March - April 2015

27. Nepal

Communities in the mountainous region of

Bajura are deeply steeped in traditional Hindu

values and the hierarchies of the caste system,

which has the power to keep people locked in

long established roles. The gospel is seen as a

threat to the existing social order and there is

resistance to change. There is also opposition

to baptisms in local streams as it is believed to

spiritually pollute the water. Give thanks that in

the harsh, barren region of Bajura the spiritual

soil can be made fertile for the gospel. Pray that

fear of Christianity would be transformed into

freedom through the gospel. (INF)

28. Armenia

Armenians are predominantly Orthodox

Christians, but many have little knowledge of

Scripture or a personal relationship with Christ.

The evangelical community is often persecuted

and considered untrustworthy. Christian student

groups are not officially allowed to enter

universities because any Christian group

outside the state church is considered to be a

cult. However, that has not prevented the

movement from implementing their vision

through evangelistic camps, leadership

conferences and training events for students.

They also have weekly Bible study groups,

movie clubs and other evangelistic activities.

Give thanks that, by the grace of God, the

gospel is making an impact on the students

lives and on the society. (IFES)

29. Pakistan

Pakistan has the worlds second highest

number of children out of school, and two-thirds

of these are girls. Tearfunds partner, the

Primary Education Project (PEP) is working

hard to change this situation. They currently run

84 schools in marginalised, rural areas of

Pakistan, with a particular focus on reaching

girls. Theyve also trained 106 teachers in high-

quality, child-friendly teaching methods.

Tragically, schools in Pakistan have recently

been targeted by extremists. A violent attack on

a Peshawar school in December left around

150 people dead. Ask God to comfort all those

mourning the loss of loved ones, and pray that

children will be able to attend school safely.

Pray for PEP as they plan to open 20 new

schools in 2015, as well as setting up 15

womens empowerment groups. (Tearfund)

30. Bangladesh

It is challenging to be a Christian in Bangladesh

but there are many opportunities to share the

gospel with other faiths. Christians are not

allowed to establish Bible study groups on

campuses so most groups are located in

Christian hostels, school compounds and

churches. The Christian student movement has

been issuing a challenge to action through its

leadership training events to encourage student

leaders to establish new Bible study groups.

Pray that they will see lifelong, committed

graduates to support the ministry sacrificially, as

many are so involved with their professions that

they forget the blessing of student ministry.

(IFES)

31. Afghanistan

Christianity in Afghanistan is growing rapidly

right now. Following the great demand for

programs focusing on everyday issues affecting

all Afghans, SAT-7 PARS are releasing Secret

of Life. The program focuses on important

topics such as the role of women in society,

family life and drug addiction problems. It is

risky for people in Afghanistan to call SAT-7

PARS programs. Viewers could be imprisoned

or even killed for choosing to follow Christ.

Despite this threat, many do call. Please pray

for the launch of Secret of Life and its impact on

viewers, pray for their safety, and pray for lives

to change through discipleship. (SAT-7)

Vol 60 No 2 Editor: Paul Tuckwell Hon. Editor: Martin Lee

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I think this qualifies as an arrow prayer. Its

certainly a short, sharp cry for help shot up to

heaven in a moment of crisis.

Its 445 BC, about 14 years after Ezra had

arrived in Jerusalem. Nehemiah is in Susa (now

in south-west Iran), which was used as a winter

retreat by the Persian kings. As cupbearer to

the king, he is a man of influence. Bad news

arrives from Jerusalem. The Jewish remnant is

in disgrace and the walls of the city are broken

and its gates burned. What was Nehemiahs

response?

When I heard these things, I sat down and

wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and

prayed before the God of heaven (1:4).

Nehemiah prays to God who he knows is

awesome and faithful (1:5). He confesses the

sin in which he shares (1:6). He appeals to the

work of salvation that God has already done

(1:8-9). And then he makes his request. Its very

specific. He asks God to move the heart of the

king.

About four months later his prayer is answered.

