Remember the Poor

When you hear about someone who is "poor," what comes to your mind? What images do you see? What judgments do you make? What emotions do you feel?

Now take time to read these four verses and compare what they say to the answers you just gave:

There will never cease to be some poor people in the land; therefore, I am commanding you to make sure you open your hand to your fellow Israelites who are needy and poor in your land.
(Deuteronomy 15:11 NET Bible)

The one who oppresses the poor insults his Creator,
but whoever shows favor to the needy honors him.
(Proverbs 14:31 NET Bible)

The one who gives to the poor will not lack,
but whoever shuts his eyes to them will receive many curses.
(Proverbs 28:27 NET Bible)

Open your mouth, judge in righteousness,
and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
(Proverbs 31:9 NET Bible)

The New English Translation (NET Bible) has 164 verses that contain the word "poor." Some of those verses contain warnings that imprudent choices can lead to poverty. Unfortunately, those are the verses some choose to emphasize, forgetting the many commands to care for those who are poor. In fact, I was one of those who forgot these commands. I was never purposefully demeaning of those less fortunate than myself, but I failed to recognize my responsibility to get actively involved in helping those in need.

I don't believe those of us who have been blessed should live in guilt over our prosperity. Instead, I think we should do what God intended -- use our blessing to bless others. In the coming months, we will explore some ways we can do this at New Covenant in a global context.

Our goal is not to end poverty. It is simply to be obedient to what God commanded us to do.

The Stark Reality in Myanmar (Burma)

I came across a chilling article that details the horrible conditions that exist in Myanmar (Burma). Take time to read this article and pray for the people in this oppressed country.

Here is the article: Throwing Away the Key in Burma.

Pray for the Persecuted Church

Sunday, November 9, is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Please take time to remember our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer for their trust in Jesus Christ. For a list of agencies who can give you more information on the persecuted church, to go the International Day of Prayer website. For some ideas of how to pray, Campus Crusade has some good suggestions on their website.

30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus

From the intro to this year's prayer guide:

The 30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus coincides yearly with Ramadan (a holy month of fasting in Islam). This prayer movement calls upon Christians to make a concerted but respectful effort during this time to learn about, pray for and reach out to Muslim neighbors--across the street and around the world.

It is not our intention with this prayer focus to disparage Islam or Muslim sentiments in any way. We recognize that humans and the Muslim world are far too complex to simply or easily condense or explain with a mere booklet. At the same time, as Christians, we long for all the world's people to have an opportunity to understand the grace of God incarnated in Jesus Christ. To this end we inform ourselves, pray for, and support respectful opportunities to make that grace also know among Muslims.

To particpate in this prayer focus, go online to www.30daysfire.net. It will provide stories, information, and daily prayer requests during the month of Ramadan.

Strategic Prayer Focus: Myanmar

Late last year, one of our Kingdom Partners requested we consider joining a special prayer initiative. The suggested country? Myanmar. Little did I dream that it would be front page news when we were ready to launch this strategic prayer focus.

Myanmar, which used to be called Burma, is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia. Located on the Indian Ocean, it is surrounded by Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, and Thailand. It is one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia, and has been under a strict military rule since 1962. It has a population of 55 million.

One of our desires at New Covenant is to see the Bible become available in every major language. But with much of the remaining translation work being needed in areas of the world that are considered hard to reach, mission agencies have to be especially cautious in their communications and often cannot mention a specific language community (people group). Our prayer focus on Myanmar is a strategic response to this challenge and allows us to recruit committed prayer partners who will stand in the “sensitivity gap” for this nation.

Why did we choose Myanmar? In addition to being specifically asked, New Covenant has seven kingdom partners in Asia, so there is a great deal of overlap with our current efforts. Some labor in restricted countries and their work is sensitive so we often cannot post or publish requests like we can for our other Kingdom Partners. A focus on Myanmar will help us safely inform you about the type of work some of our Kingdom Partners are doing and give you specific requests that would not harm the particular work of our Kingdom Partners.

Please join us in praying for the country of Myanmar on a regular basis. Beginning in June, you will find prayer requests in the bulletin and Missions E-Newsletter, and I will write about the work in Myanmar in this blog.

Pray for Myanmar (Burma)

The devastation is overwhelming. Myanmar (or Burma as it was formerly called) was hit by a cyclone last Friday and Saturday. Officially the death toll is around 4,000, but it is feared that as many as 10,000 have perished. (See this article and this one for more info.)

The country was in the news last August. Students and Buddhist monks protesting the military government were beaten and even killed. The country faces an important vote in a few weeks, and this disaster may further weaken the military rulers. Whether they finally step down or respond with even greater force remains to be seen.

Pray for this troubled country. Pray especially that they would hear the Gospel. Pray that Bible translations that have been started would be completed, and that new ones would begin. Pray that there would be freedom to distribute the Bibles when they are done.

