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INTERNET PRAYER REQUESTS
May 15, 2012
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Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for
another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much.-James 5:16
Today,
ask God to give us some of His strength when our own fails. Let our dependence on Him turn our weakness
into strength.
The
Presidential Prayer Team, Open Doors Ministry, and Gospel for Asia
have prayer requests, and I have a foreign missions report that I have
forwarded below.
Please pray for a group of Iranian believers
who will receive theological training this spring on the topic of covenant.
Pray for the presenters as they communicate this material to these church
leaders. Ask that the significance of covenant will impact their own walk with
Christ to the point that they will be able to transmit this teaching to others
through their lives--not just their intellect. Pray that the group will build a
strong bond of fellowship, and intercede for their safety as they travel to and
from the training session. http://centralasianpeoples.imb.org
“May your ways be
known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere.” The
“everywhere” in Psalm 67:2 now includes Kasesha
village and Kapishya village in the Northern Province
of Zambia! Missionary Steve Schwarz has received a warm welcome from the chief
and headman, is doing house-to-house evangelism twice each week in Kasesha, and is praying for a Bible study group to form in
May. Meanwhile, missionary James Adair is using the storying
cloth to share Bible stories of God’s amazing love each Thursday with those in Kapishya, with great attendance and interest. Please pray
that souls will be saved and lives changed. “May Your ways be known through Kasesha and Kapishya villages, Your saving power among people in northern Zambia.”
The roads in Madagascar
are sometimes impassable. A four-wheel-drive vehicle with a snorkel is
necessary. There are no machines or electricity in most of the villages. The
Southern dialect is drastically different from the official Malagasy language.
The location of each village is unknown. Travel is slow, and temperatures are
high. It takes hours--and in some cases, days--to reach these bush villages.
These are a few challenges that missionary apprentices Adam and Suzie Hailes will be facing as they seek to reach the Antandroy people. Pray that the Lord will be softening
hearts, as these people are known all over the island as the hardest, strongest
and toughest people group. Pray for national partners to come alongside the Hailes family. Then pray that the people will accept
salvation and be passionate about discipleship and training other believers. http://adamsuziehailes.blogspot.com
On July 6, 1775, the
Continental Congress issued a Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking
Up Arms. It
ended thus. "With a humble
confidence in the mercies of the Supreme and impartial God and ruler of the
universe, we most devoutly implore His divine goodness to protect us happily
through this great conflict, and to dispose our adversaries to reconciliation
on reasonable terms, and thereby to relieve the empire from the calamities of
civil war."
I Thessalonians 5:11-13
Wherefore
comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them
which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord,
and admonish you; And
to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
MARANATHA!
++++++++++++PRESIDENTIAL
PRAYER TEAM PRAYER REQUESTS++++++++++++
President Barack Obama
on Wednesday endorsed same-sex marriages, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to take that position,
following days of speculation about his “evolving” stance on the issue. Education Secretary Arne Duncan on
Monday became the third Administration official to endorse same-sex marriage,
adding to the endorsements of Vice President Joe Biden
and Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan. Pray about American’s “devolution” from traditional
Biblically supported values such as the sanctity of marriage.
WARS
AND TERRORISM
Public
support for the war in Afghanistan has reached a new low, according to a new AP poll that
found 66 percent of the public oppose the war, compared with just 27 percent
who said they supported the effort. The
Afghan government condemned the recent Taliban announcement of the start of
their “annual spring offensive,” calling it cowardly and un-Islamic, and
pledging the country’s forces would thwart any attacks. Pray for
our military men and women and their leaders as they continue with strategic
battles in Afghanistan.
FOREIGN
INTERESTS AND CONFLICTS
A
growing number of Europeans appear less willing to “share the sacrifice” for
someone else’s benefit. The Eurozone is not on the
verge of collapse, but as its debt crisis continues, austerity is clearly on
the public wane. Truckloads of armed men
attacked the Tripoli headquarters of Libya’s interim prime minister in a new demonstration of the
lawlessness pervading the capital just weeks before the scheduled national
election. Pray about the global influences of actions taken abroad,
whether about European debt or Libyan unrest.
