Download English pdf.
 
 
The Lord hears and answers. Praise the Lord!
 
Praise God for reports of significant movements to Christ among several unreached people groups we have highlighted in previous newsletters: the Fulani (September 2016), Iraqis (most recently mentioned in April 2018), Syrians (first featured in July 2013) and Tuareg (March 2014). We thank God for these movements and ask for more!
 
We thank the Lord that a key diaspora resource, the booklet Scattered to Gather, has been or is being translated into Korean, Chinese, Spanish and Portuguese. May the Lord and His purposes be honored as it is read. Please pray for more diaspora-related resources to be available in multiple languages.
 
We thank God for the many ways the love of Christ was shared to or through diaspora people during the Christmas season. Please pray for people to be reminded of truths they heard and to desire to follow Christ.
 
 
Prayer requests from Global Diaspora Forum participants
 
In mid-January, several GDN leaders will be presenting at “Beyond Hospitality,” a Jaffray-Ang Symposium centered on diaspora in Canada, which has the 8th largest population of international migrants. Please pray for the discussion to effectively encourage local churches toward being in community with diaspora peoples.
 
A new prayer guide, 15 Days of Prayer for Buddhist World, is now available to help unite Christ-followers globally to pray for and bless over 1 billion Buddhists. Please pray that more translations will be available soon. Pray for many Buddhists to know peace beyond understanding.
 
Please pray for God’s presence to be evident at a worship training gathering for Himalayan leaders in mid-January. Pray that each person will draw closer to the Lord and become better equipped with practical skills so that when they return their times of worship may be like shining “cities of refuge” in the midst of spiritual darkness.
 
The flurry of travel for Chinese New Year (February 5) has been called the world’s largest human migration. Many people working in Chinese cities will return to their rural villages; for some families, this is the only time of the year the parents see their children. Many Chinese churches abroad have special outreaches during this time. Please pray for many Chinese people to experience God’s blessings for them through Jesus. Pray for Chinese Christ-followers to have boldness to share their faith with their relatives when prompted by the Spirit.
 
Please ask God to guide GDN leaders through the processes of publishing a revised edition of Scattered and Gathered: A Global Compendium of Diaspora Missiology as well as publishing the compilation of articles from last year’s consultation on hybridity, diaspora and Missio Dei.
 
Please pray for smooth preparations for a several events planned for June: a consultation in Liverpool, England, entitled “Christians from Global South and Diaspora Missions in Europe”; a Korean diaspora leadership summit in Germany; and the Lausanne Global Workplace Forum in Manila, which will include diaspora-related workshops. Pray that these events and others being planned will lead to more fruitful partnerships and ministries.
 
On the Move: Cambodians
 
In the 1970s and 80s, many Cambodians fled violence and were resettled as refugees in the US, France, Australia and other nations. The diaspora communities which emerged from these refugees tend to continue to be politically active in Cambodia. Today, it is poverty which leads Cambodians to seek opportunities elsewhere. An estimated 1.5 million Cambodians are in Thailand alone. Other significant numbers are in Bangladesh, Canada, Korea and Malaysia. Desperate families have become victims to human trafficking, “for-profit” orphanages, and forced prostitution.
 
Praise God who works all things together for good. Thank Him for bringing many Cambodian refugees to faith in Jesus in the past. Pray that the Lord will also meet with Cambodians who have been trafficked or separated from their families. Pray that the God of all comfort will bind up the broken hearts and troubled minds of all generations of Cambodians around the world, traumatized by previous conflicts. Pray that Cambodian diaspora followers of Christ will be agents of reconciliation and blessing for Cambodia and the countries where they live. (see Romans 8:28, Psalm 147:3, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20)
 
People Coming: Uganda
 
Uganda has the second largest refugee population, including nearly 800,000 people from South Sudan and 284,000 from DR Congo. While Indians were expelled under Idi Amin, more than 20,000 are in Uganda now; many are economic leaders and some wish to be officially recognized as a tribe. Chinese investment in business and expanding infrastructure has led up to 50,000 Chinese to Uganda. Almost half of the country is under 14 years old.

Praise God for the Church’s strong presence in Uganda; may the Lord give unity among His people. Pray for the Spirit to bring revival in churches and true transformation among nominal believers. Pray for children in Uganda to receive Jesus and become children of God, maturing into men and women after the Father’s own heart. Ask for God’s blessings as Uganda welcomes refugees in ways which reflect that many Ugandans were once sojourners due to conflict. Please pray that every people group in Uganda will hear and declare in their own languages the mighty works of God. (see John 1:12, Exodus 23:9, Acts 2:11)
 
(Information gathered from Operation World, Migration Policy Institute, VOA Khmer, UCANews, 15 Days of Prayer for Buddhist World, United Nations, Daily Monitor, Wikipedia)

Download English pdf.
 
 

The Lord hears and answers. Praise the Lord!
 
Praise God for the completion of the Korean translation of Scattered and Gathered: a Global Compendium of Diaspora Missiology. We also thank the Lord for the progress made on revising the English edition and for the release of other books such as Refugee Diaspora. Please pray that the Lord will use these books to spur more Christ-followers on to prayer, study and action regarding diaspora and the Kingdom.
 
We thank God for the opportunities GDN leaders have had and will have to share and network at various conferences around the world. Please pray that the preparations and travel involved for each person for each gathering will lead to much fruitfulness for the Kingdom.
 
