Prayer Focus: Trust the Sustainer

It makes sense, doesn’t it?

Since all things were created by him, through him, and for him, it makes sense that Jesus existed before all things. He was with the Father before the world was made (John 1:1-2). Paul left no doubt about this as the words “he is” are emphatic in this text. He is before all things. No one else can make this claim. As creator, Jesus is sovereign, eternal, and primary.

But Jesus is also the sustainer. He is the God of providence who holds all things together. He upholds the universe by the word of his power (Hebrews 1:3). On the macro-level, he changes times and seasons and raises up and removes kings (Daniel 2:21). On the micro-level, every atom, cell, and particle in the universe is held together by him.

We breathe and give him praise because he holds us together. But here’s the irony: Unbelievers can breathe and oppose Jesus because he holds them together too. The God who gives life and breath to all (Acts 17:25) quietly sustains the life of unbelievers even in their refusal to acknowledge him.

Large numbers of Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims have made their way to the southern Caribbean and landed in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname, as well as islands farther north. These unreached people groups do not acknowledge Jesus, either because of resistance or ignorance.

But churches and missionaries take great confidence in in the fact that Jesus holds all things together. This includes the missionary endeavor. Missions is held together by him who is before all things. As we send forth laborers into the Caribbean Basin, we can trust Jesus to hold it all together. He will guide and provide. He is the sustainer.

This week, let’s pray:

“Father in Heaven, I am thankful that You hold all things together, including the missionary task. Please comfort the missionary work force with this truth. Please raise up laborers to reach the unreached in the Caribbean.”

Prayer requests for reaching the unreached in the Caribbean Basin:

1. Praise God that three churches in St. James, Jamaica have chosen to work together to plant a church among the unreached community of Hindus and Buddhists in their area. This is the first cross-cultural partnership of churches joining the Open Initiative.

2. Pray as ABWE comes alongside these churches to provide training and encouragement in this endeavor.

3. Pray for  God to open people’s hearts to the gospel and that many will participate in small group Bible studies.