Urgent Prayer
Cyclone Daniel hit the city of Derna in Libya on Sunday, September 10. As of September 14, the Libyan government has confirmed 8,000 dead, with another 10,000 missing. Thousands have entered a Christless eternity, and millions more are processing their grief without the hope of the gospel.
Let us pray together for the Lord to have mercy on the people of Libya, filling them with lasting hope.
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(tie-koh-RAHT) - When Rob and Dan shared the gospel with Ben, he mentioned he had a big Bible. He said he had read 500 pages. So, they asked to see it. Ben said it was upstairs in his house where he stored things and he would have to search for it. The next time Dan went to visit Ben, he showed him an old Bible. Dan was curious about where Ben had gotten the Bible, so he opened it up. Dan was shocked to see his name written in the front and back of the Bible. He was surprised and could not remember giving Ben the Bible. Finally, Dan remembered that when he worked in another city, many years ago, he had given the Bible to Ben's son. Ben's son had given him the Bible and he read it. Rob and Dan encouraged Ben to continue reading the Bible. Pray that the words will penetrate Ben's heart and he will make a confession of faith in Jesus. God's Word does not return void.
The Telengi, numbering 52,500, are a people group centered primarily around the city of Port Blair in the Andaman Islands of India. They originally came from the Srikakulam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, arriving between 1950 and 1962, and are a conglomeration of different peoples with jobs as diverse as washermen, cobblers, and fishermen. The majority of them are Hindu, but there are some Lutherans and Pentecostals living among one group of them. Pray that these Lutherans and Pentecostals will be equipped with truth from the Holy Spirit and have a burden for their own people and a desire to see them come to faith. Pray that as the Telengi hear the stories of Jesus' disciples who were fishermen, these stories will resonate with them and they will see Christ as someone who understands them and who desires them to follow Him as Peter, Andrew, James, and John did. Pray that the Parable of the Net (Matthew 13:47-50) will be understood in its fullness by these people who tend to their nets every day and that they will desire righteousness.
Ten years ago, a multitude of Syrians fled their war-torn country, crossed the border, and settled in a valley. In this green valley, some Syrians have heard the truth and a few have believed. Please pray for a deep work among this small harvest of believers in this fertile land. Ask the Lord of the harvest to move so that these believers will be trained and encouraged to multiply the number of those sharing the good news and to make multiplying disciples among the many Syrians around them! Earnestly pray that the Lord Jesus will become famous among Syrians in this valley, praised and loved by soft and good-soiled hearts in these fields.
A couple serving on the Islands Team writes: "Join us in giving thanks to God that our European vacation gave us surprising opportunities to share the truth of the gospel in unexpected ways and at unplanned times. In Germany, on a hill at a castle ruins, a young German couple asked to join us as we began our devotional. In France, we spoke to a young man who wanted to hear more when a simple introduction opened up a discussion about our ministry in Uganda and our faith in Jesus. Be on the lookout for where He is working. He came for the world!"
Volunteers from Arkansas will be in Northeast Brazil on September 23-29. They will work in three different locations. One location will be with church planters who are reaching out to a new area for the first time. Pray that the people will be receptive and that the volunteers will speak the gospel with boldness and love.
(OH-sah-kah) - "Pray for those who were ministered to at our partner church's vacation Bible school (VBS). Praise God we had 12 children indicate they'd like to become Christians, with six being confirmed to have made decisions. While hosting VBS, there was also a separate event for the mothers. An average of 12 moms attended each day. Pray that God will continue to grow those who know Him and call those who do not yet know Him to faith. There were also other VBS events where God moved in the children's hearts. Pray for them to come to faith and to become a light to their families and those around them. Pray for healthy discipleship and follow up from our national partners."
"All we do is eat and sleep," said Farah despondently. She and her family feel hopeless after two years of living in a refugee camp and waiting for residency status to stay in-country. They aren't allowed to work, find a home, or buy a car. They simply wait. They watch as friend after friend receives such status, rejoicing with them and grieving over their own lack of news. Months before, they were denied permanent residency in their new European home. Discouraged but unwilling to give up, they petitioned to have the authorities reconsider. They're followers of Jesus and attend a fellowship with other Arab believers. They have friends and community. Understandably, they wrestle with doubt about the goodness of God and continue to process their trauma with other refugees. Psalm 46:1-2 (ESV) says: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea." Please ask the Father to grant them residency in their current country so they can continue growing in their church community and faith. Pray for them to feel His peace and presence even in this challenging time.
