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Key Request for February: DEVOTED TO THE CAUSE OF HUMANITY

"If we are devoted to the cause of humanity, we shall soon be crushed and brokenhearted, for we shall often meet with more ingratitude from men than we would from a dog; but if our motive is love to God, no ingratitude can hinder us from serving our fellow men." Oswald Chambers -- My Utmost for His Highest. Pray that Christians all over the world may know and love God above everything else in this world.

1. CAMBODIA. Health issues are a constant challenge for workers in Cambodia, both physical and emotional health. Pray for good self-care, team support and for God’s sustaining grace. Pray also for stronger relationships with government ministries.
2. WORKERS. Field workers in Cambodia are praying for more workers to serve in rural locations; the challenging, less-reached areas of the country. Pray for more evangelist-church planters to join the continuing flow of development workers.
3. FINANCE. OMF International is experiencing financial challenges resulting in budget shortfalls and ministry cutbacks. Pray for the faith and courage to focus on God, who delights in working through impossible circumstances to bring glory to his name. Pray for full financial provision for staff and missionaries, the 2010 budget and for those currently in the process of support development.
4. BRUNEI. A significant number of believers serve in Brunei. Pray for them to find meaningful avenues of ministry while being sensitive to the very strict environment around them. Let’s join with these believers who are committed to meet together to pray for one another and the nation.
5. DIASPORA. An exploration trip to research the movement of Mainland Chinese to Africa took place in January 2010. Pray for wisdom as leaders of Diaspora Ministries consider what the Lord is saying about initiating ministry in Africa. Ask God to guide discussions on partnership opportunities with other organizations and the church in Africa.
6. TRAINING. The Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course gives a comprehensive overview of God’s heart for the nations as well as personal challenge to be involved. Pray for the thousands of people across the country taking the course this spring.
7. SENDING. Pray for the Associated Churches in Thailand and the formation of a “home mission” that will train and send Christians cross-culturally within Thailand toward the goal of having a church in every village and community.
8. WORKERS. Praise the Lord for the new workers joining the Isaan Region in Thailand. The area currently has two couples serving, and four more couples are moving to Isaan to start ministry in 2010! Pray for 50 new workers in the next two years to take up evangelistic disciple-making ministry for this region.
9. PERSPECTIVE. Living and working in a fast-paced, goal-oriented culture can diminish the appetite of God’s people for spiritual things and consequently weaken the church. Missionaries are not immune from these tendencies. Pray for each missionary to have deep and meaningful time with God this year and to keep their hearts and minds focused on their calling.
10. CHANGES. In Japan, the population includes both a segment that is rapidly aging and a vast, unreached youth population. In order to minister the gospel, the church needs to reach out in new and relevant ways. Pray for wisdom, discernment and a willingness to change as the church in Japan seeks to reach youth.
11. MALAYSIA. Praise the Lord for the ruling handed down by Malaysia’s High Court allowing the Malay-speaking Christian community to use the word “Allah” for God. We are asked to continue in prayer as the controversial decision was immediately appealed and is protested by several Muslim NGOs. Pray for wisdom for all involved and peace in the country.
12. NEW ZEALAND. Chinese Diaspora work is booming in New Zealand. It is exciting to see what God is doing in the Chinese churches—there are more opportunities than OMF New Zealand can utilize! Pray for God’s provision of the finances needed for more Diaspora workers to help with these opportunities.
13. PRAYER. Today, OMF International will be hosting a prayer summit for the Zhuang people of China in Minneapolis, MN. The Zhuang are the largest minority group of mainland China, located mainly in Guangxi province. Most Zhuang adhere to their traditional religion, animism. Pray for breakthrough among the Zhuang today and for many with a burden for this people group to attend the prayer summit.
14. ZHUANG PEOPLE. Thai Christians who recently attended a mission seminar focusing on missions and the Zhuang people in China felt challenged to go. Pray for these Thai Christians as they consider cross cultural mission service among the Zhuang.
15. MENTOR TRAINING. The Serve Asia department at OMF International (U.S.) is concluding their mission mentor training today. This training is for the individuals who will be leading short-term teams to East Asia this summer. Pray that these leaders will retain what they have learned and will feel equipped for what the Lord will do this summer with their teams.
16. SERVE ASIA. Many people start looking into short-term opportunities for summer during February and March, making this a very busy time for OMF International’s Serve Asia representatives. Pray for the team as they process many applications and select workers to be sent out in 2010.
17. PARTNERING. In 2010 the OMF International Philippines field is giving focus to developing partnerships with local churches. It is their hope and prayer to gather a pool of volunteers from these churches. Ask God to lead them to committed people who are willing to sacrifice time and money for this program.
18. DISCOVERING. At a recent gathering in the Philippines, 56 participants (each at a different stage of discovering who Jesus is) met to learn more about the gospel. Pray for the 12 leaders who brought these participants to the gathering as they guide them toward discovering more about Jesus.
19. MOBILIZATION. OMF International’s headquarters in Singapore is focusing on mobilizing workers for some specific people groups. Pray for clarity in presenting these needs to churches and creativity in challenging those who are currently on our interested enquirers list.
20. NEED FOR TEAMS. One people group in Indonesia is a challenge because of their strong commitment to their belief system. For several years there has been much prayer for workers to be sent, and yet not much progress has been made. Suddenly an earthquake not only opened doors, but quickened the hearts of many for these people. Pray that a team can soon be formed and sent out.
21. PROTECTION. Pray for protection for those who work among Muslims. Many have been under spiritual attack through sickness, accidents, conflict and discouragement. These workers minister in areas where there is political and religious conflict and terrorist activity. Pray for increased boldness in the midst of difficult situations.
22. BUSINESS. Ask God to bless an Urban China team’s small business project–investors, customers, employees, and the community. The team needs special wisdom for appropriate integration between their ministry and business opportunities and challenges.
23. SWITZERLAND. Pray that the Serve Asia Day on January 23, 2010 in Switzerland will draw many young people who long for deeper experiences with God. May they hear the voice of God and recognize his will for their lives.
24. INDONESIA. The recent death of former President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) reminds us to ask the Lord to raise up good leadership and government in Indonesia. Few nations on earth are as populous and diverse, which carries the potential for strife and instability. Gus Dur (President of Indonesia 1999-2001) is recognized as setting a high standard for honesty, integrity, fairness and democracy, and he was a “friend of Christians.”
25. URBANA. Thank you for praying for the team that attended Urbana 09 in December. God opened the way for more than 1,000 meaningful conversations and sustained health and stamina for the entire team! Pray over these next few months as the team continues to interact with these contacts.
26. COMMUNICATIONS TEAM. The communications team at OMF International (U.S) is staying very busy with preparing for many events and conferences, and is still short staffed. Pray for Gwen Hanna, Jonathan Barrick, Ken Haron, and Catherine Hoemke in their creative work for our mobilization efforts.The team is in need of a qualified assistant writer and graphic designer. Pray for God's provision.
27. MINISTRY TO MUSLIMS. The annual IMPACT Conference (February 4-6, 2010) is widening its focus to include the entire Muslim world of Southeast Asia and her unengaged peoples. Pray for many to find meaningful connections with field work and make faithful commitments. Pray, also, for workers involved in leadership and workshop sessions.
28. CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS. Pray for James Rider and his efforts to work with local churches. He aims to help nurture future workers, develop strategic focus areas (peoples or places), increase church involvement in caring for their workers, and to continue to explore creative ways to partner on the homeside and on the field.

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