For today’s prayer focus, on this 24th Day of Ramadan, in addition to joining the 30-Days community in praying for the Kho People,  I’d like to focus our attention on repentance and reconciliation.   I urge you first to read the following article Islamophobia in the Church? (http://warrenlarson.wordpress.com/), and then do some soul searching.

Prayer Suggestions:

1.  If you have harbored any hatred or negative feelings towards any Neighbors, confess that now and repent of that.  As God to help you truly LOVE your Neighbors.

2. If you have been afraid of Neighbors in any way, confess your fear and ask God to give you a heart of faith and love to overcome that fear.

3. If you know about any Neighbors in your immediate community that you have been afraid to talk with or get to know…..or whom you have simply not wanted to meet…..ask God to open doors of friendship with those Neighbors.

4. On behalf of The Church, repent and ask God to forgive the church for our lack of love and concern for Neighbors, and ask God to raise up many more laborers to serve amongst Neighbor people, both at home and abroad.

5.  Ask God to help you be a peacemaker, and a voice of peace, love and courage to your church, family and community.

In a world flooded by violence, greed, brokenness, tragedy, natural disasters, and despair….it is encouraging to know that God is in control and that He is our hope (and the HOPE of the whole world) in the midst of chaos.   Lets pray for those who are experiencing chaos without Christ today, that they too may come to KNOW the King who sits enthroned above the flood.

1.  Pray for the desperate situation in Pakistan where deadly flooding continues to ravage this nation.   Some have estimated that 20% of the country is now flooded, and that 20 million Pakistanis are affected.   Pray that Christian relief organizations and workers are able to get appropriate help to those in need.  Pray that the victims of this natural disaster will turn the Pakistani people to God, to seek Him and find Him.   Pray for peace and stability in this already troubled part of the world.

2.  Pray for peace and stability in China’s far west region of Xinjang.   Just yesterday a suspected terrorist drove a bomb-laden bomb into a crowded area in Aksu City, wounding 14.   Pray for those who are serving in this area that this event will not disrupt their developing relationships.   Pray that Chinese Christians will respond with love and forgiveness.

3.  Lift up students in Indonesia who are being trained to serve in neighbor communities.  May the Lord give them courage and boldness, along with sensitivity and wisdom.   May the love of Christ compel them to serve in difficult areas.   Pray for the trainers and mentors that they will not grow weary in well doing (in well training)….but that they will soon see the fruits of their efforts.

4.  Pray for neighbor training events in a key gateway city in Asia, from September 25 – October 30.   May many people respond to the invitation to be trained and may they begin to implement the tools for outreach in their communities.

5.   Pray along with thousands of others who have joined the “30 Days of Prayer” during Ramadan.  Join the movement at http://www.30-days.net.

]]> http://www.prayingneighbor.com/prayer/rising-above-the-flood/feed/ 0 http://www.prayingneighbor.com/prayer/get-ready-for-ramadan/ http://www.prayingneighbor.com/prayer/get-ready-for-ramadan/#comments Tue, 10 Aug 2010 05:55:26 +0000 prayingneighbor http://www.prayingneighbor.com/?p=346 Praying Neighbor is partnering with 30-Days of Prayer by forwarding to our mailing list the 30-Days online content. Below is the first of many emails from 30-Days.net.

Ramadan begins tomorrow.   If you have not yet subscribed to 30-Days of Prayer, I urge you to do so today.   Love your neighbor through active, obedient prayer.

30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World Ramadan 2010 / 1431:  August 11 – September 09

Dear 30-Days friends,

welcome to the 19th annual 30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus.

This year we have a special focus on Christlike relationships with Muslims. Jesus calls his followers to experience and live out the love of God. This love is made accessible to all people through Christ, who came into the world “full of grace and truth.” However, because of cultural differences, threats of terrorism and negative stereotypes of Muslims, many of God’s people shrink back from fulfilling Jesus’ command to love all people. We will pray about this on days 1 and 2.

The email edition is an extract of the main booklet and a link is provided each day to the main article. The idea is to give you a gist of the prayer material so you can be praying in unity with the rest of the world. The email is sent one day early to try to include most time zones.

Please use the Bible as much as possible in prayer. We have included various Bible references you can meditate on and proclaim. Ask God to inspire your prayers. That will build your faith and God can give you new insights for prayer based on His Word.

