Today we are praying for a country which has a lot of Biblical history – ancient Edom, a Hashemite kingdom east of the river Jordan, called by the same name. Less than 3% are Christian, yet there is relative freedom to Christians. Adventist archaeologists enjoy friendly relationships with royal family. However, the Adventist membership remains small – mainly foreigners and temporary workers. Pray for indigenous Arab leaders being sent into mission.
Sunday we lift in prayer Kazakhstan – a transcontinental country part Europe & part Asia. It is the 9th largest country in the world by land size. Former Soviet republic it was last to go, last to become independent. During the Soviet era this country hosted largest space launching dromes, and largest nuclear test sites (just imagine the pollution and radiation levels!) About 60% of people are unreached by the Gospel. Governments directive toward revival of national identity brought back Kazakh people from diaspora, but caused tension and exit of European settlers, causing significant decline in Christian churches, especially for Adventists, where German & Ukrainian settlers established the church.
Monday & Tuesday we lift in prayer Kenya. After recent unrest and referendum the country is divided into 47 counties with semi-autonomous governance. By august the new election is expected to set these administrative units firmly. Pray for peaceful outcomes. Kenyans are predominantly Christian. 80% of capital Nairobi claim Christianity, but church attendance is about 12%. Pray for revival and commitment. Muslim Arabic tribes are growing and increasing its claim to power. Evangelization is needed among semi-nomadic tribes where less than 3% know about Jesus and majority practice tribal animism. About 20% Massai had been reached with the Gospel. Adventist church is strong and growing. Major need is church buildings for new congregations.
Wednesday we pray for Kiribati - three archipelagos with 33 coral atolls of which 23 are inhabited, scattered across 2,000,000 sq km of the Pacific Ocean. Overpopulation on islands and unemployment combined with increasing alcohol abuse create a difficult environment for young people to grow up. Pray for a revival among young people. With rising sea levels all these islands may disappear and the nation would go extinct.
Thursday we pray for North Korea, where dictatorial communist regime oppresses Christian faith, people are starving, and are kept in isolation. Korean peninsula was divided, like Germany in 1945, into Soviet & USA occupied zones, which led to armed conflict and stand off until now. After fall of USSR North Korea continued atheistic militant attitude and thousands of Christians are interned in forced labor camps. Pray for freedom to people in that nation.
Friday & next Saturday pray for the South Korea. Smaller in size but double population to its north neighbour, this country has seen the greatest growth and revival of Christianity in Asia. With early morning and evening prayer meetings every day and all night, prayer concerts on weekends and prayer mountains (retreat centres), the commitment of Korean Christians to prayer is remarkable. One third of people are Christian. Another third are irreligious, and one third is Buddhist or Confucian. Pray for compassion in this nation as they serve Northern refugees and prepare to assist in humanitarian crisis from the North.
Pray for the world, so the Gospel Work will go forward!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Praying for Jamaica and Japan
Today we lift in prayers Jamaica. Nearing 3 million in population this island country has 10% Adventist Church affiliation. Union of 5 conferences oversees the recruiting and training members to be passionate disciples for Christ. Next Sabbath, March 31, the membership of the Adventist Church in Jamaica will celebrate Vision One Million in all its Churches. 75,000 people in Jamaica alone will invite a friend to church that day and mentor them into discipleship of Christ. Pray for the initiative of Revival and Reformation to be transforming the lives of our members. On that Sabbath at the Falmouth Church, the Jamaica Union will also launch The Great Controversy Project. This initiative invites all its members to buy a copy of the Great Controversy - written by the Adventist Church co-founder Ellen G. White – and give it to a non-Adventist individual in their homes, communities and workplaces. The goal of our Union is to distribute 250,000 copies of the book during the next 6 months through our church members, students and workers.
Starting tomorrow and for the rest of the week we will pray for Japan. The population is nearing 130 million mark. The 1st quarter of this year the Sabbath School communicated needs of the Northern Asia Pacific Region, coordinating the work in Japan, China, Korea & Mongolia.
