Prayer Request 6/28 - 7/4

Tuesday
A growing number of Chinese are returning to China after studying or working overseas and some of them return with​ a​ new​-​​found faith in Jesus Christ. We give thanks for those who have come to know the Lord while living abroad and have ​returned home to China. Pray that many more might follow in their footsteps and put their trust in Jesus.
Wednesday
Those who have returned to China as Christians​ have a great opportunity to share their new-found faith with friends and family who can see the change that has taken place in their lives. ​We pray that churches from which they are returning would be effective in training​ and discipleship to prepare them to return and integrate into the church in China. We pray, too, for wisdom for them as they face many ethical and moral issues in their return to China.
Thursday
Those Christians who​ ​have spent time abroad have seen church and ministry from a very different perspective from that which they saw when ​they lived in China. They usually find church in China more traditional and reserved than what they saw abroad so they tend to give "unwanted" suggestions for improvement. We pray for opportunities for these people to link with good churches in their home cities. At the same time we pray for their churches to receive them and continue to encourage them in faith.
Friday
Christians who have been abroad and returned to China may find it difficult to adapt to their old life as "new people". They have enjoyed their​ time in the church overseas but when they come back to China they are confronted with the limitations of life there. They also face many temptations and issues that challenge their Christian faith and Biblical values. We pray for strong faith and a close walk with Jesus for them so these returned Christians will remain rooted in God's Word, grow, and even share their faith.
Saturday
Unlike those in China, churches in the West are more democratic and​ transparent. Christians from China who are returning home need time to adjust, especially during fellowship times when people there do not warm up quickly to newcomers. We pray that these returnees will be prepared and able to fit in well to their newly-met Christian family and that the people already there will help them as they adjust.
Sunday
Although people who are returning to China from the West have no problem finding a church in their home cities, they find they usually are​ not fully accepted there and their suggestions are not taken seriously. It is our prayer that they will be able to share with their new church what they have learned about the church when they were overseas. We pray for trust and close friendship between the leaders of the churches and these new believers.
Monday
While the government is unlikely to begin tearing down crosses across China,local authorities are expected to begin scrutinizing the finances and foreign ties of churches. What has been happening in Zhejiang is a test. ​Zhejiang (especially in Wenzhou) has a higher percentage of Christians than other places in China. We pray that rather than flaunting their wealth and accomplishments by the​ majestic church buildings they erect, they will remember the poor churches and the needs of God's kingdom.


星期二
越來越多中國人在結束海外的學習和工作時選擇返回國發展，在他們當中有一些在國外剛信主的新信徒。我們為這些曾在海外生活時能認識主又回歸祖國的中國人獻上感謝。求主賜給更多人能跟隨他們的腳踪， 選擇人生最美的祝福: 接受救恩、相信耶穌。
星期三
在國外信主的信徒們，有很好的機會可以和親朋好友分享他們剛建立的信仰，也讓親友看到他們生命中奇妙的改變。我們求主幫助他們在回國之前，能得到充足有效的屬靈裝備與訓練及紮實的門徒培訓，更是在返國後有神的智慧來面對種種的道德難題及挑戰。
星期四
在海外的教會待過一段時間的信徒，不少人回到國內往往會有一種比較的心態，相對於海外的教會，覺得國內教會很傳統、過度保守，很難接受新的做法。他們也很快地發現，他們許多“好心的建議”不被接受。求主賜下機會，讓回國的信徒能與家鄉的教會建立連結。也為在當地教會能接納他們、繼續在信仰中鼓勵他們的人禱告。
星期五
回國的新信徒他們懷念在海外教會的生活，面對中國生活中的種種限制，還有各樣的引誘及對基督信仰和聖經價值觀的挑戰，很難用「新人」的身分來調適現今中國的生活型態。求主賜給他們信心堅定，緊緊跟隨主；繼續學習聖經真理，靈命成長，甚而能向周遭的人分享他們的信心見證。
星期六
與中國教會比較，西方教會講究民主和透明度。從國外回來的新信徒需要時間來適應，尤其是信徒之間的表達方式，也不像一般國外團契的開放和熱絡。求主幫助這些返國的信徒能調整他們的期待，以更多的謙卑和不帶批判的心態融入國内的教會，除了繼續得著靈命的餵養，也能在新的屬靈的家有服侍。
星期日
回國的信徒一般沒有什麼大問題找到教會，但是能否能融入其中，而他們善意的建議要被接納卻不容易。我們為他們能樂于分享在海外教會的經驗，也鼓勵當地的教會有開放的心胸。求主賜給他們和教會領袖之間，彼此有更深的信任和友誼，視他們是注入神家裡的一份正向新資源。
星期一
目前雖然中國政府沒有在全國各地拆除十字架的跡象，但是地方政府將開始審查教堂等宗教機構的財政及其與國外的關係 。在浙江省，尢其是溫州，基督徒的比例比較高。我們為信徒不以教會的建築宏偉華麗，成為炫耀財富和成就來禱告。願主幫助我們，總是記念那些身處貧窮困苦的肢體，也不忘記神國的需要。