Prayer Powerlines - August 2008

Key Request

RACING TO VICTORY. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (1 Corinthians 9:23-25). Pray for the athletes at the Olympics that have trained so hard for an earthly prize, that they might run a true race right into the Father’s loving arms.

1. BRIDGEASIA. Running a race means you have to train. BridgeAsia is a great way to “train” for missions and learn more about what God can do through you if you are willing. Pray that more people would hear about and join BridgeAsia, OMF International’s national (U.S.) volunteer movement. Lead a prayer group or become a people group advocate! Learn more at www.omf.org/us/volunteer.

2. CAMBODIA. New culture, new language, new faces … and moving at least every four years! This is the life of a missionary. In Cambodia, it seems lately this has been the norm. Pray for the ministry transitions of Kelley Miller and others and for the families that have had a difficult time adjusting to their new surroundings or ministry. Pray for more of God’s grace through all the changes.

3. BUDGET. Pray for the Finance department during this time of deciding next year’s annual estimate for the U.S. homeside expenses for 2009. May the OMF International (U.S.) leadership team be diligent in their times of seeking the Lord to determine next year’s ministry needs. Pray for those financial needs to be met in an abundant and a special way in 2009.

4. MINISTRY TO MUSLIMS. About 200 million Muslims live in Southeast Asia. This area of the world makes up some of the most unreached groups in the world. Pray today that the Lord of the harvest would give his people a passion to share the good news to the Muslims of Southeast Asia. Pray for each country that God would shine his face upon that place and put a desire in his people’s hearts to serve him in these hard places.

5. ASIAN DIASPORA. Each year America is host to more than 720,000 international students (ISI). Nearly 130 Indonesians attend Pensacola College in Florida and the number seems to be increasing. Pray that an alumni network might be set-up for kingdom purposes. Pray that God would use these and other international students to return to their homeland to share more than their western education—to share Christ.

6. JUST ONE MORE. For many in Laos, choosing to believe in Christ is just an addition to their current beliefs. Pray that the missionaries in Laos would be able to communicate the gospel in a way that is understood. But ultimately only the Holy Spirit can do the converting. Pray for his intercession into the lives of Lao peoples in a real and powerful way.

7. NORTH KOREA. For those waiting to enter North Korea it can be a trying time. God has put it on their hearts to minister there and yet it is so hard to get into that dark country. One worker says that “one reason it’s difficult to get into North Korea may be that God has intense preparation work for those he wants to send.” Pray for patience and purification for these workers waiting on God’s timing.

8. RACING TO GLORY. In China, the 2008 Olympic Games start today. The Chinese believe that eight is a lucky number, hence the 2008 Olympics starting August 8 at 8:08 p.m. local time. Pray that during these Olympic Games, more Chinese will put down their superstitions as they encounter Christians who boldly process their hope in Christ–not in any number system.

9. TEACHERS NEEDED. Missionary kids need an education, too, and teachers are desperately needed at schools like Faith Academy in the Philippines. Pray that skilled teachers with a heart for the special concerns of children of missionary families serving overseas will join the team. School starts this week–pray for good, healthy adjustments for the children and the parents as they leave their kids in the capable hands of the teachers and staff.

10. JAPAN. Japan, among other Asian nations is now sending its own missionaries through OMF International to other places. Pray for Ruth, who is working to develop a training program for missionaries going out from other East Asian countries. Pray for stamina and safety as she travels around East Asia speaking to seminary students and pastors.

11. UNREACHED CHINESE. Amazingly, while still one-third of the unreached people in the world are estimated to be Chinese, today there may already be as many true believers in China as there are in the United States. Continue to pray that God uses this large nation in his plan for missions. Pray that the Chinese believers around the world would catch a vision for what God is doing to bring all people to himself.

12. RETURNEE CHILDREN. Many Chinese pursue education, get married and even start a family abroad. Some return to China with a heart to share the good news of Jesus Christ with their Chinese co-workers and friends. But many of their children have a hard time adjusting to China. Pray for the children of these returnees and pray for our workers ministering to them, that they might have insight into their world.

13. MYANMAR. Praise God that three of four medical students that an OMF International worker has been tutoring for four months have started attending a weekly Bible study! Pray for further open doors with them and that the fourth student’s heart would be receptive to these new ideas.

14. VIETNAM. Western missionaries are not allowed by the Vietnamese government to share the gospel with Vietnamese or risk loosing their visa. But they can share the gospel with other foreigners in Vietnam! A Chinese lady who was in Vietnam for university has come to Christ, and she has a heart to give the new joy she’s found to others! Praise God for the mysterious ways he works.

15. MONGOLIA. The people of Mongolia are as diverse and different as the vast land they occupy, and it has only been open to the outside world since 1990. Since then, OMF International has sent missionaries to proclaim the gospel to this barren land. In recent years, there has been much fruit. Pray for the ministry there, that God would explode his church and produce everlasting fruit.

16. NEW PLATFORMS. Today marks the half-way point for the Olympics in Beijing. Please pray for our workers in China, for faithfulness and perseverance. Many are struggling to keep visas that allow them to stay in the country. Pray that as they begin looking for new platforms for ministry, God would give them favor in the government’s eyes.

