Neighbor Prayer Update

Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth -
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.
Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf.
All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble.
(Isaiah 43:5-9)

In a time of global financial crisis, political instability, religious and cultural tensions, civil and international wars…..God’s word for us is still “Do NOT be afraid!” In the realm of things that really matter, God is at work amongst the nations, opening eyes that are blind and ears that are deaf, gathering in his sons and daughters from the north, south, east and west. As we pray today for neighbors, lets see our world through the eyes of hope — hope in the promises…in the realities of God.

1. Pray for the pastors and members of two or our churches in Indonesia that have recently been confronted with opposition from some radical leaders in the community who are trying to close their churches. Praise God that our fellow believers in both locations have responded with a loving, forgiving attitude. They had already previously built strong relationships with several leading neighbors in the community and God is using these friendly neighbors as advocates for the church. Lets focus our prayers on those who are opposing the work that they will be drawn to Isa al Masih through the love and respect being displayed by these followers of Christ. May these events lead to a spiritual awakening in this community.

2. Continue to lift up colleagues (a young couple and their children) in one of our sensitive areas who are developing a network of disciples whom they are training to be church planters. May the Lord bless and strengthen these relationships and empower these new disciples to effectively witness amongst their families and friends, leading others to Christ, establishing the church in these communities.

3. One of our colleagues in a key gateway neighbor city has just completed another short language immersion trip. They are preparing to move to this area permanently later this year. Pray that God opens all the right doors for their move and provides them with all the key contacts (men and women of peace) that they need to establish the church in this very challenging area.

4. During their Saturday morning soccer (football) practice, and the lunchtime afterwards, A & T were able to get much better acquainted with two young neighbor boys (brothers). The boys shared that their father is involved in a folk-animistic dance club. When they perform these “cultural” dances, they invite spirits to take control. The boys are expressing interest in following their father’s footsteps in joining this club. Pray with us that the boys and their father will have their eyes opened to the emptiness (even the dangers) of these folk-islamic practices, and be drawn by the Holy Spirit to Jesus Christ.

5. 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.

6. Continue to intercede for the troubled Middle East, particularly Palestine. Pray for lasting peace, that will only come as Prince of Peace controls the hearts of people on both sides. Pray for both the Jew and the Palestinian who both equally need Christ.

7. From this week’s Intercede Magazine — Please pray…..

• …for Neighbors in Lebanon. Pray that the Lord would continue to use MBBs to reach Neighbors with the love of Christ.
• …for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be heard by Neighbors in Chad.
• …for a Jordanian MBB labeled an apostate by his own father. His marriage has been annulled and he has left the country. If he returns to Jordan, he’ll lose his wife and children.