Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Pray for Asia

Asia is heavy on my heart this week. First the horrific cyclone in Burma, where the astronomical death toll is worsened by the government's desire to control the aid flow. Then the tragic earthquake in China - wrap your mind around the fact that the earthquake was physically felt over an area the size of the contiguous United States. Tens of thousands dead.

That's why I'm asking you to take time to pray for Asia. The strong Chinese church is well-positioned to impact all of Asia, and they can get into places like Burma where westerners cannot tread. As the body of Christ, we should support them any way we can - and prayer is at the top of that list. We all can't go to the Olympics and help the Chinese church evangelize -- but we can all pray.

So please, take some time to pray for Asia. I'm asking that this Saturday, May 17, be a special time of prayer for Asia. But please don't wait until then. Ask God this week to break your heart for Asia. Pray for Asia daily, especially China. Ask God if He would have you fast and pray Saturday, or even join with a group for prayer. Some possible prayer points for now and later:

* Pray now for children trapped in the rubble of a school. Parents are organizing a vigil - let's have one of our own. How fervently would we pray if children were trapped under rubble in a Dallas school? Let's pray for these as if they were "our own" - because they are His. This is a time-sensitive request - officials fear time is running out for these little ones.

* Pray for the national churches in China and Burma. The Chinese church is highly evangelistic and kingdom-minded; pray for them to grasp the opportunities they have within their own country. Pray for God's work in their purification. Pray for God to help them stretch their limited resources even further to reach the needy in the earthquake zone. Pray for unity between the house churches and the true believers within the official church.

The Burmese church, by contrast, has only "a little strength" like the church at Philadelphia. Pray for this trial to bring them together in unity and love. Pray for God to open previously closed doors as the Buddhist-linked regime is shown to not care about its people.

* Pray for kingdom workers "on the ground". Few new people are getting into Burma, but there are many believers already there with established relationships both here and in the country. Pray for wisdom and discernment in disseminating resources and funds. In China, pray for a couple who will be going into "earthquake zone" Thursday. They need protection and wisdom!

* Pray for the international community to see the tragedy for what it is, and not get desensitized. I am so thankful for internet and media that afford us the chance to see and pray about things in almost real time. But that same information flow can easily become information overload, with people dismissing tragedies and moving on to the next story out of Hollywood. Pray that Christians, especially, would be gripped to do more than move on; pray that God would awaken them during the night to intercede, to give, to go if that is His plan for them.

* Pray for provision of practical, tangible needs. That is one way Christians have always set themselves apart - meeting practical needs when no one else could. We saw it here during Katrina. Pray that it will be even more apparent because of the contrast to the predominant religions in the areas.

Thanks so much for caring. God is in control - and I'm thankful He has put us together for this season to come before His throne together for these precious individuals. May we see some of them around His throne!

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