Neighbor Prayer Update

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.
He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son…(Hebrews 11:17)

Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people;
and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:28)

“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams….
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise. (1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 51:17)

This is a time of celebration, remembrance and sacrifice for Neighbors all over the world. Even now, millions are making their way to Mecca for the Hajj. For many, this is a tremendous financial and physical sacrifice. At the close of the Hajj, most Neighbors around the world will celebrate Eid Ul Adha, “The Festival of Sacrifice.” These events are great opportunities for us to get to know our Neighbors, learn from them, and celebrate with them.

Last year a Neighbor friend invited me to a mosque near my home to observe Eid Ul Adha (Korban), where they sacrificed 144 sheep. (It was actually more like a butcher shop, run very orderly, humanely, and hygienically.) Afterwards, I then had the privilege of sitting with Neighbors from many countries to feast on “mutton byrani.” As we ate together from the communal dish, I was able to share about my relationship with Isa al Masih (the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world).

Pray for open doors for you and other believers to be engaged with Neighbors during these important festivals. In order to be better prepared to pray and participate, we are sharing more info today about the meaning and practice of Eid Ul Adha from our Neighbor’s perspective. There are things we can affirm, and bridges for connecting our friends to Christ. Following this information are some prayer points to focus on today.

Eid Ul Adha

The festival remembers the prophet Ibrahim‘s willingness to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to

Ibrahim’s sacrifice

God appeared in a dream to Ibrahim and told him to sacrifice his son Isma’il. Ibrahim and Isma’il set off to Mina for the sacrifice. As they went, the devil attempted to persuade Ibrahim to disobey God and not to sacrifice his beloved son. But Ibrahim stayed true to God, and drove the devil away. As Ibrahim prepared to kill his son God stopped him and gave him a sheep to sacrifice instead.

Celebrations

Ibrahim’s complete obedience to the will of God is celebrated by Neighbors each year. Each Neighbor, as they celebrate, reminds themselves of their own submission to God, and their own willingness to sacrifice anything to God’s wishes. During the festival Neighbors who can afford to, sacrifice domestic animals, usually sheep, as a symbol of Ibraham’s sacrifice.

The meat is distributed among family, friends and the poor, who each get a third share.

** It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Neighbors, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a misunderstanding by those of previous generations: “It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him.” (Qur’an 22:37)

The symbolism is in the attitude – a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path. Each of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A true Neighbor, one who submits his or herself completely to the Lord, is willing to follow Allah’s commands completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Even though most Neighbors focus on ABRAHAM’s willingness to submit to God and give sacrificially, we can pray that their hearts be turned to the LAMB (the Korban) and it’s full meaning, as intended by God. (Genesis 22)
2. May they come to understand that it is not our sacrifice, or our works that save us, but only God’s provision and grace. (Eph. 2:8-9; Galations 3).
3. May their observance of the sacrifice, open their eyes to their own need for a korban (an atoning sacrifice).
4. Pray for those who are working and living amongst Neighbors that they will have an effective witness, especially during these special holidays and celebrations.
5. May there be special times of reconciliation during these holidays where there is conflict and fighting (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Iran, etc)

Blessed are those whose strength is in YOU,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
(Psalm 84:5)

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 looked for someone
who would stand before me
in the gap on behalf of the land ….
but I found none.
(Ezekiel 22:30)

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.

This I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
(Lamentations 3:21-26)

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.

Many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”

“And HE will be their peace.”
(Micah 4:2; 5:5)

This passage from the Prophet Micah is such a hopeful promise, even in the midst of very challenging times. Out of the context of warfare and exile, Micah introduces the promise of nations at peace, through the coming of Messiah. Today this is no longer just a future promise. It is a reality (and becoming more so) for many nations and people who accept Isa al Masih as their peace. So today, instead of focusing on all the situations of conflict, we want to rejoice and pray for situations where God is at work establishing his Kingdom of peace.

AND A REMINDER, tomorrow begins Ramadan (22 August – 20 September), so please register to receive your daily email prayer updates from 30-Days of Prayer. You can also receive daily Twitter updates. The important this is that you join the rest of us in praying each day (or as often as you can) for the needs of the Neighbor world, during this very important event for them.

1. Pray for our friend Daud. He is very close to the Kingdom. A real man of peace. He has been seeking truth, asking questions, reading Christian books, and requesting prayers. Right now, Daud is in the hospital, since last Tuesday. 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.

