May - June 2015

27. Nepal

Palliative care is the relief and prevention of

suffering for people with serious life threatening

or terminal illness. It is relatively new to Nepal.

Provision is almost entirely confined to the

Kathmandu Valley. Four of the five

geographical regions of Nepal have almost no

palliative care arrangements at all. This

includes most of the remote and disadvantaged

communities in the country. At the moment,

there are very limited numbers of trained

Nepalis to extend the availability of palliative

care but training is now taking place. Please

pray that the need for palliative care will be

more widely recognised. Pray that people facing

the end of their lives will be able to do so in

peace with their loved ones around them. (INF)

28. India

Christians in India have been stunned by a

number of attacks against them in recent

weeks, including the rape of a 71-year-old nun

in West Bengal. It has been blamed on fanatical

Hindus who want to convert Christians and

other minority faiths to Hinduism. Other

incidents have included the demolition of a

Catholic church under construction in northern

Haryana state, a 140-year-old cathedral being

vandalised by a mob in Madhya Pradesh state

and threats of sexual violence and arson at a

convent school in West Bengal. BMSs Ben

Francis declares: Make no mistake we are in

the business of plundering hell to populate

heaven. I think it is really important at this point

that we share the light with all weve got. Pray

that these attacks will be a catalyst for

redemption. (BMS)

29. Pakistan

Pakistans Christian community has felt

increasingly vulnerable since the September

2013 bombing of All Saints Church in

Peshawar. In March 2015, at least 19 people

were killed when bombs were detonated

outside two churches in the Christian colony of

Youhannabad, Lahore. Less than a fortnight

later, armed motorcyclists opened fire on St

Peters Church and High School in the

Township area of Lahore. Christians are also

vulnerable to being falsely accused under the

countrys blasphemy laws. Punjab officials are

fast-tracking cases where they believe

defendants are accused of blasphemy without

basis - but have excluded Christians from the

process for fear of a violent reaction by

hardliners. Pray that the government will

increase security for the Christian minority and

reform the blasphemy legislation so that the

innocent are protected. (Release International)

30. Sri Lanka

Savithri Sumanthiran is General Secretary of

Fellowship Of Christian University Students

(FOCUS). She says, I love student ministry

because it is the one ministry in Sri Lanka that

addresses every sphere of life and because

these young men and women can so influence

a bruised and broken society towards shalom.

Please pray for students to see that Jesus

should impact every sphere of life: personal,

economic, social and political. (IFES)

31. Afghanistan

A 21-year-old woman was awarded the 2015

International Women of Courage award in

Afghanistan for her role as the first female air

force pilot in her nation. Despite death threats

from insurgents, and even her own extended

family, she refuses to be intimidated or

silenced. Pray for her safety. Ask that her case

could be an example of perseverance and

courage for many women struggling under

heavy burdens, giving other young women hope

and inspiration. Ask the Lord today to bring

more women to Himself in Afghanistan. Pray for

effective workers among them. (AsiaLink)

Vol 60 No 3 Editor: Paul Tuckwell Hon. Editor: Martin Lee

The annual cost including postage for copies sent to the same address: One copy per issue 5.00 UK only 8.00 Europe 12.00 Rest of world

All subscriptions should be addressed to: Global Connections, Caswell Road, Leamington Spa, CV31 1QD Telephone: 01926 487755 Email: info@globalconnections.org.uk

Registered in England & Wales as Evangelical Mission Association. Company number 3886596. Charity number 1081966

When you look out on the world through

your newspaper, TV screen or news app,

what do you see?

Sadly, lead news items are rarely good news

stories and too often we see mans inhumanity

and lost-ness. More important than what we

see, though, is how we react to it. As you watch

or listen to the news and as you use this edition

of the World Prayer News, let me encourage

you to see world events through Gods eyes

and from the perspective of his missional

purposes and respond accordingly. What do I

mean by this? I mean...

