A remote highlands village in Papua New Guinea (PNG) received a batch of godpods: solar-powered devices that broadcast the Bible and Adventist spiritual material in “Tok Pidgin”—the common local language. They were distributed among Adventist believers who could not read, and who cherished them because they had not heard God’s Word so clearly in their language. Other local villages wanted godpods but there were not enough to go around so a group of young men from a neighbouring village took the matter into their own hands, breaking into an Adventist home and stealing one. It was passed among many villagers until eventually a group from other villages approached the local missionary and asked to be taught more about God. We may have ethical questions about the way the message of God spread, but God’s Word will bring about a change when received by receptive people.
While in PNG recently I was encouraged by the plans for South Pacific for Christ by the PNG people, who want their closest neighbours to experience what God is doing in their country. When I talked about the plans the most common response was “we will pray for Australia and the Trans Pacific”. Their advice for the success of the harvest programs was “pray and fast”. For months before PNG for Christ, some churches would gather at 4am and pray for an hour before work. It seems that prayer is the answer to see God move in all the countries of the South Pacific in a similar way.
Here are two promises from Jesus worth claiming: “Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24). “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:13,14). Ellen White also says, “The greatest victories . . . are not those gained by talent or education, by wealth or the favour of men. They are those victories that are gained in the audience chamber with God” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p203); and “Prayer and faith will do what no power on earth can accomplish” (Ministry of Healing, p509).
Will you join me to pray that the message of Jesus triumphs in every country of the South Pacific in the next five years?
