Seven days, seven things happening now. Each day is a report from the field, in the words of the workers who sent it, followed by what Cornerstone asks us to pray.
They are meant to be prayed in order, one a day.
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Day 1 — We met a woman who takes care of 30 believers
A worker recalls a meeting in a small room in North Korea.
“She is a mother of faith. She goes to the homes of 30 believers who live in different areas, different cities, and shares the Word. When I told her about my pastor in my house, she ran to see me.”
The sister sat in the room, clutching the hand of an elderly woman with greying hair. “It has been a lifelong wish to meet the pastor before there was dirt in my eyes. God remembered this little one’s wish and has fulfilled it today. Thank you, oh God.”
Pray
Pray for believers who have come through nearly eighty years of suffering — that God would answer the prayers of those who have wished all their lives to meet, and open the door for them to worship freely.
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Day 2 — A large number of Bibles were sent
Over 8,000 Bibles, packed in a warehouse with no air conditioning.
“Today I have to go to the warehouse to pack Bibles again. It is hard to work in the hot weather without air conditioning, but I am so happy and grateful that I can send Bibles to the believers who need them desperately. This time we will be sending over 8,000 Bibles for North Korean and Chinese believers combined.”
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you.
Psalm 40:5Pray
Pray that the Bibles reach the hands of the believers who need them, quickly and safely; for the protection of the men and women who carry them; and that more doors open.
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Day 3 — The seminary graduation has taken place
Classes finished online; the ceremonies were held in small groups, in several places.
“Thankfully, seminary classes have gone smoothly, even though many ministers are being arrested. The graduation ceremonies the seminaries are able to hold, after classes are completed online, take place in various locations with small gatherings of students, because of the heavy surveillance we are under.”
Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Colossians 1:28Pray
Pray that the church is strengthened through the leaders who graduate, and that God protects the seminary each time it begins again — its location, its instructors, its students and its workers.
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Day 4 — A nine-day evangelism trip has begun
Missionary candidates in China finished their training and left the same week.
“Yesterday the missionary candidates from China shared their challenges, impressions and changes during their training, and the senior missionaries, church leaders and members gathered together in prayer. We left for our evangelism trip this morning. Please pray that the Lord will bless the missionaries as they travel to three cities in nine days, and that they will return home healthy and safe.”
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed.
2 Timothy 4:17Pray
Pray that they meet prepared people on the journey; that they are equipped for what they meet; and that more workers are raised and sent where they are needed.
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Day 5 — He wrote down the scripture he had memorised, and burned it
From a letter received not long ago from a member of the underground church.
“When I am overwhelmed and weep alone, I think of our Lord, who sacrificed Himself for me, and I say, ‘I should not do this.’ I wrote the words I have memorised on a piece of paper, and burned it. No matter what storms come, the truth is engraved in my heart, and I will not change it, and the truth will surely triumph.”
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
Daniel 2:21Pray
Pray for believers who must destroy what they have written in order to stay alive — that they are given peace the world cannot give, and that the doors open for the churches of North Korea to gather again.
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Day 6 — We are praying, and being careful, to help
Sharing food with a neighbour is itself a risk.
“I cannot thank you enough for sending food every time. The control regime is getting worse day by day, and I am worried that if I give some food to my neighbours in need they will make a fuss. I have been thinking a lot about how to help — and then I thought I should pray and start. So I am helping carefully.”
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Proverbs 16:24Pray
Pray for the protection of believers who extend a hand while under surveillance, and that more routes open for food and supplies to reach those who are going without.
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Day 7 — The Mission Academy
Twelve weeks: North Korea mission training, evangelism, Bible study and prayer.
Each semester opens with a worship service. At one of them Mrs Young Sil Lee, a fourth-generation North Korean believer now in South Korea, gave a testimony of how members of the underground church have kept the faith and passed it on through four generations of hardship.
The course is required for those who have applied to the academy, and open to anyone interested in mission.
Pray
Pray that the academy balances mission theory with practice and bears fruit, and that everyone who takes part is sent out having learned something they will actually use.
Next week
Seven days of prayer for the children of North Korea
Seven days on what growing up in North Korea means — schooling, labour, and the children of those who left.
