PL2009-40, 07-Oct-09
Wednesday, 7th October 2009 | No: PL2009-40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 'Day' and 'Country' designations below refer to the respective right-hand page(s) in the 2009 edition of the Points for Prayer Handbook, which contains useful background information to these prayer requests.
Click on these links for further information on Countries, Partners and People.
Day 1 - BOARD of MISSION OVERSEAS
The Board meets next Tuesday morning (13th).
Prayer Points -
- For God's wisdom, guidance and, as decisions are made, for a strong sense of His purposes for the future focus and direction of our Church's place and role in the worldwide mission of Jesus Christ.
- For those who will speak or present reports.
Day 2 - BRAZIL
Naomi Keefe is due to return to Ireland tomorrow (8th) for a period of home assignment.
Prayer Points -
- For safe and trouble-free travel.
- For Naomi as she prepares for deputation.
Day 4 - SPAIN
Derek and Jane French are in China, to complete the adoption of Gabriela.
Prayer Points -
- That the trip and the formalities of completing all the documentation will go smoothly; and, above all, that the transition for Gabriela will be smooth.
- That Gabriela will quickly adapt to Derek and Jane and realise that she is safe with them and that they are her family.
Day 8 - UKRAINE
Jenni Wolfe, who needs to obtain an extension to her visa in order to stay on in Ukraine, has now received a letter from the local Bishop of the Transcarpathian Reformed Church which she hopes will aid her application. She plans to travel to Budapest around 18th October, and stay there while she waits for the application to be processed.
Prayer Points -
- Please pray all goes well with Jenni's visa extension application and that she will obtain the visa she needs without any problems.
- Pray that she will know God's presence and plan for her continued service in Ukraine and His care.
Nagyberegi Református Líceum (NBRL), the Reformed Church School in Nagybereg where Jenni is teaching, still faces a potential funding crisis for 2010 (see earlier Prayerline, issued on 16th September) and this continues to exercise the minds of those responsible for running the school. It is hoped that support may be forthcoming from Hungary but this has not yet been confirmed.
- Give thanks for all the good work being done in and through the school, and continue to pray that appropriate support may be secured that will mean NBRL won't have a funding crisis next year.
Day 9 - MIDDLE EAST
SAT-7 is a Christian satellite television service reaching into the Middle East and North Africa. This is a vital ministry, encouraging Christians who are isolated, while also bringing the gospel message to the myriad of people living in this part of the world. On 1st October, SAT-7 KIDS and SAT-7 ARABIC began broadcasting on a second satellite, making these two channels available to millions of new viewers in the Arab world.
Prayer Points -
- Give thanks that the potential audience for Sat-7 programmes is now substantially greater than before. Pray that many more will now watch these programmes and come to know Christ.
- That God will guide those who broadcast each week and inspire them to write sermons and talks that will be a blessing to all SAT-7's viewers.
Days 12 to 14 - KENYA
In Tuum, the Cowan's satellite phone is still out of order and as consequence they are not able to send or receive emails. This has gone on for a number of weeks now and has meant that communicating with the outside world has been very difficult for them. All they have managed are a few very short text (sms) messages sent via their mobile phone.
While there has been some rain in the region over the past week, the ground is still very parched and grazing is very poor. As a consequence the animals are very weak and some will inevitably die.
The Cowans had a good visit to Turi the weekend before last, to see Caragh who is at boarding school there. The good news is that she appears to be settling in well.
Prayer Points -
- Pray for an early restoration of the Cowans' satellite phone service.
- Continue to pray for the very serious situation brought about by the drought conditions. Pray that good rains may soon come to revitalise grass and plant growth that will provide much-needed food for the animals. Cows and goats are the only real assets that the pastoralist tribes people of Kenya have and upon which they rely on for their livelihoods and very survival.
- Give thanks that Caragh is adjusting well to being at boarding school. Remember the whole Cowan family - pray for their safety and good health at all times; and for God's continued, wisdom, strength and blessing in all they do day by day.
Days 16 to 19 - MALAWI
Rev Drew Moore and his wife Roberta are visiting Malawi, from 13th to 29th October. Drew has been invited by Rev Ted Mwambila to undertake some preaching/teaching sessions in Lilongwe. In addition, Drew and Roberta expect to do quite a bit of travelling, as Roberta gathers photos and stories for her ongoing "Manse Project". They will also be discussing arrangements for a visit next year to Rhumpi Presbytery by a small team from Finvoy Presbyterian Church. The plan is that this visit will coincide with the opening of a prayer house which was built by voluntary labour from the local CCAP congregation, aided by financial support from Finvoy congregation. It is also hoped that this team will also be able to spend some time working alongside Helen and Robin Quinn.
Prayer Points -
- For safe and trouble-free travel for Drew and Roberta throughout their visit to Malawi.
- For guidance for Drew as preaches / teaches; that Roberta will be able to obtain good stories and photos for the Manse Project; and for good meetings regarding the proposed visit to Malawi next year by the Finvoy Team.
Day 24 - NEPAL
The Church in Nepal is relatively young. It was founded by ethnic Nepalese from India who arrived when Nepal opened up to the world about 60 years ago. For three decades, new believers suffered severe persecution, imprisonment and martyrdom. A democratic revolution in 1990 created a more free, pluralistic atmosphere and the tiny Christian population started growing by leaps and bounds. It is said that the Nepali church is now growing at about 10% to 15% per year. There is a great need for solid leadership and training to mature this young Church. There are strong leaders, but many more are needed.
The Forgiveness and Reconciliation three-day programme held in Pokhara in which Joe Campbell was taking part ended yesterday (6th). The 27 church leaders from Pokhara and the surrounding area have returned to their congregations enthused and anxious to use the teaching materials and ideas they received at the seminar.
Prayer Points -
- Give thanks for the continued growth of the church in Nepal and pray for the leaders throughout the country that there will be an end to any unhealthy competition and rivalry and that they will be able to co-operate together for the greater good of the Church in Nepal.
- Pray for greater co-operation among the many small Bible Colleges in Kathmandu and for good quality theological education. That the younger leaders will be able to build on all the good foundations the church founders have built.
- Currently a new constitution is being written in Nepal and Christians are working for and praying that it will lead to more formal recognition of the Christian Faith among other faiths. Do join them in prayer for this.
OVERSEAS TEAM
INDIA - An all-age team of eight people from High Kirk Presbyterian Church, Ballymena is going to Kollegal Girls' Home in India, from 8th to 23rd October.
Prayer Points -
- Good health, safety, strength and energy for all the team members and those they are working with.
- The work that the team will be involved in.
- For the Word of God to be explained clearly and for spiritual fruit in the lives of those the team are going to help and work alongside.
Prayerline is also available as a recorded message, normally in a shortened version. |
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