Noticing Nehemiahs sadness, the king

enquires as to its cause. Though afraid,

Nehemiah makes his request: permission to

return to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls.

Chapters 3 to 7 describe this activity for which

Nehemiah is most well-known. This was not a

project to restore a beautiful building. What

Nehemiah longed for was restoration after

brokenness. One that required spiritual

rebuilding as well as physical rebuilding. One by

which God would be glorified.

By chapter 6, the gaps in the wall are filled. It

has not happened without opposition.

Nehemiahs enemies had insulted and

intimidated him (4:1-3). They had plotted to kill

the Israelites (4:11). But Nehemiah instructed

the people to take up weapons and the work

continued.

So the wall was rebuilt. Next the doors needed

to be set in the gates. Opposition ramped up.

The Israelites enemies were trying to frighten

them, hoping to make their hands too weak for

the work that it would not be completed (6:9).

Now strengthen my hands, Nehemiah prayed.

By day 52 the wall was finished and everyone

knew it had been done by the help of the God of

Israel. The wall was complete but the

intimidation wasnt.

Thats real life. Days of victory and days of

opposition. We throw ourselves on Gods

strength. It doesnt necessarily take very many

words.

Tracy Cotterell

The London Institute for

Contemporary Christianity

Now strengthen my hands (Nehemiah 6:9) 22. Mongolia Today, there are about 40,000 believers

worshiping in Mongolia in around 600 churches

across the country. The challenge is that the

40,000 believers represent only about 1.2

percent of the nations population. Thats why

Reach Beyond and FEBC have committed to

put a Christian radio station in each of the

countrys 21 provinces, blanketing the nation

with gospel broadcasts. There are currently six

partner stations on the air, pray as they plan to

add another three stations this year, and for a

good response to the current broadcasts.

(Reach Beyondformerly HCJB Global)

23. Japan

Praise God that he works constantly, in the

quiet, preparing hearts to receive the truth of

the gospel. Pray that he will send many workers

into the ready harvest field of Japan, both from

inside and outside Japan. Pray that God will

raise up many young leaders within the

Japanese church, that they will be people filled

with confidence in their identity in Christ,

passion to live a life that glorifies Christ and

conviction in the life-transforming power of

Gods Word and his Holy Spirit. Pray that many

more Japanese Christians will be equipped,

encouraged and emboldened to share their faith

openly with family members, co-workers and

friends who are not yet believers. (Japan

Christian Link)

24. China

The province of Sichuan in South West China

has been at the forefront of the countrys

unrelenting economic development. Everything

from tea to cars is produced here in the Land of

Abundance, so called due to its rich natural

resources, temperate climate and fertile soils.

14 million of its 90 million population live in the

capital, Chengdu. But the greatest challenge

facing Sichuans growing church seems to be

the enormity of the task of reaching their

neighbours. It is directly connected to Yunnan,

Tibet, Qinghai and Xinjianghome to some of

the least reached peoples in the world. Large

portions of this population are ethnic minorities

with little or no witness in their language. Pray

for the miraculous spread of the Good News to

the unreached people. (AsiaLink)

25. Thailand

The skill to create life-altering goodies is what

BMS World Missions Freedom Bakery offers

the women who choose to leave Bangkoks red

light district and make a new life for themselves.

BMS mission worker Sarah Brown never

thought she would be teaching, encouraging

and inspiring women who used to work in Nana

Plazas bars and brothels. Now Sarah spends

her days reminding them that they are worthy

and deserving of respect and dignity. Please

keep Sarah, her team and students at the

Freedom Bakery in your prayers. Pray for

improved language skills, strength,

perseverance and wisdom as she teaches.

