Jesus said, ‘… you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ (Acts 1: 8) The Gospel is not just for Goldthorpe, but for the whole world. This month’s prayer topic looks at praying for the missionaries supported by our own church, but let’s pray also for God’s word to be powerful and working throughout the world. As we watch the news, we are aware of tremendous persecution and opposition to the Gospel in many areas and we need to pray for our brothers and sisters all over the world to be strengthened by God to live consistently and powerfully in the world, remaining a distinctive witness no matter what trials come against them.
- Pray for Steve & Katuska Davies working in the Bible college in Mozambique and for their three sons who sometimes feel ‘confined’ to the compound because of the political situation there. The situation between Mozambique and South Africa has not been peaceful lately and as foreigners working in Mozambique, their situation is not always easy. Pray for fruitful ministry in training local leaders and for God to move in difficult situations with family back home which cause concern. Sometimes, the distances involved make life difficult when family at home are ill or in trouble, but pray they will know the peace of God as they commit every situation to Him.
- Pray for Fredrick and Reeba in India, working in different ministries to relieve poverty and to help women to become seamstresses. Pray for God’s word to change situations and for the provision of every practical need. The opportunities are vast, but they need wisdom to know exactly what to do and how to achieve the dreams God has placed on their hearts.
- Pray for the work of Compassion with children in many countries, especially in Haiti where Bedline lives. Pray for her pastor (Jean Dieumarc) who oversees community work there. There are many social and economic difficulties in Haiti, but as with so many places, only the power of the Gospel can change people’s hearts.
- Pray for our church’s vision to be involved in a missions trip and for God to make this vision a reality. We need to be involved in outreach in so many different areas; pray that God will show us how to reach our local community and the ‘Judea and Samaria’ around us and then reach out to the uttermost ends of the earth. There are so many practical things to be involved in, but we need wisdom and discernment in making this dream a reality.