Be encouraged, we hear from all over the Muslim world of many coming to Jesus. This is the time to pray Muslims into the Kingdom of God in faith. Perhaps you can organize some extra meetings to pray in groups. The “Night of Power” (day 27) is a good time. Day 8, as a special focus on Sudan would also be good (August 18). Praying together will help generate more faith and creative prayer.

Whatever the case, I want you to know how much I appreciate you and your participation. It is a privilege to pray with you and humbling to know God is using our prayer to bring light into darkness, send workers to the Muslim world and raise funds for urgent needs of the poor.

PS: On day 08 we will pray for Sudan. The threat of a new continued conflict is very real. I will add extra links where you can read what Christians inside Sudan are saying. I ask other prayer networks to make this urgent prayer request known. Wouldn’t it be great to get to heaven and have the Lord add, “well done, you also helped stop a war in Sudan…”

As we pray for the nations today, specifically our Neighbors, praise God for the workers who are answering the call and preparing for service; and ask God to open many more hearts to obey the call.

1.  Praise God: (From a worker in Indonesia) “A new person is coming to our school in August to join in our neighbor training program!”

2.  Prayer Request:   (From Indonesia)  “We are having a new round of training in August, please pray for our instructors, students and all the logistics.   May the head knowledge gained move the students’ hearts to action.”

3.  Request:    A young man in Indonesia is looking for a place to live among neighbors right now, in order that he might develop friendships in the community.    Please pray that God leads him to the right place.

4.  From a key gateway city in a creative access country:   “I meet weekly with a young neighbor who has recently put his faith in Jesus.  His spouse just gave birth to a little girl.  There have been some financial complications in the hospital.  We think the baby is fine.  We need wisdom to know how to encourage these young disciples at this time.”

5.  Another worker in a creative access city:   “My language teacher will give birth in a few weeks.  We need wisdom to know how to walk with her and her husband during this time.  We study at our home.   My teacher has talked with us from the heart more than once.  We hope to involve her husband more.”

6.   From a couple working as tentmaker teachers in another key city:  “Relationships with our work colleagues are rich.  Several, including a couple of neighbors, have spoken with us at the heart level more than once.  We need wisdom regarding when and how to be more intentional.”

7.   Pray for the Lematang people of Indonesia
The Lematang people are very hospitable and friendly when welcoming newcomers. They have a strong sense of community togetherness proven by their adherence to “gotong royong” (neighborhood mutual service and assistance), not only to the Lematang community itself, but also to outside communities. They currently embrace Islam, yet still hold to ancient beliefs concerning magic and mystical powers.

Ministry Obstacles
Scripture is not available in the language of the Lematang, requiring other means to convery Biblical truth.   Ask the Lord to raise up Bible translators and finances to complete this translation project.

Outreach Ideas
Christians may be able to minister to the Lematang through schooling for the children, and through micro-enterprise.

Pray for the followers of Christ
There are only a few known believers among the Lematang. Pray the eyes of their hearts may be enlightened in order that they may know the hope to which they have been called, the riches of their glorious inheritance.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray for improved schools for the children of the Lematang, and that parents will place priority on education for their children.

Scripture Focus
“He will have compassion on the poor and needy, And the lives of the needy He will save.” Psalm 72:13

REMINDER: Don’t forget, Ramadan is coming up — August 11 – September 09 — ORDER your prayer booklet NOW:  http://www.30-days.net/order/ so you can pray intentionally and intelligently along with thousands of others around the world.

Imagine a city without walls — no barriers, no divisions, no mistrust….a place where love and peace and security abound.   That is God’s intention for the nations.   He has roused Himself and is actively working amongst the nations to raise up Kingdom people from every tribe and language.   As we pray for Neighbors today, lets pray with this word of hope and promise in mind….and work to tear down any walls in our own lives.

Please pray for:

1.  Praise God for a successful “neighbor immigration conference” in Europe two weeks ago.  70 leaders gathered together to develop strategies to minister to the growing number of neighbors migrating to cities all around the world.   Pray for the follow up of this event that people will actually implement the ministry plans and goals they’ve established.  Pray that many more individuals and churches will awaken to the needs of immigrants and the ministry opportunities amongst them.