(BMS World Mission)

26. Burma (Myanmar)

The Shing Kachin refugee camp in Burma

burned down back in December. Over 180

families displaced by the ongoing conflict in

Kachin State were living in the camp. No one

died, but the one church in the camp and more

than 100 temporary shelters were destroyed

along with food and personal belongings. The

refugees face severe difficulties as winter in this

region near the Chinese border is cold. Please

pray that food, warm clothes and rebuilding

materials would be delivered to them despite

the Governments blockade of aid to these

camps. (AsiaLink)

1. Iran

Marriage is in a mess in Iran. Divorce ends one

in three marriages in Tehran. Under-30s make

up 55% of the population. But most cannot

afford marriage, and brief flings have become

prevalent: temporary marriages can last for as

little as an hour. Over 300 Western-style dating

websites have sprung up of late to facilitate

young people meeting. Christians have a role to

play in this matrimonial mess. Pray for Christian

couples in Iran as they seek to model healthy,

committed, and self-sacrificial marriage to their

friends and neighbours. Lets pray for pastors

as they guide and counsel couples in their

churches. If marriage is given to mankind by

God primarily as a picture of Christs covenant

love for his church, lets pray that as Christians

seek to live out godly marriages, many more

Iranians would be drawn to Christ. (Elam

Ministries)

2. Libya

The brother of two of the 21 Coptic Christians

murdered in Libya used live television to thank

their killers for including the men's declaration of

faith in the video of their execution. Christian

channel SAT-7 ARABIC has become a

mouthpiece for the families of the young men

over the last six weeks since they were first

abducted. Please pray that the martyrdom of

these men will have significant impact on those

who hear about it. Pray for their families as they

display forgiveness showing the love and mercy

of Christ in the face of persecution. (SAT-7)

3. Lebanon

Lebanon has maintained a Christian identity

around 40% of the population is Christian.

Freedom of religious practice, speech and

human rights are protected under the Lebanese

constitution. Religious freedom allows LIVF to

work with students without any restrictions.

They thank God that they are seeing new

students committing their lives to Christ and

new leaders stepping forward to serve the Lord

through the movement. They are also grateful

for the continuity of the ministry over many

decades, a result of hard work and prayer. Their

major challenge is that graduating student

leaders have a tendency to leave the country to

work abroad so the movement loses out on

their experience and support. Pray for the

continued growth and discipleship of students

coming to faith and for the equipping of student

leaders to minister to the next generation.

(IFES)

4. Turkey

Women in the city of Erdogan have been

dressing in black and protesting on the streets

and on Twitter in response to the recent murder

of a woman after she resisted rape. Turkey

based Human Rights Association estimates that

the number of women killed by men in 2014

was at least 257. Women are resorting to

dressing ultra conservatively, carrying pepper

spray, feigning phone calls to men, and

avoiding being alone with a taxi or bus driver.

Pray that the men and women of Turkey will

learn of the love of Isa (Jesus) for women, and

that they would begin to value one another as

Gods beloved creation. (Youth With A Mission)

5. Saudi Arabia

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia died at the age of

90 on 23rd January after two decades in power.

Pray for the nations stability as the new

monarch, King Salman, takes charge. May all

those entrusted with leadership act justly, love

mercy and walk humbly before God. Praise God

for how He is changing lives in Saudi Arabia.

Despite the ban on Bibles, Christmas and

Christian websites, Gods arm is not too short to

reach into Saudi palaces, homes and hearts.

May this new chapter open doors for the

extension of Gods Kingdom in this precious

land. (Arab World Ministry of Pioneers)

17. Cross-cultural training

There has been amazing numerical growth in

the Evangelical Church in Latin America in the

past 50 years, from around 23 million in 1970 to

228.5 million in 2010. Theres also been

incredible growth in the Latin mission

movement: there are now about 18,000 Latin

American mission workers worldwide. Sadly,

many return home before time due to lack of

finance and inadequate training. Pray for

organisations such as ProMETA, which is

developing into an online university offering five

Masters programmes to help give mission

workers the tools to be successful in a cross-

cultural situation. (Latin Link)

18. Chile

Mission partners in Chile ask us to pray about

big social changes proposed in Chile. Last

week Civil Unions became law and President

Bachelet has tabled a bill in Congress to

legalise abortion in cases of rape or when there

is a threat to the mothers or the babys life.

