forward together

“Some Lao are supporting the church in Vietnam with multiplication and discipleship training. Please pray for break through where denominational traditions restrict believers from going and making disciples.”

This is the kind of story that fills my cup: One part of the body of Christ reaching across human divisions to support and encourage another part of the body of Christ. Spiritual brothers and sisters setting aside their cultural and political identities to share time and resources with each other.

I don’t know any of these people. I have a lot to learn. I used to think Vietnam and Laos were practically the same. I only saw how close they were on the map and made a lot of assumptions about how close they were in culture and language. Boy was I wrong (e.g. different enduring influences from India, China, France, Thailand, etc.)

Despite my lack of knowledge, I can pray for them. I understand denominational traditions. I understand the hesitancy to cross cultural boundaries. I can sympathize with some of their challenges.

I also know the same God they worship — the One who transcends all those divisions. Together we submit to the Messiah who died for us so that we could be one.

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:13

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Colossians 3:11

And together we are commissioned by the Messiah to make disciples of all nations, empowered by the Spirit, to the Glory of God the Father.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
Matthew 28:19-20

So join me in praying for the believers in Laos and in Vietnam

• Pray for break through where denominational traditions restrict believers from going and making disciples.
• Pray for a spirit of unity across cultural and social divisions
• Pray for the seed of the Word of God to fall on good soil and bear fruit
• Pray that our God would be famous in these communities for transforming lives and healing relationships