Pray for God’s blessing on the translation work. Pray for a good translation and for many to read the Word in their heart language and believe its message!
Too heavy
The last 3 year’s crop production has significantly decreased due to the lack of rain and scorching sun destroying many crops. Now, with the increased stress of political instability and inflation along with sickness, and everyday trails of life the burden is too heavy to carry. Please pray for the believers’ faith in God to be strengthened, and not “want to return to Egypt “. Please pray that in all these trials the Ndau will see God and know him in a powerful way. Pray they will see Jesus, who wants us to give him our burdens and that they can trust Him to carry them through.
Light in dark places
This is a difficult time with deep divisions in the church which ripple out to the remote villages. May the truth be heard, may people’s hearts be true to the gospel and may there be protection from lies. May the work of evangelism and community health care continue to shine light into dark places.
Isolation and fear
Pray for the local brothers and sisters walking in isolation and fear. Pray that each hidden believer would find at least 1 other person to read the word, pray, and grow together. Pray that they would hunger for fellowship and seek accountability.
Shine brightly
Pray for Mzee S., a respected leader in the community from a different tribe, who is a Christian. Pray he would shine brightly in the community and draw many to the Lord.
Believers
Diaspora in Ontario: Praise for referrals to a couple of Som believers in our area we have not previously met. Pray that we’ll be able to connect with them, and then to connect them with other believers in our area.
The hour of darkness- verdict postponed again
Almost two years ago, Passion Week 2023, several believers in Libya were taken from their homes and streets and put in prison.
Now the announcement of their verdict has been postponed until Passion Week 2025 (Tuesday, April 15th.)
The timing is significant.
As Jesus allowed himself to be arrested, he said: This is the hour of the power of darkness (Luke 22:53). And after Jesus died, in the days of uncertainty and waiting and fear…the disciples hid together. Together locked in the room. Together going to the tomb. We continue to pray together remembering those who are suffering… let us not stop.
We wait for the next ‘togethers’…
Together eating with the risen Jesus, together seeing his wounds, together hearing his voice and feeling his breath as he breathed on us His Spirit…
As Lent begins in a few weeks and we remember the dark days before the cross… please keep praying for God’s children suffering around the world.
Need land
Local believers want to build a structure to meet under, but it has been difficult to secure the land. Pray the community will be willing to give the land to the believers, and that it will not be a cause of conflict for this young church.
Engage
Pray for the local island body to have a hunger for God’s Word. Pray for engagement with local Scripture apps among island believers and non-believers alike. Pray for growth as they feed on God’s Word. Pray too for the desire for regular fellowship and study together. Continue to pray against fear and pray for genuine faith and conviction of sin.
Grow in faith
Pray for Sa’ and his family to grow in faith and that God will provide all his needs.
Pray for our new contacts: Ara’, Id’, Ah’, and their families to desire to know God as their father and savior.
Bold stand
Please pray for one of our local pastors. He has taken a bold stand against immorality in his congregation, and suspended some of the leadership. He needs lots of encouragement, and so do the few remaining believers.
Verdict tomorrow
Once again we are asking for prayer for the release of the believers in prison for their faith. I believe God is greatly honored as we continue in prayer and surrender, asking, and asking again.
Tuesday, February 18th, is the date they now say they will give the verdict. The previous date given for the verdict was Feb 4…but they delayed it 2 weeks. On Feb 6, in response to a UN report, the internal Security Agency gave an international press conference, saying that they had done their job and had turned the “dangerous ones” over to the court. We are not sure what this reveals about international pressure, but it felt like quite a defensive stance deflecting blame regardless of how the court rules.
We pray for the fear of God to fall on all — for those against Him to tremble, for those that are His to shine in awe, worship, joy and peace.
And we pray for the next steps for each one. If God should see fit to release them, pray for families that receive them, for communities that still walk in the dark.
Unity and growth
Pray with us for three groups of Som ** MBB’s all on WhatsApp groups. We thank God for their unity and the content of their communication in uplifting and edifying one another through the sharing of scripture, prayer and practical help. They also get to answer questions from seekers that are also in the groups. Pray that God will graciously grow these groups for the extension of His Kingdom.
