Nepal, a land of humid and fertile plains in the south, green forested hills in the middle and the majestic snowcapped Himalayas along the north. The people are ethnically diverse with more than 100 people groups and castes, many of whom have migrated to Nepal in earlier generations from the surrounding regions. Of the 27 million people of Nepal, the majority continue to follow the Hindu or Buddhist (or both) traditions which have been intertwined in the social fabric of the culture. It's a country where it looks like time has almost stood still in the remote villages where the vast majority reside, while the capital has become a polluted and bustling metropolis comprised of those seeking a brighter future from the rampant poverty. There is even a large Nepali diaspora who travel overseas in search of labour to improve their family's fortunes.
Since the end of the 10 year civil war in 2006, the governments have repeatedly failed to write the constitution. The main contentious issue is how to divide the country into federal states in a way that satisfies the demands of all the ethnic groups.
Prior to 1952, there were no churches or Christians in Nepal and the borders were closed. However, since then, the church has witnessed remarkable growth through the power of God. There is now at least a church in every district and many new believers sharing the gospel in the face of growing adversity in all levels of society.
It is in these uncertain times of real need that the Christian community of Nepal are uniting as we look to our steadfast Father in Heaven, believing that "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV). God transforms people and nations and we are uniting in prayer to see Nepal become a nation of righteousness, justice, peace and prosperity. Just as our Lord Jesus prayed for 40 days, so we, the Christian community of Nepal, request and invite you to join us for 40 days in praying for this nation and those in authority (1 Tim 2: 1-4). We long for God's sovereign work in healing the nation and we invite individuals, groups, churches and denominations from around the world to join with us in the 40 Days of Global Prayer for Nepal. We kindly seek your cooperation to share this information as widely as possible.
Thank you!
Ghanshyam Dahal CHIEF COORDINATOR
Bhab B. Ghale Facilitator
40 DAYS OF GLOBAL PRAYER FOR NEPAL 15 APRIL - 24 MAY 2015
PRAYER GUIDE
WEEK 1 (15th APRIL - 19th APRIL)
1 PRAYING LORD'S PRAYER OVER NEPAL (MATTHEW 6:9-13)
- Pray for God's name to be held in high regard, for His Kingdom come and His will be done in Nepal.
- Pray for the provision of the needs of the people in this land of physical and spiritual poverty.
- Pray for forgiveness and reconciliation at all levels of society - especially among church leaders so that they unite, embrace and forgive each other in Christian love.
- Pray for strength during temptation and for deliverance from evil.
- Pray for many Christians in Nepal and beyond to unite in 40 Days of Prayer for Nepal and to lift the nation up in prayer before the throne of God.
2 PRAYER AGAINST THE POWER OF DARKNESS (2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-5)
- Pray against the strongholds, for evil plans and purposes to be frustrated and destroyed and the power of darkness brought down.
- Pray against the wall of any evil acts, unrighteousness, idolatry to come down.
- Pray against the spirit of malice, disunity, deceit, injustice, corruption, crimes, etc. so that they will not prevail in Nepal.
- WEEK 2 (20th APRIL - 26th APRIL)
3. PRAISE GOD
- Nepal is no longer a Hindu Kingdom, and has been declared a secular and federal democratic republic and that the sharing of the gospel and conversion are currently not restricted.
- Christmas, as declared as a Public Holiday, makes easier for Christians to celebrate and share the reason for Christ's birth to the community.
- Every year churches go out in the streets as demonstration of unity in celebrating Easter Sunday with singing and dancing with play cards and banners of Easter messages.
- For continuing growth in the Church throughout Nepal (Government censuses claim only
- 300,000 Christians in Nepal but the local church estimates and believes this to actually be over 1 million).
- For the fact that people are responding in faith when they hear the gospel and/or experience the power of God through miracles of healing and deliverance.
- For relative stability and peace in light of the 10 year civil war which ended in 2006 and killed approx. 13,000 people and maimed and displaced many more.
- For the growth of the church while the making of the constitution has been stalling. Pray that the constitution will be completed soon and will enable the church to continue to grow in number and depth.
- For the Nepali churches which are catching the vision to pray for their country and for the growth of a unified prayer movement.
- Although persecutions are still the reality, until now there has been liberty to worship and share the Gospel in Nepal.
WEEK 3 (27th APRIL - 3rd MAY)
4. PRAYER FOR THE NATION (1 TIMOTHY 2:1-4, 2 CHRONICLES 7:14)
- For the political consensus on major and core issues affecting the successful completion of the peace process, and the writing and implementation of the new constitution.
- For the establishment of sustainable peace and stability, as well as good and just government with righteous leaders and a bureaucracy full of integrity.
- For the country's President, Vice President, Prime Minister, cabinet ministers, Constituent Assembly members, judiciary, defense department, civil society - that they can work together in unity for the benefit of the nation and the people of Nepal rather than themselves.
- For an end to political instability, violence, crime, impunity, injustice and corruption.
WEEK 4 (4rd MAY - 10th MAY)
5. PRAYER FOR THE SOCIAL ISSUES AND THE CHURCH'S RESPONSE (ISAIAH 58:5-9, MATTHEW 25:31-40)
- May the church continue to be bold enough to advocate and assign resources to address the issues of major social problems, including corruption, lack of education, caste discrimination, unemployment, violence against women, etc.
- For the proper rehabilitation of the victims of the conflict and also natural disasters. Pray that people would find God in their times of need and calamity.
- For Nepali young people to avoid drug-addiction and be engaged in productive activities, and for the Government of Nepal to create increasing employment opportunities for them.
- Against the trafficking of women and children.
- For God's value of life to be upheld in the laws and practices concerning abortion.
- For the children at risk of exploitation and holistic development of all the children in Nepal.
- For the church's response to social dilemmas and create a healthy society.
WEEK 5 (11th MAY - 17th MAY)
6. PRAYER FOR THE NEPALI CHURCH (ACTS 2:42-47, ACTS 6:1-4)
- May the Nepali Church be united in the vision and active involvement in PRAYING, SHARING THE GOSPEL, DISCIPLING AND ENGAGING IN SOCIAL WORKS and transform the nation.
- For continual unity in the Church in prayer and action.
- May the Church continue to be faithful in living out both the Great Commandment and the Great Commission of Lord Jesus Christ.
- May the Church be involved in and show interest in social work so that it can continue to be salt and light in the society.
- For continued liberty to profess and practice individual faith.
- Against the negative influence of false teachings.
- For effectiveness of organizations working in partnership with the church in Nepal.
WEEK 6 (18th MAY - 24th MAY)
7. FOR GOD'S KINGDOM AND REVIVAL IN NEPAL (ACTS 1:8, JOEL 2:28)
- For a renewed zeal and passion for prayer, and that the Kingdom of God will be established across Nepal.
- To see at least one church and one trained leader in each village throughout Nepal.
- For church growth among the Nepali diaspora around the world.
- For God to be lifted high and blessing to flow from the highest place in the world to the rest of the world.