In our previous prayer newsletter, we mentioned Pastor Ezra Jin, who had shared about the vision to send 20,000 Chinese missionaries to unreached people groups by 2030. Recently, Pastor Jin, other Chinese pastors and foreign NGO workers were arrested and released. We repeat our prayer requests and pray the Body will stand with our brothers and sisters in China. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth these laborers full of the Spirit, devoted to the Word and prayer (Matthew 9:37-38, Acts 6:4). The Lord hears and answers. Praise the Lord!
 
 
Prayer requests from Global Diaspora Forum participants
 
Several major festivals in various Hindu traditions take place from mid-October to the beginning of November: Navaratri, Dashain, Diwali and Tihar. The 15 Days of Prayer for the Hindu World aims to help the Body of Christ unite in prayer during this period. Please pray that the Light of the world will shine in the hearts of Hindus around the world. Pray that many will experience freedom from fear of evil spirits and from ignorance or deception preventing lasting peace. (2 Corinthians 4:6)
 
We thank God for a meaningful Nepali-Speaking Christian Students and Professionals Conference in August near St Louis. About 100 attendees were challenged to be effective witnesses at their universities and workplaces, to mentor and encourage other Nepali-speakers and to bless Nepal and Bhutan within their professions. Please pray that the Spirit will remind them of these ideas and guide them to keep moving forward. (John 14:26)
 
Please continue to pray for the Lausanne North American diaspora strategy group being formed. Pray that God’s purposes in bringing 57 million international migrants into the region will be fulfilled. Ask God to assemble the core team as He sees fit and that the process will be covered in prayer (Luke 6:12).
 
After presenting at a missiology conference, SJT had an emergency health situation which required him to be hospitalized in a foreign land. Praise God for His provision of the encouragement of local brothers and sisters in Christ, of miraculous healing so he could return home for treatment, and of the opportunities for those involved to share the good news of Christ with nurses, taxi drivers and others in the process. Please pray for SJT’s physical healing and recovery from treatment. Please also pray for the spiritual healing of those who witnessed the love of Christ in action. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
 
The Lausanne Global Workplace Forum, taking place June 2019 in Manila, will seek to help “mobilize the whole church – in every corner of the workplace – as bearers of the gospel.” Workplaces are important arenas for cross-cultural interactions involving diaspora people. Please pray for the general preparations for the forum as well as the planning for diaspora-related discussions and equipping tools (Luke 5:1-11).
 
Frontier people groups are unreached people groups with fewer than 0.1% Christians and no known gospel movement. The 31 largest FPGs, representing an eighth of the world’s population, have been highlighted in a new prayer guide. Please pray that as people pray through this guide, the Lord will bring conviction and repentance where there has been a lack of obedience to “go and make disciples.” Pray that the movement of people will facilitate Kingdom movements among every FPG, that they might hear God’s mighty works in their own languages (Matthew 28: 18-20, Acts 2:11).
 
On the Move: Bania
 
The Bania are one of the 31 largest frontier people groups, with nearly all 29 million people following Hindu and Jain traditions. While a couple hundred thousand live in neighboring countries, most Bania live in India, where they have long been viewed as skilled leaders in banking, money-lending, dealing in spices and grains and other economic ventures. It would not be surprising to find financially successful Bania as immigrants or international students outside of South Asia.
 
Please pray for Bania Christ-followers to be led by the Holy Spirit to demonstrate and express hope in ways which are meaningful to the community. Pray for the dismantling of every work of evil spirits trying to prevent Bania from recognizing their Creator and Provider. Pray for workplace interactions to lead to discussions on Biblical truths and gospel movements. (Acts 14:8-18)
 
Strategic Gathering: Sulawesi
 
On September 28, an earthquake and tsunami hit the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. At the time of writing, officials report over 1500 dead, including 34 children at a Bible camp, and 70,000 homes destroyed. Initially reluctant, the Indonesian government has agreed to accept international aid. Over a thousand people died in violent clashes between Muslims and Christians in the 1990s and early 2000s; perhaps this disaster will lead to forgiveness, reconciliation and lasting peace.
 
Please ask the Lord to reveal His comforting presence to every broken and hurting heart. Pray for a spiritual openness in communities and pray for many to receive dreams and visions about turning to Christ. Pray that residents and aid workers who follow Christ will have opportunities to offer hope to those around them and that communities will experience healing from deep wounds. (Romans 8:28, Psalm 34:18)
 
(Information gathered from Migration Policy Institute, Pray for the 31 – www.go31.org, Joshua Project, Global Prayer Digest, Al Jazeera, Operation World)

Download English pdf.
 
 
The Lord hears and answers. Praise the Lord!
 
Thank you for lifting up the working consultation on Hybridity, Diaspora and Missio Dei which took place in June in Manila. Praise God for the lively discussions on these emerging topics. Please pray for wisdom as GDN leaders work on organizing a book based on the material presented and feedback given.

Thank you also for praying for Amplify 2018, the Lausanne North American Regional Gathering, which featured a diaspora track. Please pray for the formation process of a diaspora strategy group for North America – the region with the most total international migrants.

Two years ago, we asked for prayer as a course on diaspora was produced through the Lausanne Global Classroom. Praise God for His faithfulness: the course is now available for free online. Please pray for provision for the materials to be translated from English into other languages.
 