2.  Jerry is serving in a creative access city.   He recently informed us that one of his neighbors received Christ this past week, and Jerry will be meeting with him weekly for discipling.   Pray that this new brother in Christ is rooted deep and early in the faith and is quick to share his faith with others.    Also pray for the following specific goals for Jerry in his own personal ministry:  *To be more intentional in his conversations and more strategic in his activities;  *to be more dedicated in praying for people;  and *to start going to the Neighbors “ghetto” in his town and establish relationships there.   Specifically for goal #3, Jerry will go to this village at least once a week, more if possible, to eat a meal and hopefully find some people of peace to befriend.

3.  KB this weekend will be attending a “Fathering” workshop with 3 of his neighbor friends.    A major evangelical / apologetics leader will be the main speaker at this event.  Pray that KB’s friends (S, J & M) will be open to the message and be drawn to the Father heart of God as they themselves seek to become better Dads.

4.  A planning committee is working to organize a major strategy conference early next year focused on reaching the 13 unreached people groups of the Southern Philippines.   Pray for the following specific items:  1 ) that all the logistics will come together;  2) that volunteers will be raised up; 3) for event speakers / schedules; 4) that the right people be invited / selected for this event; 5) that those who attend will be changed and immediately begin to implement strategies to reach these 13 neighbor UPGs.

5.  M & R have opened up to their Christian friends (D & A) about their family problems (broken relationships, conflict with in-laws, rebellious sons, etc).  M & R have confessed that they don’t know what to do.  They are seeking help and advice.    D & A have been able to clearly share with them that Christ is the only hope for their family.    Pray that M & R will really come to the end of themselves and accept Jesus as their savior and Lord  and begin to seek Him for answers.

6.  For the Mawalud people of India.   There are 208,000 Mawalud concentrated in 3 main cities of central India. 

What Are Their Needs?
Deprived of their former sources of wealth and power, many Deccani have given way to deep destitution and despair. They have struggled long and hard to maintain their culture, beliefs, and pride. They need encouragement and hope, which can only be realized through a clear understanding of the Gospel. Since Muslims revere holy scriptures, an updated translation of the entire Bible is essential. There are currently no known Christians among the Deccani.

Prayer Points

• Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to go to India and share Christ with the Deccani.
• Pray that the Holy Spirit will open the hearts and minds of the people to a clear understanding of the Gospel.
• Pray that God will raise up qualified linguists to complete translation of the Bible into Deccan.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Deccani toward Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
• Pray that God will open the hearts of India’s governmental leaders to the Gospel.
• Take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers that are keeping the Deccani bound.
• Pray that God will raise up teams of intercessors who will faithfully stand in the gap for the Deccani.
• Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Deccani.

This passage is set in the context of Israel’s crossing into the promised land. But God’s fulfilled promises did not stop then and there. As God’s true “Israel” the followers of Jesus the Messiah (Rom. 9-11; Gal. 6:16; Eph. 2) have an even greater promised inheritance that is still being fulfilled. The promise to Abraham was that “all nations on earth would be blessed through you” (Gen. 12). We know that this ultimate blessing comes through Jesus. As disciples of Christ, our “promised land” is PEOPLE — the nations (Ps. 2). Lets continue to pray and work with expectancy that God is still at work fulfilling his promises to draw all nations to himself.

1. God is at work in a major gateway city in Asia amongst a large minority UPG. Tension remains high in this area, but tentmakers are there working and living in community with both majority and minority people. God has raised up at least four house fellowships amongst them in the past 6 months. Please pray for these tentmakers, that God will give them wisdom as they learn how to respond to the emotional responses to mutual mistrust among groups. May their respect and honor for all open hearts for the Truth.

2. Pray also that God will give them wisdom with the weekly groups with whom they meet. Some groups are made up of believers. Some are a blending of believers and pre-believers. Two of our groups have no believers…..YET.

3. A neighbor family in Jakarta (immigrants there from the M.E.) have been adjusting to life in a new city / country. They are searching for truth and open to dialogue about Scripture. This past weekend some believers were visiting them, staying in their home, and had great opportunity to share clearly about Isa al Masih. The neighbor family was receptive. Pray that God’s word and God’s truth sink in and take root, and that God’s Spirit will continue to draw this family to Himself. May they come to recognize Jesus as Messiah and Lord.

