PRAYER FOR THE NATIONS JANUARY 22–23, 2015: THE WORLD: THE UNFINISHED TASK—RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS The 21st century is likely to be one in which the world’s religions [compete] with one another for the hearts and minds of humankind. 1. CHRISTIANITY has become the most global of religions. There is no country without a Christian witness. Over the 20th century, Christianity declined slightly from 34.5% in 1900 to 32.5% in 2000. The decline of the past thirty years in Europe has been balanced b y the growth in Asia and Africa. a. Nominalism (i.e., in name only) has become a major issue. In many countries, the “Christians” themselves need to be evangelized. Many traditionally Christian populations know nothing of a personal faith, true repentance from sin and a trust in the finished work of Christ for their salvation. It is estimated that 1.2 billion (60%, 2001 statistics) are nominal and non–practicing “Christians.” Many millions more trust more in their good deeds than in God’s grace for salvation. Many areas of Europe, Latin America and parts of Africa and Asia are Christianized but unconverted. Occultism (witchcraft) and sin reign unchallenged. Pray for renewal, re–evangelization and new growth. b. Christo–pagans who, while counted as Christians, are practicing occultists, shamanists, fetishists (examples of witchcraft), etc., under the [disguise] of Christianity. This is particularly [popular] in Latin America among Amerindians and Mestizo. It is also widespread in Africa, where many [native] groups are more influenced by [local] religions than the gospel. Europe and Asia, too, have millions of professing Christians who [combine Christianity with their native religions]. Evangelizing and making them disciples of the Lord Jesus is just as necessary as winning those of other religions. c. Sectarianism. Many genuine believers in Christ are persecuted or harassed because of being [described as a “sect”—“a group of people typically regarded as heretical”]. Yet there are millions of “Christians” who define their own church or group as [the only one believing in the Truth]—the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses and many other smaller groups. They need to be freed from the teachings that have trapped them.
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 06:44:44 +0000
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