It was Thanksgiving day, and from the other side of the house, the living room TV caught my attention: Missionary John Chau killed. Instantly I began to search online and read what happened. He went to a remote tribe, the North Sentinelese people, off the coast of India to share the gospel. Many have questioned whether this was wise or if his life was wasted. He certainly prepared well–training in linguistics in order to learn their language and translate the gospel into it, among other things. It is a shame he died before he could get to know them, but I trust the Holy Spirit is using this to spread the gospel.
Here is a prayer I wrote in his honor:
Father, thank you for John Chau, who is with you now. I praise you for his hard work in preparing to go to the Sentinelese people, but I am also grieved because so much effort was put into this, so much learning in linguistics, all for him to be killed before he could get to know them, let alone share the gospel. His death feels wasted. Yet I know it was not.
Even if there were aspects of recklessness or lack of wisdom, you knew this–and your people are not perfect. You gave him his personality and I praise you for the great boldness he had. I mean, he shared that he was scared after he was shot at with an arrow, and I get scared even reading about it. Thank you for his bravery, his love for you, and his heart set on heaven.
Your church is built on the blood of martyrs and I thank you that even though his sacrifice looked crazy to the world, you are using it to spread your gospel to the ends of the earth. Would many who read about him around the world come to faith in you. Thank you that the gospel coming to the Sentinelese is not dependent on him, because your Holy Spirit is in every one of your people and saves in his perfect timing.
Thank you for the people who brought him in the boat, that they love you and believe you are Lord. Please comfort and protect them. Comfort his family and friends.
Bring great conviction in those who killed John Chau. You are compassionate, but your anger still burns against their wicked acts. Just as you blinded Saul and said, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” would you show yourself powerfully to John’s killers. Just as Paul, who helped murder Stephen, came to faith, would those who killed John come to you know you, and would you use them in mighty ways to advance the gospel.
Father, these are your people who have never heard your name. Give them dreams and visions. Send missionaries there. Next time, would they be waiting to hear the message of the gospel, that they may believe in the One who is already speaking to them. As John Chau said in his final letter,
This is not a pointless thing–the eternal lives of this tribe is at hand and I can’t wait to see them around the throne of God worshipping in their own language as Revelation 7:9-10 states.
Amen. Come quickly Lord Jesus.
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