Today, we place a map of France on our refrigerator.
Our Prayer:
"Jesus, France is a harvest field awaiting the good news that God sent His only Son to die for all who would believe in Him, so that they might have eternal life through Jesus Christ. We pray that You would send Your workers out into the French harvest field, and bring many sons to glory. Amen."
Stats and Facts Tuesday:
Today we will read, watch, and pray with the Prayercast website.
This is another great website to assist us in praying for France this week - check it out here.
Our Prayer:
"Lord, cause the French people to hunger and thirst for You alone. Do all You must do to draw them to Yourself. Help the to see that religion without the saving grace of Jesus is dead and can never save them. We ask for Your Spirit to move among your people and to bring many to repentance and faith in Jesus, Amen."
Walk In My Shoes Wednesday:
Today we will meet the Spencers. Watch and listen to their story and take some time to pray for them as they give their lives to the French people of Toulouse.
Our Prayer:
"Lord, we ask
that you would do all that the Spencer's need to get to Toulouse and settle
them into their home and place of ministry there. Raise up all of those
who You would call to be a part of this new local church plant. Unite
these people around the gospel and give them favor among the people there in
Toulouse. Give them a great gift of faith and make the impossible,
possible for the sake of Your Great Name, Amen"
Take Action Thursday:
Today we will make a craft symbolizing France. We will place it somewhere in our home to remind us to be praying for the Spencers in Toulouse and the French people. Read up about the Eiffel Tower and then try to construct your own!
Our Prayer:
"Lord, we ask that You would break our hearts for the French people. Give us a love for these diverse and creative people. Cause us to pray whatever You would have us to pray for the nation of France. We ask that you would change this people by giving them a new heart that follows after You, Lord. Amen."
We are about to wrap up our year of praying around the world, or half of it! We have learned so much through this experience as a family and we hope you have too.
I will be posting one more country to cover this week and next as Memorial Day weekend is coming up and families make their plans to launch into summer. So, be looking for that last post coming this week.
Our hopes... that because we have taken a glimpse at a God who is bigger than we could ever imagine and who is moving and active all over this world, we will be changed. We hope that we will pray bigger and with more compassion for all the peoples of the world. And... we could not just stop half way through Europe and so we plan to pick up our travels through the rest of the world this coming fall. See you in the Fall and pray on!
Today we begin praying for the Netherlands by placing a map on the fridge.
Our Prayer:
"Lord, bring the people of the Netherlands back to You. Send the gospel that is the good news that all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved to the Dutch people. Amen."
Stats and Facts Tuesday:
Today we will watch the Prayercast video and pray for the needs listed on the website.
Our Prayer:
"Jesus, let the people of the Netherlands end the tolerance of sin that keeps them from bowing their knees to the one and only King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. Continue to strengthen and build up Your faithful church in the Netherlands. Give the youth of the country a desire to pursue and know the truth that will set them free, Lord. Amen."
Walk in My Shoes Wednesday:
Today we will read about Jacques Brunt, a Heart Cry Missionary society itinerant preacher and missionary in the Netherlands. Read about his conversion and his ministry with his wife and family in the Netherlands.
Our Prayer:
"Jesus, we know it can be hard to be obedient to You. We ask that you would encourage and provide for the Brunt family as they minister the gospel to their fellow Dutch people. Give them abundant grace as they speak to so many and share the love of Jesus Christ to the lost of the Netherlands. Amen."
Take Action Thursday:
Today we will be watching and listening to Paul Washer preach to an assembly of Dutch children in English with a Dutch translation. We will sit enthralled along with the other children in the audience, and listen to the gospel story told again - the sweet good news of Jesus' death in our place.
(First sermon is about 22 minutes long - entire video is about 1 hour)
Our Prayer:
"Jesus, we want to know that we are Your children, that we have turned from sin and acknowledged You as our only Savior and give You our lives. We pray for the children of the Netherlands, that they would call on Jesus to save them and that He would be Lord of their lives. Amen."
Today we place a map of Germany on our refrigerator.
Our Prayer:
"Lord Jesus, the German people need You. Call them to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior that they might not perish, but have everlasting life in You. Amen."
