Prayer Request 1/9 - 1/15

Tuesday
Those who return to China with a foreign education usually struggle to find a decent job, often with no premium and real benefit for their foreign education. We pray for those returnee who are new converts, not to complain and giving up God because of their inability to find jobs, but rather to have stronger faith, knowing God will lead them and they should trust Him wholeheartedly.
Wednesday
To those who went abroad to study, returning home is seen as a failure on their parts. Their parents have also lost the opportunity to emigrate abroad. The job prospects in China is worse than abroad. It is common for the converts to feel God has not listened to their prayers to allow them staying abroad. We pray for those who started to doubt their faith and God. May the Lord comfort them so they will know, “all things work together for those who love the Lord”.
Thursday
Chinese students studying abroad are the only-child at home, as they return to China. Their parents anxiously want to “recoup investment” and have them start making big money, get married and produce grandchildren . Even the young converts cannot escape this expectation and pressure. We pray young converts will stand the pressure of their parents as parents trying to re-insert their control and influence over them. Above all, we pray that they will know God's plan in their lives and love Jesus above all things.
Friday
It generally takes time for returnees to find their places again and fit back in a country that is undergoing rapid economic and social changes. And because churches in China operate under a controlling and suspicious atheist state, it is difficult to find churches that provide a welcoming and intimate environment. We pray for Christians who will reach out to these young returnees with love and acceptance, able to encourage these new Christians from abroad to continue growing in Christ.
Saturday
In 2016, more than half a million Chinese students studied abroad. After graduation, many return home by choice, while others are unable to find jobs and work visas. From 2012 to 2014, nearly 1 million students returned to China, exceeding the number of returned students from the previous 30 years combined. The large number of returnees will definitely change China and churches there. We pray that God will use the Christian returnees to change and bless churches in special ways.
Sunday
Returning Christians from abroad are new believers and need lots of nurturing. Many of them stop attending churches or no longer practice their faith. We pray for continuing spiritual growth and strengthening of their faith for all young returnees.The Lord sustains them so they can thrive under the great pressure and temptations of China's city living.
Monday
There are many English speaking congregations who meet on Sunday in larger cities in China. Although, they are mostly attended by foreigners and expats, but one can find believers from all nations and all walks of lives. We pray for these special churches attended by foreigners and expat in China, the Lord give them much opportunities to share the gospel with people they work with or in their business.


星期二
海外歸來的學生也面臨謀職壓力，雖有國外的教育學歷，很多人仍不易找到學以致用的工作，或只找到與國内大學畢業生等同的工作，這意味著留學的資歷並沒為他們帶來太大的助益。求主幫助回國的留學生，以及在國內大學畢業找不到工作的年輕信徒，不因工作上的挫折而埋怨神，放棄信仰；而是有更堅定的信心，將一生交託給神，知道神必引領他們的道路。
星期三
對一心想藉留學而移居海外的留學生而言，畢業後沒能在國外找到工作，實在是一種失敗，而回國謀職的壓力也非常大；對他們的父母而言，也失去了移民國外的良機。許多在海外信主的人，往往因想留在當地的禱告未蒙神垂聽而產生失落感，導致對神失去信心。求主幫助這些信徒，當面對壓力和困難時該更加依靠信實的神，因萬事都互相效力，為教愛神的人得著更大的益處。
星期四
海外留學生多屬 "獨一代" 。家長對其獨生子女的期望，就是努力賺錢，然後是結婚生子，生孫子陪伴祖父母，似乎一生軌道都已安排妥了。在國外信了耶穌的年輕人，也得面對如何滿足父母為他們預備的人生計劃。求主幫助年輕信徒真能明白神在他們生命中的美好計劃，叫他們能愛主遠超過一切，也能回應神的呼召。
星期五
留學時信主的基督徒通常需要一段時間重新適應中國快速的經濟和社會變化。由於中國教會在無神論的政府監視下，所以在國外信主的人不容易找到主動接納和親密的教會。回國的信徒需要時間來適應國內的大環境，就是在教會裡，剛開始他們也會覺得格格不入，求主賜給他們有愛主的弟兄姐妹們來接納和陪伴，鼓勵他們繼續追求靈命的成長。
星期六
2016年，中國出國留學人員總數為54.45萬人。除了自己選擇外，由於畢業後在海外找工作及簽證更困難，從2012到2014年，兩年間有一百萬學生回國就業，這是過去30 年回國的總數。近來國內的發展環境和機遇很被看好，也是「海歸潮」興起的重要因素。海歸潮必定對中國社會和教會有極大的影響。求主藉著在國外信主的信徒們能成為國內教會改變的動力和祝福。
星期日
信主不久的中國學生回國後，急需有愛心的教會和靈命成熟的信徒繼續的跟進。因為許多在國外信主甚至受洗的人，回到中國就不再去教會，也不再追求成長。回到中國的留學生需面對許多生活上和信仰上的壓力，且在城市裡有著極大的誘惑；求主施恩保守他們，又堅定他們信心有自己的追求，靈命日日向高處精進。
星期一
在中國的大城市，都會有英語教會，有公開的主日崇拜。參加者一般是來自各式各樣背景的外國人或是回國的華人。我們為這些特別的教會祈求，求神祝福他們的事工。我們也為回國的信徒禱告，求主給他們機會，藉著生命見證，透過與家人朋友與企業同事們的接觸，能分享福音領人歸主。