Prayer for Zimbabwe: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - December 25

Merry Christmas!

Sometimes it's hard to say those words. We look around and see crisis, tragedy, pain, death. We see places like Zimbabwe or we know people who are suffering and feel like we are somehow wrong for our joy.

It's important to remember for all the beauty and glory surrounding the birth of Jesus, He really did come into a pretty messed up world. Herod's murder of all boys under age 2 demonstrates just how brutal that regime was. It's easy to look at Zimbabwe or other tragic situations and want the white horse-riding Jesus, the one bringing armies from heaven (Revelation 19). That day is coming - but for now, living between the first and second advents, I have to remember that Jesus came into a messed up, broken world, to fix it one heart at a time. Matthew 2:16 reminds us that evil at Christmas is not a new story. Praise God for 1 John 3:8: Jesus came to destroy Satan's works! Let's pray for Zimbabwe today, and seek for the One whose birth we celebrate to destroy Satan's works in that land. 

My prayer for today: Lord Jesus, Your word tells us You came to destroy the works of Satan. We know that he has been working overtime to destroy Zimbabwe from within. We pray for You to intervene - through Your church, and sovereignly through either a heart change or a leadership change. We pray for the church to reject syncretism and idolatry and focus on pure love for Jesus. We pray for unity and guidance as they seek to minister to the hurting and share the Gospel. You are Victor, Lord Jesus. Demonstrate that to Zimbabwe today by shining Your light into the darkness, just as You did when You came to earth over 2000 years ago.

Prayers for Zimbabwe: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - December 24

Today and tomorrow we wrap up our journey through the nations. We will still have a week of prayers remaining, as we zoom back out from the narrow lens of countries to the broader lens of the world. I cannot encourage you enough to stay with us through that entire week!

As you celebrate the birth of Christ with family and friends today and tomorrow, please take a moment to pray for Zimbabwe ... part of the ends of the earth, and the last country on our worldwide tour. Please read pages 896-900.

My prayer for today: Lord, we thank You for the growth of the church in the middle of this failed state. We pray for wisdom for the churches to prioritize the many desperate needs they are facing. We pray for healthy churches and strong faith. We pray for leadership in Zimbabwe to turn around and start finding solutions. We pray against the state-endorsed violence. Bring humility and a servant attitude to the leadership or replace them with people who will govern for the sake of the people and the restoration of the nation. We know You are sovereign and we know you care. Lord, be gracious and compassionate to Zimbabwe. Restore education and health care; bring about fair and equitable land reform. We pray for righteousness and justice to reign in Zimbabwe. In Jesus' name, amen. 

Prayer for Zambia: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - December 23

We started with the world, then narrowed to an A to Z focus. Today, we hit the Z's. Please read pages 892-896, and join me in praying for Zambia today!

My prayer for today: Lord Jesus, we lift up Zambia and thank You for the freedom of religion and openness to Christianity. Thank You for the holistic ministries that have started, and we pray for more creative, ambitious, faith-filled individuals who seek the spiritual and economic transformation of their society. We thank You that the country chose to be a Christian nation, and we pray for a thorough national transformation along Biblical lines so that the country lives out what it has claimed. We pray for leaders to be dedicated to rooting out corruption and that the land will honor You. We pray for many to return to their land to be blessings and missionaries to their own people. We pray against the schemes of the enemy and ask You to be glorified in Zambia.

Prayers for Uganda: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - November 30

Today we continue lifting up Uganda. Please review pages 840-843.

My prayer for today: Lord, we bring Uganda before You. We lift up those ravaged by AIDS and pray for the churches to have wisdom in ministering to the suffering. We pray for the children who have been so victimized by AIDS, the LRA, as well as poverty. We pray especially for the street children who are so vulnerable. Your Word says that those who cause the little ones to stumble would be better off to have a millstone around their necks - we pray for justice for these little ones. We pray for the church to be in unity for Your glory, and for a true, deep Christianity to take root, a Christianity that is a personal relationship instead of a cultural identity. Give the church wisdom in the face of other religions and help them to uphold the name of Jesus in truth and love. In His name we pray, amen. 

