A Child's Wartime Prayer
Ever since I could listen, my parents encouraged me to "to dasal," to pray.
Updated Aug 23, 2001
"Dasal na tayo para sa mga missionaries sa Pilipinas." Ever since I could listen, my parents encouraged me to "to dasal," to pray. To pray thanking God for sending His Son Jesus Christ for my sins, to pray for those who were sick, to pray for a baby brother or sister (although God said no to that one), to pray for the Philippines, and especially to pray for the missionaries. All the way across the Pacific lies the beautiful island paradise of the Philippines, where the orchids bloom and the children play
among rice paddies. For all its appeal, national upheavals upset the tropical land dear to my family and me. Among recent problems lies a danger prevalent for many years: Islamic guerilla warfare. Presidents try peace talks, while missionaries have bravely shared the gospel in the midst of this war.
Kidnapping for ransom? Bombing subways? How did a religion spawn off terrorist groups that could commit such atrocities? One of the guerilla groups in the news today is the Abu Sayyaf, which just kidnapped about
20 people, including a couple working with New Tribes Missions. This dangerous group originated back in the 1979-1989 jihad, "holy war," with a goal to drive Soviets from Afghanistan. It has been sponsored by many of
the wealthy of Saudi Arabia, who practice a very conservative form of Islam called Wahabism. Founded in 1986 by an Afghan professor named Abdul Rasul Abu Sayyaf, its name means "father of the sword." Since the 1980s, the original members have been professors of a deadly university, training terrorists in Pakistan with methods used by intelligence groups like the CIA for warfare in
the Middle East, North Africa, New York, and the Philippines. In the Philippines, Abu Sayyaf supported the efforts of fellow Muslims who wanted an independent state in the southern islands, like Mindanao. They
previously joined forces with the even larger and more politically oriented Moros Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is also responsible for kidnappings, bombings, burnings, looting, and killing of citizens in these provinces, many who are missionaries. Their claim is that their god commanded them to establish worldwide Islamic states. An ambitious goal for a dangerously driven people.
Peace talks
Former President Clinton loved being in the middle of negotiations for peace in the Middle East, yet his efforts did not cause fighting to cease. It is the same in the case of previous Philippine presidents, such as President Fidel Ramos, who made an agreement with one of the weaker Islamic groups, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) by accepting its regional control of Mindanao. On Sept. 2,1996, when signing the agreement, Ramos announced, "This peace agreement falls squarely into our aspiration of total peace and development for all, especially the millions of poor and destitute masses in our southern regions." MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari was also hopeful, although somewhat more cautious: "We have to warn people not to expect too much, but this is not an excuse either, not to maximize our efforts." Sources reported, "The government hoped that the agreement would show how popular aspirations for social justice and self-determination could be met by peaceful political struggle - without resorting to a war for secession (in the case of the MILF) or to overthrowing the government (as in the case of the armed left)." Unfortunately, like sand running through a sieve, the peace fell through, and fighting continues, endangering innocent Filipinos and tourists in the
meantime.
Combatting the enemy with the sword of truth, missionaries settle in areas, especially in southern regions, to preach the gospel. Researchers in the Philippines identified in January of 1996 some 12 unreached people groups for
the Philippines, using the Joshua Project criteria of at least 10,000 population and fewer than 100 believers (that is, less than 1 percent Christian). This can be very dangerous work, as is shown by the kidnapping of missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, among 20 other hostages from the resort of Palawan. The group, Abu Sayyaf, went on, kidnapping more hostages as they clashed with the government. A band of courageous Christians, called the Jesus Miracle Crusade (JMC), offered to be prayer warriors and insisted on visiting the hostages being held by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, Mindanao. Armed with Bibles and Christian pamphlets, the JMC members reportedly handed out the literature, which Abu Sayyaf members just as quickly burned. That was just recently, and now there have been unconfirmed reports from newspapers that sources say that these prayer warriors have been taken as hostages with a 10 million peso ransom. Still, missionaries continue, keeping in mind the great love of God and the Great Commission. The 6 to 7 million Muslims of the southern Philippines have a long history of grievances against Christians. Spaniards who peopled the Philippines persecuted the Muslims for not accepting Catholicism. When the Philippines came under U.S. control, large corporations took over vast tracks of Muslim land and used northern, Catholic farmers to work the land. When the Philippines became independent, Muslims still suffered, and committed acts of violence against Catholic Filipinos who lived among them. Some Muslims, confused in the early days by the Spanish, who forced them into Catholicism, resent anything they consider "Christian." Slowly, more and more Muslims do listen, although conversion can be costly. Their decisions for Christ cost them their families and jobs; surely, they demonstrate forsaking the whole world for Christ.
So what can we do? Should I just shake my head and say, "Kawawa naman, sila," in pity? After all, lives are being torn apart in those tiny islands of the great Pacific, Christians and non-Christians alike, who are in the
midst of gunfire. We must assure that something like that will never occur on American soil. America must keep her religious freedoms intact, allowing people to have their own opinions but not forcing others to accept them. For example, a seemingly small thing such as Christians praying among themselves should not be held against them, and the people of this land must not let issues escalate to the level they have reached in the Philippines.
Support for the missionaries that do go off into those parts of the world should be strong. It is dangerous, but those who are called should not be discouraged from carrying out the work God has called them to do. Monetary support is also important, as missionaries need to be able to survive in order to proclaim the good news. The most important thing to do to win this war -- spiritual and physical -- is to pray. And so, the little child has grown up to be the young woman who still prays each night:
"Dear God, thank You for this day You've let me live. I thank You most of all for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins. Help me as I try to firmly trust in that and daily live with Your promises in mind. I pray for those who are sick. Please keep my family and friends healthy and strong.
