|
This is the final day of the prayer
initiative here in P/ akistan. Yesterday, the participants
passionately sang over and over again that rousing choral prayer
“Shine, Jesus, shine. Fill this land with the Father’s glory. Blaze,
Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire.” This was followed by another
prayer in song “Let this nation be changed, let this nation be
saved!” We are singing and proclaiming together that ancient
prophecy over the nation, that the “earth will be filled with the
knowledge of the glory of the Lord” (Habakkuk 2:14), a promise which
has become a rallying cry for the global prayer movement and, of
course, even includes this nation where believers are still such a
tiny minority in a huge M uslim population that has become
increasingly radical and anti-Christian.
Today, the children will come to join us and pray for the nation. We
are asking the Lord to raise up an ongoing children’s prayer
movement and also a 24/7 prayer movement for the nation. Adult
participants will be asked to take responsibility for one hour
slots, at least one hour each, for all 168 hours of the week, so
that P/ akistan will be covered at all times with someone praying.
The folks up north in L ahore have already agreed to do this. Please
pray with us as follows:
1. For the development of a strong and united prayer
movement in the nation characterized by 24/7 intercession and wide
participation by believers in every city.
2. For children across the nation to be encouraged and
helped to pray effectively for their communities, the churches and
the nation as a whole.
3. For the spirit of fear and disunity that keeps the
church “under house arrest” to be broken so Christians arise and do
exploits for Christ throughout the society, becoming an influence in
every sector as salt and light. Pray that they will love and serve
their nation, especially the marginalized and poor and the many
still unreached by the Gospel.
4. That the government will take firm action against
all the m adrassahs (religious schools) that are often a hotbed of
radicalism and terrorism, bringing virtually no education or
development to children and poisoning their minds. Pray that these
schools will be required to change their curriculum or be completely
shut down.
5. Yesterday, all those participating in the initiative
here slowly filed past the map of P/ akistan, prayerfully laying
their hands on its provinces and cities to pray that their
countrymen across the nation will hear about Jesus Christ and turn
to Him. Yes, let this nation be changed, let this nation be saved!
Theologian Walter Wink in his book Engaging the Powers writes: “Even
a small number of people can decisively affect the shape the future
takes. These shapers of the future are the intercessors who call out
of the future the longed for new present; they believe the future
into being…the name of that future is… the reign of God.”
Let’s believe with our brothers and sisters in Christ in P/ akistan
for that new future the Lord wants to give this nation!
Warm greetings from P/ akistan,
John Robb |
