Please pray for the Saharawi who are fasting for Ramadan. May they come to know Jesus as the bread of life!
Threats intensifying
Threats against us and our team and local believers are intensifying. Pray for the safety and protection of all believers and especially for the home guards and chiefs who are risking much to provide increased security for us. Pray that these security risks will be used by God to bring new life & to draw many O into His Kingdom of Light! Pray that God would convict the men intent on doing harm and they would repent and find Life in Him.
Gospel conversations
Diaspora in California: Pray for international students and volunteers who will be traveling to Yosemite National Park April 5-7. Pray for gospel conversations throughout the weekend and safety while travelling and hiking.
Pray for salvation for students Chris and Thomas in particular. They come regularly and have heard the gospel but appear to have no interest in spiritual matters.
Night of Power
April 5th or 6th is a night known as the “Night of Power.” Many Muslims will pray through the night hoping to gain special favor with God. Pray for the Holy Spirt to reveal Himself to many, and for revelation that we can receive special favor with God through His Son Jesus Christ.
One Miracle Night
For those interested in praying more for the Night of Power- the most holy night of Ramadan where many Muslims pray all night seeking God’s forgiveness and blessing, please see the prayer guide:
Dear Friends,
Please join us in earnest prayer for Muslims around the world, this Friday, 5 April.
The IPC has put together excellent material for promoting One Miracle Night – the Global Day of Prayer for the Muslim World.
For more info, prayer guides and 24 hour prayer schedule led by leaders around the world, visit:
Inability to save themselves
Pray for the Alagwa, as they’re finishing up the Ramadan fast, to know their spiritual need and inability to save themselves.
Pray for the young believers to keep listening to their Audio-Bibles, sharing their faith, and growing in relationship with Jesus.
Good news
Diaspora in England: Praise for the opportunity to share the Easter message at last week’s English classes. When I asked if anyone could sum up what I’d said, a Muslim woman said: “It’s good news”. I hadn’t even used that expression! Pray for faith to believe.
Praise that our parenting class ‘taster’ session went well this week. 9 women came to the session (7 S0m@li, 2 Sudanese). Pray that they would all return when the course starts on 16 April.
New believers!
Persecution and threats are increasing. Pray that the new believers will not fear, but will grow in knowledge, faith and understanding, that they will boldly declare God’s Grace to be saved and forgiven because of Jesus’ work on the cross. One couple had to go into hiding for a time because of threats. Pray that they become strong in prayer and hiding God’s Word in their hearts!
Remaining days
Especially during these remaining days of Ramadan, ask that the local believers would know the light of His presence even during nights that feel heavy with darkness. Pray for them to remain anchored in Hope and to have confidence that His immeasurably great power is for them.
Rainmaker
We are leading a Discovery Bible Study on the compound of the rainmaker in Iboni every Wednesday. We thank God that this man has welcomed us to come and share from the Word of God, and we pray that he would humble himself before the One and Only God, and “Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; [for] it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone” (Zechariah 10:1).
Easter seeds
Pray that the seeds planted during Easter conversations would grow and lead to many islanders knowing the Risen Savior. Pray for the i3 body as they decide the best day and way to meet as a larger group and whether to wait for the fasting month to end before doing so. May the Spirit guide!
Take the next step
A couple who are shop owners are open and interested in conversation about spiritual things but not willing to take the next step. Pray for Pastor Her’a who meets with them regularly to not become discouraged and pray for God to give the couple the courage to take next steps to follow Jesus.
Grow in Love
Please pray for the Laarim believers to grow in their love for God and one another. Pray that they receive strength to stand against the pressure to partake in sinful peer group practices or temptations. Pray for courage in their hearts to trust the Lord in all hardships. And that when they fail, may they by the Spirit recognize and confess their sin and keep walking with Christ.
Standing firm
The situation of one of the sisters here is difficult, she suffers violence from her husband and pressure from the family who hope that she renounces her faith. She continues to stand firm, refuses to renounce her faith and testifies in exchange for persecution. Pray for this sister, that she will be carried by God, that the hearts of her husband and her family will be touched and that their attitude will change. Let’s also pray for the small assembly of brothers and sisters, that it grows and becomes independent.