Japan Union has two Conferences (East & West) and Okinawa Mission. Densely populated (Russia for comparison has about the same size population! And only 16% of Japanese islands are inhabited because of mountainous terrain) this nation has a long legendary history and cultural tradition that is not easily infiltrated or changed by outsiders. In the past Christianity flourished, then was persecuted, and now the society becomes more secular. Only 10% believe in a personal God. Less than 3% are Christian (including Catholics). Past attitudes toward Christians as traitors still affect conversion experiences of indigenous people. Pray for openness and opportunities to witness, especially amidst polytheistic setting, Shintoism and ancestral worship. Pray for outreach to Muslim migrant workers. Korean missionaries carry most of the Adventist work. Pray for more Japanese emerging to lead the church and witness. 11 cities are above 1 million in population, Tokyo leading with 13 million people. Pray for the Gospel to be preached in these big cities.
Above all pray for the recovery from the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami which reached 133 feet high, hitting Japan March 11, 2011. Tsunami travelled 6 miles inland, damaging 270,000 buildings and leaving 386,739 people homeless. 3,824 are still missing, 15,824 died. The nation is fast recovering and is saying “thank you” to all who helped! ARIGATÓ
Pray for the world, so the Gospel Work will go forward!
Starting tomorrow and for the rest of the week we will pray for Japan. The population is nearing 130 million mark. The 1st quarter of this year the Sabbath School communicated needs of the Northern Asia Pacific Region, coordinating the work in Japan, China, Korea & Mongolia.
Japan Union has two Conferences (East & West) and Okinawa Mission. Densely populated (Russia for comparison has about the same size population! And only 16% of Japanese islands are inhabited because of mountainous terrain) this nation has a long legendary history and cultural tradition that is not easily infiltrated or changed by outsiders. In the past Christianity flourished, then was persecuted, and now the society becomes more secular. Only 10% believe in a personal God. Less than 3% are Christian (including Catholics). Past attitudes toward Christians as traitors still affect conversion experiences of indigenous people. Pray for openness and opportunities to witness, especially amidst polytheistic setting, Shintoism and ancestral worship. Pray for outreach to Muslim migrant workers. Korean missionaries carry most of the Adventist work. Pray for more Japanese emerging to lead the church and witness. 11 cities are above 1 million in population, Tokyo leading with 13 million people. Pray for the Gospel to be preached in these big cities.
Above all pray for the recovery from the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami which reached 133 feet high, hitting Japan March 11, 2011. Tsunami travelled 6 miles inland, damaging 270,000 buildings and leaving 386,739 people homeless. 3,824 are still missing, 15,824 died. The nation is fast recovering and is saying “thank you” to all who helped! ARIGATÓ
Pray for the world, so the Gospel Work will go forward!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
praying for Iraq, Iran & Ireland
We are continuing praying for the world. This week we focus on countries that had terroristic activities and turmoil over past few decades. The longest conventional war of the 20th century – Persian Gulf war between Iran & Iraq lasted from 1980 to 1988, which started with Iraq leading the invasion. Second Gulf War, occupation of Iraq continued from 2003 -2011. And after toppling Saddam’s regime the country is in more turmoil than before. Today and tomorrow we lift Iraq in prayer. Pray for peace in conflict between Kurds and Arabs, located in the Northern area it borders Syria and Iran and had experienced ethnic genocide in the past. Pray for end of violence between Shi’a and Sunni muslims. Many are not aware that Islam is not united. There are many fractions and denominations. The difference between the above mentioned fractions can be likened to the difference between Orthodox & Catholic Christians.
Christians used to enjoy relative tolerance in Iraq before the war. However now Christian churches are seen as pro-western and had been bombed and burned. Pray that Christian love will not cease and that Christian service in restoration of this war-torn country would be the blessing and witness to the whole country.
Monday we will intercede for Ireland. The country is experiencing emigration of native residents leaving to seek employment around the world. Teachers are moving to Africa to find meaningful employment! Recent economic crisis in the European Union and near bankruptcy experience push even more people away. Today population of this Emerald Isle is less than ½ of what it was in the 19th century. Strong Catholic presence and historical conflict with England/Northern Ireland hinders growth of protestant churches, and that of Adventist mission.
From Tuesday to Friday – pray for 75 million of people living in Iran. No need to repeat what you hear in the news daily about nuclear weapons, and atomic threat, about persecution of Christians. The eyes of many are on the pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, sentenced to execution by beheading in Tehran for apostasy of converting from Islam and for proselytizing Muslims to accept the Gospel. Leniency is offered if he recants his Christian faith. Some sources say that last year over 4500 people were beheaded in Iran.