Prayer requests from Global Diaspora Forum participants
 
Recent violence along ethnic and religious lines in central Nigeria’s Plateau State has led to the deaths of around 200 Christians and thousands of suddenly internally displaced people. Please pray for God’s intervention to end the violence and bring about lasting peace. (see Micah 4:3-4)
 
Please pray for many Jewish peoples to turn to the Messiah during the upcoming High Holy Days through conversations with Messianic Jews and non-Jewish followers of Christ. Pray for their hearts to be softened as they prepare for Rosh Hashanah (Sept. 8-10) and Yom Kippur (Sept. 18/19). Pray that many families will recognize the Lord dwelling among us during Sukkot (Feast of Booths, Sept. 23-30). (see Romans 11:11-12)
 
About 80% of the world are oral communicators, or people who prefer to give and receive information through the spoken word over the written word. Please pray for efforts to train the Body in oral methods for sharing the good news, equipping for ministry and mobilizing for prayer, such as the International Orality Network’s North American Regional conference in mid-September and the Africa consultation in late November. (see Psalm 66:16)
 
A new set of laws in Denmark aims to ensure immigrants assimilate into Danish culture; these laws require children above 1 year old in certain immigrant families to be separated from their parents at least 25 waking hours per week. Pray that Danish churches will demonstrate the love of God for the sojourner (see Deuteronomy 10:18-19).
 
Recently the leader of a large house church network in China, Pastor Ezra Jin, shared about Mission China 2030: the sending of 20,000 Chinese missionaries to unreached people groups by 2030. As the Chinese government wants to more aggressively monitor and restrict churches and church activities in China, Pastor Jin also asked for more Christ-followers around the world to stand publicly with our brothers and sisters in China (which is why we are naming him here). Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth these laborers full of the Spirit, devoted to the Word and prayer. Pray that the Body will stand with her members in China (see John 13:35 and Hebrews 10:35).
 
On the Move: Cultural Hybrids
 
Hybridity is the mixing of “blood” or the mixing of cultures; cultural hybridity through cultural mixing and inter-ethnic marriages has been accelerating and intensifying.
 
Moses and Esther were raised in cultures where their ethnic group was oppressed or a minority. The Lord positioned both to bring deliverance to many. Pray for “third culture” people to lead tribes and nations to Christ.
 
Hiram’s mother was an Israelite widow and his father was a bronze worker from Tyre. He was specifically chosen to make the temple furnishings (see 1 Kings 7:13-44). Pray for people of mixed ethnicities to use their skills, experiences and gifts for God’s glory.
 
Timothy’s mother was a Jewish follower of Jesus and his father was a Greek. Paul circumcised Timothy so they might minister together more freely among both Jews and Gentiles (see Acts 16:1-3). Pray for ethnic and cultural hybrids to be willing to make major adjustments so that others can hear the good news.
 
 
Strategic Gathering: Mecca during Hajj
 
Over two million Muslims from around the world will likely be in Mecca for the Hajj during August 19-24. The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. The largest numbers of pilgrims are from Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Other Muslims will watch online as those in Mecca perform various rituals out of obedience to their faith and in hopes of receiving forgiveness and pleasing God.

The ending of the hajj is marked by the festival of Eid al-Adha on August 21/22, which recalls Abraham’s willingness to obey God and sacrifice his son and God’s provision of an animal as substitute. Eid is celebrated around the world.

A recent Conde Nast Traveler article quoted a man who had completed the hajj: “You may complete the rituals, but you have not completed hajj, because you have transgressed the duties in a way that you have ignored the most important things, which is humanity. Kindness. Showing respect to others and taking their needs into account.”

Pray that false ideas of how to obtain forgiveness or please God will be exposed, dismantled and replaced with truth (see Isaiah 58:6-12).

Ask the Lord to reveal Himself to Muslims in Mecca – through dreams and visions, Scripture, and the Body – and to compel them to share with others. Pray for entire communities to turn to Christ (see John 4:25-29).

Pray for Christ-followers living in Saudi Arabia and for those working in the travel industry worldwide to intercede for and demonstrate God’s grace toward hajj travelers (see Acts 9:10-17).

Please pray for many Muslims to turn to the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, during Eid (see John 1:29).

(Please see PrayforAP.com for a free, 3 day prayer guide during Hajj in English, Arabic, Chinese and Korean.)
 
(Information gathered from New York Times, Orality.net, Africa News, PrayforAP.com, quote taken from Conde Nast Traveler)

Global Diaspora Network (GDN), an issue network of the Lausanne Movement, and Biblical Seminary of the Philippines (BSOP) are hosting a working consultation from June 19-22. Apart from God we can do nothing. We invite you to join us as we ask God to be at the center of this gathering. As we reflect on who God is and what He is doing, we can trust that His good plans – for the consultation and for the issue of hybridity – will come about.
 
Through Monday, June 18: I am who I am is with us (Exodus 3:1-15)
- Please pray for the organizers and BSOP staff as they finalize preparations for the consultation to trust in God’s perfect planning.
- The wind, the clouds and the sun obey the Lord. Pray for the Philippines’ weather to allow for participants to have safe and pleasant travels.
- Please pray for the participants to be prepared to meet with the Lord in a special way at this working consultation. Pray that they as well as their families and ministries will be marked by God’s protection and favor.
- Since the attendees are twice the number expected, the costs of the consultation are higher than first projected. Ask the Lord, who sees these circumstances, to provide abundantly.
 
