2 Corinthians
March 23, 2007 on 1:07 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
“For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down—when we die and leave these bodies—we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day when we will put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing” (2 Corinthians 5:1-2). Many days of hard physical labor, year after year, can wear a person out. Aging is natural in this world’s system and the Shan Dai that work long in the sun tend to look and feel even older than their years. The aged have experienced the agony of those that they love having died before them. In Dai culture, death is frightening and the dead must rely on the hope that the living will pay off the spirits on their behalf, so they will not roam about like hungry, homeless ghosts. Lord, we pray especially for the elderly Shan Dai today. God, may they hear of You and how You have made preparations for their good through Your Son, Jesus. Father, they know what it means to grow weary. What they need to know is the freshness available when sins are forgiven. You lovingly prepare a home for us in heaven with a new heavenly body; a body perfectly designed by You. Holy Spirit, fill the Dai so the fear of death is cast aside like a discarded rag. May their eager expectations, and joyful anticipation of full life with, You be experienced deeper with each passing day.
1 Corinthians
March 23, 2007 on 1:06 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
Love. What is it? What is it not? The Shan Dai, like the church in Corinth could use some guidance where love is concerned. Paul gives definition to the concept in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a. “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever…” Replace “love” with “God” and reread the passage. God is patient, God is kind… God is love. How are you doing as one being conformed into God’s image? Reading your name in place of “love” will give you a healthy evaluation. The Dai word for love is “hak” and the first original Dehong Dai worship song is about love. The lyrics roughly translated into English are sung: “Jesus loves you. Jesus loves you. Jesus in me loving you; and the joy that you see is because of God’s love.” God, Your love changes lives. Thank You for loving us to the extent that You sent Your Son, the One You love beyond measure, so that we may know You and Your love. God, fill us with Your love so love overflows from us when we encounter others. May the message of the Dai worship song of Your love be lived out daily, with Your definitions, within Shan Dai communities.
Romans
March 23, 2007 on 1:06 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
The funerals of non-believing Shan Dai people are sad. There is no hope of ever seeing the deceased person in eternity so the grieving by loved ones is inconsolable. Add to that a real fear that the spirit of the dead may remain within the household and neighborhood, roaming about in the evenings seeking eerie satisfaction. For three days or so the corpse is displayed in the family’s small living room for viewing, covered by an elaborately embroidered cloth. Dai women from nearby villages take their turns with preparing meals for the many who will gather. The monk gives his final chants. The wailing family members, with immediate family wearing a white cloth around their head, kneel and bow low forming a human bridge for the casket to travel over through the courtyard and into the road. As the corpse is carried over them, each hopes that the spirit will leave as well for permanent burial with the body. Lord, how the Shan Dai people need to know You and the hope of life that is found in You. Jesus, You are the bridge; the only way to God the Father and to life that will never die. Father, we pray their mourning would turn into joy as they trust in You. “For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised as he was” (Romans 6:4-5).
Acts
March 23, 2007 on 1:06 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
Each spring the Shan Dai people celebrate the Thai New Year with a festival. Traditionally they wore new clothing for the holiday, washed the temple gods in elaborate ways and used flowers dipped in water to sprinkle the shoulders of one another as a blessing. Water is used to symbolically wash away the bad from the past year and give a clean start for the year to come. In recent years, gentle sprinkling has grown into a full blown water war lasting for over three days complete with super-soakers. Yet, still, Christian teachers can draw out the parallels from this Dai holiday to the fulfillment found in Christ. Lord, the Shan Dai recognize their need for cleansing and desire a new start to life. We know that true cleansing comes through You alone. We plead with You for godly brothers and sisters to share with the Dai Paul’s exhortation: “You are to take his message everywhere, telling the whole world what you have seen and heard. And now, why delay? Get up and be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:15-16). This year may many hear and respond to Your message, for only when they call upon the name of the Lord will people really experience the freedom of a soul and life made clean. Father, when the Shan Dai confess their trust in You we pray for each to follow You with obedience in baptism. Identifying with their Lord, may they rise up to walk in the newness of life.
John
March 23, 2007 on 1:06 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
Watermelon is a big cash crop for Shan Dai farmers. The ground is carefully cultivated, the small seeds are planted, watered, and in time the leafy vines grow in long rows filling large green fields. As the watermelon begin to form, it is important not to sever the vine while tending the field. The vine is like the umbilical cord, the life source, for the developing fruit. Shan farmers understand its importance; if the vine remains intact the watermelon will reach maturity and with much good fruit the pay-off on market day is great. But, if the vine is cut, the growth process is also cut and the immature melon dies, rotting in the field with nothing good to show for the investment. Farming wisdom is passed on from generation to generation among the Shan Dai people. It is a matter of well being or hardship. Jesus knows the importance of connecting the familiar with a Kingdom principle in order to teach truth in life-changing ways. Father, please send competent teachers to the Shan Dai. Open the ears of farmers. May they hear Jesus’ wisdom about the importance of being connected to Him, the True Vine. We pray they not only understand but with great joy see how their lives can grow and bear fruit abundantly, bringing glory to You. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). May this teaching grow like strong plants in a field.
