THE HERMIT KINGDOM   NORTH KOREA

We all know about this country, but do we really know about it.

This is probably the most dangerous place to be a Christian in the world.

The church in NK has been the subject to the greatest persecution in the last fifty years and yet it survives and prospers.

The prayers that you can give come up before God’s throne as a sweet-smelling savour, they are precious to these believers.

The government paints a picture that all is well, but behind the facade is deep neglect, it has an elite that is pampered for their allegiance to the “dear leader”.

First of all, please pray for this man and his family, they have dominated NK for decades, but God can and will bring all this to an end Psalm 2.

God has a sovereign plan for NK, pray that in his time, he would deal with this country in his way for his glory.

The people suffer greatly, only 20% of the land is able to be used to cultivate food, many famines take hold and this drives many to forage for grass, herbs and to flee to South Korea and China.

Chinese Christians living along the border are a difficult position, some try and help the ones who are fleeing, but this comes at a huge cost to both parties.

Surveillance and Snitching on your neighbours is a constant danger to every NK Christian, children have betrayed parents and vice versa, there are large payouts for anyone who does this.

But still the church continues to grow, the name Of Jesus continues to be lifted up in NK, continue to pray for these small shoots to grow and develop.

Please pray for those who do get across the border to SK and China, would be protected and that they would hear and respond to the gospel.

Radio broadcasts are beamed into NK, but most are blocked, but pre tuned radios are now more available, many of these are flown in by balloon, although the authorities have become aware of this and are cracking down. To own a bible or a pretuned radio can get you a long period of imprisonment or even a death penalty.

There are over 200,000 Christians in prison in NK, many have lost everything for their faith. Their reward is great. Hold these precious believers in your prayers.

Many prayer networks have been set up to pray for NK, please go and find them, join me in praying for NK.

It seems impossible, how can we change a country?

But nothing is impossible with God, let us lift up our prayers for NK.

These prayer points are just primers for you, they are selective not exhaustive. They are written out of a deep love for this people.

The people of NK need people like you to pray for them.. will you stand in the gap for them?

Revelation 7

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands

John 12:32

32 And I, if I am [a]lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

VIETNAM PART 2

THE NORTH

This part of Vietnam is less evangelised than the south, but church growth is increasing rapidly, please pray the gospel would have free course.

Please pray for the Muslim Cham and Buddhist Khmer of the Mekong delta, they have the buds of active churches amongst them.

Churches have to be registered, but many choose not to, discrimination towards Christian’s in the areas of jobs, property etc are difficult obstacles for churches to confront and overcome.

Please pray for the leadership of the church, some are in prison, please pray for them. Please pray God would raise up new vibrant leaders.

The Hoa Hao and Cao Dai number in the millions and have a unique culture, it needs Christians to cross cultural divides. Please pray for the calling of missionaries who will go to them.

There are opportunities for tent making missionaries, a few Vietnamese speak English and there are opportunities in business and especially teaching. Please pray that God would call people who have a calling to the people of Vietnam

Millions of Vietnamese live outside the country, please pray that active churches would be come reality.

Please pray for Communist party members, government officials and military personnel.

We visited Vung Tua and Nha Trang, please pray for these amazing places and also Da Nang, these are tourist centres, please pray that active churches would be created amongst in these cities.

Please pray for dynamic revival to hit the church.

Pray for the provision of good bible teaching materials in the Vietnamese language that relate to the Vietnamese people.

Continue to pray for the impact of Christian radio broadcasts and for the relevant follow up work.

The Muong people are situated in the mountain area of Vietnam and there are the buds of an evangelical church amongst them, but this must be watered with prayer.

The Nung are a group situated on the China/Vietnam border, they have deep belief in the spirit world, but do have active Christians amongst them. please pray for the growth of this church

Revelation 7

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands

John 12:32

32 And I, if I am [a]lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

Recently we have returned from the country of Vietnam.

Vietnam part1

Population 100 Million

Evangelicals 1.2 Million

Vietnam is a communist country and all aspects of the country are controlled by the party.

Once governed by the French, you see their influence everywhere especially in the south round Ho Chi Minh City.

Although much reform has happened in social and economic terms, Christianity is viewed as a foreign religion, which has brought war and pain to the country.

Please pray that the country would be spiritually liberated and completely free of its past.

Please read the website below to know this country.

Monday

The two major cities are the Capital Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city, we visited the latter and indeed found an evangelical church, although no one was there, we did speak to the caretaker, who shared with my wife, that the church is full most Sundays and they have ministries to various groups. Please pray for these two cities, that this little churches would grow and mushroom, they are under surveillance and ongoing persecution, having to register with the government.

We met many foreigners, who come either on holiday or to live, please pray that many true Christians would come and live in this country, as Many Vietnamese people need to see the beauty of a true Christian walk.

As we went into restaurants, shops, hotels, we saw idols, that smiling fat man who is dead and unable to help these people was venerated and offered food and drink.

Please pray that the people of Vietnam would have their eyes opened to the falseness  of Buddhism.

We saw a Roman catholic church in Vung Tua, many people both inside and outside, nationals and foreigners, again please pray that the light of the gospel would shine brightly, exposing all false religions in Vietnam.

Vietnam is very beautiful and welcome thousands of tourists to view its stunning coastline and scenery.

Places such as Da Tang, Vung Tua and Nha Trang (the last two which we visited), are pleasure playgrounds, indeed Vung Tua has a large statue of Jesus situated above it.

Please pray that Jesus would be revered and loved in this nation.

Please pray for the major people grouping in Vietnam

Pray for the calling of not only missionaries, but also English teachers, business peoples to take up the great opportunities available, especially in the south.

The Hmong people live mostly in the North, near the border with China and God has done a great work amongst them, please pray that they would reach out

Millions of Vietnamese are scattered across Asia and large communities are located in many western countries, please pray that they would be reached with the gospel.

Informal training is available but no formal bible schools exist, please pray for the training of more pastors.

Please pray for the Tay People, there are a few believers amongst them. Please pray for a deep movement of the Spirit of God amongst them.

Bible translation and effective ministry materials are a great need, now with the invention of AI, please pray that these resources would become available.

Much of the growth of the church, has come through Radio Broadcasts, continue to pray for the effectiveness of this ministry and especially for the follow up