Prayer Pointers for S.K.

Hi everyone,

I believe the recent news about the kidnap and execution of the South Koreans in Afgan has surprised and shock many of us here. We receive and send sms prayer chains and email prayer chains to pray for the Koreans. However, what do we really need to pray for?

Firstly, the Koreans are already saved by the Holy Spirit, so we can't really pray for their salvation. Secondly, the Koreans are already safe in the Lord, so we can't really pray for their safety too, can we? Many people are praying for God to bring them home safely. Indeed, I believe they too want to go home to their families and friends. But, if they die, they will return home to the Lord.

Friends, the Lord has told us in Matthew 5: 10-12

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Koreans are truly persecuted because of Jesus. But blessed are they! If they die during the time of kidnap, they will return to the Lord.

So then, what can we pray for them?

1) Pray for the Koreans to look to the Lord in their time of need.

Ps 121 says:
I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

The Lord may be using this experience to test their faith. Will the Koreans use this experience to strengthen their faith?

2) Pray, if the Koreans do die, that something good will come out from this loss. Pray that God will do something miraculous. Pray that their deaths and suffering will not be in vain!

Deut 32: 35-36 says:

It is mine to avenge; I will repay.

In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near

and their doom rushes upon them."
The LORD will judge his people

and have compassion on his servants

when he sees their strength is gone

and no one is left, slave or free.

The Lord our God is good. Never will he leave us or forsake us.

Therefore, I pray for all of you that you will be encouraged to pray for the situation in Afghan. I encourage you to be strengthened in faith in Jesus, that he will bring deliverance to the Taliban and the Afghan people. Do not be discouraged in the Lord!

Trust the Lord in all your ways!