Hey people! I am currently writing this blog from a little coffee shop in Penang, for the few minutes I can spend updating and catching up with people back home. The transition from Thailand to Malaysia has been so sweet. We arrived almost a week ago, to the little island of Penang, right off the west coast of Malaysia! I’ve spent the past week taking in all that the Lord has for us in this city, spending a LOT of time in prayer, and digging through scripture. We went from the very busy, touristy streets of Chiang Mai, to the still busy but not so touristy streets of Georgetown. Foreigners are not so common, unlike in Thailand. Wifi is not super accessible, so it’s been a hot second before I’ve been able to update on what my month here is going to look like. With all honesty, taking a step back from the things back home and really just grabbing a hold of what the Lord has for me here has been so fruitful. It blows my mind how much the Lord can grow and teach me in just a few days, especially when I am willing to receive it.
My ministry this month is focused on intercession and prayer for a variety of things- including the surrounding community, the individuals we will come in contact with, and the global church. Today we did a prayer walk in our community, praying for God’s revival and that He would awaken hearts that would be fully dedicated to Him. We prayed over the streets, local food stands, and houses along the way. Malaysia is a closed country, meaning we can’t openly evangelize or share the gospel in public due to government laws, so a lot of our prayer includes interceding for the ones around us. The Lord is definitely growing me in this aspect, where as my previous ministry in Thailand was everything physically draining, my ministry here is everything spiritually draining.
Something the Lord has specifically layed on my heart this past week is the advancement of the global church. He so deeply desires for the church to be the unified body of Christ. I’m praying for the American church – that it would not get caught up in the plague of being comfortable. Praying for believer’s that would be completely in love with their creator, and not in the middle-ground, or lukewarmness, that our society and culture has caused us to be in. Generally, we do have it so well, and that causes us to fail to recognize the need for a Savior. and that’s exactly where the enemy wants us. I’m praying for boldness – that believers would proudly proclaim the name of Jesus, despite the idea of “offending someone”. I’m praying for believer’s that are built up and encouraged by one another in love. For people who truly reflect the love that Christ has for us. I’m praying for the ones who have been hurt by the church specifically, the ones who have been turned away from God because of the actions of people. I’m praying for a body who would look, act, and think differently than the surrounding culture.
I’m praying for the persecuted church – something that the Lord placed on my heart heavily during my time in Thailand. The harsh reality that so many believers around the world are being faced with persecution for their faith – whether it be from the government, other religions, or even their own family members – is so shockingly harsh. I’m praying for the oppressed, and the oppressors as well. I’m praying for the numerous underground churches – for the people who risk their lives just to be able to learn more about Jesus Christ. I’m praying for a boldness in faith, and despite the persecution that they would continue to cling to God’s faithfulness.
I’m praying for the new churches that are being planted all around the world – that they would be built up and discipled well. I’m praying for God’s protection over them as they undergo oppression and violence. I’m praying for churches that would be planted in the unreached places of the world. I’m praying for government systems that allow this freedom, and that people aren’t restricted because of laws, cultural expectations, or their families.
With God so graciously allowing me to take just a tiny part of praying for His people, He has given me just a tiny glimpse of His love for them. In the past few months, I have been knee-deep with people who do not know His name. He has allowed me to sit with them, and see them as He sees them, and He has allowed my heart to break for them. Before the race, I prayed for God to give me His eyes, and to show me His love for His people, and in just a few short months, He has started doing just that.
Today, while walking through apartment homes on our prayer walk, I noticed how oddly comforted I felt, in a place that was seemingly so dark and heavy. I was praying for God’s presence to flood each and every room, and for His peace and comfort to fill every person in that building. He simply said, “I’m already here.” Each and every day I get let in more and more to the reality of His abundant love for His people.
Thank you for reading my blog! Please be praying for me, my team, and my entire squad as we take on Malaysia! Specifically open hearts and open hands for what God has for us, and a boldness in outreach to the community! I will be trying to update consistently, and depending on access to wifi it should continue to be weekly posts. xx Tay Morg
