Here are some things I know about Nepal (off the top of my head):
- Mt. Everest
- last year’s earthquake
- not many Christians
- I’ll most likely be spending next Christmas there
This is an embarrassingly brief compilation, and it’s evident that I have a lot to learn. Actually, I don’t know much about ANY of the countries I’ll be calling home over the next year. So, in preparation for August, I’ll be taking time to learn and pray for each one.
Would you join me in praying for the hearts of people I have yet to meet?
Would you ask God to bless these afflicted countries before my team even arrives?
And most of all, would you pray that God would work in our hearts (yours and mine) so that we can compassionately love the broken, suffering, and lost?
The internet (especially the websites listed below) is a handy dandy resource when it comes to praying for countries you don’t know much about. After doing a bit of research, here are some more (relevant and important) things I’ve learned about Nepal:
- Out of nearly 30 million people, only 850,000 are Christ-followers. Pray for continued boldness and faithfulness for the Nepalese Christians.
- 93% of the people groups (distinct ethnolinguistic groups) do not have access to the Gospel. Pray for local missionaries and churches to reach the lost. Pray for openness to the Gospel.
- Nepal is recovering from over ten years of bloody civil war that claimed 14,000 lives. Although government officials signed a peace agreement in 2006, people are still suffering injustices and violence. Pray that justice would be done and the new government would sustain peace.
- Nepal is working to draft a new constitution by August that might further restrict freedom of religious minorities. Pray that legislators would produce a constitution that allows Christians to worship freely and share the Gospel.
- Nepalese people are suffering from waves of drought and food shortage, partially because of poor irrigation systems in mountainous regions. Pray for those ministering to the poor and starving, and for provision in future harvests and climate.
- Two major earthquakes hit Nepal less than one year ago, killing thousands and leaving others without food, water, and medicine. Pray for relief missions and the Nepalese people who are recovering physically and emotionally.
Though these facts are heartbreaking, God is clearly on the move in Nepal.
- The Hindu absolute monarchy fell to democratic protests in 2008 after over 50 years of political change and turmoil. Nepal is no longer a Hindu nation and is leaning towards forming a secular government–this is a HUGE answer to prayer!
- People are eager to know about Jesus and Christianity is growing. An organization named Gospel for Asia has a radio program on several stations that reach many Nepalese people, even in remote parts of the country. There are overwhelmingly positive responses from listeners!
- God is using local ministries to do amazing things. I recently spoke with my lovely friend Anna who lives in Colorado. She visited a sister church in Nepal for several weeks in January and worked as an extension of their ministry in the community. She has such a heart for the lost and her compassion only grew as she developed relationships with the Nepalese people. She shared stories of hope in dire poverty and miracles that brought entire villages to faith. I am so excited to see what God does with the month my team is there!
Nepal is hurting, but God is restoring this country. What a beautiful image of redemption in the midst of suffering. We stake our hope on an unshakeable God who is bringing His kingdom ever closer.
…he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace
from all the earth.
[Isaiah 25:8]
P.S. Prayer warriors, please check these out:
