NAME September 2012
1. CONSERVATIVE CLERICS AND STUDENTS OF ISLAM IN THE UNITED KINGDOM - The conservative clerics and students of Islam live throughout the United Kingdom, but the exact number of their population is unknown. They all love their religion of Islam, and they are very proud to be Muslim. They are a very tight-knit community that generally only integrates into Western society when it needs to for work or for university study. They try to maintain their “home cultures” as much as possible. Living in the U.K. gives them access to the Gospel in their heart language. Pray for the conservative clerics and students of Islam, asking that God will lead them to His Truth.
2. CONSERVATIVE CLERICS AND STUDENTS OF ISLAM IN THE UNITED KINGDOM - Pray that those working with the conservative clerics and students of Islam will find “people of peace” (Luke 10:6) who are ready to hear the Gospel and follow Jesus as their Savior.
3. GURAGE OF ETHIOPIA (goo-ra-gay) - Nightly radio broadcasts of Bible stories are being revamped, giving more time to story content and less to public-service information. Pray that those who are hungry to know the Truth will hear, learn and become faithful followers of Jesus. Pray that the radio team will tell the stories clearly.
4. KABYLE BERBERS OF ALGERIA AND FRANCE (kuh-BEEL BER-bers) - A.’s family members are Kabyle believers who have been severely persecuted by their Muslim neighbors since putting their faith in Jesus. One day 8-year-old A. asked D., the daughter from the Muslim neighbor’s family, to play. They were in the garden, and D.’s mother went outside to tell A. to go home. Before she spoke with them, she hid and listened to what they were saying. D. wanted to play a game where they pretended to pray. Eight-year-old A. responded that prayer is not a game, and proceeded to show D. how her believing parents pray. She prayed for all the Muslim families who had persecuted them. She prayed that God would bless them and forgive them and change their hearts. D.’s mother later recounted that she felt the earth shake during the little girl’s prayer. Afterwards, she was so touched that she immediately went to A.’s family’s home and asked to be pardoned. After more conversation and many tears, the mother accepted Jesus into her heart. Because of her testimony, the entire family of 14 Muslims later accepted Jesus as well. Now the two families have united and become the most recent Kabyle house church. Praise the Lord!
5. NORTHERN AFRICAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN PEOPLES - Give thanks to God for the refreshing and reviving that took place at the retreat for personnel that was held in August. Pray for diligence as they now implement the strategic, proposed changes that resulted from the revisioning and training. May God lead and bless to accomplish His purposes through His ways with His people.
6. NORTHERN AFRICAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN PEOPLES - “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself” (John 12:32). The economic crisis in Europe has left many without work and a means of supporting themselves and their families. Among them are immigrants from North Africa and the Middle East. Government agencies have also decreased the distribution of food supplies on which many such people depend. Pray that as immigrants become disheartened, believers in Europe will seek to encourage them about the Father’s love and faithfulness, and pray that situations like these will draw them towards the great Provider.
7. NORTHERN AFRICAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN UNENGAGED PEOPLES - The Figig, a group of Saharan Berbers, live in the Atlas Mountains of Algeria. Berbers call themselves “men of noble origin” and have great artistic skills. The Figig women weave while the men do metalwork, needlework and woodwork. The Figig are also poor farmers who could benefit from some community development. Pray for such opportunities. The Figig Berbers, primarily Sunni Muslims, have great respect for those who live holy lives. They also frequent places where “marabouts” (religious leaders) are buried. These “marabouts” are thought to have the power to protect and heal. Pray for these Figig Muslims to believe in Jesus and His power to protect and heal. Give thanks to God that they have the “JESUS” film available in their language. Pray that the translation of the New Testament will be completed soon in their heart language so that the Word may spread throughout this Berber people group, resulting in many coming to faith in Jesus.
8. PALESTINIAN ARABS OF THE MIDDLE EAST (pal-uh-STIN-ee-uhn) - The Palestinians (pronounced pal-uh-STIN-ee-uhns) are the Arabic-speaking people of the ancient land of Palestine. They trace their ancestry back to the Canaanites. Following the war in 1948, they were dispersed all over the Middle East and, from there, the world. Estimates of the number of Palestinians in the Middle East vary from 5.5 million to 7 million. The greatest concentration of Palestinians is found in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which are portions of the original Palestine. The majority of Jordanians have Palestinian origins. There are also large numbers of Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon and Syria. More than 95 percent of the Palestinians are Muslims. A small percentage is Greek Orthodox or Catholic. Less than .5 percent is evangelical Christian. Family ties are very strong among Palestinians. Personal sacrifice for the good of the family is almost universal, especially as it applies to children. Personal relationships with family and friends are very important. Palestinians are famous for their hospitality to friends and strangers alike. Most people govern their actions by attempting to gain the approval of God and to avoid the disapproval of society. Education is very important, and the literacy rate is high. Although unemployment is high, there is a growing professional group of educators, engineers, lawyers and trained medical workers. In the West Bank and Gaza, the ongoing conflict with Israel and between internal factions hinders the development of a stable Palestine. Please pray for the salvation of the Palestinian Arabs.
9. SHAWIYA BERBERS OF NORTHERN AFRICA AND EUROPE (sha-WEE-yah BER-bers) - Within Shawiya culture, many look up to the husband and father for spiritual guidance. The men will go to the mosque, study Islamic doctrine, and be the teachers of their families. Oftentimes when men become believers, however, they will not share that with the family out of fear of the wife’s response or fear of others finding out. Pray that as Shawiya men come to faith, they will boldly and lovingly share so that whole families will worship the Son together. Pray that they will become biblical leaders within their communities. “So the man went and told people in all the nearby towns all that Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed” (Mark 1:20).
10. TIHAMA YEMENI ARABS OF YEMEN (tih-HAH-mah) - The Tihama coastline is dotted with literally hundreds of small villages, some of them virtually inaccessible, with no paved roads leading in from the outside. As villagers occasionally travel out for special supplies or medical care, pray that they will return, bringing the Gospel back with them to these isolated families and communities. Pray that the Good News will indeed spread throughout every town and village in the Tihama!
11. TUNISIAN ARABS OF SOUTHERN TUNISIA (too-NEE-zhan) - Those with a heart for the Tunisian Arabs of southern Tunisia write: “With over a million inhabitants, Sfax is considered the second-largest city in Tunisia and the largest city in the southern region. In Sfax you will find many universities, factories, and seafood vendors, as Sfaxians pride themselves on their intellectual achievements, their strong work ethic, and the availability of fresh seafood. Pray that their quest for knowledge will lead them to find the truth in Jesus, their hard work will cause them to become servant leaders in the church, and every old and new believer will become a ‘fisher of men.’ Join us in a week of emphasized prayer for Sfax on September 12-19 by visiting the website or by downloading the APP at http://get.thechurchapp.org/share/praying-for-tunisia- to your mobile device.”
12. TUNISIAN ARABS OF SOUTHERN TUNISIA (too-NEE-zhan) - It has been said that Tunisian women “rule the roost,” and as with many cultures, “What Momma says goes.” Many men are coming to faith in southern Tunisia, but things seem to be moving slowly for the women in this region. Ask God for an abundant harvest of women who will spread the Gospel instead of gossip to their husbands, children, mothers, sisters, brothers, etc. Pray that female believers will be led by the Spirit in reaching women and children. “So you don’t do good works to get forgiveness? Jesus died for you so that you are forgiven. You do good things because you love Him. Aha! I get it,” R responded after hearing the Gospel again. Pray that God will continue to draw R closer to Himself and that she will become a believer soon!
