If you’re new to the Exploring with Jake series, be sure to read the introduction.
Have you ever wanted to search for buried treasure? I have! Our Sunday School teacher told us this morning that we’re going to spend the next few Sundays learning about an island named Sri Lanka where they really do have buried treasure!
Sri Lanka is an island just south of India. When you look at it on a map, you might think it looks like a pearl or a teardrop. We can use both pictures to help us remember how to pray for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka isn’t known for pearls, but it is known for having beautiful gemstones buried underground! There are mines where people can work and find rubies, emeralds, and other valuable treasures.
The country has also had its share of tears. The people who live in Sri Lanka come from many different places. Sadly, they don’t always get along with each other. From 1983 until just a few years ago, there was a terrible civil war. So many people died, and many of them left children behind without a mother or a father. Some parents, especially moms, have to work very far away from home to try to be able to take care of their families. These children miss their parents and worry that they have forgotten about them. Sometimes even the children work in very dangerous places to try to earn enough money to be able to eat and survive.
Missionaries have spent a lot of time in Sri Lanka, and they have helped many people find out about Jesus. But, a lot of Sri Lankans don’t trust people who have moved to their island from other places. Thankfully, God is helping the native Sri Lankan churches, the ones started by and built by people from Sri Lanka, tell many others about Him. The Christians in Sri Lanka have a big job to do, but they know that God is big enough to help them do it!
We need to remember to pray that each person in Sri Lanka will find out about the most valuable treasure of all, Jesus Christ. In the Bible, God even calls the news of God’s love the “pearl of great price.” We also need to remember to pray for the children who are sad and who miss their parents, that God would comfort them and help each of them know that no matter what, He is the perfect Father who will never ever leave them or forget about them.
“Dear God, please help every person in Sri Lanka. Please help them to understand that knowing You is better than finding buried treasure! Help those who are sad or lonely to hear and believe how much You love them. Help them know that they are never alone and never forgotten. Thank You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
Scripture from Matthew 13:46 KJV
Click for a printable version of Exploring Sri Lanka Week One.
Teresa says
Thank you so much for all of your work on the Exploring with Jake series. We are going to include this in our Morning Time Basket during with our prayer list!!
WriteBonnieRose says
Teresa, thank you so much for the encouragement! I’m very glad to hear that.