April 1996
Deep in western China is a land that holds a mysterious fas¬
cination for much of the Western world. It is a place of massive,
soaring mountains and deep religious devotion. It’s called the
"Rooftop of the World." It is Tibet.
Well-known movie stars, such as Richard Gere, and writers
have sought to portray the religion of this land, Tibetan Bud¬
dhism, as the highest and most holy of all religions. Having both
traveled to Tibet and studied Tibetan Buddhism, I would simply
say to you, “This is not true.” Tibetan Buddhism, behind its thin
veneer of kindness and nonviolence, is a hopeless religion of
“works” that only leads its adherents into an ever-deepening
bondage to the powers of darkness. The great, saving, transform¬
ing love of the one, true God as ultimately expressed in His Son,
the Savior, Jesus Christ, is almost completely unknown in Tibet.
But this is about to change, and you can have a powerful
part in it. Each spring, Southern Baptists and other Great Com¬
mission Christians set aside a 24-hour period of prayer and fast¬
ing for a specific unreached people group. This year this day of
prayer begins Friday evening, May 24, through Saturday eve¬
ning, May 25. The focus people? The Tibetans.
Would you join us in the 1996 Day of Prayer and Fasting
for World Evangelization? We’ve prepared a free video and kit
to help you and your church or prayer group focus specific, in¬
formed intercession upon these precious people. It will be our
privilege to send you this free kit. Just call 1-800-866-FMB1
(3621).
Thank you. God will answer and open the door to Tibet.
Randy Sprinkle, Director
International Prayer Strategy Office
AUSTRIA (central Europe). Church members are dis¬
tressed when renewal visas are denied to Baptist representa¬
tives with whom they serve in this country. Pray that these mem¬
bers will remain faithful to the Lord and that the discipleship
training they have received will help them when trials come.
EGYPT (northeastern Africa). The Moharem Bey Baptist
Church in Alexandria has started Bible studies in homes through¬
out the city. The church is praying that the ministry will positively
influence other churches. Ask God to bless their efforts in spread¬
ing the good news about Jesus Christ to their neighbors.
BELARUS, COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT
STATES (between eastern Europe and Russia). Baptist
representatives Don and Mary Jo Dalton ask you to pray that the
Lord would guide them in ministry and that they will be led to
good language teachers. Pray that nationals will begin to open up
to them. Ask God to also guide Don in his desire to start a new
church near Bitebsk.
GAZA (Middle East). Sarnia is the former language helper of
Southern Baptist worker Shirin Terry. Sarnia is interested in start¬
ing a children’s choir with Shirin’s help. Pray that she will be
guided by the Lord in her efforts, and ask God to provide the nec¬
essary resources to make this dream a reality.
NIGERIA (western Africa). Missionary Linda Taylor
writes, “Nigerians are so starved for good reading material.
This makes it very easy to distribute tracts. The problem is having
enough tracts to distribute!” Pray that the Yoruba-language tracts
will soon be ready for distribution. Ask the Lord to use these
booklets to reveal the truth to many people in Nigeria.
BULGARIA (eastern Europe). Pray for pastor Angelov,
president of the Bulgarian Baptist Union and also president of the
European Baptist Federation. Ask God to grant him wisdom as he
juggles his many roles.
GAMBIA (western Africa). Give thanks to the Lord that the
newly formed Sower Baptist Church is worshiping each Sunday
with visitors joining them nearly every week. Pray for leaders to
emerge.
4 ISRAEL (Middle East). The Arab minority population
group within Israel was deeply affected by the death of
Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Many of them grieved deeply for
the passing of one of the Middle East’s peace leaders. Pray that
this event would cause the people living in this country to turn
their hearts to the Prince of Peace.
GERMANY (central Europe). Ask the Lord to provide op¬
portunities for Baptist representatives David and Suzanne Adams
to meet people and build relationships in this country where peo¬
ple lead very private lives. Pray also that individuals who have
made commitments to follow Christ will be obedient in baptism.
5 SRI LANKA (island off southeastern coast of India). Al¬
though fighting continues between the government and Tamil
rebels, Baptist representatives David and Paula Eddins and Hal
and Carol Jacks live in an area of relative peace. Pray for their
ministries to continue to increase as the people hear the good news
about Jesus Christ.
HUNGARY (eastern Europe). Many refugees in this country
are skilled, but finding a job is nearly impossible. Unemployment
is rampant. From a human standpoint, there is little hope left, and
many people are trying to leave the country. Pray that God will
meet the needs of these citizens.
LATVIA, COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT
STATES (between eastern Europe and Russia). Baptist
