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	December 2003
		A Quick Word by Paul Grayston
			Why choose France? Praying for a country is a notion that caught my imagination several years ago. Since then I've prayed for the nation and people of France. Why choose France? Because the French can be unpopular (so someone has to pray for them!), and because I travelled there many years ago and loved the country. Glimpses on the TV of the Tour de France or the Rugby team are opportunities to pray for the people of France. Seeing a Renault or Citroen on the road is another. When French leaders argue with the rest of the world I pray. Often the people of France are in my regular daily prayers. The most secular nation on earth Champagne, croissants, camembert, Chartres, Cubism, chocolate éclairs, perfume, high fashion and the many other delights the French have shared with the rest of the world have become blessings to thank God for. Madame Curie and Louis Pasteur, John Calvin and Jean Varnier: gifts from God to us all. French films and news items and articles about missionary work in France in CMS and ABM magazines have taken on special significance. There are particular reasons to pray for France: It is the most secular nation on earth, the home of the Enlightenment and sceptical philosophy, has a Church devastated by the Reformation and the Revolution, and is the least Christianised of Western countries. Many Australian missionaries serve in France, perhaps because we are often more easily accepted in France than other Westerners. Exported Some of the most exciting missionary work is among University students in Paris. This is a significant ministry which has a wider impact, as there are so many students from North Africa, the Middle East and former French colonies coming to France to study. The Christian faith is being exported from France back to countries where direct missionary work is often difficult. There is much to pray for. Resistant I will pray on for France and pray God's blessing on the French people, and pray for missionaries and churches in France. It's exciting to watch to see what God is doing in France! Praying for a country opens out our prayers and opens up our eyes. Which country will you pray for? A nation resistant to the Gospel like Japan or Sweden perhaps; a country where Christians are persecuted such as North Korea or Iran; somewhere where there is conflict like Sudan or Iraq; a small country like Fiji, or a major nation like Russia? Or will you pray simply for a favourite country or somewhere you have been to or always wanted to visit? Which country will God lead you to pray for? That is something worth praying about!