Prayers: A Journey Through EurasiaSample

[IMAGE CONTENT] # How to Pray for a Closed Country In a mountainous region of an extremist country, Abraham meets with two American pastors in a quiet restaurant. The pastors have come to walk and pray for the nation. Abraham opens the door for them and points them to a table in the farthest corner. “The owners are friends of mine. We can talk freely here,” he says. Despite this assurance, Abraham barely speaks above a whisper as he tells his guests all that God is doing in his beautiful country. He has served as a missionary here for years, and his love for the country's people is evident as he smiles and laughs with the waiter, speaking to him in the young man’s native language. Abraham has never preached a sermon in this country. He has never held a tent revival or organized a Vacation Bible School. All of these activities are illegal in the country he serves. Instead, Abraham uses his expertise in a professional vocation to bless this nation of religious militants. His specialization has given him a platform in a land that has outlawed Christianity for centuries. Abraham works in a closed country – a country in which it is not possible to obtain a missionary visa. Closed countries generally restrict Christian activities, usually outlawing evangelism or conversion. Yet, closed to missionaries does not mean closed to the gospel. While pastors and evangelists may not be granted visas, these nations greatly need teachers, linguists, scientists, and business people. God’s people can share the gospel in the context of the relationships they build as they work in their area of specialization. They must be creative in their approach and Spirit-led as they search out opportunities to share their faith. As the pastors finish their meal with Abraham, they ask, “How can we pray for you?” Without hesitation, Abraham replies, “Pray for open doors.” ### Pray for Closed Countries: * Pray for opportunities for missionaries to enter restricted nations. * Pray for open hearts among the leaders of closed countries. * Pray for open relationships between believers and the lost in closed countries. Ask God to give His people wisdom to know when to speak and what to say. * Pray for open borders for people from closed countries to be able to work and study in other nations where they are more likely to hear the gospel. Pray they will return to their homeland as missionaries to their own people.