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The Lord hears and answers. Praise the Lord!
 
Thank you for praying for GDN’s consultation, “Christians from Global South & Diaspora Missions in Europe,” in Liverpool in June. Over 120 people, many of whom are based in Europe, reviewed and discussed 17 papers. Local Indian, Chinese and African churches took turns hosting the group for evening meals, worship and additional speakers. We praise God for uniting together diverse parts of His Body in study, fellowship and mission.
 
Thank you also for praying for “Beyond Korean Diaspora in Europe” in Frankfurt in June. This gathering included significant discussions with younger, second-generation church leaders. By God’s grace, the Korean diaspora will be taking firm steps with future generations in mind. We glorify the Lord for providing for this conference and preparing His people for tomorrow.

Thanks for praying for the Global Workplace Forum in Manila in June as well. Over 800 participants interacted with the topic of diaspora as it was highlighted in a plenary session and multiple seminars as well as mentioned in many other presentations. As the Church continues to affirm and empower those not in professional ministry, may God give us wisdom to overcome the challenges of diaspora and to meet the opportunities for the Kingdom.
 
Prayer requests from Global Diaspora Forum participants
 
Please pray for GDN Chair TV Thomas as he travels to Cape Town, South Africa, in mid-July to prepare for the African Diaspora Consultation scheduled for next year. Please ask God to provide helpful connections and clear communication.
 
Please pray for the Global Sikh Consultation to be held in October in Edmonton, Canada. A few dozen missional leaders to the Sikh community will gather to seek God’s face, strategize, and collaborate for effective kingdom building with the scattered Sikh peoples. One in ten Sikhs live outside India, with significantly large communities in London and Vancouver. Please pray for God’s provision of airfare and visas for those planning to attend. Pray that the Lord will raise up a leader to coordinate collaborative efforts after the consultation.

Planning continues for the South Asian Diaspora Consultation scheduled for November in Bangalore, India. The purpose is to gather around 100 regional influencers and cast the vision of diaspora mission. For instance, India is the top sending nation, with over 16 million Indians living elsewhere; it is also a major receiving nation, hosting over 5 million international migrants. Please pray for the Lord’s guidance as invitations are sent. Pray that this consultation will help identify a regional diaspora champion as well as spark significantly more diaspora engagement among South Asians.
 
Please continue to pray for efforts to publish the revised diaspora missiology compendium and Hybridity, Diaspora & Missio Dei. Ask God to direct these resources for maximum fruitfulness.

Missiologists Patrick Johnstone and David Garrison have noted that unprecedented numbers of Muslims have turned to Christ during the past couple decades, when many Christ-followers have united to pray for Muslims during Ramadan. Believing this is not a coincidence, teams have put together a first-ever Buddhist World Prayer Guide and a third annual Hindu World Prayer Guide. Please pray that the Lord will answer prayers offered from these guides and draw many Buddhists and Hindus to Himself. Pray that Christ-followers using the guides will gain insights into sharing good news with Buddhist and Hindu friends, neighbors, co-workers and classmates.
 
 
On the Move: Guatemalans
 
The trauma of Guatemala’s civil war from 1960-1996, when many people were “disappeared,” tortured or forced to flee, continues today in the forms of gangs, trafficking, domestic violence and organized crime. Nearly a million Guatemalans have gone to the United States, tens of thousands to Mexico, Belize and Canada, and smaller numbers to other Central American nations and Europe. Most children in Guatemala face extreme poverty and some already have relatives abroad; this situation has led to unaccompanied minors trying to migrate to Mexico and the United States.
 
“O LORD, who is like you, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, the poor and needy from him who robs him?” (Psalm 35:10). Thank God for His great love toward the Guatemalan diaspora. Please ask God’s blessings of physical safety, economic provision, mental/emotional healing and spiritual protection through Christ upon the scattered Guatemalans. Pray that Guatemalan diaspora Christ-followers will have increasing opportunities to share their hope with other immigrants who have faced similar challenges. Pray for separated family members, especially children, to find comfort and fellowship in local churches and to be strengthened in the Lord. Ask God to raise up leaders in the diaspora who will facilitate Kingdom-guided restoration in Guatemala.

