Prayers for US Virgin Islands, Wallis, and Fatuna: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - December 20

Today we pray for the final islands on our trip around the world. Our journey hops-skips from the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean over to Wallis and Fatuna in the Pacific. Please read pages 886-888 and join me in prayer.

My prayer for today: Lord, Your Word tells us that the islands are Yours - they belong to You. Not only every nation that is an island, but every individual island, of the thousands on this globe, belongs to You. What joy that brings us as we pray today for the Virgin Islands, and ask You to work the Gospel into the fabric of the islands so that it permeates everything, impacting society, personal lifestyles, and family life. We pray for revival in the church so that vitality and vision are restored, and for churches to work together in evangelism and vision for the future. For Wallis and Fatuna, Lord Jesus, we praise You for the outreach of Pacific Islanders to reach their cultural "cousins". We pray for firsthand faith and that individuals will worship not out of cultural habit, but out of true love for Jesus. We pray for Scripture in the Wallisian language and that ample Christian resources will exist in both written and oral forms in the tribal languages. Bring glory to Yourself on these islands, in Jesus' name, amen.

Prayer for Turks & Caicos Islands and for Tuvalu: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - November 28

Today we pray for two island nations - Turks & Caicos in the Caribbean, and Tuvalu in the Pacific. Please read pages 838-840.

My prayer for today: Lord, we thank You for the religious freedom and heritage of these island nations. For Turks and Caicos, We pray for a righteousness that lines up with their faith - for the churches to address the money laundering, licentiousness and drug trafficking by living holy and faithful lives without compromise. We pray for overflowing love for the Haitian immigrants and for wisdom to address social issues in a way that benefits the entire population. For Tuvalu, we pray for dynamic biblical renewal and a turning to You in a personal way of all who call themselves Christians. Help their faith be more than a checkbox, Lord, help it be real in every area of their lives. In Jesus' name, amen.

Prayer for Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - November 22

Today is American Thanksgiving Day, and it's a good day to pause on our journey and thank God for how far He's brought us. This journey hasn't always been easy and if you're like me, sometimes you've really felt the uphill journey. But today, let's lift up thanks to God for calling us to this journey, enabling us to get this far, and allowing us the privilege of learning about all these countries so we can rejoice around the throne when we see some people from each of these tribes, tongues, nations, and people groups worshipping Jesus!

Today's prayer focus is Tonga as well as Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad is literally named after the "Trinity". Please read pages 823-826, then join this Trinidad believer in praying for her land.

http://youtu.be/XQkTII11ync

Prayer for St. Martin, St. Pierre and Miquelon, and St. Vincent: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - November 7

As with yesterday's focus, today we lift up some additional island nations. Please read pages 780-783.

My prayer for today: Lord, we lift up these nations to You, knowing that the islands belong to You and You seek to claim hearts on these lands for Your glory. For St. Martin, we pray for the Christians to live lives that are filled with peace and hope, and that non-believers will see the emptiness of their lifestyles and seek to find out the reason for the hope that is within the Christians. In St. Pierre and Miquelon, Lord, our hearts break that there are no evangelical or Protestant churches. We pray for renewal within the Catholic church and for people to find hope in a living relationship with You. For St. Vincent, Lord, we pray for spiritual fruitfulness. Fill believers with Your Spirit and teach them to walk in the Spirit and not the flesh, so that fruit abounds - bring about the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We pray for the church to be biblically-based and Spirit-led. It's Your Church Lord. Walk among it and speak Your words of life to the church on St. Vincent. In Jesus' name, amen.

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.

Prayer for Puerto Rico: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - October 8

Today we zero in on a tiny island with a unique governance as a "commonwealth" of the United States. Please read about Puerto Rico on pages 694-696.

My prayer for today: Lord Jesus, I lift up the commonwealth of Puerto Rico to You. I pray that whatever decisions the people make regarding statehood or independence, Puerto Rico would be blessed to have wise government that works for the best interests of its citizens. I pray for renewal within the Catholic Church, and for the churches to begin making an impact on the social needs of Puerto Rico. Give the churches Your heart for the land where You've placed them. Specifically call out many to serve those in abject poverty; also call believers into education and the health care industry. We ask You for the churches to take a stand and set an example for Godly home life. We pray for discipleship and missions vision within the churches.Minister Your love to Puerto Rico through the churches, in Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Praying for Montenegro and Montserrat: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - September 4

Today we pray for two very different countries with different needs - a reminder that our holy, transcendent God is deeply personal as well. He knows the needs of these lands and desires to meet them for His glory. As Acts 17:26-27 teaches us, he has placed people in each of these lands so that they would seek Him. Let's pray for them to do just that today! Please read pages 597-600.

