critical decisions.
Saturday
In the rural areas of China children are left behind with elderly grandparents when their parents go to work in the cities. Far more important than meeting the basic needs of the children is how the grandparents could have the energy and knowledge to help the children do their school work. There are many stories of juvenile crimes, elderly abuse, and robbery. Some of the rural church leaders whether intentionally or unintentionally "abuse" their pastors by giving them extremely low wages because they claim they themselves are volunteers who do just as much work as the pastors do. This is a common practice. May the Lord convict each of us so we will know how to treat His workers with respect and encourage them by supporting their families financially.
Sunday
Chinese people are fond of the number 8. For example, the 2008 Beijing Olympics started on August 8 at 8:08 p.m. It is pronounced like the word for "getting rich". The same zeal is found in getting an 8 on one's license plate, phone number, and even in the price of food. Merchandise and hotel room rates are set in 88 yuan, 888 yuan, or 1888 yuan. Sadly there is a lot of this competitive mentality among the churches in China also. Many are engaging in building bigger and prettier church buildings to show off. Unfortunately this saddles churches with large debts and high interest rates. May the Lord be gracious to His church and help us to be good stewards knowing we should invest in people (future leaders) rather than mere outside things.
Monday
In the past churches in the cities of China have helped support rural churches by sending pastors to them to preach or give special training. These efforts are good but lack long-term impact. In terms of team work, there is a big gap between the believers in cities and those in the villages in overcoming the differences in their life styles, their sentiments, and how they do things, We pray there will be more urban churches, especially those in the wealthy regions, that will be willing to support the impoverished rural churches. We need leaders with vision and broad shoulders to bring about a partnership between rural and urban churches and to help the poor and smaller churches to be self-supporting.
星期二
中國很少有農村孩子長大後想當老師。現在大部份的農民都希望自己的孩子接受教育，考上大學進而脫離農夫這門行業。少有人願意自己的孩子再回到農村，尤其回來當窮教書的。大多數信徒家長不鼓勵或允許自己孩子全職事奉主，在他們的觀念裏，牧者不受尊重，且多是清貧困苦。讓我們為這種現象和錯誤的觀念來禱告，求主改變中國教會, 讓信徒敬重神的工人，並以愛心照顧他們的生活需用.
星期三
中國失地農民約4千萬，願回鄉民工不足1成。現在農民工入城的主要難題，一是戶籍限制和公共服務的城鄉分割，二是老家的宅基地和承包地，「八成農民工即便不放開戶口也將長期留在城鎮。」我們特別紀念許多來自農村想回鄉服事的神學生，他們家鄉的教會無力供養，不回去又於心不忍，一邊是神的託付不能不做，一邊是家庭的重擔——做不下去，有時還會面對這樣那樣的批評和論斷。
星期四
根據研究數據顯示，新生代農民工中，16至30歲，百分之35到40在老家沒有地；無法在農村養活自己。願意回農村定居的農民工只占8.8%。只有7.7%的新生代農民工願意回農村定居，而老一代農民工的比例為13.3%。農村教會「羊多牧人少」，「莊稼多，作工的人少」，但有多少父母願意、敢將自己健全的兒女奉獻為傳道？ 又有多少青年基督徒樂意去教會全職事奉？求主憐憫，也幫助那些現在信心動搖，想放棄服侍的農村教會傳道人。
星期五
農村年輕人到城市打工，多半是男人出去打工，太太在家裡照顧孩子、老人甚至幫助種地。在很多省份，鄉下幾乎沒有年輕人了，家裡就剩老人和孩子，問題相當嚴重。今天農村教會不少負責同工「重基建、輕人才」- 願意花錢在教會硬件建設上，但缺乏「人才」建設的認識。 求主幫助教會領袖們真有心栽培接棒的年輕一代，而不只是說說，或是只讓他們有很多的工作，卻沒有擔負實質的責任。
星期六
中國內地許多年輕人留下自己的子女給父母照顧，自己進城工作。老年人除了照顧孫子的衣食住行，最困難的則是教育問題，根本沒有精力照顧到這個層面。再加上社會問題，犯罪問題，欺負老年人，有的老年人有些錢，鄉下的流氓地痞可能就敲詐老年人，種種對老年人不利的情形。有的農村教會負責人因自己多年來一直是「義工」，就有意無意地在生活上壓低專職傳道人的待遇，此現象在農村教會司空見慣。我們為教會能以合乎聖經的教導，尊敬神的僕人，照顧神的工人來禱告。
星期日
中國人對數字「8」的喜愛程度超乎想像。從2008年北京奧運會開幕式的時間—8月8日晚上8時零8分就能看出。「8」和「發」財發音相似。不只車牌號，電話號碼，從食物價格到商品，酒店客房價格，經常會看到88元、888元、1888元 。教會也會有攀比心態，不少教會把資金盲目投放在「大教堂」建築上，甚至為了滿足虛榮心而不惜借高利貸，使得教會債台高築。求主恩待祂的教會，知道如何當個好管家，願意在教會人才上投資更多，培養願意事奉的後續人才。
星期一
過去城市教會對農村教會的支援， 大多是教牧人員來農村教會證道或主持特別節目，雖然立意可嘉，但效果卻是短暫的。 團隊在與農村信徒情感上、生活習慣等諸多方面的認同還有許多間隙。我們求主感動更多的城市教會，尤其是經濟相對發達地區的教會，更有負擔支援農村教會， 有異象的領袖們更多鼓勵城市和農村教會成為夥伴，為教會能自給自足而出力。
2011年11月14日星期一
Prayer Request 11/15 - 11/21
Tuesday