Stats and Facts Tuesday:
Important Facts about Germany:
Population: with over 82 million, the largest population in Europe
Germany has the largest economy in Europe
The German church is growing older and it's attendees are in decline.
The country was split in two in 1945 and was reunited once again in 1990. The Berlin wall was build by the USSR in 1961.
The country is seeing more and more moral decay as the youth of the nation are not embracing the faith of their fathers.
Our Prayer:
Read more about Germany and how to pray, as well as watch the prayer video and scroll through pictures at the bottom of the page.
Walk in My Shoes Wednesday:
Islam is growing rapidly in Germany. Many immigrants from Turkey, Iran, and other Middle Eastern countries are coming into Germany seeking asylum, looking for work, or marrying and raising families there. Read about Dr. Marten's work with Iranian refugees who are coming to Christ in Germany. Watch the story of evangelist Heidi Mund's who has a heart for her country to return back to the God of the Bible. Let us pray that the German church would go to the Muslims and share the gospel of peace and salvation in their country.
Our Prayer:
"Jesus, help the German church to stand and when they have done all else, to stand firm then. Break the hearts of the German Christians for their Muslim neighbors. Give the Muslim people of Germany a hunger to know the God of the Bible. Cause a revival to break out among these new Muslim converts to Christianity. Let the gospel of grace, that comes by faith alone in Christ alone, free the Germans who are bound in Islam and bring them to Christ. Amen."
Take Action Thursday:
Today we will watch a short video about taking the fear out of witnessing to Muslims. Then we will discuss what we can do when we are in contact with Muslims to share the love of Christ with them.
"Lord, give us confidence in the Bible and in Your saving work. Give the German believers great confidence as they share their faith to their fellow countrymen. Jesus, give the sound and faithful churches of Germany opportunities to witness to those who are following Islam all around them. God, revive the German church again. Amen."
Today we begin praying for Denmark and placing a map of Denmark on the fridge.
Our Prayer:
"Lord, open up the doors of Heaven and send out Your Word to the Danish people. Let them hear and understand that all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. Amen."
"Jesus, the light of the gospel has seemed to have dimmed in Denmark. But You say that with You nothing is impossible,God. So today we pray for You to do what many would say is impossible. Lord, revive Your church in Denmark again. Awaken the church to the truths of Your Word and send Your people out to share the life giving gospel of Jesus to the Danish people. Make the Danish church a strong one for Your glory Lord, Amen."
Walk In My Shoes Wednesday:
Church planting is hard work, especially in a post-Christian Europe. Kristuskirken is a church that was planted in Denmark in 2009. Please pray for this new church that it would be used to spread the gospel all over Denmark. Here is an article around the time of the church's planting date:New Church Plant
Our Prayer:
"Lord, we ask that You would bless and provide for the needs of Kristuskirken in Denmark. We ask that this new church would be the first of many new gospel, biblical churches all across Denmark. We ask that the members of Kristuskirken would not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ but would proclaim it boldly. Amen."
Take Action Thursday:
One of the things that the Kristuskirken church does with its children is teach them Bible based songs. Some of these are familiar to us here in the States. Many of us may know "The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock".
The children sing the same song here in Danish: Danish Wise Man Song (see number 5 in the list and click on MP3). Let us sing along today and pray for the people of Kristuskirken.
Our Prayer:
"May the church in Denmark be a powerful force against the atheism and liberalism that is so prevalent in this country today. Let the people be wise and build their foundation on the Rock of Jesus Christ. Keep the Danish people upon the Rock of their Salvation. Amen"
Today we begin praying for Finland, placing a Map of Finland on our fridge.
Our Prayer:
"Jesus, we ask that the people of Finland would believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and come to full repentance in You. Amen."
Stats and Facts Tuesday:
Read about the Fins here at this link, watch the video, and pray for the needs of this beautiful country.
Our Prayer:
"Lord, we ask that You would come and revive the hearts of your people in Finland. The church in Finland needs a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit. Let the gospel message of Jesus Christ penetrate the hearts of minds of the Finnish people and cause many to be discipled in Your Word. Build up the church in Finland and cause her to impact the culture in a dynamic way. Amen."
