Stop #3 on my route is Malaysia! If you’d like to join me in prayer as I prepare for my race, I’ve included a short blurb about Malaysia, taken from the World Race website, along with some of the ways I’ll be praying over the next few weeks in preparation for my visit to this country. Thanks in advance for praying for me and those I’ll be coming in contact with!
Located in Southeast Asia, Malaysia has one of the most competitive economies in all of Asia. Known for the tallest twin towers in the world, the Petronas Towers, it is a rising power in our global economy. With a large number of immigrants from India, Thailand, China, and Burma, Malaysia is culturally rich, with heavy influences of Hinduism and Buddhism. However, this culturally diverse and rapidly developing nation is mostly Muslim. With 61% of the population practicing Islam and 19% claiming Buddhism, the majority of Malaysians have never heard the Gospel.
Here are a few things I’ll be praying specifically as I’m focusing on my group’s trip to Malaysia:
- That God’s spirit would connect us to people who will be receptive to the gospel message, and would transform us as we need to be transformed for this place and these people.
- That God will help our group to be learners, listening to those we interact with, and being aware of potential cultural pitfalls.
- That communications across religious differences would be fruitful and life giving.
As I’m praying for my group’s work in Malaysia, I’m also going to be praying this passage of scripture regularly to focus my prayer time. Feel free to join me!
Isaiah 61:1-3
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God
to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion.
To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”