Strategic Gathering: Luxembourg
 
Luxembourg is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, with the second highest GDP per capita. Over 45% of its population of about 583,000 are international migrants; when day commuters are included, over 50% of the population is foreign born. According to Operation World, French is used in official communication, German for education and newspapers and Letzebuergesch (or Luxembourgish) in indigenous homes. Most Luxembourgers identify as Catholic by tradition.

Praise God as Luxembourg has recently welcomed refugees and asylum seekers from places like Syria and Eritrea; may the Lord who watches over sojourners bless this country (Psalm 146:9). Thank God for the translation of the New Testament in Letzebuergesch; pray for the completion of the Old Testament as well. Pray that many Luxembourgers will be made new after hearing the Word of God in their own language. Luxembourg offers many economic opportunities, but it is also an expensive place to live. Pray for the Portuguese, French, Italians, Balkan peoples, refugees and other migrants to come to Jesus and take His yoke (Matthew 11:28-29). Pray for all those who live in Luxembourg to look to Jesus to receive riches which last, be clothed with honor and see clearly (see Revelation 3:17-22).
 
(Information gathered from Wikipedia, 30daysprayer.com, Operation World, Borgen Project and Migration Policy Institute)

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Global Diaspora Network and Liverpool Hope University are hosting a working consultation from June 5-8, with evening sessions free and open to the public. We plan and we put forth great effort, but we are completely dependent upon the Lord for this gathering to accomplish anything of lasting value. Please pray with us.

Lift up all participants before the Lord. Ask for His provision of visas, funding, strong health, pleasant travels and spiritual protection. Pray for humble and loving attitudes and the readiness to learn, to share and to obey. (Philippians 2:1-11)

Pray for all the speakers, presenters, worship and devotion leaders. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead the preparations and to supply the words and songs. Pray that Christ will be glorified through these men and women. (Acts 4:13, 31)

Bless the volunteers and administrative team. Ask God to give them energy, patience and creativity to avoid or resolve logistical challenges. Call on the Lord to remember these loving acts toward their brothers and sisters. (Nehemiah 5:19)

Place GDN’s Executive Team in God’s hands. Ask the Lord to give them unity, wisdom and clear direction during their pre-consultation meeting (June 3-4) and as they oversee the publication of material from this consultation. Pray that His presence will be obvious as they fellowship and work together. (Psalm 133)

Intercede for the local churches, ministries, organizations and Christ-followers hosting or attending the evening sessions (June 5-7). Ask the Spirit to bring greater understanding and deeper insight into the work of reconciliation. Pray for God’s Kingdom to come upon all the peoples in Liverpool. (2 Peter 3:18)

May this consultation be dedicated to looking to the Lord and responding to His voice. May the family of God be strengthened, encouraged and inspired through this gathering. May God’s purposes in diaspora be fulfilled in Europe, throughout the Global South and to the ends of the universe. (Acts 17:24-28)

Download English pdf.
 
 
The Lord hears and answers. Praise the Lord!
Praise God for the positive response to the “Beyond Hospitality” symposium on diaspora in Canada. We thank God specifically for raising awareness about the international migrants in the Arctic Circle.
 
Praise Him for a fruitful Himalayan worship training gathering. We also thank God that some Himalayan-style worship songs are now freely available on YouTube and ask Him to open doors on other social media sites.
 
Prayer requests from Global Diaspora Forum participants
One out of every four people in the world are part of a frontier people groups. Frontier people groups are unreached groups with fewer than 0.1% Christians and no known gospel movement. Beginning in May and continuing through June 2020, many global prayer networks are uniting with Joshua Project and Global Prayer Digest to pray daily for frontier people groups. Pray that God will show how the movement of people can facilitate these frontier people groups coming to Christ. May the Lord open eyes to see the frontier peoples around and may the Lord send forth laborers.