Tuesday, June 19: The Name above all names is exalted among us (Philippians 2:1-11)
- As attendees arrive at BSOP and the program begins this evening, please pray for Christ-like humility in each interaction. Amid fatigue from travel as well as cultural and linguistic barriers, may the Lord be honored in each conversation, over meals, among roommates and even in airport shuttles.
- Please pray for each of the presenters to be encouraged by the Spirit as these servants of the Lord finish preparing their presentations.
- Pray for Bishop Efraim Tendero (World Evangelical Alliance) as he gives the keynote address tonight. May the Lord speak through him to give the attendees a greater sense of unity.
- Tonight, several participants will be instructed on facilitating table discussions on the following days. Please pray that their attitudes will be like Christ’s, fostering an environment for fruitful collaboration.
 
Wednesday, June 20: The Head of the Body is coordinating us (Ephesians 4:15-16)
- Each morning will begin with a devotional regarding hybridity in the Bible. Please pray for each devotion speaker to bring forth God’s Word by the Spirit. Pray for participants to have a united focus on the Lord.
- After each of the 12 formal presentations over the next three days, the participants will have table discussions, ask questions to each presenter and identify related prayer needs. Like the parts of the body, pray that each member will be joined and “working properly.”
- Please pray for the volunteers and support team such as cleaners and cooks, who are helping the consultation run smoothly, to grow in Christ’s love.
 
Thursday, June 21: The Shepherd is leading us (Psalm 23)
-Pray for the Lord to restore energy and give clarity of thought to all the attendees.
- A handful of participants are working from the presentations and discussion feedback to craft an official statement on hybridity, diaspora, and Missio Dei. Their draft representing the consultation will be presented tomorrow. Ask the Lord to guide their thoughts and their words.
- A time of worship, fellowship and communion is planned for this evening. Pray that as people gather around the Lord’s table, His goodness and mercy will overflow their hearts.
 
Friday, June 22: The Living Stone is building us (1 Peter 2:4-6)
- Pray for the consultation to finish well. Pray for the attendees as they leave BSOP to continue drawing nearer to Christ and to keep connecting with each other.
- Thank the Lord for bringing together GDN, Lausanne and BSOP to host and organize this gathering. May the sacrifices of all those who labored to make it happen be pleasing to the Lord.
 
Saturday, June 23 and on: Our Savior is gathering us (Revelation 7:9-10)
- Pray for plans to refine the ideas presented into a book. May it mobilize and equip others so that salvation may be known among more peoples and nations.
- Pray for the Lord’s wisdom and direction as GDN leaders meet in person to discuss future plans. May we see the scattering and mixing of peoples lead to multitudes worshiping the Lamb.

GDN Prayer Newsletter: April-June 2018

Download English pdf.
 
 
The Lord hears and answers. Praise the Lord!
 
Thank you for praying for the Refugee Highway Partnership European Roundtable in February. A common message among about 150 leaders was the desire to collaborate more with the national churches. Please pray for Christ’s love to be displayed among these partnerships (John 17:23).

Praise God for the life of Rev. Dr. Billy Graham. May the Lord show us how to imitate his faith so that his legacy may continue to bring honor to Christ (Hebrews 13:7).

 
Prayer requests for Hybridity, Diaspora and Missio Dei Consultation
 
Please lift up the working consultation on Hybridity, Diaspora and Missio Dei, June 19-22 in Manila. Ask the Lord to gather the participants He has prepared and to supply the finances and visas for each one. Pray for wisdom and focus for each of the presenters as they prepare. Pray for clarity and energy for MP, AM and JU as they organize the event and prepare logistical arrangements. Ask the Creator to watch over the comings and goings of all those attending. May the Holy Spirit’s presence be evident and honored throughout the gathering. Please pray for the Lord’s refining of the material presented so that a helpful book may be published by 2019. Pray that this consultation will glorify the Lord in more ways than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21).

 
Prayer requests from Global Diaspora Forum participants
 
A summit is planned between North and South Korea on April 27, the third meeting between state leaders since the 1953 armistice. Pray for each leader to acknowledge that “kingship belongs to the LORD” (Psalm 22:28). Ask the King to bring lasting peace.

The 8th Lausanne International Researchers’ Conference will be in Nairobi from April 30 to May 4. Ask God to give wisdom and creativity to researchers to overcome the challenges of researching diaspora-related topics. Pray that the Church’s response to research will demonstrate faith and obedience (Numbers 14:6-9).
 
A major evangelism conference Amplify 2018 will be June 26-28 near Chicago and will also be the Lausanne North American Regional Gathering. About 58 million international migrants live in the US and Canada; the conference includes a diaspora track featuring several GDN leaders. Please pray for the removal of ungodly attitudes among Christ-followers and of strongholds hindering the spread of the knowledge of God to every people group in North America (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
 
Please pray for hearts to be moved to supply a Kingdom-centered language center near the border between Cambodia and Thailand with workers and visas, equipment, furnishings and other financial needs (Exodus 35:29).
 
Facing severe shortages of food, medicine and other necessities, millions of Venezuelans have been emigrating to neighboring countries like Colombia. Pray that many will personally experience Jesus as “the bread of life” and “the resurrection and the life” (John 6:35, 11:25).
 
On the waters of the Tonle Sap River and Lake in Cambodia, somewhere between 400,000 to 1 million ethnic Vietnamese live on boats in hundreds of floating villages. These “nonimmigrant foreigners” are effectively stateless people, not allowed to attend public schools, own property, etc. May the Lord reveal Himself as the God who sees them (Genesis 16:13).
 
Please continue to pray for GDN leaders as they raise awareness within and equip the Church regarding diaspora peoples and issues through classes, articles, consultations and conferences. Pray that these interactions will help prepare the way for all flesh to see God’s salvation (see Luke 3:3-14).
 