There is currently a total ban in Chile, as in

seven other Latin American countries. These

issues are painful and often divisive. Please

pray into the situation. (CMS)

19. Costa Rica

A Students International team reaching out to

the women of three poor communities of San

Jos have found that the key is to mix the

spiritual and the practical. Most of the women

dont have jobs and stay at home with children

or grandchildren. Some are married, some not.

They try to earn money by selling their hand-

made products or re-selling (clothes, perfumes,

etc) in the community where they live or in the

city centre. Over 40 women attend meetings

each week with each tailored to the needs of

the group - including elements of Bible study,

craft session or short business guidance talks.

Give thanks that lives are being changed, with

women being encouraged both spiritually and

professionally. (Latin Link)

20. Colombia

Last year the Wayuu people of La Guajira

struggled to survive a devastating drought

which destroyed their crops. Levels of

malnutrition were so serious that 15 indigenous

children were reported dead. Thanks to your

prayers and the quick response of Tearfunds

partner Red Viva, Wayuu families have been

provided with medical care as well as vital food

packages. At the start of the project, the

children were listless and sad. But now they

have the energy to attend school again. Praise

God for the restored health and hope of the

Wayuu people, and pray for the rains they

desperately need to come this year. Red Viva is

helping the Wayuu community to advocate to

the authorities for longer-term solutions to the

lack of water, such as wells and water cleansing

systems. Please pray that they will be

successful in finding a way forward. (Tearfund)

21. Bolivia

Bolivia is a multicultural country that has

experienced various social changes over the

last ten years and is starting an economic

stabilisation process, the impacts of which will

only be seen in the long run. The level of

corruption is still high and it is one of the

poorest countries of Latin America. Most

students can only get into state universities,

which generally offer teaching of lower quality.

The challenge for Christian students is to

contribute to their society through their faith in

two areas: the academic excellence and the

fight against corruption and poverty. Pray for

students to be moved by God in both mind and

heart to share his message with passion and

with tenderness to a suffering nation. Pray also

for continued financial provision for CCU, the

Christian student movement. (IFES)

11. Chad

When five-year-old Yousef arrived at Guinebor

Hospital in Chad he weighed just 6kg. Severely

malnourished, he hadnt walked for two years;

he was so weak he couldnt even sit up. Listless

and seemingly disconnected from everything

around him, he was dangerously close to death.

Five weeks on, BMS nurse Rebecca North is

joyfully able to tell a different story; Yousef has a

life to look forward to. Yousef is an example of

the people who come to us who will not live if

they dont get the care and the treatment that

we offer, says Rebecca. Pray for other children

like Yousef who suffer with severe malnutrition,

for miracles of healing. Pray too for doctors and

surgeons to join the team. (BMS World Mission)

12. Central African Republic (CAR)

As the sun sets and the darkness descends,

fear of violence drives people off the streets of

the CAR capital. More than 2,000 of them arrive

at a theological college known as FATEB, where

classrooms become dormitories for dozens of

frightened people. In a year of conflict following

a coup, thousands of people have been killed in

the CAR and some 714,000 have been made

homeless. Another 250,000 have fled to

neighbouring countries such as Chad,

Cameroon and Congo. Pray for an end to the

violence and for the efforts to provide food and

shelter for people living in fear. (Tearfund)

13. South Sudan

The World Council of Churches has highlighted

a new course titled Reconcile Moving Forward

in Peace, inviting people to be peace-builders

this Lenten season. Themes include tribalism,

causes of friction, domestic violence and the

understanding of peace. Pray for its wide use

and fruitfulness amidst the conflict in South

Sudan which has gravely affected all

communities since the countrys independence

from Sudan in 2011. (CMS)

14. Niger

As they began clearing up after groups of

extremists in Niger vandalised their home and

destroyed their possessions, a family of

Christians associated with YWAM has been

encouraged and supported by the sincere help

of their Muslim neighbours. Other local

Christians have been supported by the help of

churches, missions and other local residents in

the aftermath of the attacks. Things are

reported to be calm in Niger at present but

further unrest is anticipated. Pray for the Church

in Nigernot for the restoration of the buildings,

but for the preservation of the people, their faith

in Christ, and their role as ambassadors of

peace. (Youth With A Mission)

