NAME Prayer Requests March 2013

1. ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPI - Sacrificial prayer
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA (A-dis AH-bah-bah) - In this large urban city, many discipleship groups have formed. The hope is that these groups will learn how to reproduce. Training times are focusing on teaching believers how to share more boldly and how new trainers can better train others. Pray that the Father will bless these efforts and that a mighty discipleship movement will sweep through this city. One of the keys to a true movement happening is sacrificial prayer, so thank you for your prayers.

 

AMHARA OF ETHIOPIA (ahm-HAR-ah) - In the rural highlands of Ethiopia, the born-again Orthodox priest who is being trained in discipleship is sharing the true Gospel with many people in different areas. Approximately 15 people have become believers. Praise God for this!

 

AMHARA OF ETHIOPIA (ahm-HAR-ah) - Thank you for praying for the born-again Orthodox priest in the rural highlands of Ethiopia who is sharing the true Gospel with many people, and for the approximately 15 people who have become believers. Please intercede for these new believers and the priest to grow mightily in their intimate fellowship with and love for God. Ask also that they will grow in wisdom, in knowledge of God and His Word, and in obedience to the Word. May they have a passion to reach others with the living Gospel, and a great sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Pray for entire families to come to Christ, not just individuals. Intercede for the believers as persecution comes upon them. Pray that they will stand firm, not grow weary or lose heart, and find their strength, hope and peace in God and His love and power.

 

ARAB PEOPLES OF CENTRAL UNITED KINGDOM - Matthew 9:35-38 talks about the harvest being great, but the laborers being few. Give thanks to the Lord for the increase of laborers in the past year. Since most of these Great Commission Christians are working among non-Arab people groups, please ask the Father to send more laborers to share with people living in the Central United Kingdom who come from a Northern Africa or Middle Eastern area.

 

ARAB PEOPLES OF CENTRAL UNITED KINGDOM - Please continue to pray for the group of Arab Muslim women who gather most Saturday nights in each other’s homes. Since December, S has asked if Muhammad is in the Bible. J, a believer, told her no and she became confused. S found a website in which an imam (religious leader) claims that Muhammad is mentioned in the Song of Solomon, in the Hebrew. J followed that up with a gift of a Bible in both Arabic and English. They turned to the passage in which the imam said Muhammad was to be found, and S read it for herself and saw that it was talking about King Solomon. Earlier in the chapter it talks about drinking wine, and J asked if S felt like that could be Muhammad. She agreed that it must be King Solomon. J then said that if S had any more questions, to please come to her and ask. All of the other women were able to hear the conversation as well. Since then, no more questions have been asked. Pray for the Holy Spirit to impress on S to read God’s Word for herself, and ask Him to raise up questions within the other women too. Pray that salvation will come to these households.

 

CONSERVATIVE CLERICS AND STUDENTS OF ISLAM IN THE UNITED KINGDOM - E is reading her Bible daily and she is continuing to grow in her walk with the Lord. She is learning about baptism and what that means. This young, single mother has several obstacles in her life that are keeping her from making the decision to be baptized. Please continue to pray for E in her walk, and ask that she will not allow circumstances in her life to keep her from following the Lord.

 

DRUZE OF THE LEVANT (drooz) - Plans are being made for a summer English/activities center. This center will help believers to gain access to many more Druze people. They need wisdom to organize the activities for the center, and they need wisdom to prepare for the visiting believers who will be coming to assist. Please pray that the Father will send those to help, both this summer and in the future, who have a heart for the Druze.

 

FRENCH-SPEAKING JEWS OF FRANCE AND ISRAEL - Some believers are going to the Father daily; they are asking Him to lead them to the person (or people) He has prepared. Their prayer is that when this person becomes a believer, he will share his faith with his family and friends, asking those who accept and believe to do the same. Such a person is called a “person of peace” (Luke 10:6). This person already knows all the languages his family and friends use regularly; he has already established credibility within his circle of influence. Truth and faith spread faster this way. Please pray that the Father will choose to do a mighty work among the people these believers associate with daily.

