Prayer for Bangladesh: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - March 3 (Day 63)

Persecution. It's a reality for believers in much of the world, especially in the 10/40 Window where we see the greatest number of unbelievers. For every Youcef Nadarkhani we hear about, there are literally hundreds, even thousands, that will remain nameless and faceless until we meet them in the throne room and worship Jesus together for eternity.

Today, though, we have the benefit of getting a rare glimpse into the reality that much of the body of Christ faces. The author of Hebrews exhorted us to identify with those who are persecuted. This video from Open Doors allows us the chance to hear firsthand from a Christian in Bangladesh - to learn his story and hear from his lips how he would have us pray. Please watch the video, then review pages 132-136. My prayer for today follows the video.

http://youtu.be/NGFo26QgDP0




My prayer for today:  Thank You, Lord, for the church in Bangladesh. Thank You for the creative ways that You are reaching these people and the creative guidance You are giving the church. Thank You for the ministry of Open Doors and others who are seeking to meet the needs of the persecuted. Lord, the persecuted in Bangladesh are part of the body that is hurting. We are not complete without them. We hurt because they hurt. We pray for this man, Lord, to stay strong in his faith until he dies, just as he asks. We pray for a deeper faith and commitment to You. We pray for the suffering church in Bangladesh - Lord, take what is meant for evil and turn it to good, so that many would be saved. (Genesis 50:20). Send angels to minister to them. (1 Kings 19:3-9). Open their eyes to see the spiritual forces at work, and the power God has unleashed on their behalf. (2 Kings 6:15-17). Deliver them to show His supremacy. (2 Kings 19:1-19). Defend the cause of truth and rescue Your oppressed. (Psalm 74:21-23. Let them live to proclaim Your power to the next generation. (Psalm 71:18) and to praise God in the presence of the saints once again (Psalm 116). Give them a strong sense of Your presence (Isaiah 43). Calm any doubts and fears, and show them the evidence that You are who You say You are. (Luke 7:18-23). Help them be aware just how strongly You identify with persecuted believers (Acts 9:1-4).Let the church in Bangladesh be strong in prayer, united, and bold; let this cause nominal believers to be "all in" and false members to be revealed; let this be a strengthening, purifying, unifying time for the church (Acts 12:1-5). Deliver those leaders who are in prison for continued fruitful labor with their congregations (Philippians 1:19-26). Let Your Word speed ahead and be honored in Bangladesh (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2). In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

Prayer for Bangladesh: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - March 2 (Day 62)

Over 200 years ago, William Carey left London to minister in India, becoming the "Father of Modern Missions". While mission work was going on among Catholic friars in the "New World", with only a few exceptions Protestant churches had largely focused on denominational development and doctrinal distinctives rather than fulfilling the Great Commission. William Carey eventually became the first person to translate the Bible into Bengali - then after the work was destroyed in a fire, he completed it again. (For more on Carey, see Christian History magazine #36.)

Yet today, the Bengali remain the largest unreached people group in the world. The fallow ground that Carey helped to break up still needs to be planted and watered, and the need is great for laborers to the harvest that will come from this part of the world.

Today, please review pages 132-136, then let's pray together for the things that God has put on our hearts about Bangladesh.

My prayer for today: Oh Lord, my heart cries out to You for Bangladesh. The depth of the need is so great there, Lord - and yet we know that You are more than sufficient to supply. Thank You for the progress in the fight against poverty and the growth among believers. Thank You for the creative means You are using to communicate the Gospel relationally. We pray, Lord, for both the Muslim and Hindu background believers to be strong in their understanding of Your Word and diligent in holding firmly to You as Lord. We pray for the large unreached Bengali population throughout the world - we ask You to use all the creative means available to reach them. Please call out laborers for the harvest - from among the Bengali believers, from among similar people groups, and even from among the larger body of Christ throughout the world. Lord, my heart is especially burdened for those who follow You from within their original cultural and religious contexts - those who are in "Jesus Mosques" or follow You in a Hindu context. Lord, guide them with amazing wisdom and discernment. I cannot begin to know all the implications of this decision, Lord, but I do know that You are with them, that the darkness is not too dark for You. Shine the light of Your truth into their worlds and let them be bold witnesses for You. Give them grace and strength to face persecution and to resist compromise. Give them special wisdom to know the difference between something that is simply cultural and something that would lead to compromising the Gospel. Continue to teach them and give them leaders who can discern what You are saying to the church in Bangladesh. Lord, I pray also for unity among Christians from Hindu and Muslim backgrounds - You have torn down the dividing wall, and Jesus You are our peace. Let them exemplify that reality today Lord. In the precious name of Jesus, amen.

Prayer for Bangladesh: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - March 1 (Day 61)

What comes to your mind when you think of Bangladesh? Do you see floods and poverty, hunger and need? Do you think of signs of hope, such as Bangladesh students studying in the US and the Grameen Bank's efforts at microfinance? Do you know a lot, or a little, or nothing, about this tiny country?

We are privileged to be able to spend three full days getting to know Bangladesh, its people and its needs. Often one of the most important triggers to fuel our prayers is simply personal awareness - moving from the theoretical and abstract to the tangible and personal. Most of us can't just decide to go meet someone from Bangladesh this week (though if you know someone or live in a city where you might meet someone, this is a good time to develop a deeper relationship by asking questions about their country). But we can all make the decision to seek God for His heart for Bangladesh over the next 3 days. As we begin our time together today, please join in the prayer I've prayed - that He would make Bangladesh real to me through this virtual journey, and give me a piece of His heart.

After praying, please prayerfully read about Bangladesh on pages 132-136. As you read put a star next to any points that particularly struck your heart - those thing you found yourself really identifying with or feeling on a personal level. For the next 3 days, really seek to zero in on those aspects of Bangladesh for your prayer time.

Today our joint prayer time will come from the video below, which also serves to put faces to the Bengali people and unveil a bit of the beauty and tragedy of this country. I pray that God will use this to help you connect to His heart for Bangladesh on a personal level.

http://youtu.be/lcr3vn98KKo