"Dear sovereign, gracious, and merciful heavenly Father, we pray for students in Malaysia who are at home studying or studying near their campus hoping that things will change soon. Father, many are unable to get a full education. Many students are unable to return home and are concerned about the health and safety of their parents. Please empower those who follow You to trust in You more and be a light to those who don't know You. Please comfort all students and enable them to get the best education possible under these circumstances. Thank You for Your provision already amid the pandemic's influence. In Jesus' most wonderful and powerful name we pray, Amen."
(chee-ang MY) - "After a long break due to member absences and COVID-19, we are finally able to resume our Pregnancy Center Team meetings and prayerwalks. We thank God that our team is able to meet again in person. Please pray for our team to be unified and effective as we work together. Pray that the love we have for one another will be an example of the amazing love Jesus has for the people of Thailand!"
Pray for encouragement for believers. Despite continued terrorist attacks and a resurgence of COVID-19, they are faithfully continuing to share the good news, plant churches, and make disciples.
(mow-HAH-jers) - In Greek, the term ''oikos'' refers to one's household and close relationships. When someone comes to faith in Christ from a Muhajir background in an urban environment, his or her "oikos" can be quite immense and sharing one's testimony takes a lot of courage. Please pray for Muhajir believers to have the courage to "map out" their relationships and to pray with faith that God can bring their "oikos" to faith through the gospel and their testimony. Ask the Lord to give boldness to new believers who are burdened by fear of their own community. Pray that their "oikos" will have open ears and minds, hearts prepared by the Holy Spirit, and the desire to seek truth while He may be found. "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'" (John 14:6 NIV).
Japan is once again closing her doors to foreigners, this time due to COVID-19. Until 1853, Japan had a 220-year-old policy of isolation. It was at this time that Commodore Matthew Perry, armed with orders from U.S. President Millard Fillmore, undertook two voyages to Japan in Navy vessels to open contact with Japan. The Perry Expedition resulted in diplomatic relationships with Japan. Given the evidence of new COVID-19 variants, Japan re-imposed strict restrictions on overseas travelers at the end of 2020. Most nonresident foreign nationals are barred from entering the country. What this practically means for missionaries in Japan is that new missionaries as well as seasoned missionaries, who have been led from other East Asian countries to replant their lives in Japan, are having a difficult time getting into the country. Christians have something far more powerful than military might available to re-open Japan. It is prayer! Pray that as soon as the Lord deems it prudent, missionaries may be permitted to enter Japan to make an eternal difference the lives of the Japanese.
Please pray for wisdom for the leadership of Redeemer City Church in Iceland as they continue to navigate restrictions associated with public meetings. Pray for continued encouragement for members as they seek to maintain fellowship through online meetings. Pray that corporate worship will be able to resume soon, and ask that Icelanders will be open to the message of hope communicated through it.
Christmas is always a special time for the Southeast Asia Deaf team. It's a time when many people are curious about the true meaning of Christmas and willing to step into a church. Christmas in 2020 was no different. The Deaf churches were able to host more than 100 people for their annual Christmas outreaches. They played games, exchanged gifts, and saw the story of Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection, as well as how to become a believer. Several people were interested in the good news, and the Deaf teams are following up with them. Due to a COVID-19 outbreak/lockdown, one of the churches postponed their party, but God has been and will continue to be sovereign as brothers and sisters in Christ reach their community. Lift up the Deaf churches as they prayerfully navigate their way through new rules and regulations and a rise in COVID-19. Ask that they will continue to be a bold witness to their friends and family. Praise the Lord for so many who saw the Christmas story last month! Praise Him for the many who are seeking truth! Pray that they will see the good news and believe!
Pray for the 200,000 Yezidi Kurds of Iraq, many of whom have suffered in war and have fled for their lives. Pray for the handful of Yezidi believers to find comfort and help in Christ wherever they are. Ask that refugees who hear the gospel will believe and follow Christ. Pray for a church among the Yezidi Kurds of Iraq.
(cah-FAY) - "Pray that God will provide people who are called to indigenous university student ministry to join this team."
When walking through the streets of Flowertown, you are sure to see someone selling bread on the side of the road. Sometimes the bread is on racks made of sticks, propped up on boxes, or held by a man skillfully riding a bike while balancing a rack filled with the flatbread with one hand. Bread is essential to life for the people of Flowertown. In fact, the word for bread in their language means "life." Pray that the people of Flowertown will come to know the Bread of life (John 6:35).
Since assuming their positions a year ago, the leadership of the Baptist Convention of Angola have spent most of their time under COVID-19 restrictions that, even now, prevent them from having face-to-face interactions with pastors and churches outside their own provinces. Pray for them as they continue to adjust to the challenges of supervising, advising, mentoring, and guiding from a distance.