THE
ECONOMY
Average
U.S. home prices – down a third since 2006 and still falling
– will rise almost four percent a year over the next five years according to a
new forecast that sees home prices stabilizing by the end of the summer 2012. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar
announced the approval of a major natural gas drilling project in Utah that the Obama Administration
says will support more than 4,000 jobs during its development while
safeguarding wildlife and the air. Pray about the sluggish national economy and what can be
done to improve it.
ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST
Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formed a unity government this week in a
surprise move that could give him a freer hand to seek peace with the
Palestinians or form an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
A second round of nuclear talks between Iran and European Union members will take place on May 23 in Bagdhad. Iran must commit to halting all enrichment during those
talks, according to Prime Minister Netanyahu. Pray for
supernatural wisdom for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he leads the new
Israeli unity government.
HEALTH
CARE
One
in six cancers – two million a year globally – are caused by largely treatable
or preventable infections, a new Lancet article suggests. Most of the cases
examined were in the developing world. Late-in-life
depression is a likely early sign of Alzheimer’s disease according to
investigative researchers at the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division
of Research. Alzheimer’s is the leading cause of dementia. Pray for
researchers and laboratories who are seeking ways of preventing and treating
disease.
++++++++++++OPEN
DOORS MINISTRY PRAYER REQUESTS++++++++++++
God's
Timing is Perfect
Tamirat Woldegorgis, an
Ethiopian Christian imprisoned for allegedly desecrating the Quran, has been released from prison a year before his
scheduled release date. Read More
Glimmers
of Christ's Light in Darkness of Saudi Arabia
In Saudi
Arabia,
where conversion to another religion from Islam is a capital crime, the
Internet is making an impact, leading to both conversions to Christ and
increased persecution. Read More
Burma
Reforms Offer No Respite for Ethnic Christians
Opposition leader Aung San Suu
Kyi’s May 2 induction into parliament is being hailed
as the beginning of a new era in Burma (Myanmar). But for the 150,000 Internally Displaced People (IDP)
living in eastern Karen state’s 4,000 IDP camps, life is still about landmine
blasts, gun and mortar attacks and the possibility of war between armed
insurgents and the Burmese army. Read More
Urgent
- Prayer Requests from the Field
Opposition leader Aung San Suu
Kyi's May 2 induction into parliament is being hailed
as the beginning of a new era in Burma (Myanmar). But for the 150,000 Internally Displaced People (IDP)
living in eastern Karen state's 4,000 IDP camps, life is still about landmine
blasts, gun and mortar attacks and the possibility of war between armed
insurgents and the Burmese army. Read More
The light of Christ
dispels spiritual darkness, and we pray, Father, for Your Spirit to cast this
light across the whole earth. Thank You for the early release of Woldegorgis in Ethiopia. We pray that the work of Your Spirit will direct him as
he and his family reunite and look toward the future. In the midst of
spiritual darkness in Saudi Arabia, we rejoice that You take even
the human means of social media and Internet to pierce the hearts of people
with Your gospel. Hold them safely in the hollow of Your
hand and strengthen their faith. We grieve over the Christians in Burma who are caught in the midst of ethnic clashes. Wash over
them with Your comfort and peace, and sustain them
with Your presence. For those in need right now in Central Asia, India and Mexico, we bring their needs before You
and place them at the foot of Your cross. In the name of Jesus, who sheds His
light on our paths, Amen.
Praying with you,
Open
Doors Prayer Team
++++++++++++GOSPEL
FOR ASIA PRAYER REQUESTS++++++++++++
A few of you have asked for updates on Pastor Bashuda, who was brutally attacked with swords last fall,
and the field was able to send us the information below. The Lord is good in
all things, and I’m so grateful for your prayers for our dear brother. Some of our Bible college students could use
your prayers right now, as well. Thank you for your continual intercession. It
makes a world of difference. Missionary Attacked with Swords, Left for Dead
"After losing her father, falling into
desperate poverty, seeing her mother suffer helplessly, being rejected by those
she worked for, and hearing she was worthless, Kanti,
8 years old, decided to commit suicide." Read Kanti's
story of how God saved
her from the pit of despair and wrapped her in His overwhelming love and
acceptance.
