Day 186: Prayer Focus New Zealand

 DAY 186

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic    

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

pastorrobert@paxpres.org

Week Twenty-seven    Wednesday 16 September 2020

Prayer Focus: New Zealand

While it has been my privilege to visit almost 40 countries in the world, many for ministry purposes, New Zealand will always have a special place in my life. Ruth and I first visited New Zealand for five weeks leading renewal conferences in Presbyterian churches across the North Island. A few years later one of those churches called me to serve as their transition minister for two years, during which time we were immersed in the culture in general and in the church culture in particular. We have since returned for two additional extended ministry trips.

New Zealand is a land of contradictions when it comes to religion. While noticeably more secular than the United States, the government pays the salaries of all teachers in church-run schools as long as they remain true to their charter as Christian schools. The greatest threat to the church is not the secular culture outside but the growing lack of belief within. Yet there have also been powerful movements of the Holy Spirit touching all denominations and bringing renewal.  

Prayer Focus

+ Pray for all denominations as they experience rapidly declining attendance and interest.

+ Pray for the missionary heart of the Kiwi churches – they send more missionaries around the world per capita than does the United States. Ask God to honor and bless this commitment.

+ Pray for immigrants – Indians, Chinese, Muslims, that they will turn to faith in Christ.

+ Ask the Holy Spirit to bless the Alpha course as many churches unite to offer it in their towns.

+ Pray that the Holy Spirit will work deep within the people when they sing their national    

   anthem, below, cultivating a true dependence upon God for individual and national security.

Jesus’ Prayer Request each Wednesday:

“’The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest,

therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Jesus - Matthew 9:37-38.

For the full country profile and prayer needs for New Zealand go to: operationworld.org.

Reflective question: What prayer would you pray for this ‘post-Christian’ nation?

Reflective Scripture: Pray the text above, Matthew 9:37-38, the heart and burden of the Kiwi church.

Reflective hymn:

“God Defend New Zealand” – National Anthem – Thomas Bracken (1843-1898)

God of nations, at Thy feet, in the bonds of love we meet,

Hear our voices we entreat, God defend our free land.

Guard Pacific’s triple star, from the shafts of strife and war.

Make her praises heard afar, God defend New Zealand.