The 3rd country my squad will be going to is the Philippines…
I cannot stress how important prayer is and what the power of prayer can truly do in the world.
The Philippines is an island nation due east of Vietnam and southeast of China. There are approximately 100 million people living on 700 islands (Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands though) that total approx 116,000 square miles. The Philippines is a predominately Christian nation (Catholic) with plenty of economic problems.
Prayer Requests (from “Operation World”)
1. That the Philippines may grow economically (and even politically).
Christians are taking political posts and pushing for justice and righteousness in the political realm.
Corruption has robbed the country of an estimated $48 billion in the last 20 years, the 4th most corrupt nation in Asia.
Tropical storms decimated the country in 2009, displacing millions and killing over 1000. Recovery is still needed.
Reform to land ownership issues… most farmers do not own land (they likely rent it and get ripped off), leaving them extremely impoverished.
Peace in Mindanao… the Muslim population is very resentful and unwilling to compromise, which has led to violence, kidnappings, suffering, and a military presence in the places Muslims have a strong minority (or even majority)
2. The Filipino Roman Catholic Church
Pray that it copes with its loss of position and that it would pursue new vitality in Christ.
Pray for the many Catholics influenced by animism and witchcraft rather than Christianity.
3. Pray for new passion and vitality in church planting as the strong effort in the 80s and 90s has faltered
4. Pray that the Truth of the Gospel may shine throughout the Philippines. There are many sects and cults that blend Christianity with all sorts of false teachings and cultural beliefs. Pray for the lies to be exposed, people to be set free, and the light of Christ to shine brightly through the lies people place on it.
5. Pray for the challenges confronting evangelicals
There is a fragmentation of churches, over 2000 registered denominations (and hundreds of unregistered cults and sects) and most are the result of schisms and broken fellowship. Pray that unity and fellowship is restored.
There is a lack of discipleship and solid biblical teaching
There is apathy and spiritual complacency, along with second-generation nominalism (it’s a complicated metaphysical position; look it up at your own risk; at its most basic core it is the belief that there are no universal essences)
There is great poverty in the congregations, especially rural ones, which is tough in and of itself, but it also breeds unhealthy “health-and-wealth” teachings or dependence on foreign funds and scholarships
6. There is a lack of leadership development. Praise the Lord it is growing, but it is still not keeping up with the need. Many schisms and church issues are due to a lack of leadership, training, and accountability.
7. Metro Manila is a massive city of 11 million people, with nearly 20 million people in the Greater Manila area and it has its own problems
There are tons of poor people, with many slums being built on garbage dumps and 4000 TONS of garbage produced DAILY!
There are tons of rich people controlling the wealth. It is believed the wealthy elite in Manila make up 75% of the GDP in the Philippines. I don’t know how many people comprise the “elite” but I cannot imagine it is more than 1 million people (and it is likely much less than that). So basically, roughly 1% of the population controls 75% of the wealth. OUCH!
8. Ministry “Challenges”
Students – 2.5 million students at 1800 tertiary colleges and universities. Pray for ministry to this large population and future leaders of the nation
Children – over 50% of the Philippine population is under 20 years old. Pray for ministry to children and youth
Sex Trafficking – approx 100,000 children and 400,000 women are in the sex industry, which is the 4th largest source of income in the Philippines, not to mention many of them are trafficked to other countries. Pray for ministries working to rescue, rehab, and disciple these victims AND don’t forget to pray for the “pimps” and other sex trade leaders that they might find Christ. Christ calls us to pray for our enemies and bless those who curse us… I can’t imagine who better to fulfill those Biblical commands on then the pimps and others who commit such terrible atrocities.
9. Pray for all the Filipinos who live and work abroad. Pray that they may be discipled before they leave as many go to difficult or “closed” countries. May they remain strong in their faith and even bring others to Christ.
10. Pray for the less-reached and unreached peoples and ethnic minorities of the Philippines
Mindanao with its continued violence, Muslim rebels, and deep hatred among all the people
The Sulu Islands
Palawan
Luzon
Visayas
And the ethnic minorities… Chinese and South Asians, very few of whom are believers
Thanks for praying y’all. These countries need it and my squad needs it so that the fields are ripe when we get there.
Matthew 9:37-38 – “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
