A Prayer This Thanksgiving
by Ajay Thomas
Father, we give you thanks for the Houston and Dubai Conferences.
All that we experienced and enjoyed came from your hand. We don't take it for granted. Instead, we return like that Samaritan leper and fall at your feet in thanksgiving. We thank you for providing places to gather, food to eat, and resources to fund it all. The word was preached, our hearts were stirred, friendships were made, and our faith was strengthened. We thank you. We praise you for all the people who served, in small ways and big, many without being noticed or recognized. You told us that you are not unjust as to overlook their work, their love for your name, and their service to the saints (Heb 6:10). Father, encourage all those who played a part in serving at these conferences to know that their labor was not in vain.
Father, we intercede for all those who attended.
It thrills our hearts that there were two gatherings in two different parts of the world with people who love you and want to see the gospel advance among South Asians. It thrills our hearts to get a glimpse of the works you are doing around the world in and through our kinsman according to the flesh. At times, we imagine like Elijah that we are the only ones serving you from our people. But then you remind us that you have many servants that we don’t know about and we rejoice.
Lord, we pray that the seeds sown during these conferences would bear much fruit. Forbid it Lord that the words we heard should be snatched away by the evil one, or spring up quickly but be burned up by adversity, or be choked out by the cares of this world. Instead, Lord, we ask that there would be hundreds and thousands of acts of obedience that testify to the Word bearing fruit in our lives. Let people pray and give like never before. Let people move to different cities and countries for the sake of your mission. Let people step out in faith trusting that you, who clothe lilies and feed ravens, will provide. Lord of the harvest, is there anyway that you will not answer this prayer? For you are the one who told us to pray it! Lord, since the harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few, send out laborers! Send out professionals who will help plant churches by opening their homes, hosting gatherings, discipling people, evangelizing coworkers, blessing their city, and encouraging their leaders. Send out planters who will lead the charge, take risks, make disciples, preach the word, equip the saints, raise leaders, and shepherd the flock. Send out laborers, Lord! Let the South Asian diaspora become a global missional force for the gospel.
Father, we intercede for South Asians.
One out of every 5 people on the planet. Don't let it be that they are the highest population in this world, but the least in the world to come. Father, have mercy. Open the eyes of South Asians that have been blinded by the god of this age and cause them to see the light of the gospel. Just as you said, “Let there be light,” and there was light, so shine in darkened hearts so they might see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:4-6). Father, you desire that none should perish, that all would reach repentance (2 Pet 3:9), and that all would be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4). So our heart’s desire and our prayer is that they may be saved.
Hear us, O Lord. In your grace, overlook all the shortcomings in us and our prayers, and answer better than we knew to ask. We look to you with faith and with expectation, curiously waiting to see how you will answer.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Ajay Thomas helped plant Seven Mile Road Church in Philadelphia where he lives and pastors. He also serves as the Executive Director of The Advance Initiative which exists to see a global movement of gospel-centered, multiethnic churches planted by or among South Asians. He is blessed to serve Jesus with his wife Shainu and their two children.