 

8a. FRENCH-SPEAKING JEWS - Moshe

FRENCH-SPEAKING JEWS OF FRANCE AND ISRAEL - M is a single, Orthodox, middle-aged man. He lives with and provides for his elderly mother. He claims to want nothing to do with the Messiah, yet he returns constantly to discuss the minute details of the beliefs of followers of Jesus who have befriended him. He ranges from acting indifferent to highly offended at what he hears, yet he returns with more questions. Pray that the One who changes hearts will change this man’s heart. Pray for discernment for believing friends of this man. Pray that believers will have discernment to know if this man is really interested in truth or whether he just wants to argue.

 

GULF ARAB BEDOUIN (BED-oo-in) - Gulf Arab Bedouin have little or no exposure to followers of Jesus from other Arab lands. Pray that the Lord will give Arab believers a burden for reaching the Bedouin in the Gulf and the desire and resources to visit or re-locate to the Gulf for the purpose of sharing their faith. Pray also that radio and television broadcasts of Gospel programming in Arabic will be made available to those in even the most remote Bedouin villages.

 

GULF SHIA OF THE ARABIAN GULF (SHEE-ah) - Shia Islam is the second-largest denomination of Islam. Shia Arabs (pronounced SHEE-ah) follow the leadership of Hussain Ibn Ali and identify themselves with his death from the Battle of Karbala, Iraq, in 680 A.D. Today Shia Muslims all over the world still observe the month of Muharram, honoring the first 10 days referred to as Ashura. Ten to 20 percent of the world’s Muslims are Shia, with larger populations in the countries of: Iran, Iraq, Bahrain and Azerbaijan. Shia Muslims are mostly on the lower end of the economic scale and live in poverty. The two holiest sites for Shia Muslims are the Imam Hussain Shrine in Karbala, Iraq, and the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf, Iraq, where Shias from all over the world travel to make their pilgrimage. Please pray for the salvation of the Gulf Shia.

 

GULF SHIA OF THE ARABIAN GULF (SHEE-ah) - Pray that the Lord will reveal Himself to Shia Muslims and draw them to Himself. They spend much time devoting their lives to doing “good works” in order to please God, so pray that they will find that a relationship with Jesus is their answer.

 

GURAGE OF ETHIOPIA (goo-ra-gay) - The translated Scripture is crucial for the foundation and sustained growth of believers and the church even for oral peoples. Though believers sow the Word through many oral methods (the “JESUS” film, Bible stories on mp3 players and the radio), the authority of the written Word is not diminished. Pray for the small team of nationals who are working daily to translate the New Testament into the local heart language. Pray that they will be diligent and that they will constantly be reminded of the urgency of their God-given task. Pray that the New Testament will be ready within two years, if God wills. Isaiah 45:23 says: “I have sworn by Myself, the word has gone forth from my mouth in righteousness and will not turn back, that to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.” Pray that this people group will have that Word to read, hear, understand and learn.

 

HADRAMAUT YEMENI ARABS OF YEMEN (HAH-drah-maht YEH-muh-nee) - They came--people who love Jesus, that is--to live among the Hadramaut Yemeni Arabs. The people watched their day-to-day lives. They listened to the stories that they told and their lives were touched. Today, all have gone. Pray that the “seeds sown,” the Scriptures left behind and the stories remembered will bear fruit. Ask that the church will grow and flourish in the Hadramaut.

 

HIJAZI SAUDI ARABS OF SAUDI ARABIA (hi-JAH-zee) - Pray for the families of local believers to see a positive change in the lives of their loved ones and be drawn to Jesus. Pray for wisdom for new believers in knowing when to share their faith and with whom. Thank God that some believers are sharing their faith with people close to them and are seeing some accept Jesus as a result. Pray that Hijazi Saudi believers will find believing spouses. (This is a huge difficulty in Saudi Arabia, as marriages are arranged by parents and require their approval.)

 

ISHELHAYN BERBERS OF NORTHERN AFRICA (ISH-el-haine) - Praise the Lord for increased growth in numbers and the faith of the Ishlehayn Berber believers! Ask for boldness for the Berber believers. Pray that they will not be afraid of persecution.

 

ISHELHAYN BERBERS OF NORTHERN AFRICA (ISH-el-haine) - Pray for the leadership of the Ishelhayn Berber church. They are faithful and committed but have a number of new believers to visit. Please pray that a new tier of leadership will rise up and help the senior leaders.

