Pray for Asia

Asia.  At least 51 countries make up this region that contains nearly 4.5 billion people.  The vast majority of these people are divided between the Islam, Hindu, and Buddhist faiths while the Christian minority is around 6.5% (And that contains pretty much anyone who even mentions the name of Jesus). 

In my recent three week trip to Asia, I had the privilege of talking with and hearing stories of fellow Christians in that region.  While sharing stories of struggles, persecution, and hardships; these believers shared their joy of sacrifice and servanthood for the cause of Christ.

    

During my visit to Turkey, I heard about the story of three Christians who were martyred for their faith several years ago.

http://www.bpnews.net/printerfriendly.asp?ID=25460

 

 

 

And in talking with a friend who is a church planter in India, he told me several stories how religious persecution of Christians is all too common in the Asian region:

 

·         http://www.wnd.com/2013/02/missionaries-in-india-expect-persecution/

Jesus spoke long ago about the cost of following Him.  It would not be easy.  In His words in John 15 the Lord said …

¹⁸ “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. ¹⁹ The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. ²⁰ Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. ²¹ They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.

In our church lobby, at Grace Community, we have a large map of the world that I would encourage the people of Grace to pray over.  Nearby are pamphlets that each family could take home and learn more about their extended Christian family around the globe, especially those in Asia.   Coming quickly is the month of May and on Thursday, May 1^st is the National Day of Prayer.  I ask that the people of Grace focus their prayers that month on our fellow Christ followers in Asia and re-read the words of the Master that I quoted in this blog. 

Here is a picture of me and some the Asian church leaders who I work with.  You don't need to know all of their names .... just pray for them.  God knows who they are :) 

As Americans, we have been sheltered a long time from the persecution and hardships that most of the rest of our global church family suffers.  But that is changing quickly and not all too subtlety. 

Remember to pray for those who are going through the fire now.  Ask the Lord to give “us” – the American church, the courage and character to represent Christ well in the coming days ahead as our nation wanders from its Christian heritage.