Kingdom of Light
One of the young believers shared this story recently:
“I had a dream one night and a man came to me in shining light. ‘I am Jesus’. Jesus told me that he loves me and has forgiven all my sins when he died on the cross for me. He said that he has given me eternal life. Then he told me to tell others about the Kingdom of Light and not to be afraid. I will give you great joy as you do this.”
Even before this dream, the believer had been sharing the two kingdoms story with many people, about the Kingdom of Light and the kingdom of darkness. He’s been calling many others to follow Jesus. The dream spurred him onwards with greater vigor and purpose.
Several people as a result have come into the Kingdom of Light! Pray for these young and new believers to grow and share with others.
visiting friends
Praise for an opportunity to visit the refugee camps with a Saharawi friend who has been in Spain for 20 years. Pray for sweet reunions and the Spirit to move in hearts.
Deep impact
Pray for our GAP program that started this week. This is a camp for recently graduated high schoolers. Pray that it will have a deep impact in the lives of the youth.
Curious and hungry hearts
Diaspora in Georgia: Pray that many of my Muslim friends would initiate spiritual conversations that come from a curious and hungry heart.
God still at work
Hopelessness and suffering are written on the faces of many Bara people, and pain spreads through every layer of this culture—a culture that venerates death, worships ancestors, and refuses to come to the Creator for relief. Yet, the God of the universe is at work! He has not left the world without the testimony of His grace. Through the Gospel, the Eternal One is revealing His glory, restoring, and reconciling humanity to Himself. Below is a link to Sandy’s testimony to what God is doing in her life. Pray many more Bara will experience God’s work in their lives as well.
Salt and Light
Diaspora in England: The refugee centre where I volunteer recently shared that they assisted 1,633 refugees last year. Give thanks for this much needed service and pray that I and other Christians who serve there will continue to be salt and light to the many people from UPGs who use the Centre’s services.
Outreach and engagement
The Sudanese converts are not staying behind; instead, they are walking in obedience by reaching out to their own brothers and sisters in Darfur and the refugee camps. M’, our key leader for outreach and refugee engagement, is intentionally training his leaders to multiply this effort.
Today, M A is following up on the work in Renk, at the Sudan-South Sudan border. Please pray for him to have fruitful engagements and to build strong, new relationships that advance the Kingdom.
Fear of hell
Diaspora in England: Praise for the amazing conversation a few weeks ago in one of our English classes where the M women shared very openly about their fear of hell and their lack of assurance of going to heaven. We were able to share how different this is for Christians. The women asked us questions about our faith and were very interested. Pray for these seeds of truth to germinate in good soil.
Father making threats again
Pray for our island sister, ‘Rachel’. Her father has begun making death threats against her. She isn’t afraid, but she felt like it was wise to alert the police and the Justice Department to his threats. Her father has also barred her and her son from going to their fields. Rachel is praying and waiting on the Lord about how she should respond to this. Pray for wisdom for her with her father. Pray too for discernment from the Holy Spirit as she answers islanders’ questions about Jesus.
Pray for open heart
Diaspora in Florida: I am in discussions with Imam A about God’s Word. Pray for an open heart.
Stand firm
Pray for the believers to grow in discipleship and courage to stand firm in the faith when faced with challenges. May they stay on the narrow path and refuse temptations to take the easy way.
Bible study
Diaspora in Washington DC: Pray for 5 English students to join us in a weekly study of God’s word on Tuesdays. We praise Jesus for 3 that have initially participated.
Wisdom and discernment
Pray for wisdom and discernment for local leaders and community influencers to promote unity and peace rather than division.
Pray for healing and comfort for families affected by the recent violence and loss of loved ones in Medani and Juba.
Pray for law enforcement to effectively restore order without escalating violence, ensuring safety for all communities.
No longer
Maroamboka village, where we used to live, is the place of witch doctors. Seven of them live and work in and around Maroamboka! Some of them are so powerful that people come all the way from the capital to consult them. In short, Maroamboka was more or less the stronghold of Satan.