See people - not events and circumstances:

- In Matthew 9:35-38, when Jesus looked out on

the crowds in front of him, he didnt see health

issues, he saw people; people who were

harassed and helpless - and he had

compassion on them.

- In Exodus 17:8-16, when Moses looked out

from his hill top vantage point, he saw Gods

people under attack.

- In Philippians, the church didnt see a

faceless prisoner, they saw their brother, Paul.

See prayer as the primary response to what

you see:

- What was Christs first instruction to his

disciples when he viewed the crowd with

compassion? Ask the Lord ... (v38)

- What was Moses task as he watched the

Israelite army? To raise His arms to God.

- What was the first gospel partnership activity

recorded by Paul in his letter to the Philippians?

Prayer. (Philippians 1:19a)

See Gods missional purposes unfold (and

be prepared to be part of it):

- The disciples were to pray for workers to go out

into Gods harvest field and the next thing they

knew, they were the workers and people were

being healed! (Matthew 10:1)

- As Moses prayed, the armies of Israel were

victorious.

- Through the prayers of the Philippians and the

work of the Holy Spirit, Paul declares with

confidence that what has happened to me

will turn out for my deliverance. (1:19b)

So, as you pray through this World Prayer News,

see the people behind the headlines through

Gods eyes for the world and its people are his

(Psalm 24:1) - and pray with compassion, with

perseverance, and in the knowledge that it

makes a difference.

Rev Mark Welsh

Mission Mobiliser

Interserve

What do you see? 22. Vietnam Specialised English Clubs are proving popular

in Vietnam for people wanting to improve their

language skills. These clubs meet weekly to

listen to a programme together and to discuss

English usage in small groups. As well as

hearing holistic Christian content in the

programmes, the participants also come into

direct contact with registered churches and end

up building relationships with people of faith.

Pray, as more English clubs are started, that

Gods love will clearly be seen in these practical

sessions and that lives will be changed as a

result. (Reach Beyond)

23. Japan

Proportionately many more Japanese become

Christians outside Japan than in Japan, due

partly to the many more opportunities to meet

Christians. There is also a far greater openness

to new ideas when away from the home culture,

which is largely conformist. Pray that in this

openness God would direct the steps of many

Japanese into life-changing relationships with

Christians. Pray that those who start a new

journey of faith following Jesus overseas would

be built-up on a strong foundation, that their

faith would continue to grow after returning

home, and that they would have significant

impact for the gospel there. Pray too that God

will call and send out Japanese Christians to

other parts of the world to spread the good

news in other places. (Japan Christian Link)

24. Vanuatu

The people of Vanuatu are reeling after Cyclone

Pam brought mayhem and destruction to their

South Pacific nation. Winds of up to 180mph

slammed into the 65 islands making up the

archipelago, flattening homes, crops, and

knocking out bridges and roads. Vanuatus

president described the damage as

unprecedented and up to half of Vanuatus

277,000 population are estimated to have been

affected by the disaster. Vanuatu is one of the

world's least developed countries with around

80% of the population making a living through

subsistence farming. Pray for people as they

start on the road to recovery and for the

government to rebuild schools speedily so

children dont miss out on their education. Pray

too that the church globally will take action on

climate change to help protect the world's

poorest people from more disasters like this.

(AsiaLink)

25. Malaysia

There are still village churches in Malaysia that

are without a full-time pastor. Please pray for

the trainee pastors who travel from their

colleges to work in these churches. May the

Lord protect their travels and bless the

communities they visit. Please also pray for

more trained pastors to feel Gods call to work

in these churches permanently. (OMF)

26. Australia

The Yolgnu people of Arnhem Land, Northern

Australia are recovering from two cyclones that

hit the area within six weeks of each other

earlier this year. Cyclone Lam and Nathan

uprooted trees and destroyed homes and

buildings in the homelands of Milingimbi,

Ramingining, and Elcho Island. Pray for the

clean-up operation that is now under way, that

life will soon get back to normal for those

affected and for a special touch on those

suffering stress and mental trauma from the two

storms. (MAF UK)

