Pray for Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar

Yesterday we started praying for Philippines, where Adventist church is nearing 1% of population.  This country supports the Adventist University training workers for the Southern Asia and Pacific regions of our church.  Since 1980s the church experienced phenomenal growth there.

Today we pray for Mindanao island and conflict with Islamist fractions frequently attacking Christians. Also for witness to Muslim Tausug, Samal & Yakan people of the Sulu islands.

Tomorrow we invite you to pray for scores of Adventist educational institutions on Philippine islands.  Schools are our main evangelistic outreach. Formerly Christianity was known through the Catholic church and today Catholics are still effective as missionaries, serving even outside the country.  Pray for genuine search for present truth by believers, freedom from superstitious beliefs and cultural traditions when it comes to faith. 

Many Pilipino Christians work in the Middle East, in Arab countries seasonally.  Pray that their Christian witness will be positive and create opportunities for Muslim world to know Jesus.  Pray for emigrants to seek integration into communities where they live instead of staying in ethnic conclaves.  Pray for Pilipino Adventists in Canada, in London, to seek fellowship of believers.

Special emphasis in prayers is for the capital city Manila with over 12 million population.  Pray for the local churches to be involved in social mission and need oriented evangelism.  In the city where 5000 people migrate to daily, many live in slums, built on city’s rubbish dumps. Pray that churches, which are often located in more affluent areas would minister to the poor.

On Wednesday we lift in prayer Portugal. Portuguese Church has a unique role to play because of the widespread use of the language in Africa, Asia and South America. Adventist church is very small, less than 0.1%.  Pray for breakthrough from the Catholic dominance.  Pray also for Portuguese emigrants who live in our community.  Many do know Adventist message.  Pray for commitment to live according to the Present Truth they know.

Thursday we lift in prayers 4 conferences on the island of Puerto Rico.  Being a territory of USA, it is a Free State.  This unique position creates challenges for the mindset of people – exposed to temptations of materialism where 45% live below poverty.  Half of the island relies on the food stamps.  It is poorer than any territory in USA.  The island has also the highest rate of HIV/AIDS as compared to US territories.  The church is taking creative steps to growth and service.  Pray for wisdom of church leaders and integrity of church ministries.

Friday we pray for Qatar. Christianity entered this country only in 1985.  Adventist church is present among Asian migrant workers. It is considered the top richest country in the world by GDP per population.  Oil and gas reserves give independence to the government to dictate their own policies.  Currently it is governed by Sunni Muslim tradition.  Only recently Christian church was permitted to own buildings.  In 2008 Roman Catholic church was opened.  Pray for freedom of Christian witness and receptivity of local people to the Gospel message.