Working from an Outflow of Joy

Acts 13:52

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Commenting on this verse, C.S. Lewis once wrote:

We often see our work as a command, an obligation or a duty. However, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the early church movement exploded with joy in the midst of persecution. Joy is not just an individual experience. The early church experienced joyful unity as they worshipped, learned, shared, and praised God together. Our work becomes the outflow of joy by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

This is what we want to see happening in the Dong church. We want to see believers living in joyful unity as they worship, learn, share, and praise God together. That is the end goal, but not an end goal that can be achieved by human hands. God alone can accomplish this.
We have the great opportunity to join in what God is doing through our prayers. What an honor to plead for those who do not yet know him! So, let us joyfully join together in prayer for the Dong people for a couple minutes.
Let us pray that they too would have joy, even if they must face persecution. May great works of God happen among the Dong people as a direct result of the outflow of joy of his children. As he works the hearts of his children, may this joy become "contagious", catching on among friends and relatives till we see thousands and thousands of people who have stepped out of the dismal darkness and into his wonderful and joyous light.