Neighbor Prayer Update

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
not counting men’s sins against them.
And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,
as though God were making his appeal through us.
We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
(2 Corinthians 5)

As Jesus so plainly stated in the Gospels, the world is in great need of peacemakers. Men and women who speak the truth in LOVE…not to win arguments but to develop redemptive relationships.

With unrest, distrust, animosity, accusation so commonplace around the world (in Pakistan, XinJiang, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, North Korea, Sudan, Mindanao, etc, etc) we need to plead with God to raise up ambassadors of reconciliation. And we need to do everything we can, where we are, to be agents of grace and peace.

1. Pray for those who are currently involved in relation-building, redemptive dialogues amongst neighbors. (To learn more about this method, continue reading at the end of the blog after the prayer requests).

• Last week Ann gave M her first Bible, which she graciously received. Today, Ann is meeting with M for lunch to begin a Bible study with her. Pray that Ann has wisdom to know what Scripture to share with M. Pray that Ann is hungry, open and receptive to the Word of Truth.
• Pray for D as he teaches a monthly course on Christian-Neighbor engagement in a Neighbor-majority nation. For the next five months they will be comparing the two religions, to set the stage for inter-religious dialogue with Neighbor friends.
• Lift up D this Sunday July 19, as he speaks at a mosque in his city. His ustad (Neighbor religious teacher) friend and D will discuss what Christianity and Islam have in common. This will hopefully be the first of many such dialogues in D’s city.
• Pray for a couple who were scheduled to move this week to a major gateway city in Asia, to work amongst the large Neighbor population in that city. They had secured employment, visas, housing and were ready to go….but violence broke out in that city two weeks ago and the situation there remains very delicate. So for now the couple is waiting and seeking God’s timing. During this period of waiting, may God continue to work in the lives of the men and women of peace in that city, whom this couple has already developed relationships with.

2. One of our key couples in Indonesia, who have worked hard to build great relationships with Neighbors in their community, have been hit with a recent death in their family. Pray for them as they travel in the next few weeks to attend her father’s funeral and comfort family members. May this tragedy allow them an open door to express the hope of eternal life when they return to their community.

3. From the current issue of Intercede:

• for a Ghanian who is currently imprisoned in Libya. He’d been sentenced in 2001 to 25 years for importing Bibles. May he be a true ambassador of Christ, whether he remains in prison or is released. May many inmates and guards come to know Christ through his life and testimony.
• for increasing numbers of Neighbors to hunger for spiritual truth and the possibility of knowing God personally, being assured of salvation, and having sins forgiven.
• for Christians in Indonesia that they will continue to be Kingdom citizens and peacemakers, in spite of local governments attempts to pass Sharia-inspired laws. Pray for a spirit of boldness, grace and love in the midst of opposition.

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Here are some FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) about dialogue, and one person’s expert opinion of how dialogue should work:

1. What is Christian-Neighbor dialogue?

It is a means of relating to Neighbors based on understanding and discovery rather than preaching and debate. A monologue is one way communication, usually expressed by a sermon or presentation, usually unsolicited.

For religions hostile to Christianity, monologues seldom get an audience. Dialogue, on the other hand, creates a level playing field that reflects the globalisation and transparency of our age.

2. Why should we do this?

Due to the big gap of mutual suspicion between Christianity and Islam, some Christians who feel God’s heart for the nations, have come to realise a need for creating common ground with Neighbors that would lead to genuine friendships.

This is sometimes done through sports, social action or any other avenue of engagement that opens the door for dialogue. But for those who have natural friendships (or have created intentional contacts) with Neighbor intellectuals and religious leaders, dialogue on religious doctrine or theology can be a preferred common ground.

3. How does it work?

It starts with an organised attempt to listen and understand where each other is coming from – our worldviews and our religious differences. As we do this over a period of time, God breaks down prejudices and we become friends. Strong friendships carry the weight of the gospel – who Jesus is and what He has done.

4. How can you help?

• Using your imagination, you can PRAY for those involved in relation-building activities and dialogues with neighbors.
• You can open your eyes and ears to opportunities for relationship with neighbors in your own community (at the store, at school, in the office, next door, on the playing field, at the gym, etc, etc). Be intentional. Be prayerful. Be a student of God’s word. Then Start with your common interests, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your conversations. You are not out to win a debate, but to win a true friend.

Other resources on Christian-Neighbor Dialogue:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2009/spring/ministrylessonsfromamuslim.html?start=1