A volunteer team from the U.S. spent a few days with a national church-planting couple in Fang, Thailand. One day while prayerwalking in a village, the team visited a couple and shared with the husband. The wife was already a believer. The husband, a former heroin addict, believed that day. He submitted his life to Christ, cut off his animistic white strings, and broke his incense sticks! The national couple told the volunteer team that the husband usually would not meet with them, but because he was interested learning about the visiting volunteers, the husband was open to meeting with them all. Praise the Lord for using these volunteers to break down barriers to the gospel! The team from the U.S. also shared with university students studying English. One young man who had heard the gospel several times decided to submit his life to Christ. Please pray for this young man as he tells his family about his decision and seeks permission for baptism.

(car-NAH-tuh-kuh) - As the month of September approached, artisans readied millions of clay idols in anticipation of the 11-day Hindu festival for their god Ganesh, which begins on September 7. These Ganesh idols, recognized by the god's elephant head, are placed in homes and put on display in communities following a ceremony to welcome Ganesh's presence among them. According to Hindu belief, Ganesh is the one who removes obstacles, provides new beginnings, and gives wisdom and success. Pray that many of the millions of Hindus across Karnataka will come to trust in Jesus alone as Savior, who, through His death and resurrection, has removed the ultimate obstacle of mankind's sin before an all-holy God. He alone offers new life and access to the Father as adopted children. Pray for an understanding that in Christ alone is "hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3 ESV). Pray for truth to come in power and for people to be set free from the chains of tradition and idol worship. "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit" (1 Peter 3:18 ESV).

In the midst of intense pressure and pushback, believers have been separated and scattered. Please claim the promises of the Son found in John 16:33 (ESV): "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." Pray for believers to be drawn closer to Jesus and to one another in this season of suffering.

A group that has started meeting to study Scripture includes some people who have recently come to know and believe in Christ. Coming from a different religious background, these new believers have been excited to learn from some older believers. Although they have just begun meeting together, they have been open to sharing the gathering with others who still believe in their previous faith. This is a brave decision due to the high cost of persecution they could face if certain people find out that they have decided to follow Christ. While gathering, many good discussions have arisen. Most recently, two of the new believers shared about certain topics they found problematic with their previous religion. They talked with a frankness that was shocking and shared about how hard it was to start learning this when they had been told for so long that their previous religion was perfect. Please pray for these new believers, asking that they will have the courage to continue sharing their testimonies and the truth of the gospel. Also pray for the unbelievers coming to the study, asking that God will draw them to Himself and that they will come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

(OO-tar pra-DESH) - In June, you were asked to pray for a believing family that was preparing to join other believers in "Vishwas." The believers in that city have now welcomed this new family. Together, they hope to see that there is no place left among Muslims in "Northeast Prathna" without access to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray for this family as they transition into life in "Vishwas." Ask that they will persevere and abide in Jesus during this transition.

(MEE-boh) - In 2018, you were asked to pray for Jit, a 12-year-old who had become a believer by observing her Christian neighbors who were praying before meals, reading the Bible, and telling Bible stories. Jit had asked them questions about God, and then one day, she became a believer. Since that time, Jit has been diligent in her Bible studies and began telling her best friend Bee about Jesus. Today, Bee is a believer, and these two young women stand strong in their high school. They both face pressure from their families to reject Christianity, but so far have maintained a firm commitment and are active in their local church as much as their families will allow. Pray for both Jit and Bee as they continue to hold firm to the gospel. Pray for those they encounter and witness to will see the change in their lives and want the same peace that only comes from faith in Jesus.

(m-BOON-duh) - Pray that workers will be called to come and share the good news of Jesus among the Mbunda of western Zambia. Pray for the hearts of the Mbunda people to soften toward the gospel.

Filming has begun! An IMB couple based in Hungary asks for your prayers for digital engagement video projects now in development. "After many months of building props, making preparations, and dealing with a myriad of last-minute changes, we're excited to report that screen tests and initial videoing have begun on what will be two different video series," they write. "One will be with a partnering Great Commission Christian organization, explaining the 'tweenager' ministry and its creative, interactive teaching methods to other potential partners and teachers. The second series will be communicating spiritual principles directly to youth, focusing on how ordinary Christians who live out biblical faith can be used as superheroes in God's Kingdom. They, as young people, can be warriors in the epic battle between darkness and light! Pray for a location where we can set up a stage area for filming over a period of several months to streamline our current work on the projects. Also pray for scheduling as we work to find when volunteers can all get together."

Baptist representatives Charlie and Robin Janney will be going to this year's MedAdvance conference in hopes of recruiting medical team members to work on the southern border of Mexico. The needs of people arriving at the southern border are great. When arriving in Mexico, they have no way of seeing healthcare workers. Many of the children are sick, and some of the people just need to be taught about basic health issues. MedAdvance is scheduled for September 12-14.

(DER-bun) - In some parts of the Durban metroplex of 4 million people, there is extreme spiritual darkness in which wickedness and crime reign supreme. Because of this, most people live in gated communities, behind walls and locked gates, with security bars on their windows and security gates on their doors. Those who live in apartments also have high security to keep out unwelcome or uninvited visitors. It is difficult to gain access to people to make friends, even with your neighbors. The Durban Urban Evangelism Team has requested training in digital engagement in hopes of finding a new way to access the lost. Pray that the training on September 9 will be helpful in learning this new skill and putting it into practice so "that by all means [we] might save some" (1 Corinthians 9:22 ESV).

Thank you for praying in July as a visiting group of believing college students shared the gospel among refugees living in one diaspora location. Please pray for the seekers whom they went deep with while developing relationships. As local believers follow up with these seekers, ask that they will have wisdom in knowing whether it's best to encourage them to join a healthy established church or else begin getting together in the Word toward the beginnings of a new local church.

(bee-koh-LAH-nohs) - "Please pray for two Filipinos to be willing to do full-time ministry at our student center in Daet, Camarines Norte, Bicol, Philippines. They would live there and work with high school and college students. They should be 100% sold out to Jesus and share the gospel almost as naturally as they breathe."