Participants: Julia O'Carey
Series Code: ASAP
Program Code: ASAP000009
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00:34 Welcome and thank you for joining
00:36 the special ASAP Ministries program on United Prayer. 00:41 ASAP Ministries is dedicated to spreading the gospel 00:44 by being the hands and feet of Jesus 00:46 to the people of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, 00:50 Myanmar, Vietnam and other close countries 00:52 as well as to South East Asian refugees and immigrants. 00:56 We do this mainly to national missionaries 00:59 and by supporting evangelism, 01:01 education and humanitarian projects. 01:04 The easiest way to learn about ASAP 01:07 is to visit our website asapministries.org. 01:11 Prayer drives the ministry of ASAP. 01:15 We take seriously God's command in Matthew 7:7 to ask 01:19 because we know that apart from Him 01:21 we can do absolutely nothing. 01:24 Ellen White an inspired writer says, 01:26 "We're encouraged to pray for success, 01:29 with a divine assurance that our prayers 01:32 will be heard and answered. 01:34 The promise is made on the condition 01:37 that the united prayers of the church are offered, 01:40 and in answer to these prayers, 01:42 there may be expected a power greater than 01:45 that which comes in answer to private prayer." 01:48 When God's people come together 01:50 and praying the floodgates of heaven open. 01:53 We want to share three of many of the stories 01:57 we've had of the answered prayers with you today. 02:00 The first story comes from the country of Cambodia. 02:03 ASAP church planter and teacher San Makhura 02:07 has tirelessly worked in remote villages 02:09 of this Buddhist country for 12 years. 02:12 In the last year, since he began 02:14 using United Prayer daily in his home and classroom 02:17 interesting Christianity nearly tripled. 02:20 Listen, as one of his students 02:22 a young girl named So Cali tells her story. 02:32 I've heard adults say that there're times in the life 02:35 that change everything. 02:37 I think this might be one of those times for me. 02:41 It feels like everything in my life is new right now. 02:48 Six months ago I lived with my father 02:51 in the city of Poipet right on the border of Thailand. 02:55 He gambles a lot and well, 02:59 I don't really like to talk about it. 03:01 But he remarried and things got hard for me there. 03:05 So I moved to this small village to come 03:08 to live with my mother and two sisters. 03:11 Village life is different than the city. 03:14 Most of the people are farmers 03:16 and my mom also goes 03:18 and plants rice when it's planting time. 03:20 At first I didn't know if I would likely it here 03:23 but then I learned about the school my sister goes to. 03:27 I like school and I am a good student. 03:30 In my last school I even got an award for higher grades. 03:35 This new school is very different from the last school. 03:39 I think the biggest difference is that this school 03:42 they believe in the Bible and God, 03:45 my teachers very different too. 03:48 His name is San Makhura. 03:50 I've never had a teacher like him before. 03:53 He really wants us to learn so it gives us lots of hard work 03:57 but he also really cares about my family and my problems. 04:02 He has taught me that God is like a father 04:05 which is rally nice because I didn't really have one now. 04:10 There are so many things about this new faith 04:12 that I've really liked. 04:14 I like knowing about Jesus. 04:16 I like the Ten Commandments 04:18 and how the Bible teaches us to be good. 04:20 I have been learning lots of new songs 04:22 from the song book and memorizing Bible verses. 04:26 I love to help out the church programs 04:28 we have in Sabbath and during the week. 04:31 And my faith is growing. 04:34 My favorite thing that they've taught 04:36 at school is United Prayer. 04:38 Every afternoon before we go home 04:41 we pray together in groups of three or four. 04:44 There's a very special way that we pray. 04:46 We start by praising God and then we confess our sins 04:51 which is sometimes hard to do with my friends with me. 04:54 Then we get to ask God for help and for the things we need. 04:59 At end we thank God for the answers to our prayers 05:02 and for the good things in our life. 05:05 I really like praying. It's nice to talk to God. 05:09 I ask God to help me do well in school work and He does. 05:13 I'm getting good grades. 05:15 I also ask Him to help me be brave 05:18 about this new faith that I have. 05:20 Because, my mother is a Buddhists 05:22 and she sometimes tells me not to do Christian things 05:25 or go to Christian programs. 05:27 It's hard. 05:29 I want to bring many people to God especially, my mom. 05:33 I want her to be happy like I feel happy. 05:38 My mom has had a hard life. 05:40 She has no one to take care of her. 05:42 But she takes care of my sisters and me. 05:45 For last few years she has been sick 05:48 so now we have a lot of debt 05:50 and not a lot of food to go around. 