Ask God to assemble a team of diaspora-focused prayer mobilizers to serve the Lord together for the building up of the Church (Romans 12:4-7).
 
 
On the Move: Displaced Middle Easterners
 
Millions of Middle Easterners have left their homes due to violent conflicts. Most are internally displaced persons, meaning they have fled to another part of the same country, but a significant number are refugees or asylum-seekers who have crossed national borders to try to find safety. Close to 12 million Syrians, over 3 million Iraqis and 2 million Yemenis have been on the move.
 
As people flee, some are questioning the teachings of the Qu’ran, having lost hope in government and religious leaders. Some have been shown love and compassion with practical assistance from Christ-followers along the way. Others have been healed after receiving prayer in the name of Jesus. Many are learning about Isa and starting to follow Him. What was meant for evil, God is using to bring about the rescue of many lives!
 
(Read Psalm 139) Praise the Lord who knows each displaced Middle Easterner’s thoughts, ways and words. Pray that each one will know with every step the joy of His presence and the comfort of His sustaining hand. Pray for wickedness and violence in the land to be replaced by righteousness and peacemaking.

 
Strategic Gathering: One Belt One Road
 
“One Belt One Road” is China’s ambitious plan to restore the Silk Road, centuries-old trading routes over land and by sea. The idea includes building infrastructure mostly related to transport and energy across over 60 nations in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. In light of China’s new regulations on religious activities, let us pray into the different opportunities for gospel exchange God may be providing through One Belt One Road.

Praise the Lord, who is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). Pray for diplomats, engineers, laborers and the many others who will be involved in this project – both Chinese and those of the many nations along the routes. Ask the Spirit to send Christ-followers to share the good news with those who do not yet know Jesus, as with Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-29). Pray that those who love Jesus will grow in understanding, enjoy fellowship with each other and be eager share what they learn, like Cleopas and his companion (Luke 24:27, 35). Pray that those who are persecuting the Body will encounter the Living God, repent and be filled with the Spirit, like Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:1-22).
 
(Information gathered from Migration Policy Institute, NY Times, UNHCR, Quartz.com)

On Friday, March 2, the life of Rev. Dr. Billy Graham will be celebrated at his funeral in Charlotte, NC.

In honor of this founder of the Lausanne Movement and perhaps one of the most well known “people on the move,” Global Diaspora Network is asking for prayers for this special event.

May Christ continue to be exalted in Rev. Dr. Billy Graham, by his life and by his death. (see Philippians 1:20-21)

Political and religious leaders from USA and abroad will be in attendance. May the Lord encamp around this gathering and deliver them from evil. May each person taste and see that the Lord is good. (see Psalm 34:7-8)

May the Holy Spirit be poured out upon the speakers and organizers, those attending the funeral in person and those watching the live-stream broadcast. May hearts be turned to the Lord as the mighty works of God through Jesus Christ are proclaimed among the nations. (see Joel 2:28-29, Acts 2:4, 11)

As we remember Rev. Dr. Billy Graham and consider his way of life, may the Lord continue to show us how to imitate his faith. (see Hebrews 13:7)

GDN Prayer Newsletter for January - March 2018
 
Download English pdf.
 
Prayer requests from Global Diaspora Forum participants
 
From January 14-21, European Evangelical Alliance is encouraging a week of prayer with the theme, “Pilgrims and Foreigners.” Please pray that as people reflect upon the experiences of specific people in the Bible, they will have a clearer vision of heaven and better identify with other diaspora peoples around them (see Hebrews 11:13-14).
 
Diaspora is a major focus of the Chinese Coordination Centre of World Evangelism (CCCOWE) young leaders conference in Hong Kong from January 19-22. Please ask God to give the right words for SG and others who will be speaking about diaspora, “for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).

Please pray for Russian-speaking mission workers from Ukraine, Israel and Russia who will gather in late January for training in ministry to Jewish-Gentile couples and their families. Pray for “unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind” (1 Peter 3:8).

The 15th annual Refugee Highway Partnership European Roundtable will be held in the Netherlands from February 5-9. Please pray that the interactions will lead to more of the Church engaging refugees in ways pleasing to the Lord, who “executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner” (Deuteronomy 10:18).

Please pray for clarity and favor for GDN leaders during discussions in early February for a revised edition of Scattered and Gathered: a Global Compendium of Diaspora Missiology. We call on our Rock and Fortress to lead and guide them (see Psalm 31:3).
 
The Winter Olympics will be February 9-25 and the Paralympics March 9-18 in PyeongChang, South Korea. Please pray that our brothers and sisters in Korea during these times will be able to intercede for every visiting athlete, spectator and worker (see 1 Timothy 2:1). Pray that the personal interactions during the games will lead to more people eyeing “the crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
 
The season of Lent may be the most widely practiced time of corporate fasting within the Church. Lent might lead to discussions about faith. Please pray that this Lent would be a true fast for those who fast (see Isaiah 58). As appointed times of corporate fasting are common among other religious backgrounds, pray for opportunities for Christ-followers – whether they personally observe Lent or not – to share their hope of salvation with neighbors, co-workers, classmates and friends of others during the season.
 
Please continue to lift up the preparations for the Hybridity and Missio Dei Consultation in June in Manila. May the Holy Spirit stir the hearts of presenters, participants and givers (see Exodus 35:21).

Please pray for ministry among Jewish-Arab/Palestinian couples residing in Israel and the Diaspora. There has been a recent openness about their unique community and much needed resources for social and spiritual harmony. Please pray that these couples and families will find complete unity in Christ (see John 17:23).