My prayer for today: Lord, as different as these lands are, we know that You have determined who should live there for this time, and You did so in order that they would seek You. We pray for those on Montenegro and Montserrat to seek You, Lord, and for You to reveal Yourself to them in the unique ways that You know they will hear. We pray for unity and revival among the Orthodox church, and for the evangelical church to continue to draw together and grow in their vision for outreach. For Montserrat, we pray for recovery beyond what seems humanly possible from the devastating volcano in the 90's. We ask especially for the rebuilding of the congregations and renewal of outreach. Thank You for guarding the lives of those in Montserrat so they can hear about You again. In Jesus' name, amen.

Praying for Malta and Martinique: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey

Today we enter a string of a few days when we focus on some smaller islands and nations, sometimes covering multiple lands on one day. Although it's important to read through the prayer points for each country, please be sensitive to God's heart for YOUR prayer time. There's a big world out there, and He calls us to pray different things at different times of day to cover all the things He wants to accomplish both IN us and THROUGH us. If my prayer for the day doesn't resonate with your heart, please spend your time on what God impresses most strongly upon you!

Now, please read about two islands, Malta and Martinique, on pages 568-571 (see Acts 27-28). You may recognize Malta from Paul's stop there. While they initially gave him a warm reception, they quickly thought he was a murderer, and then decided he must be divine. Amazingly, this small piece of soil became the first nation in Europe to embrace Christianity. How like God to establish a continental beachhead on an island that, had the weather been fine and dandy, the boat Paul was on would have just sailed past! Truly He chooses the least to confound the wise ... a good reminder when we pray that some of the tiniest nations may be huge in His plan! Let's pray for two of them today.

My prayer for today: Lord Jesus, we come before You reminded again that the smallest scrap of dirt on this planet belongs to YOU. That includes Malta and Martinique. Lord, we lift up Malta to You, and ask for their Christian heritage to be appreciated and lived out. We pray for renewal within the Catholic Church so that the Maltese will embrace a personal walk with You and that their religious traditions would lead to a door into deeper commitment to Your kingdom. Pray for leaders of renewal groups to train believers to be biblical sound, passionately worshipful, genuinely loving, and carefully obedient to all You command. We pray for Malta to be a launching pad for strong missions to North Africa. For Martinique, we pray for protection from natural disasters and we pray against spiritual apathy. Let the people be shaken out of their carelessness before You. We pray against the legacy of slavery and ask You to bring reconciliation. We pray for the churches to be grounded in the Word and to lead the way in bringing Martinique to a place of wholeness through the One who is our peace.

Prayer for Jamaica: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - July 24

Today's prayer is for an island nation many may only associate with tourism, but which has a beautiful Christian heritage AND rich missions history. Please read about Jamaica on pages 486-488.

My prayer for today: Lord, we thank You for the heritage of Jamaica and for the strength of the Jamaican church. We are grateful for the missions history of this country and for the branches of missions agencies located there. God, we lift up Jamaica to You in the midst of this moral and social collapse. Call many to pray, Lord, to pour out their hearts before Your throne for Jamaica. We pray for renewal for the church and wisdom for the church networks. Call Christians to revival and repentance. Lord, equip the Bible schools and seminaries to be strongholds of truth. Guide churches to know how to reach the poorest of the poor and those who follow the Rastafarian cult. Set them free, God, to serve You fully. In Jesus' name, amen.

Prayer for Haiti: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - June 14

Today our prayer time for Haiti features insights from one of our group members who has ministered there on numerous occasions. Please review pages 392-396, then read Sarah's insights about this precious land. She also includes photos below the prayer.

Today we will be focusing our attention on Northern Haiti. Unlike Port-au-Prince in the south, cities in the north were not effected by the devastating earthquake. However, similar to in the southern region, the effects of economic, environmental, social and spiritual issues face the northern communities.

