There's a mountain to climb in Bible translation
Members of the UK's biggest Bible translation organisation, Wycliffe Bible Translators, hiked Mount Kilimanjaro last month on a 'Prayer Climb' for the 800 African languages still awaiting the Bible. Nearly 2,000 language groups in the world are without a single verse of the Bible in their heart language - meaning over 200 million people cannot access Scripture in their own tongue. Karen Floor, Wycliffe South Africa Director, started the hike up Mount Kilimanjaro on 14 September alongside two Wycliffe supporters. During the hike, they carried a prayer banner with the collective prayers of God's people for the Lord to bless the spreading of his word through Bible translation. After completing the hike, Karen explained how the physical challenge of the Kilimanjaro climb acted as a metaphor for the wider challenge of Bible translation. She explained: ‘It was through grappling with the difficulty of communicating the immense challenge of bringing God's Word to millions of people through Bible translation that we began to use the mountain metaphor.’
Pray: that the prayers of the Wycliffe supporters and the work of the translators will be blessed. (Ps.88:2)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/theres.a.mountain.to.climb.in.bible.translation/34318.htm
India: The Lazarus factor
A few years ago journalist Lee Grady interviewed two people who had seen biblical-style resurrection during an evangelistic meeting in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Jyothi Pothabathula was two years old when she collapsed on the bus. The little girl had no history of illness, but she suddenly stopped breathing. The girl’s mother, Nagamani, began desperately praying for God to save her baby. The girl’s father, Suribabu, carried Jyothi’s lifeless body to Harry Gomes, an evangelist on campaign in the city. Immediately after he prayed for her, they said, Jyothi sat up and then began walking. ‘I know Jesus is a great God because he raised my daughter to life,’ Suribabu said, wiping away tears. His brother and two more of his Hindu family members converted to Jesus after they heard the story and saw the revived girl.
Praise: God for His healing power and living testimony. (Jn.16:2)
More: http://brendanwitton.wordpress.com/2008/02/15/j-lee-grady-the-lazarus-factor/
India: The Lazarus factor
A few years ago journalist Lee Grady interviewed two people who had seen biblical-style resurrection during an evangelistic meeting in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Jyothi Pothabathula was two years old when she collapsed on the bus. The little girl had no history of illness, but she suddenly stopped breathing. The girl’s mother, Nagamani, began desperately praying for God to save her baby. The girl’s father, Suribabu, carried Jyothi’s lifeless body to Harry Gomes, an evangelist on campaign in the city. Immediately after he prayed for her, they said, Jyothi sat up and then began walking. ‘I know Jesus is a great God because he raised my daughter to life,’ Suribabu said, wiping away tears. His brother and two more of his Hindu family members converted to Jesus after they heard the story and saw the revived girl.
Praise: God for His healing power and living testimony. (Jn.16:2)
More: http://brendanwitton.wordpress.com/2008/02/15/j-lee-grady-the-lazarus-factor/
Iran: Amazing dream brings girl to Christ
Ten years ago a young Muslim girl dreamt she saw Jesus coming towards her with a necklace. He hung it around her neck. She looked down and saw a cross with the number 10 in the heart. She didn't know what it meant but from that moment on she knew that Jesus existed. She explored Christianity through a psychology course in university and found a church in her city where she got to know Christ. She now has a Christian husband, but it’s too dangerous for them to go to normal church because they converted from Islam. So today, 10 years after the dream, they are teaching other secret Believers in their house group. She says, ‘It isn't easy being a Christian in Iran, but I think this is what Jesus wanted to say to me with the '10' - that in 10 years I would be here, knowing Him and being together with others who also know Him’
Praise: God for the many stories we are hearing of Muslims meeting Jesus through dreams and visions across the nations where evangelism is forbidden. (Joel 2:28)
More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=12583
Iran: Amazing dream brings girl to Christ
Ten years ago a young Muslim girl dreamt she saw Jesus coming towards her with a necklace. He hung it around her neck. She looked down and saw a cross with the number 10 in the heart. She didn't know what it meant but from that moment on she knew that Jesus existed. She explored Christianity through a psychology course in university and found a church in her city where she got to know Christ. She now has a Christian husband, but it’s too dangerous for them to go to normal church because they converted from Islam. So today, 10 years after the dream, they are teaching other secret Believers in their house group. She says, ‘It isn't easy being a Christian in Iran, but I think this is what Jesus wanted to say to me with the '10' - that in 10 years I would be here, knowing Him and being together with others who also know Him’
Praise: God for the many stories we are hearing of Muslims meeting Jesus through dreams and visions across the nations where evangelism is forbidden. (Joel 2:28)
More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=12583
Pakistan: Making a stand against terrorism
Muslims in Pakistan formed a human shield Sunday at a church in Lahore to protect Christians from terrorist attacks. It was the second such demonstration in a week following a similar display of Muslim-Christian unity in Karachi. Christians are 3% of the Muslim-dominated 180 million. Recently suicide bombers blew themselves up at a church killing 80 and injuring 130. A group called Jundullah claimed responsibility saying it would continue to target non-Muslims in Pakistan until drone strikes ceased. ‘The terrorists showed us what they do on Sundays’ said Mohammed Jibran Nasir, organizer of the humanchain protest. ‘Here we are showing them what we do on Sundays. We unite. I see no reason why our politicians and our leaders should not come out of their houses, leave the luxury of their secure homes and stand in solidarity with the common man.’
