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Praying Globally
Prayer requests from Global Diaspora Forum participants
Please pray for revisions of the diaspora missiology compendium to be completed and submitted in a timely way. Pray that there will be no barriers to its publication and distribution.
Pray for preparation of the Lausanne Global Classroom course on diaspora mission. Pray that as people take this course, awareness and involvement in diaspora mission efforts will greatly increase.
Please pray for Refugee Highway Partnership and European Evangelical Alliance as they lead efforts to coordinate the response from churches and organizations to the ongoing migrant crisis. Pray that they can build their awareness of who is doing what and where so that they can more effectively assist people in knowing how and where to respond.
Praise God that many Christ-followers are giving immediate aide to migrants in Europe. Please pray that churches and individuals will build relationships with migrants. Pray that these individual encounters will set the groundwork for a long term response.
The current situation in Europe is just a small percentage of the total number of people in displacement. Pray for leaders of countries to govern in such a way that alleviates such suffering.
For places where there are many migrants in crisis, pray that God will provide translators and mediators of integrity who can facilitate mutually beneficial cross-cultural interactions; may people become good guests and good hosts, all seeking to live peaceably together. Let us, in the name of Jesus, come against the spirit of fear. May migrants know the comforting presence of the Great I Am, who sees them and hears them. May host nation Christ-followers take courage to welcome the stranger.
Last month, two incidents related to the hajj led to deaths of over 800 people and the injuring of 1000 more in Mecca. The Muslim pilgrims were from all over the world -- Iran, India, Burkina Faso, Netherlands, Morocco, China, and so on. Please pray for healing upon the survivors and all the families affected. Pray for them to know the mercy and comfort of Isa al-Masih.
Pray for the Spirit to move among the many people from Hindu traditional backgrounds who will observe major festivals (such as Dashain, Tihar, Navratri and Diwali) over the next month. Pray for the good news of Christ's victory over all evil and strife to be celebrated in their hearts. Pray that these festivals will become reminders of Christ-centered truth.
Diaspora People in Focus: Bangladeshis
Bangladesh is one of the top sending countries for migrants, with nearly 8 million living abroad. There are large numbers of Bangladeshis in India, UAE and Saudi Arabia, with smaller but significant populations across the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Most Bangladeshis are Bengalis; Bengalis make up one of the largest, most unreached people group clusters.
Praise God for His plans in the movement of Bangladeshis across the globe. In countries where Jesus Christ may be freely worshiped, may the message of His peace be declared among Bangladeshis. Pray for ministries in India to bring forth a harvest among the 3 million Bangladeshis there. Pray for migrant workers in the Middle East to be treated justly by their employers and to entrust their lives to the Lord. Ask God to move in the hearts of Bengali emigrants of influence, that we might see more spiritual breakthroughs in this people group cluster.
Country of Diaspora: Japan
Japan is a major receiving country for diaspora peoples and has one of the largest economies. With a high life expectancy and a low birth rate, Japan's overall population is aging rapidly. Most Japanese do not believe in the existence of a personal God. Out of 100 people in Japan, only one or two would not be ethnically Japanese.
Praise God for wide open opportunities for spreading the gospel in Japan. Pray that the Holy Spirit will give specific cultural insights and much creativity to those working cross-culturally among the Japanese so that Jesus Christ will no longer be seen as a foreigner but as Immanuel - "God with us." Praise God for the church planting work in Japan among Koreans and Chinese; may this make a long-lasting and far-reaching impact on the growth of the Kingdom. Ask the Lord to rescue and restore women and children who have been trafficked from Thailand and the Philippines. Ask God to strengthen missionaries already working in Japan and to call forth more laborers, including some to work among the elderly and among Muslim migrants.
(Information gathered from BBC News, Migration Policy Institute, Joshua Project, and Operation World)