05:53 My mom can't read or write. 05:55 Sometimes when she asks me 05:56 to help her understand things I can see she is embarrassed. 06:00 I wish I could take care of her but I don't know how yet. 06:05 But my new faith in God gives me hope 06:09 that may be He can take care of us all. 06:12 The school I go to now is proof that God takes care of us. 06:16 It's brand new 06:17 and that's an answer to my teachers prayer. 06:21 The old problem was really old. 06:23 In every rainy season it flooded 06:26 for three or four months each year 06:28 and the floor and desks were covered with water. 06:31 It was so deep that school has to be cancelled. 06:35 My teacher prayed and prayed for a new building. 06:38 Then the owner told them that old building 06:42 could no longer be rented. 06:43 They had to get out and they had nowhere to go. 06:47 My teacher and many others prayed even harder. 06:51 God answered their prayers 06:52 and money was given for a new school. 06:56 It took only three months to build 06:58 and this new school never floods. 07:00 So we can go school and learn about Jesus all year long. 07:05 If my teacher can ask for big things may be I can too. 07:09 And if God answered him may be He will answer me too. 07:13 Actually, He already has. 07:16 Ever since, I started learning about how Jesus 07:19 comes into our hearts and changes our lives 07:22 I wanted to be baptized. 07:24 My mom didn't want me to. 07:27 I was afraid she would never let me 07:29 but I decided to prepare for baptism anyway. 07:33 Every afternoon in United Prayer 07:36 I've been asking God to change her heart 07:38 and bring peace to my family. 07:41 This month she changed her mind 07:43 and I was baptized along with 15 other people. 07:47 My teacher says we are into his prayer too. 07:51 I know I am only 12 years old 07:53 and my faith is very new but I am learning a lot. 07:57 I'm so happy with my new home and friends and school. 08:02 I don't know what's next for me or what the future holds. 08:06 But I do know that when we pray with United Prayer 08:09 God listens and big things happen. 08:25 What a precious young lady. 08:27 It touches my heart to see how even young children 08:30 respond to United Prayer. 08:32 You may be wondering what exactly is United Prayer? 08:36 The goal is to join with others in communion with our Savior 08:40 so the Holy Spirit can fill us and use us. 08:44 United Prayer is nothing new. 08:46 It's simply a conversational style prayer 08:49 where people one at a time 08:51 pray short prayers as the Holy Spirit leads. 08:54 It works for groups large or small. 08:56 A facilitator leads the group through four main themes. 09:00 Praise, confession, asking and thanksgiving. 09:04 You can find these themes in model prayer 09:06 that Jesus taught His disciples when they asked Him how to pray. 09:10 We begin with praising God that shifts our minds 09:13 to who God is and what a privilege it is 09:17 to commune with Him in prayer. 09:19 Next we move to confession which is crucial 09:22 for an authentic effective prayer life. 09:25 That helps to keep the connection open 09:27 between God and us. 09:28 He promises in 1 John 1:19 that "If we confess our sins, 09:32 He is faithful and just to forgive us 09:34 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 09:37 Next we ask we can come boldly 09:40 to His throne of grace for what we need. 09:42 Not just for ourselves but for others too. 09:45 The bible says that we have not because we ask not. 09:50 Finally, we end with thanksgiving. 09:52 Our hearts pour out in gratitude for all God has done for us. 09:57 I can tell you personally that this way of praying 09:59 drives me closer to my Father in heaven 10:02 and my brothers and sisters in Christ. 10:04 It allows God to work mightily 10:06 in our behalf and is transforming lives. 10:10 Our next story highlights how prayer brought Preak Phally 10:14 to understanding of truth in God's word. 10:17 God worked across countries and denominations 10:19 to bring two pastors together in a way that 10:22 it's continuing to impact the world today. 10:28 This house is our old place when we worship on Sunday 10:33 but now we retain from this house 10:37 to worship God at the new place. 10:42 This is the picture of my church member Brenda Chase faith home 10:48 Sunday to Saturday and then we got baptize 10:51 in my own these people. 10:53 And this is also me and my family 10:57 when we got baptized. 10:59 Pastor Phally's amazing story of courage and conviction 11:03 actually begins over eight thousand miles, 11:05 away with a man he's never met in person. 11:12 Pastor Sophat Sorn is a Cambodian American 11:15 living in Stockton, California. 11:17 With prayer and a burning desire 11:19 to share Christ in his home country 11:21 he started a radio ministry 10 years ago. 11:24 At first, he had no idea how God would use it 11:28 or if people were even listening. 