Prayer points for Northern Haiti:

-Church planting efforts - Specifically, one new church plant in the northern city of Cap Haitien that is located within a landfill community. Pray for God to use this church to reach the impoverished community. (Pictures: IMG_9472 and IMG_9475) (Video link: http://youtu.be/y2kLeJqnTRI) This church is one of several church plants in Northern Haiti planted by Vision of Hope Ministries (http://www.vohmhaiti.com/ and their video can be found at: http://youtu.be/xfnpUCdUe0Q). 

-New blended value business ventures - Several new business ventures are in the process of starting in Northern Haiti. Among the projects are: a water packaging business (Picture: IMG_1981) and a recycling business (IMG_1739). Both businesses seek to address spiritual, social, economic and environmental issues facing Haitians. The strategy is Christ-centered social transformation because behind every issue in a society is a person who has a need for Christ. http://www.timothycenterecoprises.com/ 

Lord, thank you for the work you are doing in Haiti and specifically Northern Haiti. Thank you for the leaders you have raised up to faithfully carry the task of testifying to your grace. We pray specifically for church planting efforts in Northern Haiti by Vision of Hope. Please give wisdom to the new pastor of the plant started in the landfill community. Help him to boldly proclaim the gospel and discern the best ways to meet the physical needs of his community (water, food, disease, and need for jobs). Lord, also please have your will with the business ventures that are in the start-up phases. Allow these projects to be a way for individuals to experience your love, grace and provision, as well as to come to understand how they can care for others and for God's creation. Lord, we ask that you would break cycles of poverty that trap many and break any strongholds created by Voodoo. Father, we trust that you are working in Haiti and have a plan to redeem and restore. In Jesus' holy and powerful name, Amen.

Prayer for Haiti: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey

Haiti catapulted into the world's eyes with the massive earthquake in 2010. The needs for development are significant, but Haiti's needs go far deeper than rubble and financial rebuilding. With 75% of the people involved in Voodoo, and with illness and disease lowering the life span, Haiti remains the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere with both material and spiritual poverty abounding. Please read pages 392-396, then watch this video to hear a Haitian believer's heart for his country.

http://youtu.be/wXFplXdtoac

Prayer for Guadeloupe and Guam: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey, June 7

As with many Caribbean nations, Guadeloupe's history is marred and in many ways defined by the legacy of slavery. As in every nation, the need to reach the root causes of problems will make a huge difference. These root causes are spiritual, of course, but are also manifest in specific ways. Read about Guadeloupe on page 378 to understand a little more about this nation.

Guam's legacy has been defined by outsiders in many ways, for both good and bad, especially with the U.S. Military presence since World War II. Details about Guam are on pages 379-380.

My prayer for today: Lord, in both Guadeloupe and Guam we see severe impacts that have been made by those who came into the country in the past for their own purposes. We see the pros and cons of these, but Lord we also see that the most important impact that should be made in either country is the impact of Your presence. We pray for Your Spirit to fall in a strong way in Guadeloupe and in Guam. For Guadeloupe we ask for true freedom and for economic justice to prevail. We pray against the racial tension and class envy; please let the love and peace of the Gospel transform and uplift Guadeloupe. We pray for true repentance and surrender to the Lordship of Christ. We pray against legalism and for such an outpouring of Your Spirit that believers will learn to trust the Holy Spirit in their own lives and in each others' lives. For Guam, Lord, we pray for the positive impact it can have in Micronesia to expand to influence of the Gospel. We pray for unity and spiritual power from the Holy Spirit. We pray for Biblical righteousness to shape Guam, rather than American culture. We pray for a church to emerge among the Chamorro. We pray for the missions outreach from Guam to the rest of the world to be fruitful. Thank You for Your work in Guam among the Prison Fellowship and Christian radio; raise up laborers for the harvest. Complete what You have started in Guam. 

Prayer for Greenland and Granada: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - June 6

Today we pray for two islands - the largest island in the world, and one of the tiniest. Please read about Greenland and Grenada on pages 374-376.