Walk in My Shoes Wednesday:
Today we are going to learn about a ministry called HIS. This is a ministry that focuses on bringing he gospel of Jesus Christ to Mormons. The presence of the Mormon church is large and growing in Finland. HIS was begun by Rauni, a native Fin, and her husband to help combat the lies of Mormonism. Watch the video/s and pray for HIS today.
Rauni's Testimony:
Dennis' Testimony:
a
(This is a longer video - @ 30 minutes)
Our Prayer:
"We ask You to use the Higley's ministry, HIS, to bring many Mormons the gospel. We thank you Lord for the truth that overcomes the darkness of Mormonism. Please continue to impact the Mormons of Finland, Rouni's homeland, with the truth. Help us to be ready to give a reason for the hope we have in Christ. Amen."
Take Action Thursday:
Today we will talk about why Mormonism, or the Church of Jesus of Latter Day Saints, is a cult. We will read and watch the video on the CARM website. Our goal today is to understand the gospel compared to Mormonism.
Our Prayer:
"Lord, our hearts break for all of those who are caught up in the lies of Mormonism. Even more, we pray for those who are a part of the Mormon church in Finland. We want You to expose the lies of the cult of Mormonism in Finland, Jesus. Come and revive Your church and send them to the Mormon cult members in Finland, Amen."
We are "pausing" our prayer around the world this week to focus on the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May you be amazed by the love of Jesus displayed on the cross for you anew this week as you remember the cross on which He died. May you be filled with joy for the new life we have in Jesus.
He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Sunday, April 6, 2014
The Lofty North: Sweden
Map It Monday:
Today we place a map of Sweden on our refrigerator.
"Oh God, come and awaken the people of Sweden. Let them hear and understand the all who believe in Your only begotten Son will have eternal life. Give the Swedish people a hunger to know You. Amen."
Stats and Facts Tuesday:
Read about the country of Sweden at the Prayercast link and watch the prayer video as well. Prayercast Sweden
Today we will be looking at IFES, an evangelical student ministry located in many countries all over the world. Credo is the IFES chapter in Sweden. Go and read about their work in Sweden and then pray with us for their work to be fruitful. We will especially pray that all those who came out to hear Ravi Zacharias over this past weekend (April 2-3). We pray that these students will think about and meditate on the truths of the gospel they have heard.
Our Prayer:
"We pray Lord that You would use these ambassadors for Christ to be made known among the youth of Sweden. We ask that the gospel that is being sown in word and deed would go far and wide and accomplish that for which it was sent. Give the young people a desire to know the truth, that it may set them free. Amen."
Take Action Thursday:
On Thursdays, Credo invites students to a Bible study @6:30 pm. We will be praying for those that attend, that they will have a genuine interest in studying the Bible. They are scheduled to look at Hebrews chapter 13 tonight, and so we will read Hebrews 13 together and pray for their group.
Our Prayer:
"Lord, help these students who faithfully come together to read and study Your Word. We ask that You would illuminate their hearts and minds to see wondrous things in Your Word. We pray these words from Hebrews 13, Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
"Lord, Norway is a breathtakingly beautiful country that so many want to make their home. We ask that all of Norway would see that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that all who believe in Him will have eternal life. Amen."
Stats and Facts Tuesday:
Please go and check out the Prayercast link for some great general and spiritual statistics. It is a very informative link.
"Jesus, cause Norway to return to her first love in the one true God. Have mercy on the Norwegian church and revive her again. God we thank you that Norway is becoming a land of many different cultures and for its amazing participation in world missions. Cause the Norwegian people to burn with love and fervor for You, Amen."
Walk in My Shoes Wednesday:
Today we will be praying for Norway's Prison Fellowship International Ministry. If you are not familiar with Prison Fellowship, watch the link to Chuck Colson, the founder of Prison Fellowship, tell you about the heart and purpose of this ministry.
Read about the New Life program that Norway's Prison Fellowship is implementing to help those who are about to be released be ready for reentry.
Our Prayer:
"Jesus, even though Norway is a small in population, there are still prisoners who are in need of a Savior. So Lord, we are asking that you come and strengthen the director and those faithful brothers and sisters who go into the prisons and share the good news of the gospel with over 1,000 inmates. God we ask for salvation, discipleship, and real change to come to those involved with this ministry. Amen."
