PRAYERLINE: PRAY FOR PEOPLE IN JAPAN AND MONGOLIA AS THEY SEEK THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTIMAS.12/12/2016 Monday, December 12, 2016
“Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10b-11, NASB) Hi, this is Eleanor Witcher of IMB’s prayer team, joining you in prayer for East Asian peoples. “Merry Christmas” banners in English are seen in many shops throughout Mongolia in December, but very few Mongolian people in this traditionally Shamanist, Tibetan Buddhist, and atheistic country--in which less than 5 percent of the 3 million citizens are followers of Jesus--know the meaning of these words. Many of the traditions that surround Christmas were brought from Russia during Soviet times and transferred to New Year’s Day so as not to put an emphasis on anything “religious.” With the desire to help Mongolians understand the true meaning of Christmas, a team of visiting university students will brave the cold of Mongolia over their Christmas break to share about Jesus. Many Japanese love to see the bright illuminations all across the city of Tokyo from now until December 26. Hearing Christmas songs in department stores and coffee shops has become the norm. Do the Japanese really understand the deeper meaning behind the season? The answer is: not usually. Some may have gone to Christian kindergartens and participated in the yearly Christmas play and sung the songs about the baby Jesus. Others might have attended a Christian high school or college, where they were exposed to the nativity story. But when the average person is asked, most will say, “Santa Claus, Christmas cake, and presents for children.” Missionaries all across Tokyo spend the month of December sharing the true story of God’s plan for redemption and salvation, beginning with the birth of the Christ child. * Please pray for those planning these outreach events in Japan and especially for those coming to hear the Good News. * Ask God to direct these students as they travel through harsh conditions, and ask Him to prepare Mongolian hearts to hear and receive the Good News of Jesus. * Rejoice in the Savior who has been born for all
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Wednesday, December 7, 2016
“There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.” (1 Corinthians 14:10, NKJV) Hi, this is Eleanor Witcher of IMB’s prayer team, asking you to pray for language students. There was no mistaking the sound of frantic footsteps climbing the stairs to the third level. Breathless, Lily* came stumbling into the classroom full of intermediate-level language students. It was the first day of class, they had made a round of introductions, and the last participant was sharing her story. Happy to have finally reached the class, albeit an hour late, Lily sat down and released a heavy sigh. Looking around with big, round, shiny eyes, she then smiled to reveal a mouth full of teeth. It was now her turn for an introduction. “My name is Lily, and I am a Shawiya from Algeria. I want to learn more French, but the lady at another school told me that there was no place for me.” Lily paused, then continued with, “Is there a place for me here?” Many Crimean Tatar individuals in one group of English classes have been brought up in nominally Muslim families but are now looking in other directions for meaning in life. Popular considerations are Eastern religions, yoga, or humanistic philosophies. Their view of Christianity is skewed by what they’ve grown up around: a highly liturgical, often antagonistic, and as they see it, corrupt orthodoxy that holds no relevance for them. Every Sunday night, several Great Commission Christian partners come together to host a free English Club in Moscow, Russia. At the end of each lesson, they close by sharing truth from God’s Word in both English and Russian. Approximately 35 to 45 people from diverse backgrounds join each week. * Please pray for the people visiting the English Club in Moscow, asking that they will be open to the Good News. * Intercede for Christian workers to live out and share biblical truth with Crimean Tatar students. * Pray for a friendship to develop between this Shawiya Berber woman, Lily, and this believer so that Lily can hear the truth of the gospel. (*name changed) |
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