My prayer for today: Lord, Greenland needs the breath of Your Spirit. Move powerfully, Lord, to breathe spiritual life into the churches and the convicting and regenerating power of Your Spirit over the country. We come against the devastation of immorality, abuse, alcoholism, mental illness, and suicide. We pray for deep healing and the renewing of their minds by the power of the Word of God. Raise up more Biblical leaders and give them wisdom to reach Greenland in a way that is unique to that culture. Lord, for Grenada we pray for re-development from the devastating hurricanes. We pray for dependence upon You rather than material things. Lord we pray for unity among the denominations, for an evangelistic and missions vision, and for purity within the church. Let the Grenadan church be a true threat to the enemy, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Prayer for Dominica and the Dominican Republic: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey (Day 131)

Today we pray for two Caribbean islands that are often confused for each other. One thing I love about Operation World is getting to know the geography of this world God created - so today, let's learn to distinguish Dominica from the Dominican Republic. Please read pages 306-309.

My prayer for today: Lord, I thank You for the uniqueness of each of these tiny islands. I lift up Dominica to You, and pray for the continued growth of the church and the expansion of the Gospel to the Carib Indians. Lord, I lift up the pastors on Dominica who are overworked and burnt out from working two jobs. Please meet their needs and speak a fresh word to their spirits. On the Dominican Republic, Lord, we confess the exploitation of the land over the past 5 centuries. We pray for true justice to permeate DR and for You to right the wrongs that have been done to this land. We pray for the growth of the church and for wisdom of the church to address social issues. Give the church a missions vision and guidance to truly demonstrate and lead the way in Biblical ethics. Give wisdom for working with Haitians and let Christians lead the way in treating them justly and rightly. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Prayer for Cuba: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - May 5 (Day 126)

We so often refer to former communist countries in our prayer journey that it's easy to forget there is a communist country just 90 miles off the coast of Florida. 90 miles away from one of the wealthiest nations in the world lies a country that is indeed a different world altogether. Lacking many essentials and with an average income per person of $2300 per year, it's no wonder that so many Cubans try to make it to the US for the asylum that comes if they safely make it to land. Yet the ultimate answer for Cuba is not successful migration of its peoples; God created Cuba for a special purpose and has an intention for its people that is unique to how He made them.

Please read pages 291-294.

My prayer for today: Lord, like every land, Cuba is Yours. It's hard to see past the political rhetoric, the masses of refugees, and the immense need, but it belongs to You. We see You've been at work in the church, growing it for the past two decades and refining believers to depend upon You. Thank You for their example of radical dependence, prayer, and unity. Thank You for churches that are innovative, bold, mature, confident, and thoroughly Biblical yet fully Cuban. What an example and encouragement for us all! Lord, we pray for the needs of Cuba. We come alongside this beautiful church and ask You for political leadership that truly meets the needs of the people. We pray for a sustainable economic system and a transition from a Marxist ideology to a Biblical one. We pray for deep renewal in the Catholic church and unity with evangelicals. Lord, we ask for strong leadership in the churches and for the church to have a transformational effect. We pray for the persecuted church to experience Your grace and peace, and for healing of areas of disunity surrounding the persecuted church who have developed such distrust and suspicion out of an attempt to survive. Lord, for the Cuban refugees in the US we pray for salvation, for a redemptive influence on families and on Cuba, and for wisdom in walking out their faith in a land with so many material temptations. We ask You to use whatever resources You will to reach Cuba for You. In Jesus' name, amen.

Prayer for Cape Verde and Cayman Islands: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - March 30 (Day 90)

Today's journey takes us from one of the largest countries in the world (Canada) to two of the tiniest islands - what a reminder that He is Lord of the land and the seas!

Psa 24:1-2 The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,
for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.
Please read pages 198-200. The information and prayer lists may be short, but the needs are real. Cape Verde depends on imports for 80% of its food supply. Its tourist and fishing potential are underdeveloped, and like many islands it is one natural disaster away from tragedy. The Cayman islands are affluent, with a Christian heritage, yet materialism and hedonism have found their way into the islands along with tourism and tax shelters. As we pray, let's seek God to truly impart to us His heart for the people of these locales.