1. Lebanon

SAT-7 aired a LIVE Maundy Thursday service

at Roumieh Prison in Lebanon. It is the largest

and most overcrowded jail in the country with a

population of 5,500 inmates. Maronite Cardinal

Bechara El Rahi, a highly respected Christian

leader in Lebanon, washed the feet of the

prisoners. This inspiring act of servanthood

could not come at a better time. The prison has

experienced security problems, made

adjustments and is now attempting to maintain

order. Pray that this message of peace and faith

builds bridges of conviviality between religions

in one of the most disturbed regions of the

world. (SAT-7)

2. Dreams and visions

Across the Middle East there are stories of

people who have had dreams that have

confirmed to them the way of Truth. Many have

seen Jesus in a dream, and this has been a

significant step in their journey to faith in Christ.

Pray for many more people to have dreams and

visions from God that will turn them to the truth

and lead them to embrace life in Christ. (WEC)

3. Egypt

Christs offer of new life and a fresh start was

the theme of a special concert organised by

SAT-7 in Egypt. Almost 3,000 people attended

with thousands more watching on TV and

online. Farid Samir Garas, Executive Director of

SAT-7 Egypt said; Non-Christians have many

questions regarding the Holy Week and Easter.

This is an opportune time to spread the Good

News to all... We hope that we could provide

answers to some of the questions people have

and also trigger new questions in their minds to

make them interested to know more. Pray that

people will continue to explore for truth. Pray

that Gods presence will enter the hearts of all

who witnessed this message of new life.

(SAT-7)

4. Iran

A house church was born just the other day in

Iran. The churchs new pastor was put in touch

with an old neighbour called Amir, who was

excited to talk to a Christian. We had an

incredible conversation when he called me.

Amir had become disillusioned with his religion

and began searching for truth. He heard the

gospel from a TV program, and became a

Christian. He was so thirsty to learn more about

God, and he told me about seven other new

believers he knows. He explained they have no

one to teach them. We agreed that Amir and his

friends will gather in his home weekly, and I will

call them to teach and pastor them. Pray for

rapid growth in maturity and faith, sustained

growth in numbers, and protection for this

house church. (Elam)

5. Algeria

"Women who convert to Jesus Christ face new

challenges, which sometimes cost them dearly,"

says Djamila, a Christian woman in Algeria.

Converted more than twenty years ago, Djamila

lived her early years after her conversion to

Jesus under pressure from her Muslim parents.

She only found full freedom to live out her

beliefs once married to a man who shares the

same faith. She currently serves alongside him

in a local church in Northern Algeria. Parents

can force their Christian daughter to marry a

Muslim, something that is contrary to the Word

of God. When married, she suddenly finds

herself in a situation of conflict and

incompatibility, which sometimes ends in a

divorce. The church offers a positive

environment to women, providing opportunities

for them to serve. Please pray, as women who

leave Islam for Christianity are often divorced

by their husbands; ask for God's provision and

healing. (Open Doors)

17. Haiti

Christian station Radio Lumire recently

celebrated its 56th anniversary with a number of

special events, where many listeners spoke and

gave testimony to their love and attachment to

the station. One listener wrote: "I am a young

Haitian girl. I currently live in Brazil where life is

very difficult for us. A number of my girlfriends

have fallen into prostitution in order to live. I

thank the name of my God who gave me a

special gift in Radio Lumire. It is my

companion and helps me stay faithful to

biblical principles in spite of the difficult

circumstances. Pray for continuing fruit from

this powerful gospel voice. (Reach Beyond)

18. Argentina

Seeing the destruction of vast areas of forest is

bad enough; knowing that this is driven by

greed and corruption makes it worse. But what

is truly gut-wrenching is witnessing some

indigenous leaders speak in favour of the

expansion of industries into their homelands as

a result of being offered gifts. A key role for

Christians in caring for the Chaco regions

fragile environment and its people is speaking

the truth in love and facilitating dialogue

between those who control environmental

policies, those who destroy the forests, and

those who are most affected by those actions.