Be encouraged on a daily basis with our Photo of the
Day. Download today's photo now and be blessed as you catch a
glimpse of God's hand at work in South Asia. You can see these each day
on our home page, and also view and download yesterday's photo and much more in
our Photo Archive.
Gospel
for Asia - 1800 Golden Trail Ct. - Carrollton TX
75010 - 800-WIN-ASIA
++++++++++++INTERNATIONAL
MISSIONS REPORT++++++++++++
I exhort
therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in
authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and
honesty. For this is good and acceptable
in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all
men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.-I Timothy 2:1-4
WORLD
LEADERS. Please pray today for President James Alix
Michel of Seychelles
(western Indian Ocean).
EAST ASIAN
PEOPLES. In the eastern region of East Asia, many
of the Christian workers are going through transition. It can be challenging at
times. Please pray for the Christian workers to abide in the Lord’s
steadfastness in the midst of such change. He is our rock and refuge when times
are challenging. The Christian workers also need prayer that they will meet
with local believers who have a desire to spread God’s Word strategically and
help other believers mature in their faith.
SOUTHEAST ASIAN PEOPLES. “Our island has been blessed
with many partnerships with fellowships in the United
States. We have more short-term teams than
we can facilitate. The major bottleneck is qualified translators. Every
volunteer team that comes needs several translators to facilitate
communication. There just aren’t that many good translators, and there also
aren’t many teams willing to serve without translators. Please ask God to equip
and connect field workers with more translators who also have a heart for the task.
Pray for volunteers who are willing to serve without always having someone to
translate. Pray for creativity for field teams trying to utilize volunteers in
a way that overcomes the language and cultural barriers. Ask God to bless our
volunteers as He brings His kingdom among the 52 unreached
people groups on our island.”
CHINESE PEOPLES OF THE AMERICAS. Please pray for those participating in a new worship
service that has begun in Peru.
Pray that the believers will be faithful to read God’s Word, grow in their
faith, and learn to function as a local part of the body of Christ. Pray for
seekers who are coming to the services, asking that God’s Spirit will soften
their hearts, enable them to recognize and believe in Him as the only true God,
and give them a desire to know Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord. Pray
that God will continue to speak through those who shared their testimonies at
the meeting in April and impact the hearts and minds of those who don’t yet
know Him personally.
ZAW PEOPLE OF CHINA.
The Zaw people of China
have lived in scattered villages across the mountains of southern China
for generations. They are steeped in ancestor worship, superstition and
animism, and often live in fear of the gods they serve. Only a
handful have ever heard the name of Jesus, and even fewer are willing to
follow after Him. Please pray for the salvation of the Zaw
people.
CHUABO OF MOZAMBIQUE (chew-WAH-boh). Leadership
development is very important for pastors and church leaders. Pray for a
teaching time in Nicoadala for six pastors from Milange district who will be studying “Understanding Your
Faith,” and for 26 pastors and leaders who will be finishing their study of the
Old Testament. Pray for Chuabo Team members John
Dina, Jim Oetter and Steve Jackson and for the
Mozambican teacher who will be teaching during this time.
RUSSIAN-SPEAKING PEOPLE OF UFA, RUSSIA (oo-FAH). Team
Ufa
writes: “Rejoice with us, giving thanks to God, regarding four people who just
recently repented and are on the journey of faith in Jesus, via the context of
an evangelistic Alpha group led by believers from Grace Church in Ufa. Along with those four, two
other people repented in other contexts and want to be baptized with the four
from the Alpha group!”
MBUNDA OF WESTERN ZAMBIA (m’BOON-duh).
Can you quote this verse? “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the
Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future’” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV). In the United
States, this verse is almost so familiar to
us in Christian circles that it loses it power! But the Mbunda
believers in western Zambia
need to be reminded of this promise this month. The Mbunda
live side by side with the Lozi people group. Right
now, weighty decisions are being made that will affect all the peoples of
western Zambia.
“We ask Lord, that You will resolve the issues in western Zambia so that Mbunda believers may live peaceful and quiet lives, in all
godliness and holiness (1 Timothy 2:2, NIV). Encourage the Mbunda,
O Father, that You have good plans for them!”