Luke
March 23, 2007 on 1:05 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
“Does God really know my language? Can He understand me when I talk to him in Dai?” A middle-aged Shan Dai man asking these questions was amazed when he learned that the Most High God can communicate in a Chinese minority language. Communication with God, the Heavenly Father, was how Jesus thrived on earth, so much so that His followers wanted to know how to connect with God too. Jesus explained by praying and Luke recorded this brief prayer that touches the heart of God and changes the hearts of men. As we pray today, imagine an excited new follower of Jesus living in Asia (not too far from where Jesus taught his disciples) talking to God about hopes, dreams, needs. Though many centuries have passed, Jesus knew that the needs of His followers would remain the same throughout the generations and that our Father is more than able to meet those needs. “Father, may your name be honored. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us our food day by day. And forgive us our sins- just as we forgive those who have sinned against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation” (Luke 11:2-4). These are simple words and yet deep insights as to how Jesus stayed closely in tune with his Father. His desire is for us to do the same. Jesus said, “Give us each day our daily bread.” Praise God that Shan Dai Christians are meeting together as a church and they recognize how Jesus is the Bread of Life. He is who we need each and every day.
Mark
March 23, 2007 on 1:05 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
In his biography of Jesus, Mark describes the ultimate Servant. Event after event we see Christ’s character as he interacts with people. Tucked between Jesus answering the Pharisees’ testing about divorce and His encounter with the ambitious young ruler, Jesus engaged not the powerful or the rich but the meek. His disciples were brushing these little people aside, thinking the Teacher was too busy to be bothered. But Jesus values children. Can you envision His arms open wide, while children run to Him drawn in by His love? “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you, anyone who doesn’t have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14b, 15). God’s Kingdom belongs to those who long for His love and closeness. What a contrast between the religious know-it-alls and the children who are pure in heart. Jesus tells us our faith should be like that of children running into His arms. Lord, we thank You today for still calling children of all ages and all nations into Your love. May we run to You, holding nothing back. We pray for Shan Dai children to know You at a young age. Jesus, teach us to learn from You never to be too busy to reach out to the little ones in our lives. What joy we would experience if we would follow Your example: “Then he took the children into his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them” (Mark 10:16).
Matthew
March 23, 2007 on 1:04 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
Jesus, the Messiah of the Kingdom of Heaven, tells a gripping story of the final judgment. Sitting upon His glorious throne, all nations will be gathered around Him. Jesus will separate the righteous from the unrighteous. Then He will give to those on the right, the righteous ones, His inheritance: the Kingdom prepared since the foundation on the world. Let that soak in as it is a huge inheritance. Now allow God to bring to mind times when you were involved in the following: “For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me” (Matthew 25:35-36). The righteous were surprised asking when did they ever do those things for Jesus. Can you see Jesus warmly smile as he replies, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” (Matthew 25:40). The needs in the Shan Dai community are great; yet every community has needy people. How we respond to the people we can see is a true indication of our love and loyalty to the King we can not see. Forgive us Lord, when in selfish pursuit we neglect people created in Your image. We pray Lord for changed actions due to a true allegiance to You and to Your values of love.
Malachi
March 23, 2007 on 1:04 pm | In His First Bible, Old Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
In the time of Malachi, God’s people had given up waiting for a king, and without hope, like a whole nation experiencing a midlife crisis, they sought after carnal desires to satisfy their emptiness. Men took foreign wives seeking excitement; divorce became rampant as covenants and families were broken. Money was no longer given to the causes of the Lord but instead sacrifices were made with blemished animals; going through a ritual as if to fool the Almighty. Even the priests despaired and stopped teaching God’s truth to a nation that desperately needed it. Thankfully, God did not remain silent but again extended His care to a hopeless turned rebellious, self-centered people. How our disheartened hearts long to know belonging and love. It is no different with the Shan Dai. With new found joy and peace young believers were baptized in a small market town in China. Can their hope withstand doubt and discouragement as opposition increases? How will they respond to the village headman who says Dai should not be Christians? Will they give up hope when faced with persecution from their own families? What will keep them truly anchored in the Lord? Father, we all need Your love in our lives, for without You we have no real hope. The arrogant and evil-doers will come to ruin yet Your Word gives us great hope: “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings…” (Malachi 4:2). We pray for new Dai Christians to know You as the Sun of Righteousness, bringing meaning, belonging, healing and love.
Zechariah
March 23, 2007 on 1:04 pm | In His First Bible, Old Testament, PrayerGrams | No Comments
God values right relationships. Reflect on how you live out your faith in God in comparison to what Zechariah was told. “This is what the LORD Almighty says: Judge fairly and honestly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and poor people. And do not make evil plans to harm each other” (Zechariah 7:9-10). Sadly, even after generations of godly teaching, we can still miss God’s point. Father, we ask for Your forgiveness when we fall short of Your way for our lives. God, we pray we would get back on track with You. Out of gratitude to You, we pray today for a variety of Christian ministries that prove a new community for many orphans and Shan aliens that now live in Northern Thailand. May Your mercy and compassion continue to extend to these children and young adults, many who have lost parents while fighting continues in Myanmar. Although few outside of Asia know of the daily violence and the heartbreaking situation in Myanmar, You God, know all things and we ask for Your true justice. We pray for the strength to overcome the desire to repay evil for evil in our own lives and in the lives of those affected by war. Lord, as You change individuals with Your love and Your truth, whole communities can have hope. Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace. May we show honesty, mercy and kindness to one another. Let Your peace reign in us and through everyone that has interaction with camps for the displaced and orphans.
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