2. From friends in a creative ministry area, they send very good news of God’s work amongst Neighbors in their country. Please, please pray with them for the following items:

• They have now developed a leadership team who are involved in strategy, placement, and training. Pray for their planning meeting at the end of this month.
• Six people are involved in ongoing intensive training to better serve Neighbors. Three of them are already involved in active ministry, and the other three will be placed in strategic ministries by early next year. Pray for these and others who are dedicating themselves to serve.
• Pray for Mr. D as he has been assigned the role of shepherding each of these trainees through this process, evaluate their progress and help them with problems they are facing.
• One of these young men testified that he turned down an offer of a pastorate complete with a building, a parsonage, and a very nice wage in order to heed the call of God in his life. He talked to his parents and they have given him their blessing in this. This is a very sharp young man, who will become a valuable part of this neighbor ministry team. Pray that he will maintain his commitment and be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to endure all the challenging times ahead.
• All of these people will be learning skills they can use to support themselves, to create a personal identity in the places where they will go, and as a bridge to build relationships. Over the next 4 months they are to present a short list of possible skills that are appropriate for the areas where they will be living and working. Pray that God will direct and guide them to wisely select areas of work that He has uniquely gifted them to do.
• There are two additional students who have expressed a call to working with neighbors who will be entering the program next year. We are praying for more as we open the students eyes to this work.
• Additional seminars will begin on August 28th to enlighten and train 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.

Muslims are my / your / our Neighbors!
(Matthew 22:39)

Look around you. You don’t have to search very far. We have precious people all around us, in our communities, cities, schools, universities, work places, supermarkets…who follow the Islamic faith. And their numbers are growing. This fact should not concern us. No, in fact God is orchestrating something in our day to draw the nations to Himself. He is bringing our Muslim “cousins” to us. We no longer have to necessarily go abroad to them. They are right next door. They are our neighbors. God is doing this for a purpose — so that through His people, the nations will see His glory, goodness, grace, and love. He has always desired for His people to be “a light to the nations.”

Yet, sadly, it is estimated that 9 out of 10 Muslims do not know a single follower of Jesus.

How can they come to know Jesus (Isa al Masih) if the followers of Jesus refuse to befriend them? The call of Christ still goes out to all of us to “love our neighbors as we love ourselves (Matt. 22:39).” And that is exactly why we at PrayingNeighbor generally substitute the world “Muslim” with “Neighbor,” — to change our attitudes and perspectives, to break down stereotypes that cause fear, mistrust, even hatred. When you think of someone as a neighbor, you begin to see them and treat them differently. So during this upcoming season of Ramadan (August 22-September 20), we at PrayingNeighbor urge you to PRAY and OBEY in the following ways:

1. Log on and register at http://www.30-days.net to receive daily prayer updates for the Muslim world. If possible, find a local distributor of the 30 Days Prayer Booklet.

2. Pray Daily, using the 30-Days Prayer guide (either online or with the booklet).

3. Ask God to open your eyes to the Neighbors in your area, to sensitize you to their likes, interests, foods, culture, needs, and issues. Begin to read and learn about Islam from reputable, Christ-centered sources.

4. Ask God to give you a divine appointment with a man or woman (neighbor) of peace whom you can befriend, talk to, learn from, and share the love of Christ with. (Luke 10)

5. Ask God to show you ways that you can serve your neighbors with hospitality.

6. Consider FASTING yourself during Ramadan, even if just one meal a day. Take this time to identify with and pray for your Neighbors. And by all means, respect their desire to keep the fast. Encourage them. Ask them how you can pray for them during their fast. Ask them what they themselves are praying about and seeking from God during the fast.

Come!… join the millions of Christians around the world who have participated in this largest ongoing international prayer focus on the Muslim world.

August 22 to September 20, 2009, 18th Anniversary. Grab a booklet today

And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse (Isa al Masih) will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles (all nations) will hope in him.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.
(Romans 15:12-13)

In a climate of fear, mistrust and animosity people often lack the sense of hope that anything can or ever will change. This lack of hope leads to a downward spiral of despair and desperation. It is precisely these places in our world where the Gospel of Hope is needed the most, and where the people of Hope need to be engaged. Today lets pray for those who are working as ambassadors of hope in challenging situations.

