Many of you who have been around here for awhile know that I really have a heart for the persecuted church. From researching more about the persecuted church, I have learned that the number one country where it is the hardest to be a Christian, and the hardest to share the gospel, is North Korea.
Even apart from religion, North Koreans are a very controlled, manipulated, and stifled people. God broke my heart for this country last year when I attended a Voice of the Martyrs conference and was able to hear more inside information about what goes on inside the country's borders. If you would like to read some basic information about North Korea, its religion, leadership, and the persecution of Christians, I wrote a post about it here.
Having said all this, I write this to say that today it was announced that Kim Jong-il died on Saturday from a heart attack.
Kim Jong-il has been the leader of North Korea since his father passed away in 1994, and continued in the example of his father's strong hand over the people. You can read more about his death here.
I wanted to share this with you all, because this is a big deal. Kim Jong-il chose his third son, Kim Jong-un, to be his successor. His son has been raised with the same ideals as his father, and his father before him. But with the change of leadership, I ask that we, as the church, pray. Pray for this new leader's heart. That it will be softened for his people, and that it would be opened to new ideas, and ultimately the love of Christ.
So many dictators and communist leaders have been removed and/or died recently, and in a way I feel like the doors of hope and opportunity are being cracked open. We can't physically go and break down the heavy steel doors of corruption and oppression in these places, but we can join the battle spiritually.
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:12-13
So, my friends, let's pray.
Even apart from religion, North Koreans are a very controlled, manipulated, and stifled people. God broke my heart for this country last year when I attended a Voice of the Martyrs conference and was able to hear more inside information about what goes on inside the country's borders. If you would like to read some basic information about North Korea, its religion, leadership, and the persecution of Christians, I wrote a post about it here.
Having said all this, I write this to say that today it was announced that Kim Jong-il died on Saturday from a heart attack.
Kim Jong-il has been the leader of North Korea since his father passed away in 1994, and continued in the example of his father's strong hand over the people. You can read more about his death here.
I wanted to share this with you all, because this is a big deal. Kim Jong-il chose his third son, Kim Jong-un, to be his successor. His son has been raised with the same ideals as his father, and his father before him. But with the change of leadership, I ask that we, as the church, pray. Pray for this new leader's heart. That it will be softened for his people, and that it would be opened to new ideas, and ultimately the love of Christ.
So many dictators and communist leaders have been removed and/or died recently, and in a way I feel like the doors of hope and opportunity are being cracked open. We can't physically go and break down the heavy steel doors of corruption and oppression in these places, but we can join the battle spiritually.
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:12-13
So, my friends, let's pray.
4 comments:
I will be praying!
Praying with you....
I will be joining you ladies in praying as well!
I love that passage in Ephesians and the promise that it gives us. That once we surround ourselves with all that God is, He will allow us to stand, to simply stand among everything surrounding us.
Major doors have definitely been opening all around us, I certainly agree. Our True Authority knows all and has it in His hands. He is allowing us to stand. Joining with you all in prayer. May the Light of Peace shine in every land.
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