Prayers needed for Middle East The Middle East continues to be rocked by violence with Morocco being added to the list of places where unrest is spilling out. More than ever, we Christians need to be in prayer for this region of the world. This is a Facebook post from some close friends of ours who are stationed in Morocco: "Thank you for the prayers! Overall, the people here feel confident that there will not be the same violence that we have seen in other Arab nations, but continued prayers are vital. Additionally, prayers for the persecuted church here, and our fellow Christians who are feeling under spiritual attack would also be great!" Below is the latest prayer guidance from Window International Network After protests in Tunisia and Egypt forced leaders from power, demonstrations began breaking out across North Africa and the Middle East.   Yemen, Iran, Bahrain, Kuwait, Morocco, Djibouti, Jordan, Algeria and Iraq are among the nations where pro-democracy protests have been staged.  In Libya, hundreds have been killed in clashes between security forces and demonstrators.

The most deadly violence in the region has been in Libya.  Unlike Egypt, where the military forces identified with protesters and tried to maintain peace, Libyan forces have engaged in a full-scale crackdown. Special units and mercenaries were called in by leader Muammar al-Qadhafi to shoot and bomb demonstrators. Residents in Tripoli said they were afraid to even leave their homes as trucks loaded with militiamen patrolled the streets and opened fire on protesters. "It was an obscene amount of gunfire," one witness said. "They were strafing these people. People were running in every direction." Although no one is sure how many were killed, several reports have put the number in the hundreds, making this revolt the bloodiest in the Arab world since violence first erupted in Tunisia. (Click on the names of these nations for full profiles: Yemen, Iran, Bahrain, Kuwait, Morocco,Djibouti, Jordan, Algeria, Iraq, Libya.) PRAY FOR: - the civil unrest spreading throughout North Africa and the Middle East to be an open door for the Gospel to reach  many Muslims. (The Bible, Colossians 1:13) - the Lord to continue shaking this region, toppling spiritual  strongholds and setting the captives free. (The Bible, II Corinthians 10:4;Isaiah 42:6,7) - Christians to seize this opportunity to share the love of  God with their Muslim neighbors, friends and coworkers.  Pray for them to be bold, strong and courageous. (The Bible, Romans 5:8; Ephesians 6:19; Joshua 1:7) - the Holy Spirit to build the Church and give Christians  wisdom in how to pray and what to do during this time  of turmoil. (The Bible, Romans 8:26) - protesters to realize Jesus Christ is the answer to  their discontent. Pray for them to put their faith in Him  as Savior and Lord. (The Bible, Romans 10:9) - the salvation of leaders in all of the nations where  demonstrations are taking place. (The Bible, II Timothy 2:1-4) - a great harvest of souls to result from these events.  (The Bible, John 4:35) - the Kingdom of God to come to North Africa, the  Middle East, and the entire Arab world with power,  signs and wonders. (The Bible, I Corinthians 4:20)

Walk like Enoch did

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  Matthew 10:39

I am currently reading a book, The Great Omission: A Biblical Basis for World Evangelism by Robertson McQuilkin. It was a free download from Operation World. You can get it here by clicking on this eBook link

Much of it has spoken to my heart and voiced the things that concern me about myself. God really spoke to my heart 18 months ago, about His Great Commission and His desire that myself and our family be involved in mission outreach. This blog exists because of His words to my heart. Yet, in the day to day of living, I often find my passion lessening. I could blame it on our recent move to Hungary, the long hours of homeschooling I put in every day, the needs of a family of 7 which seem never ending, but honestly, I think it's that I'm just not desiring God enough.

The things of this world so easily satisfy. When life is good overall, everyone is healthy, there's plenty of family, friends, food, clothing, entertainment...I'm just not thinking of God throughout the day. I'm happy. I'm content. I'm satisfied. And that...is the subtle draw of this world. Like Esau who chose the stew that Jacob made for him (to satisfy his present appetite) over the first-born blessing that God had promised him...I so often choose the things of this world over the things of God.