The leaders of the nations come to mind, especially President Bush and Phillipines President Gloria Arroyo. Lord, You know how hard being a missionary is, so I pray for protection and for the efforts of missionaries all across the four corners of the earth, and especially in the Philippines. In Jesus' name, Amen."
among rice paddies. For all its appeal, national upheavals upset the tropical land dear to my family and me. Among recent problems lies a danger prevalent for many years: Islamic guerilla warfare. Presidents try peace talks, while missionaries have bravely shared the gospel in the midst of this war.
Kidnapping for ransom? Bombing subways? How did a religion spawn off terrorist groups that could commit such atrocities? One of the guerilla groups in the news today is the Abu Sayyaf, which just kidnapped about
20 people, including a couple working with New Tribes Missions. This dangerous group originated back in the 1979-1989 jihad, "holy war," with a goal to drive Soviets from Afghanistan. It has been sponsored by many of
the wealthy of Saudi Arabia, who practice a very conservative form of Islam called Wahabism. Founded in 1986 by an Afghan professor named Abdul Rasul Abu Sayyaf, its name means "father of the sword." Since the 1980s, the original members have been professors of a deadly university, training terrorists in Pakistan with methods used by intelligence groups like the CIA for warfare in
the Middle East, North Africa, New York, and the Philippines. In the Philippines, Abu Sayyaf supported the efforts of fellow Muslims who wanted an independent state in the southern islands, like Mindanao. They
previously joined forces with the even larger and more politically oriented Moros Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is also responsible for kidnappings, bombings, burnings, looting, and killing of citizens in these provinces, many who are missionaries. Their claim is that their god commanded them to establish worldwide Islamic states. An ambitious goal for a dangerously driven people.
Peace talks
Former President Clinton loved being in the middle of negotiations for peace in the Middle East, yet his efforts did not cause fighting to cease. It is the same in the case of previous Philippine presidents, such as President Fidel Ramos, who made an agreement with one of the weaker Islamic groups, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) by accepting its regional control of Mindanao. On Sept. 2,1996, when signing the agreement, Ramos announced, "This peace agreement falls squarely into our aspiration of total peace and development for all, especially the millions of poor and destitute masses in our southern regions." MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari was also hopeful, although somewhat more cautious: "We have to warn people not to expect too much, but this is not an excuse either, not to maximize our efforts." Sources reported, "The government hoped that the agreement would show how popular aspirations for social justice and self-determination could be met by peaceful political struggle - without resorting to a war for secession (in the case of the MILF) or to overthrowing the government (as in the case of the armed left)." Unfortunately, like sand running through a sieve, the peace fell through, and fighting continues, endangering innocent Filipinos and tourists in the
meantime.
Combatting the enemy with the sword of truth, missionaries settle in areas, especially in southern regions, to preach the gospel. Researchers in the Philippines identified in January of 1996 some 12 unreached people groups for
the Philippines, using the Joshua Project criteria of at least 10,000 population and fewer than 100 believers (that is, less than 1 percent Christian). This can be very dangerous work, as is shown by the kidnapping of missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, among 20 other hostages from the resort of Palawan. The group, Abu Sayyaf, went on, kidnapping more hostages as they clashed with the government. A band of courageous Christians, called the Jesus Miracle Crusade (JMC), offered to be prayer warriors and insisted on visiting the hostages being held by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, Mindanao. Armed with Bibles and Christian pamphlets, the JMC members reportedly handed out the literature, which Abu Sayyaf members just as quickly burned. That was just recently, and now there have been unconfirmed reports from newspapers that sources say that these prayer warriors have been taken as hostages with a 10 million peso ransom. Still, missionaries continue, keeping in mind the great love of God and the Great Commission. The 6 to 7 million Muslims of the southern Philippines have a long history of grievances against Christians. Spaniards who peopled the Philippines persecuted the Muslims for not accepting Catholicism. When the Philippines came under U.S. control, large corporations took over vast tracks of Muslim land and used northern, Catholic farmers to work the land. When the Philippines became independent, Muslims still suffered, and committed acts of violence against Catholic Filipinos who lived among them. Some Muslims, confused in the early days by the Spanish, who forced them into Catholicism, resent anything they consider "Christian." Slowly, more and more Muslims do listen, although conversion can be costly. Their decisions for Christ cost them their families and jobs; surely, they demonstrate forsaking the whole world for Christ.
So what can we do? Should I just shake my head and say, "Kawawa naman, sila," in pity? After all, lives are being torn apart in those tiny islands of the great Pacific, Christians and non-Christians alike, who are in the
midst of gunfire. We must assure that something like that will never occur on American soil. America must keep her religious freedoms intact, allowing people to have their own opinions but not forcing others to accept them. For example, a seemingly small thing such as Christians praying among themselves should not be held against them, and the people of this land must not let issues escalate to the level they have reached in the Philippines.
Support for the missionaries that do go off into those parts of the world should be strong. It is dangerous, but those who are called should not be discouraged from carrying out the work God has called them to do. Monetary support is also important, as missionaries need to be able to survive in order to proclaim the good news. The most important thing to do to win this war -- spiritual and physical -- is to pray. And so, the little child has grown up to be the young woman who still prays each night:
"Dear God, thank You for this day You've let me live. I thank You most of all for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins. Help me as I try to firmly trust in that and daily live with Your promises in mind. I pray for those who are sick. Please keep my family and friends healthy and strong.
The leaders of the nations come to mind, especially President Bush and Phillipines President Gloria Arroyo. Lord, You know how hard being a missionary is, so I pray for protection and for the efforts of missionaries all across the four corners of the earth, and especially in the Philippines. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Originally published August 23, 2001.
