Day 284: Country Focus ZAMBIA

 

DAY 284

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 Forty-one    Wednesday 23 December 2020

Country Focus: Zambia

Zambia is a landlocked nation in central Africa, independent from Britain since 1964 with a population of approximately 17 million representing some 80 people groups, speaking 72 languages using English as the official language of the country. There is full freedom of religion in a country around 85% Christian, with a growing number evangelical. The heart of God is missions, and the Christmas story is really that of the greatest missionary endeavor of all time.

PRAYER FOCUS

+ Pray for those seeking to raise the literacy rate so more Christians can be better discipled.

+ Pray for the many orphans whose parents have died of AIDS and the agencies serving them.

+ Pray for the growing heart for missions in the churches of Zambia as they send missionaries to

   neighboring African nations. 

+ Pray for those infected with AIDS, especially the military, the police, the copper mine workers, and for the sex workers they frequent, and for the specific Christian ministries for all groups. 

+ Pray for pastors who will address with courage and the authority of the Holy Spirit the

   syncretism in many churches that mingles the Gospel with witchcraft and sorcery.

+ Pray for Indian Gujarati Zambians, mostly Hindu and Muslim, that many will come to Christ.

+ Pray against the aggressive growth of Islam utilizing funds from oil rich nations and converting

   Christians resulting a growth twice that of the Christian church.

+ Pray for pastors to find their own Zambian voice rather than copying US TV Preachers.

+ Pray that the prayer in their national anthem will not only be sung but experienced.

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 additional information on praying for Zambia go to: operationworld.org.

Reflective question: Which prayer need most touches your heart? Will you focus on it this week?

Reflective Scripture: Isaiah 9:2/Matthew 4:16 – “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.”

Reflective hymn:

“Stand and Sing of Zambia” – National Anthem –Enoch Sontonga (1873-1905)

Refrain:

Praise be to God, praise be, praise be, praise be,

Bless our great nation, Zambia, Zambia, Zambia.

Free men we stand under the flag of our land,

Zambia, praise to thee! All one strong and free.