Pray for Safety for the Van Zoest Family

Please pray for protection us and our Nicaragua Christian Academy family. Our new 5th grade teacher, Jed, reported a couple of weeks ago that his family's guard was in a shoot-out with some men who were trying to steal his motorcycle. This resulted in the guard chasing them away. Jed has noticed several men watching their home which has been very unsettling for him and his family. Two nights ago, Jed was driving at night and came upon a group of men who were burning tires and shaking cars. The men were armed with guns and machetes. They shook Jed's car but Jed pulled forward and kept looking forward and eventually the men went on to another car. People were throwing money out their windows in effort to placate the men. Dan and Rebekah ran into the traffic jam on their way home. However, Dan turned around and found a different way home - not realizing what was really going on. We praise God for Jed and Dan and Rebekah's safety.

30-Days of Prayer

This year Ramadan is August 11 to September 09. Will you join with Christians around the globe praying for the Muslim World?

Find out more at 30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World. This site has articles, as well as daily prayer requests that you can download or subscribe to by email.

You can also go to 30DaysFire.net for a full multimedia experience or become a fan of 30-Days International on Facebook.

New Covenant will sponsor a special time of prayer late in August. More details coming soon.

Pray, Care, and Share to the Muslim World

It is unfortunate that many live in fear of Muslims. God has not called us to fear, but to live a lifestyle of pray, care, and share. This story I just found is an example of the way we should live:

During a previous Ramadan God permitted a goat in a rural area to be involved in introducing a Muslim couple to the Gospel. The goat arrived at the home of a Christian woman and refused to leave despite repeated and determined efforts to chase it away. After several days the Christian lady decided to look for the family who had lost their goat. While visiting various neighbors she eventually found the goat's Muslim owner. The Muslim woman readily expressed her thanks that the goat had been returned and invited the Christian lady for a meal. A friendship sprang up between the two women and their families. It was in this way that this entire Muslim family received the Gospel (husband, wife and two children).

God often uses the weak things of this world to demonstrate His sovereign power! And, the Christian lady had been praying during Ramadan using the prayer guide called “30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World.” We believe it is no coincidence that while in prayer for Muslims the Christian women was used so powerfully by God.

This year Ramadan is from August 11 to September 9. It is a time of year – a month – when Muslims fast for 30-days. Coinciding with Ramadan, Christians are also praying. Won’t you join? Who knows whether a goat might not just make it to your home?

To find out how you can pray, participate and proclaim the Good News of Christ Jesus, pick up a copy of 30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World at the Kingdom Partners table in the church lobby, or go to the 30-Days website or the multimedia version at www.30daysfire.net.

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.

The Flood Is Coming

I vividly remember June 10, 2008. It was the day before I left for the Czech Business Camp. At our staff meeting, Kim shared with us a private meeting he had attended where they were predicting the Cedar River would crest above flood level and flood our city. They talked about the urgent need to help those in the 100 year flood plain.

At that time, the prediction was a crest of maybe 24 feet, not the over 30 feet we actually experienced. We could not have imagined the devastation and loss of property that would occur. But we did believe a flood would happen. A number of Serve the City churches including New Covenant mobilized volunteers to help those in danger. They originally went to help people move belongings to a higher level, and later mobilized to get word out about the need to evacuate.

I know that we did not act alone, and I don’t write this to brag or give credit to ourselves. My point is simply this: We were told something would be true, we believed, and we took action on that information.

The Bible clearly teaches that those who do not put their trust in Christ will not have eternal life (John 3:18). It clearly says that people cannot believe unless someone goes and shares the good news with them (Romans 10:14-15). Jesus specifically told us to pray for workers who would go to those who need to hear (Matthew 9:37-38). So why is so little being done to reach and make disciples of every people group (Matthew 28:19-20)?

Perhaps you do not believe the flood is really coming. Yes, you might agree in theory, but you haven’t really driven down by the river and seen how high it has risen. It doesn’t seem real or urgent to you. I challenge you to take the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement class here at New Covenant next January and learn more about the state of the world around us.

Perhaps you don’t know where to start. Consider praying regularly for Myanmar (formerly know as Burma), or join us Monday night, September 15, at 6:45 PM in Room 135 to pray for the Muslim world.

The flood is coming. What are you going to do about it?

(Picture courtesy of Austin Spooner.)

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.

Myanmar: What Can We Do?

It is a spiritual battle. Make no mistake about it. Any progress – yes, any progress that happens for the sake of the Kingdom comes only because of prayer, not because of our strategies, plans, or activities. Yes, we can and must plan and act, but the success comes from God’s power, not our actions alone. (See Daniel 10:1-14 and Ephesians 6:10-20 for just two of many biblical examples of this truth.)