11:30 At faraway we do program here. 11:32 Its time go on, go on broadcast to Cambodia 11:35 and then we do not know how people will respond to it. 11:39 It seem like we cast the bread 11:40 you know in the rolling water we don't know where it ends. 11:43 But I pray to God all the time my family we believe in prayer. 11:50 Pastor Sophat prayers where answered 11:53 in an amazing way one night when God gave him a vision 11:57 that dream profoundly changed him 11:59 and he clearly felt God's presence 12:01 touching his life and work like never before. 12:05 I was ordained in a ministry in 1989 12:10 but I don't feel that I was full of spirit 12:15 like a Paul or anybody 12:17 but from that time on I felt that I was anointed. 12:22 I prayed the Lord on that day. 12:24 I said Lord, thank You may be You-- 12:26 You will that I continue to spread 12:28 the gospel of salvation through radio. 12:31 And starting from that time on 12:34 I heard people would have greater respond. 12:37 Of all the responses Pastor Sophat has received 12:40 from his Voice of Love radio program. 12:42 None stand out more than Pastor Preak Phally. 12:46 Pastor Phally a Methodist minister at that time 12:49 was deeply interested in what he heard 12:52 and the two began a life changing friendship. 12:57 Pastor Sorn Sophat 12:59 he rang me east from United State 13:01 and he asked me about my situation, 13:04 about my families about my life and about ministry. 13:08 And that I ask him what is the true Sabbath in the Bible? 13:13 And then he said. Oh, it's not Sunday, right? 13:16 And I tried to explain him that God worked six day 13:20 and then He rested on the days events. 13:23 As that count from Monday is the first day, 13:26 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 13:29 Friday and Saturday and Sunday. 13:31 So Sunday is the seventh day. 13:32 This is the holy day it is the Sabbath day. 13:36 I said well you read for yourself. 13:38 I share from the Bible 13:40 and we can share it under reading the Bible. 13:42 At that time he said, wow Sunday 13:45 is not the Sabbath according to the Bible. 13:48 So when I realized that Saturday is the Sabbath day 13:53 I have told to my church member, 13:54 my whole church member around 30 people. 13:57 And after I explained to them like this. 14:00 They say, "oh, Pastor that's good." 14:02 Saturday is the Sabbath day why not worship God on Saturday. 14:11 Phally and his family and 30 families at his church 14:16 become Seventh-day Adventist probably. 14:19 So from then on he asked me 14:21 to teach him more about the truth 14:24 because he want to be right with God. 14:28 I feel that he is like my mentor, 14:31 especially I feel like he is Paul 14:34 and I feel like I am Timothy, like this. 14:36 Because the all way support me and he correct me. 14:42 I believe that anybody 14:44 who becomes Seventh-day Adventist 14:47 they have to fill themselves before they can share. 14:51 And I share with Pastor Phally 14:53 completely of 28 that not believe. 14:56 Because, I believe the Lord call him and equipped him 15:01 in order to share the people the truth of God. 15:06 Then I left from the Methodist 15:08 I don't seem that I will become the pastor 15:11 or would lead this Seventh-day Adventist church. 15:14 We just want to worship God on the right day 15:17 but I thank God that I can become part of working 15:21 with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cambodia. 15:25 With fervent prayer and great enthusiasm 15:28 for the truth in God's word 15:30 Pastor Phally is sharing what he is learning 15:33 with all the Sunday pastors in his area. 15:36 I have all the group that Pastor Phally request. 15:39 He asked okay pastor, I have on the Sunday pastor 15:44 coming here about 20 or 30 people 15:48 and can't you teach them on Skye. 15:50 I said of course. 15:52 I really want to see many life changed to Christ. 15:55 I really want to see many Sunday Christian 16:00 they rely that Saturday is the Sabbath day. 16:03 I really want them to understand about this. 16:06 These men who have yet to meet in person 16:09 are united by a passion for bringing lives to Christ 16:13 and a love for their people. 16:15 God is using them. 16:17 And many others in Cambodia to change hearts 16:20 and draw people to His kingdom. 16:23 It is the partnership forged with the power of prayer 16:26 from its very beginnings and everyday after. 16:30 I said Lord, here is your program. 16:33 It's a your program, your word might be heard. 16:36 Please send your Holy Spirit to be with 16:39 so people can hear and they can convert 16:42 and they can believe that this word is Yours not mine. 16:46 And people they changed their lives. 16:49 They changed their faith their believe to us at cry. 16:53 I think that is the great joy and no greater joy than that. 16:59 The power of prayer is so amazing 17:02 and then we have to rely on 17:04 hundred percent on the power of prayer. 