If you don't follow Christian missionary efforts around the world, it can be tempting to look at the state of America, and even that of our Christian allies, and despair, thinking that as the Christian societies of the west have turned away from God, the light of the Gospel has steadily grown dim, and surely God has turned away from such an ungrateful people and the end of the world must be near. But rest assured, God has not withdrawn Himself from this world, nor is He quite ready to bring His great plan and work to an end. Even now, the fire of evangelism and revival is spreading across the globe, and God is shining the light of salvation upon nations once steeped in darkness, even while the west seems to be tumbling into sleep.
If you follow Christian evangelism, Nicaragua is just one example this year. A nation the size of Alabama and with only one million more in population is seeing an unprecedented revival, with crowds of over 650,000 attending gatherings, and people being saved and seeing miracles. And this is happening in other nations as well, from Guam to Ghana, from the Congo to China, from Brazil to Bangladesh, millions and millions of people are gathering to hear the Gospel, some for the first time, and others to see the dying embers of their faith revived.
While we pray for our nation, let's not neglect to pray for the nations of the world, for their salvation and revival, for their peace and healing, and especially those of our faith whose lives are daily in peril for the simple deed of possessing a Bible, or for confessing Jesus Christ. Christianity is the fastest growing religion in the world in recent years, exploding across Africa, Asia, and Latin America where the Gospel is sweeping the nations with massive crowds frequently numbering in the hundreds of thousands, and even millions. In the words of the old hymn of the church triumphant, “Glory, glory, hallelujah, his truth is marching on.” May our nation and the nations of the west return to our first love, experience the fire of revival, and once more walk with our God.
And let us add actions to our prayers and not be negligent to donate of our resources to become co-workers in these vast mission fields of the world ... “the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.”
As we enter the season of the beginning of the Gospel and that starry December night when Jesus, the blessed hope of the nations was born, let’s take to heart the message of this glorious old Christmas song and let the Christmas bells ring with joy … "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7670CXvPX0
(As you listen to the inspiring words of the beloved song, here are just a few images to impress upon our hearts and minds what God is busy about these days so that we might join in this marvelous work and wonder through prayer, fasting, and support.)
Nicaguara
Nigeria
Ghana
Zambia
Brazil