Take Action Thursday:
Today, we are going to send an encouraging email form our family to Norway's director of Prison Fellowship. We want him to know that we are upholding all of those involved with the ministry in prayer, and for the prisoners and their families as well.
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 75 Sentrum
Skien, 3701 Norway
AFFILIATE DETAILS
Executive Director: Odd Arvid Stykket
Board Chairperson: Ingvald A. Viken
CONTACT INFORMATION
Phone: +(47) 474 54 900
Phone: +(47) 911 22 533
Email: post@pfn.no
Email: odd.arvid@stykket.no
Website: http://www.pfn.no
Our Prayer:
"Lord, please help those in prison in Norway to see that you have come to set the captives free. Jesus provide for all of those who are volunteering faithfully with Prison Fellowship. Please bathe the country of Norway in your Holy Spirit's power and give them all a desire to know you and to surrender all to You. Amen."
"Lord, we ask that you would move upon the people of the United Kingdom. Please come and give these people a hope that never fails and receive all the glory, Lord. Amen."
Stats and Facts Tuesday:
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Geography
Area: 244,110 sq km
Two main islands: Britain and the northeast of Ireland. A union of four countries: England 103,400 sq km, Scotland 78,800 sq km, Wales 20,800 sq km, Northern Ireland 14,100 sq km. Also three small autonomous states that are dependencies of the British Crown: Isle of Man 588 sq km (in the Irish Sea); Channel Islands 194 sq km (Guernsey, Jersey).
Population: 62,129,818 Annual Growth: 0.54%
Capital: London
Urbanites: 90.1%
Official language: English; in Wales both English and Welsh. English is the primary language of 400 million in the world, as well as the major language of international communication for over 1.4 billion
Immigrationremains a massive challenge, but is also an utter necessity and an unavoidable reality. The seat of British Empire now draws many from the far reaches of its former domains – and beyond. There are an estimated 600,000 to 900,000 illegal immigrants in the UK. Fully 70% of net population growth in the next 25 years is anticipated to be from immigration; in some boroughs and towns more babies are born to immigrants than to citizens. Pray with an eye toward:
a) A core identity and purpose for Britain.Without a cultural centre or core set of values around which to build a multi-cultural society, disintegration and division will triumph. Pray for Britain to regain a sense of what makes it Britain; pray that these values would celebrate and reflect what God rejoices in.
b) Integration.Unwillingness or inability to adjust to life in the UK and lack of support and welcome for many immigrants all contribute to the creation of ethnic ghettoes.
c) Criminal and terrorist threats.Immigrants tend to suffer lower rates of employment and education, and higher rates of poverty and crime. They are much more vulnerable to exploitation by human traffickers, crime lords and religious fanatics. The number of people who enter the UK with the intention of criminal or terrorist activity is of course unknown, but it is far too many nonetheless. Pray for all who intend to exploit, disrupt or destroy to be thwarted by the authorities.
d) Christian and mission impact.Immigration, a trend reviled by reactionaries, also brings great blessing to these shores. Christian immigrants have staved off even greater declines in mainline churches and brought new life to many recent movements. “Reverse mission” is an undeniable trend, with around 1,500 Christian missionaries coming into the UK from the Americas, Africa and Asia. Immigration has also brought many unevangelized peoples right onto the doorstep of gospel-oriented churches. Thank God for these twin blessings; pray that both might be fully utilized to see new churches planted, new peoples reached and Jesus glorified.
"Lord, we know that all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. We ask that the British people would call on Your name for wisdom, for direction, and for the saving grace of Jesus Christ to come and bring a new hope and renew their faith in You. Revive Your church again and bring into Your family all of the peoples of the world who are making the United Kingdom their home. Amen."
Walk In My Shoes Wednesday:
Today we will pray for Parliament, the governing body of the United Kingdom - kind of like our Congress. We will be praying along with the Evangelical Alliance in England for the members of Parliament. Please see the following links to understand more about how to pray for the government leaders of the United Kingdom.