 

KABYLE BERBERS OF ALGERIA AND FRANCE (kuh-BEEL BER-bers) - “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). A. forsook Islam for a changed life, and now she has a heart for reaching homeless women in the streets. For years she dreamed of creating a center where these women would have a place of refuge. Pray for protection for A. as she goes around the streets, feeding and encouraging them. Ask for the development of a center where these women could go and find shelter in the arms of the Father.

 

NORTHERN AFRICAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN PEOPLES - “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 13:14). For the past year, a city has been preparing to host a big cultural event. Construction workers have been busy tearing up walkways, washing buildings, renovating parks, adjusting roads, etc. The most prominent structures are cranes all over the city, and for some is an eyesore, a hindrance. But at night, these cranes are lit with colorful, sparkling lights that help people appreciate their beauty and purpose. These cranes bring the promise of ease and hope for a beautified city, while believers seek to bring hope through the living Word. Pray that believers will faithfully shine in the darkness here, working together with others to share the Word that springs forth life.

 

NORTH AFRICANS OF PARIS, FRANCE (PAIR-is) - Praise God for what He did in and through believers from North Africa who were in Paris during February. It was an intense season of seed sowing and evangelism. Pray that other believers will be able to follow up well from the conversations and distribution that took place. “And pray . . . that utterances may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador... proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:19-20).

 

NORTH AFRICANS OF PARIS, FRANCE (PAIR-is) - North Africans living in Paris are in great need of the Gospel. Most of the women come from difficult backgrounds, and their hearts are hard from lies they have heard about Jesus. They are trapped in webs of family tradition, fear and culture. Pray for the women believers in Paris who share Bible stories through literacy classes three times a week. Women from North Africa come to these classes and want to learn French, and in learning, they also hear Bible stories. This is an intense season for all the women, believers and nonbelievers, as they are able to follow up with some recent stories they have been sharing about Jesus and the Gospel. Pray for open hearts and relationships that have been built through the year. Pray that believers will proclaim Jesus boldly as they invest in these women’s lives and families.

 

NORTHERN AFRICAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN UNENGAGED PEOPLES -

“Baa-Baa, maa-maa, bray-bray” . . . these are the sounds one would awaken to while staying with the very hospitable Middle Atlas Berbers. Also called Central Shilha, they live on the wooded slopes of the Atlas Mountains in western Algeria. These Berber villages are often built into the side of the highest mountains, with three or four generations living together in one dwelling, acknowledging one common male ancestor. All of the Berbers speak Tamazight, and many also speak Arabic, Algeria’s official language. The “Imazighen,” or “the free men” as they call themselves, are semi-nomadic and move their herds seasonally between lowlands and high pasture. Sunni Muslims who follow traditions and decisions of the community judges, they mix ancient beliefs and customs with Islamic faith. This includes worshiping saints who supposedly possess healing abilities and supernatural powers. Each village has one or more “patron saints.” In reality, they are not “free men” at all. More than 1 million Central Shilha need Jesus to free them from tradition and bondage. Pray for them to listen to Gospel radio broadcasts, watch the “JESUS” film, and have dreams and visions. Also ask God to burden people to translate the Bible into Tamazight. Pray for God’s protection on the less than .5 percent who are followers of Jesus. May they gather in groups that reach out to their neighbors and form churches that reproduce quickly for the sakes of their people, the Middle Atlas Berbers of Algeria. http://prayerthreads.imb.org

 

NORTHERN YEMENI ARABS OF YEMEN (YEH-muh-nee) - In the city of Sanaa, there is a deep hole that fills up with grimy rain water when it rains. A fence surrounds it, and the local people say that this is where the church stood centuries ago. Pre-Islam, Yemen had a thriving Christian population, but their numbers were wiped out. Jesus said, “I will build My church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Pray in faith. http://www.pray4yemen.com/

 

