(pri-TOR-ee-uh) - "Do you ever listen to other people's prayers? How many of us repeat the same phrases without giving thought to what we're actually praying? One overused phrase is: 'Keep us safe, Lord!' Keep us safe on the road! Keep the kids safe in sports. Keep the missionaries safe. While there is nothing inherently wrong with praying for safety and Jesus taught us to pray, 'Deliver us from evil' (Matthew 6:13 ESV), I find very few, if any, examples in the New Testament where the early church prayed for safety. I am deeply challenged by the prayer of the believers in Acts 4 after Peter and John had been detained by the authorities. Honestly, what would you pray if you or someone you knew had been arrested and threatened for speaking about Jesus? 'Please, Lord, keep them safe!' But the believers in Acts 4:29 (ESV) prayed: 'Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.' Today, let's spend less time praying for safety for missionaries and, instead, use our breath to pray for all believers in Pretoria to be filled with boldness in order to speak the Word of Jesus!"
mrsskyscott@gmail.com
http://www.imb.org/sub-saharan-africa/
(soo-MAH-trah) - Thank you for praying in September for Tim and Dana, an Indonesian couple interested in learning about the Lord. A believer in town continued meeting with Dana. As they talked through the gospel and the story of Jesus, Dana admitted that she had never repented of her sins. The believer asked Dana if she would like to repent of her sins and make Jesus the Lord of her life. Dana said yes! Not long after, Tim also met with a believer and said that he was ready to give his life to Jesus as well! Dana and Tim have begun meeting with a small group of believers to learn more about their new life in Christ. Please continue to pray for them as they learn what this means and grapple with what it may cost to share their newfound faith with their families.
pray4APAC@imb.org
(pah-MEER-ees) - The Northern Border People are the largest ethnic group in their region and live mainly in two river valleys that flow into the regional capital. They're nearly entirely Muslim and consider their religious belief to be integral to their cultural identity. They're very hospitable. Any trip to a village will involve an offer for "tea"--in reality, a full meal--and an invitation to spend the night. As much as these people are open and friendly on the outside, beneath the surface, there's a deep hopelessness in their culture. Suicide, alcoholism, adultery, and drug use are endemic to the entire population. Most families are broken, as the men leave the country to find work and sometimes take on other families there. These people need the transformation that comes from the gospel. Pray that they'll be open to receiving truth. Ask God to raise up evangelists among the few believers. Pray that God will plant His church among them and that a community of faith will spring up as a testimony to the hope that's found in Jesus Christ. (If your church would like to commit to praying for the Northern Border People on a consistent and frequent basis, please send an email indicating that.)
mountainpeoples@rememberus.net
The Ghorbati people came from India to Iraq about 1,000 years ago and live in villages near Baghdad, Basra, and Mosul. They are Muslims who speak Arabic, although the older Ghorbati may still speak their heart language, Domari. They can read God's Word in Arabic or hear the gospel through videos on the internet and other media. Known as entertainers at weddings and festivities, they also work in small trades. Pray for this people group who are somewhat marginalized in society, asking that they will hear of a Savior who has created all people as equal and that they will accept salvation by grace. Pray that one day, the Ghorbati's skills in entertaining will be used to tell the story of Jesus all over the country of Iraq.
www.imb.org/adoptauupg
Uma has heard several stories from Scripture and has met several believers. Some of them have revealed their identity as a follower of Jesus and some have not yet revealed that. She has recently begun working alongside a believer again. Pray that the believers around her will abide deeply in Christ and be light bearers to Uma and others around them. Pray that Uma will believe the Word that has been shared with her and pass it along to others.
(kahm-PAH-lah) - "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33 ESV). A Kampala Urban Team member writes: "My friend Wilson put his faith in the Lord a few short months ago and quickly learned to cling to this verse for hope and strength. He lost his job soon after coming to faith, and, like many Ugandans, he had no idea how he would get his next meal or be able keep a roof over his head. As his need grew, so did his hunger and reliance on the Word of God. Before his very eyes, and as a witness to his unbelieving friends and family, he got to see the Lord's faithfulness, as all his needs were met. Please ask the Lord to continue using the ministry of our Kampala Urban Team to raise up more believers like Wilson who will trust in the Lord through the many challenges that Ugandans face. Pray that Wilson will be an inspiration to those who lack the faith to go forward with the gospel when the way seems impossible and provision is unclear!"
http://www.imb.org/sub-saharan-africa/
Tuition centers have been opened in several areas by the Indian Baptist Society to provide academic support after school to underprivileged students in villages. Pray that these children will learn and also feel loved. Pray that doors will be opened to allow relationships with their families.
(soun POW-loo) - In September, you were asked to pray as members of First Baptist Church of Parque Edu Chaves, a neighborhood in the Northeast Zone of Sao Paulo, followed up with those who had attended a weekend family evangelistic event that had been held at the church. Please continue to intercede as church members do home visits. Pray for them to encounter hearts that are receptive to the gospel.
"On November 17-21, Christian clubs at the University of Toronto Scarborough will sponsor a time on campus called 'JAW: Jesus Awareness Week.' Please join us in prayer as we serve on campus for this event. Pray we will be bold in sharing the gospel. Ask God to soften students' hearts and open their ears to hear and believe the gospel. Pray for these students to know and follow Him and for a revival to begin on campus. Romans 10:14-17; Acts 10:44."
pray4APAC@imb.org
"And Jesus cried out and said, 'Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness'" (John 12:44-46). Pray for those lost in darkness, living in places where restrictions keep them from hearing the truth about the Lord. Ask that they will learn the truth through digital gospel presentations, encounter Christ who came into the world as light, and come out of the darkness.
pray4APAC@imb.org
The fifth class at the Hall of Tyrannus Bible Institute include students such as a local pastor who has not yet gone to seminary, a man who spent years following mysticism before recently turning to Christ, a retired veterinarian, and three others. Two of the institute's graduates are serving as pastors. One is serving as a Baptist hospital chaplain. Another is serving as a Saline Process Trainer, while others are active Sunday School teachers and local church servants. At graduation in September, one student, Harry, declared, "These classes are extremely needed. As a Sunday School teacher, I often feel unequipped to teach God's Word. This Bible Institute teaches us all so many valuable lessons and gives us all wonderful experiences." Generous partners aid with resources for the instructors to help them teach students and encourage lifelong learning. Pray for the students to implement what they learn. Pray for increased enrollment in the years ahead.
iam4sea@live.com
"Lord, only by the power of Your Word will new life sweep across the twisted urban landscape of Chongqing, China. Rescue the 1 million university students there and the construction and factory workers. Instill a passionate vision in local pastors to equip disciples to train healthy followers of Christ. Call Your people to take the gospel to smaller neighboring cities that still have no known church. 'Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples' (Psalm 96:3 CSB)."
pray4APAC@imb.org
Pray for the ongoing efforts of some believers to gain the trust of Baru families and entry into their community. This month, they will meet with some Baru women to share the story of the bleeding woman from Mark 5 and give out feminine hygiene products. Pray that this will open new doors for future, consistent Bible storying.
