October: A New Life, New Challenges

October: A New Life, New Challenges

by | Oct 8, 2024 | Prayer

For most defectors who arrive in South Korea after an arduous escape from the North, the initial joy is like a dream. But their joy at arriving in the prosperous South soon gives way to a difficult adjustment period. Every day brings new challenges, and most defectors know no one outside of any family members they may have arrived alongside. There are many cultural differences and they have to start life all over again in a high-tech, democratic society, which can be quite overwhelming. The South Korean government does provide a three-month resettlement school where they learn various things about South Korean society: how to use an ATM machine, modern transport infrastructure and get a job. Despite the effort of community centers to provide extended resources for resettled refugees, the supplies and programs often do not meet their social needs for the long-haul.

Who looks out for them? Many defectors have suffered extreme trauma but are unlikely to seek help or know where to find it. While some local churches work in tandem with government programs to get acquainted with their new neighbors, there is still a gaping need for more engagement by those who can be the hands and feet, especially the listening hearts, of Christ’s love to these North Koreans.

Join in Prayer For:

A move of the Holy Spirit to stir up mercy toward ‘aliens’ in the hearts of Christians throughout South Korea.

Increasing numbers of South Korean disciples of Jesus to have their hearts deeply touched with compassion for North Korean defectors in their communities.

More churches and individual Christians to take action to get involved in community-based programs that support the defectors in their neighborhood.

Those who are Christ followers to see the defectors as their brothers and sisters, seeking them out with friendship and welcome.

Zechariah 7:8-10 Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother.’

September: Pray for Connection

September: Pray for Connection

by | Sep 8, 2024 | Prayer

Pray for Connections between People in NK with the Rest of the World.

Having successfully escaped to the outside world, P is now a committed Christian brother seeking to disciple his circle of family, friends and former colleagues back in North Korea. P utilizes various opportunities to exchange information with them, including contact through mobile phones. For the most part, domestic mobile devices and systems in NK are restricted from receiving communication from the outside world, and one way that NKs get around this is by using mobile phones from nearby nations in certain geographic areas. This month, there has been another crack-down on such activity, as the government there punished about 30 of its citizens for contacting the outside world. Pray for open lines of communication with people inside NK!

Pray for the reopening of North Korea:  In August, NK announced the reopening of its door to international tourism for the first time since 2020 during the outbreak of COVID-19. May this reopening play a positive role in keeping lines of communication open for people within NK.

Pray for true discernment and favor: The state security ministry has tried people using mobile phones from other places for “anti-state” behavior. Ask the Lord for officials to have supernatural godly discernment to distinguish between political subversion and authentic Christian discipleship, and grant favor accordingly.

Pray for protected connections: As the regime continues its crackdown on illegal cross-border activities, ask the Lord to mercifully protect all possible connections for the sake of sharing God’s Word and discipling those who will disciple others.

Pray for mercy on the accused: While eradicating illegal behavior is a good thing for society, many reports circulate about people falsely accused and sentenced to labor or prison camps along with their family members. In such camps, they are subject to torture and even execution. Pray for God’s mercy on those individuals; may those who are already Christians be strengthened by the Spirit of God to have hope and continue sharing the Gospel with fellow prisoners.

Pray for discipleship generations: As long as such harsh crackdowns are in force, ask the Lord to anoint those who already have God’s Word and/or are already trained in some discipleship principles to courageously and effectively pass on what they have received to new generations of disciples. Although NK officials warn that people contacting information abroad will be eliminated from NK society for generations to come, God promises in Psalm 22 that “dominion belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nations. … future generations will be told about the Lord, they will proclaim His righteousness,  declaring to a people yet unborn: ‘He has done it!’”

 

August: Give Thanks for 250% Participation in Summer Camp

August: Give Thanks for 250% Participation in Summer Camp

by | Aug 8, 2024 | Prayer

At the end of July, an annual camp for children of North Korean defectors was hosted in South Korea. In addition to lots of fun and giving the children an opportunity to relax and engage with Christians who care with listening hearts, the camp is designed to convey the Gospel message in word and deed as well as to nurture discipleship in those who already believe in Jesus. Most of these youth have suffered in various settings and don’t fit into mainstream South Korean culture well, so the days at camp also provide ministry to them in a social setting of acceptance. This year, MANY more kids came than they initially planned for, 50 in all, where they initially thought only 20 would come – PRAISE GOD!

Pray for the Impact of the Camp: Pray that those 50 children will continue to ponder over what they experienced with the local Christians and missionaries; may what they heard during the camp bear much fruit. Ask God to use this experience to deepen the faith and discipleship of these young people and their families.

Pray for Relationship Building: Pray for the South Korean Christians who follow up with the children, that they can deepen meaningful friendships with these North Korean youth. Ask God to open doors for genuine relationships built on love, trust, and mutual respect with the young people and their families.

Pray for Home Visits: Pray for the Christians to seek opportunities to visit these N. Korean children in their homes and discuss life, faith and the Bible together. Ask God to bless these visits with His presence and for His Word to be transformative in their lives.

Pray for Obedience and Love: Pray that the Christians around these North Korean children will be obedient to God’s calling and live life with integrity, characterized by Christ-like love. May this witness be a beacon calling the N. Koreans in S. Korea to become disciples of Christ.

Pray for Transformation and Growth: Pray that N. Koreans who are being discipled, young and old, will experience transformation and growth in their Christian faith. Ask God’s Spirit to move in their hearts, leading them to transformed lives through His love and truth.