Nearly 385 million children live in extreme poverty; a little over half of them live in sub-Saharan Africa. Many are at risk to become (or already are) unaccompanied migrants or trafficking victims. Please pray for holistic efforts in Uganda to minister to children already separated from their families as well as to help families escape poverty. We appeal to the King of Kings to “defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor” (Psalm 72:4).

Elam, which is dedicated to ministries in Iran and among Iranians, writes, “Wisdom is needed on how we should pray following these protests. We urge people to intercede for the righteousness and peace of Christ to rule all over Iran.” Many in the Iranian diaspora have turned to Christ. Please follow the Spirit’s leading in praying for Iran (see Romans 8:26-28).

Please continue to pray for GDN leaders advocating for diaspora peoples and issues as they prepare and teach classes, as they write scholarly articles and as they consult with churches, mission agencies and other ministries. Pray that the Lord will speak clearly through these GDN leaders and that those who hear will receive the word well (see Proverbs 2:6).
 
 
On the Move: Mission Agencies
 
According to the UN, there were 258 million international migrants in 2017. To make the movement of people become the movement of the good news of Christ, many mission agencies realize they must undergo some deep organizational, philosophical and methodological changes. For the past two years, NextMove, a close working partner of GDN, has fostered a collaborative effort among thirty North America based mission agencies to develop practical solutions in adapting agencies’ ways of doing ministry to diaspora reality.
 
Ask the Creator of the universe to fill the NextMove teams “with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge” and creativity so that they may combine and integrate their cumulative efforts into an effective, usable tool as well as prepare an online platform to make it accessible and user-friendly (see Exodus 35:30-31). Please pray that agencies’ first attempts at using the tool will bear much fruit among diaspora peoples and that the Lord will show what improvements can be made (see Acts 18:24-26). Please pray for discernment as to how NextMove can be helpful to mission agencies based in the Global South (see Proverbs 27:17).
 

Strategic Gathering: Madagascar
 
Praise God that Madagascar has a growing Church and official religious freedom. Thank the Lord of the harvest for bringing to Madagascar multiple unreached people groups from countries and areas which try to restrict the knowledge of Christ. Please pray for North Koreans, Yemeni Arabs, Comorians, Malays and Gujaratis to encounter the Living God and develop strong relationships with people who follow Jesus. Ask God to send forth laborers to work among each of these different groups (see Matthew 9:37-38, Acts 17:26-27).
 
(Information gathered from UNICEF, Elam.com, UN, Operation World, Joshua Project, Global Prayer Digest)

GDN Prayer Newsletter -- December 2017
 
Download English pdf.

The Lord hears and answers. Praise the Lord!

Praise God for a productive GDN Executive Committee Meeting last month. We thank God for providing Rev. Barnabas Moon, President of Withee International, of Korea as Vice Chair of GDN. Please join in committing the plans that were made to the Lord.
 
Praise the Lord for a fruitful working gathering for developing prayer strategy training modules. We thank God for bringing about the completion and near-completion of multiple tools to be used among children, church planters and multiplying church movements. Please pray for the proper refining and distributing of these resources.
 
 
Prayer requests from Global Diaspora Forum participants
 
Many Christ-followers use the Christmas holiday and Advent season to share stories of hope from the life of Jesus as well as the expectation of His return. Because of the movement of peoples from everywhere to everywhere, a Canadian can share with a Tibetan, a Tanzanian with a Gujarati, a Filipina with a Saudi. Pray that these times of sharing will be filled with the Lord’s grace and lead to many changed lives.
 
Please continue to lift up the Finishing the Task conference in California from December 5-7. Pray for Christ-exalting partnerships to effectively engage the remaining unreached people groups so that every man, woman and child has an opportunity to receive the good news.
 
As Jewish peoples celebrate Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, beginning December 12, pray that more families will draw closer to the Creator. May the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” shine in their hearts (see 2 Corinthians 4:6).
 
Several GDN leaders or their close family members have experienced illness or injury recently. Please ask our Great God to extend His healing and protection.
 
A language center ministry near the border of Cambodia and Thailand is in need of more funds. Please pray that DD may receive our Father’s abundant provision.
 
The Hybridity and Missio Dei Consultation is scheduled for June 2018 in Manila. Please ask the Lord to make this forum successful and far-reaching. Pray for Sadiri Joy Tira and Juliet Uytanlet as they invite people to present academic papers.
 
Please continue to pray that more Filipino churches will be mobilized for cross-cultural mission. Pray for the firm establishment of Filipino ministry in Sweden and the Lord’s hand on EM as travels there.
 
Please pray for encouragement for our brothers and sisters who are in prison in foreign countries because of their witness for Christ. For an American in Turkey, an Indian in Kuwait and countless others, we appeal to the courts of heaven for their release and restoration.
 
 
People Going: Congolese
 
Kindly note: In this newsletter item, we are using the term Congolese to describe peoples from Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). We encourage you to pray for Congolese from Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) as the Lord leads.
 
Over 1.3 million Congolese are scattered across Africa, Europe, North America and Australia. Hundreds of thousands fled during the two wars which began in the 1990s, but ongoing violence continues to bring Congolese to its neighbors, especially Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Congo. Some sought greater economic opportunities in France, South Africa and neighboring Angola.
 
