(TAH-jeeks) - Easter, to many Westerners, is a well-known holiday and one that many look forward to, whether they celebrate as believers or in a secular way. However, in Tajikistan, Easter is not a well-known holiday and, as such, is celebrated only by believers. Pray for Tajik believers as they gather to celebrate Christ's death and resurrection. Pray for Tajiks who don't know what Jesus has done for them or haven't heard about the life He wants to give them through His work on the cross. Ask God to reveal Himself to them, and pray that God will use His people to make Himself known to the lost of Tajikistan, for only Christ can give life to the dead.
(PEH-dee) - It is estimated that the Pedi of South Africa are about 9% evangelized. Among those claiming to be Christian, there are very few genuinely "healthy" churches that preach the true gospel. Pray that true believers will become fishers of men among the Pedi as they share the gospel of Jesus Christ, the only way to salvation. Pray that the net they cast with the gospel will come back full to overflowing! "And Jesus said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men'" (Mark 1:17 ESV).
Give thanks to the Lord for those among the desert peoples who have come to faith in Jesus! Thank the Lord for those in rural, remote areas who have heard the gospel and now believe. Thank Him for refugees in urban centers who have found hope in Christ. Praise Him for those who now celebrate and proclaim, "I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth" (Job 19:25 ESV). During this season in which we rejoice in the risen Christ, pray for these believers to grow in their relationship with Him. Ask that they will have community with other believers. Pray for them to know the Word deeply and to rejoice in prayer. Pray for them to stand for Jesus amid persecution and to be a light for the gospel.
Bassem moved from his home country to Europe about two years ago. He has been attending a Bible study for a few months now and is interested in talking about the gospel. He does not practice his Muslim faith except for fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan. He says that he feels the most peace during Ramadan and that he loses weight. Pray that Bassem will see the truth in the Bible and come to experience the true peace found only in Jesus.
(NAH-goh-yah) - Sakura is different. In a culture full of black, white, gray and beige clothing, she wears vivid colors. She is outspoken and bubbly, the opposite of local societal norms and yet, her culture has a stronghold on her life. "I truly believe in God and His Word, but I'm confused. I'm Japanese, I'm supposed to be Buddhist," shared Sakura. After four years of living in America, Sakura has spent time learning God's Word and searching the Bible herself. However, she still struggles with going against her own culture and belief system to fully accept the gift of forgiveness offered by Jesus. Pray for missionaries as they spend time pouring into Sakura and pointing her to the truth of Jesus found in Scripture. Ask the Holy Spirit to continue His work in her heart and that He will show Sakura her need for a relationship with Jesus, despite what her culture and heritage may say.
(DEL-ee) - Pray for some women and families who have been showing an interest in knowing more about who Jesus is and have gotten to hear clearly from the Word. Pray that they will be willing and eager to take a step of faith by turning from their sin and trusting in Jesus. Intercede specifically for Aliya; Reni; Ana; Saniya and her husband, Iman; and Shannon and her husband, Isaac.
"Join us in praying for a volunteer team from Tennessee that will be entering Insinlivi, a new area in Ecuador, on April 21-29," writes the Ecuador Mobilization Team. "Their main focus will be evangelism. Please pray for boldness in sharing the gospel message and for open hearts ready to receive it."
New workers are arriving on the field to share the gospel, and are facing many transitions in their new life and location. A major shock for them comes in the transition from being fluent in their home country's language to becoming functionally nonliterate people in their new context. Pray for them as they learn a new language! Pray for patience, perseverance, understanding, and humility. Mistakes (many mistakes) come with language learning, and it is normal for new people to embarrass themselves many times as they try to communicate in all the different settings--the market, the classroom, the home, and the pulpit. Pray for the new workers to trust the Lord and in the process of learning a new language.
"Pray for a man of influence and standing in our city who is like the 'rich young ruler' Mark 10:17-27. He has heard the truth of the gospel many times and is soaking up the good seed. We pray that seed falls on good soil. As Jesus told us, there are many brambles and weeds that choke out the young plants, but please pray for protection and growth in the Word (Matthew 13:1-23). Pray that he will fully turn his life over to God and that the true stories of God's love and care for him will make the trek from his head to his heart."
(ab-i-JAHN) - "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12 ESV). Pray that Ivorian believers and Abidjan Urban Team members will display the beauty of the body of Christ. Pray that they will continue to value each others' differences and that God will be glorified by the body of Christ serving in Abidjan.
