Honoring Old Age
President Ronald Reagan declared August 21 to celebrate “World Senior Citizen Day.” The purpose was to honor the achievements and contributions these people have made to society.
In Taiwan, the ninth day of the ninth month of the lunar calendar includes the opportunity to honor the older generation. This year it is on October 23. That is the reason that one of today’s news headlines included the reference to more than five thousand centenarians living in Taiwan.
In addition to the opportunity to show respect to those who have reached an advanced age, there are religious aspects to the story. Yesterday, a friend stopped by to visit. He had returned to Baozhong to offer prayers to his parents on behalf of the family. His parents have passed on, but the traditional religion and culture promotes the concept that those “departed ones” have the ability to provide protection and influence life’s happenings.
As disciples of Christ, we believe that we look to the Sovereign Creator-Sustainer God to protect and provide help. Please pray for our Taiwanese brothers and sisters in the faith as they live out transformed lives amid such traditions.
May they be reconciled by Christ’s physical body through death to present them holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation–may they continue in their faith, established and firm, and not move from the hope held out in the gospel. (Colossians 1:22-23)
Praise and Prayer
- The Taiwan Alliance Church Union will hold its annual business meeting on October 28 (Friday evening in Canada). They will elect denominational leaders to serve for a three-year term. They will review reports from last year and approve the plans for 2024. Please pray for a spirit of mutual love and unity to prevail as they meet.
- Disciples who are making disciples is a core concept of what it means to be a Christ-follower. Please pray for pastors and church leaders who must wrestle on a regular basis of how to do that in their ministry setting. We as international workers are also thinking of how to do this well. We are talking together about ways to encourage each other to keep this as a priority. Please pray that we will honour Christ as we do this.