Prayer Request 7/3 - 7/9

Tuesday
The men's soccer team in China ranks dismally at only number 73 in the world. However, the president has vowed to turn the country into a "soccer superpower" that will host, qualify for, and by 2050 win the World Cup.​ Many believers sincerely believe that China will become the largest Christian country in the world. We pray for revival fire, that all believers will forsake their lust for material goods, and the churches will again fearlessly focus on evangelism.
Wednesday
Even though China is not in the World Cup at all, Chinese companies are heavily involved as sponsors, promoting their dairy products, electric scooters and movie theaters, unrelated to soccer itself.​ Churches in China are facing pressure and close scrutiny from officials. Let us beseech God on their behalf, as they conduct their ministries and especially summer outreach programs for the young people this​ summer.
Thursday
Advertising in the World Cup will definitely give Chinese companies a way to promote their brands globally and to show their patriotism but it is hard to say whether these companies will becomes household names outside China.​ There are many well-known urban churches in China that have multiple worship locations and dynamic pastors. They often serve as the inspiration and model for church growth. We pray for these churches to remain fervent in their outreach and building of fellowship groups in their communities.
Friday
Many house churches are undergoing a transformation, especially those in bigger cities. Churches that have successfully transformed are able to attract young believers, appeal to the well-educated middle class and grow. Although the number of Christians in China has increased in the past 30 years, spiritual maturation is still lacking in general. We pray that churches will not only teach Bible knowledge but also help believers to live a victorious life in this crooked age.
Saturday
The Communist Party of China actively recruits college students. Many students also eagerly join because they believe Party membership provide​s​ the elite status among their peers and benefits in advancement in whatever careers they pursue later. ​We pray for young people from Christian homes who are struggling with the decision of whether to join the Party or not. May the Lord reveal His will in their lives and may they know He has a great plan for them without compromising their faith.​
Sunday
Young converts who return to China from abroad have a limited experience in churches in the West since they live on campus. For them, to worship in China is a huge adjustment because they do not even know the difference between the registered and house churches.Churches in China do not usually embrace those converted abroad, suspecting whether their faith was genuine. We pray that churches in China will reach out to the new believers and commit to disciple them, rather than looking down on them.
Monday
Many young people have accepted Jesus while they studied abroad but since they were busy studying and received little discipleship, their faith is shallow. After they return to China, their walk with Jesus quickly becomes distant and they stop attending church. ​Churches in China hesitate to follow up on those who were converted abroad, considering them to be without spiritual foundation and immature. We pray that these churches will have the vision and burden to help these young believers grow spiritually.​


星期二
雖然中國男足現時在世界排名73，但政府誓言要把中國打造成「足球超級大國」，它將主辦、參加，並渴望在2050年前贏得世界盃。不少中國信徒認為中國將成為世界上擁有最多基督徒的大國。讓我們禱告，願復興的靈火在所有信徒心中點燃，不貪愛世界與追求今生的享樂。願主加力，叫眾教會放膽廣傳福音遍及全球每個角落。
星期三
今年的世界杯足球大賽根本沒有中國隊，但是中國的大企業卻是贊助商大戶，推銷與足球不甚相關的乳製品、電動車和電影業。中國教會眼下正處在嚴密審查的壓力下。讓我們為神家切切禱告，也求主賜智慧給教會帶領者，使用暑期為年輕人預備各樣福音活動。
星期四
中國企業在世界杯足球賽大做廣告，不僅在全球推廣自家品牌，還宣揚他們的愛國精神。目前尚難以預測這些產品是否會在國外成為家喻戶曉的品牌。在中國大城市中有不少著名的教會，其中不同的聚會點裡不乏很有恩賜的傳道人。感謝神，這些教會是中國教會成長的範例和楷模。我們禱告神：保守帶領這些教會能於所在地區中，有更廣泛的拓展和建立更多小組團契。
星期五
中國大多數地區的家庭教會已開始轉型，或處在轉型過渡期，有些大城市內的家庭教會甚至已完全轉型。轉型後的家庭教會發展穩定，吸納了更多年輕信徒及中高層知識分子。近三十年來雖然信徒人數增長了，但在靈性的成熟度上更需要提昇。我們為眾教會禱告，不僅着力於幫助會眾增強聖經知識，更要關注靈命的長進，能堅定委身於主，好在這彎曲悖謬的世代中靠主做剛強、得勝的兒女。
星期六
共產黨在大學裡積極鼓勵和招募學生入黨。許多年輕人認為入黨對未來的事業發展有利無弊，亦覺得是件非常光榮的事。不少來自基督徒家庭的年輕人也會掙扎於是否該入黨。我們為他們求智慧，能清楚知道神在他們一生中有更美好的計劃，不必妥協他們的信仰，也願意為主堅定站立人前。
星期日
對於海歸信徒來說，中國教會的帶領、聚會模式、事工運作等等都與外國教會大相徑庭，且也不明白公開教會與家庭教會之間的差異。對他們而言，投入國內教會是一個不容易的轉變。國內教會對海歸信徒，一般採取觀望態度，甚至懷疑他們信仰的真實性。求主幫助中國教會體察神的旨意，願意接納這些新羊，衷心給予屬靈的栽培，而不是輕看或猜疑。
星期一
很多留學生雖在海外決志信主，但求學期間大部分時間忙於學業、研究，未能參加基要真理的學習或門徒訓練，以至對信仰仍很初淺，也未與神建立親密的關係，以至返國後遇到壓力時沒有更加依靠神，反而是漸漸遠離神。國內的教會也不太接納在國外信主的人，認為他們沒有信仰根基，甚至覺得他們不成熟。求主給國內教會有異象和負擔，以神的視野和恩慈來建造這些海外歸國的年輕肢體。