Praying for Uganda: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - November 29

Today and tomorrow we focus our prayers on Uganda. Uganda is much more than Idi Amin's former place of rule; please read pages 840-843, then watch this video to pray today (click "read more" for a great description and challenge).

http://youtu.be/obXA6KCzjXk

Prayer for Tunisia: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - November 23

Tunisia is known to most of the world as the place where the "Arab Spring" started in 2011. Unfortunately, the end result for Tunisia as in much of North Africa and the Middle East remains to be seen. A spiritual war is definitely being fought in the heavenlies. Praise God that we know Jesus is victor, but let's be faithful to pray for these battles. As we've noted before on this journey, Jesus' words that "the gates of hell will not prevail" against the forward march of the church -- but as we get closer, we definitely can feel the flames tossed by the enemy. Often the battles we see in the political and physical worlds are reflections of this underlying spiritual battle. Let's read pages 827-829 today, and join this believer in prayer for Tunisia's battle.

http://youtu.be/Zcea5WZUNGU

Praying for Togo: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - November 21

Today we pray for Togo, which has experienced rapid growth in Christianity in the past 20 years. Please read pages 820-822, then watch this video to pray with a Togolese believer today.

http://youtu.be/7NMqqy10MvU

Praying for Tanzania: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - November 17

Today we continue to pray for Tanzania. Please review pages 807-811.

My prayer for today: Lord, we pray for the church in Tanzania to refocus on Your Word. We praise You for their heart for worship and for culturally appropriate worship services, but we know that worship must be in Spirit AND in truth. We pray for truth to be restored to worship services. We pray for discipleship to regain a prominent place and with it, a renewal of the worldviews to line up with Scriptural principles. We praise You for the fruitfulness of the church in Tanzania, and pray that You will correct what needs correcting so that fruitfulness will continue. In Jesus' name, amen.

Prayers for Tanzania: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - November 16

Today and tomorrow we pray for Tanzania, a country described as an "island of peace" yet with widespread poverty and negative impacts from AIDS. Please read pages 807-811, then pray with this passionate believer for Tanzania.

http://youtu.be/qlCZp_afoLo

Prayer for Suriname and Swaziland: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - November 11

Today, our prayer journey takes us to Latin American and Africa! Please read pages 790-795, then let's focus our prayers on Swaziland with this video and insights from one serving that country. My prayer for Suriname follows the video.

Swaziland: 

HIV

There are 150.000 vulnerable children in the country and it is estimated that there were 120.000 AIDS orphans in 2010

HIV in pregnant women is about 43%.

Pray for the HIV situation, the country has a big challenge, because of the HIV, everyday the kingdom need to deal with orphans and widows.

CHURCH

Pray for truly understanding of the gospel, pray against syncretism.

The church mixed the worship of the ancestors with the gospel.

Swazi culture is very strong, and they are proud to be Swazis what is very good, but as a Christians they need to understand that Jesus is the only one to be worshiped.

Pray for the kingdom. The King Mswati III ascended the throne in 1986 at the age of 18.   

Pray for rural areas, many areas of Swaziland they have water problem, most of Swazi population lives in rural areas.

Polygamy is legal in the kingdom.

http://youtu.be/-0ygZZNAEIA

 

My prayer for Suriname:Lord we praise You for the unity movements and the progress among Amerindians. Your Word tells us that our unity demonstrates Your love, and we pray for that to happen among Suriname believers as they walk out the unity that You've given them as a gift. We pray for leadership and for new Biblical foundations. We pray for leaders who will follow Paul's example in laying a foundation that is made not of wood, hay, and stubble but instead gold, silver, and precious stones of Your Word and the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ! Minister to those leaders and guide them to stay close to You, in Jesus' name, amen.

Pray for South Sudan: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - November 10

Today we'll shift slightly from Operation World to pray for South Sudan, a country formed after the book's publication. A mission agency working in South Sudan has put together a great prayer focus. Please read the following and pray accordingly.

PEACE for South Sudan

by Nate Kidder
6 June 2012

Over the last several decades, peace in South Sudan has been a fleeting notion. It rests upon the landscape as tantalizing to observers as a mirage in the desert. In desperation, one crawls close enough to experience it only to find that it vanishes in the wind.

It becomes vital, therefore, when we speak of peace in South Sudan, to consider first the spiritual peace that comes from the Lord Jesus. John 14:27 can be a helpful roadmap for us as we move toward this goal.

