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Prayer requests from Global Diaspora Forum participants
Many refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons continue to flee from armed conflicts from places including Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq. Please pray that they hear God’s comforting voice and that they will know the plans God has for them to give them a future and a hope. Pray that many more will turn to Christ and that He will bring peace to their lands (see Jeremiah 29:11-14).
Please continue to pray for the just treatment of international migrant workers. Ask the Spirit to move in the hearts of employers and church members to love the sojourners as themselves (see Leviticus 19:33). Pray that all migrant workers will receive rest from the Lord, take His yoke and learn from Him (see Matthew 11:28-30).
Pray that GDN’s work in developing formal and informal training on diaspora issues as well as resources such as Scattered and Gathered: A Global Compendium of Diaspora Missiology will bear much fruit. Pray that as more brothers and sisters in Christ become aware of Kingdom opportunities through diaspora, the various gifts and different types of services assigned by the Spirit will flourish for the good of the Church (see 1 Corinthians 12:4-7).
Lift up the missionaries, churches and ministry organizations who are laboring to bring the good news of Christ to currently or previously unengaged, unreached people groups. Pray that they would be distinguished by the Great I AM’s presence with them (see Exodus 33:16). Pray that the movement of peoples would serve to fulfill God’s purposes: that all the nations shall come and worship before the Creator and glorify His name (see Psalm 86:9).
Chinese New Year is near the end of January in 2017. Besides being a major celebration among Chinese communities worldwide, it also marks what has been called the largest annual human migration. For hundreds of millions of urban migrant workers within China, this is the only time of the year when they are reunited with their families in rural areas. Pray that all who celebrate Chinese New Year will see what kind of love the Father has given, that they may be called children of God (see 1 John 3:1).
People Going: Political leaders and influencers
Scripture encourages us to pray “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:2, ESV). Last year saw the shaking of many of the nations with the largest immigrant populations as well as several of the nations producing large diaspora populations. So we pray for government leaders and others of political influence, putting our trust in the Sovereign Lord as the landscape of diaspora mission opportunities shifts.
Praise God, the King of all the earth! Exalt Him who sits on His holy throne and reigns over the nations (see Psalm 47).
Pray for current political leaders and influencers to ask the Lord God for wisdom, a discerning mind and an understanding heart (see 1 Kings 3:9, James 1:5). Pray that they will know they bear the image of God and they will be convicted to give to God what is His (see Matthew 22:20-21). Pray that they will govern with justice and righteousness and defend the weak and needy (see Psalm 72:1-4).
Lift up future government leaders and influencers. Some may right now be exiles, international students or other migrants. Pray that these men, women and children would have personal encounters with the Lord, as Moses did, and be mentored in godly leadership, as Joshua was.
People Coming: Austria
Austria’s global influence can be found through the works of artists such as Mozart and Beethoven. Its capital Vienna hosts the headquarters for OPEC and one of the main offices of the UN, among other international organizations. Around 15% of the workforce in Austria is foreign-born. While most migrants once came from former Communist nations, particularly the former Yugoslavia, most of the over 88,000 asylum seekers in 2015 came from Afghanistan, Syria or Iraq. Last year, Austria sought to limit the number of asylum applicants and border crossers; other policy changes regarding migration are being discussed.
Praise God for the opportunity in Austria to influence the nations. Pray that the Lord will gather peoples in Austria in houses of prayer (see Isaiah 56:7). Ask God to send revival among Austrians, that they may wake up to personal relationships with the Lord and be strengthened (see Revelation 3:2). Pray that the Creator will raise up godly artists to bring forth new works of praise (see Psalm 96:1). Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send more laborers forth into Austria so that every people group there might hear the good news of the Kingdom and experience healing from God (see Matthew 9:35-38). Ask God to reveal Himself to those working with international organizations in Vienna for the sake of the knowledge of His glory filling the earth (see Habakkuk 2:14).
(Information gathered from Operation World, Wikipedia and Statistics Austria)