Every day sixty skilled Chinese apply for immigration to Canada. Over the past ten years many of the wealthy elite from China have obtained citizenship in Australia, Canada, Singapore, New Zealand, and the United States. It is estimated that in the decade after 1999 two million mainland Chinese have received green cards from other nations with 400,000 of them from Canada alone. The Chinese churches that have ministered to these new immigrants have been blessed with a bountiful harvest of souls. We praise the Lord for this wonderful opportunity and pray He will give these new believers a true desire to grow deeper in His word and not go to church merely as a social opportunity to meet with other Chinese people and keep the Chinese language and culture alive for their children.
Wednesday
In the countryside in China, many teachers feel their status is inferior to that of the migrant farmer since despite their education, they earn far less than the laborers in the cities. Although there has been some improvement in this problem, still rural teachers are underpaid. There is a false attitude about church workers in China since they feel that the less money the pastors get, the more spiritual they will be. May the Lord have mercy on each of us and help us to have a Biblical attitude that will balance wealth and faithfulness, not claim false spirituality nor be greedy.
Thursday
Most of the teachers in rural China earn about $155 - $330 US monthly. Elementary and secondary school teachers earn about the same amount but pay is higher in the towns than in the villages. Regionally, teachers in Eastern China earn more than those in Western China. The central area has the lowest pay for teachers in all of China. Pastors in rural churches receive less salary than school teachers do so many pastors must have a side job to make ends meet. We pray for strength, both physical and emotional for them. May the Lord give them focus and wisdom in preparing for their ministry.
Friday
Many people think that teachers in China have extra income from a source other than teaching. In reality, fewer than thirty percent of the teachers have such perks. Many teachers say their salaries now approach those of civil servants but they are without bonuses or benefits. Many Chinese believers do not know how their church workers support themselves. One reason for this is a lack of financial transparency in the churches. On the other hand, many people regrettably do not care. We pray that revival will come again and believers will care passionately about God's work and His workers.
Saturday
Newly graduated teachers in China earn about $200 US monthly which is enough to live but they still help from their parents at times. Actually a teacher should receive $500 US monthly considering the skyrocketing prices of housing. No one is able to buy a house on a teacher's salary. The attrition rate of young pastors in China is very high because they are asked to do many things with very little compensation and besides that they receive very little recognition and encouragement. Let us pray for these who feel disappointed and even disillusioned about serving God. We ask for God's comfort and His strength for them and their families.
Sunday
Currently teachers in China are judged by how many of their students advance to high school or college. Rural teachers are handicapped by lack of facilities and many of them must spend extra time with their students to boost their performance on examinations. We remember all those who teach in rural churches. Many of them are actually self taught and learn from whatever materials they have and teach accordingly. We thank the Lord for them. May He bless them with more than Biblical knowledge and the ability to apply it to their students' lives.