July: Pray for God’s Anointing Over Recently Distributed Discipleship Books

July: Pray for God’s Anointing Over Recently Distributed Discipleship Books

by | Jul 17, 2024 | Prayer

Late last month 250 more discipleship books were distributed among South Koreans at a missions conference in just a few minutes, bringing the total distributed to around 800. At the distribution, everyone was challenged to make friends with at least one North Korean, to visit them in their current home in SK and read the Bible together using the discipleship book material. The head of the mission agency is leading the charge to have these South Koreans focused on interactive, love, Word and obedience-based discipleship.

1. Pray for the Impact of the books: Pray that the 800 discipleship books distributed among South Korean Christians and missionaries will bear much fruit. Ask God to use these materials to deepen the faith and discipleship of both the S. Koreans and the N. Koreans they reach.

2. Pray for Relationship Building: Pray for the missionaries as they strive to make meaningful friendships with N. Koreans. Ask God to open doors for genuine relationships and for these connections to be built on love, trust, and mutual respect.

3. Pray for Home Visits and Bible Study: Pray for the missionaries as they visit N. Koreans in their homes and read the Bible together using the discipleship book material. Ask God to bless these gatherings with His presence and for the Word to be transformative in their lives.

4. Pray for the Mission Agency Leadership: Pray for the head of the mission agency and the leadership team as they guide and support the missionaries. Ask for wisdom, strength, and discernment as they lead this charge focused on interactive, love, Word, and obedience-based discipleship.

5. Pray for Obedience and Love: Pray that the missionaries will be obedient to God’s calling and that their ministry will be characterized by Christ-like love. Ask God to fill them with compassion, patience, and perseverance as they serve.

6. Pray for Transformation and Growth: Pray that the N. Koreans who are being discipled will experience transformation and growth in their faith. Ask God to work powerfully in their hearts, leading them to a deeper understanding of His love and truth.

June: Pray for Quick Release of Incarcerated Missionary

June: Pray for Quick Release of Incarcerated Missionary

by | Jun 17, 2024 | Prayer

A man held in Russia on an espionage allegation is a missionary dispatched there to support the needy and spread the gospel – with special focus on assistance to NK workers and defectors in Vladivostok. The Christian aid group he is associated with has stated that he was living in this Russian city in order to distribute clothes, medicines and daily necessities to underprivileged people there, including poor foreign workers, while working to evangelize them. 

[Source: March 13, 2024 AP news]

1. Pray for Protection and Safety: Pray for the man’s protection and safety while he is held in Russia. Ask for God’s divine shield around him, keeping him safe from harm and granting him peace in this challenging time.

2. Pray for Legal Favor and Swift Release: Pray for favor in the legal system and for his swift and safe release. Ask God to move the hearts of the authorities and grant wisdom to his legal representatives.

3. Pray for his Mission and Work: Pray that his mission to support the needy and spread the gospel will continue to bear fruit despite his current situation. Ask that his work, particularly among NK workers and defectors, will be blessed and sustained.

4. Pray for the Underprivileged and Foreign Workers: Pray for the underprivileged people, including poor foreign workers, who benefited from his ministry. Ask God to provide for their needs and to raise up others who can continue the work of distributing clothes, medicines, and daily necessities.

5. Pray for the Christian Aid Group: Pray for the Christian aid group he is associated with. Ask for God’s guidance, provision, and strength for them as they continue their mission in Vladivostok and elsewhere.

6. Pray for Evangelistic Efforts: Pray for the ongoing evangelistic efforts in Vladivostok. Ask that the seeds of the gospel that have been planted will grow and flourish, leading many to Christ despite the current challenges.

May: Pray for Young Adults in North Korea

May: Pray for Young Adults in North Korea

by | May 8, 2024 | Prayer

Pray for young adults in North Korea, where religious freedom is severely restricted. But we know that God hears our prayers and so we take these requests before Him on behalf of brothers and sisters in North Korea.

  1. Pray for Safety and Protection: Ask for God’s protection over young adults in North Korea, especially those who may face persecution for their beliefs or actions deemed contrary to the state’s ideology.
  2. Pray for Strength and Courage: Pray that young adults in North Korea may find the inner strength and courage to navigate the challenges they face, whether it’s in expressing their faith or pursuing their aspirations in a restrictive environment.
  3. Pray for Hope and Resilience: Pray that despite the difficult circumstances, young adults in North Korea hold onto hope and resilience, believing in a better future and not losing sight of their dreams and aspirations.
  4. Pray for Access to Information and Resources: Pray that young adults in North Korea may have access to information and resources that can empower them intellectually, spiritually, and practically, despite the regime’s efforts to control information.
  5. Pray for Opportunities for Growth: Pray that opportunities for personal and spiritual growth may arise for young adults in North Korea, whether through encounters with compassionate individuals, access to educational resources, or exposure to alternative perspectives.
  6. Pray for Reconciliation and Peace: Pray for reconciliation and peace on the Korean peninsula, so that young adults can live in a society where they can freely express themselves, pursue their dreams, and contribute to building a better future for themselves and their nation.
  7. Pray for Open Hearts and Minds: Pray that the hearts and minds of those in power in North Korea may be opened to the value of human rights, freedom of expression, and religious freedom, leading to positive changes in the country’s policies and practices.