Cyclone!
A violent cyclone is currently hitting Madagascar. There is damage in our village, houses destroyed, the road ruined, several boats have been destroyed because of the intensity of the waves, people can no longer work and lack money. The cyclone is even more violent on the East coast of Madagascar, Pray for the protection of the people, for courage to deal with the consequences of this cyclone, that the Church of Christ can show love and find ways to help and to bless these populations affected by the destruction. May God give us the wisdom to manage the urgent and countless needs of our neighbors, friends, brothers and sisters from the church of our village.
Truly seek
Pray for the youth we work with, that they will truly seek the Lord and find him.
Soup and Bible
Diaspora in Finland: I started a soup and Bible program. Praise for a few Moroccan M’s, that I have been building relationships with, have come. Pray for wisdom in how to build these relationships more and that their hearts would open for the Lord.
Persecution and grief
Pray for Mike, an O believer who has been persecuted for his faith. He grieves over having his wife taken away from him and given to another man. May the Joy of the Lord be his strength! May the fellowship of sharing in Christ’s sufferings bring Mike and all of us into deeper intimacy with Jesus as we realize fully that He is worthy of our sacrifices and suffering.
Pray in Jesus’ power and authority against all the schemes and flaming arrows of our enemy the devil, to keep the O People in bondage and darkness.
Pour out their hearts
Each evening islanders will spend up to several hours completing extra sets of ritual prayers. Pray that these prayers would leave them feeling empty and dissatisfied. Pray that they would long for a relationship with God. Pray that they would begin to pour out their hearts to him in their own language and own words.
Inflation
Inflation has hit Madagascar hard and people are struggling to buy daily necessities. Please pray that God would provide, especially for the Christians, local pastors, and missionaries.
Receive forgiveness
Pray for an openness in our community as we as a team and as Christians interact with people here. Pray for an openness to hearing the gospel and that their eyes will be opened, and they can turn from darkness to light. Pray that God would break the power and chains of satan and they would turn from being under the power of satan to God so that they can receive forgiveness for their sins and find their place among those who are being sanctified by their faith. (Acts 26:18)
Oral Bibles
Over the next 13 months, Nuba Wahid Cluster project will engage 31 different languages in various ways, including starting new translation projects, revising existing New Testaments, developing “JESUS” film scripts and more. They will also work to build capacity in churches for ongoing and sustainable Bible translation and Scripture engagement. Much of the Nuba church’s approach to make the Bible accessible to their communities is through oral Bible translation. Literacy levels are low across the region, and the easiest and clearest way of sharing the gospel will be through oral-based translation and distribution. Join us in praying that God will continue to equip Nuba churches for the journey that lies ahead of them, with many volunteers joining the work, so that people can access Scripture soon. The soil is ready for seeds to be planted!
Living water
Pray that the Muslims who thirst today will find living water so that they may never be thirsty again.
Starting up again
Diaspora in Hong Kong: Praise for the Injil class that has resumed after a temporary halt for few months. Praise God that this month, we are pleased to see that our student, L, has shown even greater acceptance of Jesus than before. Pray for her growth in Christ.
Pray for reconnecting with a Bible literacy program, as we are preparing to start a class with a young M child who has difficulty in reading. Pray that the love of God will be manifested through this service.
Conference
Pray for provision for an upcoming conference for African missionaries and believers from Muslim background. Pray each one would be encouraged in the Lord and further equipped in their ministry.
What is God doing?
There is an unhealthy increase of South Asian Muslims into Madagascar who are moving into rural areas and building mosques where churches have stood. Pray that the church leaders in Tana will see this challenge as an opportunity to share the Gospel. Pray that God will show us what He is already doing among the Karana of Tana.
Winds of change
The Island national anthem declares that they are one people, one religion, one blood – to be an islander is to be a Muslim and islanders are very proud of their Islamic heritage and identity. However, recently a controversy stirred when an Island historian showed that the original wording did not include ‘one religion’ but was rather one tongue or language. Words shape us and the national anthem is sung regularly (particularly by children). Pray with us that this month the winds of change would really blow through these islands and long held ideas and beliefs would be uprooted. Pray that a new chapter in Island history would begin and ask God to reveal himself through the power of the Holy Sprit.