The peace spoken of here is:

1. Indwelling. In conjunction with verse 26, we observe that this peace is left in the context of the Holy Spirit’s arrival. Being that “peace” is a fruit, or evidence, of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22), this is not surprising. This peace, promised by Jesus, is planted by the Spirit in the hearts of His followers.
2. Eternal. Jesus refers to it as “my peace” and, in so doing, connects it to eternity. This is not a peace that depends on physical circumstances. It is not a peace that derives existence from government policy or military strength. This peace, which has dwelt in all eternity, now touches the lives of His disciples.
3. A Gift. An explanation of the gift is given by Jesus in saying, “… my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives.” There is no mirage associated with this peace – no vanishing act. It is the eternal and indwelling provision of the Lord for people in desperate need.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." -Jesus

 

Let us pray primarily for the South Sudanese that this peace from Jesus would spread (through evangelism), take root (through discipleship), and encourage (by consideration of the heavenly reward) those who continually experience physical peace as a mirage.
Concerning the pursuit of physical and government-determined peace, we can see how God has granted South Sudan a promising start. Since separation from Sudan in July 2011, there have been several important steps. We can continue to pray for the many challenges:

• Pray that both sides will agree upon an official border.
• Pray that there will be agreement upon revenue sharing, particularly regarding oil production.
• Pray that international pressure would be strongly considered and that descent into full-scale war would be continually rejected by both governments.
• Pray that infrastructure (roads, schools, hospitals, etc) would continue to develop under the umbrella of peace.

Prayer for Sudan: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - November 9

Today we continue to pray for Sudan. Please review pages 783-790.

My prayer for today: Lord, we thank You for the openness within Sudan and for the growth of Christianity. We thank You for Christians working in Darfur and for Sudanese Christians who are leading the way in church planting there and even for those from Darfur who fled and are encountering the Gospel elsewhere. We pray for the church in its persecution to be bold and authentic in its witness. We ask for the church to bear good witness and become spiritually strong. We pray for unity and sound teaching for church leaders. We ask that Your Word would go forth and prosper in Sudan.

Prayer for Sudan: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - November 8

For the next 3 days, we pray for Sudan. We'll focus today and tomorrow on the requests in Operation World for Sudan, and on the 10th we'll focus on South Sudan - which became a separate country after the publication of Operation World. Please read pages 783-790, then watch this video. (Note: It's a little hard to understand as he speaks quickly, but his passion is evident and its worth the effort to listen.)

http://youtu.be/hnsBa91LxHs

Prayer for St. Barthelemy, St. Helena, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - November 6

Today we touch down on several islands throughout the Caribbean, and one off the coast of Africa. Please read pages 775-779 and as you do, remember that even though we are just barely skimming these lands, each of these island peoples are uniquely recognizeable in great detail to the Father!

My prayer for today: Lord, we pray for these islands, islands that need You. We pray for St. Barthelemy's churches to have wisdom to minister meaningfully to the people of the island as well as the many tourists that come through. We pray for St. Helena's Christians to remain committed to You and for the church to experience renewal. We pray for the Anglican church specifically to receive a fresh wind of Your Spirit. For St. Kitts and Nevis, we ask for the Holy Spirit to empower and embolden believers for the Gospel. We pray for You to extend Your hand to give Christians the power to speak Your Word with great boldness. In St. Lucia, Lord, we pray that You would use Christians to bring about a spiritual and moral transformation of society. Show the churches where they are not following Biblical truths. Enable them to remember what they have received and heard, and keep it and repent. In Jesus' name, amen.

Praying for South Africa: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - November 1

Today we continue lift up South Africa. As we do I have a confession that I hope will be an encouragement. Despite committing to this journey for almost a year now, and praying daily for these countries and other needs ... and despite following the Lord for over 15 years now ... and despite having prayed earnestly for Bible-saturated prayers and practicing in many areas of my prayer life ... I have forgotten to apply that principle here as a general rule. I know I've included Scripture and prayed ways that are consistent with Scripture - but my heart is for my words to fall to the ground and His words to remain. I am passionate about studying His word and internalizing it, and so want His words to drip from my tongue in prayer! Yet much of the time I haven't applied that here. Only today, as I write this week's blog posts, have I realized my oversight! So what's the encouragement? Simply this: God doesn't leave us hanging when we forget lessons He's taught us. He's faithful to bring us back to the things He's trying to get through our (often thick) skulls!

Please review South Africa on pages 757-763, and let's ask God to guide our prayers together!

My prayer for today: Lord, we praise You for the miracle of change in South Africa. Thank You for abolishing apartheid and strengthening the church through prayer. Thank you for the ministries in the country and the stable government. Lord, our biggest prayer today is for the Gospel to be manifest in every way throughout society. Let the Church live out the truth that Your grace has come, bringing salvation and transformation. We pray for Christian leaders to model, and Christians to follow, an example of denying ungodliness and worldly desires as they live sensible, righteous, and godly lives within their spheres of influence. Give them a hunger to look toward Your sure return and to see themselves as You see them - a redeemed people, being purified for Your own possession. Make them zealous for good deeds! In Jesus' name, amen.     

