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The Lord hears and answers. Praise the Lord!
Praise God that Borderless Prayer, a prayer guide focused on diaspora people and issues, has been translated into Korean. Pray that we will see more of God’s answers and that more Korean speaking brothers and sisters will join God’s work through diaspora.
Thank God for the numerous classes, seminars and other training opportunities GDN leaders have led in the past month. Please pray that those who attended will have fruitful engagement in diaspora ministry and missions.
Prayer requests from Global Diaspora Forum participants
Please pray for the international group of prayer leaders who are gathering for a consultation in early May at Herrnhut, the site of the famous Moravian revival in 1727. Pray that the Lord will visit these leaders and provide wisdom on how to strengthen the connection between prayer and mission movements in the Church.
Please pray for the upcoming Lausanne gathering of mission leaders who will together mark 500 years since the Protestant Reformation. Ask God to give insight and encouragement for greater partnerships in Kingdom work so that the good news of God’s grace may reach the billions who have not yet heard.
Ramadan, the month of fasting according to the Islamic calendar, will begin near the end of May. Please ask the Creator to turn the hearts of observant Muslims toward Himself. Pray that God will send the same dreams to entire families and communities and give unprecedented opportunities to Christ-followers to share the Word.
Each month, Pastor AM and other GDN members meet with pastors and leaders in Manila. Pray that the Lord’s presence will be evident during these times of intercession and sharing the vision for reaching diaspora groups both within and beyond the Philippines.
Please pray for the successful opening of a diaspora-focused café and roastery near Chicago. The initial staff will be representing at least 12 nations, from Congo to Korea, Syria to Mexico, Burma to Bhutan. Pray that the café will be a Christ-honoring workplace where these young people will grow as leaders and draw closer to the Lord.
Please continue to pray for those brothers and sisters who are working on articles and books about diaspora peoples and issues. Pray that the Lord will give them clarity of mind as they research, write and edit.
As we celebrate Pentecost on June 4, please pray for the Holy Spirit to bring revival and renewal to the Church. Pray that humble, united expressions of worship will result in bold proclamations of truth and accompanying confirmations in the presence of ethnically and linguistically diverse multitudes.
Please lift up our brothers and sisters who are imprisoned in foreign countries for acting according to their hope in Christ. Pray that their faith may be strengthened and that the Lord, their Defender, will bring justice to their situations.
People Going: Indonesians
The scattering of the Indonesian diaspora is wide: well over a million Indonesians live in Saudi Arabia and another million in Malaysia, while significant numbers also live in Arab Gulf States, Bangladesh, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Netherlands. Many of these migrants are female domestic workers. A significant minority are international students, including recipients of Saudi scholarships. Indonesians have also been scattered internally, as over 8 million people from Java and Bali have been relocated to less densely populated islands of Indonesia under the transmigration program.
Praise God for the wonderful opportunities for the good news of Christ and His kingdom to spread through the Indonesian diaspora. Pray that every Indonesian who has been scattered would know and share the love of Christ. Pray for international students to turn to the Lord for wisdom in their studies and in their daily lives. Ask God to prompt Indonesian women working in households abroad to pray without ceasing and to plant and water seeds which will yield fruit during this and future generations. Pray for a removal of offenses from the relocation of Indonesians and for more movements to Christ among the many peoples of Indonesia.
Diaspora Hub: Bidi Bidi
In its nine months of existence, Bidi Bidi in northwest Uganda has quickly become the world’s current largest refugee settlement area. Over 270,000 people from South Sudan have fled violent conflict and famine to Bidi Bidi. Since December, new arrivals who are not related to existing families in Bidi Bidi have been directed to other nearby settlements. As in other refugee camps, people often struggle with the scarcity of basic resources such as food and water as well as limited access to healthcare and education. Unlike most other countries which temporarily harbor refugees, Uganda gives refugees plots of lands, materials to build homes, and the ability to start businesses, work for others and travel freely throughout the country.
Praise God for providing refuge in Uganda to over 800,000 people from South Sudan, 200,000 from DR Congo and about 40,000 each from Burundi and Somalia; may each one be comforted by the Prince of Peace. Please boldly pray that God will quickly answer the prayers of our brothers and sisters in Bidi Bidi and other refugee camps as confirmation of their testimony. Pray also that He will provide food, clean water, physical healing and protection in miraculous ways, and that many tribes and languages will worship and trust the Most High God as a result. Pray for the peaceful resolution of conflict and healing of the land in South Sudan; ask God to raise up godly leaders from Bidi Bidi in the meantime.
(Information gathered from Operation World, Migration Policy Institute, sudan4Jesus.com, The Guardian and UNHCR)