My prayer for today: Lord, You are good and You do good. Your glory extends from the mountains to the valleys, from the coastlands to the islands. There is not a square inch of earth that does not belong to You for Your glory. Lord, we ask You today for the needs of Cape Verde and Cayman islanders. We ask You to give us Your heart for them and to see Your purposes in their existence. Lord, we pray for the economic concerns of Cape Verde with its poverty and underdevelopment. We pray for provision of food and resources. We pray especially for spiritual provision - bring about a true understanding of the Gospel and equip the believers to not mix their faith with other practices. We pray for the Caboverdians living abroad to be spiritual and economic blessings to the people back home. And Lord for Cayman - we thank You for the Christian heritage and the reference to Psalm 24 on the flag. We pray for Your power to be acknowledged, for all corruption and greed to be rooted out and for the wealth of the islands to be used for Your glory. We pray against materialism and hedonism and ask You to interrupt the tourists who visit Cayman with Your purposes and Your presence. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

Praying for British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, and Brunei: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - March 19 (Day 79)

Today's journey hops across a couple of small islands and rests for a bit on a tiny Asian state. Please read pages 169-173.
While our prayer focus for today will be on Brunei, it's important to see through the British Indian Ocean Territory (Diego Garcia) and the British Virgin Islands the significant impact that a larger nation's decisions can have on smaller locales, whether for military reasons or simply tourism. The answer isn't isolation -- from the earliest days of humanity the movement of peoples has resulted in important exchanges that can benefit all. Isolated people groups ultimately either engage or disappear. However, we do need to be aware of the global impact of our decisions and seek wise policies that truly demonstrate loving our neighbor in a global sense. And from a kingdom perspective, we can be aware that the movement of peoples yields very important missional opportunities. These have been divided in four broad categories:
- Voluntary Going: Think of Paul & Barnabas being sent out in Acts 13, or any of the thousands of missionaries since. Other examples include Christians who go to another land as students or businesspeople with a kingdom mindset.
- Voluntary Coming: Think of the mass of peoples who went to Jerusalem for Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles -- and found themselves present at the first Pentecost Sunday. Other examples of voluntary coming include immigrants all over the world - some of whom hear the Gospel for the first time and end up being voluntary go-ers back to their own country.
- Involuntary Going: This includes believers fleeing war or persecution, such as the believers in Acts 8 who didn't want to leave Jerusalem and yet carried the message of Jesus with them when they were forced to do so. Daniel and his friends involuntarily went to Babylon, and yet had a profound impact there. Naaman's slave girl was another involuntary go-er who chose to maintain a witness to her God in a foreign land. Other involuntary goers include refugees who often are exceptionally open to the Gospel.
- Involuntary Coming: One of the best examples of involuntary coming resulting in kingdom impact is the story of the Vikings. No one invited them to invade - and yet they were so amazed with the ethics of Christianity that they ultimately followed Christ.
What's the bottom line lesson for us as believers? Whatever situation we are in voluntarily or involuntarily, we carry with us the treasure of the Gospel in these earthen vessels that are our bodies. We are always a witness to who Jesus is and what He has done. And as we interact with others who are moving for one reason or another - literally around the world or figuratively through transitions in life - look for God-given creative opportunities to meet needs and show His love. He'll open doors to tell of His greatness anytime our desire is to "know Him and make Him known."
Now, to Brunei.
Brunei is not poor materially, but there is much spiritual need. It's what is often called a "creative access" country because missionaries are not openly allowed and even getting materials into the country for more than personal use is forbidden. Believers there could be gripped with fear because they are often infiltrated by the government for monitoring - and yet they are not. They have come together in unity and birthed a holy determination. We might say that they have chosen to make the most of the "involuntary coming" of the government agents, and increased their witness for Christ. Praise God with me for their example, and let's pray today for this country.
My prayer for today: Lord, Thank You the believers in Brunei are not hiding but instead are standing strong with a unity and determination that can only come from You. We pray, Lord, that You will raise up leaders for the churches in Brunei. Raise up pastors and Bible study leaders and evangelists and missionaries and all those who are needed to guide the church toward significant active engagement in this land. We ask You, Lord, to give creative ideas to those trying to get in to assist the church and we pray for true partnerships between the mission agencies and the churches. We pray for those government agents hanging out in the churches to fall under conviction and submit to the truth of Jesus. We pray this will happen so much that the government will realize the futility of monitoring the churches. We pray for the King of Brunei to see the loving, selfless acts of Christians and be intrigued to the point of hearing the Gospel for himself, and believing in You. We pray for the impact Brunei will have on the kingdom of God. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Prayer for Bermuda and Bhutan: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - March 10 (day 70)

Today's countries pose an interesting juxtaposition: almost on the other side of the world from each other, one has complete freedom of religion and the other is one of the most closed countries in the world. Both need a touch from the Lord. Please read about Bermuda and Bhutan on pages 150-153.

