Since we are praying for Russia for 5 days, I thought it would be helpful to break it down. It's nice to spend this much time in a country; we can really get down into the forest and look at some individual trees. For today, please review pages 705-712 (overview, Answers to Prayer, and Challenges for Prayer). Tomorrow we'll start drilling down on some specific areas within Russia. Today's prayer comes from one who is serving in Russia and has a strong heart for the country.
Acts 2:11: ...(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs – we hear them declaring the wonders of God IN OUR OWN TONGUES!
We have worked over the past 10 years trying to reach to some of the indigenous groups of
Russia, especially the groups that belong to the Samoyedic and Fenno-Ugric peoples in Russia.
(These are related to the Finnish and Hungarian people.)
Russia is a land of many different people groups. The majority are Russians, but there are over 100 different people groups in Russia. During the Soviet (communist) times, they were not allowed to speak their own languages, but had to speak Russian. Since the fall of the communist power there is still much pressure not to speak your mother tongue, if any Russians are around.
These
people groups' beliefs vary greatly. Some are animistic some are
Russian orthodox and some are Muslims. Unfortunately, it seems to be
mainly only the Muslim people groups, who have the courage to speak their own languages.
- Lord I ask that many people will GO and tell about Jesus to the Russians and the different people groups within Russia.
- Lord I ask that many Russians and the different people groups within Russia will have the courage to ask your forgiveness of their sins and the courage to walk your narrow path.
- Lord I ask that the Russians and the different people groups within Russia will be discipled in Jesus.
- Lord I ask that the Bible will be translated into the different people groups within Russia. Lord I also ask that you will give wisdom and help the Bible translators. And that the Bibles and Christian material in their own languages will spread and be used.
-Lord let there be prayer, Bible study, Christian songs and worship in the different people groups languages within Russia.
- Lord I ask that the Christians in Russia (including all the different people groups) by their daily living will transform the suffering in their area into a place of love, justice and peace.
- Lord I ask that the Christian parents in Russia (including all the different people groups) will be an example of faith for their children. Lord I also ask that you will protect the Christian families and let the Christian families be a place of nurture and love.
- Lord I ask that the Christian Russians and the different people groups within Russia may find the courage to say yes to what you God ask of them.
My prayer for today: Oh Lord, how can we thank You for bringing about the miracle of the fall of the Iron Curtain? The openness of the former Soviet bloc to the Gospel is one of the miracles of the 20th century, and we praise You for the responsiveness of the people. We thank You for the growth of evangelicals, the development of networks and theological education, and the church planting vision. It's exciting to see a church that was once in survival mode to be truly passionate for kingdom advance now that the door is open. But Lord, it's hard to tell how long that door will be open. We pray for Russia's leadership to continue to see the need to pursue freedom and liberty instead of creeping oppression. We pray for the church to have wisdom with practical ministries and for You to call many Christians into vocational ministry as teachers, doctors, counselors, and even politicians. We pray for the Orthodox church to see the benefit of newer churches, and for Biblical renewal to happen within the Orthodox tradition. We pray for Christian leaders to learn Biblical leadership patterns instead of following the authoritarian style of their culture. We pray for You to equip the church in every way for Your glory. In Jesus' name, amen.
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