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Dec 2013
Lift Up Our Holy Hands Dec 2013
Lift Up Our Holy Hands

Ministry of increased importance to church – pray for character education
“With the many spoiled children around, quite a number of parents and churches have started to pay attention to youth’s character education. We hope our sports ministry can train up children’s physical, emotional and spiritual health, and let them develop a solid foundation for the character taught about in the Bible. To many youngsters immersed in mobile phones and entertainment, sports can help with not just their physical growth but also train their tolerance and capacity for team work, understanding the importance of personal effort and skills, and stepping out of their own world. Such learning is very important to today’s children.” (sharing by brother Ye in a church in the Southwest)

Please pray for God’s blessing for the ministry so that more children and youths can have proper growth, stay away from various bad habits and addictions, develop a good character and become a new generation of servants for God.

 

Embracing villages – pray for workers committed to serving peasants
“A Bible college graduate here pursued further study at a seminary before returning to minister to rural congregations. Such commitment is rare in these days. After a few years serving in villages, he built a 600 square metre church, the key church in the area. And his ministry was much praised.” (sharing by brother Zhang in a church in the North)

Please pray for co-workers dedicated to following the Lord. They feel lonely and are economically deprived. May the Lord be their strength at all times, help them stand firm in bringing blessings to churches.

 

Ministry facing obstacles --pray for youth ministry
“It is very difficult to carry out youth ministry in our church. On the one hand, we are inexperienced; on the other, we lack relevant resources and teaching materials. We have limited understanding of youth psychology; some tutors treat their students as children, as a result of which young people are unwilling to attend church meetings. We are troubled by the fact
that our children’s Sunday school cannot progress to youth ministry. We really don’t want our church to have only adults and old people but not youth.” (sharing by pastor Zeng in a church in south central)

The above situation is rather common in mainland churches. May the Lord open the door to youth ministry, largely increase the manpower and resources needed. Many churches have yet to show a deep concern or prepare for youth ministry, forgoing the chance to train up a new generation. May the Lord change the situation.

 

Churches in need of revival – pray for churches regaining strength
“A pastor at our church has recently passed away. Our co-workers and brothers and sisters are deeply saddened by it. There is a need to revitalize our church’s ministry. But a number of problems have happened one after another, bothering fellow workers. Our church is in need of much prayer to awaken members’ soul and continue with God’s commission!” (sharing by brother Wang in a church in the North)

May the Lord strengthen this church which has lost its pastor so it can solider on relying on the great shepherd Jesus Christ. On the other hand, more pastors who were in their prime years had passed away due to exhaustion. Mainland pastors are under much pressure; please pray for their physical, mental and spiritual health.

 

Entering university or not? – pray for young people at a crossroads
A girl in Chengdu has been admitted into university, but she is locked in a dispute with her peasant father who objects to her entering university. “What’s the use of going to university?’’ Her father said: “A graduate makes only about 2,000-3,000 yuan a month. And it will take four to five years to earn back the university tuitions. Those who cannot find work will be stuck at home, dependent on their parents. (there are at least 10 such graduates in his neighbourhood). It’s better to work now, gain a few years of experience, then run a small business. I am sure that way one can make more money than a university graduate.” The girl does not share her father’s view. She thinks that entering university can raise her level of thinking. “I don’t want to live in a closed world like my father, nor a life without any spiritual pursuits.” (sources: QQ.com, September 2, 2013)

All along, peasants have regarded entering university as key way to climb out of poverty. But in today’s mainland society, a university graduation certificate is no guarantee of a decent living. The difficulty in finding work has caused many parents to re-think the necessity for university education. May the Lord give mainland youth the wisdom in choosing the right path and help parents take a long-term view.

Carrying a classmate regardless of rain or shine – pray for the cultivation of a loving heart in the mainland
A frail female student in Shandong, Yang Jing, met in 2006 fellow schoolmate Zhao Wenwen whose leg was crippled. Since then, Yang has decided to help her. Later when they were put in the same dormitory, Yang carried Wen Wen back and forth between class and dormitory every day. They also became good friends. They entered medical school together later and also lived in the same dormitory. Yang continued to carry Wen Wen around. Wen Wen said: “In one winter, Yang Jing got a fever. Feeling dizzy when carrying me, she slipped. In order not to let me fall, she let her both knees touch the ground first. It took a long time for her to recover. Similar incidents happened many other times. She had carried me six years before I graduated.” (Source: QQ.com, September 3 2013)

Despite the many cases of people hurting others for personal gains, genuine friendship that puts the other person’s interest first does exist. May the Lord help more people be moved by Yang’s selfless spirit to value the people around them. May the Lord raise up churches to reflect the love of Jesus Christ and be His witnesses in the community.

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