Prayer Focus for Gabon – Sunday, September 11

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Gabon, Africa: Less-reached peoples: a) The east region was long closed to evangelicals, and the northeast was the least evangelized and least developed. Born-again Christians are very few among the many pockets of peoples – notably Yongho, Wandji, Sanghu, Tsogo, Duma, Ngom, Kaningi, Bubi and Minduumo. But these areas, now open, are seeing churches planted and people reached, although much work remains. b) The Fang are the dominant people (41% of the population) and largely Protestant or Catholic. They are a profoundly religious people, but most of their fervency is dissipated in syncretistic ancestral worship. For more information, go to www.operationworld.org.

Prayer Focus for Finland – Sunday, August 28

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Finland, Europe: The heritage of sending missionaries is under threat. The strength of mission sending has largely been through parachurch agencies or independent movements within the larger Lutheran framework. The churches need to catch a missions vision and become more involved in the sending process, rather than relying totally on agencies. But an over-centralization of mission-sending structures, under the rubric of the Lutheran Church, could drastically stunt missions as it could effectively isolate mission sending from the congregations altogether. The disconnectedness of many Finns from local churches doesn’t help the situation. Specific mission-mobilizing events have helped bring together different agencies and raise the profile of missions. Pray for more workers as well as more supporters.

Men’s ministry is a real need in Finland. Discipling men is difficult in a highly passive and private culture. Pray for ministries that will be able to call Finns into relationships that involve pastoring, mentoring and accountability. For more information, go to www.operationworld.org.

Prayer Focus for Fiji – Sunday, August 21

fiji-MMAP-smFiji, Pacific: The Methodist Church has been the de facto state church in Fiji for 150 years as well as the faith of the majority of ethnic Fijians. It has also been tightly aligned with the nation’s political structures – to the detriment of the gospel. Methodism’s past failure to adequately condemn the endemic racism and racially motivated coups has prompted splits within the Church. A lack of spiritual vitality has spurred a large-scale exodus to newer denominations. But there has also been change in recent years as issues of renewal and reconciliation have come to the fore. Pray for new life and right priorities for this highly influential denomination. For more information, go to www.operationworld.org.

Prayer Focus for Falkland Islands – Sunday, August 14

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Falkland Islands, Latin America: There are only three significant denominations among the Islanders (Anglican, Roman Catholic and Tabernacle United Free Church). Most of the population are very nominal in what faith they may have. Pray for a renewal of faith in all three of these groups. Pray for believers in their witness to fellow Islanders and to fishermen, oilmen and tourists of different nationalities who stop off in the islands. For more information, go to www.operationworld.org.

Prayer Focus for Ethiopia – Sunday, August 7

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Ethiopia, Africa: The nation continues to be torn with social, political and economic crises:

  1. a) Hostilities with neighbors Eritrea and Somalia cripple efforts to revive and modernize the country. The Eritrean war was immensely costly in money and lives for no real gain. Embroilment in the civil conflict in Somalia could become a huge expense.
  2. b) Ethnic fragmentation remains a possibility. Regionalization brings greater autonomy to the major ethnic groups – Amhara, Tigrinya, Oromo, Somali and Afar. Some scenarios could see federal power break down and tribalism increase.

For more information, go to www.operationworld.org.

Prayer Focus for Estonia – Sunday, July 31

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Estonia is a former-Soviet success story, as the small nation transitions to a more Western economy and political structure. However, poverty is not vanquished, and materialism’s influence grows. There is a crisis of values, recognized even by the media and the state, as secularism and pluralism tighten their grip. Pray for righteousness and biblical values to be modelled by a wise and upright government.

Religious freedom is an open door to Christian ministry but also to theological error. Many marginal Christian sects are increasing in number and influence – Mormons have more missionaries in Estonia than any Christian agency has there. While actual practitioners are few, a recent poll showed 11% of Estonians expressed warmest feelings toward pre-Christian pagan religions. Pray for the truth and light of Christ to be established in this new marketplace of religious options.

Prayer Focus for Eritrea – Sunday, July 24

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Pray for the less reached, specifically for:

a) The Tigre, mostly Muslim, and one of only a few Eritrean or Ethiopian Semitic peoples who are not Orthodox. They are related to the Tigrinya, but culturally distant from them. The Bible is available, but there are few Christians.

b) The Jabarti – a Muslim minority among the Tigrinya. Pray that the unrest might create opportunities for Tigrinya Christians to engage this related but previously distant group.

c) The Afar and related Saho peoples, largely nomadic pastoralists in the southeast with few Christians.

d) The Beja and Nara peoples of the northwest with no known witness. Many are nomadic.

e) The Arab Rashiada, who migrated from Saudi Arabia in the 19th Century. Recent work among these peoples has been reported, but there are still no known churches.

Christian support ministries have grown even more vital in recent years, since more conventional work has been shut down or suspended.

a) Students still in Eritrea remain fervent in evangelizing and discipling their peers, and large numbers continue to come to faith. Many recent evangelical movements were started or fuelled by students committed to Jesus.

b) Radio and satellite TV provide programming for Christians in Tigrinya and English, though some work has shut down in recent years, including an evangelistic work among the Tigre and Beja peoples. Christian radio is being broadcast into Eritrea from neighbouring countries. Pray for the gospel to go forth through these channels; shortwave radio Bible studies reach even into the military camps.

c) Other resources include the JESUS film (six languages), GRN audio Scriptures/teachings (in eight languages) and a series of tracts as well as a Bible Correspondence Course developed by FFM. Pray for widespread and effective use of these; pray also for development of more materials that will bless Christians and more tools for use in reaching others.

Prayer Focus for Equatorial Guinea – Sunday, July 17

equa-MMAP-smThe vast majority are Roman Catholic, the highest percentage of any African nation. But beneath the surface of the imposed colonial religion lies the reality that animistic beliefs and practices were never abandoned. Pray that the 85% who claim Christianity – without having been born again – might hear and respond to the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

An encouraging increase in religious freedom has occurred alongside a number of newer, growing Pentecostal, charismatic and evangelical denominations (AoG, Deeper Life, several indigenous denominations). Pray for purity of life and fervency of evangelism in the churches despite the prevailing poverty, corruption and despair. The government has actually been quite positive about the potential role of the Church and missions in developing society, a much-needed foil to the oil-oriented multinational corporations.

 

Prayer Focus for El Salvador – Sunday, July 10

elsa-MMAP-smRecovery from the social and psychological wounds of centuries of oppression and 12 years of civil war is a priority. The web of violence, hate, suspicion, atrocities and murder will take time to unravel. At the height of the war, 20% of the population fled the country, and the USA poured in $6 billion to shore up the government. Overall, more than 75,000 were killed. Pray for repentance, reconciliation and a fair society based on respect for human rights.

The impact of Christian institutions and media is wide-ranging and ever-increasing. There are three Christian universities, around 80 Christian schools, five TV stations and 30 radio stations. Those leading these ministries can enrich themselves if they seek to do so, or they can have a real Kingdom impact on society. Pray for the latter.

Prayer Focus for Egypt – Sunday, July 3

egyp-MMAP-smEgypt is arguably the intellectual centre of Sunni Islam, and Islamist groups such as The Brotherhood have grown greatly as they push for a more Islamic state. Their slogan (now “illegal”), “Islam is the solution”, will never actually be tested unless they attain power. The stridency and harshness of some of their teachings and actions cause many to question this, yet they are also generous providers of social welfare. Pray that their leaders, their members and those disillusioned with conflict might discover the Light of the World.