1. Praise God that our colleagues have been cleared to move this weekend to their new home and work in a major gateway city in Asia. Their transition had been delayed by recent ethnic violence in that city. However, God has opened the door for them to begin their new jobs this weekend. Pray that that through this couple’s words, deeds, lives, interactions and relationships they will convey (exemplify) the HOPE that is so lacking right now in that city. The dividing walls of hostility have already been broken (Eph. 2:13-17) — it’s just a matter of people’s eyes, hearts and minds being opened to this reality.

2. Pray for the victims and family members of last week’s Jakarta bombings. One of the suicide bombers is believed to have been a 16-17 year old. Pray for his family members and friends too that they will be awakened to the lack of hope that causes a young person to take his life in such a senseless act. Pray too for the church in Indonesia to respond to this tragedy with love, forgiveness and compassion.

3. Lift up a young couple serving in a key location in Indonesia. They will soon be returning to their place of service after attending a recent funeral for a family member. May they return to their host community with a clear testimony of the hope they have in Christ, even in the midst of death. (I Thess. 4:13-14; 2 Thess. 2:16)

4. Ann was not able to meet M last week for their first bible study because M was ill. M’s family has struggled alot in recent months with various types of illnesses. M’s mother K has been especially sick with complications from cancer. All of this is taking it’s toll on the family’s finances and spirits. Pray that Ann is able to encourage M and her family that there is hope in Christ. May M and her family be open to and find an anchor in the “root of Jesse.”

5. From this month’s “Intercede Magazine”, please pray ….

• …for six Egyptian Christians arrested during Ramadan of 2008 for opening their cafe. They have been sentenced to three years in prison. During their time in prison, may they find hope in Christ and be exemplary witnesses for Christ. May the righteousness, joy and peace of Christ be evident in their lives.
• …for continued protections for Christians in Kazakhstan. A highly restrictive religious law was rejected by the Constitutional Council. May believers be prepared in season and out, to share the reason for the hope they have in Christ, regardless of government laws.
• …for an ease of religious restrictions in Sudan. A non-profit aid group was expelled from Darfur after thousands of Bibles were discovered in its office. Pray also that believers would be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” as they attempt to live their faith.

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
not counting men’s sins against them.
And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,
as though God were making his appeal through us.
We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
(2 Corinthians 5)

As Jesus so plainly stated in the Gospels, the world is in great need of peacemakers. Men and women who speak the truth in LOVE…not to win arguments but to develop redemptive relationships.

With unrest, distrust, animosity, accusation so commonplace around the world (in Pakistan, XinJiang, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, North Korea, Sudan, Mindanao, etc, etc) we need to plead with God to raise up ambassadors of reconciliation. And we need to do everything we can, where we are, to be agents of grace and peace.

1. Pray for those who are currently involved in relation-building, redemptive dialogues amongst neighbors. (To learn more about this method, continue reading at the end of the blog after the prayer requests).

• Last week Ann gave M her first Bible, which she graciously received. Today, Ann is meeting with M for lunch to begin a Bible study with her. Pray that Ann has wisdom to know what Scripture to share with M. Pray that Ann is hungry, open and receptive to the Word of Truth.
• Pray for D as he teaches a monthly course on Christian-Neighbor engagement in a Neighbor-majority nation. For the next five months they will be comparing the two religions, to set the stage for inter-religious dialogue with Neighbor friends.
• Lift up D this Sunday July 19, as he speaks at a mosque in his city. His ustad (Neighbor religious teacher) friend and D will discuss what Christianity and Islam have in common. This will hopefully be the first of many such dialogues in D’s city.
• Pray for a couple who were scheduled to move this week to a major gateway city in Asia, to work amongst the large Neighbor population in that city. They had secured employment, visas, housing and were ready to go….but violence broke out in that city two weeks ago and the situation there remains very delicate. So for now the couple is waiting and seeking God’s timing. During this period of waiting, may God continue to work in the lives of the men and women of peace in that city, whom this couple has already developed relationships with.

2. One of our key couples in Indonesia, who have worked hard to build great relationships with Neighbors in their community, have been hit with a recent death in their family. Pray for them as they travel in the next few weeks to attend her father’s funeral and comfort family members. May this tragedy allow them an open door to express the hope of eternal life when they return to their community.