Pray: that Christians in Pakistan will show a bold testimony to those around them. Pray for protection for Christians facing intimidation and threats.
Egypt: Resilience of Egypt's Brotherhood
Last Sunday, dozens of Muslim Brotherhood supporters were killed in clashes with Egyptian security forces. The Brotherhood is, for the moment, beaten. Their leaders are locked up and their members are accused of being terrorists. Historically generations have been helped by the Brotherhood's charities and schools. Support in the community runs deep, but currently staff at a Cairo hospital say it is dangerous to advertise their links with the Brotherhood. The crackdown is more than just tackling violence – it’s about eradicating dissent. Most Brotherhood leaders who have not been imprisoned have fled the country. The use of force against them betrays insecurity at the heart of Egypt's latest revolution. Despite extraordinary efforts to destroy the Brotherhood, its supporters are still willing to risk taking to the streets. Criminalised, imprisoned and killed, their message is still clear, ‘the Brotherhood will not go quietly’.
Pray: for all those in that nation who have seen their lives destroyed by violence, prejudice and hatred to recieve protection, healing and restoration. (Ps.18:6) Ask God to assist the current political and Church leaders to rule and minister with wisdom, justice and right authority. (Ps.21:1)
India: Violence against Christians rises
Incidents of violence against Christians in Karnataka state have spiked since June, including hospitalisation of Sannamma a 50 year old Christian school helper who was attacked by about 40 extremists when she visited a village to invite students back to school. Hindu nationalists stopped her and demanded she give money for a Hindu festival. She agreed to give money later, as she did not carry any cash. They called her ‘pagan,’ accused her of forceful conversion, punched and kicked her then dragged her to a Hindu temple to attempt to forcefully convert her back to Hinduism by pouring water on her (as a symbol of religious cleansing from Christianity) and applying a red dot on her forehead to symbolise Hindu reconversion. They then forced Sannamma to sign a paper stating that she and her husband, Shidda Naik, (he was not with her at the time of the attack) would not spread word of Christianity.
Pray: God’s protection and provision for all of India’s Christian residents who bravely share their faith amid hostile communities. Pray for a harvest of Christian believers to grow in the dark places. (Lk.10:2)
Japan: 'Don't give up on Japan'
Earlier this year post-disaster Tokyo pastor Jonathan Wilson urged ‘outward-looking’ missions to reach Japanese for Christ. Christian leaders call Japan ‘a hard soil to plant the Gospel.’ We can pray for Japan to become good soil that will eagerly receive the Good News of Jesus Christ (Mat.13:23). The Japanese continue to see Christianity as a Western religion. We can pray for the Church in Japan to add more Japanese culture and hymns to its worship services (Ps.117:1-2). This week Japan's prime minister appealed to the international community to help fix the on-going crisis at its damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant. We can pray for the Christian Believers who are still engaged in relief efforts and ministry more than two years after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident. (1 Cor.15:58) The following link will lead you to some of the many Churches ministering in Japan’s hard spiritual ground:- http://across.co.nz/churches.Japan.html and http://win1040.com/page.php?id=558 will aid informed intercession.
Pray: for God to pour out his anointing for evangelism on Christians working in Japan. Pray also for agencies to know God’s strategies on how to reach the nation. (Pr.24:3-4)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/10359894/Japan-asks-international-community-to-helpsolve-Fukushima-crisis.html
Syria: The new road to Damascus
In the midst of this crisis persecuted Christians in Syria and neighbouring countries are boldly reaching out to refugees. And the reactions of Muslims have been astonishing. ‘When you hear about one Muslim coming to Christ it’s a great thing and everybody rejoices.’ said a Voice Of the Martyrs Syrian contact. ‘Today in Syria I’m not talking about one person. We’re talking about hundreds and even thousands of Muslims coming to know Christ.’ Teams of believers are working in the refugee camps providing Christ’s love while sharing material aid, medical supplies and Bibles. Christians who are widely considered ‘infidels’ in Syria are now often and affectionately referred to as ‘the Bible People.’ ‘This war is like a knife in the heart of the church. No human can stand that suffering. Nevertheless, there is God’s presence. I can see Christ in the midst of darkness. God is doing miracles - even if he allows us to die, it will be an honour for us to die for his name.’
Pray: for continued spiritual and material aid to those facing the horrific effects of war. Pray for an increase of favour over those who bravely use every opportunity to advance the kingdom of God. (Pr.22:1)