“At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. The truth is, you can go directly to the Father and ask him, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” ~ John 16:23-24 NLT
Prayer is the most important and powerful thing we can do for international students. Here are some ways that you can pray for Chinese students each day of the week:
Monday – That Chinese students would remember relatives who were Christians and wonder why they made that decision to trust Christ. 2 Timothy 1:5 NLT – “I know that you sincerely trust the Lord, for you have the faith of your mother, Eunice, and your grandmother, Lois.”
Tuesday – That Chinese students would seek for real understanding of religion and especially Christianity—that they would wonder why their government tries to crush religion. Hebrew 11:6 NLT – “So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
Wednesday – That Chinese students would look closely at the lives of Christians they know and long for what the Christians have in knowing Christ. Psalm 15:1 NLT - “Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.”
Thursday – That Chinese students would be open to being in a Bible study. Romans 10:17 NASB - “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”
Friday – That Chinese students would evidence diligence in Bible study. 2 Peter 1:5 NLT - “So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness.”
Saturday – That Chinese students would be willing to confess their faith in Christ publicly. Romans 10:9 NLT – “For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Sunday – That Chinese students would be willing to take the Gospel back home to China. Matthew 28:19-20 NLT – “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Principles cited in this blog: Prayer is the most important and powerful thing we can do for Chinese international students.
Application for ISI ministry: The key to fruitful ministry is asking the Father in Jesus’ name.
Next blog topic: How to pray specifically for Indian students
Doug Shaw with Derrah Jackson