Pray for a new venture with A Rocha to develop

a centre helping Christian leaders and

environmental professionals to integrate their

faith into their work and ministries. (CMS)

19. Nicaragua

Nimia Talavera has fond memories of her

childhood in Santa Teresa, but today climate

change and deforestation have left the riverbed

dry. The land has stopped being fertile; we

dont produce as much as we used to. Its not

enough anymore. says Nimia. Nicaragua is

placed fourth in the list of countries most

affected by climate change. Tearfunds partner

Prodad has been helping the community in

Santa Teresa adapt to the changing climate by

replanting trees and restoring the fertility of the

farmland. Pray for protection and perseverance

for communities who are being pushed into

poverty by the changing climate. Pray too that

world leaders at the UNs climate change

conference in December 2015 will step up their

efforts to tackle this problem. (Tearfund)

20. Peru

Many pastors and elders in rural Quechua

churches have little formal Bible training and

few resources other than their Bibles. Leaders

in the Cusco Synod of the Evangelical Church

of Peru (IEP) have long wanted to produce a

magazine to help get practical, biblical teaching

to the rural areas. Now, in the shape of Allin

Qollana (The Good Leader), that is happening.

Pray for the distribution - in a rugged,

mountainous region half the size of England is

very difficult. With only a small group of pastors

currently involved in the distribution, it is

important to make the most of church events

that draw lots of people. (CMS)

21. Paraguay

Paraguay lived under more than three decades

of dictatorship until 1989 and has long been one

of the Latin Americas poorest and most

isolated countries. Despite rapid economic

growth in recent years, the country still suffers

political instability. GBUP, the Christian student

movement, has seen an awakening of

Christian students. Student workers have been

visiting cities in the interior of the country where

there are universities but where Christian

students are unaware of the ministry of GBUP.

Many are being challenged to be agents of

reconciliation in their context. Pray for continued

growth and for passion and commitment for all

involved in student ministry. (IFES)

11. Rwanda

In Rwanda, many children are not registered at

birth, which prevents them in later life from

accessing state welfare, employment, owning

land and makes them targets for abuse and

exploitation. Through education and hands-on

training of local officials, local Christian lawyers

from Lawyers of Hope have been able to

increase birth registration rates and encourage

regular community engagement to ensure this

continues. Give thanks for the local lawyers who

provide this access to justice ministry, and pray

that Gods heart for mercy and justice would be

ever more evident. (LCF)

12. Chad

WhatsApp, Facebook and Viber are all in

regular use, even amongst nomads. That

explains why good websites can be so strategic.

Websites in the local language with a focus on

Scripture, or with stories applying biblical

principles to the local context, can have a big

impact. Pray for those working on such

websites, and pray that these sites will be used

by God to build his Church. (WEC)

13. Mozambique

The Mwani, whose lives are tied to fishing and

the ocean, live along the coast of northern

Mozambique. Although fiercely Islamic in name,

the Mwanis worldview is strongly influenced by

the animistic world of ancestors and the use of

mediums such as witchdoctors. Witchdoctors

are often paid to protect the boundaries of the

rice paddy with beads, bottles, cloths and

bones. Pray for these people, that they would be

able to escape spiritual darkness and that their

eyes would be opened to the wonderful joy of

Gods grace through Jesus. Pray for growth

among the many new believers in Quissanga

and the few on Ibo island, that the hunger for

Gods Spirit would spread up and down the

coast. (AIM International)

14. Malawi

After the country of Malawi was hit by severe

flash flooding in which many people died,

remaining families recently planted crops which

were also destroyed. Malawi relies on

subsistence farming: there is concern that a

famine will occur later this year when maize

supplies run out. Please pray for those who are

working with the Church in Malawi that they

would have the resources to help churches with

food without creating dependence; and that

they would help the churches to become more

resilient in the future. (Zambesi Mission)