Monday
The Chinese government is requiring teachers to be more informed in many subjects from speaking proper Mandarin to computer knowledge, and even psychology. The minimum educational requirements for teachers are rising also. When in the past post high school institutes were enough, now a university degree is required. In the past twenty-five years there has been much training in the churches in China to improve the teaching system and provide more systematic learning for those who serve there. We continue to pray for all those who are doing teaching in the churches and the students who will in turn learn and apply these lessons in their churches.
星期二
中國每天約有60名精英遞交加拿大移民申請。近10年來中國的高知識分子和富裕人士紛紛入籍澳大利亞、加拿大、新加坡、美國、新西蘭等國。據估計中國內地有200萬人合法獲得了外國居留證，其中獲加拿大「綠卡」者超過40萬人。感謝神，海外華人教會因著關心中國新移民，己有美好的豐收，願主引領新信徒在真理上更有追求，而非把教會當作社交場合，或單單為了子女能接觸中國的文化和語言。
星期三
中國農村的教師常感嘆社會地位不如在城市的民工。薪資低是導致他們自認不如別人的主因。儘管中國政府一直努力提高教師待遇，但鄉村教師的收入依然不盡如人意。教會對神的僕人也有種錯誤看法，覺得牧師要越窮才越屬靈。求主憐憫我們，能有合乎聖經教導的見識，有個平衡的財富和服事觀，追求的不是屬靈的外表，也沒有絲毫貪財的動機。提供一個合情理的養生環境來支持教牧同工專心事奉。
星期四
農村教師的收入平約每月1000-2000元。小學與中學教師的工資相差不大，縣城的要高於鄉鎮和農村。整體來說，東部地區教師的月工資總收入最多，西部地區教師次之，而中部地區的教師收入最少。農村教會的傳道人薪資常低於小學老師，常需兼另一份工來維生，無法專心全職在教會服事。讓我們禱告，求主加添恩典和精力，幫助他們專注在講章預備，並在日常的服事中也滿有智慧和喜樂。
星期五
很多人覺得中國教師收入中補貼(或津貼)佔很大一部分，但是實際上有補貼的教師不到30%。調查顯示，教師的專項補貼普遍不高。很多教師表示，在沒有獎金和其他福利之下，現在教師的工資和公務員的差距不大。許多信徒根本不知他們的傳道人如何維持生活。教會財務不公開是一大原因，但也有許多信徒不在乎傳道人是如何養家的。求主復興教會，信徒不單關心神的國度廣傳，更要關心他們的牧者。
星期六
現今剛畢業的年輕教師月薪水約人民幣1400元，僅夠個人消費，有時還需跟家裏人拿錢花用。據合理估算，教師工資應漲到每月約人民幣3500元左右，若照現在房價，一般教師僅憑個人現有工資真不知何年何月才買得起房子。中國年輕傳道人的流失率相當高，一旦進入服事，他們發現教會的要求多又高，但肯定及實際的鼓勵卻極少。讓我們紀念那些對服事失望，甚至感到無力繼續事奉的牧者，求神記念他們的各種需要並賜下安慰和力量給他們和他們的家庭。
星期日
目前在中國，升學率仍是教育部考核教師的主要指標。農村中學在資源相對落後和不足的情況下，教師們不得不犧牲自己的時間，為學生補習加強他們的學習狀況。極大多數農村教會牧者的教導講章多是自學而來,有什麼材料就教什麽。我們記念所有農村教會有教導服事的同工，為他們的忠心和勞苦感恩，願主保守他們，不單是在聖經知識上的傳授，更是將真理解釋活潑地應用在日常生活當中。
星期一
現今中國教育部對老師要求越來越多，從考普通話到計算機，甚至還要考心理學。相對的對學歷的要求也提高了，以前中專畢業就可以當老師，現在大專，甚至本科學位都是基本要求。過去25年裡，中國教會受惠於許多培訓課程，改善了傳道人在學習真理及牧會上有一系統性的學習。我們繼續為所有服事與培訓的老師們禱告，也祝福所有的學員，能將所學的實際應用在他們的教會服事。
Every day sixty skilled Chinese apply for immigration to Canada. Over the past ten years many of the wealthy elite from China have obtained citizenship in Australia, Canada, Singapore, New Zealand, and the United States. It is estimated that in the decade after 1999 two million mainland Chinese have received green cards from other nations with 400,000 of them from Canada alone. The Chinese churches that have ministered to these new immigrants have been blessed with a bountiful harvest of souls. We praise the Lord for this wonderful opportunity and pray He will give these new believers a true desire to grow deeper in His word and not go to church merely as a social opportunity to meet with other Chinese people and keep the Chinese language and culture alive for their children.