LOMWE OF MALAWI AND MOZAMBIQUE (LOHM-way). Last month you were asked to pray
for R and her Lomwe Muslim family, who were trying to
decide what to do about Jesus following R’s miraculous deliverance from demon
possession. After nearly 50 days, R continues to live free of the demon who possessed her for so long. She has been attending Bible
story teaching sessions with the new believers who prayed for her deliverance.
She has confessed with her mouth that Jesus is Lord! Her parents continue to
question their neighbors, themselves new believers, concerning Christ. Please
continue to pray for all of R’s extended family to choose Jesus.
SOUTH ASIAN UNENGAGED PEOPLES. Spending most of the
time in their homes, South Asian Muslim women are considered to be one of the
world’s most unreached people groups. As you
celebrate Mother’s Day this month, pray for doors--both physical and
spiritual--to open so that God’s Light may enter into the homes where Muslim
women live and work.
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN UNENGAGED PEOPLES. The Pedi
believers in the village of Diphagane, South
Africa, and the American believers in Virginia
are joining hands to pray, proclaim God’s Word, and
worship Him. Both of these groups, though continents apart, are developing a
vision to engage the Pedi with the Gospel. Pray for the volunteer team that is
there now teaching on faithfulness, obedience, holiness and false teachers, in
addition to other topics. Pray for their safety and health. Ask for the local
believers not to be hindered from attending this ministry. Pray that these
believers will be encouraged in their walk with the Lord and seek to share the
Good News with their families and friends.
MUMBAI, INDIA
(moom-BYE). Pray that more believers will step out in
fear of the Lord and not fear of man and share their faith boldly.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
(KAYP town). On May 12-20, the Cape Town Baptist Seminary, at which missionary
Ron Davis teaches, will be ministering to Cape Town.
During the week, the students will spend more than eight hours per day doing
evangelism and outreach through door-to-door witnessing, as well as working in
church planting and ministry in the neighborhoods. Please pray for their safety
and for Christ to impact the people to whom the teams will be speaking.
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN PEOPLES. Several missionaries from
the Kingdom to Kingdom Cluster went together in April to the Shangombo district of the Western Province of Zambia. This
area is very remote and poverty stricken. Serious followers of Christ in Shangombo are regularly threatened with witchcraft. Pray 1
Corinthians 15:58 for these believers: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be
steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that
your toll is not in vain in the Lord.” Missionaries Daren Davis, Jeff Lowe and
Mark Wint met with local church leaders for
leadership training. Pray that 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 will be true of these
leaders: “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”
BELGIAN NATIONALS OF BELGIUM.
Imagine standing hours for a quick glimpse of your hero. Brightly colored
racers fly by. The long wait is over in a matter of seconds. It’s one of the
favorite sports of the Belgian people: professional bicycle racing. Think
“Lance Armstrong.” Races are carried out over many miles and one or more days.
Portions involving hills are interspersed with riverside rides. City streets
may be blocked off, or the terrain may be wide-open country. People watch from
their balconies, sidewalks, and even atop their tractors. Children whose
parents follow the sport grow up knowing all the statistics about their
favorite heroes. They know where they were born and currently live. They may
know who they live with and if they have children. They may or may not hear of
their arrest for speeding in an automobile or if they’ve been accused of using
drugs. These are the sad facts of their lives. Belgian children rarely hear
much about God, Jesus or any biblical personage, although they have weekly
“religion” class in school. In a recent video of children discussing the
painting “The Last Supper,” one boy mentioned “the seven apostles.” Another
said that perhaps they were telling Jesus that His hair was too long. Ask God
to plant a desire for Himself in the hearts of the Belgian people so that they
will seek Him from their balconies and sidewalks, their hilltops and
riversides, in their cities and the countryside. Ask Him to change their hearts
and become their “Hero.”
PEOPLE OF THE HIGHLANDS OF JALISCO, MEXICO (hah-LEES-coh). “Thank you for
your faithful prayers for the salvation of the people in the Highlands
of Jalisco, Mexico!
