Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the
Lord may run swiftly
and be glorified, just as it is with you...
2 Thessalonians 3:1 (NKJV)
Pray for All those Affected by the Coronavirus Crisis – I have an acquaintance who works with and consults for
humanitarian organizations around the world. He has first-hand experience with
these types of situations having worked in the Ebola-affected areas of the D.R.
Congo in the past. He is very concerned about the spread and catastrophic potential
of Covid 19 if it begins to take hold in developing nations. There is much to
pray for concerning the world's most impoverished and thus vulnerable
populations in the world. He sent the following summary of an email he received
from a doctor in India. What this man shared relates to so many of the places
and people we are privileged to work with around the world in places like
India, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Mexico, Liberia, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, DR
Congo, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. Pray for God’s mercy and protection.
“Social
distancing is a privilege. It means you own a house in a place that it is large
enough and has enough space between neighbors to actually practice it. Hand washing
and hand-sanitizers are a privilege too. It means you have access to running
water and have money to buy soap and other such luxuries. Stockpiling food is a
privilege. It means you have enough money to plan beyond your next meal. It
also means you have electricity and a refrigerator to keep perishable food. The
irony in this situation is that this virus was spread around the world by those
who could afford to travel beyond walking distance of where they live and work
and it has the potential to kill millions among the world’s poorest who seldom
travel beyond a few kilometers of where they live. All of us who are practicing
social distancing and are ‘enduring’ imposed lockdowns need to appreciate how fortunate
we are. Many in the world don’t have the financial means to do any of this.”
Myanmar
– Pastor Kham has requested urgent prayers for a family he and the CLC-Myanmar serve.
This family lives in the western part of Myanmar and attend a CLC-Myanmar
congregation. They have tested positive by the government for Covid 19. This family
of eleven has been admitted to the hospital for treatment and isolation. Pray
for this family and the doctors and staff that are treating them. Pray
also for Pastors Kham and Thang as they find ways to bring the Gospel to this
family and those who are in need of God’s comfort and encouragement in the
community.
Times of Need and Uncertainty – CLC
Missionaries have heard from several of those we work with overseas concerning the
needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ. For many, perhaps most, of our
brothers and sisters overseas there is a daily struggle to provide for their families
when there is no crisis. The coronavirus pandemic has only made things much
worse. The economic struggles of the world, shortages of basic supplies, and
inflation are only exaggerated in third-world and developing nations. Pray
for the Lord’s mercy and provision. Pray that the Lord will use these
times of uncertainly to lead many to find true comfort and encouragement in His
sure and certain love and deliverance. Pray that the Lord would move the
hearts of those who have so much to share with those who have so little. Pray
that God’s great love and compassion will be reflected in the hearts of His
children throughout the world that others may see these good works and glorify
our Father in Heaven.
Pastoral Training, Worship, and Evangelism – Several Bible
Institutes and Seminaries that we support have been temporarily closed. Evangelism
efforts and worship services have also been severely curtailed. Internet access
for streaming is not available to most. Pray that the Lord will bring a
quick end to this pandemic so that training and evangelism can begin again soon! Pray that the Lord will provide opportunities for followers to proclaim the Good News in the midst of all of this uncertainty. Pray that our Savior's love, as demonstrated on the Cross and revealed in His Word, will keep all believers strong in the faith!
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”...“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,” Romans 8:31-32, 38
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