Prayer for Algeria: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey -Feb. 13 (Day 44)

Today, we conclude our prayers for Algeria. Please glance over pages 99-100 again as we prepare to focus on prayer challenges #4-10.

There are a couple of big issues that begin to arise with today's prayer emphasis. Persecution will be a recurring theme for the rest of this year. If you are interested in pressing into prayer with more detail on persecution, here is a great resource that highlights each country with significant persection and gives guidelines for prayer.

Another issue we see highlighted in point 5d is the reality of financial need in much of the world. In Algeria this is highest among Muslim Background Believers, but we will consistently be faced with challenges for prayer that stir our hearts toward those in need. I would encourage you to equip yourself with a solid foundation to make wise choices in giving. When Helping Hurts provides a great overview of the difference between relief (meeting immediate, urgent needs) and sustainable development (helping people in a way that does not lead to dependence but instead equips them for self-sufficiency).

Let's pray now for these needs.

My prayer for today: Oh Lord, we pray for the believers in Algeria who are being persecuted. We pray for continued boldness and evangelism. We pray that the church will respond with faith and perserverance and love. Pour out your Spirit upon the church to equip them for this challenge. We pray for those believers from Muslim backgrounds who are unable to work due to this persecution. Give the churches wisdom how to best address this need. We pray for the success of ministries that provide jobs and we pray that there will be wisdom among those who desire to give to assist these believers. Protect them from temptation and enable them to use their abundance of time wisely. Lord we pray for the unreached through Algeria. Give the church wisdom how to best reach them. We pray for the missionaries in Algeria to work with the church and to truly be supporting partners. We pray especially for ministry to emerge among Christian children. Help parents and churches disciple them well so the teaching they hear in school is countered with truth. We pray for those Algerians abroad to hear the Gospel and to become channels of truth. Oh Lord, please give all Algerians access to Your Word which gives life and faith and hope. In Jesus' name, amen.

Prayer for Algeria: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - Feb. 12 (Day 43)

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy,

carrying sheaves with him.

(Psalm 126:5-6, NIV)

Today and tomorrow we pray for Algeria - a land that has been characterized by much tearful sowing that is now bearing a joyful harvest! Please read pages 97-100. Today we will focus on answered prayers and #1-3 of the prayer challenges.

It's such a joy to read that the Algerian church is very indigenous, reflecting faith in Christ in unique ways. Throughout our country-by-country journey you will frequently read similar comments, sometimes as praises and other times as prayer requests for this to become a reality. Why is this important? There are many reasons but here is just a quick summary:

Biblically, the Gospel message was separated from cultural restrictions. The Acts 15 church council was a key factor in the early church's interpretation of how spreading the Gospel should look. Essentially, the church determined that it was okay for Jewish and Gentile believers to have practices that looked different, as long as the Gospel remained at the core. Throughout Paul's missionary journeys we see him dealing differently with people whose backgrounds and cultures were distinct from each other, but the message remained the same. John's vision of the throne room ultimately showed us a worship service where distinctions of tribe, tongue, nation, and people group remained -- something of our uniqueness carries over into heaven. When we bring that uniqueness to worship, our culture becomes everything God intended it to be for His glory. While there are other strategic reasons to pray for indigenous expressions of the church, ultimately it's about seeing God receive worship in ways that we might not even consider!

As we pray for Algeria today, let's thank Him for what He's done and pray about the obvious spiritual warfare that  is arising because the enemy doesn't like the church storming the gates of hell. Praise God - we know who will prevail!

My prayer for today: Thank You, Lord, for Your work in Algeria. Thank You for hearing the prayers of many and for the tears that were shed by those who may have died thinking their work was in vain. Thank You that nothing done in Your name for Your kingdom is ever in vain. You alone know the perfect time to bring the harvest, and we thank You that we are seeing a huge harvest in Algeria today. That You for the Berber believers who are committed to reaching the unreached. May we learn from their faithfulness and passion for the Gospel. Thank You for the unity among Algerian Christians and for the way the Algerian church worships You. Lord, we pray for Algeria today, for peace amidst the many years of suffering they have faced. We ask You to raise up people to fight against the abuses to human rights and bring spiritual and psychological healing. We pray for conversions to Jesus among Islamist leaders in Algeria. Use the conflict within Islam to draw many to discover You. Lord, we pray for the reconcilation efforts between Berbers and Arabs. We pray that Berbers will truly embrace You as Lord not just to show they are against Arabic Islam, but out of love for You Lord Jesus. Deepen the faith of those who have surrendered to You. In Jesus' name, amen.