15. Uganda

Three Ugandan policemen have become

Christians in one village and the number of

children raped each month has dropped by over

90% in another, thanks to safeguarding training

written by BMS mission workers. Praise God for

working through the Guard, Guide and Grow

training ,and pray for the policemen to have an

ongoing impact on their village. (BMS World

Mission)

16. Mozambique

Give thanks for the leprosy control work being

carried out in Mozambique, which will diminish

the leprosy disease burden, prevent leprosy

complications and ensure that people affected

by leprosy will have access to quality diagnostic

and treatment services. Pray that this will also

help reintegration into mainstream society and

improve quality of life for leprosy-affected

people. Please pray that awareness about

leprosy will be increased through the training of

healthcare workers and through radio

messages and other health education

opportunities. (The Leprosy Mission)

6. Spain

Give thanks again for the work of Latin partner

Noel Diaz leading St Andrews church, and for

the great initiatives in outreach. There are

several brothels in our street and

neighbourhood. For Mothers Day we wanted to

make contact with some of the women to

express our concern and love, so we invited

them to our service. None came, but many of

the women were really touched that we had

thought of them. We gave them gifts to

celebrate Mothers Day as many of them have

children. Pray for those women and for

encouragement for Noel and the congregation

in their ongoing outreach. (CMS)

7. Romania

Rock of Ages ministry has been operating in

Romania for many years and its work has gone

international with individuals taking the ministry

ideas back to their own countries. Please pray

for this coming year and the programmes ready

to go out to prisoners. May the prison doors

remain open to Rock of Ages so that their

ministry can continue to be abundantly fruitful.

Pray for prisoners who have prayed to accept

Christ. May their lives be forever transformed

and their new birth help with their life outside

prison walls. (Transform Europe Now)

8. Albania

Way of Hope Baptist Church in Tirana, Albania,

celebrated its 20th anniversary in February. The

church has come a long way since it was first

planted by BMS World Mission in 1995. Its

focus has been on encouraging Albanians to

engage with the Christian faith after decades of

enforced atheism came to an end in 1990,

when the countrys communist regime

collapsed. A football ministry that has attracted

men to the church, a prison ministry and a

young peoples outreach in a suburb on the

outskirts of Tirana have all been part of its

toolbox. Pray for the next 20 years of mission

and ministry for Way of Hope Baptist Church

and for the people of Albania to receive Christ

into their hearts. (BMS World Mission)

9. Malta

Malta is a popular holiday destination and

tourism is the main source of income. It has a

community-based culture with a lot of pressure

to conform. Christians therefore have a hard

time because others think that they have

rejected their culture. Student ministry in Malta

is just beginning but creative ways are being

explored to reach out to students. For example,

students were invited to post their questions to

God on a wall on campus. The leaders are

seeing the power of the gospel as they read the

Bible with students in small groups. Students

eyes are being turned from their own good

works onto Christ's good work in their place and

they are seeing that salvation, and the freedom

that follows, comes through Christ alone. (IFES)

10. Ukraine

When bands of balaclava-wearing gunmen

seized government administration buildings in

eastern Ukraine, many local Christians

prepared for the worst. It became evident that

religious freedom was not valued by the self-

proclaimed leaders of the new so-called

peoples republics. When abuses started,

thousands of Christians began to flee separatist

-controlled regions, and churches from around

the country began taking in suffering believers

from the occupied territories. It has been a

wonderful expression of brotherly love on a

significant scale. Please pray that through the

abuses, persecutions and suffering, the work of

Lord will happen. Pray that thousands of

Ukrainians will come to know Jesus and put

their trust in Him, and that in time, Ukraine will

send forth many missionaries to lands still in

need of Him. (Operation Mobilisation)