Taking a Break for Christmas

We will be taking a break from our normal praying through the world routine for the Christmas season.  We will return in the New Year by turning our hearts and minds in prayer toward Europe.  May the Lord bless you and keep you and continue to give you a burden of prayer for the peoples of the world. 

Haiti: Land of the Mountains

Haiti: Land of the Mountains

Map It Monday:

Map of Haiti to print.  Today we place Haiti on our refrigerator. 

Our Prayer:

"Jesus, Haiti needs you, just as we need you.  Today as we begin to go to the throne of grace for the people of Haiti, we stand on the hope and promise of Your Word that says,"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."  Amen."

Stats and Facts Tuesday:

Check out these informative links to learn more about the country of Haiti and the needs of the people there.

88 Little Known Facts about Haiti.  

Just one story of many of the needs Haiti is facing.

Our Prayer:

"Father God, we ask you to come and to provide real lasting answers to the hopeless and dying in Haiti.  Pour out true gospel help upon these people that have faced so much pain and death.  May the love of God in Jesus Christ be shed abroad in the hearts of these people. Amen."

Prayer Video for Haiti

Walk In My Shoes Wednesday:

Our friend Olivia Sultenfuss, and her father Mark, have a beautiful heart for Haiti.  They have recently spent some time in a place called The Village of Hope, located in Les Cayes, Haiti.  

This video gives a brief tour of The Village of Hope. 

Today, we will read about Olivia and how God has taken her to a beautiful place and pray for her as God continues to lead and guide her.

Olivia's heart for Haiti.

Our Prayer:

"Oh God, we thank You for the beautiful places that Your gospel takes us to!   Please continue to gently lead and guide Olivia as she seeks to care for these precious children that You have made in Haiti.  We ask that you provide all that Olivia and the Sultenfuss family needs as they reach out to the people of Les Cayes, Haiti. Amen."

Take Action Thursday:

Today we will pray specifically for the requests that Olivia has shared with me for herself and for Haiti.  Let us remember that God is no respecter of persons in any way, not in skin color, culture, nor in socioeconomic class.  Olivia and her family will be traveling to the Village of Hope again in the beginning of 2014. We are each going to take one prayer request and lift it up to God as we pray for them as a family.

*The name of the location that we are going to is called Les Cayes, Haiti (about 5 hour from Port au Prince.) The name of the village is called the Village of Hope (they have about 40 families here) and the name of the orphanage is called the Consolation Center (they have about 54 orphaned girls here).

*We need prayers for the locals specifically, that despite the hardships that they continually go through that their hearts would not be turned away from Christ and that they would have continuous hope.

*The same for the village. The village consists of shelters for a lot of single mothers, and as you can imagine being a single mother in Haiti is horrific, so prayers that these wonderful people would not give up and would be encouraged by the Hope and Promise of the Lord.

*Also, the missionaries that we became great friends with is also a way that I pray for Haiti-- they are great tools of ministry and hope and need prayer.

*our prayer right now is for provision. That God's will would be done and that He would provide for us every step of the way (i.e. health, travel, finances, etc.) 

Our Prayer:

"Lord, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!  We ask that You would provide for all that we have asked for Haiti and the Sultenfuss family according to Your riches in Christ Jesus.  We are so encouraged that You continue to place this country and its people on the hearts of so many.  Your will be done in Haiti, Amen."

Puerto Rico: The Beautiful Island

The Beautiful Island: Puerto Rico

Map It Monday:

Today we begin praying for Puerto Rico and place a map of the country on our refrigerator. 

Printable Map of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Flag Coloring Page

Our Prayer:

"Lord we ask that many would believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved in the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.  Amen."

Stats and Facts Tuesday:

Basic Facts about Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Statistics   

·         Population: 3.8 million

·         Unemployment Rate: 16.3%

·         Puerto Rico is 2nd only to Bahrain in highest suicide rate in the world.

·         Puerto Rico is 3rd in the world (behind Colombia & El Salvador) in murders committed by youth per capita at 42%

·         Poverty in Puerto Rico (a US territory) is THREE TIMES higher than the poverty rate of the USA mainland, at nearly 50% for the total population.  But nearly 60% of children and teens under 18 live in poverty.

