by Jim Waldron
GUWAHATI, India (BNc) — The above date, though it simply designates a day on the calendar, is unique in that there will not be another like it for a hundred years. Not only so, but it is taking place just ten days after the United Nations announced on Oct. 31 that the world population had reached 7,000,000,000 (seven billion) in just twelve years’ time.
Here in India at the Northeast Bible Institute the students and staff will fast and pray for twenty-four hours from breakfast on the morning of the 11th until breakfast on the 12th for the billions that have not heard.
This step is taken in light of the example set by the church at Antioch:
As they [prophets and teachers] ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them”(Acts 13:2).
These prayers were heard, and the first of the great missionary journeys grew out of it.
We will pray intensely for these masses, but even more so, that we who are the Lord’s servants in this generation may realize the urgency of telling the earth of the church of Christ, designed according to the divine pattern laid down by the Spirit through the apostles (2 Tim. 1:13). For it is written,
“For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. 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? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:13-15).
Reaction?