Neighbor Prayer Update

A bruised reed He will not break,
and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out,
till He leads justice to victory.
In His name
the nations will put their hope
(Matthew 12:20-21)

The daily news (generally covered by major media outlets) does not give much hope for peace or justice in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Mindanao, Malaysia, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, etc. Yet we put our hope in the Prince of Peace, and we see with eyes of faith all the wonderful things that God is doing to heal bruised and broken lives, and to bring justice. So today, lets pray for the neighbor world with this hope in mind.

1. At a recent pastors meeting in Indonesia, out of a group of 80 pastors, we learned that over 25 of them had once been followers of the majority religion. From their testimonies, we heard a variety of stories about how they had come to follow Jesus because of dreams, visions, and miracles. Others had simply put their faith in Christ because of the consistent love and holy lifestyle of their Christian friends. Please pray for these 25 “Neighbor Background Believers” (and the other 55) that they too will be bold to share the hope they have found in Jesus and to lead their congregations to being centers of peace, love and justice in their communities.

2. Pray for the logistics of gathering 30 Asia-Pacific leaders for a strategic neighbor conference in April. Ask God to open all the right doors for travel visas and finances. And pray that these months of pre-conference preparation will yield tremendous results, not just in April, but for years to come after the event.

3. Pray for…resolution to the ongoing conflict in Malaysia between some Neighbors and some Christians over the use of the word Allah. On December 31st, the High Court overturned a prohibition that had banned Christians from using the term Allah in their publications. Since then, several churches have been fire bombed, and now there seem to be some signs of retaliation by some “christians” against mosques. May true Believers rise up and respond with love and forgiveness, and through their Christlike response, may the majority Neighbors be drawn to Jesus. And through it all, may God’s name be glorified.

4. Ris, a university student from a neighbor family who has always seen God as a distant and detached judge. Ris is asking many questions and seeking the Truth. Pray that he will be overwhelmed by the Father’s extravagant love and grace as demonstrated in Jesus as he continues to attend a weekly Bible study.

5. Remi, a young man who has recently given his life to Christ. He regularly attends a Christian fellowship while he tries to remain a part of his Neighbor community. He lives at home with his parents and siblings. May they see the transforming power of Christ in his life and be drawn to Christ.

6. Brother D continues to read the Bible that was recently presented to him and is meeting regularly with a believer to discuss what he is reading. May God’s Word speak clearly to D and lead him to repentance and belief in Isa al Masih.

7. A new family (with five kids) is preparing to move into a creative access city to work with refugee neighbors. Pray for them as they transition to the host culture, climate and language. Pray that they find employment, work visas, and establish solid relationships with Neighbors there.

8. A possible job opportunity for an IT Specialist is open for a “tentmaker” at a school in a strategic city. Pray that the right person answers the call to fill this important position.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam and the mountains
quake with their surging. Selah
(Psalm 46:1-3)

Though there are current crises in many places around the world the one crisis that takes centre stage right now is the recent earthquake in Haiti. Our hearts go out to the suffering brothers and sisters in that already-troubled nation. So our prayer focus today will be on Neighbors who find themselves in the midst of suffering. As we pray, our confidence is in GOD, our ever-present help in time of trouble. May He be the refuge and strength for hurting Neighbors everywhere. And may we respond with the love and compassion of Jesus wherever we can.

Please pray for:

1. …the Neighbor Communities in Haiti. There are an estimated 2,000 – 5,000 Neighbors in Haiti, the majority of which are now indigenous Haitians, followed by the ethnic Middle Easterners. The main mosque in Port au Prince, the Centre Spirituel Allah ou Akbar, was heavily damaged like so many other structures. During this crisis, may Neighbors cry out to God through Christ, and find assistance through the kindness of Christian relief workers.
2. …resolution to the ongoing conflict in Malaysia between some Neighbors and some Christians over the use of the word Allah. On December 31st, the High Court overturned a prohibition that had banned Christians from using the term Allah in their publications. Since then, at least three churches have been fire bombed, and Neighbors have been protesting at least 10 mosques. May Christians respond with love and forgiveness, and through their Christlike response, may the majority Neighbors be drawn to Jesus. And through it all, may God’s name be glorified.
3. …the people in Najaf, Iraq where at least 25 people were killed and 72 were wounded in a triple bombing on Thursday. Najaf is considered to be one of Iraq’s holiest cities. Officials have warned of an increase in violence ahead of elections being held on March 7. May Neighbors, both Sunni and Shiite, grow so tired of violence that they turn to the Prince of Peace.
4. ….for the people of Dihrawud in Uruzgan province of southern Afghanistan, where twenty people were killed on Wednesday in a suicide bombing in a crowded market. Thirteen more were injured in the blast. The UN reports that Civilian casualties rose by 14% in 2009. This is another place that desperately needs the peace that only Christ can bring. Pray that LOVE will win the battle for the hearts and minds of these precious people.
5. ON A MORE POSITIVE NOTE, God is at work through good times and bad to draw Neighbors to Himself. Please pray for:
   • Ris, a university student from a neighbor family who has always seen God as a distant and detached judge. Ris is asking many questions and seeking the Truth. Pray that he will be overwhelmed by the Father’s extravagant love and grace as demonstrated in Jesus as he continues to attend a weekly Bible study.
   • Remi, a young man who has recently given his life to Christ. He regularly attends a Christian fellowship while he tries to remain a part of his Neighbor community. He lives at home with his parents and siblings. May they see the transforming power of Christ in his life and be drawn to Christ.
   • Brother D continues to read the Bible that was recently presented to him and is meeting regularly with a believer to discuss what he is reading. May God’s Word speak clearly to D and lead him to repentance and belief in Isa al Masih.
   • A new family (with five kids) is preparing to move into a creative access city to work with refugee neighbors. Pray for them as they transition to the host culture, climate and language. Pray that they find employment, work visas, and establish solid relationships with Neighbors there.
   • A global conference has been scheduled in April to train believers how to serve and minister to immigrant Neighbors who are migrating to cities. May God raise up and empower some workers who will return to their cities to reach to the Neighbors who are moving into their communities.