It is through this lens that we must look at the country of Myanmar (or Burma as it used to be called). They have suffered one of the worst tragedies in recent history. As of today, over 22,000 are known to have perished and many believe the death toll may easily reach 60,000 or even higher. Yet in the midst of such utter devastation, the military government continues to cling to power. They had a two day warning that the cyclone would hit, yet they did virtually nothing to warn or prepare the people. Today as many as 3 million are homeless, yet the government denies visa permits and hinders the swift assistance of international aid for those in need.

What would cause a government to be so willing to let their people suffer? The obvious reason is their desire to maintain power and control over the people. It is why they reacted so violently against the protests last August. But the issue is deeper than that. It is a spiritual darkness that keeps them from showing common human decency and allowing free access to foreign aid during this crisis.

What will change this? Political pressure and world opinion really don’t matter much. Threats don’t hold much weight. The only option that has any true chance for success is prayer.

The problem is we don’t really believe that to be true. If we did, we would spend more time personally and corporately wrestling for the soul of this nation. We would be moved to intercede on behalf of millions of people who are facing disease, starvation, and abject poverty and who have no hope for eternity.

The time to act is now. Pray for Myanmar. Pray for the light of Christ to shine brightly from the highest government official to the poorest person in the land. Pray for those impacted by this natural disaster. Pray for the love of Christ to bring life and hope to those in need. Start there, and in the weeks ahead, I will share more requests about this country that is covered in spiritual darkness.

(Go to this map to see where the cyclone hit and the impact it had on the country.)

Myanmar Disaster Update

When I mention the country of Myanmar to people, I often get a puzzled look on their faces. Many have not heard of it and don't have a clue where it is located. Myanmar is the new name for the country of Burma. It is located in Southeast Asia, more or less between India on the west side and Thailand on the east. Go here for a great map and a short summary of info on the country.

Foreign aid workers fear that as many as 50,000 have or will perish as a direct result of the cyclone. Over a million are homeless.

There are various foreign workers in this country in the area where the cyclone hit. Pray for their safety. Pray for opportunities for them to care for others. Pray for wisdom in dealing with the long term effects of this catastrophe.

Here are two articles that give some more details: Times Online and Daily Mail.

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)

Great Commission Weekend Challenge

So what? How does this Great Commission Weekend apply to you? Are you going to make any changes in what you do tomorrow?

Our focus this weekend is on Jesus’ command to make disciples of every tongue, tribe, and nation. But how does that apply to us in Cedar Rapids? What difference should this make when we go to work on Monday? Did Jesus really include me and you when he said that we would be his witnesses?

I am convinced that Jesus did include every one of us in his command. That is probably obvious if you have regularly read this Missions Update or listened to me preach on missions. But what that looks like is very individual. I do not think all of us are supposed to sell our home, pack up our bags, and move overseas. But I am absolutely certain that Jesus wants us to be more involved than just thinking about his command once a year when there is a missions Sunday.

Here is my suggestion: Pray! Ask God what he would have you to do. Spend time wrestling with what it looks like in your own life. If you do nothing else as a result of this weekend but pray, I would consider us having hit a homerun. Let me be clear: I am not talking about a onetime token prayer. I am asking you to spend an extended time in prayer for a number of days or weeks where you wait and listen until God shows you what he would have you do.

If God has already spoken to your heart of how you can be actively involved in global disciple-making, then by all means get busy and do it! But if not, the first step is prayer. Feel free to email me or post a comment and I will join in prayer with you and for you!

Global Prayer

“It is written, ‘My house will be a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of robbers!” (Luke 19:46 NET)

Harsh words! When we think of Palm Sunday, we often focus on the people praising Jesus and saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Yet just a short while later we find Jesus angrily driving out the sellers in the Temple. It was not the first time he had seen them there. I suspect there are many other times when it bothered him and when he could have acted. Why now?

The key is in Luke 19:41-42: “Now when Jesus approached and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘If you had only known on this day, even you, the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.’” What catches my attention is the focus of Jesus’ rebuke. His house should have been a house of prayer. It should have been a place where the focus was on God and where an atmosphere of dependency and trust was developed.

I wonder what Jesus would say today. People sometimes use this passage to worry about “selling” things in the church on a Sunday. I think that misses the whole point. The issue is not on what they were doing but on what they were not doing. They should have been in prayer.

At New Covenant, we have been developing a culture of “prayer, care, and share.” My hope is that this has gone beyond just prayer for Cedar Rapids. Roughly one third of the world – two billion people! – have no access to the Gospel. They have no missionary or local church. They may live their whole lives without meeting a single believer. Let me challenge you to consider praying globally as well as locally.

To learn more about global prayer, be sure to be a part of the Great Commission Weekend, April 4-6 at New Covenant.

Pray for Kenya on Friday

I know many of you have been praying for peace in Kenya. Empowering Lives International suggests it would be good for all of us to join together in a united time of prayer. Their staff in California will be praying on Friday, February 8. They ask people all over the country -- or even the world -- to join together at Noon California time (2 PM Iowa time).