·         Current teen birth rate in Puerto Rico has been increasing and is currently around 62 teen births per 1,000 births (the US teen birth rate is currently around 42 teen births per 1,000)

·         25% of the population is identified as evangelical Christian, though the population is plagued with apathy, practicing various Caribbean ritualistic traditions such as ancestor worship, and many have no spiritual direction whatsoever.  Another statistic says that Protestant Christians make up only 8% of the population of Puerto Rico.

·         Drug trafficking throughout Puerto Rico is a huge problem and a large part of the extremely high crime rate on the island.  The murder rate in Puerto Rico has held the #1 spot over US states and territories in the last decade. 

·         The dropout rate amongst Puerto Rican teens stood at 42% at the beginning of this decade...as compared to 10% of teens from the US mainland.

·         In the first 42 days of 2011 there were 150 murders committed in Puerto Rico!  110 murders alone happened during the month of January 2011.  This is 34 higher than occurred in Puerto Rico in January 2010.  Los Angeles is nearly identical in size of the population as Puerto Rico.  In 2010 Los Angeles only had an average of 24 murders each month. 

Our Prayer:

"The problems of Puerto Rico seem so overwhelming Lord, but You see every person and You want them all to hear the life saving gospel of Jesus Christ and be saved.  Jesus, please revive Your church and send her out to the people enslaved by drugs, gang activity, poverty, and false religions in Puerto Rico.  Amen."

Walk in My Shoes Wednesday:

Today we will look at the Dressel family's ministry to at risk youth, young adults, and those who are at risk on the streets.  Check out there website and watch a video about the beginning of their ministry in Puerto Rico.

Dressel Family in Puerto Rico

Dressel Family Website

Our Prayer:

"We pray for the Dressel family today, Lord.  We ask that they would not grow weary in well doing.  Please continue to provide for their needs financially and physically.  We ask that you would give them many creative ways to reach out to the youth and young adults on the streets and to be a vital part of the church as it endeavors to share the gospel with the lost of Puerto Rico. Amen." 

Take Action Thursday:

The Dressel family reaches out to the broken, hurting, and lost in Puerto Rico.  We too are surrounded by people who are just as lost.  Think as a family of a local outreach such as Food For Thought that you would like to get involved with or to help support in any way you can.  But more importantly, pray that God would give you a heart of compassion for those that so many overlook.  Watch a video about the Dressel Family's Thanksgiving Day outreach to the homeless:

Our Prayer:

"We pray for the believers in Puerto Rico to be broken for the lost and the hurting in their country. We ask that they would make a great impact with those who are homeless, addicts, and hopeless.  Father, we ask that You would pierce our hearts for the unlovely all around us too, Lord.  Show us how we too can step out of our comfort zone and be Christ to the lost and dying.  Amen."

Taking a Break for Thanksgiving

Taking a break from praying through the world and being soooooo thankful for sooooooo much!

Land of Wood and Water: Jamaica

Land of Wood and Water: Jamaica

Map It Monday:

Today we place a map of Jamaica on our refrigerator.

Map of Jamaica to Print

Our Prayer:

"Lord, as we pray for this beautiful island, we ask that you continue to show the people of Jamaica that all who believe in You will not perish, but have eternal life, Amen."

Stats and Facts Tuesday:

Geography

Area: 10,991 sq km

The 3rd largest island in the Caribbean after Cuba and Hispaniola. Mostly mountainous with only 17% arable land.

Population: 2,729,909    Annual Growth: 0.46%

Capital: Kingston

Official language: English; 97% of the population speak Jamaican Creole  

 Largest Religion: Christian

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	2,263,368	82.91	0.4
Evangelicals	764,733	28.0	1.4

Answer to Prayer

This nation has a rich but little-known mission sending history. Praise God for those rediscovering this spiritual legacy and remobilizing Jamaica to once again become a sending powerhouse. Increasing numbers of mission agencies are operating branches out of Jamaica.

Challenge for Prayer

Jamaican Christianity needs reformation and renewal. It enjoys one of the world’s highest number of churches per square mile, but the majority of self-proclaimed Christians in Jamaica neither attend church nor lead a Christian life. Networks – such as the Jamaica Council of Churches, the Jamaica Association of Evangelicals and the Jamaica Pentecostal Union as well as many ministers’ fraternals – seek to address and combat the political and social ills while working for unity and true Christian faith and practice in the Church.

One Missionaries' Video of Jamaica

Our Prayer:

"Lord, the Jamaican church was established many years ago.  We pray that You would revive your church in Jamaica again.  Give her a fresh love of Your Word and a renewed burden for the lost.  We pray that you would continue to heal the wounds of Jamaica's past and make her whole.  Amen."

