(is-tan-BULL) - Spring brings beauty and light to Istanbul after a long, cold, dark winter. Tulips start to bloom across the city, and many people flock to parks to enjoy the sunshine. Pray that during this time of earthly light, beauty, and newness, Turks will realize that in Christ, those things are offered eternally. Pray that Turks who are seeking a change and a new life will see the offer for salvation that Christ provides. Pray that 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB) will be a reality for those in Istanbul: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!"

Please pray for the men and women attending the Baptist College of Malawi's theology department, the Baptist Convention of Malawi's training schools, and the many Bible Schools that are held all over the country. Pray that each of these men and women will seek the godly wisdom that comes from above and not the worldly wisdom that results in jealousy, strife, and sin. "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:13-18 ESV).

"Thank you for praying!," workers write. "Because you prayed, since the beginning of last year, over 23,000 patients and their families, hospital staff members, and nurses were prayed for and heard the gospel through chaplaincy ministry in hospitals, and there were over 700 salvations! There are 10 hospitals now where Baptist chaplains are ministering all around the city. Please pray that those who have heard the gospel will seek to know more and open their hearts to Jesus. Pray that those who have professed to believe in Jesus will find a church where they can grow in their faith."

The Senaithalaivar are an unengaged, unreached people group numbering about 174,000 who are distributed throughout the southernmost tip of India as well as in the territory of Pondicherry. They are Hindus who speak Tamil. Traditionally, they were growers, cultivators, and sellers of betel leaf, but now they also grow bananas, cotton, tomatoes, sugarcane, groundnut, and paddy (rice). Pray that just as Peter did with Tabitha when she died (Acts 9:40-41), one day, someone will go to the widows among the Senaithalaivar, who are currently viewed as insignificant, and tell them to get up, awaken from their dead lives of hopelessness, and turn to the One who offers living hope. Pray that these women will see the value they have as children of God and that their identity will be tied not to the word "widow," but instead to the word "child." Pray that a movement to Christ will begin with these women and be established for generations among the Senaithalaivar.

(suh-POHR-oh) - The month of May begins with a week-long holiday called "Golden Week." Some businesses and schools will take time off, especially on the first five days of the month. Pray for the churches in Sapporo to see new people coming to worship as well as former members coming back to visit. Pray that, during the days of being off from work and school, Christians will find time to rest and enjoy the beginning of spring and see the work of the Creator. Ask the Father to give pastors a renewed passion for sharing the good news and building up the body of Christ this month. Ask the Lord to give the churches in Sapporo the power of the Holy Spirit and that He will give courage and boldness to church members. Pray that the churches will show new life and joy in their times of worshiping together and that this will be used to draw others to Jesus. Pray for all to experience a sense of His presence and that each church will be led by the Holy Spirit as they study the Word and share His love with those who are seeking.

Thank you for praying last month for Mahib, whom two believers met while waiting for a streetcar and with whom they were able to share the gospel. Mahib was interested in meeting again, and one of the original believers brought another believing friend to their meeting. They were able to have an in-depth conversation with Mahib about religion and faith. They talked about how there are consequences for sin, and said that the only way we can have our sin paid for is if God does something for us. Ultimately, we needed Jesus to come and live a perfect life for us, die in our place, and be raised to life so we can trust in what He has done for us. Mahib listened intently but, at this time, still seems firmly committed to his religion. Would you pray that the truth of the gospel will penetrate Mahib's heart? Ask the Lord to draw Mahib to Himself, and pray that he will know Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

(MEE-boh) - This year marks 10 years of praying for the Mebo. In 2017, you began praying for Met. She has had a hard life and struggles in her walk with God. She was left crippled by bone cancer. She had been working at a preschool owned by Christians who helped her through many of her physical challenges. Gradually, she was able to walk on crutches and obtain a motorcycle with a sidecar. This enabled her to go places. She made a profession of faith but did not mature in her faith. For years, she worked at the preschool in the kitchen and continued to have spiritual ups and downs. Her husband was not kind to her and was in the middle of divorcing her when he was killed in an accident, leaving her to raise her son alone. Her son is now a teenager and is spending a lot of time with a rough crowd. Met now sees the value in remaining true to Christ. She attended a week-long class for new members at the local church. Her plan is to go through a two-year study. She is also attending a women's Bible study each week. Pray for her as she deepens her walk with God. Pray that her son will see her example and follow Christ.

(koo-MAH-oo) - Rajesh is an Indian brother who has felt a recent calling on his life for ministry. He is now stepping up in sharing the gospel, teaching, and discipling in the harvest field of the Kumaon region. Please pray for Rajesh. Ask that he will grow in his calling, his confidence, and his ability to preach and teach the Word. Pray that the Lord will give him many opportunities in the days ahead for ministry so that he can work toward seeing healthy churches planted. Pray for him to depend on the Lord, "as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:3 NKJV).

The Connections Team writes: "One of the important components of our Central American team in Panama is the translator team. These translators serve alongside each visiting Go Experience and Go Impact team that we host in Panama. Pray that God will continue to grow this group of people and that they will serve well together."

Pray for brothers and sisters to live in integrity and in a way that brings honor to the name of Jesus. This can be hard in times when there may be pressure to deny their faith.

Orthodox Easter will be celebrated on May 5 this year. Believers find holidays to be a natural opportunity to share the gospel with neighbors and friends. Some host parties; others visit neighbors and greet them with gifts. Pray for the believers who live among the Arab tribes to be bold during this holiday season and share clearly the hope they have because of Jesus' death and resurrection. Intercede for new believers as they navigate this opportunity to celebrate their newfound hope in a culture, and most likely families, who do not consider Jesus' death or resurrection to be true. Pray for wisdom and protection for believers as they gather to celebrate Easter this year, and ask that their gatherings will be rich and full of encouragement as they rejoice in the fact that "Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 ESV).

(ab-i-JAHN) - Pray that those laboring in the harvest field of Abidjan will not think more highly of themselves than they ought to think, but instead think of themselves with sober judgment in accordance with the faith that God has given them (Romans 12:3).