3. From the current issue of Intercede:

• for a Ghanian who is currently imprisoned in Libya. He’d been sentenced in 2001 to 25 years for importing Bibles. May he be a true ambassador of Christ, whether he remains in prison or is released. May many inmates and guards come to know Christ through his life and testimony.
• for increasing numbers of Neighbors to hunger for spiritual truth and the possibility of knowing God personally, being assured of salvation, and having sins forgiven.
• for Christians in Indonesia that they will continue to be Kingdom citizens and peacemakers, in spite of local governments attempts to pass Sharia-inspired laws. Pray for a spirit of boldness, grace and love in the midst of opposition.

******************

Here are some FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) about dialogue, and one person’s expert opinion of how dialogue should work:

1. What is Christian-Neighbor dialogue?

It is a means of relating to Neighbors based on understanding and discovery rather than preaching and debate. A monologue is one way communication, usually expressed by a sermon or presentation, usually unsolicited.

For religions hostile to Christianity, monologues seldom get an audience. Dialogue, on the other hand, creates a level playing field that reflects the globalisation and transparency of our age.

2. Why should we do this?

Due to the big gap of mutual suspicion between Christianity and Islam, some Christians who feel God’s heart for the nations, have come to realise a need for creating common ground with Neighbors that would lead to genuine friendships.

This is sometimes done through sports, social action or any other avenue of engagement that opens the door for dialogue. But for those who have natural friendships (or have created intentional contacts) with Neighbor intellectuals and religious leaders, dialogue on religious doctrine or theology can be a preferred common ground.

3. How does it work?

It starts with an organised attempt to listen and understand where each other is coming from – our worldviews and our religious differences. As we do this over a period of time, God breaks down prejudices and we become friends. Strong friendships carry the weight of the gospel – who Jesus is and what He has done.

4. How can you help?

• Using your imagination, you can PRAY for those involved in relation-building activities and dialogues with neighbors.
• You can open your eyes and ears to opportunities for relationship with neighbors in your own community (at the store, at school, in the office, next door, on the playing field, at the gym, etc, etc). Be intentional. Be prayerful. Be a student of God’s word. Then Start with your common interests, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your conversations. You are not out to win a debate, but to win a true friend.

Other resources on Christian-Neighbor Dialogue:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2009/spring/ministrylessonsfromamuslim.html?start=1

“Why do the nations rage…?”
(Acts 4, Psalm 2)

When Peter and John prayed this prayer, in Acts 4, they were quoting the Psalmist.    In both cases (Psalms and Acts), the people of God find themselves in tumultuous times, undergoing persecution.   And in both cases, they resort to PRAYER…allowing us a glimpse of how God responds to the turmoil of nations:   1.) His desire is for the nations to be His treasured possession, living under His rule, experiencing His peace;  2.) His desire is for His people to remain boldly committed to the task of proclaiming and living according to the Kingdom values of love and peace.   Let us too pray, in the midst of all the world’s unrest, that God’s people will continue to to “speak (God’s) word with great boldness.…(and that God would) stretch out (His) hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of (His) holy servant Jesus.”

1.  Pray for peace and reconciliation in the city of Urumqi, in China’s far-west Xinjiang region.   This has been a week of violence caused by ethnic tensions between the Uyghurs and members of China’s Han majority.  Hundreds were killed and wounded, with many others imprisoned.   May believers (from both sides) in this region be effective peacemakers, actively displaying the power of Christ’s love.

2.  Lift up believers in Iran, in the midst of recent political unrest, that they remain focused on their responsibilities as Kingdom citizens.  May they be used as instruments to draw their frustrated, disillusioned countrymen into God’s Kingdom.

3.  Praise God for the current peaceful elections in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim majority nation.    Pray for the newly elected leaders that they will be used by God to lead this nation with righteousness and justice, ensuring a climate where believers can boldly express their faith and disciple others to follow Christ.

4.  Praise God also for recent positive reports from workers in a creative area.

• “This month, in 4 different locations, neighbors are turning to the Lord, 4-6 in each place.  Some have just been baptized, some have recently decided to take that step.  Please pray for these new believers.”
• “A neighboring young man, “Mark,” who gives religious teaching to children, is viewed as a blossoming leader in his religious community.  But he is also showing openness to salvation by faith in Christ.”

5.  Pray for Ann and her friend M as they begin to spend more time together discussing faith issues.   M has recently confided in Ann that her boys need some better religious teaching, since they have begun to lie and steal.   M has asked if Ann would lead her boys in a Bible study!   Just today, Ann gave her an appropriate Bible for the boys.  Praise God for this open door.  May God grant wisdom to Ann and her family as they instruct these young boys in God’s Word, and may the boys have a hunger to learn.