I think back to the toughest year of my life, thus far. It was 2002-2003...we had just given birth to Rachel and adopted Grace. Life was hectic, tiring, confusing and so very stressful at times. More than any other time in my life up until then, I was focused on God. I prayed all the time. I sensed His presence so very closely. Like Enoch (Genesis 5:24), I was walking with God every day throughout the day.

But now, "I have discovered that if Satan can't get me with destruction, he will try to get to me with distraction," (Beth Moore - Believing God). He wants to distract me from what the Lord finds most important...the saving of human souls for His glory. God wants to lead us into His perfect will for our lives, but we would often rather stay where things are comfortable, predictable and safe.

"Why is it so difficult to replace a sophisticated way of life with a simple lifestyle in the face of incredible human need in the world? Why is it so difficult to say farewell to warm personal relationships and the security of a loving family and church and commit one’s life to penetrating the dark half of the world for the sake of people who are desperately lost? Why will so few abandon an occupation that makes full use of their vocational interests and opportunities to invest life in reaching the multitudes now out of reach of gospel witness? Is it that we don’t care? At least it is that we don’t care enough. We are committed to choose, act, and live on the basis of self-interest. In the conflict of loves, we choose to save our lives, not lose them. But in saving, we lose. "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" Matthew 10:39  (Robertson McQuilkin)

Jesus was tempted to choose preservation, safety, comfort, but "it was love for the Father that dominated in that titanic struggle of the loves: “not my will, but yours be done,” Jesus prayed (Luke 22:42). John explains in great detail that such obedience is the proof of love. He wrote, “This is love for God: to obey his commands” (1 John 5:2, 3). It will not do to proclaim our love for God and then not obey Him.
Is there any command more forceful than the Great Commission? Is there any greater disobedience than a church squandering its resources on itself for twenty centuries, refusing to live and die in behalf of a world for whom Jesus Christ gave His life?

Love in the Bible is more verb than noun. More than an emotion it is behavior. To love as God loved is to live in behalf of others at any cost to self—indeed, to die in behalf of others if necessary.

Jesus is able to awaken us with those incredible words given first on the night of His mighty resurrection, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Let us respond to His outpouring of love, embracing Him with all our lives until we become even as He is (1 John 4:17)." (Robertson McQuilkin)

"We have only one turn on this green earth. We will never get to do this again. We cannot do a hundred things to the glory of God, but we can certainly do a few. What you and I need is focus. Day in and day out. Eyes on the goal," (Beth Moore).

May the Lord help us to focus on Him, walk with Him daily as Enoch did, choose His will over ours as Jesus did, and have our hearts broken and our lives dedicated to sharing the Gospel with the lost for the glory of the Lord!

The Promised Land

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide:
"Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.
I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.
Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea on the west.
No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:1-9


God impressed a thought on me a few nights ago when I was reading, in Unashamed by Francine Rivers, about the Israelites' refusal to enter and claim the Promised Land. Their refusal resulted in them having to wander in the desert for forty years until a new generation rose up who would walk in obedience to God. Is it like that today with the same area of the world -- the Middle East?

God wants His people to go in and take the land, spiritually, for Christ. He has promised His miraculous power and presence to break down the walls of Islam, Judaism and other barriers. But how often, in the past, has God's people shrank back in fear of the people living in the land?

This time, the army God is raising up does not come in with swords of death but with the sword of the Spirit - the Word of God! He is raising up a generation of Christians from all over the world who are burdened for the Muslims, the Jews and the Middle East, who are not afraid, who will go in because they know God is on their side.

This time, the work will not be the external work of the Old Covenant (destruction/subjugation of the enemy) but the internal work of the New Covenant (construction of new hearts).

This new generation is made up mainly of Asians and Africans - a "generation who has been hardened by desert living, a generation who has been in the presence of Power from their birth," (Rivers).

