I also write weekly for The Center for Great Commission Studies at Southeastern Seminary (www.thecgcs.org). In the last two weeks, I have written 2 posts that give some prayer points for two of the most unreched countries in the world.

Below I have listed the links to these two posts:

PRAYING FOR IRAN -

The Islamic Republic of Iran dominates the US news cycles again. There are conversations about sanctions, gas prices, and debates about political posturing. At Southeastern, Iran has a special place in our hearts for different reasons.

The first ever Southern Baptist missionaries to Iran, Dr. George, and Joanne Braswell were students on our campus and later came back to teach missions. Southern Baptists appointed George and Joanne in 1967 and sent them into Iran where they worked until the time of the Islamic Revolution. The book To Ride a Magic Carpet is a fascinating memoir of their time. The Braswells continue to be friends of the seminary and of our Center for Great Commission Studies.

SEBTS also has an initiative dedicated to the training and education for Iranians around the world. This initiative provides theological education in Farsi, the mother tongue of Iranians. As far as we can tell, this is the only opportunity in the world for Iranians to receive this type of training. You can find out more about our Persian Leadership Training Initiative here: https://www.sebts.edu/academics/gti/persian-initiative.aspx

As I read the news and listen to people talk about Iran, I thought it would be good to challenge Great Commission Christians to commit to pray for Iran for the next several weeks.

READ THE REST OF THE POST HERE: http://www.thecgcs.org/2018/05/praying-for-iran/

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PRAYING FOR KOREA

If you are like me, you have been stunned and elated by the news that the leaders of South and North Korea have signed declarations of peace and have stepped across the DMZ to shake hands. This truce ends one of the most protracted and most public civil wars in recent history. The signatures and handshakes are indeed significant steps. We can hope that this ends the military build-up and even the loss of life that has resulted from this war.

I am sure there are hundreds of details that need to be worked out. There are questions about travel restrictions, economic ties, and human rights. However, one question we need to ask is, What does peace on the Korean Peninsula mean for the Great Commission?

READ THE REST OF THE POST HERE: http://www.thecgcs.org/2018/05/what-does-the-peace-on-the-korean-peninsula-mean-for-the-great-commission/

Today in the United States is the National Day of Prayer. It is a day that many in our country gather specifically to pray. There are community events at public locations. There are national events involving politicians and other leaders.

In light of this, I want to ask you to join me in praying these four things today:

1. Let us pray for the good of our nation. By this, I don’t mean that we should pray for our nation to have the goods or to be blessed. Let us ask the Lord to make us a “Good Nation.” That our influence and our activities around the globe will be good for all.

2. Let us pray for the leaders of our nation. The Bible specifically commands us to pray for those in power. We need to pray for our political leaders, our school teachers, our pastors, and our community leaders.

3. Let us pray for the churches in our nation. The church must have a voice and a ministry that takes the gospel of Jesus to those in its community. Each community is different and the needs of the people are different. Let’s pray that the churches in our nation will have the courage to reach out to those who need our help. I want to challenge you, don't only pray for your church. Pray for the other churches in your community as well.

4. Let us pray for the people of our nation. Many around you are suffering. Many feel oppressed. Many are sick or wounded. Some are doing well, but a crisis is headed there way. Some have lost loved ones and some may even feel that life is not worth living. Let’s pray for each other today.

At some point today, ask God to give you the opportunity and the courage to share the saving love of God with someone who needs to know about it.

Want to know more about the National Day of Prayer? Here is the official website: http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/