“…from the evil one”
Matthew 6:13b
There is evil in the world. You know that. Everyone knows that. It’s in the news and in our own hearts. Satan, the evil one, started it all and continues to stir it up and overwhelm us. I know your heart is especially heavy with grief this week for the injustice and violence filling the streets of America. As we cry and long for change, may these words of Jesus lead our way. Jesus ends the Lord’s Prayer by pleading with His Father to deliver us from the hand of our fiercest adversary. Take note in the Scripture below that our greatest enemy is not each other. It is the devil himself. Jesus knows that prayer is not just our defense: it is also our greatest weapon in this battle. Read these words anew from Paul in Ephesians 6:10-18:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
What is the first thing a fully dressed soldier of the Lord does? He prays. Just like Jesus in His darkest hour before the cross, we pray. It is quite appropriate that the Lord’s Prayer does not end with a happy solution topped with a pretty bow. It ends by reminding us that we still have an enemy trying to destroy us. May we take up the armor of God and pray.
Tent of David Church – UB, Mongolia
From Pastor Otgonbataar:
Tent of David Church, located in Mongolia’s capital, has been led by pastor Otgonbataar for almost ten years now. They aspire to become a strong hub for believers in the city, poised to prepare missionaries while committed to sharing the gospel right outside their own walls. They currently serve the area with services for children, teens and adults.
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray that Otgonbaatar, his family and their church family would remain healthy.
2) Pray that God would help them come up with the money for rent during the lockdown.
3) Pray that God would grow their ministry.
4) Pray that God would grow Otgonbaatar and his family in faith.
Church of God Monte Sinai – Diriamba, Nicaragua
From Pastor Gerson Castillo:
“My name is Gerson Castillo, and my wife’s name is Elieth de Castillo. We have 3 girls. We live in Diriamba, near the church. We have 80 members. We used to have church services 4 times a week, but because of the virus we haven’t been able to gather. We are praying so hard that we could meet soon. I’ve been posting videos of my sermon every Sunday so our members can keep learning about the Word. This situation requires us pastors to act with more wisdom. I do believe one good thing to come from this is that families are getting together and praying. I am sure people are getting closer to God during this time. I pray that when this time comes to an end they will continue to do so. I am so ready to see God’s glory through all of this.”
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray that God would heal those with the virus.
2) Pray for the lost that they would come to Christ.
3) Pray that God would give wisdom to the nations.
Purevsed – Ministry Director, Mongolia
About Purevsed:
Purevsed, or Puje, is WEGO’s Mongolia ministry director. He is married to Aaya, the director of New Hope Children’s Home, and together they have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. In his spare time he enjoys sports, but he also plays a mean horse-head violin. Puje was one of the first Christians in Mongolia after the fall of Communism. Since then he has been a pastor both literally and at heart, and we are so thankful for the ways he pours into the children, the staff, and his community.
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray that God would keep him and his family in good health.
2) Pray that God would continue to grow his faith in Christ.
3) Pray that God would give Puje’s children wisdom and guidance in work and life.
Keyling Lopez – Administrator’s Assistant, Nicaragua
From Keyling:
“I am 21 years old. I have been working for WEGO for 2 years now, and it’s been great. I really love what I do. My husband’s name is Luis and he is 20. He works at the car wash. We got married last year on May 24th. We are so happy, because the Lord gave us a wonderful gift. I am pregnant, our baby boy is due in July. I am so scared and happy. We’re just praying everything goes well with the baby’s health and that the delivery goes smoothly. I will teach him about the Lord so he can be a man of God. We haven’t been able to go to church because of the pandemic, but we are praying soon we will gather again.”
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray that God would give my husband and I a healthy baby.
2) Pray that there are no complications during the delivery.
3) Pray that God would protect us during this pandemic.
Alungoo – New Hope Children’s Home, Mongolia
About Alungoo (center):
This is Alungoo, one of the sweetest people you could ever meet. She’s 11 years old and she lives at New Hope Children’s Home with her little sister, Lyankhua. She can be quiet, but she’s open hearted, often seen playing with the younger kids and looking out for her little sis. Her favorite subjects are math and art, and she likes to read in her free time. When she grows up, she wants to be a seamstress.
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray that God would help her family and parents.
2) Pray that God would keep her and her family healthy and stop the pandemic.
3) Pray that God would help her to study well.
Josua Peña – Feeding Program, Nicaragua
From Josua:
“I am 6 years old, and I live in the Roman Esteban Community with my mom and Dad. Right now they are out of work because of the coronavirus. I love helping my mom at home and going to school, but school is also closed because of the virus. We are so blessed to have this food. I ride my bike every time I come to get food, it’s been awesome. I share with my mom sometimes. I love the chicken. We don’t attend any church. I thank the Lord for my health and my family’s, too. Thank you so much for all you do for all of the kids here.”
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray that God would help my grandma to feel better.
2) Pray that God would protect my family.
3) Pray that the virus would stop hurting people.