Medical facilities are less than ideal on the islands; incompetence, old equipment, and lack of basics like reliable electricity are all part of everyday life here. This means at times of serious illness islanders will try every means possible to send their loved ones overseas for treatment. Pray that God would use these trials to bring people to the end of themselves so that they would cry out to him. Pray that those islanders being treated overseas would meet Christian doctors and nurses and hear his truth and experience his love. Pray that we would see people healed here on the islands when prayed for in the name of Jesus.

The month of Ramadan has started and it brings with it its strange dichotomy of abstention and excess – during the day (sun-up to sun-down) there is no drinking, eating, smoking, medicine, or “relations”. But sunset heralds the feast and many islanders will consume much more oil, meat, and sugar than normal and eat two or three times in the night. For the wealthy the month can be a party – rich foods and social time with family, and the excuse to do very little in the day. For the poor it can be an extra burden – working harder than normal while weakened by thirst and hunger to earn more to meet the expectations of the family for meat on the table, and new clothes for all the children at the end of the month. The spiritual dynamic of Ramadan is double-edged as well… On the one side people feel good – fortified by all the efforts they put in this month, for others it rings hollow – is this change in routine really earning them a place in paradise?

Pray that many islanders would come to the realisation that they can never work their way to God and that in the midst of that dark truth God would reveal them that He has already come to them!

Medical facilities are less than ideal on the islands; incompetence, old equipment, and lack of basics like reliable electricity are all part of everyday life here. This means at times of serious illness islanders will try every means possible to send their loved ones overseas for treatment. Pray that God would use these trials to bring people to the end of themselves so that they would cry out to him. Pray that those islanders being treated overseas would meet Christian doctors and nurses and hear his truth and experience his love. Pray that we would see people healed here on the islands when prayed for in the name of Jesus.

Pray for all those who heard the Easter story over the past few weeks; from a worker, a local believer or even a film on the tv. Pray that many would remember what they heard, and that their imaginations and hearts would be caught by a God who would suffer and die that they might be with him. Praise God for the satellite tv stations that broadcast programmes and films that share truth. Pray that islanders would be drawn to these programmes and it would prompt a thirst for more.

The islands are currently in the midst of presidential elections. After the first round of voting there was widespread accusations of corruption and bribery – and sadly there is nothing particularly unusual about that. Please pray for the future president; pr that God would put people in his path who will share the good news with him. Pray for all the leaders in government, pray that the Holy Spirit would convict them and soften their hearts so that they seek God’s forgiveness. Pray that God would raise up a new
generation of leaders who would seek to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with their God.
Pray also for ordinary islanders, pray that as they suffer from the effects of corruption they would neither become apathetic or look for ways to get ahead themselves at someone else’s expense. Pray that instead it would cause them to cry out to God for justice. And in so doing pray that they would find a God of great justice and great love.

Continue to pray for the local fellowship on one of the islands as they face intensified pressure including a pronouncement from the Mosque spouting lies and calling for one of them to be kicked out of the country.  Pr for wisdom and courage in the midst of this.  Praise God that the pressure has increased their commitment to prayer, pray that they would know His presence with them like never before.

Praise God for new believers on one island. Groups have been meeting, families are showing interest and listening to Bible stories together and older believers are being inspired and challenged by what they see. However there have been reports that some brothers and sisters have been bothered by authorities and are now afraid to meet regularly. This has not yet been confirmed but is likely to happen sooner or later. Pray for wisdom, courage, faith and joy in the midst of adversity and fear.

Pray for those who hear the Christmas story this month, whether for the first time or the tenth. Pray that many would be amazed by what they hear and want to know more of this man who had such a birth. Pray that those who hear it would share it with their own families and friends. Pray also for local believers as they celebrate Christmas. Pray for times of joy as they come together. Pr that Gd would gift them with the creativity to see what island celebrations should look like. Pray for those who are without fellowship; pr that they would be overcome with joy that Jesus came to seek them out.

Many islanders live lives that are overshadowed by the fear of madjini (evil spirits). Women tend to be more involved than men and often madjini are passed from generation to generation. Recently whole classes in a certain school have been overpowered by madjini. Ask God to stretch out his hand in a mighty way and rescue prisoners from the darkness. Pray also that local believers would be empowered by the Holy Spirit to cast out demons and that many here would recognise that there is power in the name of Jesus.

Pray for those who have just come back from the Hajj pilgrimage, many went in search of forgiveness of sins. Pray that as they return home they would recognise that nothing has changed in their hearts, that they still have no freedom from the power of sin. Pray that they would cry out to God for a true and lasting forgiveness. The pilgrimage ends with the festival of Eid when they will remember the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son. Pray that Gd would give many islanders the faith to believe in Jesus’ willing sacrifice for them.

Here on the island the ‘Big Wedding’ season is coming to an end. For the past month or so islanders have lived and breathed weddings. These weddings are long, lavish events that consist of conspicuous displays of wealth and are the primary way to achieve status in island society. Pray that as island life returns back to normal many would recognise an emptiness in their hearts that has not been filled by all the festivities. Pray that many would recognise and repent of the envy in their hearts towards those higher up the status ladder. Pray that God would show them the path to lasting joy and a lasting position of honour.