Iran has serious social and health problems. The country suffers from the highest rate in the world of opium addicts (over 5 million), over 200,000 street children and high prostitution. The totalitarian regime overlooks human rights violations and social injustice. Unemployment rate is 30% for those under 30, with no economic prospects and opportunities. Pray that the government would seek righteousness by serving needs of humanity.
Religios liberty is non-existent. Even different Muslim groups are persecuted by Shi’a majority, especially Bahai. Pray for religious liberty in this country. Adventist church has not grown there at all, and has about 30 people, mostly foreigners working there. Reports are that many of Muslim Background believers are accepting Jesus. Pray for protection for people in the country that they would find hope in Christ, and have expectations of better future.
Pray for the world, so the Gospel Work will go forward!
Christians used to enjoy relative tolerance in Iraq before the war. However now Christian churches are seen as pro-western and had been bombed and burned. Pray that Christian love will not cease and that Christian service in restoration of this war-torn country would be the blessing and witness to the whole country.
Monday we will intercede for Ireland. The country is experiencing emigration of native residents leaving to seek employment around the world. Teachers are moving to Africa to find meaningful employment! Recent economic crisis in the European Union and near bankruptcy experience push even more people away. Today population of this Emerald Isle is less than ½ of what it was in the 19th century. Strong Catholic presence and historical conflict with England/Northern Ireland hinders growth of protestant churches, and that of Adventist mission.
From Tuesday to Friday – pray for 75 million of people living in Iran. No need to repeat what you hear in the news daily about nuclear weapons, and atomic threat, about persecution of Christians. The eyes of many are on the pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, sentenced to execution by beheading in Tehran for apostasy of converting from Islam and for proselytizing Muslims to accept the Gospel. Leniency is offered if he recants his Christian faith. Some sources say that last year over 4500 people were beheaded in Iran.
Iran has serious social and health problems. The country suffers from the highest rate in the world of opium addicts (over 5 million), over 200,000 street children and high prostitution. The totalitarian regime overlooks human rights violations and social injustice. Unemployment rate is 30% for those under 30, with no economic prospects and opportunities. Pray that the government would seek righteousness by serving needs of humanity.
Religios liberty is non-existent. Even different Muslim groups are persecuted by Shi’a majority, especially Bahai. Pray for religious liberty in this country. Adventist church has not grown there at all, and has about 30 people, mostly foreigners working there. Reports are that many of Muslim Background believers are accepting Jesus. Pray for protection for people in the country that they would find hope in Christ, and have expectations of better future.
Pray for the world, so the Gospel Work will go forward!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Praying for Indonesia & Italy
Today we continue praying for Indonesia. We had started last Sunday and prayed for Jawa, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Maluku islands and its inhabitants. Today we lift in prayer Adventist hospitals Medan and Manado. These hospitals are known for being the best in all aspects, within their respective cities. So far it’s been a great testimony about our Adventist believes to others. People from all beliefs are admiring our Adventist culture and beliefs because of the hospitals and its staff. Pray for the ministry of healing and the witness done by the workers in these institutions.
On Sunday we will pray for the Lesser Sundra (Bali & Nusa Tenggara) islands. These are great places for tourists from all over the world. On the other hand, it make these islands to be really exposed and targeted for extremists, who wants to hurt foreigners. Please pray for all safety of people in this island, so they can be guarded from such threats, and also for preservation of nature.
On Monday we lift in prayers West Irian Jaya, an island where some of the remote area populations never heard of the Good News, please pray for our Adventist organization, so they can give some more attention to the need of Salvation in this remote area. We also pray for the West Papua. There are lot of incidents of violent in this region, please pray for security and understanding between people who lives in this part of the country. Since they are so far from the capital of the country, some of them are feeling abandoned by the Central government. These are places where cannibalism was practices until recent decades, and the need for transformation is greatest.
Tuesday we will conclude paying for Indonesia’s large cities. The globalization trend is turning large cities in any country of the world into unique culture, often different from the surrounding country. One of the trends is isolation and disconnection of individuals from supportive community. Pray for development of communities of faith, and house churches in Big Cities.