Wednesday
In the countryside in China, many teachers feel their status is inferior to that of the migrant farmer since despite their education, they earn far less than the laborers in the cities. Although there has been some improvement in this problem, still rural teachers are underpaid. There is a false attitude about church workers in China since they feel that the less money the pastors get, the more spiritual they will be. May the Lord have mercy on each of us and help us to have a Biblical attitude that will balance wealth and faithfulness, not claim false spirituality nor be greedy.
Thursday
Most of the teachers in rural China earn about $155 - $330 US monthly. Elementary and secondary school teachers earn about the same amount but pay is higher in the towns than in the villages. Regionally, teachers in Eastern China earn more than those in Western China. The central area has the lowest pay for teachers in all of China. Pastors in rural churches receive less salary than school teachers do so many pastors must have a side job to make ends meet. We pray for strength, both physical and emotional for them. May the Lord give them focus and wisdom in preparing for their ministry.
Friday
Many people think that teachers in China have extra income from a source other than teaching. In reality, fewer than thirty percent of the teachers have such perks. Many teachers say their salaries now approach those of civil servants but they are without bonuses or benefits. Many Chinese believers do not know how their church workers support themselves. One reason for this is a lack of financial transparency in the churches. On the other hand, many people regrettably do not care. We pray that revival will come again and believers will care passionately about God's work and His workers.
Saturday
Newly graduated teachers in China earn about $200 US monthly which is enough to live but they still help from their parents at times. Actually a teacher should receive $500 US monthly considering the skyrocketing prices of housing. No one is able to buy a house on a teacher's salary. The attrition rate of young pastors in China is very high because they are asked to do many things with very little compensation and besides that they receive very little recognition and encouragement. Let us pray for these who feel disappointed and even disillusioned about serving God. We ask for God's comfort and His strength for them and their families.
Sunday
Currently teachers in China are judged by how many of their students advance to high school or college. Rural teachers are handicapped by lack of facilities and many of them must spend extra time with their students to boost their performance on examinations. We remember all those who teach in rural churches. Many of them are actually self taught and learn from whatever materials they have and teach accordingly. We thank the Lord for them. May He bless them with more than Biblical knowledge and the ability to apply it to their students' lives.
Monday
The Chinese government is requiring teachers to be more informed in many subjects from speaking proper Mandarin to computer knowledge, and even psychology. The minimum educational requirements for teachers are rising also. When in the past post high school institutes were enough, now a university degree is required. In the past twenty-five years there has been much training in the churches in China to improve the teaching system and provide more systematic learning for those who serve there. We continue to pray for all those who are doing teaching in the churches and the students who will in turn learn and apply these lessons in their churches.
星期二
中國每天約有60名精英遞交加拿大移民申請。近10年來中國的高知識分子和富裕人士紛紛入籍澳大利亞、加拿大、新加坡、美國、新西蘭等國。據估計中國內地有200萬人合法獲得了外國居留證，其中獲加拿大「綠卡」者超過40萬人。感謝神，海外華人教會因著關心中國新移民，己有美好的豐收，願主引領新信徒在真理上更有追求，而非把教會當作社交場合，或單單為了子女能接觸中國的文化和語言。
