Praying for Russia: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - October 16

Today we conclude our prayers for Russia with a focus on the Urals Federal District, the Siberian Federal District, and the Far Eastern Federal District. Please read pages 717-718.

My prayer for today: Lord, I lift up these final regions of Russia to You. Though the people group names are unfamiliar on my tongue, they will be written in Your book of the peoples. We pray the words of Psalm 87:6-7 over these people groups:

The Lord will write in the register of the peoples:

“This one was born in Zion.”       Selah

As they make music they will sing,

“All my fountains are in you.” 

Lord, send missionaries to those You are calling out from among these people groups - the Bashkirs, Tatars, Chuvash, Udmurt, Mari, Mordvinians, Khanty, Mansi, Nenets, Kmoi, Buryat, Khakas, Tuvans. We pray You will write these people groups in the register of people groups and these individuals would say with joy "All my fountains are in You" as they find You fully sufficient. Lord, we anticipate worshipping around the throne with these precious people! In Jesus' name, amen. 

Praying for Russia: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - October 15

Today we continue to pray for some of the Geopolitical districts of Russia. Please read about the Northwestern Federal District and the Volga Federal District on pages 715-716.

My prayer for today: Lord, we pray for the Gospel to go forth in this district. We pray for the completion of the Bible in North Karelian and for wise approaches to reach these indigenous peoples. We thank You for the faithfulness of the pastor who translated the Bible into Komi; we pray that the people would treasure this and live out its words. We pray for the region of Kaliningrad Oblast to enjoy the richness of the Gospel, and for missions agencies in the Nenets region to have a heart to cooperate. We pray against confusion and for unity. For Volga, Lord, we pray for those ministering to the Tatars. We pray for special wisdom as Islam also advances in this region. We pray for opportunities for Udmurts to worship, pray and study in their own language, and for Scripture to exist in every language within this district. We ask for You to show these precious people that You have not forgotten them. In Jesus' precious name, amen.

Praying for Russia: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - October 14

Today we continue to pray for Russia, focusing on the Geo-ethnic Regions of the Russian Federation. These are regions that are ethnically distinct and occasionally sources of violence due to ethnic conflict. Please read about the first, the Southern Federal District, on pages 712-715.

My prayer for today: Lord, we hear of the conflicts in the Caucasus and they seem so far away, so distant from our daily lives. Yet for the people in this region, they are just one more struggle in a challenging life. We pray, Lord, for peace. We pray for sufficient food, clothing, and employment for the people in this region. We pray for purpose that will replace violence. We pray for a fair solution to the problems and wisdom, restraint, and moderation to prevail. We pray for the radical Islamist plans to be thwarted and for the region to experience religious freedom. We pray especially for the church in Dagestan, struggling for survival amidst violent extremist groups and caught in the middle of Muslim-on-Muslim violence. We pray for North Ossetia to exemplify righteousness and justice so that people can see the practical impact of light and truth. Guard and protect your servants as they seek to live out Your Word in this challenging place. In Jesus' name, amen.

Praying for Russia: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - October 13

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.

Praying for Russia: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - October 12

Today we begin 5 days of focused prayers on a country that was at the heart of the former Soviet Union. Russia today still is recovering from that difficult era, and Russians throughout Eastern Europe often remain despised for the sins of their fathers. There are many strongholds in Russia, and much prayer is needed. Please read pages 705-718, then watch this video and join in prayer today.

http://youtu.be/nsSUmlWyHBk