"Jesus, men love power. The temptation to rule for personal and political gain is very strong. We pray that you would grant the men and women of Parliament the grace to humble themselves, seek Your face, and to love godly wisdom. Give the church in the United Kingdom the endurance and long suffering to pray faithfully for their leaders. Amen."
Take Action Thursday:
Today we will be having our own English inspired tea time. We will be praying for the United Kingdom during our tea. Traditionally, afternoon tea is served from 3-5pm. We will also be making cards to take to our dear English friend Ms. Rosemary, who has regaled us with stories of the Blitz in London and her work with the USO during the WWII years. We hope to bring her some of our English tea. Enjoy your tea time today and pray for the people of the United Kingdom.
"Lord, You have said, taste and see that the Lord is good. We want the British people to taste and see the gospel and see that it is indeed good news! Jesus, come and save the English people, Amen."
"Oh Father of all Grace, we ask that You make the wondrous gospel of grace known to all of the Irish people. May they know that You sent Your only Son to die on a cross so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Amen."
Stats and Facts Tuesday:
Geography
Area: 70,285 sq km
Comprises 80% of the island of Ireland. Northern Ireland is a constituent part of the United Kingdom.
Population: 4,589,002 Annual Growth: 1.85%
Capital: Dublin
Urbanites: 62%
Official language: Irish, English. Irish spoken as a first language by less than 4% of the population; 40% of the Irish population can speak Irish
The Catholic Churchwas, for centuries, the preserver and defender of the Irish. Catalyzed by secularism, the rapid onset of modernity and a series of high-profile scandals and cover-ups in the priesthood, the nation is rapidly losing the deep Catholic sensibilities that once tied it together. Once an exporter of trained priests, the Catholic Church today ordains few. Weekly church attendance, once 85% nationally, is now less than 50%, and as low as 5% in parts of Dublin – and there are more non-religious Irish than ever before. Despite this, there is a vibrant charismatic renewal movement within the Catholic Church and unprecedented collaboration with other expressions of the Christian faith. Pray for the Irish nation to rediscover its ancient heritage of deep and profound faith in Christ.
The sex abuse scandals that rocked the Catholic Churchdevastated the nation’s confidence in what was once a deeply trusted institution. Possibly the only things more damaging than this tragic and sinful abuse are the cover-ups and collusion that occurred after these incidents came to the knowledge of Church leaders. Ireland’s Catholic faith was already on a downward trajectory; these scandals may have thrust it into a death spiral. Pray that true repentance, forgiveness and, where possible, restoration might occur on the part of those involved, and that this may lead to purification and redemption of Catholicism in Ireland. (taken from Operation World)
"Lord, you invaded Ireland with the gospel many many years ago. We are asking that you revive the church and raise up many more to take the life giving truth of the gospel to the people of the Emerald Isle once again. Show us how to pray for a people that is so rich in beauty and in promise. May they experience a deep gospel saturated heritage once more. Amen."
Today we will be praying for World Harvest Mission's work in Ireland. This missions organization has been working with the people of Ireland for over 30 years. And because Ireland has the smallest percentage of evangelical Christians of any English speaking country in the world, this is a very significant work. Read more about their mission to Ireland here:
First Presbyterian church plant begun in the Republic of Ireland in the last 100 years:
Our Prayer:
"Raise up workers for the harvest fields of Ireland! Give Your people a desire to go and share the good news of Jesus' work on the cross to the unchurched people of Ireland, oh Lord. God give the Irish church Your courage to proclaim the gospel and give the people of Ireland a hunger and a thirst for righteousness. Give the men and women that work with World Harvest Mission in Ireland longsuffering and patience as they sow the gospel seed in the Irish soil. Amen."
Take Action Thursday:
Today we will sing an old but familiar Irish hymn, "Be Thou My Vision" together. As we sing, we will be praying the words of the hymn for the country of Ireland.
We will also be watching a brief presentation on who St. Patrick really was.
"Lord, turn the nation of Ireland upside down again with the gospel that sets people free from sin and death. We ask that You open the eyes and ears of the Irish people to receive the good news of Jesus Christ. Give the people of Ireland a heart that follows after Christ alone. We pray that You would be their vision and that they would see You as the Ruler of all, Amen."