星期三
中國農村的教師常感嘆社會地位不如在城市的民工。薪資低是導致他們自認不如別人的主因。儘管中國政府一直努力提高教師待遇，但鄉村教師的收入依然不盡如人意。教會對神的僕人也有種錯誤看法，覺得牧師要越窮才越屬靈。求主憐憫我們，能有合乎聖經教導的見識，有個平衡的財富和服事觀，追求的不是屬靈的外表，也沒有絲毫貪財的動機。提供一個合情理的養生環境來支持教牧同工專心事奉。
星期四
農村教師的收入平約每月1000-2000元。小學與中學教師的工資相差不大，縣城的要高於鄉鎮和農村。整體來說，東部地區教師的月工資總收入最多，西部地區教師次之，而中部地區的教師收入最少。農村教會的傳道人薪資常低於小學老師，常需兼另一份工來維生，無法專心全職在教會服事。讓我們禱告，求主加添恩典和精力，幫助他們專注在講章預備，並在日常的服事中也滿有智慧和喜樂。
星期五
很多人覺得中國教師收入中補貼(或津貼)佔很大一部分，但是實際上有補貼的教師不到30%。調查顯示，教師的專項補貼普遍不高。很多教師表示，在沒有獎金和其他福利之下，現在教師的工資和公務員的差距不大。許多信徒根本不知他們的傳道人如何維持生活。教會財務不公開是一大原因，但也有許多信徒不在乎傳道人是如何養家的。求主復興教會，信徒不單關心神的國度廣傳，更要關心他們的牧者。
星期六
現今剛畢業的年輕教師月薪水約人民幣1400元，僅夠個人消費，有時還需跟家裏人拿錢花用。據合理估算，教師工資應漲到每月約人民幣3500元左右，若照現在房價，一般教師僅憑個人現有工資真不知何年何月才買得起房子。中國年輕傳道人的流失率相當高，一旦進入服事，他們發現教會的要求多又高，但肯定及實際的鼓勵卻極少。讓我們紀念那些對服事失望，甚至感到無力繼續事奉的牧者，求神記念他們的各種需要並賜下安慰和力量給他們和他們的家庭。
星期日
目前在中國，升學率仍是教育部考核教師的主要指標。農村中學在資源相對落後和不足的情況下，教師們不得不犧牲自己的時間，為學生補習加強他們的學習狀況。極大多數農村教會牧者的教導講章多是自學而來,有什麼材料就教什麽。我們記念所有農村教會有教導服事的同工，為他們的忠心和勞苦感恩，願主保守他們，不單是在聖經知識上的傳授，更是將真理解釋活潑地應用在日常生活當中。
星期一
現今中國教育部對老師要求越來越多，從考普通話到計算機，甚至還要考心理學。相對的對學歷的要求也提高了，以前中專畢業就可以當老師，現在大專，甚至本科學位都是基本要求。過去25年裡，中國教會受惠於許多培訓課程，改善了傳道人在學習真理及牧會上有一系統性的學習。我們繼續為所有服事與培訓的老師們禱告，也祝福所有的學員，能將所學的實際應用在他們的教會服事。
2011年11月8日星期二
Prayer Request 11/8 - 11/14
Tuesday
An American magazine asked the big question: "Is the China bubble about to pop?" It is very apparent that there are new airports and high-speed railroads being built there wherever one travels. There are also many apartment that are dark at night indicating that no one lives in them as well as beautiful roads and bridges that are seldom used. What is driving this building boom? We need to pray for the churches in China because the once fervent desire to serve Jesus and the willingness to pay the price to do so is fast becoming cold. There is an increasing number of workers who have been trained for the ministry but are abandoning their churches and seeking better paying jobs elsewhere.
Wednesday
Last year 2.4 million new invesetors began trading stocks in the Shanghai exchange--a 250% increase over 2009. That is an increase of about 7,000 san hu (as the Chinese call the small investors) daily. Experts say, "When you see shop assistants and taxi drivers racing out to borrow money to buy stocks you are in trouble. The market is sucking in a whole lot of neophytes just primed to get slaughtered." Prosperity has greatly dampened the spiritual life of many of the churches in China and this phenomenon is not in just the urban churches, such as Wenzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing but also in rural churches. The stock market is attracting even church workers. May the Lord quicken our hearts to trust Hm for all of our needs.
Thursday
CCTV, the government TV network recently aired a show warning citizens not to put their homes up as collateral for loans to buy stock. They banned banks from lending for stock purchases last month and regulators have temporarily halted the sale of new mutual funds. None of us likes the feeling that we are "missing the opportunity" to make easy money but as believers in Jesus, we all need to be thankful for what we have, content, and not greedy. We pray for the guarding of the hearts of all Chinese believers who are thinking of making easy and fast money in dangerous ways.
Friday
The China National Tobacco Corporation which is a state-owned cigarette monopoly and the largest tobacco company in the world is one reason why China cannot enforce the smoking ban there. In 2009 more than 7.5% of the government's revenue came from taxes and profits related to tobacco. Most churches insist that new believers must stop smoking as a sign of their true commitment to Jesus. Unfortunately, churches have very little to offer to help people rid themselves of their nicotine addiction. We pray for many believers who still struggle with addictions of all kinds: alcohol, gambling, smoking, and adultery.