Walk In My Shoes Wednesday:

Read about the Wycliffe Alliance's work with putting the New Testament into Jamaican Creole, or Jamaican Patios.

Wycliffe Global Alliance's Work in Jamaica

Our Prayer:
"Jesus, reach hundreds and thousands with this new Jamaican New Testament.  Provide the funds and the resources to print many of these Bibles for these people that need to read the Word of God in their own dialect.  We are amazed at how you love people so much that you would provide this new Bible for Jamaica. We thank you, Amen."  

Take Action Thursday:

Check out some Jamaican Christian Reggae Music :)
Put on your dread locks and be jamman! 
"Awesome God" Reggae style

Our Prayer:
"We pray that the joy of the Lord would be the Jamaican people's strength.  We ask that You would raise up many pastors, missionaries, Bible teachers, and disciplers in Jamaica.  May You truly be awesome in Jamaica!  Amen"

Pearl of the Antilles ~ Cuba

Pearl of the Antilles ~ Cuba

Map It Monday:
Today we turn to the Caribbean Islands as we place our map of Cuba on the refrigerator. 
Map of Cuba to print.

Our Prayer:
"Lord Jesus, what a beautiful country Cuba is!  Everything from the colors to the people to the mountains, it is truly a pearl.  Lord, we see the grip of Communism and poverty in this nation, but we also see you growing Your church in Cuba.  Please help the church in Cuba to tell others that the way, the truth, and the lifeis only found in Jeses. Amen."

Stats and Facts Tuesday:
All in One Stats and Facts and How to Pray

A Slide Show with Stats and Facts and How to Pray

Our Prayer:

Walk in My Shoes Wednesday:
The Faceless Enemy

Our Prayer:
"Lord, help the Cuban church to stand firm to the end.  Do not let them give way to fear, but help them to return blessing for cursing.  May the persecution and ostracizing feed the fire of gospel preaching and evangelism.  We pray for Pastor David.  We pray that he would truly work for the Lord with all of his heart.  We ask that you would protect him as he serves You. Amen."

Take Action Thursday:
Watch "The Church Without Walls" and then have "a little church" yourself.  You may even want to have your "service" outside.  As you sing a song or pray or read a Scripture passage, remember the Cuban people.  Pray for these people to remain steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

Our Prayer:
"Ah, Lord God, You have made the heavens and the earth and all things good.  You have made Cuba and her people.  We ask that you would bless them with more and more of Your presence, more perseverance, and more joy in living for You.  We ask that the many people that live in and visit Cuba would be overcome by those who are living their lives for Christ in the midst of an oppressive government.  We ask that those who are running after the empty things of this world would see the Cuban church and run to Christ instead.  Amen."

The Land of Silver: Argentina

The Land of Silver: Argentina

Map It Monday:

Today we place a map of Argentina on our refrigerator to pray for these people throughout the week.

Printable map of Argentina

Our Prayer:

"Lord, what a beautiful country you have made in Argentina.  It truly does shine like silver.  Please hear our prayers for the people of Argentina and lead them out of darkness and into Your marvelous Light.  We know that You came to die so that the people of Argentina might believe and be saved.  Amen."

Stats and Facts Tuesday:

Latin America’s second largest country, with a great range of climate, rainfall and topography. The 16,300 sq km Islas Malvinas (Falkland Islands) are claimed by Argentina but remain under British rule. There is one federal district and 23 provinces.

The official language is Spanish.  A mostly Catholic nation, but that is changing.  

More information about Argentina.

Challenge for Prayer

Behind Argentina’s sophistication and postmodern façade lie intense spiritual struggles for souls. The low-key but widespread influence of the occult (Western and Latin expressions), one of the world’s highest Mormon populations and the growing Muslim population all vie for souls with postmodern agnosticism, hedonistic lifestyles and Christianity. Spiritism’s hidden currents strongly influence far more people than will openly identify with such groups. Past battles were won through intercession; pray for protection and continued spiritual health for all in the forefront of the battle. (all above information taken from Operation 

world)

Our Prayer for Argentina today.

Walk in My Shoes Wednesday:

Today we read the testimony church planter and pastor, Nicholas Serrano. 

