Praying for Kyrgyzstan: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - August 8

Today we pray for another majority Muslim country, this one part of the former Soviet Union. We have a guest blogger who has ministered in Kyrgyzstan. Please read pages 516-520, then join her in prayer.

Kyrgyzstan is a beautiful nation with incredible mountains all over the nation. These are the mountains just outside Bishkek the capital.

This nation was under part of the USSR until its independence in 1991. It continues to remain poor and face economic hardship due to corruption, greed, and power struggles amongst those that have had power since then. Kyrgyzstan has had lots of political unrest in the last few years as well as some ethnic conflicts between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks.

In my experience, the Kyrgyz believers are faith filled and preserving. They are actively serving orphans and widows, reaching out to families, helping the needy and poor, building the body of Christ, etc. They are a testimony to the heart of the Kyrgyz people. They are strong people, who don’t quit. They have large hearts and open doors to welcome others.

Lord, we thank you for the Kyrgyz believers and their heart to follow you. We thank you that we have
seen your church grow in this nation. We are grateful for the men and women that sacrifice so much to follow you. We pray that you would give more and more Kyrgyz the opportunity to hear about Jesus. We pray that people would encounter Jesus through dreams and visions, through different resources like Christian radio and Christian literature. We pray that the Good News of Jesus would spread over every mountain range in this nation. That it would be heard in every rural village and every isolated area. We pray for peace amongst the different ethnic peoples in Kyrgyzstan. We pray for courage for the government to make changes to the economy and the society in general. We pray you would come Lord, in a powerful way in this nation. We thank you for Kyrgyzstan and the Kyrgyz people. In Jesus name, amen

Praying for Kuwait: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - August 7

Today's prayer emphasis takes us to a Muslim country with a growing underground church that is increasingly becoming "aboveground" as more and more followers of Christ make their faith known. Numerous international Christians present in Kuwait for work and non-profit efforts combine with an intentional missionary force to bring a solid Christian presence to this land. Please read more about Kuwait on pages 514-516.

My prayer for today: Praise You, God, for Your work in Kuwait! Praise You for the growing number of believers who are professing You publicly. Continue to grow the church and give believers wisdom how to walk out their faith. We pray that You will keep Sat-7 and other satellite stations on the air, and draw many seeking Muslims to the programs that effectively and accurately portray the Gospel message. We pray that all Christians in the country, whether for missions or volunteer efforts or business, will make Your kingdom manifest rather than focus on their own purposes. We pray for unity among church and intentional outreach to the unreached. We pray for grace and protection for the government which has been tolerant of Christianity. We pray for an outpouring of Your Spirit in Kuwait that will result in people group movements to You. In Jesus' name, amen.

Praying for South Korea: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - August 6

Today we continue to pray for South Korea. Please review prayer points on pages 510-513.

My prayer for today: Lord, I praise You for Your work in Korea, for the founding of the church, the revivals and even persecution, for the missions vision and the example of prayer, for the growth and strength of the Korean body of believers. Lord, let us learn from them to be faithful in prayer and intentional in serving You. Lord, mature the church in Korea by bringing unity, humility, grace, and love. We pray against the prosperity and materialistic gospel that is creeping in, against unbiblical authoritarian leadership, and against any compromise by Christians. Help them be set apart, distinct, completely focused on Your purposes. Lord, we pray for the church to have love for North Koreans, for a willingness to help them and for wisdom to prepare now for the eventual fall of the north and reunification of the Korean peninsula. We pray against judgmentalism and fear that would prevent effective ministry. We pray for Koreans studying abroad to have a heart for You and for Your purposes and plans, that they will see themselves as missionaries and seek Your strategic placement of them when they finish their studies. Lord, we pray for Your purposes for the Korean church to be fulfilled.

