Prayer Powerlines - October 2008

KEY REQUEST: Move the World

“Prayer moves the hand that moves the world” says the old adage. Thank you for joining OMF International in prayer. How can we increase the reach of our prayer lives? Tell others about this resource, order a people-group-specific prayer guide from www.omfbooks.com or start a prayer group through BridgeAsia, our volunteer program. Increase God’s reach through both your prayers and the action you take today.

1. NATIONAL DAY. Today is the 59th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Many of the leader’s portraits will be displayed in public squares. Pray that one day Jesus Christ will be the one most honored in China.
2. MEDICAL BOOK. David and Lara Narita are physicians in Cambodia and have written a book, Where There is no Doctor, to enable people to treat simple, common medical problems at home. Pray that this book would receive government endorsement despite the political climate.
3. GOD OUR PROVIDER. As we enter into the fourth quarter of 2008, we continue to ask God to provide OMF International (U.S.) the financial resources to end the fiscal year strong. We look beyond the economy and trust God as the provider of all things. Join us in prayer for full financial supply in 2008.
4. GOVERNMENT. In all the countries in which OMF International works, we need the local government’s approval to do ministry. Sometimes that is easier to receive than others. Pray that in the places where the government is hesitant to receive Christians that God would ordain a supernatural ways to stay.
5. LEADERSHIP. OMF International values training our leaders, both new and old. So it was difficult to hear that Shelley Trebesch, who has been heading up our Member Development Program the last five years, will be returning to the USA to teach at Fuller Seminary. Pray for her transition and that a replacement would be found.
6. REVOKED. About 200 Christian youth from two churches in Laos were given permission from the local police to gather together. But despite this prior permission, they were shut down at the end of the first day. Praise God that these young Christians weren’t intimidated and plan to try to meet again.
7. FOOD NEEDED. A decade ago, North Korea went through a famine that killed as many as 3 million people. Food (especially rice) prices have skyrocketed. Nervousness is obvious on the faces of the local people, many of whom remember the famine of the 1990s. Pray for this precarious situation, that food would be supplied and that people would find hope in Christ.
8. INDONESIA. In light of the wonderful work done by an ethnographic research team (2006) and a follow-up Serve Asia team this year to the J-people of Sumatra, ask the Lord of the harvest to thrust out workers among this unreached people group.
9. RETURNEES. Pray for the Returnee Summit meetings in Boston today. Many organizations are coming together to discuss how to better equip Chinese believers who are returning to China. Pray for these meetings and for all involved in this ministry.
10. MARRIAGE. In Japan, having a “chapel-style” wedding is the craze. Ralph and Miho Clatworthy are seeking ways to bring spiritual fruit from this ministry. Pray for the thousands of who have heard the gospel through Ralph’s wedding ceremonies. May they seek Jesus spiritually and not just as a good luck charm for their marriage.
11. JAPAN DATING. Recently a believer in Japan was challenged about marrying her non-believing fiancé. Friends suggested that he would not understand her love for God. In her response she stated that her spiritual life was separate from her married life, so it would not be an issue. Pray that the truth of the word would penetrate all areas of her life.
12. MALAYSIA. The ban against a former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister from being involved in politics expired last month. His wife is already an opposition leader in Parliament and his daughter was recently elected as well. Malaysian Christians around the world have become involved in a significant prayer movement this year…let us pray with them for their nation at this critical time.
13. BOWING TO MAN. Is a monk, a mere man, worthy of being bowed down to, not one, but three times? That is the sight workers in Myanmar see. People worship, listen to and follow these men. Isn’t the Lord worthy of these acts of worship? Pray that they would honor him above all else.
14. MINE OR YOURS? A worker in Vietnam note that the past few months have been difficult as they have had several items stolen. They report, “we have a lingering feeling of violation” that is hard to shake. Pray that they would be able to trust and love the people they have come to serve.