Our Prayer:

"Dear Lord, we are amazed by Your saving grace in Pastor Serrano's life.  We rejoice that you are using his life to plant a church and to pastor a church in Rosario, Argentina.  O God, please fill this young pastor with your Spirit to obediently preach the gospel to the lost and to the church in Rosario.  Give him all that he requires to do Your will.  Continue to make the Word of God come alive to him as he studies and preaches.  Bless this church, in Jesus' name, Amen.

Take Action Thursday:

Today we are going to make some empanadas!!  As we cook and enjoy eating this traditional Argentinian food for lunch today, we will stop and pray for Argentina.  

Chicken Empanadas

Our Prayer:

"Lord, You are so kind and compassionate.  You do not give to us as our sins deserve, but love to show us loving kindness.  Jesus, be loving, kind, merciful, and gracious to Argentina today.  We ask that the church in Argentina would grow and flourish.  Amen"

Peru: Land of the Incas

Peru: Land of the Incas

Map it Monday:

Today we place the country of Peru on our refrigerator and begin to pray for the "Land of the Incas."

Map of Peru to copy and print.

Our Prayer:

"Father God, we look to You to reach the people of Peru.  You have begun a good work in these people.  Now we ask that you would bring all of your saving work to completion, Amen."

Stats and Facts Tuesday:

Geography: Three main zones: dry coastal plain in the west where most of the cities and industry are located, high Andean plateau which is more agricultural, and Amazon jungle in the east.

Official language: Spanish, Quechua. Spanish-speakers 80.3%. Most Amerindians are Spanish-speaking or bilingual; 16.5% of the total population speak Quechua 

The Peruvian population, estimated at 30.4 million

 (taken for Operation World)

Peruvian territory was home to ancient cultures spanning from

 the Norte Chico civilization, one of the oldest in the world, to the Inca Empire, the largest state in Pre-Columbian America. The Spanish Empire conquered the region in the 16th century and established a Viceroyalty, which included most of its South American colonies. After achieving independence in 1821, Peru has undergone periods of political unrest and fiscal crisis as well as periods of stability and economic upswing.(taken from Wikepedia)

The complex and ruthless matters of foreign exploitation, manifested via oil, mining and cocaine in particular. With oil and mining, foreign companies willingly endanger pristine environments, threatening the very existence of vulnerable peoples for grotesque profit. With cocaine, foreign demand for an illicit drug in turn drags poor farmers into cultivating the coca leaf for profit. Collateral damage from drug wars and attempts to eradicate the crop, as well as massive amounts of drug money laundered through the country, create a complex situation with no easy solution. Pray for structures of sin to be cast down, for evil to be exposed and for a godly solution to be found.(taken from Operation World)

Our Prayer for Peru today.

Walk In My Shoes Wednesday:

Heart's Cry is a missions organization that has been aiding the church in Peru with taking the gospel to the lost the cities and the jungles alike.  

Today, we will read about Arturo Marin, a Heart's Cry supported pastor and discipler in the San Marin area of Peru.  He has a very moving testimony. 

Our Prayer:

"Lord, Pastor Arturo needs more and more of Your grace as he preaches and disciples people in the jungle region of San Marin.  Would you keep him safe, give him sufficient food and shelter as he travels, and continued monetary support for all of his needs. Would you bless the church in San Rafael with many who will follow after You, Lord. We thank you Lord, that you provide for all of our needs according to Your riches in glory, Amen."

Take Action Thursday:

The following video is chock full of first hand accounts of working with the churches in Peru.  It may be fuzzy, but the information is wonderful.  It is also from about 5 years ago, but these churches and people are still working in Peru.  We will be choosing one of the places mentioned in the video and praying for those people specifically.  Superb for your young people and children to "chew on." 

Taking a Break

We are taking a break from praying for a specific country this week.  Next week we will be looking at another South American nation.  Keep praying around the world and we will check in next week.  Blessings!  

Pindorama ~ Brazil

Brazil~Land of the Palms~"Pindorama"

Map It Monday

Today, we place our map of Brazil on our refrigerator.

Maps and More about Brazil

Our Prayer:

"Father, we ask that you would show these people in the country of Brazil Your Son Jesus, high and lifted up, that all men may see Him and know that He is Lord of all.  We know you loved the world enough to send Your Son Jesus to die so that all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ would be saved.  We thank you for bringing the gospel to Brazil.  Amen." 

Stats and Facts Tuesday:

*Brazil is the largest country in South America and is home to almost half of the population of South America. It is the 5th largest country in the world.

