The Modern-day missionary on the roof of the world - 3 Aug 2016
We've received this inspiring update and call to prayer from one of our contacts who's living and breathing 24-7 Prayer in Asia:
"For the first time we are seeing signs that God is on the move..."
As a modern-day missionary, sometimes I’m glad I was born for “such a time as this”…
Hundreds of years ago, overseas mission meant something completely different, like the Moravian slaves hopping onboard a ship with a pretty serious war cry - “may the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of his suffering!” - with an uncertainty of whether or not they’d ever speak to, or see their loved ones again.
Today, we live in a world where life just seems to be easier. We have iPhones, Skype, FaceTime and numerous methods to keep in touch. Ultimately, we live in a world covered by a web of flightpaths that mean we could be home, or anywhere else for that matter, in a few hours or more.
Forget months of travelling in a boat, or wondering if people back at home have forgotten your name, today the worry is more likely to be whether or not there’s internet to post my latest hipster-missionary selfie on Instagram.
I live in Asia, close to the Tibetan Plateau, a vast area with some of the most beautiful people in the world. Tribes of spiritual nomads with weathered faces from high altitude living; bent backs from toil and labour; yet usually with big yellow toothed smiles on their faces.
I’ve heard stories of Christians 20 or 30 years ago who had a heart to see God move on the Tibetan Plateau; who poured their prayers into the area from countries surrounding it because there was no access. I’ve heard stories of people spending lifetimes in prayer with no signs of any results.
Yet, now, all that seems to be changing. For the first time we are seeing signs that God is on the move. From healing breakouts in monasteries to buddhist lamas (holy men) wanting people to teach about Jesus to their followers; it seems that God is about to do something on the roof of the world.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people…”
- 1 Timothy 2:1
The thing about all of this is that praying for people to know Jesus is absolutely key.
While it may look very different to the Moravians of hundreds of years ago, we’re still called to take a responsibility; to pray and intercede for all people.
In an age when we have a vast amount of information at our fingertips; where we can search onto any spot on the face of the earth, I believe our calling - overseas missionary or not - is to pray and intercede; encourage and bless the world’s people.
Plateau 52 is a campaign to cover the year (from July’16 to July’17) in prayer for the Tibetan Plateau and its people. We’re so encouraged by how God is on the move in this area - knowing the prayers of others who have gone before us. We’re humbling ourselves in prayer once more to see what might happen next.
If you have an interest and want to join us, find out more information by emailing us and sharing our video.