Praying for South Korea: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - August 5

The Korean Church is an example of great missionary strategy. Early missionaries to Korea were committed to the idea of developing a national church from the beginning, and those sound principles resulted in what today is a prayerful, committed, missional church with incredible vision. In fact, South Korean is the second-largest mission-sending nation on earth! Yet much prayer is needed, as you will learn today. Please read pages 509-513, then watch this video and pray with this South Korean believer, to learn more about South Korea and begin to get God's heart for this land.

http://youtu.be/6GQgWgfK7IY

Praying for North Korea: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - August 4

Today we continue to lift up North Korea. Please review pages 507-509, then join me in watching this video as our prayer time together. (I recommend clicking on "Show More" under the video, to read some good history related to the country.) And remember that regardless of how "closed" the country may be - and in missionary language, North Korea is definitely "closed", even to traditional creative access approaches - it is not closed in God's eyes. For the last word in the book of Acts is "unhindered". The Gospel went forth, "unhindered." God's word doesn't know borders. Let's pray for Him to loosen the bonds of North Korea today!
http://youtu.be/vJv0gEzqOVE

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.

Prayer for Kiribati: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - August 2

Today's country for prayer is tucked in with Kenya, day 2, but we are going to highlight Kiribati in our time together. One thing I love about God is that He puts people's hearts together for His kingdom purposes. Most of us have never heard of Kiribati, but this follower of Jesus has a heart for them that comes through in this video and prayer. Please read pages 505-506, and let's join this believer in prayer, seeking God's heart for Kiribati today.

http://youtu.be/lpec7xnlh6s

Praying for Kenya: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - August 1

Today we shift our focus to the African continent. Kenya has full freedom of religion and is a hub within Africa for Christian mission, ministries, and education. Evangelical growth has exploded, from 17% in 1960 to over 50% today, and Kenyans are sending missionaries within their country and to other countries. Praise God for His work! Please read pages 501-505 and join in prayer below.

I'm privileged to include insights from a dear friend who served with her church on a short-term trip to Kenya. My prayer follows her post.

I had the privilege of visiting Kenya on a mission trip with my church and an organization called 410 Bridge in June of 2010. You can check out the 410 Bridge web site here: http://www.410bridge.org/. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. We ministered in a small farming village called Kiu. Most of the homes we visited were mud huts. They had only one or two rooms, no electricity, and NO running water. In fact, some of the villagers had to travel as far as 2 km every day to get water from the village well. Women or children usually do this. Most of them carry the water in large containers on their back, using a strap that goes across their forehead. Despite all of this hardship, the Christians we met there were filled with amazing joy and hope. They love to sing, dance, and praise the Lord, and never in my life have I met people more welcoming and generous.

The lack of running water, and frequently food, can be a major stumbling block for education, because children often cannot make it to school on time after fetching water for their family. Also, if they have no food at home for lunch, they may be too hungry to return to school in the afternoon. This is why 410 Bridge is committed to putting water reservoirs and lunch programs into the schools in their communities. This way the children can fetch water for their family while they are at school, and they are sure to receive at least one meal that day.

Another problem for the schools in Kenya is the presence of sand fleas, or jiggers. If a classroom has dirt floors, these nasty insects can burrow into the kids’ bare feet while they are sitting at their desks. Because of this, cement floors are a real need in many Kenyan schools.

After our mission trip in 2010, my church decided to partner with the village of Kiu long term to help them get water from their well piped out to the various parts of the village, put cement floors in the classrooms of the local primary school, address medical needs, and above all, help spread the love of Jesus.

We are so excited about what God is doing in Kiu, but there is still much to be done. Water is such a HUGE need in Kenya right now. They have had a severe drought for the past couple of years. They need rain and fresh water wells desperately in so many areas….and many people still need Living Water.

My prayer for today: Lord, we are thankful for Your work in Kenya, for the growth of the church and the mobilization of missions from Kenya. We pray for adequate water and resources, especially for kids in areas where the sand fleas are prevalent. We pray for more churches to partner with Kenyan churches to see needs met in a helpful way. We pray for You to grow the Kenyan church to be passionate for You, doctrinally sound, genuinely loving, and fully obedient to Your word. We pray against tribalism within the churches and for an outpouring of Biblical unity. Raise up church leaders, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and others who serve their people and You with joy and understanding. We pray for the nation of Kenya. Allow the Gospel to permeate the country and remove corruption. We pray for long-term stability in the country and for wisdom in the challenge of radical Islam. We pray for guidance for those ministering to Muslims and for those seeking truth to find You. In Jesus' name, amen.