Salvation and help
Diaspora in Georgia: Pray for the salvation of my ESL level 3 students as we read through the gospel of John. Pray for a clear testimony from each one of faith in Jesus by the time class ends in May.
Pray for the Lord to bring Africans and Muslims who need help to the pregnancy resource center.
Lokai
I praise the Lord for the Laarim believers. I also give thanks that conflict between neighboring people groups have lessened and people are moving around more freely without the constant concern of being attacked.
I was recently encouraged by Lokai, a young Laarim believer who is in his second year of secondary school. He spent Christmas with us before he returned to school. He eagerly joined me for every ministry activity and has expressed a desire to go into full-time ministry after his schooling. Please pray for Lokai and his future.
Have mercy Lord!
The UN estimates 10.7 million people have fled their homes, 1.7 million beyond Sudan; 18.5 million live in acute hunger, 5 million in emergency hunger; i.e., likely to die within 6 weeks if not helped. In Khartoum, some received money from abroad, but now have no internet access. Shops are empty anyway, and people fear to leave home. Only 37% of farmland was cultivated last year. WFP has given food to 7 million people. So far it has only 4% of its 2024 budget. Recently Ukraine donated, and Germany transported 7.6 million kg of wheat flour, but it’s impossible to get food to many of the needy. Pray for God to have mercy.
I need to be born again
There is an elder in a village that A, E & S have been reaching out to who consistently comes for Bible sharing and prayers. Often he says he has forgotten what he heard, or doesn’t seem to understand well. However, earlier this week after S shared about what it means to be born again, he said, “Now I know why I have been coming all this time. It was so I would understand that I need to be born again.” Praise God for this wonderful encouragement and pray for this elder to grow in his relationship with Christ.
Courage to follow
Pray against fear for many who have heard truth or have scripture sd cards and even Bibles. May the word not return void. May people recognize the Truth and have courage to follow.
Truth about Easter
Diaspora in Florida: Pray for the International student night tomorrow March 23rd for many to come and hear the truth about Easter.
Turned her back
Pray for Mama S., who used to be very involved at a local church but has since turned her back on the church and her faith. We still see a heart for God in her and pray she would turn back to the One True God.
Submit to God
Our hearts desire and prayer to God for the O is that they will be saved! We testify about the O that many of them are zealous for God – but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they do not know the righteousness of God (through Jesus), they seek to establish their own, and so they do not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the fulfillment of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
(Paraphrased from Rom. 10:1-4). Pray that many O will submit to their need for God’s Gift of Salvation and Righteousness through Jesus our Lord!
Oral Bible
A team of local translators are working on orally translating the Bible for Sakalava and other northern tribes. This is in the form of audio recordings. Pray that the team would have wisdom, unity, and perseverance as they translate. Pray that God’s word would go forth to reach many, many people.
Recently translated, recorded, and being used!
One team member is getting to share with a group of men in his village regularly. He has been able to use recently translated and recorded scripture as he meets with them. Praise Him for this opportunity, and also for the newly created resources that are being used. May their hearts respond.
Planting seeds
Traditionally, the Gabbra are pastoralists. During the last drought, many of their animals died. Some of the Gabbra are now planting crops to provide for their family. Praise God for good rains to water their crops over this last year. Pray for the Gabbra as they continue to learn about planting and harvesting, and preparing the land for the next rainy season. Pray for the Gabbra Christians, that just as they plant seeds in the ground, they would be sharing about God and planting seeds in the hearts of their neighbours.
New believers
Diaspora in Ontario: Please pray for new Iranian believers Rush*, Deddy* and wife Abby* to grow in their faith following Jesus and as they share the gospel with their friends and family back in Iran.
Dreams and visions
Pray for dreams and visions of Jesus for the people. Pray for God to show our team what’s really in the hearts of the people so they can effectively share with them.