Kazakh Law Still Moving Forward

Mission Network News has another article about the state-backed religion law in Kazakhstan that would greatly restrict religious freedom. The Prime Minister of the country has endorsed the law. However, if approved, it will still need the signature of the President. Continue to pray for the law to be rejected and for boldness for the believers in the country.

Uncertainty - Part 3: Kazakhstan

A few years ago, I had a friend from Texas who left to live in Kazakhstan. It was a difficult place to be, but she enjoyed teaching English and the opportunities God gave her to encourage and disciple women she met. She recently returned to the States, but her stories made that country come alive for me.

I was sad to read today about a proposed law in Kazakhstan. It would greatly limit the ability my friend and others there would have to simply share the Gospel in the midst of their daily lives. (To learn more, you can read this article at Mission Network News.)

Pray for religious freedom in Kazakhstan. Pray that this law would not be approved. But most of all, pray for boldness and growth among the believers in Kazakhstan.

Uncertainty in Kenya, Jordan, and Russia

It is easy to become complacent, to think that ministry opportunities that exist today will still be here tomorrow. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

We have had the privilege of sending five teams to Kenya. It seemed to be a stable country. Yet seemingly overnight things became horribly violent and still remain unstable. Christian workers are limited in what they can do or have had to leave the country.

For years Jordan has tolerated a variety of Christian activities. Yet in the last few months, they have denied residency permits and expelled Christian workers, seminary students, and professors. (Christianity Today has two articles about the situation: "Jordan's Eviction Notice," and "Hardship for Evangelicals in Jordan: Lessons for All Christians.")

I have personally been to Russia four times, yet that country is becoming closed to outsiders. And the list could go on.

Therefore be very careful how you live — not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16 NET)

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Go to the the International Day of Prayer website and learn how to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. The second Sunday of November has been set aside as a day for all of us to remember those who do not have the religious freedoms we take for granted here in America. Be sure to go to the PRAYER REQUESTS link for specific prayers for strategic nations.

Praying for bin Laden

Christianity Today has a very challenging interview with Brother Andrew posted on their website. I encourage you to take time to read "Have You Prayed for bin Laden Today?"

(Click on the title above or go to this link: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/juneweb-only/125-52.0.html)

Persecution at all time high in India

Here is part of a recent article from Mission Network News:

India (MNN) -- Hindu militants have threatened to set the homes of Christians on fire, while in another area of the country evangelists and missionaries were attacked. These are more examples of the increase in persecution against Christians in India.

Voice of the Martyrs' Todd Nettleton says nine years ago India was a peaceful place as it related to violence against Christians. "We thought of it as the world's largest functioning democracy -- a free country -- a place where Christians could worship freely. Last year, 2006, Voice of the Martyrs staff documented more than 200 significant incidents of persecution."

These were serious events where Christians were beaten or even killed because of their faith in Christ. Nettleton says this violence is significant. "That's four times a week, somewhere in India, a Christian is being persecuted for their faith. The persecution has just increased dramatically even in the last 18 months."

To read more, click here to go to the Mission Network News website.

Prisoner Alert

I have added two new links on the right.

The first is Prisoner Alert. Check it often to find out how you can pray and get involved on behalf of those persecuted for their faith in Christ.

The second is Christian Persecution Blog. As the name suggests, it is a blog about the persecuted church.

The Persecuted Church

Have you ever met someone whose personal story is so overwhelming, you leave stunned and transformed? I am sure if I had ever met the Apostle Paul, that would have been the case. To hear him tell how Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus would have been incredible. To listen to his stories of perseverance in the face of persecution would have been inspiring.

I met such a person while I was a student at Moody Bible Institute. At that time I was part of a group who met regularly to pray for believers behind the Iron Curtain. Someone invited Richard Wurmbrand to come and speak. He was a pastor in Romania when the communists took over the country. He was imprisoned and tortured multiple times for his faith in Christ. I left that meeting with a new respect for those who do not enjoy the religious freedoms we have here in America.

Sunday, November 12, is the International Day of Prayer for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. Make no mistake, persecution still happens today. While the Iron Curtain may have fallen, there is still a need for us to remember those who suffer for their faith in Jesus Christ.

Let me encourage you to learn more about what is happening around the world. Pray for the governmental leaders, that they would allow us to practice our faith in peace. Pray for our brothers and sisters who are persecuted that they would be empowered to show the love of Christ to their persecutors. Pray for our government, that they would effectively challenge oppressive regimes to allow religious freedom.

For more information, check out these websites:

There is an International Day of Prayer website with links to a number of organizations who support persecuted believers around the world.

Missions Network News has regular stories about those who are persecuted for their faith, as does the website Christian Persecution Information.

Voice of the Martyrs has stories about those persecuted for their faith; information on how to write to those in prison; information on the International Day of Prayer; and a short biography of Richard Wurmbrand. They also have a blog with stories about the persecution of believers around the world.

Open Doors USA has a free packet of materials you can request that will help you know how to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters.