As conflict continues in the country that is home to the Tribe of Peace people, pray for those who have remained there. Grief permeates the air, as it is believed that there continues to be a large number of deaths. Famine and disease are also adding to the suffering of that region. Pray for an end to the conflict and to the atrocities that are taking place. Pray for aid to reach the suffering. Pray that many Tribe of Peace people will be called out of darkness and into God's marvelous light.
During the month, there will be gatherings of pastors and leaders who will receive training. Pray for those leading these meetings as they travel and speak. Ask that those participating will learn well and use the new knowledge in their places of service. Intercede for their fellowship and encouragement during these meetings.
(suh-POHR-oh) - Many churches in Sapporo saw new people come to their Christmas or candlelight worship services. As the new year began, some of those churches opened their doors for a New Year's Day worship service also! Faithful believers and others who were in town visiting family came to hear the Word preached and songs of joy sung as they saw other Japanese standing in lines to enter a nearby temple. Praise the Father for these faithful brothers and sisters who made time to join with others to begin this new year in the Lord's house.
pray4APAC@imb.org
A new semester is beginning for the Missionary Training Center. The training center has completed its first semester with over 20 students, including four women, and two sweet babies. The students have completed eight weeks of training and will complete eight more this spring. The framework is based on the core missionary task (entry, evangelism, discipleship, healthy church formation, leadership development, and exit to partnership). Students come from three countries and many tribes. Pray for each of these students to be bold, as they will be sent out to share the gospel, often in places that can be dangerous to be a Christian. Pray for their local churches who are sending them to be strong supporters of their missionaries. Give thanks to God that they are choosing to answer the call and take the gospel to those around them!
http://www.imb.org/sub-saharan-africa/
"In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16 ESV). Down in the trenches, the soldiers of Christ duck for cover at every spiritual grenade thrown at them. Their shield of faith is all they have to block the schemes of the evil one. When the evil one seems to be taking over, they grasp for hope, look up, and find reinforcements racing over the hill. How beautiful it is when God's people work together in unity! On the coast of northern Mozambique, a spiritual war is rampant. The evil one's troops are large, and the armies of God's kingdom are small in number. Please pray that they will hold on to their shield of faith, look with eyes fixed on their Commander in Chief, Jesus, and fight together in unity. Pray against any schemes to divide and separate, and pray that God's army will fight together as one body, with one Spirit, for one great calling of hope.
http://www.imb.org/sub-saharan-africa/
About a year and a half ago, you were asked to pray for Jabir and Racha, a North African brother and sister who are growing up between two worlds, as they are from a traditional family living in secular Europe. They have been in regular contact with some believing friends, and recently the believers met their mother, Adilah, who has agreed to meet one day for coffee. Pray for Adilah as she meets with these friends. In the days leading up to that time, ask God to give her questions and even dreams about Jesus, and pray that Adilah will want to hear about Him. Ask God to transform this sweet family by the power of the gospel.
Missionary Explorer Ada Woods asks for prayer for a Catholic people group: "Pray for the older generation who are strong in their Catholic roots, and for the younger generation who are struggling with organized religion. There are many who have had difficult experiences in the church and do not feel they have a good way to approach Christ."
http://www.imb.org/project-3000/
Missionary Explorers Tommy and Keith ask for "prayers for continued open doors to equip believers in evangelism as we are on our Project 3000 outings."
http://www.imb.org/project-3000/
Missionary Explorer Anna Blount asks for prayer for a diaspora people group: "Pray for God to raise up believers who are willing to attend the Saturday schools to engage the home culture and community. Pray that God will open doors for gospel conversations among the students and teachers. Pray that God will heal the hurt and pain they have experienced and give them healthy relationships with other believers."
http://www.imb.org/project-3000/
Thank God for the many opportunities He provided to share the gospel last year during the Christmas season. There were worship services, Christmas parties, and seeker events. People from an unreached people group heard full presentations of the gospel. Please pray for those who heard, some for the first time, asking God to draw them to Himself by the Holy Spirit. Please pray for the workers as they follow up and continue to minister to people. There will be Bible studies and other classes held for the seekers. Please pray they will come to believe in Jesus. Thank you for your prayers.
Your prayers are requested for a mid-February event in Hungary that's designed to honor and recognize Hungarians with special needs. The goal of the gathering is to share the value of each person as God's special creation and to help them experience God's love from a community that wants to care for them. There will be large and small group activities, an evening meal, and a special ceremony recognizing each guest. An estimated 80 people with special needs are expected to attend, plus their caregivers. In addition, 100 volunteers will be needed to serve. Intercede that all the details will come together smoothly, and pray for guests to register, feel safe, and know their value. Ask the Lord to raise up volunteers from the churches and community to help with the many aspects of preparation and implementation. Pray for follow-up activities to meet real needs, accompanied with the love of God. The members of Team Hungary appreciate your partnership in prayer for this event!
http://www.heartforhungary.com/
(BWAY-noce AHY-rehs) - "During the summer months of December through mid-March in the Southern Hemisphere, ministry in Buenos Aires, Argentina, slows down as the city empties out. Pray for our Buenos Aires Global City Team to build stronger connections with local pastors during this slower season. Also ask the Lord to give us guidance on how best to come alongside local believers to impact university students this semester."
"We are thankful to partner with Toronto Chinese Gospel Church, a local Chinese church that remains firmly rooted in Scripture," IMB missionaries said. "By God's grace, this church has already planted five healthy, missional churches across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Last month, church leadership gathered to pray and plan for their next church plants. Please join us in praying for wisdom, discernment, and clear guidance from the Lord as these leaders continue to seek and follow His direction. Pray that God will grant them His vision and heart to reach the lost within their families, workplaces, communities and to the nations, faithfully carrying out His mission."
pray4APAC@imb.org
(KAYP town) - In December, you were asked to pray for an outreach ministry using sports that would begin in January. In Cape Town's Lakeview area, missionary apprentices Jason and Nicole Zaruba and Lakeview Community Church are seeking to reach extremely poor children and youth. Volunteer coaches from the church have joined with the Zarubas to work with the six soccer teams that have formed. This endeavor began in late January and will continue through March. During the practices each week and at Saturday games, devotion times occur and the gospel is presented. Sign-ups are free. The hope is to reach children and families in the surrounding Cape Flats area that's been plagued by drugs and gang violence for many months. They want to build relationships with people who might never go to church and share the love of Jesus with them. Join the church, the Zarubas, and their missionary colleagues in Cape Town in praying for this new ministry. Ask God to increase the harvest as people see, feel, and hear about the love of Jesus through the gospel, and thank Him for that bountiful harvest. Pray for the safety of the leaders, coaches, children, and families as the practices and outreach occur each week.
http://www.imb.org/sub-saharan-africa/
(buh-LOHCH) - Beth, a believer, has known Sarah for over two years now, and the women often spend time together while their young children play. Sarah has older children, as well. While they have had many spiritual conversations, Beth often feels like Sarah doesn't want to talk deeply about Jesus. When some of Beth's friends had to move away recently, Sarah told Beth that she would fill in for the loss of her friends; she would be her family and care for her like a daughter. Sarah is now preparing for the wedding of one of her sons and has many guests in town. Beth was able to meet some of the family, and Sarah proceeded to tell her family about Beth's love and interest in her life. In a culture that doesn't often affirm others, Beth was deeply encouraged to hear that Sarah spoke highly of her and that Sarah was encouraged by her faith. Pray that Beth will be able to share with many of the family members who have traveled from Balochistan for the wedding.
centralasianpeoples@protonmail.com