Please pray for a major cross-cultural outreach in the States to Jewish-Gentile couples. This is a major effort focused on couples where only one partner is Jewish as they are dating, intermarried and trying to raise children. The US is the country with the second highest population and concentration of Jewish peoples, behind Israel. According to Pew Research, the current Jewish intermarriage rate is 58% and above in the States. Please pray for Jewish-Gentile couples to find spiritual harmony in Jesus the Messiah.

Please lift up the next GDN consultation, “Christians from Global South & Diaspora Missions in Europe” from June 5-8 in Liverpool. Each evening will be open to the public and feature music and messages from prominent national leaders. Pray that God will provide funding, volunteers and visas (especially given the current uncertainty regarding Brexit details). Please ask God to bring the right group of participants and evening attendees in order to catalyze the expansion of God’s Kingdom through diaspora missions.
 
Please pray for “Beyond Korean Diaspora in Europe” from June 10-13 in Frankfurt to be a fruitful gathering. Each Korean participant will receive a copy of the Scattered and Gathered: A Global Compendium of Diaspora Missiology in Korean. Pray that this material will encourage and spur Koreans in Europe to greater things.

The Global Workplace Forum will take place from June 25-29 in Manila and diaspora will be featured in one of the plenary sessions and multiple seminars. Please ask the Lord to give clear insight and wisdom to GDN leaders as they consider how to lead these discussions. Please pray for the smooth cooperation and coordination between the many Lausanne Movement related entities involved, such as GDN and the Lausanne Jewish Network.

GDN leaders are pursuing publishers for the revised compendium and for Hybridity, Diaspora & Missio Dei. Please pray for the Lord’s guidance during negotiations so that the contracts will be mutually beneficial and the end results will glorify God.

Two more consultations led by GDN are planned for 2019: one on the Sikh diaspora in October and another on South Asians in November. Pray that the Lord will direct the preparations for these.

We invite you to thank the Lord for our sister Mila Pangilinan and her faithful service as GDN administrator. As she begins transitioning out of this role, may God bless her abundantly.
 
On the Move: Peoples of Progress and Victory in the Sahel
One country in the Sahel region of Africa, “Victory”, has areas which foreign Christ-followers have difficulty accessing. Across the border from these areas is “Progress,” a neighboring country which welcomes refugees from Victory and Christ-followers. Both countries have many different unreached people groups. Christ-followers in Progress are equipping some Muslim background believers from Victory in disciple making, church planting, leadership and so on. Travel to Progress is also facilitating large-scale Bible distribution in Victory.
 
Praise God who enables us to leap over walls; we declare His progress and victory over the peoples of these nations. Please pray for continued stability and openness in Progress. Pray that the Lord will use the training in Progress to raise up more cross-cultural workers in both countries. Pray for God’s Word to speed ahead and be honored in Victory. Pray for refugees from Victory to know the Prince of Peace’s comforting presence. May the God of Abraham make Himself known to the nomadic peoples of these countries through dreams and visions. Pray for movements to Christ to spread widely among many tribes in both countries and across the Sahel region.
 
Strategic Gathering: Bahrain
Nearly half of Bahrain’s population is foreign born. Many of these international migrants are from South Asia and India in particular, but significant numbers are also from Southeast Asia, the horn of Africa and other Arab nations. In Bahrain, it is illegal to proselytize Muslims but Christians are allowed to worship together. According to Operation World, half of the church fellowships in Bahrain are south Indian. Different congregations often share space.

Praise God for the open doors to worship Him in Bahrain; may He be enthroned upon the praises of His children. Agree with Jesus’s prayer in John 17:21 and ask for complete unity among the believers in Bahrain so that the world will believe the Father sent Jesus. Pray that the Lord will arrange divine appointments between those who follow Christ and those who are eager to learn about Him. Ask God to enable Christ-followers in Bahrain to overcome language barriers and cultural differences when sharing the good news.

(Information gathered from Operation World and Migration Policy Institute)

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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)

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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)

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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)