4.  We just received a great report from a Jesus Film team working in a creative location.   They are rejoicing about God’s work in two key areas:

• TEAM 1 — “Earlier this month, we showed the film in the home of the J family who had just returned  from an island  where they have lived in a transmigration camp for several years.  There are three children in the family, and one of them, named A, accepted Christ and has started attending services at our church.  PTL!
• TEAM 2 –  “In the face of much opposition, a 29-year-old woman named M has accepted Christ as her Savior after watching the JF.  At the present time we are disciplining her and she is learning to study the Bible.  Pray for her because discipleship for her means facing huge oppostion.”

5. Pray for ongoing preparations and logistics for a conference in Europe at the end of April. This event is designed to awaken and mobilize the church to respond in love to the many immigrant neighbors who are settling into cities all around the world. This is God’s plan to bring the nations to Himself, by bringing them into close proximity with His people — where the church exists. Pray that this conference and others like it will truly spark a strategic response from the church around the world. As you pray, ask yourself — “What am I doing to love neighbors in my community?” (Open your eyes for the harvest is ripe).

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.

Millions of neighbors worldwide are preparing even now to make their most important of pilgrimages, the Hajj* (November 25-30, 2009) — around the same time this year when many believers in the Western world celebrate Thanksgiving.

In addition, nearly all Neighbors are making arrangements to celebrate the “Festival of Sacrifice” Eid Ul Adha* (Eid Korban) (November 28, 2009). These are great opportunities for us to develop relationships with Neighbors, ask them questions, learn from them, participate in family holidays with them and pray for them. For more understanding of these important events, please read below and/or follow the hyperlinks. This week we’ll focus on the Hajj. Next week we’ll consider some prayer points regarding Eid Ul Adha.

The Hajj:

One fifth of humankind shares a single aspiration to complete, at least once, the spiritual journey called the Hajj. In Arabic, Hajj literally means “resolve” ie; to resolve to some magnificent duty.

Mecca, Saudi Arabia — Countless millions of Neighbors, men and women from the four corners of the earth, have made the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of their Religion. In carrying out this journey they fulfill one of the five “pillars” of their Faith (or central religious duties of a believer).

Their Prophet said, “He who performs the Hajj with no obscenity or evil practices will come out as a newly born baby free from all sins”. For the Neighbors, the pilgrimage is therefore much more than something to be done. It is a sacred and revered journey. Yet without it they have less chance of getting into paradise.

Prayer Points:

• This is often a dangerous journey for many, as every year dozens are killed in stampedes. Pray for the safety of Neighbors who are traveling on the Hajj.
• While performing the Hajj a Neighbor really seeks God. Many are known to have had visions of Jesus. Pray that they may also have visions of Jesus and understand who He really is and “resolve” to follow Him (Joel 2:28).
• Pray for divine appointments, that on their journey to Mecca Neighbors would meet true followers of Jesus who would witness to them.
• That God would put a desire in their hearts to look past their traditions and to look towards Jesus and what He has completed at the cross (John 4:23).
• That they would go away feeling empty, realizing that no amount of sacrifice or good deeds or rituals will bring them into right relationship with God (Ephesians 2:8-9).

OTHER Prayer Requests:

• This week there is a conference “Ibrahim Meetings” taking place in a strategic location, focused on empowering and equipping leadership amongst Neighbors. God is doing incredible things amongst Neighbors, raising up “organic” house churches and fellowships in Neighbor communities. Pray for the leaders of these movements for courage, strength, and boldness. May they be rooted and established in the Faith, and be filled with the Holy Spirit to live Christlike lives and give Godly leadership to these movements.
• Continue to lift up our training workshops to raise up more workers to love and serve neighbors. (See prayer point #4 on August 28th entry)
• Pray for Neighbor communities in Padang, who were affected by the recent earthquake (October). Some Christian NGOs have been actively working there to provide relief, in the form of food , water, clothing and shelter. May these acts of love and compassion draw many Neighbors to Jesus.

I was reading from Ezekiel in my quiet time this morning and came across this familiar, challenging passage in Ezekiel. It reminded me of the importance of intercession on behalf of other people, and it made me grateful for all those “praying neighbors” like you who do “stand in the gap” on behalf of others. I commend you for caring enough for others to intercede for them during these 30 Days of Prayer. And I pray that you too have learned some lessons as you’ve prayed for Neighbors through this season of Ramadan.

