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The Lord hears and answers. Praise the Lord!
Praise God for making His presence known at the Lausanne gathering at Wittenberg last month. Dr. David Bennett reported, “As an incredible answer to prayer, all of the 12 table working groups came up with significant initiatives, ideas, and commitments. These plans are more realistic than we first imagined, not pie-in-the-sky dreams, but big enough steps to significantly accelerate the spread of the gospel in five years.” Please continue to entrust these plans to our faithful Lord (see Psalm 117).
Prayer requests from Global Diaspora Forum participants
Economic factors have a major impact on international migration. As government leaders gather for the G20 summit in Germany, please pray that the leaders, their staff and the protesters will humble themselves and recognize Christ as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. Pray for the endless “increase of his government and of peace” over the discussions and decisions. (see Isaiah 9:6-7)
Please pray for “Developing Effective Servant Leaders” workshop in Colorado Springs, July 11-13, a new initiative by Development Associates Int’l (DAI) focusing on immigrant/diaspora Christian leaders. Pray for the effective equipping of church and ministry leaders who are immigrants themselves, that they may have the mind of Christ (see Philippians 2:4-5)
Please lift up the 200 missionaries who will attend the Taiwan Missionary Conference Fellowship (TMCF) from July 24-28. Please pray for SJT as he shares specifically regarding migrant workers, including growing numbers from China and Vietnam. May those who gather sharpen each other as “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17).
Please pray for our brothers and sisters like JLU who are writing articles, preaching or teaching regarding diaspora. Pray they may “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).
A 15 day prayer guide for the Hindu world is being finalized for use during October. A guide focused on praying for Buddhists is in the planning stages. Please ask the Lord that the united prayers in response to these new resources will lead to the deliverance of millions from evil spiritual forces, “so that many will give thanks . . . for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many” (see 2 Corinthians 1:10-11).
Every year, an average of 22.5 million people are displaced by the threat or impact of weather issues and natural disasters, such as floods, severe storms, mudslides and so on. It is unknown how many more people are on the move due to droughts, soil erosion, rising sea levels, loss of livelihood (such as for fishing) and other gradual environmental changes. As an example, the government of Kiribati has responded to the ocean’s changing conditions around the islands with a long-term plan to allow all its citizens to “migrate with dignity” if necessary: to establish and strengthen expatriate communities and to make I-Kiribati more “attractive” as migrants to other countries.
(Please see Psalm 147) Pray that the Lord will heal the brokenhearted environmental migrants and bind up their wounds. Pray that He will lift up the afflicted – the hungry and homeless – and stop those who would exploit the vulnerable. On behalf of those displaced by weather, climate and disasters, ask our merciful God to send out His command to the earth in ways to bless children, make peace and provide food. May environmental migrants be gathered into God’s kingdom.
As the Creator commanded, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over . . . every living thing that moves on the earth,” please pray that the Church will receive God’s wisdom in minimizing or adapting to the effects of disasters and environmental changes. Pray that this will lead to both spiritual and natural fruit. (see Genesis 1:28)
In Groningen, a northern city in the Netherlands with a large student population, the prominent University of Groningen has been attracting rapidly rising numbers of international students in recent years. For example, there are over a hundred students from the Persian Gulf region. One worker writes, “Being at the university shows a colorful multicultural setting with students from every continent of the world. For the local Christ-followers this gives many beautiful opportunities to relate to international students, especially with those coming from unreached countries.”
The God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty and the awesome God – the LORD loves the sojourner. Praise the Lord for His wisdom in bringing students from around the world to Groningen. Thank Him for the relationships which have developed as local Christ-followers have shown hospitality and love. (see Deuteronomy 10:17-19)
Please pray for the international students at Groningen, especially those from the Gulf, as adjusting to studying in a different environment is often challenging. Pray that each one would know the Spirit’s presence and recognize the Lord’s hand in their lives (see Psalm 139:7-10).
The Apostle Paul, who left Tarsus to study in Jerusalem, wrote to the Corinthians, “Our heart is wide open. . . Widen your hearts also” (see 2 Corinthians 6:11-13). Please ask the Lord to call forth more Christ-followers to deeper relationships with international students. Please pray that these authentic friendships will encourage students to open their hearts more to the Lord.
(Information gathered from Lausanne.org, g20.org, World Meteorological Organization, Kiribati Climate Change & field workers)