On Wednesday we begin three days prayer for Italy. The place of early Christian witness, where Apostles Peter and Paul laboured and died martyrs, the center of Western Christianity, the birthplace of the Latin church, over history had seen many negative influences against faith – corruption of dark ages of church/state dominance, enlightenment of humanism, decadence of renaissance, communism, fascism, post-secularism – all these trends make Italy today post Christian country. Pray for Christian heritage to remain and remind people of the Gospel, of the Salvation story.
A unique situation has developed over centuries in various society – Sicilian, Neapolitan, Calabrian – the Mafia. Rooted in the positive concept of family it corrupted the community into system of power abuse, organized crime, defiance of civil authorities. On Thursday Pray for decriminalization of Italian society, and investment in real family values.
Friday we conclude prayer for 60 million of people living in Italy and especially for migrant workers from Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and other backgrounds. Pray that as a Christian church is revived people would befriend new comers, build relationships with immigrants with intent to witness for Christ.
On Sunday we will pray for the Lesser Sundra (Bali & Nusa Tenggara) islands. These are great places for tourists from all over the world. On the other hand, it make these islands to be really exposed and targeted for extremists, who wants to hurt foreigners. Please pray for all safety of people in this island, so they can be guarded from such threats, and also for preservation of nature.
On Monday we lift in prayers West Irian Jaya, an island where some of the remote area populations never heard of the Good News, please pray for our Adventist organization, so they can give some more attention to the need of Salvation in this remote area. We also pray for the West Papua. There are lot of incidents of violent in this region, please pray for security and understanding between people who lives in this part of the country. Since they are so far from the capital of the country, some of them are feeling abandoned by the Central government. These are places where cannibalism was practices until recent decades, and the need for transformation is greatest.
Tuesday we will conclude paying for Indonesia’s large cities. The globalization trend is turning large cities in any country of the world into unique culture, often different from the surrounding country. One of the trends is isolation and disconnection of individuals from supportive community. Pray for development of communities of faith, and house churches in Big Cities.
On Wednesday we begin three days prayer for Italy. The place of early Christian witness, where Apostles Peter and Paul laboured and died martyrs, the center of Western Christianity, the birthplace of the Latin church, over history had seen many negative influences against faith – corruption of dark ages of church/state dominance, enlightenment of humanism, decadence of renaissance, communism, fascism, post-secularism – all these trends make Italy today post Christian country. Pray for Christian heritage to remain and remind people of the Gospel, of the Salvation story.
A unique situation has developed over centuries in various society – Sicilian, Neapolitan, Calabrian – the Mafia. Rooted in the positive concept of family it corrupted the community into system of power abuse, organized crime, defiance of civil authorities. On Thursday Pray for decriminalization of Italian society, and investment in real family values.
Friday we conclude prayer for 60 million of people living in Italy and especially for migrant workers from Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and other backgrounds. Pray that as a Christian church is revived people would befriend new comers, build relationships with immigrants with intent to witness for Christ.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Praying for Israel & Indonesia
Today we pray for the State of Israel. Controversial as its status may be since its independence in 1948, the Bible tells us to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). Less than 40% of Jews live in Israel. Most are living all over the world. Many immigrated from former Soviet Union bringing their secularism to the “holy land,” and today it is a very secular country. Constant tension and conflict with Palestinian population, and survival state of constant emergency makes Gospel mission very difficult. Pray for acceptance by Israelis of Jesus as Messiah.
On Sunday we will begin another marathon of prayer – praying for Indonesia for 10 days. The largest Muslim country in the world, where 80% of its 240 millions worship in mosques, has a strong and growing Protestant Christianity, and well developed Adventist church with over 210 thousand members. The Mantiri and the Pandaleke families contributed to this blog on the status of Adventist church. Churches are present in every capital city of each of its 33 provinces. The Small Groups are very strong and each member belongs to a small group. Wednesday prayer meetings are conducted like Sabbath services, and almost every member attends these prayer Meetings, because those attending understand the meaning of being disciples of Jesus, equipped by the Power of Holy Spirit, to be leaders and multipliers of disciples and churches. Please pray for the integration and understanding for all religion in the country. There are still some extremists trying to separate the country by provocation in religion differences between Muslims and Christians.
