August 2006
Northern Africa and the Middle East region spans
seven time zones and encompasses 26 countries and
almost 420 million people. Political, social, economic and
spiritual struggles mark the societies of most of these
countries. Often people of this region are feared by the
Western world, but God loves the people of Northern
Africa and the Middle East. He is moving across this
region, searching for those whose hearts long after Him.
Jesus spent His earthly life in this region. The church
began here. Now the King of kings is reclaiming these
people for Himself. However, as more people turn to
Jesus, the spiritual struggle intensifies. Believers from
Jewish, Islamic and traditional Christian backgrounds all
face persecution and societal ostracism. Join us this
month in asking the Father to show Himself strong on
behalf of those whose hearts are turning to Him.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble
or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger
or sword? As it is written: ". For your sake we face death all
day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered"
(Romans 8:35-36, NIV).
NORTHERN AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST. There are
many forms of imprisonment among Palestinians. Wom¬
en often are imprisoned by cultural limitations; the Deaf
are imprisoned by their hearing limitations, and believers
are sometimes imprisoned for their faith. "Sam," a strong
believer, has experienced imprisonment and is estranged
from his family because of his faith in Jesus. His daily life is
a struggle. Pray for Sam and other persecuted believers to
receive strength by the "holding power" of Almighty God.
Ask God to begin a church-planting movement to reach
persecuted believers, women without hope and the Deaf
who are often forgotten or neglected.
HUNGARY (eastern Europe). Since religion is considered
a private matter in Hungary, people who speak too much
about God or Jesus Christ are often seen as fanatics or
assumed to be cult members. This has hindered many from
sharing the truths in Scripture, as they fear being labeled or
alienating others. However, many church leaders have
been asking IMB representatives to pray that they and their
congregations would boldly proclaim the Gospel. "And
pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in
the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness
the mystery of the gospel ... that in proclaiming it I may
speak boldly, as I ought to speak" (Ephesians 6:19, 20b,
NASB). Pray that believers will openly and boldly share
the great mystery of the Gospel without alienating others.
DARFUR, SUDAN. Beseech the Lord to stop the fighting,
burning of villages, raping and killing in Darfur and ask
that Fur believers will grow and stand strong for Jesus
despite these hardships. Also ask that the Fur being
touched by acts of love and presentations of the Gospel will
open their hearts to the truth found in Jesus.
CHAD and SUDAN (northern Africa). The KA radio pro¬
gram (stories in the local language from Creation through
Jesus) has begun broadcasting on shortwave all across
Chad and Sudan. Pray specifically on Thursday and Friday
evenings, that many who are suffering across this land will
tune in to the station and hear words of everlasting peace.
CENTRAL, EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA (CESA).
Next month (September), the Central, Eastern and
Southern Africa region will hold a mobilization meeting at
Silverdale Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Term., for U.S.
churches interested in partnering with CESA. This meeting
will consist of four tracks, including degrees of commit¬
ment, partnership and prayer. Please intercede for the
preparations for this meeting, asking God to order every¬
thing according to His leadership and His will for CESA
and the involvement of stateside churches in Africa. (If you
would like to attend this meeting, please contact Silverdale
Baptist Church at gosilver@keptprivate.com).
GUAJIBO OF VENEZUELA (gwa-HEE-bo). Pungent
smoke filters into the little building through innumerable
spaces in the wooden structure. In the midst, approximately
20 Guajibo leaders and pastors sit in anticipation. Women
sit quietly, mentally preparing to share last week's Bible
story. The men seated on the opposite side of the church
converted to Christianity many years back. Up until now,
they have had little understanding of the gift of salvation
through God's grace. Each one came to learn how to share
the Gospel truths in a culturally accepted way, through
chronological Bible storying. Pray that the Guajibo will be
caught up in the greatest love story - God's love for His
children, expressed through Christ's death and resurrection.
MALTA (western Europe). In the December 2005 "Global
Prayergram" you prayed for the Maltese to respond to
the Holy Spirit's call in their lives and for the fire of revival
to sweep through the islands. Team Malta rejoices that
dozens of people have prayed to receive Christ since that
time, and there is a new openness to the Gospel due to the