Saturday
A survey shows that 12-18% of parents in China often resort to beating their children as a way to discipline them. Rural parents and especially fathers in general believe harsh beating is an effective way to educate their children. Child beating actually happens far more frequently in China than in other parts of the world. The churches in China lack material for teaching children's Sunday school and training teachers to do it. Let us pray for those involved in training Sunday school teachers, especially that they will see children as people Jesus loves and they will know they are more than just baby sitters or mere teachers of religious knowledge.
Sunday
Since the founding of the People's Republic, every school child has been familiar with the pocket publication which at the present has more than 700 pages. With the total number of copies exceeding 400 million (behind the Bible) this dictionary is one of the four best-selling books in the world. Getting a copy of the Bible is no longer a problem in all parts of China. In fact, there is an abundance of copies, and even luxury and study versions are available. Let us pray that all who read the word of God privately may open their eyes to see His wisdom and have a humble heart that is willing to live out what it says.
Monday
The word for slave (nu) has also been given a new modern usage—one that has long been in use in spoken Chinese. The terms “fang nu” and “che nu” are used to mean slaves to one’s home or car in the sense that one is a slave to the debt he or she has incurred to acquire that home or vehicle. Many young believers are indeed slaves of their material possessions including their only child. They often have many excuses for not having the time to attend church. May the Lord remind us all to really acknowledge Jesus as the Master of our lives and clearly know He is the One Who gives us all that we have. /font>
星期二
美國一篇關於「中國泡沫如果爆破」的文章，提到「無論到中國任何地方走走，都會看到建設中的新機場和高鐵，夜晚沒燈光的空置公寓樓，漂亮但未得到充分利用的公路和橋梁，新建鬼城…為何中國要維持建築繁榮呢？」中國教會也曾火熱地服事主，願意擺上自己；但現今已許多已經冷淡，甚至一些獻身並接受了培訓的傳道人轉身追求更高薪職業。懇求神再次挑旺祂兒女的心，能專一跟從祂，輕看今生短暫的名利，甘心揀選主，作永恒的投資。
星期三
去年上海證交所增加了240萬個「散戶」，相較於2009年，增加幾乎兩倍半，每天差不多有7000 名新投資者買進。一位金融專家說：「當小店員和出租車司機，都急著借錢買股票，麻煩就快來到，必定有許多新手要被屠宰。」物質豐富和經濟繁榮是教會最大的敵人，許多信徒把目光轉往世界，這種對神冷淡的現象不僅在溫州、上海、北京等城市教會，連農村教會也受影響，甚至有些傳道人亦被股票所擄。求主除去我們的貪心，認清「家主」快要回來，現今「豈是受銀子、衣裳、買橄欖園、葡萄園、牛羊、僕婢的時候呢？」
星期四
中央電視播出特別節目，警告老百姓不要將自己的房子抵押貸款去買股票。自上月起，銀行已不接受買股票的貸款項目，政府也暫停新合股投资基金的銷售。當我們看到別人賺了錢，而自己沒抓著機會時，是否也有酸溜溜的感受？求聖靈常提醒「貪財是萬惡之根，有人貪戀錢財，就被引誘離了真道，用許多愁苦把自己刺透了。」求主幫助我們以祂為滿足，今世有衣有食就當知足，並學習靠祂做一個有智慧的管家。
星期五
中國無法執行禁煙，是因「中國國家煙草公司」是國有捲菸壟斷企業和世界上最大的煙草公司。2009年政府財政收入的7.5％以上，達77.3億美元，來自與煙草有關的稅收和利潤。絕大多數中國教會堅持：若要信耶穌，停止吸煙就是生命改變的證據。可惜教會沒鮮少有資源能幫助信徒擺脫煙癮。我們特別為信徒及他們的家人禱告，求主釋放仍困在各種癮癖包括酗酒，賭博和姦淫的捆綁下，無力脫身的人。
星期六
中國有12％-18％的家長時常使用「打一頓」的方法教育孩子。相信「打一頓」管用的，農村高於城市，父親高於母親，「有時打孩子」和「偶爾打孩子」的，比率更高。中國教會缺乏主日學教材,培訓教導孩童師資的更是少之又少。我們要為兒童主日學事工禱告，求主提醒教會重視教養孩童，主日學並不是打發孩子，讓大人聚會的時間安心。願小孩子來到教會都能像提摩太，從小明白聖經，因信基督耶穌使他們有得救的智慧。
星期日
自從人民共和國建國以來，每個小學生都擁有一本《新華字典》。它已印行4億多冊，新的版本超過 700頁，是目前世界上發行量最大的工具書，與基督教的聖經是四大世界暢銷書。在中國各地，想要取得聖經已不再是難題。事實上，到處都能買到不同的版本，包括精裝及研讀版。讓我們在禱告中記念每一個打開聖經的人，求主打開他們屬靈的眼睛，看到祂的智慧，願意將神的教導活出來。
星期一
《新華字典》為「奴」字新增了 現代用法：「為了支付貸款等而不得不拚命工作的人」新意，譬如「房奴」，「車奴」。不少年輕信徒確實是物質、享受的奴隸，甚至被包括他們的獨生子女所奴役。他們往往有許多的藉口，沒有時間參與教會。求主時時提醒我們，我們當認定耶穌是我們生命的主，也清楚知道祂賜給我們一切，我們所擁有的都是來自神，當把心中的寶座還給主。
