Prayer Request 10/20 - 10/26

Tuesday​In urban churches in China, there are the following major groups of believers: college students and young intellectuals or professionals, middle-aged or older traditional believers, those who are laid off and migrant workers. We praise God for the growth of churches in cities, and we pray for pastors who can minister to people of vastly different background​s​, especially those who are young and highly educated.
Wednesday
College students and young intellectuals are often open-minded but ask difficult and probing questions about the meaning of life. When they are invited, they are more willing to come and explore what the church has to offer than those in other groups. ​We pray for good spiritual grown in young believers in the churches and their involvement in ministry, that they will be not only believers but givers also. May the Lord call some of them to serve Him full time.​
Thursday
With the influx of many college students and graduates, urban churches in China are definitely younger and better educated than before. It is a good thing that young believers prefer lively worship, sermons that are more relevant and practical. We pray that churches can ​provide for ​their needs, feed them with solid spiritual food and provide them great examples of faith.
Friday
​Among the professionals in the urban churches in China, there are those who have returned from studying abroad, as well as well-educated​ local believers who have jobs with good incomes and are in a very respectable social position. Clearly, there is a huge disparity in education and income within urban churches. We pray that there will be no discrimination or favoritism in the Body of Christ, ​but ​rather there will be mutual caring and edification of all believers.
Saturday
China has sent 400,000 students to study abroad. Nearly 160,000​ of them have returned and it is estimated that ten to twenty percent of them have come home Christians. Although this group is relatively small, they are very influential since they have had experience in churches abroad and are able to give larger offerings than local people. We pray these people will have humble hearts and be willing to serve.
Sunday
Another large group of believers in the urban churches in China is composed of middle-aged or older Christians, many of whom are retired. Most have a Christian family background and generally they are committed and devout Christians. We praise God for these believers who are literally the backbone of the church ministries in caring for others and in visitation. May the Lord grant them strength to help their pastors to care for those who are in need and weak.
Monday
​Some of the believers in the urban churches of China are those who have visited their children abroad, have become Christians​ and were baptized there. When they return home, they usually look for a house church to attend. These people are usually very accomplished before they go abroad but need to learn Biblical truths. We pray for continuing spiritual growth in this group of believers. May the Lord use their experience abroad to help their churches in China.

星期二
現今城市教會的會衆主要有以下幾種：大學在校生與青年知識份子及專業人士、中老年傳統基督徒、下崗工人和民工。 我們為城市教會的興起感恩，求主賜牧者智慧與能力，好能牧養那些來源多元，尤其是年輕和高知識的會衆。
星期三
大學生和年青知識份子往往比較思想開放，敢於思考和探索人生的價值與意義；也因此，他們大多願意接觸教會和認識真理。我們為年輕信徒在教會中有穩健的靈命成長祷告，求神激励他们能參與教會的服事。也從他們當中呼召出願意獻身全職事奉的肢體。
星期四
由於大量大學生和年輕專業人士的湧入，令城市教會越來越年輕且高學歷，教會整體素質也提高不少。年輕信徒喜歡活潑的崇拜，也希望信息與生活能多有連接，這都是好事。我們為教會不但能明白他們的需要，更是把握機會以屬靈的乾糧餵養他們，給他們美好的信心榜樣。
星期五
在城市教會裡，有不少是海歸派人士。他們通常是受過高等教育，有較高社會地位的專業人士，不僅有穩定工作，也有優厚的收入。城市教會中，會眾之間的教育和收入差距可能很大，求主提醒教會不輕看那些教育水平低的弟兄姊妹，讓教會活出基督的身體，互相扶持體諒，在愛中彼此建立。
星期六
中國改革開放以來，約有四十多萬人出國深造，其中約有十六萬人回來報效祖國。在這些海歸中，約 10 ％到 20 ％是在國外時成爲基督徒。雖然這類人的數目不算多，但是具有相當的影響力，他們有國外的經驗，經濟能力也較佳。求主賜他們謙卑心來服事中國教會。
星期日
城市教會還有一個比較大的群體是中老年基督徒，不少是退休的普通市民。他們有基督徒家庭的背景，一般都比較虔誠與堅定。這批信徒是教會服侍的主幹，能參與探訪及關懷，我們為此感恩。求主加他添們力量，又幫助傳道人關心那些有需要的和軟弱的肢體。
星期一
城市教會有一類群體是近年信主的，其中有子女或親戚在國外，他們在出國探親時信主受洗，回來再尋找教會。求主幫助他們繼續在靈命上成長，也將他們在國外經歷的教會生活，幫助教會。這批人都有相當的成就，但是需要真理上的栽培，求主大大使用他們。