17. TENSIONS IN TIBET. Ethnic tensions grow between Tibetans and the economically stronger Han-Chinese who move into Tibetan areas. Many Tibetan nomads lost their livelihood this winter when heavy snow and severe cold killed hundreds of thousands of livestock. Lives and homes were lost in the earthquake in Sichuan. Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the midst of their distress.

18. CHURCH MOVEMENTS HONORED. This past May the Mangyan Tribal Church Association of the Philippines honored OMF International missionaries, Tom and Vicki Tweddell who brought the gospel to their tribe in the 1980s. They then honored some of their own who first took the gospel outside their village and beyond their tribe to neighboring islands. Praise God that he is using people like you and me to bring the gospel to the Philippines and that he is mobilizing them to reach out in mission to others.

19. CLEAN TEETH. “Getting inside a mouth to get inside a heart” is what dental hygiene is all about in remote villages in China where a toothbrush is a foreign object. But that is how some workers are getting into homes of their students and hopefully opening more than their mouths. Pray that God would open the hearts of their families to spiritual things during these visits and for more opportunities like these to be available.

20. CRACKDOWN. Continue to pray for Christians in Beijing as many large unregistered house churches have been under much pressure from the government because they are worried about unrest during the Olympics. Last month, worshipers at one church found the doors to the church blocked by authorities. Believers have been pressured at school and at work. Please pray for these brothers and sisters in Christ to stand firm, rooted in their savior, and continue to profess their faith despite persecution.

21. 99 PRAYERS. Muslims long to please God so when a woman explained to an OMF International worker that she enjoys praying 99 times a day, she was touched and challenged in her own prayer life. But repetitive praying based on religious laws does not gain favor with God; faithful prayers based on grace alone are not in vane. Pray that more people would pray for the Muslims of Southeast Asia and that many more would come into the kingdom because of these humble prayers offered around the world.

22. OWN MEDICINE. The International Medical Advisor, Dr. Stroma Beattie, in Singapore needs to taker her own advice and go on a long-needed home assignment. But this position can not simply be left vacant. And Singapore laws are such that a temporary replacement would need doctor licensure for Singapore, requiring at least one year in a Singapore hospital—just not feasible in this situation. Pray that God would provide a way for OMF International’s Medical Advisor to take a break.

23. TRANSITION. Thank you for your prayers for Clara Cheng (PPL, March 08). She will be moving to Taiwan to teach seminary students how to plant churches among factory workers of the same culture. This is a change of scenery as well as a new challenge in teaching about cross-cultural missions. Pray for a smooth transition and that God would provide the new wisdom and knowledge she needs to teach well.

24. PRIZE. Many people are wondering what will be next for China after the 2008 Olympics have ended. China has changed so rapidly in the last 20 years and especially since the light of the Olympics was focused on them. Please remember the rapid changes and pray that the good news can be effectively communicated to the lost both now and in the future.

25. FEAR OF DEMONS. A sudden fear that demons are seeking young people has erupted in a small Thai village after three perfectly-healthy young men died within a few days of each other. The people are trying to protect their young by crafting straw scarecrow-like dolls to appease or fool the spirits. Please pray that the Lord will reveal himself to this Thai village and replace this plaguing fear with boldness in Christ!

26. THAILAND. Can you imagine explaining John 3:16 to your language teacher after only one year of the Thai language behind you? But that is exactly what Jesse and Kristen Kroll’s language teacher asked them to do. Pray that their Thai teacher would continue to ask questions and that the Holy Spirit would continue to work in her life.

27. SERVING AT HOME. Many OMF International missionaries are traveling during this time of year, some returning to the field after a time of ministry and rest at home and others just beginning their home assignment. Pray for those that are returning to the U.S.; that they would adjust well after years away. Pray that they would find time to rest in the Lord and rely on him to provide all their needs in order that they may return to the field.

28. STEWARDSHIP. OMF International wants to be good stewards for the things God has brought us, not only finances, but resources—people, buildings and so much more! The new International Personnel system (IPS) will be in place as an expression of love for the workers God brings us. There are many people involved all around OMF International serving in a “sending” capacity: people with PhDs and doctorates, financiers, medical specialists, long-time pastors – people of position with high qualifications using their skills and talents for him and his kingdom. Thank God today for these people who have made an earthly sacrifice for a greater gain.

29. GOD’S GLORY IN EAST ASIA. It motivates us to pray. It motivates us to give. It motivates us to ministry both in the U.S. and in Asia. Pray for OMF International, that we would adequately portray the needs and opportunities to bring God’s glory to East Asia. Pray that God would bring more workers for the harvest fields and more partners in ministry to send them there.

30. AUSTRALIA. The OMF International office in Australia is in desperate need for some homeside co-workers, especially working with missionary candidates and in regional offices around the country. Pray that God would raise up mobilizers in Australia who desire to bring God glory in East Asia. Pray for the Australia leaders, Calvin and Joyce Ma, as they lead a team that needs several more people.

31. COMMUNICATION NEEDS. In order to best communicate the needs and opportunities in East Asia for God’s glory, OMF International (U.S.) is looking for skilled individuals to serve in graphic design, writing/editing, videography, marketing and project management in the Communications department. Pray for Gwen Hanna as she leads the current team, and ask God to provide these skilled workers.