Prayer Request 5/8 - 5/14

Tuesday
Young Chinese converts who returned to China find church teaching in China very different than abroad. They are often confused by difference in styles of worship and in theology. Some churches in large cities in China preach prosperity theology and promise followers that God grant material wealth and good health. We pray that believers will know the truth and the cost of following Jesus and carrying the Cross.
Wednesday
The returning Christians from the West have to adjust to church life in China, this include very different style of worship and preaching. Sermons in China tend to be heavy preaching with few illustrations and humor. Baby Christians need spiritual feeding and we pray that there will be deliberate attempt to prepare the young converts before they return to China. The Lord grants all young believers a hunger for His words so they can quickly grow mature and feed themselves.
Thursday
Many returning Chinese converts find churches in China a bit cold. Years of hostility and watchful scrutiny by Communist government have made Chinese Christians intensely cautious and defensive regarding newcomers and people they do not know well. We pray for warm and intimacy of fellowship for young believers. The Lord raise up churches in China who will intentionally reach out to young believers and especially those believers returned from abroad.
Friday
It is a fact that worship style and format in China can be quite different than abroad. These differences make the new converts uncomfortable and feel difficult of being accepted. If they feel unwelcome, they usually stop attend church or fellowship all together. Finding and connecting with other Christians are difficult in China for young converts. We pray that Lord will impress upon return the importance of connecting with fellowship group and believers in China will intentionally welcome these young Christians who were converted abroad.
Saturday
In China, the ratio of pastor to church members is very low. As of 2012, there are fewer than 25 seminaries and Bible schools in China, each of which graduates classes smaller than 200,. Yet the number of Christian converts has grown by millions. Returnees also find pastors are not friendly or give personal attention to them. We pray that there will be mature believers who will take the initiatives of reaching out to these young believers, building friendship and even taking them under their wings.
Sunday
When young Christian converts first return to China after graduation, they often feel confused and frustrated- leading them to feel unfulfilled in their spiritual lives. Many churches abroad give special attention on the students, but very few churches in China have the vision or energy to nurture them. We pray for spiritual home for all young believers, not only to worship but also to be involved, to learn, to be mentored and to serve.
Monday
There are ministries try to offer student converts a sense of community, with small group gatherings every other week and occasional group events. They dodge censorship by avoid avoid using words such as “church” or “prayer” on social media. There are many ways to help believers receive spiritual contents and provide a sense of community. We pray that all these tools can be effectively utilized to keep believers connected and encouraged, whether they are new or mature Christians.


星期二
回國的年輕信徒往往會覺得國內的教會與國外的大大不同，甚至因不同的敬拜方式和神學觀點而困擾。不少中國城市教會因標榜所謂的成功神學而聞名，強調神的祝福一定是眼目能見的富裕和健康。我們求主幫助新信徒能認識真理，不貪戀世俗的功利，有飢渴慕義的心，願意在神的話上下功夫，也明白背起十字架跟隨主的代價。
星期三
每個教會都有自己的文化，海外教會的牧會形式和本土教會的更是有很多差異，這也是中國教會往往留不住海歸的原因。我們求主感動海外教會預備海歸信徒們，教導他們以廣闊的心懷接納不同文化但信仰純正的教會，又幫助國內教會懂得如何牧養和關心懷這批在國外信主的人，讓他們靈命繼續得到餵養和進深。
星期四
許多在海外信主回國的人，覺得國內教會不及國外教會那樣溫暖。這可能是過去教會在迫害中產生的後遺症，造成對外來人存謹慎和防備的態度。求主幫助新到教會的年輕信徒，都能感受屬靈家庭的溫暖。願主興起各個教會中弟兄姐妹願意熱絡接待新來的年輕人， 幫助他們快快地融入教會，靈命也得到造就。
星期五
國內教會敬拜的風格與國外極大不同，這些差異會使回國年輕信徒覺得格格不入。當他們感覺不能融入，他們就停止聚會或是放棄團契生活。如要國外信主的人回國後能繼續信仰，就必須盡快找到屬靈的家。求主恩待這些剛信主的新肢體，盡快找到合適的教會，免得漸漸地遠離神。也求主感動教會肢體願意接納、關懷新信徒，邀請他們參加團契和各項活動。
星期六
中國教會的牧者和會眾的比例極為懸殊，中國公開的神學院和聖經學校少於二十五家，每間每年的畢業生小於二百人。根據政府的數據，基督教徒的數量近年增長了數百萬，這只是保守的統計。求主興起愛主的弟兄姐妹關心回國的年輕人，主動與他們建立友誼，成為他們代禱守望者。
星期日
當年輕的基督徒畢業回到中國，他們經常感到困惑和沮喪，信仰生活失去喜樂。許多國外教會很著重關注學生的事工，但是在中國卻很少有教會有此遠見或力量來栽培年輕人。求主幫助歸國的年輕信徒明白教會不僅是一個敬拜的地方，亦是一個屬靈的家，個人願意學習因著神的心意而委身服事，使教會能建立起來。
星期一
有些教會嘗試為學生設計不同的聚會，隔週有小組聚會和活動。他們避免在社交媒體上使用「教會」或「禱告」等字眼，以躲避監視。新科技能幫助信徒得著屬靈的餵養，也能給予一些群體歸屬感。求主藉著這些新科技，來幫助主內肢體(不論是初信或是信主已久的)能有更緊密的連繫和相互的支持和鼓勵。