15. HOLINESS. Pray for Mongolian believers that they would remain steadfast in their faith and pursue our holy God with abandon. Pray against sin and temptation in their lives.
16. ENGLISH STUDY. Helen is a Chinese college student studying English and “is open and hungry” for the word. She has many good questions after doing her weekly homework. Pray that Helen and other college students like her will find Christ in China.
17. TIBETANS. The May earthquake in Sichuan was centered in a largely Tibetan area of China. Much work remains to be done over the next several years to support the people who were caught in this enormous disaster. In light of recent unrest among Tibetans, pray for continued open doors for work.
18. RETIRED. Today there is a celebration for OMF International (U.S.)’s retirement home, Lammermuir. After 44 years of serving both CIM and OMF retired missionaries, the home was retired on September 6, 2008. Pray for this celebration and for the provision for all our retired missionaries.
19. CHANGED. Katie Jacobson, missionary in the Philippines relays that on the mission field there are a lot of things you wish you could change but you cannot. But, as with life anywhere, it is often that the change most needed is within ourselves. Pray with her that God would make 1 Samuel 10:6 true in her life.
20. NEW WORKERS. Today starts the last Candidate Course in the U.S. for 2008 with 20 people attending, desiring to serve the Lord overseas in East Asia. Pray for them during the next two weeks as they learn more about OMF International and make life-changing decisions about their future ministry.
21. FUTURE PARTNERS. Pray for OMF International’s field leaders as they visit Brunei this month to learn first-hand about the current situation and challenges of reaching its people. They will also meet with a number of expatriate professionals who are emerging as a possible future team of partners in ministry. Pray for wisdom for all concerned in this very restrictive Islamic nation.
22. MONEY. All major religions can be found in Singapore. But taxi driver Lee admitted that he worshiped and finds his security in money; “all other religions are hypocritical.” Pray for taxi driver Lee, that Jesus would come into his life in a real and tangible way and shake everything else in which he holds security.
23. LOVE ME? Please pray for one of Stacey Tom’s students in China. She does not believe her parents love her, and they have decided she cannot get married but must be sent to a trade school to work in a factory. She confessed to Stacey that she would rather leave this life.
24. MOVING ON. In Taiwan, Randy and Janet Adams are praising God that he has raised up leaders in Hengchun, following Paul’s model. They are now are moving on to WanHua to start a church plant there. Pray that the church in Hengchun will remain faithful to the gospel.
25. LAND OF IDOLS. Thailand wants to be the center of the Buddhist world. In this effort, they are very proud to have created a large meditation center with one million 6-inch idols! Pray that our jealous God will cause the Thai to only worship his son, Jesus.
26. REUNION. Cheeia was a Hmong woman who became a Christian in the United States during her college years. At a family reunion back in her village, her father asked her to speak to a crowd of 300. She decided to share the gospel. In short, 37 of her family members came to Christ. Praise God!
27. ALUMNI MOVEMENT. Praise God for the more than 1,000 Serve Asia Alumni! Pray that their hearts would continue to align with God’s plan for the nations, regardless of how long ago or how recently they returned home. Pray that recent alumni would know how to engage their sending communities as they share stories from this summer.
28. REGIONAL MINISTRY. Praise God for bringing two new regional mobilizers to challenge the church in the United States to look toward the spiritual battle in Asia. Pray that two or three more people would be raised up by God to serve in this vital role.
29. SHORT TO LONG. Over the last few years we have seen more short-term Serve Asia workers returning to the field for long-term service. Praise the Lord with us that God is using Serve Asia, a missions discipleship program, to call his people to long-term ministry!
30. ASIAN CONTEXT. Praise God that he is using Asians to reach Asia! There are 10 countries in East Asia both receiving and sending OMF missionaries. Pray for those special mobilization efforts.
31. PARTNERSHIP. Pray for Church Partnership Coordinator, James Rider, as he leads a forum this October for churches interested in partnering with OMF International. Pray that he would be able to facilitate good discussion and that more churches would desire to see God’s glory in East Asia.