An American magazine asked the big question: "Is the China bubble about to pop?" It is very apparent that there are new airports and high-speed railroads being built there wherever one travels. There are also many apartment that are dark at night indicating that no one lives in them as well as beautiful roads and bridges that are seldom used. What is driving this building boom? We need to pray for the churches in China because the once fervent desire to serve Jesus and the willingness to pay the price to do so is fast becoming cold. There is an increasing number of workers who have been trained for the ministry but are abandoning their churches and seeking better paying jobs elsewhere.
Wednesday
Last year 2.4 million new invesetors began trading stocks in the Shanghai exchange--a 250% increase over 2009. That is an increase of about 7,000 san hu (as the Chinese call the small investors) daily. Experts say, "When you see shop assistants and taxi drivers racing out to borrow money to buy stocks you are in trouble. The market is sucking in a whole lot of neophytes just primed to get slaughtered." Prosperity has greatly dampened the spiritual life of many of the churches in China and this phenomenon is not in just the urban churches, such as Wenzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing but also in rural churches. The stock market is attracting even church workers. May the Lord quicken our hearts to trust Hm for all of our needs.
Thursday
CCTV, the government TV network recently aired a show warning citizens not to put their homes up as collateral for loans to buy stock. They banned banks from lending for stock purchases last month and regulators have temporarily halted the sale of new mutual funds. None of us likes the feeling that we are "missing the opportunity" to make easy money but as believers in Jesus, we all need to be thankful for what we have, content, and not greedy. We pray for the guarding of the hearts of all Chinese believers who are thinking of making easy and fast money in dangerous ways.
Friday
The China National Tobacco Corporation which is a state-owned cigarette monopoly and the largest tobacco company in the world is one reason why China cannot enforce the smoking ban there. In 2009 more than 7.5% of the government's revenue came from taxes and profits related to tobacco. Most churches insist that new believers must stop smoking as a sign of their true commitment to Jesus. Unfortunately, churches have very little to offer to help people rid themselves of their nicotine addiction. We pray for many believers who still struggle with addictions of all kinds: alcohol, gambling, smoking, and adultery.
Saturday
A survey shows that 12-18% of parents in China often resort to beating their children as a way to discipline them. Rural parents and especially fathers in general believe harsh beating is an effective way to educate their children. Child beating actually happens far more frequently in China than in other parts of the world. The churches in China lack material for teaching children's Sunday school and training teachers to do it. Let us pray for those involved in training Sunday school teachers, especially that they will see children as people Jesus loves and they will know they are more than just baby sitters or mere teachers of religious knowledge.
Sunday
Since the founding of the People's Republic, every school child has been familiar with the pocket publication which at the present has more than 700 pages. With the total number of copies exceeding 400 million (behind the Bible) this dictionary is one of the four best-selling books in the world. Getting a copy of the Bible is no longer a problem in all parts of China. In fact, there is an abundance of copies, and even luxury and study versions are available. Let us pray that all who read the word of God privately may open their eyes to see His wisdom and have a humble heart that is willing to live out what it says.
