Pac Rim Prayer Requests: April 16-30, 2006

As the Lenten season draws to a close in the Philippines, many families spent this past Holy Week at the beach or visiting family. Yet it was also a time to be at Church for special services and processions. In some parts of the Philippines, people did penance by beating themselves until their backs bled, and some were even were nailed to a cross for a period of time. "For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge" (Romans 10:2). Pray that Filipinos will accept Jesus as their Savior, not just as Mary’s son, and that they will subject themselves to His righteousness.

As she serves in Japan, Teresa Seelen is experiencing a special joy in her discipleship with Mrs. Y. Not only is Y witnessing to her parents, but she is sharing her faith with her husband and daughter, too. Pray for all three generations to be saved and to worship Our Heavenly Father together. Pray that this family will become the nucleus of a new church.

In what began as an interest in food and Korean language, Mrs. MM and Mrs. MK have now agreed to search the Scriptures with Paul and Yumi Cho. Pray that God will give them both a hunger and thirst for the Word of God. Pray that God will reveal Himself to them and they will open their hearts to Him. Pray that these two Japanese ladies will soon be sisters in Christ and lead others to Him through their testimonies.

In Australia, contact was made with twenty newly arrived Chinese workers and their families, totaling over 50 people who have no knowledge of Jesus. This group will increase to 150 by the end of the year. Ask God to provide a way that all will come to Christ and grow into mature disciples with a burden for their own people.

"Therefore putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and slander" (I Peter 2:1). It is such a struggle for a new believer to put aside the old man, living in a culture that is steeped in malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. Besides putting off his old nature, a new believer is immediately challenged by his family, friends, and society. Pray for new believing friends to put on the new character of Jesus Christ and to be able to persevere in the midst of persecution and trials.

"Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation" (I Peter 2:2). Pray with believers that God would send a native leader to teach them God’s Word in their native tongue. Ask God to open their eyes and ears to His Holy Spirit’s teaching. In a land where education is highly sought after and respected, believers also see a need to attain an education so that their opinions will be respected and others will listen to their message. Pray that God will assist them in attaining an education while keeping their calling foremost in their minds.

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