Praying for Taiwan and for the poor ~ 19 May 2009

Praying for Taiwan and for the poor ~ 19 May 2009 Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Taiwan Population: 22.9m (0-14 yrs 16.7%, 15-64 yrs 72.6%, 65 and over 10.7%) Death rate: 6.65 deaths/1,000 Ethnic groups: Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, indigenous 2% Literacy rate: 96.1% Economic and political concerns: Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing government guidance of investment and foreign trade. In keeping with this trend, some large, state-owned banks and industrial firms have been privatized. Exports are the primary impetus for industrialization. The island runs a large trade surplus, and its foreign reserves are among the world's largest. Recently opened cross-strait travel, transportation, and tourism links are likely to increase Taiwan and China's economic interdependence. China has overtaken the US to become Taiwan's largest export market and its second-largest source of imports, after Japan. China is also the island's number one destination for foreign direct investment. Growth fell below 2% in 2008 because of the global slowdown. GDP: US$738.8b Unemployment rate: 4.1% Source: CIA, The World Factbook. Prayer: Father, we pray for the nation of Taiwan right now. Thank you Lord for this nation, its people, purpose, and the plans that You have in store. I am excited O Lord for the future plans that You have for this nation. We pray right now that You would continue to raise up generations of righteous children that will be used to impact and influence the kingdom of God. Lord Jesus, we pray that You would continue to protect this nation, especially with its foreign relationships. We pray that You would continue to pour Your favour and blessings on this nation. No matter what though there is a reason for this nation and its people. Today, we pray that every Taiwanese would recognize their value and worth in You. In Jesus name we pray, amen. � 2009 Lee Shaun Tzen

Lord, though we have spent some time praying for the swine flu and all those that are sick, we pray that we would not neglect the importance in praying for the poor and for the sick. Help us Father to listen to Your voice clearly right now. As we pray for the poor, help us recognize that there are now millions more added to the list of critically ill, millions added to the list of though that have lost homes, malnourished, and below the poverty line. Father, it is easy to allow these statistics and the news to pull us down, making us discouraged. Lord Jesus, You are the definer of all statistics. Lord, we pray that in our lifetime, these statistics would be radically changed and transformed. Give us hearts of compassion. Give us hearts that care. Give us hearts that beat to Yours O Lord. As Your heart bleeds for the hurting and sick, helps us to care O Lord. We pray for Your hand of protection. We pray that You would continue to guide us as we pray. May our prayers be heard today O Lord. In Jesus name we pray, amen.