Many villagers, now homeless, have descended the mountains to live on the outskirts of nearby cities. Numerous tents fill the once vacant areas. These families lost everything in the earthquake and are now living off of handouts from local aid. They don't know if they will ever return to the land of their fathers, or if they will need to start over new in the city. Others are living in tents though their houses are standing; they're afraid their homes are unsafe and uninhabitable. People will now need to start rebuilding their lives. Pray that as Moroccans strive to restart their lives, they would seek to know about the one, true God. May He meet them in these tents and provide for their needs, both physical and spiritual.
(MEE-boh) - Thank you for praying earlier this month for Peter, who imprisoned for sharing the gospel among the Mebo. Jails in the land of the Mebo are harsh. Prisoners don't get food unless family or friends bring it to them. They are also very exposed to the elements. The rainy season brings damp air and more mosquitoes than usual. After months in this environment, Peter needed medical attention. While local believers petitioned the authorities for his release, you were asked to pray. God heard the cries of His people! Just a few days after this request was published and people began to pray, Peter was released from prison and is now recovering. He remains committed to sharing the gospel, and his testimony has encouraged the local believers. Please keep praying for Peter as he recovers physically and emotionally from this trauma. Pray that Peter, Jill, and other believers in Laos will continue to treasure Jesus and value the spread of His gospel above their personal desires. Pray that local authorities will show mercy and compassion when addressing believers, and that the believers would remain bold and joyful even in the midst of great persecution.
(mah-POO-too) - "Even to your old age I will be the same, And even to your graying years I will carry you! I have done it, and I will bear you; And I will carry you and I will save you" (Isaiah 46:4 NASB). Southern Mozambique Team members recently participated in a prayerwalk and evangelism push in the neighborhood where they have recently planted a new fellowship. One young man they encountered, Edward, shared how he desperately wants to have children but has not been able to and, in his pursuit of this, has been with many women. A team member asked to pray for him and then shared how God can meet his greatest need of salvation. This young man heard a clear gospel presentation and expressed his desire to follow Christ. Team members are asking God to work the seed of salvation and His Word of Truth in Edward's heart. Join them in praying for God, who does the growing of these seeds, to carry Edward and deliver him.
"Although the International Mission Board has, over the years, turned hospitals over to national leadership in the country where they are located, we still partner with them by providing healthcare workers to participate in the ministry of the institution. One of our former hospitals in Ghana currently has an IMB surgeon working there but continues to be in need of more doctors. Pray that the Lord of the harvest will bring His chosen physician to be a blessing to the people in the area and work with the hospital as they meet the world's greatest need: lostness."
Each week, new patients come into the Eternal Peace Clinic in the Starfruit Village. Through your prayers, God has responded by significantly increasing the number of patient visits each month over the first half of the year. The prayer and goal is that 1,000 patients will receive treatment at the clinic in 2023. From January to June, just over 500 patients sought treatment. Many of these new patients came after the generator explosion in April. The local government leader told residents to confirm their government insurance was active. The closest place for many to check was the Eternal Peace Clinic. Then, those same patients decided to make the Eternal Peace Clinic their primary care facility on their insurance. This means more people have a chance to experience the love of Jesus in a tangible way. Please continue to pray for the patient visit goal to be achieved for the glory of God and witness among the residents. Pray for boldness among the staff to share stories about Jesus with the patients. Even though the majority of the patients are Muslim, they are happy to receive prayer in Jesus' name.
"Please pray for Watson, a brother in Christ, to overcome fear and grow bold in sharing his faith. He was one of the first believers from his people group in this country to which he'd come for better job prospects. Over the past several years here, he has grown exponentially in his knowledge of the Word and love for the local church, but he has struggled to identify as a Christian publicly. Just a few weeks ago, he left church when he learned that a local Muslim friend was visiting our gathering, fearing what might happen if news of his conversion spread among citizens of this country. But the very next week, Watson not only attended church with this seeking Muslim friend, but he took the Lord's Supper right next to him! We are celebrating this bold proclamation of his faith as the fruit of many years of discipleship. Please join us in asking the Lord to give Watson the courage to share what Christ has done for him with his family and friends!"