17:10 Yes, when we rely one hundred percent on God 17:14 we can expect Him to do 17:15 exceedingly above what we ask or think. 17:18 We long for each of you to experience 17:21 the joy of a prayer filled life that is used in service to God. 17:25 Listen now as Pastor Scot Griswold 17:28 shares and praise from his heart. 17:34 Here I am waiting in the Mekong River. 17:36 On one side its Laos and other side Thailand 17:39 flowing down from China and it just keeps going slowly, 17:43 slowly down towards Cambodia and finally out 17:46 through the delta of Vietnam into the ocean. 17:49 There it's connected clear cross to North America. 17:53 And what an incredible, incredible place. 17:55 I love these countries of South East Asia. 17:58 They are so beautiful in many ways 18:01 and yet so needy as well. 18:03 And yet we're connected 18:05 as children of God every one of us. 18:07 He is our Father and these are our brothers and sisters. 18:10 And so as I see them in their poverty 18:13 and in their need to know who Jesus is 18:15 I reminded that we must care for our brothers and sisters. 18:20 We're connected to them 18:21 and it is our responsibility to love Him with all our heart 18:24 so that one day, some day when Jesus comes again 18:28 and we're united in heaven 18:30 in one place from many nationalities 18:32 we can see those who because of what Jesus did 18:35 and because He moved through our hearts and lives 18:37 to give and to share to pray and to go. 18:40 We can be together for eternity. 18:42 Looking forward to that day 18:44 and I want to pour my heart and life into that 18:46 and I invite you to do the same. 18:53 Father in heaven, as I am standing here 18:55 in the Mekong River connected with Cambodia, 18:59 Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and over across there Myanmar 19:04 I just pray that You'll pour out your spirit 19:07 that You'll come like a flood to bring life 19:10 to bring help to bring the good news to these countries 19:14 that need You so desperately. 19:16 They're so many poor people and there're so many 19:18 who never had a chance to know Your name. 19:20 Your church is being growing but it is still so small. 19:23 Please pour out Your spirit on each of the workers. 19:27 Let, Your mighty love be seen through them 19:30 and the things that they do help the people. 19:32 Let them speak with boldness, 19:33 let them tell what You have done through Jesus Christ 19:36 that You were the Father of all people 19:38 and not just Americans or foreigners 19:40 but that You're their God. 19:42 Pour out Your spirit on your workers 19:44 and Your church everywhere 19:45 that we can rise up and be Your people 19:48 that we can join the swear of that mighty, 19:51 mighty river that will take the gospel 19:53 to all corners of the world. 19:54 We ask this through the almighty 19:56 the powerful name of Jesus Christ, amen. 20:06 Our final story is nothing short of miraculous. 20:09 And it had occurred because our brothers and sisters 20:11 in Vietnam united together in persistent prayer and fasting. 20:47 I stood speechless, frozen and feared. 20:51 My heart beat faster. my mind raised. 20:53 This man's face has been splashed over 20:55 newspaper headlines and on TV. 20:58 I knew the threat of danger very real 21:00 but somehow I also knew 21:01 that this had to God's answer to our United Prayer. 21:04 We were asking for miracles 21:06 but this was more than we had expected. 21:10 But I'm gonna ahead of myself. Let me back up. 21:13 There is a lot you'll need to understand 21:14 before we return to this part of the story. 21:19 It was only a few years ago 21:21 that my life was radically changed 21:23 by the Bible truths that I accepted 21:25 when listening to Pastor Isah Young sermons 21:27 on Peace and Happiness radio. 21:29 The change affected not only me 21:31 but also my family and over 500 members 21:34 at the Christian church where I was pastoring. 21:38 Being a pastor in Vietnam is the job 21:40 that comes with many risks. 21:42 But these risks are nothing compared to the love of Christ. 21:48 My heart burns to share the truth in God word 21:51 with ever person in my country. 21:53 It doesn't matter that Vietnam is communist 21:55 and against us publicly sharing our faith. 21:57 We completely rely on the power of the Holy Spirit 22:00 and do it anyway. 22:07 The city where I live is home to about four million people. 22:11 That's millions of people who don't know Jesus. 22:17 My church members and I felt we had to reach them. 22:19 So we began to regularly go out 22:21 and distribute sermon DVDs. 22:23 Each time we went we encountered difficulties. 22:26 Many people proud of their Buddhist faith 22:28 told us to leave the city and never come back. 22:31 Without fail the police would arrest us 22:33 which resulted in hours of interrogation and big fines. 22:37 It was hard not get discouraged. 22:41 Though some people appeared interested in the DVDs. 22:43 We saw little results. 