PALESTINIAN ARABS OF THE MIDDLE EAST (pal-uh-STIN-ee-uhn) - Please pray for Palestinian students who are studying with teachers who are believers. During their courses, some of the students will receive copies of Scripture and begin to read it. Some will have the opportunity to attend a Bible study and ask questions. Others will hear personal stories of how faith in Jesus can transform a life. Pray that these students will come to understand who Jesus is. Ask for the students to have tender hearts that are open to Truth. Pray that they will read the Scriptures, understand, and be drawn by the Holy Spirit. Pray that many will find peace, hope and forgiveness through Jesus. The center where students are studying is in urgent need of staff and volunteers. This center reaches many Palestinians and is a blessing to the city. Please ask God to provide the staff and volunteers that are needed to keep this center operating. Ask Him to supply the needs quickly so that planning for the future can be accomplished. Pray that God will use this center to be a bright beacon of the Good News and that His faithfulness and mercy will be known in this area because the center is a place of love and forgiveness. http://www.palestinian-arabs.com/

 

SAUDI ARABS OF SAUDI ARABIA (SAU-dee) - “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough” (Matthew 13:33). Most of the known Jesus-followers in Saudi Arabia are scattered and alone. Please pray that these believers will multiply and fellowship together, and that the kingdom of heaven--like the yeast hidden in the dough--will grow and transform Saudi society.

 

SOMALI OF THE HORN OF AFRICA (suh-MAH-lee) - This month a new feeding program is opening in a new neighborhood. Pray for increased access to individuals, for opportunities to meet new “people of peace” (Luke 10:6), and for many home visits. Pray that as food aid goes out, the Bread of Life will be received.

 

SOMALI OF THE HORN OF AFRICA (suh-MAH-lee) - Just as Paul prayed for the believers in Colossians 1:3-14 that they would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, bear fruit, and be strengthened for His glory despite suffering, those in this region who believe need daily prayer on their behalf. Pray through this passage with Somali believers in mind. Ask that their joy may be made complete in Jesus Christ and that they will put on the full armor of God each day. Pray that they will find encouragement and fellowship with other believers today.

 

SOUTHERN YEMENI ARABS OF YEMEN (YEH-muh-nee) - Roads hug the mountains as they wind their way from the capital to cities in the South. The deep canyons thousands of feet below are dotted with villages . . . hundreds of them. Children scamper up the terraces to go to local schools, while their mothers go to the wells, gathering water for their household. Fathers farm the land or travel to big cities as day laborers, sending money home to their families. How will the people hear the Good News? Who will go to them? Pray that every villager among the Southern Yemeni Arabs will hear the Gospel.

 

SWAHILI-SPEAKING ARABS OF EAST AFRICA (swah-HEE-lee) - Among the Swahili-speaking Arabs of East Africa, there are many longings and desires that go unfulfilled. In F’s attempt to find a husband to provide for her and to love her, she quit school at the age of 15 and married a man who was traveling through the city. This man made promises to send for her after returning home, promises that were never fulfilled. Now divorced twice and with no children, she longs for meaningful work that will take her out of her desperation and into a life of purpose. What she doesn’t realize is that her deepest heart’s desires will never be filled with a husband or a good job. Those longings can only be filled by El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One. Please ask God to reveal Himself to F and all Swahili-speaking Arabs as El Shaddai. Ask Him to help them see how He alone can fill their emotional holes and meet all their needs.

 

TUNISIAN ARABS OF SOUTHERN TUNISIA (too-NEE-zhan) - A group is scheduled to come in March to serve with local believers. As they prayerwalk, ask that they will meet “people of peace” (Luke 10:6) and that these relationships will lead to salvation and church-planting movements, especially among the women of this region. Pray that the new small groups that have formed in the South will “catch the Matthew 28 vision” and reach friends and neighbors, share with boldness, and have servant hearts. http://www.pray4tunisia.com/

 

TUNISIAN ARABS OF TUNISIA (too-NEE-zhan) - As the temperatures warm up, Tunisians will be spending more time in the open-air cafes and parks. Winter is often family focused, but spring means that the social circles widen as neighbors sit together and students hang out in larger groups. Please pray for new initiatives using social media tools like Facebook and Twitter. At least 40 percent of the population has Internet access, and more than 3 million Tunisians have Facebook accounts (90 percent of those who use the Internet). Pray for the development of multiple websites and Facebook pages where people can access the Bible and other materials that can answer their questions about Jesus. Pray for believers to be able to initiate relationships and communicate well with those who respond and ask for more information. http://www.pray4tunisia.com/