Adventist Church has two Unions there. One in Jakarta, Jawa, the central island which is home for 60% of country’s population. In the past some of the churches had been damaged because the community don't like them. Some congregation have finished building a church, and got a permit from the government to start their service, but the local community prevents any services in the building, leaving it empty and useless. Some are really want to find a place to expand their church, but if the local community find that the purpose is for worship, they won't allow it. The church operates 2 Adventist Universities and 3 hospitals in this jurisdiction, which also serves Sumatra island, which was hit with tsunami in 2004. The people at the northern part, Banda Aceh, are still recovering.
On Wednesday we will pray for Sulawesi island, where Muslim-Christian conflict had escalated to violence in recent decades. The Mantiri and the Pandaleke families are from Manado City, the capital of North Sulawesi, with population of about 500,000. There are 90 churches in this city alone. 8 big churches with 200-400 members and 82 small churches ranging from 50 to 150 members. A hospital, 2 high schools, 8 elementary schools, holding 600-700 students each in one city! Pray for safety and growing Christian witness of our church there.
On Thursday we invite you to pray for the southern part of Borneo island, where Adventist and Christian presence in general is yet to make an impact. Indonesian Kalimantan, is one of the largest Rain Forests in the world, pray for people to be more responsible in using the natural resources, especially lumber. Because it’s so big, some people are taking it for granted, there are so many illegal logging. Please pray for the authorities to help guard this island, because it’s really important for the whole Earth climate change.
Friday we will pray for Maluku Islands where situation is very similar to that of Sulawesi and safety is needed for Christians suffering persecution from muslim gangs and radical jihadists. Pray also for peace between different ethnic groups,
Next quarter the Sabbath School offering will be collected for Indonesian hospitals as a part of Southern-Asia Pacific division.
Pray for the world, so the Gospel Work will go forward!
On Sunday we will begin another marathon of prayer – praying for Indonesia for 10 days. The largest Muslim country in the world, where 80% of its 240 millions worship in mosques, has a strong and growing Protestant Christianity, and well developed Adventist church with over 210 thousand members. The Mantiri and the Pandaleke families contributed to this blog on the status of Adventist church. Churches are present in every capital city of each of its 33 provinces. The Small Groups are very strong and each member belongs to a small group. Wednesday prayer meetings are conducted like Sabbath services, and almost every member attends these prayer Meetings, because those attending understand the meaning of being disciples of Jesus, equipped by the Power of Holy Spirit, to be leaders and multipliers of disciples and churches. Please pray for the integration and understanding for all religion in the country. There are still some extremists trying to separate the country by provocation in religion differences between Muslims and Christians.
Adventist Church has two Unions there. One in Jakarta, Jawa, the central island which is home for 60% of country’s population. In the past some of the churches had been damaged because the community don't like them. Some congregation have finished building a church, and got a permit from the government to start their service, but the local community prevents any services in the building, leaving it empty and useless. Some are really want to find a place to expand their church, but if the local community find that the purpose is for worship, they won't allow it. The church operates 2 Adventist Universities and 3 hospitals in this jurisdiction, which also serves Sumatra island, which was hit with tsunami in 2004. The people at the northern part, Banda Aceh, are still recovering.
On Wednesday we will pray for Sulawesi island, where Muslim-Christian conflict had escalated to violence in recent decades. The Mantiri and the Pandaleke families are from Manado City, the capital of North Sulawesi, with population of about 500,000. There are 90 churches in this city alone. 8 big churches with 200-400 members and 82 small churches ranging from 50 to 150 members. A hospital, 2 high schools, 8 elementary schools, holding 600-700 students each in one city! Pray for safety and growing Christian witness of our church there.
On Thursday we invite you to pray for the southern part of Borneo island, where Adventist and Christian presence in general is yet to make an impact. Indonesian Kalimantan, is one of the largest Rain Forests in the world, pray for people to be more responsible in using the natural resources, especially lumber. Because it’s so big, some people are taking it for granted, there are so many illegal logging. Please pray for the authorities to help guard this island, because it’s really important for the whole Earth climate change.
Friday we will pray for Maluku Islands where situation is very similar to that of Sulawesi and safety is needed for Christians suffering persecution from muslim gangs and radical jihadists. Pray also for peace between different ethnic groups,
Next quarter the Sabbath School offering will be collected for Indonesian hospitals as a part of Southern-Asia Pacific division.
Pray for the world, so the Gospel Work will go forward!
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