Pray for Nigeria & New Zealand

We continue praying for the Nigeria until the end of May.  We had began praying for this most populous African country on Thursday, and continue praying for its 160 million of inhabitants for 8 days.

Three largest and most influential ethnic groups are the Hausa/Fulani (Muslim), Igbo (Christian) and Yoruba (ethnic animistic).  Rivalry between these groups has dominated local politics since independence.  Northern part is enforcing Islam and is pushing Sharia law.  Pray for safety of Christian communities in that region. 

45 people groups are unreached and are practicing ethnic witchcraft religions. Oil-rich territory attracts military conflicts for access and control of resources. 

Rapid growth of independent evangelical churches and of Anglican adherents had contributed to unbalanced teachings, and numerous doctrinal distortion, mixing often ethnic religions with Christianity.  Indigenous “spiritual” churches are popular as they offer syncretistic blend.  Pray for church leadership to invest into equipping believers with truth.

The wealth generated by oil industry is unjustly used for upper class, pray for elimination of poverty and social justice.

Pray for mercy and compassion, for service to people where AIDS crisis claimed 8% of population. About 2 million of children are orphaned because of the disease.   Pray that churches would be impacting the youth toward morality and integrity.

Pray for refugees that come from other Central and East African countries.  Pray for Christians to be welcoming, inclusive and caring.

Pray for openness of other evangelicals to the Seventh-day Adventist witness.   Adventist church in Nigeria has its University – Babcock, and an Adventist Radio recording studio.  Recent boom of movie making industry is transforming the culture of this nation.  Pray that Christian church will use all opportunities for the Gospel.

Friday we will pray for New Zealand. With population of 4.5 million the country has significant Adventist presence, proportionate to that of USA.  Two church conferences coordinate the work.  The Northern part is much larger with 93 churches, 13 schools, Tui Ridge Park (a camping facility), Bethesda (an aged care home hospital and village). The Southern island, larger, and called “mainland” has only a quarter of population, and proportionately smaller Adventist church, only 24 congregations. 

New Zealand churches are big on discipleship, church balance and health for natural growth and development.  Pray for church to continue community outreach, especially in the increasing diversity of cultures.  A special need is to witness among Asian immigrants and refugees.

Young people are affected by secular trends.  Pray for church to be relevant and caring for the new generation.

As we consider the Great Commission and pray for the world, as we look into our neighbourhood and see the “universe next door” – witness!