For more information and specific prayer requests, go to the Empowering Lives International blog.

Global Prayer Digest

“When man works, man works. When man prays, God works.”

Do I really believe in prayer? The opening quote is a real challenge to me. I pray. I have preached on the importance of prayer. I help put out a monthly prayer update for all of our Kingdom Partners. But there is something about the unseen hand of God that I sometimes don’t trust. Prayer can easily become a routine rather than a fervent pleading with the God of the universe who is actually in control of absolutely everything (see Colossians 1:15-20). I find it hard to pray and then rest, secure that God has heard and will answer (Philippians 4:6-7).

I can remember back when I was a student at Moody Bible Institute in the mid-80’s. I was part of a weekly prayer group focused on the Soviet Union and other countries behind the iron curtain. Each week I prayed that the iron curtain would fall and that there would be freedom to share the gospel in the Soviet controlled lands.

Ten years later, I went to Russia on a mission trip. When I stood before a Baptist church on a Sunday evening, I had to confess that I had very little faith my prayers would be answered. Even though I was standing in their very presence, it was almost like a dream. I couldn’t believe it was really happening.

I have learned three things about prayer. When I pray, I need to only have faith the size of a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20). When I pray, I must be persistent and not lose heart (Luke 18:1). When I pray, I should be specific.

Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples of all people groups (Matthew 28:19). But that was never meant to be done in our own strength. He specifically reminds us that he is in control of everything (28:18) and that he is with us to the very end (28:20). It is crucial that we do more than just send and support Kingdom Partners. It is essential that we are praying for those who do not yet know Christ.

If you want to join me in praying specifically and daily for those who have yet to be reached with the Gospel, go to www.global-prayer-digest.org. It may very well revolutionize your understanding of how God uses prayer to change the world.

Muslim Prayer Focus

It is easy to fall into stereotypes about what it means to be a Muslim. Some people ignore them while others demonize them as all being terrorists. As Christians, we are called to love both our neighbor and our enemy, so whatever your view of Islam, our response should be the same. We should love them into the Kingdom.

How will we reach the Muslim world for Christ? Is it even possible? There is no easy answer to the first question, but I do know one element that is essential: Prayer. The Bible is clear that our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). Those who don’t know Christ have been blinded by our true enemy, Satan, and so we must depend on the power of God to remove that veil (2 Corinthians 4:3-6).

Reaching Muslims for Christ is most assuredly possible. It is happening all over the world. And in every story I hear, prayer is what truly made the difference. So let me invite you to make a difference by joining with me in praying from September 13 to October 12 for Muslims around the world.

For the next 3 Sundays, you can pick up a copy of the 30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus from the Kingdom Partners mission table in the lobby at New Covenant (a kid’s version is also available). This prayer guide coincides with the Muslim month of Ramadan. Here is a short explanation from the introduction in the prayer guide: “The goal of this prayer guide (while far from being comprehensive in its portrayal of Islam) is to inspire and guide each reader as s/he pleads for Muslims before the throne of the Almighty. We encourage you to seek further information and to gain a greater understanding of the Islamic world and God’s activities among Muslims, as well as firsthand knowledge by developing friendships with Muslims.”

If you do not attend New Covenant, or if you prefer to use an online prayer guide, the website www.30daysfire.net has videos, photos, and music from the various countries, cities, and people groups cited in the prayer guide. You can order your own copy of the guide by going to http://www.30daysprayer.com/muslim/2007/default.htm.

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)

Prayer Resources

If you are a Kingdom Partner, then you know that prayer is one of the most important ways that you can be actively involved in global disciple making. One of the best resources out there for praying for people all over this planet is Operation World. They have information on both countries and people groups. Go to their website for a daily prayer guide.

Another resource is 24-7 Prayer. This website uses the information from Operation World to give you a quick list of facts about various countries and prayer needs.

I encourage you to explore both websites. The links will be permanently listed on the left under the "Perspectives Links."

Prayer Guides

First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior, since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
(1 Timothy 2:1-4 NET)

For the last month my wife and I have appreciated using a 30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus guide. It gave helpful information concerning those of the Muslim faith around the world. We are a few days behind but will finish it soon.

Because New Covenant is hosting Perspectives on the World Christian Movement this coming January, I was checking out the Perspectives website at www.perspectives.org . While there, I noticed something new or that I had previously missed. They have links to a number of prayer guides that will help me pray more intelligently for people around the world. I look forward to using these resources once we are done with the 30 Days guide.

It is right and appropriate to pray for our own needs as well as the needs of friends, family, and co-workers. But as Paul urges in 1 Timothy 2, we should also pray for the world around us. These prayer guides may help you as they have me obey this command.

http://www.perspectives.org/menuprayer.html