At the beginning of a new calendar year, we do well to set definite prayer goals for the rest of 2021. As you may remember, we seek to glorify God by declaring “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) to Christians and non-Christians alike. We focus on ethnic Chinese, but are expanding our outreach to include others, including, recently, people in India.

For many, 2020 was nothing but the “worst of times.” The unfolding catastrophe of COVID-19 has wreaked havoc with economies, separated families, killed more than 1.5 million, and sickened many more. For me, the main journey has been inward, as God has led me into a deeper understanding of his loving purposes for all that comes my way (see Romans 8:28).

This Thanksgiving season, I want to thank God for some of the ways that he has used your prayers for us over the past year or so.

Do we spend our time and our money in ways that glorify God, or gratify our desires? When things get tough, do we “buck up” and seek God’s strength, or do we buckle under? How many of us are known for our calmness, peace, and joy amidst trials? How many of us hunger for the Word of God, seek first his kingdom, and make the proclamation of his gospel the compelling purpose of our life?

Since 1975 Dori and I have devoted ourselves to sharing the unsearchable riches of Christ with Chinese people. Recently, however, I have sensed that God wants me to enlarge the scope of my ministry to include other peoples in addition to the Chinese.

Now, more than ever, I believe that Christians should focus prayer on Taiwan. Why?

By loving our enemies, we reflect God’s kindness to us, thus bringing glory to him and showing the world the heart of Jesus, who died for sinners like us. But what does it mean to “love” our enemies?

By far the most important and effective attitude Christians can have or action they can perform is love, especially in this time of international and domestic conflict.

Though some would deny it, the testimony of the church throughout the ages says that believers in Christ need to repent of our sins daily.

We hear about “the new normal” a lot these days, but actually, for much of mankind over much of its history, suffering was normal, especially for Christians.

The question is, How will we respond? With fearful self-preservation? Or with faith, hope, and love?