Global PrayerGram, April 1997

April 1997 I ~G LOBAL I щчмтащаодг ( 1 don’t have a prayer.” We’ve all heard that expression — maybe even used it. I believe what we really mean when we say that is that the situation is such that prayer is actually the only option that we do have! In recent years we have seen our nation drift perilously in the foundational areas of morals, ethics and spirituality. A growing number of Americans now realize that government is not the answer to these problems. Apart from a humble turn — or return — to God our nation is doomed. May 1 is the National Day of Prayer. In preparation for this important day, many evangelical ministries and denominations are encouraging believers to make this month of April a month of prayer and fasting focused on returning to God and seeking His work of conviction and revival in our land. Since so many of us in this Global PrayerGram family are annual participants in our spring Day of Prayer and Fasting, we already know the importance and efficacy of prayer with fasting. Prayerfully consider how you might seek God during this month for our nation for truly, it is His will that “none should perish but that all should come to repentance.” So . . . We do have a prayer, Randy Sprinkle, Director International Prayer Strategy Office 1997 Day of Prayer and Fasting for World Evangelization May 16, 6:00 p.m. to May 17, 6:00 p.m. This year’s focus: Libyan Arabs To order a resource kit, call (800) 866-3621 or write Customer Services, Foreign Mission Board, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230-0767. 1 TIANJIN (city in China). The Old City of Tianjin is home to one of three government-registered churches. Pray that people living in the Old City, who may have walked past the church hundreds or thousands of times, will stop in and find the hope and grace they are looking for. Many newly wealthy Chinese live in Hexi (pronounced “Huh-she”) District. Pray that they will see that loving money does not bring hope to life, and pray that they will find Jesus, who does. Today ask God to show His infinite love to the people in the south suburbs of Tianjin. Praise Him for evangelists who travel to the south suburbs to share a witness. Ask for wisdom as they share the good news. Ask for people living and working just outside the city to feel a freedom to seek to know God. 2 BELARUS (between Poland and Russia). Pray for Inter¬ national Service Corps representative Beth Wilson who teaches MKs (children of Baptist representatives) in Vitebsk and visits English classes at a local school. Pray that as she develops relationships with the teachers and students, many will come to know of Christ and the relationship they can have with Him. Pray for Ira, a teacher from the university in Vitebsk who has recently begun studying the Bible. Pray that he will come to know Jesus Christ as personal Savior. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (eastern Arabian Peninsula). Baptist representatives Del and Ramona Allen ask you to give thanks to God for a church that is forming in Dubai. Pray for a short-term couple to pastor until a career couple is assigned, and pray for a career couple to come. 3GAZA (east of Mediterranean Sea). There is an Experienc¬ ing God study group among university students. Some attending are not believers. Pray for the Lord to use this study to open their eyes to the Truth. VENEZUELA (northern South America). Pray for church growth studies that missionary James Crawford is teaching at the seminary. The course is about strategies for starting new works. He hopes to use it as a springboard to take such studies to the church¬ es. Pray that the churches will take a look at the possibility of estab¬ lishing a strategy for reaching the central coastal area of Venezuela for Christ. Pray that churches can be established all along that 120- mile coast which claims a population of about 1 million people. 4 BRAZIL (eastern South America). Missionary Ravina Towe asks prayer for those in her discipleship groups who were released recently from different prisons. She writes: “The testing time is soon after release. It will require a complete restruc¬ turing of their lives. All of those converted inside prison have much to deal with when they get out. Some are in danger of their lives. Please pray for Dennis, William, Tertuliano, Reginaldo and Jilson.” BRAZIL (eastern South America). Missionary Kathy Politowski works at New Hope Baptist Church in Castanhal. Their strongest mission is in the Fonte Boa neighborhood. Please pray for the growth of the work at New Hope and strong founda¬ tions for the mission in Fonte Boa. Pray that two preaching points will develop and reach many others for Christ. 5 PERU (western South America). Missionary Mike Windle had, for some time, felt led to start a Baptist gym as an out¬ reach ministry in the area of town where his church is located. Equipment was donated, so the Baptist Gym of La Esperanza in