Has God placed unreached people groups on your heart? Does your heart, like mine, burn with a desire for those in "closed" countries to have freedom and release from darkness? Do you sometimes get discouraged when doors seem closed for generations? Then take heart: by praying, you are opening doors in a mighty way. There are untold stories of walls that have fallen due to prayer; in my lifetime alone we've seen the fall of the Iron Curtain and the opening up of the Communist countries in a largely peaceful manner, attributed by Eastern European Christians to prayer alone. More recently, the Muslim world has experienced a huge awakening to Christ, largely through dreams and visions to the point that missionaries find that when they arrive they are running into people all over the place who are simply waiting for someone to tell them what their dream meant. Many estimate that more Muslims have come to Christ in the past 20 years than in the entire existence of Islam previously. What made the difference? In the early 1990s, prayer walking became an emphasis in missions in the Muslim world.

The first time I heard of Bhutan was through an International Mission Board video - the country was a focus for a particular week of prayer. It was thoroughly closed. We knew about the country but didn't even see much of it in the video. Today, Bhutan demonstrates a few doors slightly cracked open, letting in the tiniest bit of light. That's ok. It's all that's needed. I rejoiced at the video below, because I love to see video from within this country where only a few years ago it would not have been allowed. It's a great reminder that the last verse in Acts tells us that Paul "proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!" The last word of the Greek sentence is literally "unhindered." Paul, though a prisoner, was unhindered. We too, holding the treasure of the Gospel in these earthen vessels, march forth unhindered. Those borders we cannot physically cross we can tear down through our prayers.

Be encouraged today as you pray for Bermuda and Bhutan. I'll let this video take the place of my prayer. 


http://youtu.be/nOiu7VLppLg 

Prayer for Barbados: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - March 4 (Day 64)

Today's journey takes us from one of the poorest countries in the world to one of the most prosperous island states of the Caribbean. In contrast to Bangladesh with its persecution and undercover churches, Barbados enjoys complete freedom of religion and a Christian heritage. Yet even here, you will see that much prayer is needed for the legacy of slavery and current challenges to the Gospel.

Please read pages 137-138, then return here for prayer.

My prayer for today: Lord, we thank You for the Christian heritage of Barbados and the growing unity of the church there. We thank You that there is spiritual freedom and economic security. But Lord, we know that the enemy will not leave Barbados alone. We pray for complete healing of the scars of slavery - thank You for the acts of public repentance and we pray that true forgiveness will follow. Lord, we come against the current attacks of the enemy in the form of materialism, violence, crime, false cults and other religious systems, and the weakening of truth in some sectors of the church. We pray for spiritual renewal for the church in Barbados - for complete unity and a commitment to prayer and the Gospel. We lift up the young people, Lord, who need to see the Gospel lived out and to understand that what You offer is better than the lies of the world. Thank You, Lord, for Your work in Barbados. In Jesus' name, amen. 

Prayer for the Bahamas: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - February 28 (Day 59)

(Housekeeping note: Operation World's prayer focus for today includes the Bahamas and Bahrain. However since this is a leap year we are going to split these into two days.)

Tucked away in the Caribbean, off the coast of Florida, lies a tiny island that many Americans never consider in any context other than tourist destination. However, as we'll read today, the Bahamas are much more than a place to take a nice day cruise. Please read pages 129-130 to learn about these 700 islands (40 with inhabitants), then return here for prayer.

My prayer for today: Lord, we thank You for the spiritual heritage of the Bahamas and for the political leaders who follow You. We thank You for the influence of the National Day of Prayer and the Bahamas Church Council. Lord, we pray for continued unity and influence from these key leaders in society. We pray for guidance for the leaders and ask that You protect them from temptations to compromise. Lord, we pray against the materialism that is becoming more common. We pray for true social righteousness and a government that will serve everyone, not just cater to the foreign residents and tourists. We pray for revival and a missionary vision among believers. We pray for leadership for the churches. We pray for wisdom in reaching the youth and the Haitian disapora who have such needs. Thank You Lord for what You are doing in the Bahamas. In Jesus' name, amen.