7 Days of Prayer: Sunday, 26 November 2023

By Justin Long

Join us in beseeching (δέομαι) the Lord of the Harvest this week for…

1. We pray for the over 4 million displaced in Somalia, and the Kingdom workers laboring among them. “We left because of the climate, not the conflict.” There are hundreds of displacement camps around Somali cities. “Recurrent droughts are devastating communities and exacerbating longstanding conflicts and tensions… half the population is in need of lifesaving assistance.” Shelter and water are blessings. (Hiiraan)

2. We continue to pray for peace in Sudan. The war in Sudan has surpassed its 200th day. The number of displaced has grown to over 6.5 million. At least one analysis suggests the war continues because external powers desire it to (MEMO). “The legacy of the current conflict will be felt for decades and decades… our children and grandchildren will struggle with the aftereffects of the war.” (Dabanga) More and more analyses are looking at a “Libya option” where Sudan is effectively split in pieces (see, for example, Middle East Eye). Sources confirm the war has significantly challenged Kingdom work in the nation. We pray for wisdom and boldness for ministry leaders.

3. We pray for new and innovative ways to access China. I am inspired by the trial of 2-week visa-free access to China for six countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Malaysia, and the Netherlands, BBC). Pre-Covid, millions of people traveled each year to China; post-Covid, nearly all of that travel has been cut off, and many formal and informal missionaries were ejected from the country. But the slowing economy in China may push it to re-open to travelers.

4. We pray for peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Various people have been writing about rumors of war between the two nations. How much of this is based in reality is difficult to tell, but stresses and conflicts are being felt throughout North and East Africa. A war between the two powers would undermine yet more Kingdom work, and obviously could potentially further destabilize neighbors like Somalia as well.

5. We are thankful for the release of some of the hostages held by Hamas, and pray for an end to the fighting and the release of the rest. We pray for the Kingdom work being done in the area, and especially for new opportunities for young people in the region to choose the Prince of Peace over options for violence.

6. We pray for those affected by the civil war(s) in Myanmar. Over 2 million have been displaced, and new conflict fronts are opening up between Ethnic Armed Organizations and the army (link). We are told that effectively numerous civil wars are being fought in the border areas, but little of this has been felt in the capitol. There is much Kingdom work in the area, and we pray for this to expand and bear much fruit.

7. We pray for the Gospel to spread through the distant, remote, rural highlands of the Mongolian steppe. This article is a brief exploration of what life in the region is like, and highlights both the remoteness and isolation of the people, and the generational divide in the way of life. Mongolians were once the largest empire in the world, and a significantly Christian empire at that. How will the Gospel spread far and wide among them today?

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This is a weekly guide to beseeching (δέομαι/deomai, Matthew 9) the Lord of the Harvest for the unreached peoples and places of the world. Written by Justin Long, it’s based on the events listed in his Weekly Roundup, as well as on information received from disciple-making movements and other sources around the world. If you’re interested in his Weekly Roundup (out each Friday), you can see a sample and sign up for it here.