Prayer Request 2/5 - 2/11

Tuesday
In the past two decades, hundreds of thousands of young Chinese have studied abroad every year. Some of them became Christians, but less than 20% of those who returned to China have continued to worship and study the Bible. A whopping 80% of the returning Christians have stopped their practice of faith. We pray for good soil for the seed of the gospel to grow, and for more effective discipleship to prepare the new converts in coping with the trials and temptations they will face back in China.
Wednesday
It is difficult for those who became Christians abroad to adapt back to China because the lifestyles are radically different. The longer they stay abroad, the more integrated and shaped by their foreign peers they become. Their life-styles preferences, language, and the idea of liberty and value of human rights are all changed.We praise God for the efforts of local churches to reach out to Chinese students, and pray the Lord gives them much fruit and continues to strengthen the new converts with solid spiritual food so they know the will of God fully before they return.
Thursday
After studying abroad and returning to China, students discover that their lives, tastes, convictions, and identity are incompatible with the locals. Even the Christian returnees find it difficult to fit in with churches in China. Many believers who return are not mentally prepared for and do not know how to keep their faith in the difficult times they face. We beseech God to provide them mature believers to mentor and guide them, helping these spiritual infants by giving practical advice and encouraging them to grow in the Word of God.
Friday
After many years of persecution, people in the churches of China are often skeptical of people who claim to be Christians but are outside of their own system and do not welcome them into their churches. At the same time, people returning from abroad have high expectations for the churches they are going to and hope to find a church that is equally warm and welcoming as those they found overseas and invariably they are disappointed. We ask the Lord for mercy and to raise up people who are willing to better prepare these young Christians who are going back to China so they will make a good connection with believers there and reduce the tragic loss of so many newborn believers.
Saturday
Young Christians who return to China from abroad find it difficult to make new Christian friends or even feel accepted by a church there due to their age, education, and social status. Usually, they will give up after visiting two or three churches that all cause them to feel the same way. For returnees to continue in faith, they must have a close-knit group of Christian friends to support each other and be able to trust and accept one another. We pray for more believers in China who can care for and encourage the young believers who have recently returned from abroad.
Sunday
Many of the believers who return from abroad to China attend the open church for the first month after they get back. Then they become very busy, often working overtime at their jobs. Since they do not have Christian friends, they quickly give up their faith. We ask the Lord to give every believer who returns to China the spirit of Daniel and his friends so they will not defile themselves but have the courage to refuse any demand that is contrary to their faith. May God raise up disciples among them who will love Him and be passionate about the spiritual condition of other returnees.
Monday
There are great differences between churches in China and those abroad. It is impossible and unreasonable to measure the churches in China with the expectations for overseas churches. However, the majority of the young Christians returning home do not realize this fact. We ask the Lord to give wisdom to the overseas church and help many returnees to get connected with suitable churches before moving back. We pray, too, that God will raise up believers in China to care for the very new and young believers.
 
星期二
中國開放以來，許多年輕人有機會到海外升學，現時每年有數十萬學生到海外留學。有些留學生在海外信主，但只有兩成左右的人在回國後繼續到教會敬拜和查經，八成的人再沒有持續的信仰生活。我們祈求福音的種子能撒在好土裡並發芽成長，結出百倍果實。求主為在國外信主的海歸們預備，讓他們能得到好質量的門徒訓練，並幫助他們面對國內的種種試煉與試探時得勝有餘。
星期三
留學生在國外生活連帶生活模式都會改變。他們受朋輩、生活行為、語言、追求自由的思想、人權價值等塑造其身分，在外國時間愈長，融入當地社會愈深。這類留學生返國後，發覺自己很多方面都與本土格格不入，信主海歸在參加中國的教會也適應困難。我們為努力向中國留學生傳福音的教會感恩，求主加力增添他們的果子，也能餵養這些新信徒屬靈的乾糧，在回國前裝備他們，更明白神的心意與帶領。
星期四
留學生返回中國後，發覺自己的生活、品味、信念、身分認同等與祖國大相徑庭，而回流返國的基督徒在參加中國的教會時也有適應困難的問題。許多海外信主的，在回國之前沒有充份的心理準備，未察覺持守信仰的艱難。求主使用關心他們的屬靈長輩，能實際幫助這些屬靈嬰兒，並願意繼續以各樣方法栽培建造他們。
星期五
中國教會經過多年的迫害，許多教會對新來者持懷疑態度，並不輕易信任或流露熱烈歡迎之情。而海歸信徒亦對國内教會抱有很高期望，想尋找像外國教會一樣溫暖熱情的教會，結果往往大大失望。求主憐憫，興起更多海外信徒能協助裝備好歸國的信徒，包括如何能提前與國內信徒接軌，取得聯絡。好叫如此多的新信徒在信仰的考驗上能順利適應，匯成為一股新生力軍。
星期六
因著與中國教會中信徒在年齡、教育和社會階層存在巨大差距，海歸可能較難於結交朋友或有歸屬感，如果他們造訪了兩、三間教會都出現同一情況，就會放棄。求主興起更多國內信徒能關心和鼓勵這些剛回國的年輕信徒。幫助他們在信仰裡持續堅定地走下去，讓他們可以與相熟的基督徒同伴組成緊密團體，在互相信任及接納下彼此支援。
星期日
許多在國外信主的留學生，回國最初一個月會去參加幾次三自教會，但找到工作後，因為工作忙碌，經常加班，也沒有屬靈的朋友，很快地就會失去信仰生活。求主賜給每個歸國的信徒，都有但以理和他敬虔的朋友同樣的心智，不願玷污自己，也有膽量拒絕違背信仰的要求。又願神親安慰祂的兒女，在感到孤單寂寞的時候，感受到有主的陪伴與同行的真實。
星期一
國內和國外的教會有極大不同，期望國內教會像海外的一樣是不可能也不合理的。可是絕大多的年輕海歸信徒卻不明白這樣的現實。 求主賜海外教會有恩典和智慧，能預先為回國信徒取得合適國内教會的聯絡。求主也興起國內信徒有恩慈為主來關心在海外信主的幼苗。