(t'SWAN-ah) - Give thanks to God for Southern Baptists who partner with missionaries around the world! Missionary Amanda Turner writes: "I love African proverbs and the wisdom found in them that seems so simple yet so profound. Two of my favorite African proverbs are: 'If you think you're too small to make a difference, then you've never spent the night with a mosquito,' and 'If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.' These remind me of the partnership that we have with so many of you who lift up and pray for our family and ministry and support our work so that we can share the gospel with those in Botswana. We know how important this partnership is, and we want to 'go far' together with you. Your partnership, no matter how small or how large, makes a difference. Thank you!"
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. . . . In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV). "As sent-out ones, workers are not immune to attacks from Satan. He would like nothing less than to eliminate the light, one broken worker at a time. For workers in difficult, dark places, it can sometimes feel impossible to be light, or even see light in the midst of deep trials. Please pray for workers all over the world, asking that God will be our ever-present help in times of trouble, that we will hold fast to the hope we have in Christ, and that God will save us from the attempts of Satan to take us away from the Lord and His purposes for each one of us."
(mah-LOO-koo) - Christmas is a busy time in Christian areas of Indonesia. Shopping, worship services, and church events fill the calendar. Pray for the people of Indonesia to truly worship Jesus this Christmas season and not just enjoy the events.
(car-NAH-tuh-kuh) - Christmas is a season when the church has a greater opportunity to declare the birth and life of Jesus. On Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, so many churches will be hosting large programs and inviting all their neighbors to join them for these special services. These programs will share the gospel story with all in attendance and with those who are near enough to hear from outside, as the volume is always turned up loud. Please pray for the church members to be bold and to declare the truth of the gospel among their family, friends, and neighbors this holiday season. Ask for the lost to have open hearts to hear the truth and repent of their sins. Pray for the Light to shine in the darkness this Christmas season! "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14 ESV).
The 236,000 Arabs living in Pakistan can most likely be distinguished by the Arabic they speak, as most people around them speak Punjabi, Urdu, or a number of other languages. Arabs live in many countries around the world, and these decided to make Pakistan their home because of increased job opportunities and because of the Muslim religion they share with the majority of Pakistanis. While Muslims honor Jesus as a prophet, they don't believe that He is the Savior of the world and the only way to truly know God the Father. There are Christian resources, such as the Bible, films, and recordings, available in Arabic; however, these Arabs remain unengaged and unreached with the gospel. Pray for God to use creative outlets and online resources to reach Arabs in Pakistan with the good news that Jesus has come and is "the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6 ESV). Pray that they will not allow cultural or religious influences to prevent them from seeking God and His saving truth. Ask God to break through the strongholds of their traditional beliefs, bringing many Arabs in Pakistan to a redeemed relationship with Him through Jesus.
Abdul is a Muslim living in a Muslim country. His people, the Nomadic People of the Horn, are Muslim. To be part of this people group is to be Muslim. But Abdul has quit doing the daily Muslim prayers because he sees them as empty. He has been reading the Word and says that it "goes deep inside of him." He has been studying with a believer and does the lessons in three languages, including his heart language! He has studied about the Creation, the Fall, and the Savior. He has studied about forgiveness. Pray that he will continue to study the Word and that he will trust in Jesus to save Him. Pray that he will be able to study the Word with others and share it with those around him. Ask that he will find work in a place where he can be a light to others in his country who do not know Jesus.
(n-GO-knee) - As in any culture, the life and work of the Tanzanian pastor is often difficult. He faces many personal challenges in his marriage, in his family, and in his ministry to others. Satan is constantly trying different ways to distract and discourage him through his marriage, family, and ministry. His wife is not fully given to the call as a pastor's wife. A child dies at an early age, or a child strays from the faith of his father. Church members fuss and argue and complain, or they seek out modern-day prophets and apostles for answers to their questions. Pray for Baptist pastors and church leaders who serve the Lord among the Ngoni people of Tanzania. Ask God to give them spiritual strength and the courage to be faithful to Him each day. When faced with challenges and trials of every sort that the evil one brings against them, ask God to help them so that they will persevere and trust in Him more and more every day.
There are a few churches in the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, but the majority religion is Islam. Most people haven't even heard of the true Way. With the birth of the Savior coming up, pray that this blessed holiday will spark lots of interest in God's true story of redemption. Pray that local believers will use this time, as the Lord sees fit, to share truth as they love and serve their neighbors.
"Pray for the members of our church as they take on leadership responsibilities in the house of the Lord for the next six months," workers write. "Please petition for unity among them, and ask that they will listen to the Lord's direction. Pray that they will remain faithful in their walk with Christ and that they will be obedient to Him."
(kuh-MY) - Please continue to pray that a church may be planted in Tamarind village. The village is spiritually plagued with alcoholism, gambling, depression, and idleness. Mature believers of a church from a different village press on to do a children's outreach, during which the parents and elders go and listen as well. Pray that the Bible storying will plant seeds in the hearts of people there, and that those gospel seeds will grow to faith unto salvation. Pray that God will raise up one of the Cambodian believers to answer the call of gathering and shepherding the lost sheep there.
How did you learn the Christmas story? Did you learn it from decorations or maybe a story? Many places in Southeast Asia have greenery trimming doors, red bows on windows, and numerous elaborately decorated trees. The supermarkets and malls put up Santa Claus and snowmen, even in the tropical sunshine. Most people there have no idea the birth of Jesus Christ is the true celebration of Christmas. The Lord opened an opportunity for an IMB team to meet the staff at a local safari park. They are open to the team presenting a Live Nativity drama this month in the park as a special show. The park expects thousands of visitors to vacation with their families during the Christmas break. Over the last several months, the team has been refining the script and sound, preparing costumes and props. Please continue to pray this partnership would be mutually beneficial. Pray all the details like live animal training of mini-ponies, camels, and sheep will be worked out smoothly. Please pray the people who come to the safari park will be eager to watch the show and ask questions about the Savior. May God be glorified and the greatest gift of salvation be received by thousands of souls this Christmas through the Live Nativity presentation.
"We want to praise the Lord that, since the tsunami struck Southeast Asia in December 2004, at least five different people groups have been engaged by long-term workers who share the gospel. Join us in praying that more established churches throughout Southeast Asia will join us in this engagement and work among the unreached."