Give thanks to God that in community SJ, we are now meeting in a home twice a
week with approximately 25 people. Many of these people have made professions
of faith in Jesus Christ and are now being discipled.
They are growing stronger in their faith and are sharing it with others,
despite receiving verbal persecution. In community J, local religious leaders
have tried to keep people from attending our meetings, but we continue to meet
weekly in the civic center with a group of approximately 30 people. Each time,
we share God’s Word and emphasize the need for a personal relationship with
Jesus Christ, rather than merely being ‘religious,’ as they have always been
taught.”
GLORYAK PEOPLE OF EAST
ASIA. The GlorYak
(pronounced GLOR-yak) people are an ethnic group living in the Himalayas.
While most have been living outside of their homeland for more than 1,000 years,
some refugees have only recently fled. Many live in the major cities in the
Himalayan region, but the vast majority live in small communities tucked away
throughout the mountains. These communities have developed unique languages and
cultures based on their common heritage. Most have never heard the Gospel, and
those who have heard generally have less than one in 1,000 believers. Only a
few of the GlorYak people groups have a significant
number of Christians. Pray for the salvation of the GlorYak
people.
PEOPLE OF SOUTHWEST
URBAN3, EAST ASIA. Considered
to be one of the least-reached areas in East Asia, the Southwest
Urban3 area is home to almost 50 million people, including many
minority people groups. The Southwest Urban3 focus is on
making the Lord’s name known among the 16 million-plus people living in the
cities. Many of these urban dwellers have never heard the Good News even one
time. These urban centers play host to hundreds of thousands of university
students from all over East Asia, as well as from
surrounding Southeast Asian countries. Please pray for the salvation of the
people of Southwest Urban3.
SOKOTO FULANI OF NIGER (SOH-koh-toh fu-LAH-nee).
There are currently several new ministries sites opening up among the Sokoto Fulani. A bush village that was closed in past years
has opened up to allow a journeyman to live there during language study. There
is high potential that she will be allowed to stay after language study ends.
Bible stories are currently being told through MP3 players and picture books as
she continues to work with the language. There has been no opposition so far,
only a desire to look and listen to the stories. Two other field personnel are
finding new villages located between their current ones as they travel on
different roads. Please lift up these new ministry opportunities, and pray that
the Holy Spirit will guide and direct the field personnel to hearts that are
ready to hear the Gospel. May many more have a chance to hear the Good News.
JAPAN IN
CRISIS. Well over a year has passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, but
the unemployment situation in the Tohoku region continues to be a major
concern. This is particularly true in the severely blasted Pacific coastal
areas, where approximately 65,000 people are still looking for meaningful
employment. In addition, unemployment benefits are running out and no one seems
to have a sense of when there will be help on the horizon. Many are expressing
a concern about how they will live tomorrow and the next day. In this situation
of tremendous uncertainty, pray that many will have open hearts to the Gospel
of Jesus Christ, our ever-present Helper in times of need and especially in the
midst of the storms of life.
NORTHERN AFRICAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN UNENGAGED PEOPLES.
Desert nomads of Arab descent, the Bedouin migrate with their herds across the Sahara.
These particular Bedouin, the Sidi of Algeria, also
engage in a bit of settled agriculture, thus making them only semi-nomadic.
With a diet of dairy products from their camels and goats, unleavened wheat
bread and oasis dates, with meat only for special occasions and holidays, they
are often hungry. Pray that the Sidi Bedouin will be
hungry for Jesus, the Bread of Life. The Sidi are
predominantly Sunni Muslims and, as such, are resistant to the Gospel. They
also dabble in mystical Sufism, which is the aspect of Islam that relates to
God with more emotion. At the same time, they fear the jinn (evil spirits) and
take precautions to ward them off. Pray that their resistance to Christianity
will be turned into openness to the Gospel. Ask that they will be free from
fear and free to follow Jesus. Whether they are settled under the stars of the Sahara
Desert or roaming across the
vastness of North Africa, God sees and knows the Sidi Bedouin. Likewise, may the Sidi
know Him as Creator, Redeemer and Guide.
++++++++++++
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MARANATHA!
++++++++++++
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