Last Christmas, many of you joined us to pray for individuals in 30 unreached people groups across East Asia. There are many stories of how God was at work in the lives of the unreached this past year. Among the more than 90 requests we prayed for was the prayer request that a predominantly Muslim people group would discover a digital copy of the Bible in their own language and give them a desire to read and listen to the Scriptures. I have heard several stories of how this has happened throughout the year and how God is opening doors for his word to be given to this unreached people group. Praise the Lord!
This year we will partner again to seek the salvation of unreached people groups through intentional prayer. We will pray for groups such as the Laba, who have no known church-planting efforts going on among them, multiple Tibetan groups who live in very restricted areas and lack access to the gospel, and many Miao people who desire to live simple lives, but feel pressure to provide for their families. We will hear first-hand stories of their lives and how we can pray for them.
During the month of November, we will highlight unreached people groups that live in East Asia. They are on this list because they represent the ends of the earth. They often live in difficult-to-reach places and speak difficult-to-learn languages.
Will you pray for those who still do not know the story of Jesus?
Will you pray for these who still worship idols, spirits of the mountains, and their ancestors because they have yet to hear that Jesus offers them salvation and a personal relationship with the Most High God?
Join us in praying fervently for God to move in a mighty way, that his name and glory will be made known among the unreached of East Asia.
John Dickson says, “Prayers for the unbelieving world fulfill the Savior God’s longing to redeem that world. Praying for those who do not yet believe is actually a way of seeking their salvation. Prayer is not a passive, sideline aspect of evangelistic commitment; it is a fundamental expression of that commitment.”1
In a world where it is nearly impossible for an outsider to be on the front line of ministry and in the daily lives of unreached people groups, we are still able to pray to the God of the Universe to miraculously move among people who have yet to hear the good news of Jesus. Paul called on the faithful believers in Colossae to “devote themselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.” (Colossians 4:2-3) When Paul called on them to pray for open doors, Paul was literally in prison and in chains for the gospel. How could he gain access to the Gentiles to whom God had called him to be a witness? Paul knew the answer. It was through prayer that God would open a door for him to speak the mystery of Christ.
There is much persecution happening in China right now. Just this month, pastors and staff from underground churches across China were arrested. We are in a spiritual battle and there is hope for the nations when we turn to God in prayer. One of the things prayers does is align our lives with God’s heart. We understand our full dependence on God, and we trust that he will move in the way that only he can. Taking the gospel to the unreached people groups is one of the most difficult tasks on this earth. Actually, it’s an impossible task in human terms. Only God is able to change a person’s heart.
In November, let’s join together to pray for the unreached people groups of East Asia, to hear, believe, and obey the gospel. Jesus our Savior desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Let’s pray to this end.
“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1–4).
Join this prayer campaign by visiting this website and signing up to pray for 15, 30, or 60 minutes each day. Daily emails will be sent to you when you sign up to pray. Sign up at: Pray 4 Unreached East Asia.
