Monday, August 31, 2009

The Khorasani Turks

I am about one third of the way through my 30 days of prayer for Muslim people.  If you are just now reading my posts, I posted how this began here.  Today, I am surprised by how praying for Muslim people groups has awakened my heart to concern for groups of people as yet unreached by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is sad to think that there are places, such as Mashhad in Iran, where simply being a Christian will guarantee a death sentence.

Today's prayer focus is for the Khorasani Turks, a people group living in the northern part of the Khorasan province (northwest of Mashhad).  You may have heard of the Khorasani, as they are known for their exquisite woven rugs, cloth, and carpets.  The Khorasani Turks are 100% Muslim.  Presently, there are no Gospel resources in their own language and no specific effort to implant believing congregations among them.

Pray that God will open doors for Christian businessmen and others to share Christ with the Khorasani Turks.  Ask God to raise up qualified linguists to translate the Bible into the Khorasani language.

Blessings and peace be upon you,

Jennifer

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Pray for Mahshhad in Iran

Pray for the people of Mashhad in Iran, the town where Muslim pilgrims go to visit the tomb of Ali Reza, a descendent of Mohammed. Mashhad is the second largest city in Iran with a population of 2.5 million people. Pray that the Gospel of Jesus Christ would be made known here. Pray that God would reveal Himself in a mighty way to the people of this city.

Scriptures to meditate on and proclaim in prayer: Acts 7:55-60, Luke 23:34, Luke 11:4.

May your Sunday be blessed,

Jennifer

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Pray for the Mohammeds of the world

Mohammed is revered by all Muslims as the last and greatest prophet. There are many who are named after Mohammed, in honor of him. Lift up those who are named after him, that they would come to know Christ, whose name is above all names. Pray that the millions of Mohammeds in the world would come to have faith in the Messiah (Acts 4:12, Phil. 2:10).

May God's richest blessings be upon you,

Jennifer

Friday, August 28, 2009

Prayer for the Kaili Unde of Indonesia

I am posting our prayer focus today later than usual due to computer problems. Our modem stopped working today, and my husband had to buy a new one. I apologize if you were counting on reading the prayer focus for today earlier in the day.

Today, we focus our prayer upon the Kaili Unde peoples of Indonesia. Most Kaili Unde are dedicated Muslims. What makes the Kaili Unde unique is their mix of Islamic and animistic beliefs. This people group seek healing from the local Dukun, or magic priest. Also, they give offerings to both good and evil spirits when building a new house. In other words, their beliefs are confused.

Pray for the Kaili Unde people to have an openness and willingness to obey the Gospel (Romans 1:5 and 16:26). Pray that they can hear and see the Indonesian Christian radio and tv and that God would reveal Himself to the Kaili Unde through these mediums. Pray that the Bible and Christian material would be translated into their language, and pray that the Kaili Unde would be freed from their enslavement to spirits and that the power of darkness would be broken. Pray that their eyes would be opened to the Truth.

Blessings and peace,

Jennifer

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Pray for Healing

Matthew 10:7-8: "As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."

Our prayer for the Muslim world today is that Muslims would become aware of the healing power of Jesus Christ. We must pray that God would empower Christian believers to heal the sick and to assist with the needs of the sick and suffering in Africa and Asia, especially. Let us give thanks for the healings that have taken place in the Muslim world and pray that God would multiply the faith of new believers in these areas.

Scriptures for meditation and focus: Matthew 10:1, 8; Luke 9:2, 10:9.

Blessings and peace,

Jennifer

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Pray for the Abdullahs and Aminas

There are many in the Muslim faith named after the prophet Mohammed's parents, Abdullah and Amina. Pray today for the millions of Abdullahs and Aminas around the world, that they would come to know the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Pray specifically that the Abdullahs would discover real freedom as servants of God's anointed King, Jesus. Pray, also, that every woman named Amina would discover that Jesus is the most trustworthy one.

To learn more about the 30 Days ministry to Muslims, visit my previous post here.

Blessings and peace,

Jennifer

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Prayer for Secret Believers

Heavenly Father,

Please protect the secret believers in Jesus Christ, especially those who are facing the possibility of death due to their faith in Your Son. Please open the eyes of the hearts of their family members and make Your Light shine brightly so that they might be irresistably drawn to You. I pray for your provision for these secret believers and their families; allow them to keep their jobs and their homes. I pray that the attitudes of the society around them will accept their newfound faith.

Lord, I ask that the situation of the secret believers will be better known and that believers in Christ all over the world will give them help.

In Your Son's most precious name,

Amen

Monday, August 24, 2009

Bless this day, Lord

Today is the first day of school for my oldest three children. My husband took our youngest son to first grade and I took the older two boys to high school and middle school. Afterwards, we called each other to report how our drop-offs had gone. Long before the boys entered the doors of their schools, I was praying for God to bless their first day. So far, so good.