*The Amazon River flows through Brazil.  It is the 2nd largest river in the world and is about 4,000 miles long.

*Portuguese is spoken in Brazil.

*50% of the population is under the age of 18.

Prayer Challenges:

Transformational ministry is greatly needed in a nation ravaged by inequality, injustice, crime, immorality and HIV/AIDS. While mainline churches have a long association with compassionate works, evangelicals have done far too little to effect transformation. Only 12% of churches have any kind of social programme, and most of those are very limited in scope. Once evangelicals address these challenges on a massive scale, then they can consider themselves to truly be “good news people”.

Brazil has become a leading mission-sending nation with great emphasis on the unevangelized and on church planting. Brazillians’ faith, enthusiasm, adaptability and talents (football, music, dancing) open many doors, but poor preparation and support can undermine all these.

Our Prayer:

Prayer Video (images/info. may not be for children)

Prayer Video 2 (great for kids)

Walk in My Shoes Wednesday

Today we will read a story or two from the New Tribes Missions:Brazil website.  This missions organization helps local churches to train, coordinate and send missionaries to tribes of unreached people groups. 

Our Prayer:

"Oh God of the Universe, we ask that You would rend the heavens and come down.  We ask that you would revive your church at home and abroad and put in her a love for the lost.  God, would you send workers into the fields of Brazil to plant, water, and harvest, where no one has ever heard the name of Jesus.  Amen."

Take Action Thursday

Today, we are going to read about the Royer family from the New Tribes Missions website.  We are going to discuss their question, "What part in history were you born for?" and also the verse, 

2 Corinthians 6:1.

Our Prayer:

"Lord Jesus, we ask that you would pour out your blessings upon the Royer family in Brazil.  Would you establish the work of their hands as they seek to serve the lost people of Brazil.  Lord, would you show us how we too can use the grace that God has gifted us with to bring salvation to the lost.  We thank you Father God for blessing Brazil.  Amen."

Oh, Unfading Glory ~ Colombia

Colombia

 

Map It Monday

Today we place our map of the South American country of Colombia on our refrigerator.  

Map of Colombia

Our Prayer:

"Lord, we pray that You would shine Your unfading glory on the country of Colombia.  May all who believe on Him not perish, but have eternal life in You, Amen."

Stats and Facts Tuesday

In area, Colombia is bigger than Texas and smaller than

 Alaska. Colombia’s population is about 45 million.

Northwest corner of South America. The fourth-largest country on the continent. Mountains in west; plains, forests and jungles in east.

Population: 46,300,196    

Challenge for Prayer

Satan's hold on Colombia must be broken by prayer. Christ’s lordship must be proclaimed over the spirits of violence, revenge, lawlessness and corruption as well as the occult practices that have brought the nation so low. The web of drug barons, guerrillas, paramilitaries, corrupt politicians and occult groups generates great violence against the saints through intimidation, property destruction, murder and assassination. Every year, dozens of pastors and priests are killed.

Our Prayer:

"Oh Lord we ask that You would bring the gospel of peace to the people of Colombia.  Peace among all of the different people groups and those vying for power in Colombia.  Help the Colombian church to seek peace and pursue it, while praying for more to receive life eternal.  We ask You to be Lord of all in the nation of Colombia."  

Walk in My Shoes Wednesday

Today we want to focus on the Marxist guerrillas in the beautiful country of Colombia.  Here is a brief overview of the difficulties these guerrillas can cause.

Colombian Guerrilla Groups

Our Prayer:

"Jesus, we pray for those who persecute us and despitefully use us.  We ask that You would reach all of those who belong to the guerrilla groups.  Lord we ask that you be with all people that have been affected by these rebels.  Bring healing and wholeness to the Colombian people and set them free. Amen."

Take Action Thursday

Today, take a moment to register and download the Kids of Courage Columbia activity booklet.  In this booklet, there are stories, factual information, and hands on activities for children.  We intend to make the Colombian flag and sing "Jesus Loves Me", in Spanish.

 Our Prayer:

"Jesus, we ask that You would shine in all of Your glory upon Colombia today.  We want to see a real move of God in the people of Colombia.  We want to see people who are not given to fear because that have come to know the love of Jesus.  Help those who are persecuted to stand up under the persecution and to proclaim the truth of the gospel.  May Your Eternal and Unfading glory shine in Colombia.  Amen."