There
are 50 independent countries in Asia of which Christianity constitute a
widespread minority. According to
Britannica Book of the year 2014, there are 364 million Christians in Asia
constituting 12.6% of total population.
Out
of the 50 countries only 6 countries are predominately Christians. They are
Asia Russia, Cyprus, Philippines, East Timor, Armenia and Georgia.
CYPRUS
Christianity
in Cyprus is the largest religion making up 78% of the Islands population. The
largest branch is the Greek Orthodox Church, while the rest are smaller
religious groups of Anglicans, Roman and Latin Christians, Maronite, Armenian
Orthodox, Greek Evangelic, Jews and others.
Islam
forms about 18% of the population and this is mainly in Northern Cyprus.
In
the Orthodox Church the doctrine emphasises on the mystery of God’s grace
rather than salvation, through works and knowledge. They recognise the seven
sacrament: baptism in infancy, followed by confirmation with consecrated oil,
penance,( reconciliation), Eucharist (Holy Communion), Matrimony (Marriage),
ordination and unction in time of sickness or when near death. For much of the
population, religion is centred on prayer at home, reverence or worship of
icons, and observance of certain feast days of the
Orthodox calendar. (Wikipedia)
Acts 13:2-4
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said,
Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.3 And
when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them
away.4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost,
departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailedto Cyprus.
Romans 10:1 -4 KJV
Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for
Israel is, that they might be saved.2 For I bear them
record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.3 For
they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their
own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.4 For
Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.
Prayer
·
Thank God for the
continent of Asia most especially for Cyprus.
·
Lord, it is your desire for all to be saved; send forth help to the Christians in
Cyprus.
·
Lord
, open the gate/door of Cyprus to the complete Gospel of Christ Jesus.
·
They
have zeal but not according to knowledge, Lord, grant them wisdom to see
clearly and really understand who Christ is and all that he has done for them.
Cause them to know you the only True God.
·
Lord,
deliver them from every fragmented gospel.
·
Lord
Jesus, we submit Cyprus and the whole of Asia and its people at the feet of the
Cross. Let your Word, the full gospel find expression in the land and the heart
of the people of Cyprus and Asia.
Romans 10: 13 – 15 KJV
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved 14 How
then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they
believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a
preacher?15 And how shall they preach, except they be
sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the
gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things
Prayer
·
Lord, stir up the hearts of all those in Cyprus to believe you. Let faith arise in
the heart of the people.
·
Every
obstruction to believing, every doctrinal issue that is not in line with the
word of God, we remove, destroy and uproot. Replace every hardness of heart
with a heart of flesh. A heart that is receptive to the complete Gospel of
Jesus.
·
Open
the ears of the people of Cyprus to hear your Word. Remove every hindrance to
hearing.
·
Lord,
raise men who have encountered the Cross to preach the Word. Men whose message
will be Jesus and Him crucified.
·
Raise
men who have denied themselves, taken up their Cross to follow you. Men not
seeking gratification and fame.
·
Lord,
raise disciples in Cyprus, men who will replicate the life of
Jesus in others.
·
Holy
Spirit, grant your children boldness to GO and teach your people the complete
Gospel, the Full Gospel of our Lord.
·
Lord,
lay hold of Cyprus and the continent of Asia. We lay claim to our inheritance
of given us the nations. Cyprus and the whole of Asia are part of this
inheritance and we receive them unto the Lord with a heart of
thanksgiving. Lord, we are grateful.
