[1]ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)–The United States undoubtedly has been blessed supernaturally with unrivaled prosperity and worldwide influence, the president of the Baptist World Alliance and one of Asia’s leading evangelists told staff members of the North American Mission Board Feb. 12.
Nevertheless, there remains “sin on every hand” both in the United States and internationally, said South Korean pastor Billy Kim, and fervent prayer is likely the only solution.
“Christians of this nation must get on their knees [and pray] that God would bring revival to this nation,” he said. “There’s no other answer in our world today. We need men of God and women to pray that God will give wisdom to President Bush and all of his staff members to solve the problems that we face today.”
Kim, pastor of the Central Baptist Church in Seoul, was guest speaker during a chapel service at NAMB.
In his message, Kim urged staff to, “Pray for your country, pray for your president, pray for your military. Without prayer there would be no revival.”
He noted the role that prayer has come to take in the Korean churches, where daily 5 a.m. prayer meetings are routine.
[2]“Today we organize instead of agonize on our knees before God,” he said.
Even Korean Baptists such as himself can learn from other Korean Christians, he said, such as David Yongi Cho, pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul. While Kim said he prays about one hour each day, Cho prays five hours a day — and much of his congregation is similarly committed.
“I have no argument when a man prays five hours a day. Whether he’s uneducated or educated, God will begin to use that person,” Kim said.
Christians in Korea even now are lifting up the United States in prayer during a period when both nations are facing the prospect of war, the pastor said.
“Recently, many anti-American demonstrations took place in Seoul, so some of us got together, 100,000 met at the Seoul City Plaza, and we prayed for America,” Kim said. “We had a pro-America rally. That was a wonderful time for our people to get together, united, praying for the United States as well as South Korea.”
He also sought prayer for the nation of South Korea as tensions escalate with North Korea.
“You know, we live in a terrible world,” Kim said. “We don’t know what’s going to happen. But I am sure who holds the future. It’s the mighty hand of God.”
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(BP) photos posted in the BP Photo Library at http://www.bpnews.net. Photo titles: PRAYER FOR BWA LEADER and LEADERS VISIT.