Living a Legacy

I was born during the Khmer Rouge, a genocide that was responsible for the killing of millions of Cambodians between 1975 and 1979. During those four years, more than half my family members died. Fortunately for me, my parents fled Cambodia, and I was born in a refugee camp in the neighboring Southeast Asian country, Thailand. It was there where my parents were introduced to the gospel for the first time. From the time I can remember, I always saw my mom praying and interceding for others. She is such a prayer warrior, and I have learned so much from her.

Interceding for others has been ingrained in me, and I count it a privilege to be able to go before the throne on someone’s behalf. I was looking for a different way to pray, and my husband encouraged me to start a local house of prayer (LHOP) with a group of women. This strategic prayer model has been widely used among missionaries in our organization, Novo. I was a bit hesitant to start it, so I decided to ask the Lord about it.

During one of my devotions, I was reminded about God’s timing. Leading an LHOP or participating in one is no easy task. There are lives that are offered up to the Lord on a daily basis, and I could not take this lightly. That’s why I started thinking through who I wanted to take part in my first LHOP cohort. A few names came to mind, and none of them knew each other.

Despite my insecurity, I began praying for them by name. Little by little, two said yes, and one said “not right now.” The team eventually came together, and the LHOP launched on Monday, April 6, 2020. It was such a joy to be part of an intentional prayer movement during a pandemic. Our cohort saw God move in the people we were praying for! I also had the opportunity to pray for people in public, six feet away, and they blessed me in return by the comments they made. Keep in mind that the people we prayed for had yet to follow Jesus.

We live in a time when it is easy to be “known” by posting something unique, trivial, or creative. They are known as influencers; people who have made their way to the top of the social media platforms, and age is not a factor. The pressure to keep up with the latest trends has caused an influx of digital footprints all around the world. One no longer waits a week or months to receive updates about someone’s family vacation.

As believers, we need to think differently about how we influence others and what we are known for. Looking at the book of Esther, it is the very reason why Mordecai reminds Esther that she was chosen to save God’s people for such a time as this. In spite of the cultural pressures placed upon us, we must live intentionally. There is no better time to pray than right now! We are all ambassadors of God’s Kingdom. Who, in your circles of influence, would you like to begin praying for? How can you leave a prayer legacy for others?