15. Kenya / Tanzania

Please pray for the Digo, a Muslim tribe living in

northern Tanzania and southern Kenya. More

than 100,000 Digo are concentrated on the

northern coastal strip of Tanzania. Islam is

widely accepted among the Digo though only a

few have studied it in depth. Ties with traditional

practices such as animism (the belief that non-

human objects have spirits) and ancestor

worship still have significant influence. Most are

unreached with the gospel. Please pray for the

security of those working amongst them. There

has been a dramatic rise in the number of

terrorist-related attacks in Kenya with Al-

Shabaab operatives actively recruiting young

Digo men in several mosques along the coast.

(AIM International)

16. Senegal

In some countries, significant progress has

been made when a more contextualised

approach to church planting has been used

for example, using forms of worship that are

more closely aligned with those found in the

local culture. Pray for those in Senegal who are

seeking to be as relevant as possible in the

local culture, while in no way compromising the

gospel. Pray that the gospel will have an impact

to the glory of God. (WEC)

6. Moldova

In May 2015, WorldShares growing anti-

trafficking partner Beginning of Life is hosting a

major international conference on Changed

Realities of Human Trafficking, Exploitation and

Migration. The 200 delegates meeting in

Chisinau will include speakers from South

Africa, India, Germany, Switzerland and the UK,

politicians, lawyers, police and representatives

of NGOs from around the world. Please pray

with us that increased international awareness

and co-ordination on this issue will result in

more people being successfully rescued and

rehabilitated from trafficking and exploitation,

and, crucially, many more prevented from

becoming victims in the first place.

(WorldShare)

7. Russia

Modern society is characterised by the

replacement of reality for virtual-reality. Those

most prone to this phenomenon are teenagers

who spend a lot of time on the Internet and

social networks. To help return to real life and to

real values, in February the students of OM

Russias training centre organised and hosted a

conference with the title Friendsoffline. Free

from the influence of all social networks and the

Internet for the duration of the event, the

teenagers enthusiastically participated in

workshops that addressed topical issues such

as the influence of movies and the Internet on

their lives. During the Sunday morning service,

the message centred around friendship with

God - a topic which touched the hearts of the

listeners and helped some of them come to

repentance and accept Jesus Christ as the Lord

of their hearts. (Operation Mobilisation)

8. Bulgaria

The employment rate is extremely low in

Svishtov, Bulgaria. Pray for Gods provision and

guidance as people seek to make ends meet.

Pray for TEN worker Anatoli as he encourages

people in their everyday lives. Bulgaria is still

very sceptical of Evangelical Christians and

their view of faith. Pray for Svishtov, and the

Bulgarian nation, that people will become more

responsive and open to Gods Word.

(Transform Europe Now)

9. Bosnia and Herzegovina

For many years, OM Bosnia in Biha has run a

winter firewood project with the local

evangelical church to help struggling families

with much-needed firewood and a food

package. At the same time, they hope to

introduce them to the love of Jesus. Ninety-five

per cent of the population of Biha are from a

Muslim background, and theres only one

church in the county. Many become depressed

because of their worsening financial situations

and they find that their religious leaders provide

little hope. In January, about 25 people from

local families attended an evening of dinner and

fellowship at the local church. As well as singing

songs, drinking coffee and eating homemade

food, they heard a clear message from Faruk*,

a Muslim background believer who knows both

the Qur'an and the Bible well. Give thanks with

the OM team that, little by little, God is softening

the hearts of people in the town. *Name

changed (Operation Mobilisation)

10. Prayer for vulnerable children

When you see the world through the eyes of a

vulnerable child it can be painful, frightening

and lonely. One billion children worldwide live in

poverty, with 6.6 million under five years old

dying from preventable causes, 15% of children

engaged in work, one in ten girls married before

they reach 15 years old, and 57 million primary-

aged children out of school. Join in prayer for

children all over the world, that they will know

Gods protection, trust in Gods provision, and

remember Gods promises. (Viva)