(The words of Isaiah:)

I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted,
and the train of his robe filled the temple.
Above him were seraphs…and they were calling to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook
and the temple was filled with smoke.
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips,
and I live among a people of unclean lips,
and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”

Every morning on my way to work, I pass two large mosques. Today, as I passed and saw people entering for their ritual prayers (salat), I was struck by the thought of Isaiah, the Old Testament priest and prophet. Isaiah was a devout, religious man, entering the temple in his day (entering the “Holy of Holies” as a high priest no less). Isaiah was probably not expecting an encounter with the Lord that day…perhaps he was just doing his religious duty…going through the motions…. But God had other plans. God showed up unexpectedly with a powerful vision that changed Isaiah’s life, launched his prophetic ministry and impacted the course of human history. So, as I passed by the mosques today I cried out to God for an unexpected outpouring of His presence upon the Imams (spiritual leaders) and worshipers that they too might see the Lord “high and lifted up” and come to a realization that they (like all of us) are “people with unclean lips” in need of a Savior….That all their “righteousness” (religious rituals and routines) are as rags….and they be struck with a sense of spiritual discontent that will drive them to seek the Lord and call on the name of the One prophesied about in the Book of Isaiah. Let’s pray together for this kind of powerful visitation of God’s Spirit on neighbors all around the world .

1. Intercede for neighbors who are praying today at the Al Raudhah and Darussalam mosques in my city. Then find out the names of the mosques in your own community and pray for the people gathering there. Also ask God to open up doors for you to visit your nearest mosque and get to know your neighbors there.

2. Praise God for answered prayers! Our colleagues who have relocated to a key gateway city to work with neighbors, just sent us an exciting update: “We arrived in the city early this week. A few days ago we met with the head of the school where we were applying for teaching positions. Within a few minutes we realized that the administration was offering us both part-time contracts. The school will provide our visas and work permits! We are rejoicing that this schedule will allow us time and energy for developing meaningful and long-lasting friendships.” Please continue to lift up this precious couple and their new friends, colleagues and students. May the Lord grant them many disciples in this city of three million.

3. Praise God for these recent reports from Jesus Film teams in a creative access area, and pray for the growth of these new believers:

• TEAM A – Praise the Lord, this month a young mother accepted Christ after watching the JF. Pray for her. Her husband is not a believer and she is frightened to tell him. Her husband works in a neighboring country and comes home infrequently.
• TEAM B – We have a new team showing the JF in the new area. There has been a lot of interest and we have showed the film to a lot of people. At this point the people have just shown interest–so far no one has accepted Christ. Pray for us as we continue to show the film in this area.
• TEAM C – This month a young man accepted Christ as we have been discipling him. He has expressed his desire to be baptized which in our context is a very significant public statement of faith. He is coming from a village that is most made up of followers of the majority religion here.

4. Rejoice with a young couple serving amongst neighbors in another creative are. This week they started meetings at their home. Several of their pre-believing friends have expressed interest in the Gospel and they are eager to come. They expect to have 5-7 friends at their first meeting, with several more saying they want to come in the future. This couple is so excited to finally feel like we can begin to reach out and expand on the friendships they have made. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

5. Pray for Rooz and his son Rady. They were recently given a Christian book, a Manga Messiah comic book, a Bible and a Jesus Film DVD, and have shown great interest in knowing more about Isa al Masih. They met with a believing friend this week and told him, “we still have so many questions,” and requested for future meetings. Intercede for Rooz’s spiritual hunger to increase, and also ask the Lord to provide a new job for Rooz, and for complete recovery for his wife who has been suffering from cancer.

6. From this week’s Intercede Magazine, please pray…

• …for NBBs (Neighbor Background Believers) across the Islmc world. Pray they would find fellowship and opportunity
  for discipleship, despite what are often the most extreme and dangerous circumstances
• …for increasing numbers of Neighbors to hunger for spiritual truth and the possibility of knowing God personally, being
  assured of salvation, and having sins forgiven.
• …for NBBs in Libya. Several news reports recently described four NBBs tortured by Libyan police as apostates. May these four and their fellow believers respond as the apostles, “rejoicing because they have been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” And may they too, “Day after day, in the market place and from house to house, never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”