And it is precisely in Maroamboka that the church is growing! And it is Maroamboka where people come to hear more about the Gospel. Why? My friend Issa noted that the Lord has a sense of humour. Issa said, “The evil one must have been happy when we left Maroamboka. But it is as if God woke the evil one out of his evil dream by using Maroamboka for His mighty and glorious work.” I like Issa’s conclusion. Pray for the church to continue to grow in size and influence.
Coffee time
Diaspora in Wales: In January, we started a coffee/tea time following the Monday Women’s English Classes. Pray that this informal time of fellowship will deepen a sense of community enabling ladies to meet other teachers and students while using English.
Pray for breakthrough
Diaspora in Germany: Pray for those who are suffering or in need, especially in migrant camps.
Pray for breakthroughs in the lives of people who are lost, lonely, or struggling.
Pray for receptive hearts and meaningful connections in the outreach ministry.
Persecution
The young men leading the church in one Lopit village are still going through persecution. Early in January they were seriously beaten but they have said no to idolatry and are very active in the church. Pray for them to stand firm in their faith, and that the Lord will give a lasting solution in this village where persecution happens often for believers.
Eyes of their hearts opened
Diaspora in Michigan: Pray for Mr. I and Mr. J to have an encounter with God, and for the eyes of their hearts to be opened. Both are spiritually open, but neither have truly accepted Jesus as Lord. Please pray for our Friday night conversation cafe that includes a 30 minute Bible story. Mr K and Mr R are actively searching to know more about the Bible and Mr J said he would believe if he saw a dream of Jesus. Please pray with us for a Bible study group to form with them.
New interest
Praise the Lord for new interest in His word from two friends on the plateau, Mary and Elisheba. We have started studying with Mary but Elisheba has been busy with the election. Ask that, now the election is over, Elisheba would be free to study with us, and that Father would open both their hearts to understand His plan and their need for a Saviour.
Save our friends
Diaspora in Georgia: Pray that the Lord will make it evident that He is moving to save our Ms friends Naya, Amy, Slim, Mia, Kudu and Sue and their families.
Praise the Lord for weekly opportunities to share Scripture with seekers and new believers. Pray for much fruit this month.
Looking for a wizard
One of the young men from our church lost his brother in a cattle raid. The tradition here is that the community usually looks for a “wizard” to hang for the suspected cursing of the one who died in sickness or in raids. The prayer request is that a hanging will not follow this funeral or any other funeral. Pray this evil practice will stop and the light of the Gospel will shine brightly in the church and will show another way to live.
Month-long outreach
The four leaders of the Toposa team have embarked on a one-month apostolic outreach to Lochoa, seeking persons of peace and strengthening the 11 churches in the area. Artis and Jejo, who are currently in Naliel, will later follow up with them and provide the necessary supplies to support the work.
Please pray for the Toposa Apostolic team as they step out in radical obedience, reaching the lost and building up the body of Christ. Also, pray that God provides the needed supplies—Bibles, audio Bibles, and Jesus film—to equip and disciple the people they reach.
Verdict delayed
For some reason, the verdict for those in prison got pushed back to February 18th. Still no word on why. Pray for them. They need super natural peace and strength in Jesus. And let’s not forget their families. They’re longing to be with their loved ones. We’re hoping for a quick & quiet resolution so everyone can come home soon.
PTSD
Diaspora in Hong Kong: Please pray for a Somali Christian and his wife, who does not share his faith. We hope to build a friendship in Christ. Pray for her heart.
Pray for E, a believer from a Muslim background, who is struggling with PTSD and seeking peace in the Word of God.
Dispensary open again
Praise the Lord that Pastor Mahalu in Magambua village was able to invite some Christian medical personnel from the government to re-open the AICT Magambua Dispensary. Care is happening there again with believers treating people and augmenting the witness of the local church. Pray for many to find Jesus there!
Tuesday /Thursday activities
Diaspora in France: Pray for our weekly activities which take place every Tuesday and Thursday. May we be the salt and light of Christ for the students during these times. Pray for good talks with students and for the Lord to open their hearts to the gospel.
Verdict
The believers in prison in Libya for their faith will appear before the judge on Tuesday and hear the verdict. Please pray the Lord would trouble the judge and those involved in deciding the sentence and they would ‘let His people go’. Pray for their unconditional release and reunion with their families.