In my interactions with Neighbors around me, I have learned to appreciate four main things about Ramadan. These can also serve as today’s prayer points.

1. Spiritual disciplines (like fasting and prayer) are necessary in our pursuit of real relationship with God (read Jeremiah 29:12-13; and Acts 10). Before we find fault with the shortcomings and hypocrisies of other religions, let us first make sure we are disciplined and sincere in our own own walk with God. PRAY that those who have been genuinely seeking God during this time of Ramadan will have experienced (and will continue to experience) a breakthrough in their understanding of who God is. May they continue to seek him fervently even after the fast.
   
2. We all seek and need blessings. Neighbors often seek special blessings (baraka) during Ramadan. PRAY that neighbors would continue to seek and find TRUE blessings, that ultimately only come through Jesus Christ. And DO something practical to bless them yourself. (read Genesis 12:1-3; 1 Chronicles 4:10; and Ephesians 1:3)
3. Family is high priority. Ramadan is a great time for family gatherings, reunions, feasts, and fellowship. It’s a wonderful experience to “break the fast” with neighbor families, where you get to meet extended family. PRAY that your Neighbors and their “entire household” might come experience membership in God’s family through Jesus Christ. And INVITE them into your home to experience your family gatherings. (read 2 Samuel 6:11; Acts 10:23-48 ; 16:31-34 ; 18:8 )
4. Celebration is the spice of life! Celebration is a huge part of most Neighbor families during Ramadan. At the end of the day, after fasting from food, water and other physical things, it is a wonderful celebration to “break the fast” with family and friends and enjoy a feast together. Each Neighbor community has a prescribed time of the day (after sun down) when they are allowed to eat. The break fast begins with a call to prayer, and the meal normally begins with a few dates or healthy soups or drinks. God loves celebration and He continually called / calls on His people to celebrate and commemorate His activities and events. PRAY that God’s kindness (his creation, blessing, provision) would lead our Neighbors to repentance (read Romans 2:4)….that they too will join every tribe, language and nation to celebrate at the feast of the Lamb (read Revelations 5:11-13). And INVITE a Neighbor to celebrate one of your family or spiritual holidays with you.

As we continue to pray for Neighbors around us, and around the world, may we pray with hope. God’s salvation plan IS being accomplished amongst the nations, as people daily are being drawn by His Spirit to seek Him and place their faith in Him.

REMEMBER, today is the 7th day of Ramadan. If you haven’t done so already, I urge you to register for daily prayer updates from 30-Days of Prayer.

1. Pray for the Kaili Unde, a small but not forgotten people in the province of Central Sulawesi in Indonesia:

• For an openness and a willingness to obey the Gospel (Rom. 1:5 and 16:26)
• That they can hear and see the Indonesian Christian radio and TV programs and thus find a way to Christ.
• That the power of darkness and enslavement to spirits be broken and their eyes opened, so that the Kaili Unde can be freed (Acts 10:38; 26:18).

2. Continue to intercede for Daud. He is now out of the hospital, but still under observation and medical care. He is sending and receiving SMS (text messages) that indicate his great appreciation for prayer, and openness to dialogue about Christ. May this time of illness be a turning point in his life where he calls on the name of Jesus for healing, physically and spiritually. May God’s presence be very real to him through Christian visitors, literature, dreams and visions.

3. Today, August 28 — in one of our creative areas with majority Neighbor population — our team members are beginning a series of seminars to enlighten and train Christian laity and pastors to be more effective at working among neighbors. The second seminar will occur in October. The plan is to go to every zone to increase the acceptance and understanding of new paradigms for neighbors among our established pastors as well as teach them new attitudes and methods. Through these, may God call, raise up and equip many new laborers for the harvest.

4. Pray for Luis, who wants God to take over his business so that he can be used as a servant of God’s people and help them. Luis also asks for God’s direction and provision in his relationships. May he find contentment first in his relationship with Christ, to be the man that God wants him to be, and be a light and witness to his neighbors.

5.  Next week, 2-4 September, several key broadcast organizations will be meeting in a creative location in Asia to discuss strategies and partnerships to more effectively reach Neighbors in Indonesia with relevant, contextualized methods and messages.  Pray for God’s wisdom to be with these 15-20 ministry leaders.