Friday, August 03, 2012

Praying for North Korea: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - August 3

My stomach tightens into knots and my heart aches when I hear the words "North Korea".

Over the past year or so I've come to know much more about this country and its extreme oppression and violence towards its people. I recently read Escape from Camp 14 - a story of a man born in a North Korean work camp who managed to escape. The reality of the situation in North Korea is so severe that some experts estimate that if the regime fell tomorrow, it would still take a full 20 years to get the people fully recovered and able to function as an effective part of a united Korean peninsula.

Thank God He is bigger than the experts.

Today, please read pages 506-509, and then join me in pouring our heart out before the throne of the One who holds the North Koreans close to His heart.

My prayer for today: Lord, all I can pray today through a broken heart for North Korea is that You would step in and show Yourself strong. We pray for total transformation for the land. Change the regime, change the mindset of the people, change the future of this country. Lord, we know that before the Korean War Pyongyang was known as the Jerusalem of the East and there were so many Christians in this land, many of whom fled over the decades since. Lord, we know that this nation was on its way to becoming a land full of Your glory, and we see that this oppressiveness is a direct attack from Satan to try to thoroughly wipe out Your church in North Korea. Thank You that You are not letting that happen, that there are still some Christians and that even in the camps Christians are leading others to You or witnessing with their faithful love in contrast to the culture. Thank You that some North Koreans who escape are finding You. Lord, we pray for the Korean churches in China and South Korean to be equipped to help North Korean refugees. Lord, protect them from fatigue and skepticism that comes with a constant stream of needy people. Help them see and love North Koreans through Your eyes and with Your heart. Prepare the neighboring countries for the ultimate fall of North Korean and enable the world to know how to best come alongside the North Korean people now and when the nation ultimately falls. Lord, be glorified and magnified even here, in the deepest darkness. The darkness is not dark to You Lord. Let Your light shine in this place, and it will not be overtaken by darkness. Hallelujah, what a Savior. You are North Korea's true King.

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