I was reading "Jesus Culture" today and here are some statistics about Christianity (I couldn't find the ones that were in the book):
In China, there are now about 80 million evangelical believers - growing at a rate five times that of the general population. Over 30,000 conversions a day take place in China alone.
In Africa the church is on fire. It's the first continent to become the majority Christian (over 50%) in a single century. Over 25,000 new believers per day mark the growth of the Church.
It is so encouraging to know that there are so many people coming to Christ, when at times things feel discouraging. I kept thinking about what I was doing in terms of prayer for my city and the lost. I thought to myself, I should spend the time when I complain about not having anything to do praying for others. After reading the book some and returning home I had a verse on my heart...Isaiah 62. God read my mind.
"1 For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. 2 The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give. 3 You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. 4 You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. 5 For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you."
-Isaiah 62
We, as believers should have that same passion for our cities and the nations. We should let the Lord's love for the lost pour out of our hearts. God has compassion for those who have gone astray:
"My heart is torn within me, and my compassion overflows. 9 No, I will not punish you as much as my burning anger tells me to. I will not completely destroy Israel, for I am God and not a mere mortal. I am the Holy One living among you, and I will not come to destroy." - Hosea 11: 8-9
and He calls us to pray for those who may not have anyone else to pray for them:
"So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one." -Ezekiel 22:30
I don't know about you, but I want to see our city changed! I want God to delight in it and I desire for our city to be called by a new name. I want to see a city full of people who are passionate and on fire; that are madly in love with Jesus. I want to see mountains moved and miracles happen by an unwavering faith. I want to see strongholds broken and lives healed. I pray that there will be a change from living lives of contentment to allowing God to move in the way that pleases Him.
God, help us to transform the world!