22:45 It was clear that we needed to do something more 22:47 and ask when God reminded me 22:48 at the power that comes from these people United Prayer. 22:51 I gathered together the believers in my area 22:54 and asked them to commit to a month of prayer and fasting. 22:57 We prayed daily, hourly, fasting three days a week. 23:01 We prayed in groups and alone. 23:04 We prayed continually confessing our sins 23:06 pleading with God for the people of our city 23:09 and thanking Him for what He was already doing. 23:13 It was not longer after this 23:15 I heard that loud knock on my door 23:17 and I opened to stand face to face 23:19 with the man I immediately recognized 23:21 as the notorious former Viet Cong commander 23:24 turned mafia gang leader in our city. 23:27 I knew of this man's illegal activity, 23:29 his drug dealing, gambling homes and brothels. 23:32 I couldn't help and wonder what this man can want from me. 23:35 I have to admit I felt a little nervous 23:37 allowing this dangerous man into my home 23:39 but my desire to share Jesus with him overpowered my fears. 23:43 I reminded myself there is nothing too hard for God. 23:48 As we talked and studied together 23:50 one hour turned into two 23:52 and then the hours turned into days 23:54 soon we were intensely 23:55 studying the Bible together day and night. 23:58 Bit by bit he discovered how much God loved to him. 24:01 The Holy Spirit convicted his heart 24:03 and he confessed his sins 24:04 and accepted Jesus into his life. 24:08 It was amazing to watch this man transform before my eyes. 24:13 He realized this act that he was making 24:14 that gave his life to God. 24:16 In a holy boldness he immediately went to work 24:18 to dissolve his mafia organization 24:21 closing any business that did not honor God. 24:30 Everyone he knew he may contact 24:32 with saw a major change in his life. 24:39 His men began to ask questions 24:41 so he asked me to come with him 24:43 and explain Christianity to them. 24:45 God worked to reach their hearts and podium them 24:48 along with their families followed their leader's example 24:50 in accepting Jesus as their Savior 24:53 and decided to give up their criminal lifestyle. 24:59 He didn't stopped at just that. 25:01 He too wanted to reach down the city. 25:04 One day he had the bright idea 25:05 to hold the celebration of Christianity. 25:08 This was probably the first time 25:10 in the history of communist Vietnam 25:11 as such a large public Christian event 25:13 for success pulled off. 25:16 Masses of people poured into a rented home 25:19 I was invited to be the guest speaker 25:21 for the celebration and he shared 25:22 his powerful testimony of how God changed him 25:25 from media crew and stubborn person 25:27 into a joyful good hearted one. 25:30 Now, all house churches 25:32 have been established in the city 25:33 that including ex-gangsters 25:35 has over 200 members in as growing. 25:37 People are on fire for the word and in His word. 25:40 Over 90,000 DVDs have been copied 25:42 and shared with people through out the city. 25:45 Many are hearing the everlasting gospel message 25:47 and preparing for Jesus Christ's soon return. 25:51 I praise God for the power of the Holy Spirit 25:53 that comes in answer to the prayers of His people. 25:56 My story is one example of what United Prayer can do. 25:59 But it is not wanting to me 26:01 but He has done at Vietnam He will do for you. 26:04 God is waiting for us, 26:06 me and you to humbly come to Him 26:08 with praise and confession to ask so He can answer. 26:16 God surely is a prayer hearing, 26:19 prayer answering God, isn't he? 26:21 Has the Lord lauded on your heart 26:23 to unite with us in prayer. 26:25 Visit the prayer section on asapministries.org 26:29 to learn how to start a United Prayer group 26:32 and to find out of our ARME ministries 26:34 another great ministry 26:35 where you can experience United Prayer firsthand. 26:39 Right now, there are tremendous needs in Vietnam 26:42 and throughout South East Asia. 26:44 Ninety five dollars was sponsor a lay pastor for a month 26:48 and $200 will send an ASAP missionary to training. 26:52 We invite you to join us 26:54 in helping our brothers and sisters 26:56 discover the more abundant life 26:58 that Jesus promises in scripture. 27:01 If you have experienced God' blessings 27:04 why not give Him a special gift today. 27:06 God will joyfully take your gift and multiply it. 27:10 In closing I want to say thank you 27:13 to the growing ASAP family 27:15 that praise and supports this ministry. 27:18 You are a part of the miracles. 27:20 I really look forward to heaven 27:22 when I can meet you and we will all surround 27:25 our Heavenly Father's throne united in prayers 27:28 of praise to Him for what He has done. 27:32 If you've enjoy these mission stories 27:34 and would like to read some more 27:35 call and request a free copy of our 10 favorite mission stories. |
Revised 2014-12-17