No matter what day it is, I begin each day with prayer. I have specific verses that I claim for my husband, and I ask God to bless him with wisdom and discernment for the decisions he will make that day. For my children, I pray for blessings and for safety, for obedient hearts, for wisdom, and for them to glorify God by their actions. I pray for the concerns of my own heart, for the concerns that I know weigh heavy on the hearts of those dear to me, and for specific things that my friends share with me--job interviews, surgeries, etc. I think that it is important to dedicate each day to God and to center my focus on Him. I think that prayer is the most important aspect of my ministry to my family: Interceding on their behalf.

As we continue our 30 days of prayer for Muslims (to see my beginning post on this topic, go here), pray today for Muslim understanding of Jesus' divinity. Jesus is more than a prophet; He is the Son of God. Muslims object to this title, as they believe it refers to God having sexual relations with Mary. Pray that Muslims have a biblical understanding of this title. Also, be in prayer for the Guhayna people, a Muslim people group that are currently not being reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Blessings and peace,

Jennifer

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Be Holy

The Lord God says in Leviticus 19:2: "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." We are to be set apart from the world as believers in Jesus Christ. This is important in ministering to people outside of the Christian faith, because many perceive Christianity as part of the Western culture exemplified so often in music, movies, and television. For many Muslims, their perception of Christianity is confused with Hollywood's depraved depiction of materialism, idolatry, and carnality.



Today's prayer focus: Pray that Muslims will be able to meet sincere practising believers and discern how they are different from cultural Christians.



Today's scriptures: Leviticus 19:2, Matthew 5:48, and Romans 12:2.



Go here to see my previous post on the 30 Days Ministry.



May God's richest blessings be upon you,



Jennifer

Saturday, August 22, 2009

30 Days of Prayer for Muslims

Today begins Ramadan. My friend, Cheryl Karanja, a missionary to Kenya, Africa, sent me a prayer booklet sponsored by the ministry 30 Days. This ministry attempts to share the gospel with Muslims throughout the world. Cheryl sent me the booklet in order that I might begin 30 days of prayer and fasting for Muslim people.

I would encourage you to visit www.30-days.net, and sign up for e-mail prayer updates. In this way, we can join together in prayer. Today's focus: Our attitudes. Do we sincerely love Muslims? We cannot reach people if we do not love them. Join with me in asking the Lord to reveal to us our unrighteous attitudes, if they exist.

Pray and meditate on: Matthew 19:26, Jeremiah 32:27, and Romans 12:1-2. Also, please pray for Cheryl Karanja as she ministers in Kenya. She is recovering from a very painful sunfly bite (sunfly bites are debilitating). She cares for orphans, so she can use all of the prayers and support that we can send her way!

May God's richest blessings flow over you today,

Jennifer

Friday, August 7, 2009

Accountability

Did you see that bad word up there? Yes, that's right, accountability. That word is anathema to so many in the Christian world. I have heard often from people that they are accountable to noone but God. While it is true that we are all accountable to God, we are also called to hold one another accountable (Gal. 6:1).

There is a difference between being the morality police in the church or in the community and lovingly restoring someone when they are involved in sinful action. Ultimately, accountability should be protective. If I know that a friend of mine is stealing from work, I should pray and then discuss this with her. Stealing is an offense before God, and also an offense to an employer. It would be wrong to allow someone to do something that jeopardizes her relationship with the Lord, her position at work, and her witness. The ramifications when one person is willfully disobedient to God are often long-lasting, like ripples in a pond.

About a year and a half ago, a friend of mine confronted me about something I had said to a mutual friend. I had shared information that I should not have; in short, I gossiped. I was terribly embarrassed and ashamed of my actions. I had to apologize for what I had said, and knew that it was important to make amends, as well. I vowed to spend time in prayer and to make myself accountable to others who would keep me honest about my speech and language. I have been involved in a prayer and accountability group with two trustworthy friends for some time now. I can honestly say that my speech has been far more God-honoring than it was. That does not mean that I do not face temptation, or that I never sin with my mouth. I have to watch carefully the positions that I put myself in, and be thoughtful about what I say. I begin each day with prayer, that God will "keep my tongue from evil and my lips from deceitful speech" (1 Peter 3:10).

Through the accountability group, the ladies and I now have a deeper, more meaningful friendship. We pray for one another honestly and are cautious about one another's temptations. I honor the trust that my friends have placed in me by not sharing things that are mentioned in our time together to others. Had I known how much I would gain from an accountability group--deeper friendship, spiritual maturity, prayer--I am sure that I would have joined one sooner.

If you are not involved in an accountability group, then consider joining one. It doesn't need to be formal or very big. No more than three people is ideal. Commit to bearing one another's burdens in a healthy, Christ-honoring way. You'll be better for it!

Blessings and peace to you,

Jennifer