Read prayerfully this prophetic prayer written and published in Feb. 1981
in HIS magazine, an IVCF publication.
Lord, We Promise....
"Lord Jesus, you have told us to take your Gospel to all the peoples of all lands.
But we find this too hard! We are required to leave families, friends, and familiar
culture and go to a strange land to tell your message in a foreign language to an
alien people. Most of them already have a religion which is interwoven into their
whole culture and lifestyle. Besides, we Americans are not welcome in most of the
world, and are forbidden to teach your message (or even to go) to some lands. And
the cost! If we really tried to reach the world in this generation, it would bankrupt
us all.
So we propose an alternative plan: you send the "heathen" to us! Have them come
at their own expense - and learn English before they come. Make them hungry for our
friendship, anxious to come to our homes and willing to go to church with us. Send
the young, teachable ones. Send those who are bright and vigorous, who will someday
be leaders in their home countries. Arrange for them to stay for several years so we
can win a hearing for the Gospel and have time to teach them well after they become
believers. Especially send many from places where missionaries are forbidden to go,
including Nepal, Saudi Arabia, and Mainland China. How many, Lord? Oh, about 500,000
perhaps, well spread around the country so that lots of churches and individual Christians
can take part.
Now if you do this, then we will promise to make the evangelizing of these people one
of our highest priorities. We will get to know them, win a hearing through extending
friendship and try to learn how to explain your Gospel to them clearly. We will work
and pray. It may sound like a lot to ask, but you can do it, can't you. AMEN"
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