By Miriam, Missionary to Southeast Asia

In Amy Carmichael’s book God’s Missionary, she wrote, “God, Hold us to that which drew us first, when the Cross was the attraction, and we wanted nothing else.” This is our prayer for the people of Southeast Asia.

In this region, people are consumed with the prospect that their gods can give them something; perhaps money and wealth, good health or healing, a better job, or a visa to a western country. They believe that if they please their gods enough, perhaps they will be blessed with these various things. 

The Hindu people here do not understand the concept of a loving God, a God that would freely give his very life just for a reconciled relationship with them. Moreover, one of the main struggles here is trying to convince them that they are sinful, and no matter how many good things they do, it will never outweigh the sinful nature they will always carry. 

Each Saturday afternoon, our family hosts a Bible study in our home and welcomes both Christians and Hindu seekers. Recently, one particular Hindu man who has been attending consistently for many months requested prayer that he would still be open to the idea of God even after he did not get the job he wanted.

Similarly, I know of many other stories of people coming to church for healing but never returning once they have been granted what they wanted. They came for a temporary external fix when what they really needed was what Christ had to offer their souls.

People often seek God only for the earthly benefits they think he can grant. Ultimately, it is the cross that we want people to be attracted to. We want to see them drawn to the saving grace and mercy of God. Forgiveness and the blessing of everlasting life in glory is enough.

Of course, our Heavenly Father knows how to give good gifts and provide for our earthly needs, but that is not what we are promised. We are promised a cleansing from sin if we repent, not a perfect, healthy life. Please pray with us as we encourage those around us to seek the Lord and ask that God would open their eyes to the depravity of their sin and need for a savior, a savior that requires no good works to please him or any offerings that we can give; simply an open heart.