TBL China Prayer Requests

This Week’s Prayer Guide

June 15 – This week, pray for the needs of churches in Changsha. Pray for churches in Changsha to be transformed by the gospel of Christ.

June 16 – “There’s been a crackdown on churches in Changsha,” says one pastor, “with some being disbanded or banned. Our church was affected too, under government control and surveillance. So, we gradually shifted to meeting in small groups. Our numbers have dropped by about two-fifths. The spiritual fervor isn’t as strong as before.” Pray for churches who have shifted to a small group model, for good fellowship and discipleship to occur even if they can’t meet together as a full congregation.

June 17 – A pastor in Changsha says, “The biggest challenge is evangelism. If you hand out tracts openly, you’ll be noticed. Another challenge is the lack of trust between people. If you try to share the gospel with strangers, they’re immediately on guard. I think about how I’d react if a stranger enthusiastically introduced something to me—I’d be suspicious too. So, evangelism now has to focus on people we already know, within relationships of trust.” Pray for sustainable evangelism in Changsha, for Christians to build long-term relationships with unbelievers where they can model the life of Christ.

June 18 – A pastor in Changsha says, “Many university students became Christians [in the past], and now, at around 40 years old, they’re the backbone of the church. Many families homeschool or do co-op learning instead of public school. But as kids get older, parents worry about their future—especially since it’s hard for homeschooled kids to get into public universities, and large families face financial pressure.” Pray for families feeling financial pressure and anxiety about education in the future.

June 19 – “There’s always anxiety about the police knocking on the door,” says a pastor in Changsha. “Even though we know what to do, it’s still scary when it happens. For example, during Good Friday this year, we were meeting online with a group in [in another city], and suddenly, the screen went blank—they messaged us that the police were knocking. We stopped everything to pray for them. It’s a real fear.” Pray for believers to know the peace, strength, and comfort of Christ in the midst of increasing persecution and harassment.

June 20 – “Sometimes we get harassing calls from the authorities,” says a pastor in Changsha, “and it’s always a bit nerve-wracking. The more you interact with them, the braver you get, but it’s still a struggle.” Pray for the strength of the Holy Spirit for churches in Changsha, and for wisdom when dealing with the authorities.

June 21 – A pastor in Changsha says, “Please pray for two things: first, for a freer environment, so we’re not always being harassed; and second, for the mental health of pastors, especially those in midlife, who face pressure from family, church, and the outside world.”

6月15日– 本周，为长沙教会的需要祷告。求主让长沙的教会能被基督的福音改变。

6月16日– “长沙的教会近年来遭遇更严厉的打压，”一位牧师分享道，“有些教会被取缔或禁止聚会。我们教会也受到影响，受到政府的控制与监视，所以我们慢慢转为小组聚会。人数减少了大约五分之二，属灵的热情也不如从前。” 为那些转为小组聚会的教会祷告，求主在他们无法整体聚会的情况下，仍赐下合一的团契与真实的门训生活。

6月17日– 一位长沙牧师说，“最大的挑战是传福音，如果你公开发福音单张，很容易被注意到。另外一个挑战是人与人之间缺乏信任。若向陌生人传福音，对方会立刻防备。我想，如果一个陌生人热情地向我推介什么，我可能也会起疑。所以现在的传福音要更多从我们已认识、有信任基础的人开始。” 为长沙能够持续进行福音事工祷告，求主带领信徒与未信者建立长久的关系，并在生活中活出基督的样式。

6月18日– 一位长沙牧师说，“过去有很多大学生信主，如今他们大约四十岁，成了教会的中坚力量。很多家庭选择在家教育孩子，或组成共学团体，取代公立学校。但随着孩子长大，家长开始担忧他们的未来——特别是因为在家教育的孩子很难进入公立大学，而多子女家庭也面对经济压力。” 为那些在经济上感到压力、并对孩子未来教育感到焦虑的家庭祷告。

6月19日- “我们总是担心警察什么时候会上门，”一位长沙牧师说，“虽然知道该怎么做，但那一刻还是会害怕。今年受难日我们正在和另一个城市的弟兄姊妹线上聚会，突然屏幕黑了，他们发来信息说警察来了。我们当下停下所有活动，一起为他们祷告。这种恐惧是真实存在的。” 为在逼迫和骚扰中坚持信仰的信徒祷告，愿他们在基督里得着从主而来的平安、力量与安慰。

6月20日– “有时候我们会接到来自当局的骚扰电话，”一位长沙牧师分享道，“虽然接触多了胆子会大一点，但仍然是一种挣扎。” 为长沙教会祷告，求圣灵赐下刚强的心志，也赐他们与政府交涉时的智慧与勇气。

6月21日– 一位长沙牧师说：“请为两件事祷告：第一，求一个更自由的环境，使我们不再常常受到骚扰；第二，为牧者的心理健康祷告，尤其是中年的牧者，他们同时承受来自家庭、教会与外部社会的多重压力。”

God Bless,

上帝保佑，