Monday
The word for slave (nu) has also been given a new modern usage—one that has long been in use in spoken Chinese. The terms “fang nu” and “che nu” are used to mean slaves to one’s home or car in the sense that one is a slave to the debt he or she has incurred to acquire that home or vehicle. Many young believers are indeed slaves of their material possessions including their only child. They often have many excuses for not having the time to attend church. May the Lord remind us all to really acknowledge Jesus as the Master of our lives and clearly know He is the One Who gives us all that we have. /font>
星期二
美國一篇關於「中國泡沫如果爆破」的文章，提到「無論到中國任何地方走走，都會看到建設中的新機場和高鐵，夜晚沒燈光的空置公寓樓，漂亮但未得到充分利用的公路和橋梁，新建鬼城…為何中國要維持建築繁榮呢？」中國教會也曾火熱地服事主，願意擺上自己；但現今已許多已經冷淡，甚至一些獻身並接受了培訓的傳道人轉身追求更高薪職業。懇求神再次挑旺祂兒女的心，能專一跟從祂，輕看今生短暫的名利，甘心揀選主，作永恒的投資。
星期三
去年上海證交所增加了240萬個「散戶」，相較於2009年，增加幾乎兩倍半，每天差不多有7000 名新投資者買進。一位金融專家說：「當小店員和出租車司機，都急著借錢買股票，麻煩就快來到，必定有許多新手要被屠宰。」物質豐富和經濟繁榮是教會最大的敵人，許多信徒把目光轉往世界，這種對神冷淡的現象不僅在溫州、上海、北京等城市教會，連農村教會也受影響，甚至有些傳道人亦被股票所擄。求主除去我們的貪心，認清「家主」快要回來，現今「豈是受銀子、衣裳、買橄欖園、葡萄園、牛羊、僕婢的時候呢？」
星期四
中央電視播出特別節目，警告老百姓不要將自己的房子抵押貸款去買股票。自上月起，銀行已不接受買股票的貸款項目，政府也暫停新合股投资基金的銷售。當我們看到別人賺了錢，而自己沒抓著機會時，是否也有酸溜溜的感受？求聖靈常提醒「貪財是萬惡之根，有人貪戀錢財，就被引誘離了真道，用許多愁苦把自己刺透了。」求主幫助我們以祂為滿足，今世有衣有食就當知足，並學習靠祂做一個有智慧的管家。
星期五
中國無法執行禁煙，是因「中國國家煙草公司」是國有捲菸壟斷企業和世界上最大的煙草公司。2009年政府財政收入的7.5％以上，達77.3億美元，來自與煙草有關的稅收和利潤。絕大多數中國教會堅持：若要信耶穌，停止吸煙就是生命改變的證據。可惜教會沒鮮少有資源能幫助信徒擺脫煙癮。我們特別為信徒及他們的家人禱告，求主釋放仍困在各種癮癖包括酗酒，賭博和姦淫的捆綁下，無力脫身的人。
星期六
中國有12％-18％的家長時常使用「打一頓」的方法教育孩子。相信「打一頓」管用的，農村高於城市，父親高於母親，「有時打孩子」和「偶爾打孩子」的，比率更高。中國教會缺乏主日學教材,培訓教導孩童師資的更是少之又少。我們要為兒童主日學事工禱告，求主提醒教會重視教養孩童，主日學並不是打發孩子，讓大人聚會的時間安心。願小孩子來到教會都能像提摩太，從小明白聖經，因信基督耶穌使他們有得救的智慧。
星期日
自從人民共和國建國以來，每個小學生都擁有一本《新華字典》。它已印行4億多冊，新的版本超過 700頁，是目前世界上發行量最大的工具書，與基督教的聖經是四大世界暢銷書。在中國各地，想要取得聖經已不再是難題。事實上，到處都能買到不同的版本，包括精裝及研讀版。讓我們在禱告中記念每一個打開聖經的人，求主打開他們屬靈的眼睛，看到祂的智慧，願意將神的教導活出來。
星期一
《新華字典》為「奴」字新增了 現代用法：「為了支付貸款等而不得不拚命工作的人」新意，譬如「房奴」，「車奴」。不少年輕信徒確實是物質、享受的奴隸，甚至被包括他們的獨生子女所奴役。他們往往有許多的藉口，沒有時間參與教會。求主時時提醒我們，我們當認定耶穌是我們生命的主，也清楚知道祂賜給我們一切，我們所擁有的都是來自神，當把心中的寶座還給主。
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