Good advice for Christians entering the "Promised Land" of the Middle East: "You're young and on fire...but you must be coolheaded and wise as a serpent. Do not stroll into the (area) like a conqueror. Keep your head down. Seek out an establishment that will know the mind of the people." That is just what many Christians are doing as they enter the Middle East with the Gospel. God has set apart many who know Him...although often secretly (like Rahab of old). These "Rahab's" are waiting for Christians to come and tell them more about Jesus (Isa).

May we remember God's Promised Land and its people and pray for their salvation and that God will send even more workers into this harvest field!

Prayer for Egypt and other nations in turmoil

"WATERSHED MOMENT" IN THE ARAB WORLD

The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. 

Psalm 145:17-20

As the eyes of the world are focused on the continuing violence and unrest in Egypt with possible repercussions throughout the Arab world and in Israel, may we, as Christians, be in continual prayer about all that is happening. 

"...Something does seem to be happening at a regional level," writes journalist Marc Lynch, "exposing the crumbling foundations of Arab authoritarianism and empowering young populations who suddenly believe that change is possible."

The Lord is doing a new and powerful work in North Africa and the Middle East. Intercessors have been praying for this region for decades and God is clearly answering their prayers - unseating principalities, tearing down strongholds and setting the captives free.

What is the Lord's plan for these nations? Something monumental is happening. Something historic. How will Christians respond?

This could well be a Rhoda moment: the unexpected answer to what we've been praying about staring us in the face. Will we slam the door in disbelief or give thanks to God and seize this opportunity?

As one leader noted, "We need supernatural wisdom on how to handle this open door that God has given us. What we see happening is a reflection of what is happening in the heavenlies - all-out spiritual war for the souls of men and women."

Instead of sitting back to watch or worry about these events, we must keep praying. Watchmen arise and take your positions on the wall. Seek the Lord for direction as you stand in the gap for these nations. Ask Him to call forth an army of prayer warriors to take part in this historic season of prayer.

PRAY FOR:

the the Lord of hosts to arise in North Africa and the Middle East. Pray for Jesus Christ to be exalted throughout the Arab world - far above all principalities and powers. (The Bible, Ephesians 1:19-21)

the eyes of every Muslim in this region to be enlightened so they can know the hope to which the Lord is calling them in Christ Jesus. (The Bible, Ephesians 1:18)

the Lord to keep the situation in each country from degenerating into chaos. Pray for events to unfold in His timing and according to His purposes. Invite the rule and reign of His Kingdom. (The Bible, Psalm 145:13)

the restoration of order and peace. Pray for leaders and security forces to use restraint and wisdom in dealing with protesters. (The Bible, Psalm 37:11)

Christian missionaries and laborers in these nations. Petition the Lord to protect them and give them discernment in what to do and how to most effectively minister to the people. (The Bible, I Corinthians 16:9)

indigenous Christians to refuse to give in to the spirit of fear. Pray for the Lord to give them the spirit of power to overcome the enemy, the spirit of love to care for the people, and a sound mind to accomplish His desire for these nations. (The Bible, II Timothy 1:7)

the Lord to raise up leaders to guide each of these troubled countries forward into His purposes. Pray against the demonic powers trying to fill the void. Ask the Lord to keep them from successfully gaining control. (The Bible, Daniel 2:21; Psalm 35:26)

the people in the Arab world to see what is taking place, realize the hand of the Lord at work, and call to Him in their time of distress. (The Bible, Psalm 18:6)

the spirit of self-destruction - especially by fire - to be bound. Pray for abundant life in Jesus Christ to be poured out upon the young people of Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, Yemen, Jordan... (The Bible, John 10:10)

this turmoil and unrest to cause Muslims to cry out to the Living God. Pray for a great harvest of souls and ask the Lord to reveal Himself in glory through dreams and visions. (The Bible, Psalm 5:2; Acts 2:17)

Christians around the globe to arise and take on the Caleb anointing - following the Lord wholeheartedly and boldly venturing into the territory of giants to possess the land. (The Bible, Numbers 14:24; 13:30)

This prayer alert is from Window International Network