Praying for South Africa: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - October 31

A "miracle of change". That's how the believer in today's video describes South Africa! What a great reminder of the power of prayer. As we pray for these countries, it's easy to get overwhelmed or discouraged. Remember, God has an eternal perspective that we don't have. Prayer works, and miracles of change happen. South Africa is proof! Please read pages 757-763, then pray with this believer today!

http://youtu.be/NyicVspPyg8

Prayer for Somalia: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - October 30

Today we continue to pray for Somalia. Please review pages 754-756.

My prayer for today: Lord, when you ejected satan from heaven we know that he came to earth angry. He knows his time here is short and he is trying to do as much damage to your kingdom as possible. In Somalia, we see this in the form of radical Islamists who are trying to fight the government and bring violent control to the people. We pray that You will stop this, Lord. The gates of hell will not prevail against a church on mission for You, so we pray that the church in Somalia will be radically and faithfully on mission for You. We pray for them to be filled with the Holy Spirit and boldness; to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves; to have supernatural discernment about when and where and how to proceed with any plans. We pray for seekers to be hungry for truth and to fall so in love with You, Jesus, that they are willing to risk anything - everything! We ask, Lord, for supernatural empowering for the church and its leaders. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray for the church to be salt and light, to permeate society for Your glory, In Jesus' name, amen.

Prayer for Somalia: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - October 29

For the next two days we pray for a country that is known for all the "wrong" reasons - poverty, violence, conflict. It's considered a "failed state", and yet God is still at work! What a great reminder that "Love never fails"! Please read about Somalia on pages 754-756.

My prayer for today: Lord Jesus, You have always loved Somalia with a perfect, unfailing love. We give thanks continually when we think of the infant Somali church that has emerged in this recent tribulation. Their boldness and growth in faith and vision, despite persecution, is an example for us. Lord, we obey Your Word and remember these who are persecuted and in prison, as if we were in prison with them. Awaken us to the reality of their situation and remind us constantly that we are also part of the body with them, so if they are hurting we are hurting. Lord, we know these believers fervently cry out for their country, and we also join them in committing Somalia to You. We pray for the government to rule with righteousness and justice; we pray for all vigilante and terror groups to surrender to the authority of the central government and that the government would have a strong foundation to rule rightly. We pray for a government that values religious freedom and respects human rights. We ask You, Lord, to be gracious to the Somalians, and bless them, and cause Your face to shine upon them, so that Your ways can be known throughout Somalia and through the church in Somalia, to the very ends of the earth. In Jesus' name, amen.

Prayer for Seychelles and Sierra Leone: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - October 24

Today's prayer journey plants us firmly along the coastlines of Africa. Please read about Seychelles and Sierra Leone on pages 738-742.

My prayer for today: Lord, the islands and coastlands belong to You. When you marked out the parameters of the earth and set the boundaries for the oceans, when You placed people within those lands and established the times they would live so that they would seek You, Seychelles and Sierra Leone were in Your plans. We pray for them today. We pray against the gris-gris practices that has weakened Christianity. We pray for the Holy Spirit to convict of this syncretism and for Your Word to be prominent in the life of Seychelle believers. We pray for wisdom for leadership as they fight this dark practice. We pray for the churches that are seeking to plant new fellowships to have a powerful and positive impact. We pray for provision of enough New Testaments and complete translation of the Old Testament. For Sierra Leone, we praise You for the end of the conflict and the steps toward peace. We praise You for the fruit of Christian ministry. We pray for wisdom for Christian ministries helping to provide food security, reintegrate ex-combatants, and provide stability to the country. We pray for wise, honest, and righteous leadership. We pray for Christians throughout the world to recognize the suffering and injustices in this land. We ask You for churches to balance the Word and the spirit, to be unified, and for Christians to live lives of faith and not depend on dark powers for what You perfectly provide. Demonstrate Your supremacy in Sierra Leone, we ask in Jesus' name, amen.

Prayers for Senegal: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - October 22

Today we continue to pray for Senegal. Our focus today is prayer for the Senegalese people group, one of the unreached groups in the world. Please review pages 730-733, then watch this video and pray for this part of  "God's waiting world".

http://youtu.be/8Z_l3ptyVx8