Praise God for working all things for good. Please pray for Congolese refugees to receive the peace and comfort of Christ. Thank God for many active church planting efforts among the Congolese diaspora. Pray that these communities will grow in maturity as well as in numbers, that many individuals would experience revival and renewal. Pray against ungodly division within churches as well as between churches. Ask God to strengthen Congolese ministry leaders, pastors and missionaries and provide for their needs. Pray that the Spirit will prompt them to lead the Congolese diaspora to be cross-cultural ambassadors for God’s Kingdom.
 

Diaspora Hub: Bangkok
 
According to the Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index, over 21 million international visitors spent at least one night in Bangkok in 2016, making it the most popular foreign tourist destination for the second year in a row. Over one-third of these tourists are from China; other significant numbers come from Japan, USA, India and Germany.
 
International Justice Mission describes Thailand as “a source, transit and destination country” for slave labor. Thais from rural areas as well as refugees and other migrants from Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma) and Bangladesh may be trafficked in or into Bangkok and forced into seafaring, fishing & seafood processing, garment making or prostitution.
 
Praise the Lord who sits enthroned as King forever! Pray that Jesus will be exalted as the Name about all names among all the nations in Bangkok. Pray that travelers to Bangkok, especially those from countries hostile to Christ, will have dreams and visions about the Lord and immediately learn more. Pray against the spiritual forces of evil trying to destroy both migrants and slavery ring leaders; may the Lord bring to light the injustices being done in darkness. Ask God to direct and equip churches, Bible colleges and seminaries in Bangkok on how to engage the opportunities for spreading the good news among both tourists and trafficked. Pray that Bangkok will become most famous for God’s display of grace in the radiant beauty of the Church there.
 
(Information gathered from Migration Policy Institute, Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index 2016, International Justice Mission, Global Slavery Index)

GDN Prayer Newsletter - November 2017
 
Download English pdf.

Prayer requests from Global Diaspora Forum participants
 
Pray for a small, multinational group working in Dallas from November 5-9 on developing prayer strategy training modules. Ask the Lord to bring forth these resources which will help equip children, ministry groups seeking to grow in prayer, church planting teams working among unreached people groups, and intercessors desiring to better support those teams. As more people learn how to pray strategically, may we see the movement of people become the movement of the good news of Christ.
 
Please lift up JU as she teaches on ethnographic research methods at a seminary in the Philippines from November 6-10. Pray that the Spirit will lead the students to gather information which will help the Kingdom advance in key ways.
 
Please ask the Lord to give wisdom and insight to those attending the Executive Meeting of GDN in Seoul from November 12-14. May the Holy Spirit give clear direction and unity of hearts and minds.
 
Remember our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted for following Christ. Pray also for those who have fled, that the Lord may make their footsteps firm. Pray for those who have been sent to places of persecution, that the Lord may be their Shield and Defender.
 
Pray that the Lord will draw many to Himself as ministries reach out to the over 50,000 Indians in the Philippines.
 
Today there are still over 1500 unengaged, unreached people groups. In other words, no church or ministry is actively involved in trying to help these 46 million people hear about Christ for the first time. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth more laborers. Please pray for the Finishing the Task conference in California from December 5-7 to lead to more collaborative efforts to ensure every man, woman and child has an opportunity to receive the good news. There are 207 unengaged, unreached people groups in the US and 141 in Canada; please pray that followers of Christ in North America will be awakened to what God has done through diaspora movement.
 

People Going: Kazakhs
 
Most Kazakh people today live in Kazakhstan but close to one-third live in western China, Russia, Mongolia, Germany and former Soviet republics. One of the largest people groups in Central Asia, Kazakhs have been trying since the breakup of the USSR to reestablish their cultural identity, use of the Kazakh language and ties to Islam. To give an example, Kazakhstan is preparing to switch to officially using a Latin alphabet rather than the Cyrillic one used by Russia. Kazakhs in western China are one of the ethnic minorities facing extra government scrutiny in an apparent effort to reduce extremism.
 
Praise the Lord that one day the glory and honor of the Kazakhs, including the God-given beauty of their culture and language, will be brought into the city of God (Revelation 21:26). Pray for the destruction of evil strongholds and arguments in Kazakh minds and hearts raised against the knowledge of God; in particular, pray for an end to tying Kazakh identity with Islam, associating Christianity with historical Russian oppression and viewing Christ as foreign (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). Pray that instead of turning to shamans out of fear, Kazakhs will turn to their heavenly Father, who has numbered their hairs, and know His love (Luke 12:7). Pray that diaspora Kazakhs will continue extending hospitality to strangers and welcome Christ-followers who will help them to welcome Christ (Matthew 25:35). Pray that the Lord will renew the heritage of the Kazakhs as an influential, nomadic people – as His ambassadors of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Diaspora Hub: Sabha, Libya
 
Several centuries-old caravan routes meet in the city of Sabha in southwestern Libya. The harshness of the Sahara Desert means much of Libya’s borders are not strictly watched, leading to a flow of Egyptians from the east, of West Africans by way of Niger and of East Africans by way of Chad. From Sabha, guides and smugglers take people north to then attempt crossing the Mediterranean Sea into Europe. Aside from internally displaced Libyans, refugees and exiles from Chad and Niger and UN guards from Nepal, most of the diaspora people found in Sabha are economic migrants, human trafficking victims, or both. According to reports, some are being caged like prisoners, physically or sexually abused, and sold as slaves at auctions.
 
