Elijah Project Restarted

Today I was sitting here drinking my coffee and reading my Bible and I started to think about the Elijah Project and why I stopped blogging my prayers everyday. I stopped because I started to feel as if I was doing homework, the Elijah Project was becoming something I had to do instead of something I really wanted to do. That's not what I want, that's not the attitude I want to have in prayer. But then I realized something...it is not about me. My prayers are not about me and how I'm feeling, my prayers aren't for me. Prayer for the nations is needed whether I really feel like praying or not. I realized that God uses my prayers and works through my prayers how he wants even if my reason for praying is wrong. He is bigger than me and my flesh. His works are greater than how I feel. Lord renew my passion for prayer, put a fire and love in my soul for the nations, give me your eyes and your heart for the people of this world. Thank you that you still use what I have to give even through my sinful flesh. You are good and powerful, use me Father. 

Country: Cambodia

Cambodia is a country that holds a place in my heart. After going there on outreach last January I was able to see and experience God's love and heart for the people of Cambodia. Before spending two months in Thailand and Cambodia, I would always say "I'm never going to go to Asia" but obviously God had other plans. He showed me a people who are passionate about their creator and a people who have truly grasped what it means to serve. He humbled me through being there and taught me how to love a group of people who do life so differently than I do. Cambodia is special and I have so much hope for this country, I believe it can be transformed in my lifetime. The youth of Cambodia have such an influence there and I believe it can be changed into a country that fears the Lord.  

Cambodia is one of the world's poorest countries. Years of war and genocide followed by venal and corrupt governments have hindered development and kept most of the population poor. In 1975 Cambodia endured one of the most savage slaughters in the 20th Century. Almost all former military personnel, civil servants, doctors, educated people, and wealthy people and their families were brutally killed, and the nation was turned into a vast labour camp. Internationally-initiated democracy arrived in 1993.

What to pray for:

All of the following was taken from the book Operation World by Jason Mandryk

1) The scars of the terrible genocide of 1975-79 remain evident. Nearly two million were killed, over 60,000 lost life or limb to land-mines and most of the population over the age 30 need deep healing from the trauma of their losses and suffering.

-Pray for justice to be seen

-Healing for deep psychological wounds

-A government that seeks the good of all and is worthy of the trust of the people. Violence, manipulation, graft, and selfishness hitherto have been the rule. 

2) Spiritual darkness persists in Cambodia and must be lifted by prayer. 

-Children at risk:The genocide created a very young nation where 60% of the population are 24 years old or younger. Many of this generation are sadly exploited by others. Pray for deliverance and salvation for these:

-Child laborers: Poverty forces 1.5 million children under the age of 15 to work to survive and supplement their family's meager income. 

-Sex trade victims: They number up to 100,000, a recent study estimated 20% of tourists to Cambodia made use of the sex trade, often with the young or underage. This factor along with others gives the nation one of the highest rates of HIV in Asia. 

-Homeless and Orphaned children

3) The Cambodian Church

-Continued freedom of religion

-Freedom and religion from past sin. Many of the former Khmer Rouge have become believers; receiving God's forgiveness for past crimes is essential

-Future growth and vision. Currently and estimated 11,000 villages are without a church.

What I am praying for today:

Father thank you for opening my eyes and showing me how you see your children and how much you love each person in Cambodia. Lord restore this country, rebuild what has been lost. Use the children of Cambodia to change this nation for your kingdom. Lord I pray for a country that will call on your name and your power in times of trouble. I pray for the young people to rise up and take a stand for you Father. I pray against fear in the name of Jesus, release your strength on your people. I pray for boldness and for revival. Transform this nation in this generation Lord. Claim this nation as yours. God I pray for the trafficked of Cambodia, free them Father. Free your children, comfort them in the darkest places, be their light. I pray for your presence with each child slave that is undeniable, be their rock, be their fortress that they can run to. Use your sons and daughters to spread your word. Lord I pray for this nation to change radically, let Cambodia be an example to the rest of Asia of what a nation living for you and on fire for you looks like. I pray against the bondage that lust has brought on this country in Jesus' name. Break the spirit of lust now Lord in the holy and powerful name of Jesus Christ. Father I pray for a steady decrease in the amount of sex trafficking that is going on, free the slaves of Cambodia Lord, bring justice to the trafficked.