(Please see Isaiah 35) Praise the King of righteousness, who makes the wilderness glad and the desert rejoice and blossom. Pray that the many nations in Sabha will see the glory and majesty of the Lord God. Pray that all those with anxious hearts will turn to God and know His salvation. Ask for physical and spiritual healing to happen as people call on Jesus – opened eyes, opened ears, dancing feet, praising tongues. Pray against the activity of evil spirits seeking to devour the oppressed and the oppressors. Pray that the paths of migration in and out of Sabha will be transformed into highways of holiness – where Tubu and Tuareg, Senegalese and Nepalese, Nigerian, Nigerien and Eritrean find “gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
 
(Information gathered from Finishing the Task, JDPayne.org, Migration Policy Institute, Wikipedia, Nomadic Peoples Network, Radio Free Asia, The Guardian, and EU Observer)

GDN Prayer Newsletter -- October 2017

Download English pdf.

 
Prayer requests from Global Diaspora Forum participants
 
The Feast of Booths (Sukkot) begins the evening of October 4 and will continue for eight days. Compared to Passover, the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), a small percentage of Jewish peoples celebrate this feast. According to Leviticus 23, the Lord designed this feast so “that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt” (v. 43). Please pray that the families celebrating Sukkot will recognize the Messiah – who “became flesh and dwelt among us” for their freedom (see John 1:14).
 
Please lift up GDN members who are speaking, teaching and training at conferences, schools and seminars regarding diaspora-related matters. Pray that DL, JU, DD and all others will be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak the word of God with boldness (see Acts 4:31).
 
Please ask the Lord to bring relief to those suffering due to drought, earthquakes, flooding and hurricanes. Pray that the Church would effectively minister to physical, emotional and spiritual needs in each of the areas affected (see James 2:15-16). Pray that these displays of love would lead to many turning (or returning) to Christ for years to come.
 
Pray for spiritual fruitfulness in business as mission entities led by GDN members. Pray that they will seek first God’s Kingdom (see Matthew 6:33). May the often cross-cultural and international personal interactions which arise from business dealings lead to more growing relationships with Christ. Pray that AM’s associate S will bless the Lord, will experience His forgiveness and will know His healing (see Psalm 103:2-3).
 
As the violence against the stateless Rohingya in Myanmar (Burma) has recently intensified, please pray that every Rohingya man, woman and child will know that God demonstrated His great love for them through the death of Jesus (Romans 5:8). Ask God to send dreams and visions which show that He sees and hears them in their trials (Genesis 16:13, 21:17).
 
Please ask God to show His people how to love our neighbors of many nations (see Luke 10:25-37). To give a few specific examples: pray that churches in Malaysia will reach out to the two million migrant workers; pray that influential Portuguese living in Macau will gain God’s heart for China; pray that a language center in Poipet on the border between Cambodia and Thailand will see much spiritual fruit. Pray that we will be compelled by the love of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
 
As more Christ-followers understand the strategic importance of diaspora ministry and missions, there is a greater need for training materials to be organized and accessible – in terms of language, geography, cultural context and more. For this task, pray that the Church will “grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16)

People Going: Hindus
 
From October 8-22, brothers and sisters in Christ will be using the Hindu World Prayer Guide to learn about and pray for over 1 billion Hindus. The timing is meant to coincide with the festival of Diwali, which is widely celebrated worldwide among the many diverse Hindu traditions. As the prayer guide points out, while most Hindus live in India, around 70 million are scattered in over 140 countries. Perhaps as people pray, the Spirit will move them to meet, develop relationships with and share the good news of Jesus with diaspora Hindus.
 
Praise the Most High God, the light of the world in whom there is no darkness at all (see John 8:12 and 1 John 1:5). Pray that during Diwali the Creator will send dreams and visions to Hindus that “will turn the darkness before them into light” (Isaiah 42:16). Pray that our Lord the Sustainer will demonstrate His abundant provision for Hindus in diaspora – whether migrant construction workers in the Middle East, international students in Europe, computer programmers in North America, doctors in Southeast Asia, or merchants in East Africa (see Genesis 22:14). By the authority of the Destroyer of Death, pray against spiritually evil attempts to prevent complete joy in Hindu families (see 1 Corinthians 15:24-26). Ask the Holy Spirit to prompt millions of Christ-followers to pray for their Hindu neighbors, co-workers and classmates by name and be eager to see God’s answers, as the “prayer of a righteous person has great power” (James 5:16).
 
 
Diaspora Hub: Islands of the Caribbean
 
The movement of people in various forms has played and continues to play a significant role on the islands of the Caribbean Sea. European exploration in the late 15th century soon led to colonization by Spain, and later by Britain, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and the United States. Indigenous peoples were usually killed or enslaved. West Africans were trafficked as slaves until the abolition of the slave trade; in the 19th century indentured servants from China, India and Indonesia were sent to the Caribbean. In modern times, much of the Caribbean economy depends on international tourism. The destruction caused by recent hurricanes has led some residents to consider moving elsewhere even as humanitarian aid workers arrive.
 
Praise God who “works all things together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Ask the Lord to forgive the sins which were brought through the movement of people and to remove the offenses and hurts which linger, for “to the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness” (see Daniel 9:9). Pray that Christ-followers in the Caribbean of all languages and cultures will be strengthened, so that through them the good news of Jesus might be fully proclaimed in the islands and beyond (see 2 Timothy 4:17). Pray that the beauty of the islands would be surpassed in fame by the “glorious splendor” of the Lord’s majesty in the Church in the Caribbean (see Psalm 145:4-7).
 
(Information gathered from Hindu World Prayer Guide and Wikipedia)